012023 - San Diego Edition

Filipino-owned California care home among 4 punished for underpaying workers

SACRAMENTO – An ongoing compliance drive by the U.S. Department of Labor found that four Sacramento-area home care providers, among them a Filipino-owned care home, failed to pay employees required overtime despite some of them working 24hour shifts caring for those in need.

Investigators from the department’s Wage and Hour Division found that the home care employers shortchanged their employees and deprived them of their rightfully earned wages, in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

In total, the division recovered $500,854 in back wages and liquidated damages for 48 workers and assessed $26,469 in

R’Bonney Gabriel makes history as first Fil-Am Miss Universe

by AJPress

“Filipinos

Gabriel, who is an eco-friendly fashion designer,

Marcos admin expects PH to grow by 6.5% in 2023

by Doris Dumlao-abaDilla Inquirer.net

DAVOS – The Philippine economy is likely to sustain a 6.5-percent growth rate this year, one of the fastest pace of expansion seen in the region, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Monday, January 16.

In a speech during a luncheon hosted by Philippine economic managers for President Marcos and the seven business tycoons attending the World Economic Forum meetings in Switzerland, Diokno estimated that gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2022 likely exceeded the government’s growth target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent.

While growth may just be at the low end of last year’s range in 2023, Diokno noted that 6.5 percent would still be one of the highest, if not the highest growth projection in the Asia-Pacific region. u PAGE 3

Fil-Am NHL player out for season

FILIPINO American National

(NHL) forward Nicholas “Nick” Robertson is out for the remainder of the season after his team, Toronto Maple Leafs, announced that he will undergo shoulder surgery.

He is expected to miss six months.

“Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson had season-ending shoulder surgery and will be out for six months,” the Leafs’ public relations Twitter handle wrote on Monday (Tuesday in Manila).

Nick, the younger brother of All-Star forward Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, had two goals and three assists in 15 regular season games for the Leafs. His injury stemmed from a hit from Los Angeles Kings defenseman Matt Roy in a game on December 8 in Toronto. (Aric John Sy Cua/ManilaTimes.net) n

Rappler, Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion charge

by TeTch Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

THE Court of Tax Appeals on Wednesday, January 18 has acquitted Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC) of four counts of tax evasion.

In a decision by its First Division, the Tax Court ruled in favor of acquittal for “failure of the prosecution to prove the guilt beyond reasonable doubt” on three counts of violation of Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC) for willful failure to supply the correct information and one count of violation of Section 254 for an attempt to evade tax.

The case was filed in 2018 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) over the failure

of Ressa and Rappler to declare P162.41 million profit from the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) in 2015.

PDRs are financial instruments used by some entities to receive foreign investment without violating the constitutional requirement of full Filipino ownership.

The CTA said the transactions of RHC mentioned in the case “cannot be considered as regularly or frequently engaged in the purchase of securities and resale thereof to customers.”

Citing the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) opinions, the Tax Court said “it is not repugnant to the nature of a holding company to engage in financial activities to raise capital for its subsidiaries. In fact, RHC is registered with the BIR as

Davos trip to generate jobs,  investments – economic team PH hosts strategic dialogue with US

by caTherine s. ValenTe ManilaTimes.net

DAVOS — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. participation at the World Economic Forum (WEF) is expected to generate billions of investments for the Philippines as well as hundreds of new jobs for the Filipinos, his economic team said.

Speaking to journalists who covered the President’s visit here, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said that the President has accomplished a lot in the initial days of his participation in the WEF, particularly by telling the Philippines’ success story and encouraging investors to come to the

The

The DFA, in a statement, said the BSD is an annual event which serves as the main platform for the Philippines and the U.S. “to affirm the longstanding alliance and friendship.”

It also discusses current challenges and identifies new areas for cooperation at the working group and senior officials’ levels.

City of San Diego announces selection of long-time resident as new poet laureate

Poet Jason Magabo Perez set to energize expansive literary arts scene for the next two years

SAN DIEGO – Prior to his first public appearance at Mayor Todd Gloria’s 2023 State of the City Address, local poet Jason Magabo Perez, Ph.D., was appointed as the City of San Diego 2023-2024 Poet Laureate. During the recent State of the City address, Perez recited his poem “We Draft Work Songs for This City” on stage at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for the arts, advocating for poetry, spoken word and literary arts on behalf of the City of San Diego. Perez is the City’s second Poet Laureate, succeeding Ron Salisbury, who was appointed in 2020 for a two-year term.

“Jason Magabo Perez is a champion for the art of poetry,” Mayor Gloria said. “I’m thrilled about his selection as San Diego’s Poet Laureate. His work is profound, innovative and uncompromising. As a long-time resident of San Diego, he has shown his dedication to our city through his extensive work as a

During his two-year appointment, Perez will create engaging and conceptually-rich original works that aim to broaden poetry audiences, inspire critical thinking, cultivate community connections and promote a deep appreciation of the art form through poetry projects. As the city’s civic poet, he will also be tasked

title on Saturday, January 14, beating out 83 other women from around the globe at the 71st Miss Universe pageant held in New Orleans.

are so happy. They are just over the moon about it,” Gabriel told Good Morning America following her win. “It’s a huge win for the community and just representation. It’s an honor.”

sewing instructor and model from Houston Texas, made history as the first Fil-Am to earn the coveted crown; and before that, she was the first Fil-Am to win the Miss USA and the Miss Texas crowns. The final question and answer portion asked the top 3 candidates: “If you win Miss Universe, how would you work to demonstrate this as an empowering and progressive organization?”

MANILA will host this week the 10th Philippines-United States Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) to discuss the challenges the two countries face in upholding their alliance.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will co-host the dialog with the Department of National Defense (DND) on January 19 to 20.

Hockey League

poet, educator and advocate.”

San Diego Poet Laureate Jason Magabo Perez Photo from Bulosan Center for Filipinx Studies/UC Davis

THE Philippines may not have secured its fifth Miss Universe crown but Filipinos in the United States and around the world are still celebrating as a Filipina American has been crowned in this year’s competition.

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, secured the

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel is crowned at the Miss Universe pageant in New Orleans on January 14. The 28-year-old model and eco-friendly designer became the first Filipina American to win Miss Universe and the ninth titleholder from the United States. During the national costume segment, Gabriel donned a NASA-inspired outfit designed by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena. AJPress photos by Troi Santos

WITH BUSINESS LEADERS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. meets with some of the world’s top chief executive officers and investment experts during a dinner hosted for him by Grab Chairman and CEO Anthony Tan at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023. Contributed photo

NHL forward Nicholas “Nick” Robertson

Photo from Instagram.com/@nickrobertson01

Circular for Brokers No. 2375-99 stated that “for as long as PDR remains unexercised by its holder, the PDR holder has no right of ownership over the underlying shares and all such ownership rights pertain to and

belong to the issuer.”

In this case, the CTA said, “there is nothing in the wordings of the PDR instruments and the PDR subscription Agreements that would show that foreign entities NBM and ON will become owners of the shares of stock of RI upon the issuance of the PDRs.”

“In sum, since the accused is not required to pay the income tax and VAT on the PDR transactions for the taxable year 2015, the elements of Sections 254 and 255 of the 1997 NIRC, as amended, are rendered nugatory and without legal support. The plaintiff, therefore, failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt,” the court said.

With the dismissal of the tax case at the CTA, there are now only three remaining cases against Rappler–1. the appeal on the Cyber Libel case, another tax case, and appeal on Rappler’s shutdown before the Court of Appeals. n

R’Bonney Gabriel makes history as first...

Gabriel answered that she would use the title to be a “transformational leader,” crediting her experience in fashion as a “force for good” and teaching sewing to human trafficking and domestic violence survivors.

“It’s important to invest in others, invest in our community, and use our unique talent to make a difference. We have something special and we can plant those seeds to other people in our life. We transform them and we use that as a vehicle for change,” she added.

Gabriel’s triumph becomes the ninth Miss Universe win for the U.S. Amanda Dudamel of Venezuela was first runner-up, while Andreína Martínez from the Dominican Republic was 2nd runner-up. Puerto Rico and Curacao also made it to the top 5.

During the Miss Universe national costume segment, Gabriel donned a NASA-inspired outfit with thigh-high silver metallic boots, silver star wings and a moon headpiece. The getup — which weighed about 30 pounds — was designed by Filipino designer Patrick Isorena, who previously created an outfit Gabriel wore in the Miss USA 2022 pageant.

Since winning the Miss USA pageant last year, Gabriel has opened up about her family and roots, sharing stories about her father who

migrated from the Philippines.

“My dad moved to America from the Philippines on a college scholarship with about $20 in his pocket. He wanted to pave a new life for himself. He met my mom in Texas, who is a country woman from Beaumont. I’m a very proud Filipina Texan,” Gabriel told ABC News in an October 2022 interview.

In addition to her pageant work, Gabriel is currently CEO of her own sustainable clothing line, R’Bonney Nola. She received a bachelor’s degree in fashion design from the University of North Texas.

Gabriel was born on March 20, 1994 in San Antonio, Texas, to Filipino Ramon Bonifacio ‘R’Bon’ Gabriel and American Dana Walker. Ramon immigrated to the United States from Manila, aged 19, to study.

Meanwhile, Filipina-Italian model Celeste Cortesi represented the Philippines, but ended her Miss Universe journey after not advancing to the top 16 in the pageant.

Cortesi failing to make the semifinals of the pageant meant the end of the Philippines’ consecutive runs to at least the semifinals in the annual beauty tilt at 12, which started with Venus Raj’s 4th runner-up placement in 2010 and ended with Beatrice Luigi Gomez making the Top 5 last year. n

PH hosts strategic dialogue...

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The 9th BSD was held in Washington D.C. in November 2021. The two countries take turns in hosting the meeting. “Both sides view the forthcoming meeting as an important opportunity to progress discussions on concrete initiatives to achieve the objectives outlined in the

Joint Vision for a 21st century U.S.-Philippines Partnership adopted by both sides during the 9th BSD,” the DFA said.

“Next week’s discussions will cover the gamut of our relations, including in the areas of defense, economic, peopleto-people, and other related cross-cutting issues at the bilateral, regional, and global

levels,” it added. The 10th BSD is expected to sustain the “positive trajectory and momentum” of the Philippine-US alliance and partnership, guided by the thrusts and priorities of the Marcos administration in advancing peace and prosperity. (by Bernadette E. Tamayo/ ManilaTimes.net) n

R’Bonney Gabriel

AJPress Photos by Troi Santos

an entity engaged in the Line of Business-‘Financial Holding Company Activities’.”

On allegations that foreign ownership following the issuance of PDRs to foreign entities NBM Rappler L.P. and Omidyar Network (ON), the CTA said “PDRs are not statements nor are

they certificates of ownership of a corporation.”

A Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)

Maria Ressa

Inquirer.net file photo

Davos trip to generate jobs, investments...

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country.

“Maraming na-accomplish (A lot has been accomplished) We have meetings with the various — saka maraming top leaders dito saka (besides, there are many top leaders here and) businessmen during our opening session with the President. Naipaliwanag naman natin iyong Philippine economy. Ang purpose talaga nito is to sell the country – nasaan tayo, ganoon (We have explained the Philippine economy. Its real purpose is to sell the country –where we are, that’s it),” Diokno said in a briefing.

Diokno said the President’s WEF participation will benefit

the planned establishment of the sovereign wealth fund, which will become the funding source of the Philippines’ major infrastructure projects.

“Kasi marami tayong proyekto na nangangailangan ng funding: infrastructure projects; pinanghihiram pa natin ng pera ‘yun eh from Japan, China, sa World Bank, ADB. Eh ngayon, kung mayroon tayong ganung fund pwede natin gamitin ‘yun para mapondohan ‘yun. ‘Yun ang purpose nun (Because we have many projects that need funding: infrastructure projects; we still borrow money from Japan, China, the World Bank, ADB [Asian Development Bank]. Now, if we have such a fund we

can use it to finance it. That’s the purpose of it),” Diokno said.

“So there are many projects-talagang (that are) very important projects, priority projects,” the Finance secretary added.

Diokno said the exciting thing is that President Marcos is able to showcase the country on the global stage in his first year in the presidency.

Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said he thinks the challenge for the Philippines as an economy is articulating the good narrative about the country.

From the perspective of key decision-makers abroad, they would want to hear where the Philippines stands at the moment, Balisacan said.

“And I think that interaction proves very useful because as I said, they would want to hear whether the story that’s emerging in the Philippines is sustainable. It’s a long-term one because if they come in, it is a long-term decision,” he added.

Balisacan said investors are asking how the country is moving forward, what the policy concerns and issues are, the measures being undertaken to make the economy more attractive for investors, as well as the reforms being advanced by the administration.

“An important achievement that we have made here [is] that, you know, we are able to tell and then also to ask questions, that’s

also the other important points there, [being] able to ask direct, pointed, quite frank questions on the economy, on our institutions and on policies,” he said.

In the same press briefing, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the President’s WEF attendance aroused investors’ interest in areas such as digital economy, minerals processing, logistics and transport, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operations.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista also agreed that Marcos’ attendance at the WEF is important as it opens up opportunities for the country to entice foreign investors to put their money in the Philippines, particularly in infrastructure development.

Through the WEF, Bautista said the Philippines can show the world its economic feat, with other countries expressing admiration as the country records an economic growth rate of 6.5 to 7 percent.

He said his department has already received very strong support overseas, as former UK prime minister Tony Blair showed interest in supporting the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) initiatives, especially railway projects.

After the WEF, the transport chief expects to implement DOTr’s programs not only to improve the country’s transport sector but also to attract tourists to come to the Philippines. n

City of San Diego announces selection of long-time...

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with elevating an already thriving literary arts scene that enhances San Diego’s cultural richness.

Perez authored the poems “This is for the Mostless” and “I Ask About What Falls Away.” His prose and poetry have been featured in various publications, including Witness, The Feminist Wire, The Operating System, Faultline, Interim, Marías at Sampaguitas and Kalfou.

Perez resides in Clairemont Mesa and serves as a Community Arts Fellow at the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies, Associate Editor for Ethnic Studies Review, as a core organizer of The Digital Sala and as an Associate Professor and Director of Ethnic Studies at California State University San Marcos. He previously served as an Artist in Residence at the Center for Art and Thought (CA+T).

“I’m truly humbled to serve as the second San Diego Poet Laureate,” Perez said. “I’m thrilled to support the expansive poetics

and storytelling of our communities in San Diego. Poetry is at its best when it serves as a generative site for mutual empowerment, humility and dignity.”

Perez believes in “poetry for and by the people, in the power of reclaiming our languages and lyrics, in the power of deep listening, and in the power of collective witnessing.” Ultimately, Perez is committed to “the poetry of our everyday lives,” and reminds us that poetry “has always been liberatory when thoroughly transdisciplinary, multimodal, relentlessly intergenerational, crosscultural, community-based, collective and collaborative.”

Perez was selected as the city’s Poet Laureate through a competitive request for qualifications that started in October last year. Applicants were evaluated on artistic excellence, education and training as a literary artist, literary recognition, engagement in past projects involving poetry and other poetry-related

experiences.

The Poet Laureate selection committee was comprised of:

• Alberto López Pulido – Department Chair and Professor of Ethnic Studies at the University of San Diego and Commissioner for the City Commission Arts and Culture.

• Anthony Blacksher – Poet and publisher for the San Diego Poetry Annual and Professor at San Bernardino Valley College.

• Amelia Glaser – Associate Professor of Russian and Comparative Literature at the University of California, San Diego.

• Stephen Hill – Resiliency and Economic Recovery Senior Advisor to the Office of Mayor Todd Gloria.

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and the institutions and systems that amplify creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/arts-culture.

(City of San Diego Release) n

A bustling manufacturing sector, record-low unemployment rate, alongside a stable and resilient banking system, could alleviate buffers against external headwinds, all indicating a resilient economy, the finance chief said.

Liberalizing more economic sectors, improving ease of doing business and allowing modern transformative industries to take root and grow are further seen to sustain the economy.

Diokno also said the Marcos administration had created a more competitive and enabling environment through publicprivate partnership (PPP) to further expand the “Build, better, more” infrastructure agenda of the administration.

This is seen to further boost investments on top of the government’s goal to spend at least 5-6 percent of GDP on infrastructure, Diokno noted, stressing all these would form the backbone for the rapid and sustained growth for the Philippines.

But because of the current challenges, Diokno said the Philippines is taking the first steps toward launching the Maharlika Investment Fund, the country’s first ever sovereign

wealth fund that will support the goals set by the administration in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

“The fund, which will be established in keeping with the highest standards of accountability and sound fiscal management, aims to diversify the country’s financial portfolio,” the DOF chief said, adding, he looked forward to discussing the fund during the WEF meetings.

“May the next few days bring forth more intensive collaboration and cooperation towards genuine economic transformation,” the DOF secretary said.

The seven tycoons who are in Davos to support Marcos’ inaugural participation at the 2023 WEF are: Sabin Aboitiz (Aboitiz); Kevin Andrew Tan (Alliance Global); Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group); Lance Gokongwei (JG Summit Holdings); Ramon Ang (San Miguel Corp.); Teresita Sy-Coson (SM Investments); and Enrique Razon (International Container Terminal).

President Marcos and his official delegation, composed of government officials and business leaders, arrived in Switzerland on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 15 (Sunday evening Philippine time). n

Filipino-owned...

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penalties.

L&S Gentle Care Inc. and owners Samuel and Imelda Padama failed to pay employees for all hours worked at one location in Vacaville and a second in Fairfield, both in California, resulting in one worker getting wages as low as $3.98 per hour.

The Padamas also failed to pay overtime rates and maintain records of hours worked. The division recovered $108,396 in back wages for eight care givers and assessed $4,936 in penalties.

“The majority of care workers are women and low-wage earners who provide essential services for those most in need in our communities,” said Wage and Hour Division District Director Cesar Avila in a press statement. “The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to holding care service employers accountable and ensuring their workers are paid in full and as required by federal law.”

In fiscal year 2021, the division recovered $13.8 million in back wages for more than 17,000 workers across the nation in the health care industry, known for both low wages and high rates of violations.

As the U.S. population ages and demand for home healthcare services increases, employment in a variety of health care sectors is projected to grow 16 percent from 2020 to 2030 – faster than the average for all occupations – adding about 2.6 million new jobs.

The division enforces the law regardless of where a worker is from and can speak confidentially with callers in more than 200 languages.

For more information about the FLSA and other laws enforced by the division, contact its toll-free helpline at 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). (Inquirer.net) n

LUCK FOR SALE. A vendor sells lucky charms on Ongpin Street in Binondo, Manila, Wednesday, Jan. 18. These trinkets have mushroomed in the area four days before Chinese New Year.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

DOST Balik Scientist taps

Pinoy experts in US to support Philippine STI

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist Program (BSP), in efforts to strengthen Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) capabilities in the Philippines through knowledge transfer, provided a recent orientation amongst Filipino scientists in the U.S. through the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) and Philippine Business Mission.

The BSP strategically holds promotion and orientation to spark the interest and patriotism among our Filipino scientists. As part of this mission in the U.S., three scientists immediately signified commitment to participate in the program this 2023. These scientists’ expertise falls under the industry and health sectors.

The BSP continuously encourages Filipino scientists abroad in several strategies and promotions to generate awareness of the compelling impacts they could bring along with them to the Philippines. Balik scientists are engaged to conduct capacity building, knowledge transfer, assessment activities, R&D activities, production of policies and publications, curriculum development, and building linkages that creates impacts.

Two Balik scientists shall be focusing on the industry sector. One, a creative director and expert on packaging and design shall help improve and bring new ideas and technologies that the country can adopt in terms of packaging and design of Philippine products for which to be at par with the packaging and design of global standards. The other, a biochemist and molecular and computational biologist, shall focus on the turning Philippine plastic waste back to its raw form and be able to create new and sustainable products. Both Filipino scientists plan to engage themselves as a Balik scientists with the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) of DOST where research and development have been implementing such initiatives.

The third Filipino scientist shall be engaged as a Balik scientist under the health sector. He is an expert in mass spectrometric techniques and applies them to environmental biomonitoring, clinical toxicology, and therapeutic drug monitoring. His works pioneer the application of high-resolution mass spectrometry to the suspect screening of environmental chemicals present in biological samples which can be extracted not just from blood nor urine but from human hair. He plans to engage with the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) in close coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

“The Philippines has a reservoir of talents among our young and local researchers that promises to make the Philippines spectacular,” said DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia.

“We can strengthen the Philippine science community and STI ecosystem by having you and the rest of our Filipino scientists. We hope that you will consider the Balik Scientist Program to share your ingenuity in giving back to the Filipino people,” she added. The BSP was established in 1975 to counteract the nationwide concern on “brain drain” or the emigration of highly trained professionals from our country, in search of a better standard or living and quality of life, higher salaries, access to advanced technology and more stable political conditions in different places worldwide. (DOST Release) n

US Navy celebrates naming of ship after Fil-Am officer

WASHINGTON D.C. –

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., led by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez and supported by the Defense Attache Philippine Navy Captain Salvador Henry Quinto, joined the United States Navy in the naming celebration of the United States Ship Telesforo Trinindad (DDG 139) at the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, January 10.

The celebration was officiated by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who announced the naming of the future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer after Filipino American Petty Officer 2nd Class Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad on May 19, 2022.

Secretary Del Toro also presented the ships’ sponsors, namely: Ms. Christine Trinidad, a great-granddaughter of Petty Officer Trinidad, and retired Rear Adm. Connie Mariano, the first Filipino-American in history to become a U.S. Navy Admiral, and the first military woman in American history to be appointed White House Physician. U.S. Undersecretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones, who is also of Filipino heritage, and several active military members also of Filipino heritage also attended the event.

In his opening remarks, Secretary Del Toro said, “A ship’s commanding officer will change hands, and the crew will come and go, but the sponsors hold a special bond through the ship’s entire lifetime. I am excited for the enduring partnership that Christine and Connie will build with this ship and the crew in the years to come.”

“It has been my honor to work with you (Ambassador Romualdez) these past 18 months and to visit your beautiful country and to build the strong partnership that is so deserving and has always existed between the Philippines and the United

States.” He added.

“It is my country’s honor to be invited to today’s event as we name your ship, the USS Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), after a Filipino American hero. We sincerely appreciate it and I am sure that the family of the late Telesforo Trinidad is just as proud and honored as we are in the Philippines,” the Ambassador responded.

Telesforo de la Cruz Trinidad was a fireman in the U.S. Navy, who received the Medal of Honor for his actions in Mexican waters near La Paz, on board the USS San Diego on Jan. 21, 1915. He is the second service member, and the first and only sailor of Asian descent to receive the award in peacetime. Trinidad served during both World Wars before retiring to the Philippines.*

The Embassy greatly appreciates the hard work of its friends and partners, especially Filipino community organizations, in campaigning for this momentous occasion and in highlighting the honorable military service of those with Filipino heritage. In particular, the Embassy congratulates the Telesforo Trinidad Campaign Committee, which now officially participates in the USS Telesforo Trinidad Commissioning Committee in partnership with the United States Navy. n

Despite doctors’ concerns, University of California renews ties with religious affiliates

by Annie Sciacca Kaiser Health News

AS the University of California’s health system renews contracts with hundreds of outside hospitals and clinics — many with religious affiliations — some of its doctors and faculty want stronger language to ensure that physicians can perform the treatments they deem appropriate, including abortions for women or hysterectomies for transgender patients.

University of California Health is in the middle of a two-year process to renew contracts with affiliate hospitals and clinics that help the university deliver care in underserved parts of the state. Many of the agreements are with faith-based facilities, including prominent hospitals operated by Dignity Health, Providence, or Adventist Health. Such arrangements generate more than $20 million a year for the UC system and help the public university approach its goal of improving public health.

The current policy, adopted in 2021, states that UC physicians have the freedom to advise, refer, prescribe, or provide emergency care, covering cases in which moving a patient “would risk material deterioration to the patient’s condition.” But some UC doctors and faculty worry that physicians would be allowed to perform certain surgeries only in an emergency.

They want to add a clause

stating that physicians have the right to perform procedures in a manner they deem advisable or necessary without waiting for the patient’s condition to get worse.

Others have gone so far as to urge the university to reject partnerships with hospitals that have ethical and religious directives against sterilization, abortion, some miscarriage management procedures, and some gender-affirming treatments. The Academic Senate, a faculty body that helps the university set academic policies, and other faculty councils urged the university’s president to avoid working with health care facilities because many have restrictions that “have the potential for discriminatory impact on patients.”

In response, university leaders have pledged publicly to ensure that doctors and trainees can provide whatever care they deem necessary at affiliated facilities but haven’t made changes to the policy language.

“We’ve made it clear that the treating provider is the one to decide if an emergency exists and when to act,” said Dr. Carrie Byington, executive vice president for University of California Health, at a fall meeting of the UC Board of Regents, the governing board of the university system.

UC Health has given itself until the end of this year to make contracts conform to its new policy. During the October board

meeting, staffers estimated that one-third of the contracts had been evaluated. Administrators haven’t said whether the current policy thwarted any contracts.

Back in June 2021, the regents approved the policy governing how its doctors practice at outside hospitals and clinics with religious or ethical restrictions. Regent John Pérez made significant amendments to a staff proposal. At the time, it was celebrated as a win by those advocating for the university to push back on religious directives from affiliates.

Pérez noted at the time that his amendments were aimed at “making clear that it’s the regents’ expectation in policy that nothing that is not based on science or [the] best practice of medicine should limit the ability of our practitioners to practice medicine in the interest of the patients.”

But some doctors and faculty said Pérez’s proposal was then wordsmithed as it was converted from the regents’ vote into a formal policy months later.

Some questioned whether the policy could be interpreted as restricting services unless there is an emergency, and said it does not go far enough to define an emergency.

“It sounds pretty good,” Dr. Tabetha Harken, director of the Complex Family Planning, Obstetrics & Gynecology division at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, testified before

the board. “It passes the commonsense test, but in reality, this is just the federal minimum requirement of care.”

Pérez declined to comment to KHN.

At the regents’ meetings, concerned doctors offered examples of pregnancy and gender-affirming care they believe would be at risk in some hospitals.

One was tubal ligation or sterilization procedures immediately after birth to prevent future pregnancies that may put the woman at risk. It’s a simpler procedure if done postpartum because the uterus is larger than normal and it eliminates the need for additional surgery, said Dr. Jennifer Kerns, an associate professor at UC-San Francisco and director of the school’s Complex Family Planning Fellowship.

Dr. Mya Zapata of UCLA Health described cases of two patients who might not be able to get the same care at a religiously restricted hospital: a trans male who seeks out a hysterectomy based on a mental health referral for gender-affirming surgery, and a cisgender female who seeks out the same procedure for uterine fibroids.

In a hospital with restrictions, Zapata said, the cisgender patient would be able to get the surgery but the trans patient would not, despite both being considered nonemergency cases.

STO. NINO IMAGES. Four men carry an image of a Sto. Nino on a platform for residents to witness inside the Pasay Astrodome in Pasay City on Thursday, Jan. 19. The exhibition of around 100 different images of the Sto. Nino has been in preparation for the feast of the Sto. Nino parade on Jan. 29 on Roxas Boulevard.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Secretary Tel Doro with some of the Telesforo Trinidad Campaign Team, now recognized and working in part with the U.S. Navy as the USS Telesforo Trinidad Commissioning Committee. Photos courtesy of the USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign

Secretary Del Toro (left most) with ship sponsors Ms. Christine Trinidad (center), and U.S. retired Rear Adm. Connie Mariano (rightmost) cutting the cake

Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez delivers his response remarks and extends his appreciation to the family of the late Telesforo Trinidad, the Philippines’ partners that led to the naming of the USS Telesforo Trinidad, and appreciation of the military service by active military personnel of Filipino heritage.

Comelec upgrading its IT capacity, security WEF: PH ‘fastest growing’ economy in Asean

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues to upgrade its information technology (IT) capacity and security to prevent hacking and data breach, spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said on Thursday, January 19.

Laudiangco issued the statement after the National Private Commission (NPC) cleared the Comelec and software provider Smartmatic of data privacy violations related to the 2022 elections for “lack of merit.”

“We are continuously studying and training the use of new technology, especially those related to the elections, with the help of Commissioner (Nelson) Celis, who is a known IT expert,” he said.

According to the ruling dated Sept. 22, 2022 but only released on Jan. 18, 2023, the NPC said its investigation found that Comelec and Smartmatic were “not liable” for Concealment of Security Breaches Involving Sensitive Personal Information under Section 30 of the Data Privacy Act (DPA).

The privacy body, however, will recommend to the Department of Justice the prosecution of

dismissed Smartmatic employee Ricardo Argana and other individuals for unauthorized access or international breach under Section 29 of the DPA.

The case involved the alleged breach of Comelec servers, wherein an estimated 60 gigabytes of data possibly containing personal information and sensitive personal information were supposedly hacked in early January 2022.

Laudiangco said part of strengthening Comelec technological systems is the “hardening of hardware” and “escalation of encryption in all programs and software.”

“This involves all the Comelec’s system, whether those directly related to the elections or in our day-to-day operations,” he said.

The Comelec also formed a “Cybersecurity Division” as part of the Comelec - Information Technology Department.

“Our officials and personnel are currently training on cybersecurity so that we can already establish this new office, which is necessary if we are to keep in step with the advancement of technology,” Laudiangco said. (PNA) n

Five-hour House hearing on airspace outage ends without finding root cause

by Xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Only one thing was clear after five grueling hours of often repetitive questions from lawmakers part of the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation: No one still knows what actually caused the New Year’s day airspace outage.

Transportation officials present during the hearing on Wednesday said they were still waiting for the interagency panel investigating the outage to wrap up its probe.

They reiterated that they are still waiting for government

cybersecurity officials to finish their forensic examination of the circuit breaker that supposedly failed, causing the system failure that affected at least 56,000 passengers rushing to get home after the holidays.

Cybersecurity officials said it may take up to six weeks for them to finish their examination, while transportation officials said a report from the interagency panel may come out by next week.

To recall, transportation officials also told senators last week that they were still waiting for the forensic findings of the Cybercrime Investigation

and Coordination Center, an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

It has been 17 days since the airspace outage, which was initially blamed on faulty uninterruptible power supply units, but the progress of investigations as to what ultimately caused it has been slow.

House transportation panel chairperson Rep. Romeo Acop (Antipolo City) said that while their briefing on the airspace fiasco was adjourned, a separate legislative investigation may happen after session resumes on January 23. n

Filipino creations that shone brightest at Miss Universe 2022 final show

by earl D.C. BraCamonte Philstar.com

THE Philippines may have culminated its semifinal streak, but all is not lost.

A number of Filipino fashion designers have created

stunning outfits for a handful of international delegates, including our very own Celeste Cortesi.

After Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach’s turquoise serpentina gown from Albert Andrada made a big splash in the

universal stage, other countries have sought the help of Filipino designers in both their evening gowns and national costumes. And this year, the number has increased.

Dubai-based Furne Amato

by Catherine S. valente ManilaTimes.net

WORLD Economic Forum (WEF) President Børge Brende lauded the Philippines Wednesday for its high gross domestic product (GDP) growth, describing it as the “fastest growing” economy among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

During a one-on-one dialogue with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. at the WEF here, Brende said the Philippine economy surpassed other countries in Southeast Asia.

“It is incredible --I think now, Philippines is the fastest growing of the Asean countries,” Brende told Marcos.

Brende agreed with the President, who noted that the country’s GDP growth is still the fastest in the region. Marcos told Brende that his government is concentrating on the micro, small and medium enterprise because they comprise a large part of the economy, similar with most Southeast Asian countries.

“And I think that’s where the growth is coming from,” Marcos said as he noted that his government kept an eye on the country’s unemployment rate amid reports of a recession last year.

“My theory, my belief, and

I think I’m right is that, as long as the unemployment rate stays low, then the recessionary forces are something that we can resist. So that’s why I think -- that gives a good foundation for growth,” he added.

Addressing delegates to the WEF’s country strategy dialogue, Marcos said the Philippine economy is seen to grow “around 7 percent” this year.

During his opening remarks, the President cited the Philippines’ “strong macroeconomic fundamentals” for the projected economic growth this year.

“But for the Philippines, we project our economy to grow by around 7.0 percent in 2023,” Marcos told business and world leaders attending the prestigious forum here in Davos, Switzerland.

“Our fiscal discipline, structural reforms and liberalization of key sectors instituted over the years have enabled us to withstand the negative shocks caused by the pandemic and succeeding economic downturns and map a route toward a strong recovery,” he added.

Last December, the Development Budget Coordination Committee said GDP growth could hit the 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent target for 2022.

However, it also said growth is likely to decelerate in 2023 to between 6 to 7 percent due to external headwinds such as the

slowdown in major economies.

The inflation forecast was also raised to a range of 3.7 to 4.7 percent, from the earlier 2 to 4 percent. This follows the uptick in the price of food and energy due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and disrupted supply chains.

Inflation in December last year hit 8.1 percent, the highest since November 2008, mainly due to the higher prices of select food items including onions and other vegetables.

Meanwhile, Marcos expressed high hopes for the country’s continued growth, noting its current demographic sweet spot will play a major role in fueling rapid development.

The demographic sweet spot is the period where the optimal number of the country’s population would be in the working age and have few dependents.

During the same WEF dialogue, Marcos agreed with Brende that the main obstacles for the Philippines would be infrastructure, quality of education, research and development (R&D), and bureaucratic red tape, among other things.

The President maintained, the country will be able to overcome these.

“And the reason that I’m so confident about that is because we have this workforce, we have a very, very good workforce in the Philippines,” Marcos said. n

MANILA — At least 33 individuals died due to floods and landslides triggered by heavy rain this month, the Office of Civil Defense reported on Thursday, January 19.

The shear line, the northeast monsoon, and a number of low pressure areas have been dumping rain across the country since the start of the year, forcing people to flee their homes and destroying crops.

More than 1.6 million people were affected by the weather disturbances. Of those, over 266,000 were displaced.

Seven people were missing, while 12 individuals were injured.

The cost of damage to infrastructure hit P206 million, while the cost of damage to agriculture reached P414.3 million.

Assistance amounting to P86 million was provided to affected communities, OCD said.

PAGASA said on Thursday that the shear line— or the weather system formed when cold and warm winds converge—will bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms to Bicol region, Quezon

Floods across Philippines leave 33 people dead, affect 1.6 million

Signs of the times

It’s a testament to the sad state of agriculture that Filipinos traveling abroad are bringing onions upon their return to the country. Onion prices in the Philippines are now, hands down, the highest in the world. Sugar prices are not far behind, refusing to come down to reasonable levels.

Because of this state of food insecurity, 10 flight attendants of Philippine Airlines who tried to bring in onions and other fresh produce from Dubai and Riyadh on Jan. 10 are getting sympathy even from some senators.

The Bureau of Plant Industry reported that the 10 brought into the country 27 kilos of onions, 10.5 kilos of lemons and a kilo each of blueberries and strawberries without the required phytosanitary clearance and without properly declaring the fresh items, which are classified as “regulated importations.”

After being apprehended with the commodities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1, a video showed the PAL crew stomping on the items, spraying them with disinfectant and poking the goods with chopsticks and pens. Customs personnel noted that one of the 10 was recorded saying on video that the destruction was meant to prevent anyone else from consuming

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

IT’S been an extremely busy week for us in Washington, DC as we prepare to host in Manila the Bilateral Strategic Dialogue with the United States.

Last Thursday, January 12, I was invited by the Center for Strategic and International Studies senior vice president Victor Cha to deliver the keynote speech for the annual forecasting conference of the CSIS on the challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region. The discussions featured experts and scholars from , and with me in the panel were Kurt Campbell, White House Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Indo-Pacific Affairs of the National Security Council, and South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Taeyong Cho with CSIS senior fellow and Japan chair and deputy director for Asia Nicholas Szechenyi as moderator.

There are so many developments in the Indo-

Horizons

BARELY seven months into office, President Marcos Jr. embarked on his eighth international trip. Shortly after his maiden state visit to Beijing, he will spend this week in one of the most rarified corners of our beautiful planet. For a person who has claimed to have graduated with economicsrelated degrees from some of the most prestigious institutions on earth, attending this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, must have been a dreamy moment.

It certainly helps that the Alpine resort town is surrounded by majestic mountains drenched in pure white snow. Mr. Marcos is reportedly the only leader from Southeast Asia to attend the uber-posh confab, where the world’s most influential businessmen, thinkers, policymakers, and journalists gather annually.

Given the high frequency of his overseas travels, including a surprise visit to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore last year, some netizens have begun to describe the President as Ferdinand “Magellan” Jr. (It goes without saying, though, that Ferdinand Magellan, notwithstanding his colonialist excesses, was a totally self-

the items. PAL management said the airline is fully cooperating in the investigation of the incident and does not condone violations of the law by its personnel.

The 10 could face charges for violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act as well as Presidential Decree 1433, the Plant Quarantine Law of 1978. These are meant to prevent smuggling and to protect local crops from potentially harmful organisms from abroad. The lack of phytosanitary clearance has been cited by the government for refusing to release into the market, amid the tight supply and surging prices, tons of misdeclared yellow and red onions confiscated at the ports.

Authorities said they are studying the appropriate charges to be filed, adding they want the flight attendants penalized because similar cases have been recorded in recent weeks, which could pose phytosanitary risks to domestic produce.

Those sympathizing with the flight attendants, on the other hand, say the government should do more to stop rampant smuggling of tons of agricultural commodities instead of going after miniature fry bringing in a few kilos of precious onions.

More importantly, the public wants the government to take decisive action in significantly bringing down the prices of onions. If onions weren’t more expensive than pork and beef, who would bother lugging them into the country all the way from the Middle East? (Philstar.com)

Focusing on economic diplomacy

Pacific region today but one does not really need to gaze into a crystal ball to predict what could happen in the foreseeable future, particularly in our part of the world in Southeast Asia, especially since we are cognizant of the realities we face. The challenge simply is for all stakeholders to work together in dealing with these realities in a manner that would redound to the economic benefit of all our peoples.

EMBED Like any other nation, the member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, including the Philippines, are emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic with their respective economies still experiencing the negative impact of the pandemic on many aspects, including the health and livelihood of the people.

In order to fully surmount the challenges and keep the momentum of economic recovery going, the region needs to double down on economic activities and ramp up investments in a wide array of industries and sectors.

The Philippines has been

forthright in stating what we need not just from the United States but from our other partners as well. And what we need is to work with major developed countries to get over the slump and completely recover – not through aid, but through increased trade and investments.

For all of us, it is very clear that our number one priority at this time is to see to it that our economy not only rebounds, but grows at levels that are even higher than before the pandemic. And if we are to significantly and meaningfully contribute to global economic growth, we must do our part to ensure that the economic health of the Southeast Asian region remains healthy and robust. While some forecasts indicate that the global economy will slow down this year due to the effects of geopolitical issues, growth is expected to expand in our region, and I am convinced that this will help buoy the global economy. In addition, being competitive will help thwart any form of coercion – which is why we also welcome the establishment of the ASEAN-

U.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the renewed interest and commitment of the United States to expand economic cooperation with ASEAN as a whole and with key bilateral partners, starting with the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity or IPEF that was launched last year.

Certainly, we welcome the Biden administration’s efforts to revitalize economic activities between the U.S. and the region – absent of a Free Trade Agreement – through the IPEF. Although negotiations are still in the early stages, we are determined to get to an outcome that will ultimately lead to massive outflows from the U.S. in terms of investments, jobs generation, technological assistance as well as best practices and standards.

Let me just point out that there is a strong clamor among companies – both from the region and in the U.S. – for an FTA. Given the proliferation of regional trade agreements, it is high time the U.S. started seriously exploring this possibility. Otherwise, it risks

getting left behind by other countries that are already engaged in preferential trade agreements with the region.

To say that there are massive opportunities for American companies to do business in the region is an understatement. ASEAN is definitely open for business – whether as part of the global supply chain, engaging in e-commerce and the digital economy or working together on sustainable infrastructure that will benefit both the region and the rest of the world.

Economic prosperity for the ASEAN region and for the Philippines is a key element for economic security. That is why aside from the United States, we are reaching out to countries like China – which is currently the biggest trade partner of the Philippines – that can help us achieve our economic objectives. How we deal with China is always based on what will be best for our country’s interests.

Considering the intense competition between the two super powers – the United States and China – we are hopeful that the lessons from the war in

Marcos Jr.: A world traveler?

made man with worldrenowned exploits.)

Against the backdrop of persistently high inflation at home, and an unprecedented Cabinet reshuffle affecting half a dozen prized positions, many have begun to wonder about the propriety of Mr. Marcos’ constant overseas travels.

Bizarrely, the President has had as many Cabinet changes as foreign trips in his first seven months in office.

So, dear reader, let us briefly examine the merits and demerits of Mr. Marcos’ seeming penchant for “hyperdiplomacy.” A more sympathetic perspective would argue that the current president is simply airbrushing his predecessor’s undesirable legacy. After all, former president Rodrigo Duterte heavily undermined, despite his best intentions, the Philippines’ reputation among the respectable elements of the international community.

The list of policy blunders under the previous president is too long for this article, but here is a brief glimpse: A mindless “drug war” claiming thousands of lives with no sustainable results. Diplomatic subservience to authoritarian superpowers at the expense of trusted allies and friends.

Puerile rhetorical outbursts coupled with toxic masculinity.

And, lest we forget, the wholesale mismanagement of

the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered one of the deepest recessions in the whole developing world.

No wonder, then, Mr. Marcos made it clear during his first major overseas travel last year that he is determined to “reintroduce the Philippines” to the international community. His visits to the U.S. and Europe helped restore frayed ties with traditional partners. And his dignified, statesmanlike behavior during global summits last November was a far cry from the Duterte era antics. And it must be said that Mr. Marcos, constantly accompanied by seasoned diplomats and accomplished technocrats, has had relatively succinct yet substantive speeches throughout all his foreign trips, so far.

During his first seven trips in office, Mr. Marcos reportedly secured $46.4 billion in investment pledges. The President has tried to justify his “jet-setter” schedule as the “best way to drum up business” for the country.

The problem, however, is that there is no credible evidence to suggest a strong correlation—never mind causation—between travel frequency of world leaders, on one hand, and investment inflow frequency, on the other. First of all, Mr. Marcos has simply secured “pledges” of investments. It’s hard to

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos

say whether the $22.8 billion “pledges” he garnered in China weren’t simply a repackaged version of those offered to Duterte in 2016. After all, the $24 billion in investments promised to the former president went largely unfulfilled.

Moreover, all authoritative studies, whether by international financial institutions or leading scholars, show that the primary drivers of greenfield investments are more foundational factors such as good infrastructure, political

stability, human capital, regulatory certainty, and market size. This is why, for instance, even if Vietnam’s top leader rarely travels abroad, his country is now a top investment destination.

Finally, there is also a need for transparency on the exact expenditures and size of the President’s delegations during overseas visits in order to ensure we avoid potential junkets— something a developing country grappling with high inflation can’t afford. In short, I’m all for

Ukraine will make nations realize the folly of trying to take over another country. Any attempt at such will not succeed because the like-minded nations would never allow that to happen. As we have all seen, what is happening in Ukraine can impact even the farthest country in the world. In the end, everyone loses, which is why we are hoping and praying that the situation does not escalate any further and will be resolved sooner rather than later. What it all boils down to is this: each country wants to ensure economic prosperity and security – a clear direction the Marcos administration is taking today – because when all is said and done, we will only do what is best for our national interest and will remain focused on our economic diplomacy to achieve peace and security. (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.

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

rebranding the country after six years of populist disaster, but I’m not much given to performative diplomacy either. What we need is results-based, calibrated economic diplomacy that goes beyond resplendent overseas trips.

* * * 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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Despite doctors’ concerns...

But it’s unclear if physicians are running into problems. UC Health leaders said there have been no formal complaints from university doctors or trainees practicing at affiliate medical centers about being blocked from providing care.

Critics said the lack of complaints may not reflect reality since physicians may find workarounds by transferring or referring patients elsewhere. One researcher, Lori Freedman, who works at UCSF, has spoken to dozens of doctors working at religiousaffiliated hospitals across the country. Many have not filed complaints about care restrictions out of fear they’d put their job at risk, she said.

The debate stems from a partnership with Dignity Health, a Catholic-affiliated hospital system. In 2019, UCSF Medical Center leaders considered a controversial plan to create a formal affiliation with Dignity. Critics voiced opposition in heated public meetings, and the plan drew condemnation from dozens of reproductive justice advocates and the gay and transgender communities. UCSF ultimately backed off the plan.

When it became clear that UC medical centers across the state had similar affiliation contracts, faculty members raised additional concerns. Janet Napolitano, then president of the UC system, convened a working group to evaluate the consequences of ending all agreements with organizations that have religious restrictions. Ultimately, the group stressed the importance of maintaining partnerships to provide care to medically underserved populations.

“With 1 in 7 patients in the U.S. being cared for in a Catholic hospital,” the group wrote in its report, “UC’s isolating itself from major participants in the health care system would undermine our mission.” Dignity Health, which merged in 2019 with Catholic Health Initiatives to form CommonSpirit Health, has already reached a new contract that adopts the updated UC policy. Chad Burns, a spokesperson for Dignity, said the hospital system

values working with UC Health for its expertise in specialties, such as pediatric trauma, cancer, HIV, and mental health. He added that the updated agreement reflects “the shared values of UC and Dignity Health.”

Some UC doctors point out that they have not only public support, but legal standing to perform a variety of reproductive and contraceptive treatments. After California voters passed Proposition 1, the state constitution was officially changed in December to affirm that people have a right to choose to have an abortion or use contraceptives. Unlike health systems in other states, some faculty say UC Health can assert reproductive rights.

“We have a lot of latitude, being in California, to be able to make these decisions and stand in our power,” Kerns said. “I think it’s our responsibility to do so.”

Other doctors say the university system should prioritize public service. Dr. Tamera Hatfield, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UC-Irvine, testified at a regents’ meeting that she had never been asked to modify care for patients based on religious restrictions since her department formed an affiliation with Providence St. Joseph HospitalOrange about a decade ago.

“Partnering with faith-based institutions dedicated to serving vulnerable populations affords opportunities to patients who are least able to navigate our complex health systems,” she said.

This story was produced by KHN, which publishes California Healthline, an editorially independent service of the California Health Care Foundation.

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Filipino creations that shone brightest...

created the slinky hooded evening gown, as well as the national costume for Miss Bahrain Evlin Khalifa.

The sought-after pageant couturier Louis Pangilinan has created the beautiful gowns of Miss Malta Maxine Formosa Gruppetta and Miss Great Britain Noky Simbani. Louis’ creations have been gracing the final shows of the Miss Globe for the last two editions now.

Carl Andrada made both national costumes and evening gowns for Miss Mauritius Alexandrine Belle-Etoile and Miss Seychelles Gabriella Gonthier for the New Orleans final show.

Rhian Fernandez did the tastefully executed designs for Miss Cambodia Manita Hang and Miss Universe 2022 winner R’bonney Gabriel. He also created R’bonney’s winning gown for her national pageant. Patrick Isorena, on the other hand, created R’bonney’s costumes for both her national and Miss Universe pageants. For the latter, he crafted the weighty “Woman of the Moon” ensemble.

Ehrran Montoya did both national costume and evening gown for the vivacious Miss Spain Alicia Faubel.

Oliver Tolentino was commissioned by the Miss Universe Philippines Organization to create Cortesi’s Art Deco-inspired evening gown and her Darna-themed national costume with accessories designer Jerome Navarro.

While the entire Pinoy pageant community grieved over Celeste’s loss, the Philippine fashion designers had a lot to celebrate for. There still lies opportunity in the face of adversity. n

R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe USA 2022 poses for a portrait after being crowned Miss Universe at the conclusion of the 71st MISS UNIVERSE Competition® on January 14th, 2023 at the New Orleans Ernst N. Morial Convention Center airing LIVE on The Roku Channel in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Contestants from around the globe have spent the last few weeks touring, filming, rehearsing and preparing to compete for the Miss Universe crown. Miss Universe Press/Benjamin Askina

pigeons flies above the Monument of Peace in front of the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on

become a tourist attraction at the heart of the city. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

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Registrant: RICE IMPORTS LLC, 3518 Lynch Lane, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/06/2023.

Signature: Andy Saeteurn. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/12/2023.

AJ 1101 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1101

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000452

Rootz To Locz located at 1050 Kettner Blvd., Suite D #1033, San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Anita Howard, 1050 Kettner Blvd., Suite D #1033, San Diego, CA 92101.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Anita Howard. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023.

AJ 1102 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1102

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000898

Elite Garage Door Services located at 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000064

Kim’s House Desserts And Sandwiches located at 9510 Miramar Rd., San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Tiger Eats LLC, 5189 Caminito Cachorro, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Tiger Nguyen. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/03/2023.

AJ 1104 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1104

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00050492-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Karinna Banales on behalf of minor child filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Sebastian Steven Ochoa Banales to Adan Gilberto Diaz Banales.

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: 02/14/2023 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. 29, 2022 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1093 01/06, 01/13, 01/20, and 01/27/2023

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.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000476

Kinme Omakase located at 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Artisan Bento LLC, 2505 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

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

Signature: Shihomi Sakai Borillo.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/09/2023.

AJ 1105 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1105

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF DAX G. PUCKETT. CASE NO:

37-2022-00025441-PR-LA-CTL

To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: DAX G. PUCKETT

A Petition for Probate has been filed by JOHN PUCKETT in the Superior Court of California, County of SAN DIEGO

The Petition for Probate requests that JOHN PUCKETT be appointed as personal representative to administer with will annexed the estate of the decedent.

The petition requests the decedent’s will and codicils, if any, be admitted to probate. The will and any codicils are available for examination in the file kept by the court.

The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority.

A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: Date: 01/31/2023

Time: 11:00 A.M. Dept.: 504 Address of court: 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101 Branch Name: Central, Probate

If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney.

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.

FICTITIOUS

BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000752

S.D Excavation located at 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: John Arnold, 1364 Santa Cora Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/11/2023.

Signature: John Arnold. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/11/2023.

AJ 1098 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1098

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9027483

Eden New Beginning located at 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: David Osnaya, 1237 Graves Ave., Apt #611, El Cajon, CA 92021.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: David Osnaya. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 12/20/2022.

AJ 1099 01/13, 01/20, 01/27, and 02/03/2023. AJSD 1099

Registrant: Jesse Gil, 4630 Border Village Road, Suite N, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Jesse Gil. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/13/2023.

AJ 1103 01/20, 01/27, 02/03, and 02/10/2023. AJSD 1103

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 1093

If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters to a general personal representative, as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk.

PETITIONER: JOHN PUCKETT 303 E. EL NORTE PKWY ESCONDIDO, CA 92026 760-814-3046 01/06/2023, 01/13/2023, AND 01/20/2023 AJ 1094 AJSD 1094

SAN DIEGO JOURNAL

Dolly nominated in BAFTA for ‘Triangle of Sadness’

By iza iglesias ManilaTimes.net

The announcement was made on Thursday, January 19 wherein. De Leon is among the nominees for the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Ruben Östlund’s satirical black comedy film “Triangle of Sadness.”

With her in the category are 2023 Golden Globe winner Angela Bassett of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Hong Chau of “The Whale,” Kerry Condon of “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Jamie Lee Curtis of “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” and Carey Mulligan from “She Said.”

Known as the British Oscars, BAFTA is an annual award show hosted by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts to honor the best British and international contributions to film.

This is the 16th international nomination of De Leon for her role as Abigail, a toilet manager who ends up becoming the leader of the group of ultrarich passengers after being stranded on an island when their luxury cruise ship sinks.

On January 12, De Leon walked the red carpet of the Golden Globes after her nomination as Best Supporting Actress.

A couple of days later, she formally accepted her Best Supporting Performance award at the

Zanjoe finally admits relationship with Ria

by Jan Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor finally confirmed that he and actress Ria Atayde are now in a relationship. In his interview with ANC’s “Headstart” Zanjoe made his confession after ABS-CBN host Karen Davila asked him if the rumors between him and Ria are true.

“Yes, parang it’s out in the open naman na, so yes,” Zanjoe responded.

When asked if they are planning to get married soon, Zanjoe just responded with a laughter.

“Ang aga, 9 o’clock pa lang,” he said.

Sobra lang akong nag-e-enjoy

Can Toni fill up The Big Dome?

By Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IT’S not just Alex Gonzaga under scrutiny this week following her controversial birthday cake-waiter brouhaha but her older sister too. With just days to go before Toni Gonzaga’s 20th

There’s been talk that ticket sales for “I am Toni” have been slow since the artist announced her milestone show late last year. Over the weekend, Twitter was on fire with reposts of an unverified news bit that Toni’s mom Pinty allegedly bought 500 tickets to cover up for the disappointing turnout.

One of the concert’s producers, Joed Serrano of Godfather Productions, has come to Toni’s defense, however, with figures to categorically deny that ticket sales have been slow.

Releasing a statement via Facebook, the former “That’s Entertainment” mainstay declared, “As of January 13, Friday at 4:45pm, The I Am Toni concert @ the Smart Araneta Coliseum on January 20, 2023,

has already sold 55% of the tickets.”

He next noted that 20 percent of the tickets had been allocated for Toni’s sponsors and endorsement principals as pledged, and while confirming that Mommy Pinti did order and pay for 350 tickets and not 500 tickets as reported, these were also sold to other concert-goers.

“Mommy Pinti ordered and paid 350 tickets for her mga friends, relatives at mga ka churchmate na sa kanya umorder. Me, as one of the producers, also reserved some 300 tickets for my friends who

ordered from me instead of going to Ticketnet. These tickets [like Mommy Pinty’s] are paid. Wala ng libre sa panahon ngayon except pag kapamilya mo ang manonood. Iba ang concert sa pulitika at pelikula.”

Serrano, of course, was addressing bashers with that last sentence. Vilified for supporting now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s candidacy, Toni’s detractors are taking a swipe at the 31 million voters who put him in power. “Where are they now that Toni needs their support?”

He estimated only 15 percent of unsold tickets as of the weekend, which his camp says is much less now midweek.

Hoping to snuff any more intrigues so close to the concert, Serrano finally implored, “It’s a celebration of 20 years in show business and the birthday of our dearest Toni Gonzaga. Let us all unite and be positive in life. Move on and be kind to all. Let us all give ourselves a chance to be good in this world.

“Smile, wag nega sa buhay. Kung wala kang sasabihing di maganda sa kapwa mo, then might as well be quiet kesa magkasala ka pa at mastress. See you all on Jan. 20, 2023, Friday, 8 pm at The Araneta Coliseum.” n

City of San Diego responding to increase in potholes following significant rains

Additional crews and equipment being dispatched to fix streets

SAN DIEGO – Following several consecutive days of rain, the City of San Diego is responding to a spike in the number of potholes on local streets. This week, dozens of additional teams are being assigned to make pothole repairs and the city’s Transportation Department is repurposing other asphalt and concrete crews and equipment to support

the work being done by existing patch truck crews.

“We are taking an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to filling potholes after the significant amount of rain we experienced recently,” said Eric K. Dargan, City of San Diego Chief Operating Officer.

“Our teams have been cleaning up from the storms and they will be out seven days per week filling potholes until we can get

caught up on these repairs.”

On a non-rainy day, there are up to nine crews assigned to filling potholes across the city. These are two-person teams who respond to pothole repair requests; each team will complete 10-15 requests per day. With the recent storms, the city is dedicating approximately 150 employees to address the

anniversary/birthday concert at The Smart Araneta Coliseum on January 20, social media is ablaze with questions if the multi-media celebrity can fill up The Big Dome on her special day.

VETERAN actress Dolly de Leon sets another history as she becomes the first Filipino to be nominated at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA).

48th Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards in L.A. alongside “Everything Everywhere All At Once” star Ke Huy Quan.

The 2023 BAFTA ceremony will be held on February 20. n

Toni Gonzaga Photo from Instagram/@celestinegonzaga

Dolly de Leon Photo from Instagram/@dollyedeleon

Ria Atayde at Zanjoe Marudo

Photo from Instagram/@zanriofficial

ngayon sa sitwasyon ng buhay ko, sa career ko, sa personal life pero yung mga [kasal na usapan], masyado pang maaga,” he added.

Rumors of romance between Zanjoe and Ria began last year

when they were always seen together on various social media posts by their friends.

Ria’s mom Sylvia Sanchez admitted last October that Zanjoe was courting Ria. n

Senate Minority Leader Jones announces deactivation of TikTok accounts amid national security concerns

Leader Jones calls on Governor Newsom to follow national bipartisan efforts and deactivate his account

SACRAMENTO – Senate

Minority

Leader

Brian W. Jones (R-San Diego) and members of his California Senate Republican Caucus on Wednesday, January 18 announced the deactivation of the leader’s TikTok account as well as the TikTok account used by the caucus.

Top national security officials in the Biden Administration are sounding the alarm about TikTok and its China-based parent company, ByteDance.

Under Chinese law, ByteDance is required to make the app’s data available to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Among other things, security officials note the app could influence users through algorithms, track users, and collect data for espionage purposes.

“It’s just common-sense –protecting cybersecurity is a bipartisan issue. We deactivated my TikTok account and the California Senate Republican Caucus’s TikTok account. Until security officials, data, and conclusive evidence show that the Chinese government is not spying on us and using our data, we will not give the CCP an opportunity to weaponize our accounts,” said Leader Jones.

CA Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones (R-Santee) File photo/www.jones.cssrc.us

Wednesday’s announcement by Leader Jones and his Caucus members parallel bipartisan efforts in Congress and states across the nation to ban the TikTok app on governmentissued devices. Congress is also considering bipartisan legislation to ban TikTok and other high risk social media apps from operating in the country entirely.

“I am calling on Governor Newsom to follow national bipartisan efforts and deactivate his TikTok account in order to

protect our state’s and country’s national security. California recently experienced a cyberdata breach, and we cannot have our state’s top leader potentially undermining our cybersecurity,” stated Leader Jones.

California may join 26 other states nationwide in blocking the use of TikTok and other high risk social media apps on state-issued devices. Leader Jones is a joint author of Senator Bill Dodd’s (D-Napa) Senate Bill 74 to ban high risk apps on state-issued cell phones and devices. Leader Jones looks forward to working with his colleagues on protecting the state’s cybersecurity and raising awareness about the threat these apps pose.

Leader Jones was a trailblazer nationally among Republican elected officials for his creative use of viral TikTok videos to inform the media and the public of the many issues impacting California. Leader Jones, and other California Senate Republicans, will be using other social media platforms such as Instagram Reels to continue getting their message out from the State Capitol to the real world.

(CA Senate Republican Caucus Release) n

County asking public to help determine storm damages

THE County Office of Emergency Services is asking for your help to estimate the flooding and rain damage in our region caused by the recent series of storms.

People whose property or small business was damaged by storms between Dec. 29, 2022 and Jan. 17, 2023 can complete a damage survey form.

The collected data will be used to estimate total damages countywide and determine if enough damage occurred to qualify the region for disaster assistance, such as low interest disaster loans from the Small Business Administration for

those who are uninsured or underinsured.

Completing the form does not guarantee the region or the property owner will be eligible to receive disaster assistance. For additional information, visit sdcountyrecovery.com or email RecoverySanDiego@ sdcounty.ca.gov.

If your property was damaged by the storm and you need immediate assistance, other local services may be available through www.211sandiego. org.

(Yvette Urrea Moe/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

DOST technologies at par with global technologies in CES 2023, Silicon Valley

THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in an effort to strengthen emerging technologies such as Semiconductor Manufacturing Services (SMS), Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Space Technology industry in the Philippines, presented engagement opportunities to scientists during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2023) in Las Vegas, Nevada, and at the Business Mission in Silicon Valley in California from January 5-11, 2023.

CES is the most influential technology event in the world — the proving ground for breakthrough technologies and global innovators. This year, CES 2023 highlighted technologies on sustainability, digital health, metaverse, electric vehicles, transportation, and mobility from over 4,000 exhibitors thereby providing various insights and possibilities for the Philippines to utilize market intelligence and benchmarking.

The Philippine delegation, composed of the DOST, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC), sought possible partnerships with governments and key industry players through the Philippine Business Forum highlighting the country’s investment-ready environment.

DOST participated in one of the fora, World Electronics Forum (WEF), where DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia presented technologies and programs of the Philippine government which are at par with the emerging global technologies.

Technologies observed in CES 2023 include:

• SentiV from France, a scouting robot for monitoring field crops;

• Agwa from Israel, an AI-assisted indoor home vegetable-growing device; and

• Land Evaluation Engine by satellite data and AI from Japan, an application for monitoring the lands of interest from space.

Similarly, DOST Advance Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) has on-going project counterparts such as 1) Robot for Optimized and Autonomous Mission-Enhancement Response (ROAMER), designed for detecting banana plantation monitoring; 2) Gul.AI, a mobile AIpowered plant growing system for optimum yield; and 3) DATOS, an AI-powered engine land feature detection from satellite images. The striking similarity in the functions between ASTI’s projects and CES technologies demonstrate the relevance of its R&D activities and their potential to address society’s needs.

“Similarly, as we vision to continuously be abreast with countries with cutting-edge technologies, we explored potential investment opportunities and areas for cooperation particularly with startup companies and universities in Silicon Valley,” said DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia. “We also recognize the importance of having a pool of experts in achieving this vision, hence we have the commitment of continuous knowledge transfer and developing our home-grown science and engineering workforce through the Balik Scientist Program,” she added.

The DOST is the lead government agency that provides central direction, leadership, and coordination of scientific and technological efforts and ensure that the results therefrom are geared and utilized in areas of maximum economic and social benefits for the people.

(DOST Release) n

Get important tools that could save someone’s life

THE County of San Diego is seeking input from residents and community partners to better understand the impact of gun violence on our communities.

The Gun Violence Reduction Advisory Group is conducting a survey to:

• Better understand the scope of gun violence in the region and the communities most affected

• Identify resources within our communities and best practices in gun violence prevention, intervention, and aftercare

• Identify gaps and challenges to reducing gun violence and community concerns

• Explore potential solutions our communities would like to see to reduce gun violence.

The survey was designed to gather the community’s thoughts, experiences and perspectives around gun violence. For context, gun violence refers to all types of gun violence, including suicide; family, domestic partner, and intimate partner violence; and community violence.

To complete the Gun Violence Reduction Survey, visit the Engage San Diego County site and click on the orange gun violence reduction project logo. You can

also go directly to the survey at http://survey.sogolytics.com/survey1.aspx?k=SsRRRQVQsYWsPsPsP&lang=0.

The Gun Violence Reduction

Project is already listening to feedback. Seven Community Listening Sessions have been hosted throughout the County. Two additional sessions were held in partnership with youthserving organizations. Sessions

File photo/www.countynewscenter.com

were attended by more than 300 people wanting to discuss gun violence in their communities.

For more information about the Gun Violence Reduction Project, visit https://www. sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/public_safety/gun-violencereduction-project.html.

(Chuck Westerheide/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

City of San Diego responding...

backlog of repairs.

Typically, the city has a daily average of 200 pothole requests to be filled. After the recent storms, the backlog is just above 1,600 reports. As crews are unable to fill potholes when it is actively raining, dry weather provides an opportunity to address the backlog of repairs and to address new potholes that have developed.

Filling potholes is a year-round task for city crews, but wet weather can exacerbate the problem as water seeps into the surface of the street, causing the asphalt to loosen and potholes to develop. In addition to filling potholes, the city continues to repair and resurface roads through

its slurry seal program. Preventing deterioration of streets is key to improving the overall condition of San Diego’s network of streets and reduces the need for more costly asphalt overlay and reconstruction required for badly deteriorated streets. View a map of repairs in your neighborhood by visiting the Streets Map webpage at https:// streets.sandiego.gov.

San Diegans are encouraged to report potholes by using the Get It Done application or by calling 619527-7500. For more information and resources on how to properly prepare before a storm, please visit the City’s Storm Preparedness page (https:// www.sandiego.gov/storm-preparedness).

(City of San Diego Release) n

Agwa from Israel, an AI-assisted indoor home vegetable-growing device (left) and Gul.AI a Philippine-made mobile AI-powered plant growing system for optimum yield. Photos courtesy of DOST

DOST Undersecretary Leah J. Buendia (left photo) presented DOST’s programs in 2023-2028 at the World Electronics Forum together with officials from DTI, DICT, PEZA, SEIPI and PTIC, and participants from the government and industry sectors.