031023 - San Diego Edition

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Are we done with masks? Three experts review the latest findings

A NEW study finds masks do little to prevent the spread of viruses like the flu and COVID, and that hand washing and vaccines offer more protection.

An international network of health researchers reviewed 78 randomized controlled studies and concluded that wearing masks has little or no effect on spreading the flu, COVID, or other respiratory diseases.

The Cochrane collaborative published their findings in a January 2023 report which found frequent hand washing did more than masks to prevent viral infections.

At a March 3 EMS news briefing, three medical experts shared their views about the efficacy of wearing masks in light of the study. Except for vulnerable patients where masks offer an added layer of protection, their consensus was to forget about wearing masks and get vaccinated.

They also stressed the importance of not losing trust in public health officials for changing their advice over time as they

Suspects in anti-Asian Queens attack arrested; charged with assault as a hate crime

Victims reportedly called ‘Ugly Asian!’ by one of the assailants

NEW YORK police arrested on Monday, March 6 two suspects wanted for an alleged racially motivated attack on a Filipino-American woman and her son in Queens.

Police identified the suspects as Natalie Plaza, 18, and Elijah Fernandez, 21, who insulted, punched, and kicked Cecilia Lai and her son Kyle near the corner of Junction Boulevard and Roosevelt Avenue on Thursday, March 2 about 2:30 p.m.

The NYPD said Plaza, of 110th Street in Richmond Hill, has been charged with assault in the third degree as a hate crime and assault for the March 2 attack. Fernandez, of 107th Avenue in Ozone Park, has been charged with two counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and assault. A third suspect in the case is still at large.

“In the most diverse county in the

Philippines, US tackle West PH Sea developments during courtesy call

by Daniza FernanDez Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States have discussed developments in the West Philippine Sea among other bilateral and global issues of mutual concern, the Department of

Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Wednesday, March

8.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Ambassador Victoria Nuland paid a courtesy call on DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo on March 6. “The two officials underscored the importance of the PH-U.S. Alliance and partnership to promoting

Airport screeners to wear body cameras – Speaker

by DeLon PorcaLLa Philstar.com

MANILA — Security officers screening passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and other gateways nationwide will soon be wearing body cameras and will no longer be allowed to carry their cell phones while on duty, according to Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Romualdez, who met with officials of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) led by Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday, March 6, said security screening officers would not be allowed to wear jackets or uniforms with pockets as well as bring bags to prevent incidents of theft at the NAIA.

The Office for Transportation Security,

Modern jeepney to retain iconic look

A LOCAL company that has been building jeepneys for 76 years is taking the “King of the Road” to the modern age with its iconic look intact.

From diesel-fueled jeepneys, Francisco Motor Corp. (FMC) plans to shift to assembling public utility vehicles (PUVs) with electric motors that retain the jeepney’s traditional design. Traditional jeepneys face possible extinction with the full implementation of the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP).

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peace, stability and resilience in the region,” the DFA said in a readout.

“Secretary Manalo and Ambassador Nuland exchanged views on recent developments in the West Philippine Sea/South China Sea, as well as other bilateral and global issues of mutual concern,

PH lawmakers push constitutional change

by Ma reina Leanne ToLenTino ManilaTimes.net

THE House of Representatives has adopted Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 calling for a constitutional convention (con-con) to amend the economic provisions of the Constitution. RBH 6 was adopted on the third and final reading. The resolution will still need to undergo further deliberations in the Senate.

Earlier, the House Committee on Constitutional Amendments voted on the RBH after holding nationwide public consultations on charter change. Some lawmakers voted against the resolution. The House adopted the resolution during plenary session on Monday, March 6, with about 300 lawmakers voting in the affirmative and several in the negative. One abstained.

Those who voted against RBH 6 were Camarines Sur Third District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr., Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman, u PAGE 2

which is under the supervision of the DOTr, has received flak over a series of theft incidents involving OTS personnel, which were recorded on closed-circuit television footage.

“The OTS agreed to punish erring personnel and to put in place measures to stop the illicit acts of its staff,” Romualdez said.

The OTS leadership, according to Romualdez, proposed the use of body cameras to monitor in real time the activities of airport security personnel as well as immigration officers.

With around 1,200 OTS personnel working in three shifts at various airports nationwide, Romualdez said the agency

by PaoLo roMero Philstar.com

MANILA — Women have a lot to contribute to economic growth and the country can do much to increase their participation in government and various sectors, senators said on Monday, March 6. Senators Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate committee on women, children, and family relations, and Cynthia Villar, in separate statements vowed to continue to do more to protect and promote the welfare of women as the nation observes National Women’s Month.

Gov’t ramps up measures to tackle high inflation

by JeroMe aning, ronneL W. DoMingo Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Department of Finance on Tuesday, March 7 recommended to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. a host of measures to address inflation, which remained elevated at 8.6 percent in February due to high food prices brought about by agricultural supply shortages.

The president presided over a sectoral briefing with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and other government officials wherein he was given a comprehensive report about the sources of inflation, citing in particular the supply shortfalls in food items such as vegetables, meat, sugar, and fish, as well as the courses of action needed to

address high prices.

In a brief statement, Presidential Communications Secretary Cheloy VelicariaGarafil said Mr. Marcos approved the proposals “in general.”

Diokno said that among the measures was the establishment of an interagency committee to monitor prices, agricultural production, and food supply to help the government decide when is the right time to import.

Secretary Arsenio Balisacan of the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) noted that the creation of the high-level committee was

Women can contribute much to PH economic growth – senators

A traditional jeepney is pictured beside an air-conditioned minibus, often referred to as modern jeepney, along EDSA-Taft on Monday, March 6. Drivers of the traditional jeepneys joined the week-long transport strike that started on Monday, March 6 to show their opposition to the phase out of the traditional jeepneys. ManilaTimes.net photo by Gerard Seguia

California ex-caregiver charged with child sexual abuse believed to be in PH

A FILIPINO former caregiver is wanted by the FBI for allegedly molesting children in Manhattan Beach, California, and may be hiding in the Philippines.

Edgardo Feralin Dormido, Jr., 48, was charged in Los Angeles County in and 2015, with five felony counts, including oral copulation or sexual penetration with a child 10 years old or younger and forcible lewd act on a child.

The Manhattan Beach Police Department requested the help of the FBI as Dormido, a former caregiver, is believed to have fled to the Philippines, and he may still have family and associates in Los Angeles.

Taiwan and then to Manila. Last June, Dormido was federally charged with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest, FBI officials said.

Authorities released his photo to generate leads in the case. He has black hair, brown eyes, weighs 130 pounds and is 5 feet 4 inches tall.

In 2015, 49-year-old Edgardo Feralin Dormido, Jr. was charged with five felony counts for molesting minors in Manhattan Beach. FBI photo

Officials believe that Dormido, Jr. fled the country on July 13, 2015, flying from Los Angeles International Airport to Taipei,

Anyone with information about Dormido’s whereabouts is asked to contact their local FBI office or nearest U.S. Embassy. A monetary reward may also be available for anyone with information. Los Angeles’ local field office is located at 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 1700 LA, CA 90024, and can be contacted at 310-4776565. (ManilaTimes.net) n

Biden administration urged to take more aggressive steps to relieve medical debt

by Noam N. Levey Kaiser Health News

DOZENS of advocates for patients and consumers, citing widespread harm caused by medical debt, are pushing the Biden administration to take more aggressive steps to protect Americans from medical bills and debt collectors.

In letters to the IRS and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the groups call for new federal rules that among other things would prohibit debt for medically necessary care from appearing on consumer credit

reports.

Advocates also want the federal government to bar nonprofit hospitals from selling patient debt or denying medical care to people with past-due bills, practices that remain widespread across the U.S., KHN found.

And the groups are pressing the IRS to crack down on nonprofit hospital systems that withhold financial assistance from low-income patients or make aid cumbersome to get, another common obstacle KHN documented.

“Every day people are having

to make choices about housing and clothing and food because of medical debt,” said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst, a Boston nonprofit leading the effort.

“It’s really urgent the Biden administration take action to put protections in place.”

Among the more than 50 groups supporting the initiative are national advocates such as the National Consumer Law Center, the Arthritis Foundation, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Nationwide, 100 million people have health care

debt, according to a KHNNPR investigation, which has documented a crisis that is driving Americans from their homes, draining their savings, and preventing millions from accessing care they need.

While some of the debt appears on credit reports, much of it is hidden elsewhere as credit card balances, loans from relatives, or payment plans to hospitals and other medical providers.

The scale of this problem and its toll have spurred several national and state efforts.

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Philippines, US tackle West...

with an eye towards identifying concrete measures that the two countries can pursue jointly, and together with other like-minded partners,” it added.

In recent weeks, there were several reports of China’s harassment and intrusion in the West Philippine Sea, including the directing of a military-grade laser that temporarily blinded Filipino crew members.

The meeting, the DFA said, was also an avenue to preview

plans for the upcoming 2+2 Ministerial Meeting next month which will be hosted by the US. The meeting will be co-led by the DFA and the Department of National Defense and the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

“Both sides agreed to expand the scope of the 2+2 to include broader security considerations, such as food security, energy, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and supply chains,” the DFA noted. n

Modern jeepney to...

“Since we are now engaging on full electric, I am going all in. We will no longer make diesel-powered jeepneys,” Elmer Francisco, owner of FMC, told The Manila Times in an interview.

What the FMC did was modernize the jeepney to make it compliant with the PUVMP, said Francisco, whose uncle established the company in 1947.

The PUVMP aims to phase out all jeepneys that are 15 years old and older and replace them with brand new ones that conforms with the Philippine National Standards and powered by either an electric powertrain or at least a Euro 4 compliant diesel engine.

The fully electric Francisco Passenger Jeepney has already received an endorsement from the Department of Transportation for inspection by the Department of Science and Technology. “When we finish that, we will go into mass production,” Francisco said.

While the entrance of the electric Francisco jeepney is located on the right side, it still has the familiar emergency exit on the rear. Passengers will still be seated facing each other. Its capacity is 30 passengers since the new FMC-designed jeep can accommodate at least eight more people standing inside. It is also air conditioned, has CCTV cameras and is equipped with a machine for the automated fare collection system. It also has a ramp for persons with disabilities.

“It is like riding in a train,” said Francisco. “We really have it all.”

The FMC will not only be building a PUV that is environmentally friendly, it will also be providing jobs for Filipinos. The factory for the electric Francisco jeep will be based in Camarines Norte and can turn out 20,000 jeepneys a year.

Francisco said it is not only the body of the electric Francisco jeepney that will be assembled at the factory. The electronic motor and all the parts, even the battery that was developed in Los Angeles, California, will be mass-produced at the Camarines Norte economic zone.

“We have the best engineers and jeepney makers in the Philippines. They are all Pinoys so we do not need to import jeepneys, or should I say minibuses, because the modern PUVs plying the streets now are just that, minibuses. They are not jeepneys. Ours is the real jeepney,” said Francisco.

He said the company is also discussing with jeepney operators the possibility of the company upgrading the existing jeepneys of those who cannot afford new units to make them PUVM compliant.

“We are not selling jeepneys, what we are selling are livelihoods. With the jeeps we sell, those who buy from us, the transport operators, must be able to make a living,” Francisco said.

He said he is optimistic that the government will support a locally designed and produced jeepney since “our politicians are all Filipinos who have, at one point in their lives, were able to ride a jeepney and have fond memories [of it].” n

PH lawmakers push...

Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel.

Northern Samar First District Rep. Paul Daza, who abstained during the voting on the RBH at the committee level, said that it was “timely to address the economic provisions” of the Constitution. He voted in the affirmative at the plenary.

Daza said that “having heard the proposed amendment... which was adopted by the House which reads... ‘with a vote of twothird of all its Members, voting separately, to call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the economic provisions’ helped me sway to vote yes to this resolution.”

He added that during plenary deliberations, “it came out [that] there is no clarity even in a constituent assembly on how the voting will be done.”

Section 1, Article XVII of the 1987 Constitution states that any amendment to, or revision of, the constitution may be proposed by the Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its members, or by a constitutional convention.

Any amendment to, or revision of, the constitution under Sec. 1, Article XVII would be valid when ratified in a plebiscite.

Amendments to the Constitution may also be directly

proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least 12 percent of the number of registered voters, “of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein.” Amendments proposed through people’s initiative would be valid when ratified in a plebiscite.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the House aims to limit its Charter rewriting initiative to the “restrictive” economic provisions of the basic law “in the hope that the changes would pave the way for the country to attract more foreign investments.”

“We need additional investments that would create more job and income opportunities for our people. We need increased capital to sustain our economic growth momentum,” Romualdez said.

RBH 6 states that among the three modes of amending the Constitution, the calling for a con-con composed of appointed and elected delegates “would be the most transparent, exhaustive, democratic and least divisive means of implementing constitutional reforms”.

the resolution, the election of delegates will be held on Oct. 30, 2023 simultaneous with the village and youth council elections. n

Suspects in anti-Asian Queens attack...

acts.

Airport screeners...

needs at least 500 body cameras to equip on-duty officers.

“We cannot let these embarrassing incidents to discourage tourists from visiting the Philippines. The OTS has recognized that there is a problem and that it needs to be addressed at the soonest time,” he said.

Romualdez said the OTS and DOTr agreed during the meeting that personnel of the Philippine

Coast Guard would be assigned to accompany airport screening personnel on duty. He said the DOTr also proposed the installation of additional e-gates at the airports to minimize interactions between the security personnel and travelers.

OTS administrator Ma. Ranada Aplasca and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Cesar Chiong also attended the meeting. n

country, perhaps the most diverse place in the world, there is zero tolerance for hate. We will not allow our values to be threatened with violence,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Wednesday, March 8.

Plaza was inside a white Acura SUV near Junction Boulevard at around 2:30 p.m. when she yelled out “ugly Asian,” and threw water at the 44-year-old Lai, authorities said. The SUV stopped and Plaza got out, approached Lai and pulled her to the ground. Plaza then punched and kicked the woman multiple times in the face and upper body.

A 44-year-old male bystander approached to help the victim, at which time Fernandez and another male who has yet to be arrested got out of the SUV and rushed toward the Good Samaritan.

As the Good Samaritan attempted to pull Plaza away from the prone female victim, Fernandez and his male associate punched him in the face. Lai’s 24-yearold son approached to help his mother and was also punched in the face by Fernandez.

The three assailants then got back into the SUV, with Fernandez behind the wheel and took off.

Lai suffered a concussion, scratches to her eye, and bruising on her body, while her son suffered a skull fracture, police added.

The victims were transported to area hospitals where they were treated for head injuries, according to the NYPD. They have both been released from the hospital.

Both Fernandez and Plaza were arraigned Tuesday night, March 7 on a criminal complaint charging both with assault in the third degree as a hate crime and aggravated harassment in the second degree. Fernandez was additionally charged on a five-count complaint with assault in the third degree as a hate crime, menacing in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the third degree, aggravated harassment in the second degree and harassment in the second degree in connection with the incident.

Fernandez and Plaza face up to 4 years in prison, if convicted. Judge Jessica Earle-Gargan ordered the defendants to return to court on March 10.

Community, lawmakers issue support Six elected officials from Queens led by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng issued a joint statement on Monday, March 6 denouncing the suspects for their “utterly reprehensible” attack on the two victims.

State Senators Michael Gianaris and Jessica Ramos, Assembly Members Steven Raga and Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, as well as City Councilman Shekar Krishnan also signed the statement saying they were deeply saddened and concerned to learn about what happened to the pair, and they vowed to stand up against such hate-filled

“We condemn this heinous act of xenophobia and violence,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “The incident involved the use of explicit anti-Asian slurs and physical violence, which is utterly reprehensible.

“We stand in solidarity with Cecille and her family during this difficult time. Within our role as elected officials, we remain firmly committed to combating hate and bigotry in all its forms and ensuring that everyone in our community is treated with respect, dignity, and kindness,” the statement said further.

The Fil-Am community has also scheduled a couple of events to support Lai and her son.

A visibility rally is scheduled for Friday, March 10, 5:00 p.m. at Corona Plaza in Queens.

The group International Women Artists has organized a Women’s Self-Defense Workshop as part of Women’s History Month and a way to support Lai and her son.

This self-defense workshop with Queens Training Club is scheduled on Saturday, March 11 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at PS316Q (39-07 57th Street Woodside, NY 11377).

The workshop is in collaboration with The Office of District 30 Assemblyman Steven Raga, Woodside On The Move, and Kinding Sindaw. (By Momar G. Visaya/ AJPress) n

Are we done with masks? Three experts review the latest...

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work to keep up with the latest scientific research.

Masks are ‘not magic’

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, led off the session by describing the challenges of conducting mask studies in the first place, whether in a health environment or in the community. “You can’t monitor people about their maskwearing behavior all the time. That’s certainly something you can’t do, and of course (masks) have to be worn correctly,” he said.

While many researchers have looked at multiple physical measures to prevent people from catching a virus, the Cochrane reviewers evaluated studies that compared just three interventions: surgical masks, N95/P2 respirators, and hand hygiene. Based on the results they

were uncertain whether masks help to slow the spread of viruses but decided hand hygiene “may help to slow the spread of respiratory viruses,” Schaffner said.

Yet he also pointed out that in most cases, mask wearing was accompanied by social distancing, and… “in certain communities, we were in a lockdown. we stayed home. So, we did all those things more or less simultaneously. And it’s hard – impossible really – to determine what proportion of the reduction we saw on COVID was due to the mask itself.

As for his own advice, Schaffner emphasized that “masks are not magic.” But he said that people in highrisk groups may start wearing them again next flu season. “They will offer another layer of protection to protect me, a highly vulnerable person, from acquiring an infection from others.”

No more mask mandates

“I don’t think we can impose mask mandates on the public anymore,” said Dr. Monica Ghandi, Professor of Medicine and Associate Division Chief of the Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases, and Global Medicine at UCSF in San Francisco.

Gandhi noted a Danish mask study where no mandate was in effect at the time, and two others in Bangladesh and Guinea-Bissau where entire villagers wore masks. The study found “there was very little effectiveness” in wearing masks.

During the Delta surge, Orange County, California did not impose a mask mandate but nearby LA County did. “And there was no difference in transmission or death rates. Very importantly, the vaccination rates made all the difference,” Gandhi said. The most important thing people could do during the

pandemic is to get vaccinated, Gandhi advised. “I think we have to keep it a choice for the masking.”

Gandhi’s recently published book, Endemic, is about the politicization of public health policy. She said that closing schools during COVID was a politically driven decision and “not good for children in the Blue States, because the Red States kept their schools open.”

Dr. Mina Hakim, a pediatric specialist at South Central Family Health Center in Los Angeles, offered a similar view about masks from “down in the trenches.”

“The results of the study were clear in that surgical masks, N95 masks, did not make a difference in the transmission of COVID or the flu,” Hakim said.

“The mask is a small piece of a much bigger shield that we have against COVID. I would use the bigger piece of the

shield, which is a vaccine, and I would not recommend masks for the general population,” Hakim added. Like Schaffner and Gandhi, he recommended masks for vulnerable populations.

Kids and masks

He said the Cochrane review looked at a few studies that were specifically for children, and those results were even more definitive.

“Kids are the worst at keeping things on. You’d be lucky if you have a kid with their pants on at the end of the day let alone having a mask on that increases humidity, increases difficulty of breathing, and it’s just overall uncomfortable,” Hakim said.

They’re constantly touching things, wiping their nose, taking their mask off to eat and drink. They share pencils and pens that have been in other kids’ mouths. And teenagers are horrendous at being compliant, Hakim added.

Like Schaffner and Gandhi, Hakim recommended wearing masks for vulnerable people.

“If we could provide masks particularly to those high-risk people, I think that might … increase the trust because we’re not imposing the masks on them, but making them available, so that people feel more comfortable and reassured that it’s a good thing to do,” says Hakim.

All three speakers agreed that as studies like the Cochrane report reveal new findings about the efficacy of preventive care, these should not diminish public trust.

“One of the most difficult things for the general public to understand is that we will give you our best advice today but if we learn something tonight, we may have to change that advice tomorrow, and that this is an ongoing process,” Schaffner says. (Peter White/Ethnic Media Services) n

Biden administration... PAGE 2

Last spring, the White House directed federal agencies to work on relieving medical debts for veterans and to stop considering medical debt in evaluating eligibility for some federally backed mortgages. California, Colorado, Maryland, New York, and other states have enacted new laws to expand consumer protections and require hospitals within their borders to increase financial aid. And the three largest credit agencies — Equifax, Experian, and Transunion — said they would stop including some medical debt on credit reports as of last July.

But many consumer and patient advocates say the actions, while important, still leave millions of Americans vulnerable to financial ruin if they become ill or injured. “It is critical that the CFPB take additional action,” the groups wrote to the federal agency created in 2010 to bolster oversight of consumer financial products.

The major credit rating companies, for example, agreed to exclude only debts that have been paid off and unpaid debts of less than $500. Patients with larger medical bills they can’t pay may still see their credit scores drop.

The groups also are asking the CFPB to eliminate deferred interest on medical credit cards. This arrangement is common for vendors such as CareCredit, whose loans carry no interest at first but can exceed 25% if patients don’t pay off the loan in time.

Collection industry officials have lobbied against broader restrictions on credit reporting, saying limits would take away an important tool that hospitals, physicians’ offices, and other medical providers need to collect their money and stay in business.

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Gov’t ramps up...

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urgent.

“We must rethink our strategies to combat rising food prices (since) the country’s current high inflation is largely driven by domestic, supply-side constraints,” Balisacan said.

“The solution is to get to the root of the problem, including fixing the bottlenecks along all segments of the agricultural value chain.”

According to Diokno, the proposed Inter-Agency Committee on Inflation and Market Outlook would serve as an “early warning system” on supply situations.

“This will be a permanent committee. And its job is to come up with the demandand-supply situation, and we will report to the President on a monthly basis on what is the situation. If we need to import, we will import,” Diokno said.

import clearances and regulations.

“[When an imported product] was okayed in a foreign country and the approval is reliable, let us not repeat it again [here] to hasten its release,” the secretary noted.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that inflation, which measures the average increase in the prices of essential goods and services, eased slightly last month from 8.7 percent last January.

However, it is forecast to remain high throughout the year based on a forecast of the Department of Agriculture pointing to an inadequate supply of staple food items such as rice, corn, raw and refined sugar, pork, and fish, according to Diokno.

PNA photo by Avito Dalan

Villar said she hopes to further empower women, break gender bias and promote equality in the community.

“If half of the population of the Philippines are women and contribute to the betterment of the country, it will create a positive impact to our economy,” the senator said on Monday to kick off Women’s Month at the Department of Agriculture compound in Quezon City.

She underscored the need to empower and equip women to help ensure food security and production, adding that when more women work or earn, economies grow.

She said head of government offices should encourage sufficient time and opportunities for their employees to engage and participate in any activity conducted within the premises of government offices or establishments to celebrate National Women’s Day.

“Women have a lot to contribute to development of our nation given the proper opportunities and trainings,” Villar said.

She said she was fortunate enough to have been mentored by her grandmother, Lola Lelang, who taught her how

to earn, save and spend money wisely and stressed the importance of a good education.

With this as an inspiration and the desire to help the community, the senator said her family established the VILLAR SIPAG foundation.

“Our aim was to improve the quality of life of the people through entrepreneurship and livelihood, health and social services, culture and arts, education and urban greening, among others,” she said.

Hontiveros spoke during a similar occasion at the Department of National Defense in Camp Aguinaldo, saying when the nation celebrates Women’s Month, “we are encouraged to reflect on what we have gone through, what we have fought, and what we have won, for our women.”

She recalled that it was only in 1993 that women were granted the right to become cadets of the Philippine Military Academy, through Republic Act 7192 or the Women in Development and NationBuilding Act.

“The law recognized that women should be full partners of men in nation-building; that real progress is only possible when women are not excluded from spaces of decision-making,

governance, and development,” Hontiveros said.

She cited the Expanded Solo Parents Welfare Act, which was crafted because of close consultations with solo parent groups and federations, all of whom belong to the 14 to 15 million solo parents in the entire Philippines, of whom 95 percent are women.

“I share this because we cannot empower our women if we do not listen to us, if we do not hear the very real, lived experiences of different kinds of women across the country, including our women in uniform,” the senator said.

“While, yes, we’ve had many triumphs for our women, I hope that this Women’s Month encourages us to do more: more programs, more policies, more measures that can truly level the playing field in all the spaces that men also occupy. The fight is still on. We still need to increase female participation in all levels of governance, in politics, in positions of power,” she said.

Better work environment

Meanwhile, a consumer and research analytics firm said more Filipino women believe they have opportunities to grow and receive support at work compared to regional

counterparts. According to a Milieu Insight study conducted last February, 81 percent of Filipinas feel there are fair opportunities for them to grow professionally at work. This is higher than the 79 percent of women who felt the same in Indonesia, and 66 percent in Singapore.

Covering 500 female employees each from the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, the survey was conducted to understand the sentiments about the opportunities, amount of support and rewards women are getting at work.

In terms of support, the study showed 88 percent of Filipino women think their manager or company is receptive toward their needs at work, higher than the 78 percent in Singapore, and 71 percent in Indonesia.

A majority or 81 percent of Filipino women also think their companies are receptive to their feedback, compared to 70 percent in Indonesia, and 65 percent in Singapore.

The study showed, however, that only 73 percent of Filipino women believe their companies act upon the feedback being given. This is higher than the 50 percent in Singapore and 43 percent in Indonesia. n

“So the decision to import won’t be ad hoc anymore if there is a need to import,” he added, recounting instances that after a decision is made to import agricultural products, these would arrive when the local harvest season has already started, resulting in complaints from farmers.

The committee, according to Diokno, could make “sciencebased” forecasts on agricultural production by using satellite mapping.

“You can see if [the farmers are] still planting, you’ll know how many hectares have been planted on, and you’ll see the development. If there’s a typhoon, you’ll see [the effect] through the satellite. So we will use that kind of model to forecast,” Diokno said.

Easing Customs rules

He added that the fast-tracking of government processing of clearances for agricultural goods, which would entail digitalizing the procedures of the Bureau of Customs (BOC), was also suggested to the president.

The removal of the required authority to release imported goods (Atrig) was likewise raised in order to speed up the release of food imports from the BOC.

Diokno also pushed for the removal of the certificate of necessity to import (CNI) for fish, as well as the digitalization, centralization, and simplification of sanitary and phytosanitary

In a press briefing, National Statistician Dennis Mapa said the slightly slower inflation in February was due solely to lower price increases in the transport commodity group — particularly gasoline and diesel prices.

Of the 13 commodity groups included in the computation of inflation, nine showed continually faster year-on-year price increases compared to January, among them food and nonalcoholic beverages; alcoholic beverages and tobacco; clothing and footwear; health, and information and communication.

Mapa said the biggest contributor to rising prices in February were food items, particularly vegetables, fish, and meat.

According to Diokno, the government would intensify the implementation of programs to help boost production and enhance agricultural productivity to help bring down prices.

Diokno noted that the national budget for 2023 has set aside P26.6 billion in subsidies to help the most vulnerable sectors such as drivers of public utility vehicles, farmers and fishers cope with rising prices. These include P13.3 billion for the fertilizer discount voucher program, P1 billion for fuel discount to farmers and fisherfolk, P3 billion for fuel subsidies to the transport sector affected by higher fuel prices, and P9.3 billion for the extension of the targeted cash transfer program. n

Experts slam China’s ‘gray zone’ tactics in WPS

by Bernadette e tamayo ManilaTimes.net

SECURITY and maritime experts urged the government to stand up against China’s “gray zone” tactics in encroaching into Philippine waters.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)

Commodore Jay Tarriola said that the most important role of the PCG in recent weeks in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is removing the shades of gray and exposing what China is doing in black and white.

“The Philippine Coast Guard’s persistent presence in patrolling the contested waters while at the same time documenting China’s activities allowed the international community to criticize their (China’s) actions that violate international law and violate international rules based order,” Tarriola said

during a forum on “gray zone operations” in the Indo-Pacific organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute and Konrad-AdenauerStiftung Philippines.

National security, maritime law and geopolitical experts also suggested that the Philippines engage in collective deterrence activities with like-minded allies against Chinese territorial aggression.

Maritime law expert Prof. Jay Batongbacal said Chinese operations in the WPS are now becoming “more and more clearly hostile and aggressive.”

The China Coast Guard (CCG) on February 8 beamed a military-grade laser on a PCG ship on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal resulting in the temporary blindness of PCG personnel.

The incident was followed by the reported presence of a

People’s Liberation Army Navy vessel, a CCG vessel and 42 suspected Chinese maritime militia vessels within the surrounding waters of the Pagasa Island.

Batongbacal urged the government not to be afraid to consider proportional and reasonable responses to threats against Filipinos in the WPS.

“We should not shy away every time they make threatening moves and then we retreat for fear of provocation,” he said.

“There should be no gray area anymore. We need to begin erasing the gray zone. We need to begin acting and standing up for our lawful maritime rights,” Batongbacal added.

Stratbase President Dindo

Manhit also urged the Marcos administration to cooperate with like-minded states in u PAGE 7

BBM joins world in recognizing role of women

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, March 8 took to social media to share a post recognizing women across the country for their achievements highlighted by women empowerment in his administration.

“Saludo tayo sa ating mga kababaihan na patuloy na nagpapakita ng tapang at determinasyon sa kanilang tahanan, trabaho, at komunidad (We salute women who continue to show courage and determination in their home, work, and community),” he said in posts on Facebook and Twitter.

“Happy International Women’s Day!” his post added which was accompanied by photos of his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and female Cabinet officials including Vice President and concurrent Education Secretary Sara Duterte, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil. Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Loyzaga, Budget Secretary Amenah

Pangandaman, Health Officer-in-Charge Maria

Rosario Singh-Vergeire, and Tourism Secretary

Christina Frasco.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 to recognize women for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political, according to the United Nations (UN).

Marcos: Gov’t to persevere until it ends poverty

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday, March 9 welcomed a report showing that the country’s employment rate is slowly getting back to the 2019 pre-pandemic levels.

The first recorded celebration of International Women’s Day was in 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland when over a million people rallied to support women’s rights.

The Philippines observes National Women’s Day every March 8 through Republic Act No. 6949.

Proclamation 224 also declared March 8 as “Women’s Rights and International Peace Day” and the first week of March as Women’s Week while Proclamation 227 declared March as

“Women’s Role in History Month.”

This year’s National Women’s Day celebration goes by a recurring theme from this year to 2028 namely “WE for gender equality and inclusive society”, according to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) website.

“WE” stands for Women and Everyone and Women’s Empowerment.

The recurring theme aligns with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which aims for “deep economic and social transformation to reinvigorate job creation and accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on a high-growth path.”

It also highlights that growth must be inclusive, building an environment that provides equal opportunities to all Filipinos and equipping them with skills to participate fully in an innovative and globally competitive economy. (PNA) n

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Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed that the country’s employment rate accelerated to 95.2 percent, which translates to an additional 4.1 million employed persons, on account of employment gains in the services and agriculture sectors in January 2023.

This brings total employment to 47.4 million from 43.3 million in January 2022. The labor force participation rate rebounded to 64.5 percent, equivalent to 49.7 million Filipinos in the labor force, of which 20.6 million are women.

“Padami nang padami ang nagkakaroon ng magandang trabaho (More and more people are getting good jobs)!” Marcos said in his official Facebook page and Twitter account.

“Bumaba pa lalo ang ating unemployment at underemployment rate at tumaas naman sa 95.2 percent ang ating employment rate mula sa 93.6 percent noong Enero

2022. Ibig sabihin, 4.1 milyong Pilipino ang nadagdag sa ating labor force (Our unemployment and underemployment rates decreased even more and our employment rate increased to 95.2 percent from 93.6 percent in January 2022. That means, 4.1 million Filipinos have been added to our labor force),” he added.

Marcos vowed that the government would continue to pursue projects and programs meant to lift Filipinos out of poverty,

“Tayo’y magpupursigi hanggang sa tuluyan na nating mawakasan ang kahirapan (We will persevere until we finally end poverty)!” he said.

In a separate interview, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the improved employment situation can be attributed to the reopening of businesses after pandemic lockdowns were eased.

“Remember that in January 2022, we have not yet fully opened as many of the businesses were still only partially opened and so the further opening of the economy came in during this period

from January 2022 to January 2023 is largely responsible for that improvement in the employment situation,” Balisacan told Palace reporters. He likewise expressed confidence that the administration’s efforts to lure more investments in the country would help generate more jobs.

“Of course, I also would like to think that it has been seven months since the new administration came in and I think that has more or less sent a signal that business environment has improved because the President has been very clear that he is open to business. He’s opening up the Philippine economy to business including foreign investment,” he added.

The Marcos administration’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 is expected to “reinvigorate job creation, accelerate poverty reduction by steering the economy back on the high growth path and effect economic transformation.”

Under the PDP 2023-2028, the government aims to turn the Philippines into an upper, middle-income country by the year 2025. (PNA) n

WOMEN FARMERS SEEK JUSTICE. Police barricade the entrance to the Department of Justice main office in Manila on Wednesday, March 8 as protesters stage a rally in support of women farmers. Eight women farmers from Bataan who were accused of syndicated estafa demanded the dismissal of their case. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

National embarrassment

Airports are high-security facilities, and there should be no room for unprofessional, inefficient or crooked conduct especially in restricted zones such as security screening areas. Yet such dismaying behavior has been on display right in the country’s premier gateway, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

On Wednesday, March 1 a screening officer of the Office for Transportation Security was arrested on charges of stealing the smartwatch of a Hong Kongbound Chinese tourist at the NAIA Terminal 1. Reports said closed-circuit television footage showed the Chinese placing his watch and other personal items on a tray for x-ray screening at the departure area. As the tray emerged from the machine, the CCTV footage showed OTS screener Valeriano Ricaplaza placing another tray on top of the first one and, according to his superiors, taking the watch.

Editorial

6, another viral video showed a female OTS screener patting down members of Korean boy band ENHYPEN as they emerged from x-ray screening at the departure area. Instead of looking at the person being patted down, the woman was looking away and dissolving into thrilled giggles. Since when did airport security screening become a fangirl event? The OTS said personal video recording is prohibited at airport security areas. ENHYPEN fans also wondered why a woman was conducting a body search on men.

Ricaplaza, who denied the theft, was taken into custody by the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group. His arrest followed the sacking of five other OTS employees who were shown in a viral video pocketing 20,000 yen from a Thai tourist at the NAIA Terminal 2 on Feb. 22. When confronted by the tourist, the five returned the cash. Another Thai tourist recorded the incident and uploaded it online.

Thievery is not the only problem. Last Feb.

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

SOME of our senators who are still doubtful about the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to allow new Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites should realize that now, more than ever, we need to strengthen our ties with the United States to beef up our capability in addressing existing and potential security threats to our nation and people, both traditional and non-traditional, such as cyber and climate change.

Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez said it correctly – the projects under EDCA are intended to develop our defense capabilities and are certainly not intended for aggression; neither should they be taken to mean that we are preparing for war. Undoubtedly, we should be ready to defend ourselves for any eventuality, especially in light of the tense geopolitical situation that could become precarious.

Virtual Reality

PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Romualdez Marcos Jr. should stop being the Mr. Nice Guy of the Philippines.

He should start taking decisive, even harsh actions on the following:

1. A creeping crime wave

2. Rampant corruption

3. A stubborn raging inflation

Crime wave

In just 17 days this year, there have been four highprofile political assassination attempts; three of them in just five days. Sixteen victims died during the four attacks, including the governor of large Cebuano-speaking province (1.5 million population) and a town mayor.

At 9:45 am. of Saturday, March 4, masked killers in army uniforms and brandishing high-powered firearms barged into the residential compound of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and killed him on the spot, together with six other bystanders. The murders were captured by CCTV.

The OTS had reassured the public after the incident that it “shall never tolerate any unprofessional behavior” toward passengers.

It is unclear if the woman ever faced sanctions for her behavior in a high-security area. The OTS reported that since July last year, 14 of its employees have been dismissed and three suspended while six cases of misconduct remain under investigation.

Beyond catching erring personnel and slapping them with appropriate administrative

or criminal charges, the OTS must tighten its recruitment policies and improve training for its screeners. Airport security screening is a serious

matter. Leaving the task to amateurs, thieves and giggly fangirls can only lead to national embarrassment. (Philstar.com)

We should all be on the right side of history

But while we will continue to explore all diplomatic means to resolve issues, we should not also turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the clamor of the people to stand up to those who attempt to arrogate to themselves what is ours – as seen in the continuing incursion of Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) and militia vessels in areas that are clearly within our maritime territory.

For centuries, Filipino fishermen have relied on the traditional fishing grounds of Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal, Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, Recto (Reed) Bank, Pag-asa (Thitu) Island in the West Philippine Sea for their livelihood. But for so many years now, they have been enduring the continuing harassment from Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels, depriving them of their livelihood, very often having to stay away from the resourcerich waters due to “bullying” from Chinese vessels.

Those who were desperate enough to enter the fishing grounds recount being shooed away, subjected to threats and intimidation, their fishing ropes cut, their boats water-cannoned

On Feb, 17, Lanao del Sur

Gov. Mamintal Adiong was ambushed. The governor survived the assassination attempt but his driver and three police escorts died.

On Feb. 19, the vice mayor of Aparri, Cagayan, Rommel Alameda, and five companions, were killed in an ambush.

On Feb. 22, Maguindanao del Sur Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal was wounded when two gunmen fired at his vehicle in busy Pasay City. In the national capital, way back in August 2022, there were reports of “serial killers and gang members using a white van were behind several reported cases of murders and other crimes.”

In June 2022, President Duterte’s last month, there were 15,651 index and nonindex crimes, per newspaper reports. In July 2022, BBM’s first month, 30,802 index and non-index crimes were reported. Index or focus crimes include: murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, and car theft. Index crimes do not large-scale corruption like smuggling and the plunder of pork barrel.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) website reports

or worse, attacked like what happened in June 2019 when a Chinese trawler rammed a fishing boat near Recto (Reed) Bank. If not for the Vietnamese fishing crew that heard their cries for help, the 20 Filipino fishermen who were drifting in the water as they clung to plastic barrels and pieces of wood from the wrecked fishing boat could have drowned.

As one fisherman put the situation they are in, “We are being forcibly driven away from our own territory. They are making us feel as if we are stealing from our own backyard” – so ironic and deceptive, considering that the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of which China was a signatory clearly states that countries have sovereign rights to exploit or conserve natural resources that are within 200 nautical miles of their exclusive economic zone.

According to a report by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chinese Coast Guard vessels have patrolled key areas in the West Philippine Sea,

with their presence detected almost every day in 2022. The Washington-based think-tank also noted the presence of the CCG in areas near Vietnamese and Malaysian oil and gas sites.

Numerous diplomatic protests have been filed by the Department of Foreign Affairs over the continued incursion of Chinese vessels – as many as 77 under the administration of President Bongbong Marcos, with 10 of them filed in the first two months of 2023.

In fact, the Philippines is not the only country that has been complaining about intrusion from Chinese Coast Guard and other vessels. In 2021, Malaysia summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest the presence of Chinese vessels within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. Vietnam and Indonesia have also accused China of intrusion in areas where gas and oil exploration activities are being conducted, such as in Natuna Sea.

It’s extremely disappointing that some of our former diplomats who are totally uninformed are naively asking for the cancellation of the

EDCA – an agreement whose constitutionality has been affirmed and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. Senator Koko Pimentel has the right frame of mind when he said that while he may disagree with EDCA, the Philippines as a sovereign nation is “free to enter into treaties and agreements which we believe are, or will be, good for us.”

Some agree with Senator Risa Hontiveros’ statement that we must forge security agreements with other countries to defend the Philippines and maintain peace and security in the West Philippine Sea.

“A security agreement can serve as a defensive framework that would provide for joint patrols and training of our troops so we are prepared to work as part of a team should tensions escalate,” she said, also noting the support shown to the Philippines by members of the international community when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel pointed a military-grade laser at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin shoal.

In fact, the Philippines is looking at multilateral cooperation with countries such

Crime, corruption, inflation

a whole-year crime stats, but only for the year 2021–of 37,842 index crimes and 185,550 non-index crimes for a total of 223,392 crime volume or an unbelievable crime volume per day of – only 612 crimes (for a nation of 114 million) during 2021.

No wonder, last month (February), PNP Chief Azurin had the temerity to assert that “the spate of attacks on local government executives is not that alarming yet.” These are isolated cases. “I would say na hindi pa alarming kasi dini-determine nga natin dahil iba-iba ‘yung mga situation, iba-iba ‘yung mga reason bakit pinatay itong mga ito (which is not yet alarming because the situations are different, the reasons why these people were killed are different). Sabi ko nga (As I said) it’s either political, personal, business rivalry or other reason why these killings are happening.”

Corruption

On March 1, Valeriano Ricaplaza, a screening officer of the Office for Transportation Security was arrested on charges of stealing the smartwatch of a Hong Kongbound Chinese tourist at the NAIA Terminal 1. Reports

said closed-circuit television footage showed the Chinese placing his watch and other personal items on a tray for x-ray screening at the departure area.

On Feb, 22, five other OTS employees who were shown in a viral video pocketing 20,000 yen from a Thai tourist at the NAIA Terminal 2. When confronted by the tourist, the five returned the cash. The Thai’s woman companion videoed the whole pilferage and attempt to return the money.

In less than a year, BBM has had three Customs chiefs – Rey Leonardo Guerrero (a holdover from Duterte since 2018), Yogi Filemon Ruiz, from July 25, 2022, and Bienvenido Rubio, from Feb. 13, 2023. Why?

“Customs are often perceived as one of the most corrupt institutions in developing countries,” said the World Bank in 2020. “Addressing the root causes of corruption goes beyond legal reforms, code of ethics or IT system upgrades,” argues the lender.

Inflation

I talked briefly with President BBM during the DTI’s CITEM “Tanyag” dinner last March 3, to honor the

foreign governments and partners in Manila’s export program. He was clearly worried about inflation. “It’s hurting people,” he said.

Across the table was the government’s chief inflation fighter, Bangko Sentral Governor Felipe Medalla, radiant in his enigmatic smile, and Trade Secretary Fred Pascual, patrician in his white hair.

Indeed, inflation is the biggest thief of them all.

In 2022, households spent a whopping P16.72 trillion buying all kinds of goods and services.

Consumers spent P6.2 trillion on food and nonalcohol drinks; P2.08 trillion on electricity, water and other utilities; P1.5 trillion on transportation; P1.16 trillion in restaurants and hotels, P835 billion on tuition, P716 billion on health care, P464 billion on household furnishings, and P2.298 trillion on many other things.

If inflation were to rage at 9 percent (the estimate for February), that is equivalent to P1.5 trillion being taken away from your pockets for buying the same volume of goods and same quality of services.

as Japan as well as Singapore and Vietnam not only in terms of enhanced security but economic and other areas as well. The Philippines, US, Australia and like-minded countries are seriously studying the possibility of joint maritime exercises to enhance their collective capability to maintain security and ensure the freedom of navigation in international waters.

Those who are against the MDT, the VFA and EDCA should understand that the Philippines entered into these agreements not to be embroiled in war but as part of our overall defense strategy. The fact is, 90 percent of Filipinos all over the world totally agree with the President’s move in forging defense agreements with like-minded countries. Clearly, he is on the right side of history – like all of us should be. (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

Imagine that: P1.5 trillion being taken away from you, yearly by inflation. Which inflation by the way is aided or made worse, in large part, by crime and corruption. Were it not for corruption at Customs and other places, prices of major food items (on which the Filipino spends P6.1 trillion a year) would be much, much, much cheaper.

In 2022, the inflation rate on sugar was 38.8 percent; vegetables 37.8 percent; corn 16 percent; flour and bakery products 11.3 percent; milk and other dairy products 11.3 percent; meat 7 percent; and fast foods 9.2 percent. Total food inflation: 8.7 percent.

So there Mr. President. The enemy is defined. It’s CCI – crime, corruption, and inflation. Individually or together, all three have the potential to bring down a sitting government, no matter how immensely popular. (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.

* * * Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com

Philippines joins 67th session of UN Commission on Status of Women

MANILA – The Philippines has sent a delegation to the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York from March 6 to 17.

The Philippine delegation is headed by Antonio Lagdameo, Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York.

Their participation in the session comes as the world celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD).

The delegation’s primary representatives include Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Cherbett Karen Maralit, and Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative, Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, Ariel Rodelas Peñaranda.

The United Nations Observance of IWD, under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” recognizes and celebrates women and girls championing the advancement of transformative technology and digital education.

The observance will also explore the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, and it will also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.

Alternate Representatives include Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Assistant Secretary Diana Minda Ignacio, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)

Assistant Secretary Sarah Daway-Ducanes, DILG

Assistant Secretary Ester Aldana, First Secretary Maria Roseny Fangco, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Dumarpa.

Serving as advisers are National Commission

Sara calls for electoral reforms, end to political violence

on Indigenous Peoples Chairperson Allen Capuyan, Philippine Commission on Women

Executive Director Kristine Rosary Yuzon-Chaves, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples OIC Director Dahlialyn Dait-Cawed, Department of Agriculture (DA) Deputy Executive Director

Annray Villota Rivera, Philippine Commission on Women Chief Gender and Development Specialist

Anita Baleda, DA Chief Agriculturist Lorna Villegas, PCO Planning Officer II Jean Denielle Cusi, Philippine Commission on Women Senior Gender and Development Specialist Avery Silk Arevalo Villarosa, and NEDA Senior Economic Development Staff Christine Joy Mamuyac.

Other advisers are Department of Foreign Affairs Desk Officer Evella Rose Macadangdang, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Attache Angelica Navarete, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Attache Nadine GuevarraDe Dios, Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York Assistant Diego

Andreas Lingad, DICT Head Executive Assistant

Patricia Nicole Uy, Commission on Human Rights

Executive Assistant Liza De Luna, Pambansang Koalisyon ng Kababaihan sa Kanayunan Secretary

General Amparo Miciano Sykioco, and Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA) Executive Director Liza Samonte Garcia.

The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

It is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

International Women’s Day is celebrated every March 8 to recognize women for their achievements without regard to divisions, whether national, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic, or political, according to the UN website. (PNA) n

Senate panel releases findings on airport shutdown

by Paolo RoMeRo

MANILA — The government should put up an air traffic management system of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in a more secure location, ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and immediately establish the proposed Philippine Transportation Safety Board (PTSB) to ensure the safety of air passengers, a report of the Senate public services committee has recommended.

Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the committee, delivered on Tuesday, March 7 a summary of the report of her panel, which conducted a series of hearings on the New Year’s Day closure of the country’s airspace for about 10 hours after the NAIA’s Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Systems/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) shut down, displacing some 60,000 passengers and disrupting at least 300 flights.

“The Jan. 1 ‘systems failure’ was indeed a confluence of factors and errors. Experts likened it to the planets aligning, albeit with an unfortunate consequence. This is a rare event, but we know it can happen, and will happen again if we’re not going to act on the problems of the country’s air traffic system,” Poe told the plenary.

“There is much work needed for a better system. It is my earnest hope that through our investigative work, Congress will be able to assist CAAP in providing a system where travel in our airspace is no longer shut down by causes which could have been avoided,” she said.

She called for the immediate upgrade of the CAAP’s technical

capacity and critical equipment in the country’s airports to avert glitches.

These should be complemented with the rollout of sufficient engineering guidelines and training of accredited engineers who will man the system, she said.

The shutdown of the CNS/ ATM of the CAAP was traced to a circuit breaker that shorted after the system’s uninterruptible power supply failed to work.

Poe reiterated the panel would not adopt as of now a punitive direction on its findings or recommend criminal prosecution of CAAP and other concerned officials, stressing public safety as its primary goal.

“Accountability will follow after we’ve laid down safety measures for our air passengers,” she said.

Among the committee’s other recommendations are setting up of another CNS/ATM in an “independent” location, fasttracking of feasibility studies on the proposed privatization of the NAIA’s operations, immediate compliance by CAAP with recommendations of the ICAO, amendment of CAAP

charter to improve efficiency and transparency and passage of relevant bills such as PTSB, Philippine Airports Authority Act and Air Passengers Bill of Rights. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has recommended the separation of regulatory and operational functions of several attached agencies.

During Wednesday’s, March 8 Kapihan sa Manila Bay press briefing, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said they have recommended the separation of the regulatory and operational functions of the CAAP, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Philippine Ports Authority.

“We support that, because the CAAP and MIAA, they are both operators and regulators. So, we really want to split these functions up,” Bautista told reporters in Filipino. He, however, said legislation is needed for this.

Under their recommendations, the DOTr will only have oversight functions over the governmentowned and controlled corporations. n

by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Sara Duterte has pushed for reforms in the country’s electoral system while also calling for an end to violence against elected officials.

During her speech at the National Election Summit organized by the Commission on Elections in Pasay City on Thursday, March 9, Duterte said that she was “pleased” to join in a gathering that sought ways

to safeguard the integrity of the election process in the digital age.

“The presence of every esteemed speaker and stakeholder across different levels of governance in today’s National Election Summit demonstrates our dedication to upholding the Filipinos’ right to vote and harnessing the critical role of technology in promoting responsible voting,” Duterte said. She also welcomed the

integration of voter’s education in the country’s K-12 program to help prepare Filipino youth with the ability to discern and engage responsibly in the democratic process. “By instituting civic education in youth- and nation-building, we encourage the involvement of an empowered citizenry guided by Filipino values, discernment, and knowledge that are crucial in cultivating a culture of participative democracy,” Duterte said. n

Biden administration...

“We appreciate the challenges, but a broad ban on credit reporting could have some unintended consequences,” said Jack Brown III, president of Florida-based Gulf Coast Collection Bureau, citing the prospect of struggling hospitals and other providers closing, which would reduce care options.

Brown, a past president of ACA International, the collection industry’s leading trade association, warned that more medical providers would also start demanding upfront payment, putting additional pressure on patients.

To further protect patients from out-of-pocket costs like these, many advocates say hospitals, particularly those that are exempt from taxes because they are supposed to serve the community, must make financial aid more accessible, a key demand in the group’s letters. “For too long, nonprofit hospitals have not been behaving like nonprofits,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of the nonprofit Georgia Watch. Charity care is offered at most

U.S. hospitals. And nonprofit medical systems must provide aid as a condition of being taxexempt. But at many medical centers, information about this assistance is difficult or impossible to find.

Standards also vary widely, with aid at some hospitals limited to patients with income as low as $13,590 a year. At other hospitals, people making five or six times that much can get assistance.

The result is widespread confusion that has left countless patients who should have been eligible for aid with large bills instead. A 2019 KHN analysis of hospital tax filings found that nearly half of nonprofit medical systems were billing patients with incomes low enough to qualify for charity care.

The groups are asking the IRS to issue rules that would set common standards for charity care and a uniform application across nonprofit hospitals. (Current regulations for charity care do not apply to for-profit or public hospitals.)

The advocates also want the federal agency to strengthen limits on how much nonprofit

hospitals can charge and to curtail aggressive collection tactics such as foreclosing on patients’ homes or denying or deferring medical care.

More than two-thirds of hospitals sue patients or take other legal action against them, such as garnishing wages or placing liens on property, according to a recent KHN investigation. A quarter sell patients’ debts to debt collectors, who in turn can pursue patients for years for unpaid bills. About 1 in 5 deny nonemergency care to people with outstanding debt.

“Charitable institutions, which have other methods of collection available to them, should not be permitted to withhold needed medical care as a means to pressure patients to pay,” the groups wrote. 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.

Experts slam China’s ‘gray...

conducting joint patrols and maritime domain awareness campaigns.

“The Philippines and other Indo-Pacific states must engage in strategies that will ultimately change China’s behavior to be symbiotic with the internationally established rulesbased order. Instead of coercion, states must strengthen cooperation in bilateral, multilateral, and minilateral means. China’s activities within Philippine territory, driven by its expansionist ambitions and militarization, cannot be allowed,” Manhit said.

Among the offensive Chinese activities mentioned in the forum were swarming Philippine waters with fishing and militia vessels, blocking resupply missions, tailing scientific vessels and pointing military-grade lasers against PCG vessels.

“We cannot let this aggression continue,” Manhit added.

Prof. Renato de Castro said seeking help from allies is necessary to stop China’s aggression.

“To limit China’s ability to conduct gray zone operations against the Philippines requires Manila, Washington, Canberra and Tokyo to convey strong signals of commitment for mutual assistance through security agreements, troop deployments, arms transfers and multinational exercises, thereby reducing the Philippines’ sense of insecurity,” de Castro said.

Retired colonel Raymond Powell, a fellow of Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation, urged the government to engage the public on the issue with information drive.

“Exposure is key to deterring and building resilience against them,” Powell said, adding the key is giving credible independent analysts, influencers and the media access to commercially available maritime data.

Powell also suggested embedding journalists in PCG vessels to monitor and document Chinese territorial aggression.

“An engaged public is key to deterring gray zone actors and building national resilience,” he said. n

Philstar.com

Allyson and Marcus Ward of Chicago moved across the country to be closer to family after the premature birth of their twins, Theo and Milo, left them with about $80,000 in medical debt. KHN and NPR's reporting has revealed over 100 million people in America are saddled with medical debt. Kaiser Health News photo by Taylor Clascock

Passengers crowd the departure lobby while others set up camp inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Jan. 2, 2023. The STAR / Miguel de Guzman

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00005379-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Phuong Bich Mai Truong filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Phuong

CASE NUMBER:

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00007652-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

Petitioner Amandeep Kaur filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. Amandeep Kaur to Aman Bajwa.

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.

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00008456-CU-PT-CTL

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

37-2023-00007895-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Francisco Ezequiel Rodriguez Sanchez filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. Francisco Ezequiel Rodriguez Sanchez to Adolfo Ezequiel Kinich. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003122

Sweet Molar Kitchen located at 1423 N Cuyamaca, El Cajon, CA 92020.

Registrant: Danica Ann Surdilla, 10123 Hercules Way, Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/09/2023.

Signature: Danica Ann Surdilla. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/08/2023. AJ 1118 02/17, 02/24, 03/03, and 03/10/2023. AJSD 1118

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9000563 Charleys Cheesesteaks located at 3030 Plaza Bonita Rd Ste FC-10, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: S&JR Enterprise, Inc., 740 Ventura Blvd Ste FC2, Camarillo, CA 93010. This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 12/06/2022.

Signature: Suyeon Sung. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 01/10/2023. AJ 1119 02/17, 02/24, 03/03, and 03/10/2023. AJSD 1119

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003166

a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1122

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003967

Sweet Mirror Counseling located at 4075 Park Blvd. Suite 102-343, San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Sweet Mirror Family Counseling Inc, 4075 Park Blvd. Suite 102343, San Diego, CA 92103.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/07/2023.

Signature: Yang Jiang. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/22/2023.

AJ 1121 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004356

Downz Studios located at 1177 3rd Ave Suite #2, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: Mike Robles, 470 E H St., Apt 411, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature:

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9002862

Divine Grace Board & Care located at 6318 Jouglard Street, San Diego, CA 92114. Registrant: a. Henedina T Castillo, 9315 Francis Dr., Spring Valley, CA 91977.

b. Severo N Castillo, 9315 Francis Dr., Spring Valley, CA 91977. This business is conducted by Married Couple.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 10/26/2004.

Signature: Henedina T Castillo. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/07/2023.

AJ 1123 02/17, 02/24, 03/03, 03/10/2023.

AJSD 1123

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004196 PNC Solution USA located at 4781 49th Street, San Diego, CA 92115.

Birth Certificate (JC Form #NC230) may be obtained form the Civil Business Office for a fee. Petitioners who are seeking a change of name under the Safe at Home program may contact the assigned department for information on obtaining certified copies. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1128

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003548

PHONOMENAL located at 811 K Ave., National City, CA 92115. Registrant: Squad One LLC, 3906 Vista Grande Dr., San Diego, CA 92115. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

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

Signature: Sam Chhoum. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/15/2023. AJ 1124 02/17, 02/24, 03/03, 03/10/2023. AJSD 1124

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 1129

STATEMENT OF ABANDONMENT OF USE OF FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9003590 POLAR 6286 located at 4937 Royal Island Way, San Diego, CA 92154. THE FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME REFERRED TO ABOVE WAS FILED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ON: 12/05/2020, and assigned File No. 2020-9020102 FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME IS BEING ABANDONED BY: Romualdo D. Magpantay Jr, 4937 Royal Island Way, San Diego, CA 92154. This Business is Conducted by: An

AJSD 1125

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004145 Active Protection Services located at 4540 Kearny Villa Road, Ste 212, San Diego, CA 92123. Registrant: Active Pro Inc, 4540 Kearny Villa Road, Ste 212, San Diego, CA 92123. This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/012023.

Signature: Rafi Azam. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/23/2023. AJ 1127 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023. AJSD 1127

Short Dog Resale located at 340 S. 49th St Apt 2, San Diego, CA 92113.

Registrant: Heraclio Beltran, 340 S. 49th St Apt 2, San Diego, CA 92113.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/07/2023.

Signature: Heraclio Beltran. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/09/2023. AJ 1120 02/17, 02/24, 03/03, and 03/10/2023. AJSD 1120

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9004397

Mendoza Truckline located at 450 Flower St. Apt A, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Robert Mendoza, 450 Flower St. Apt A, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/27/2023.

Signature: Robert Mendoza. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 02/27/2023. AJ 1130 03/03, 03/10, 03/17, and 03/24/2023.AJSD 1130

Fil-Am athlete Anton del Rosario expands 7’s Football League’s reach outside PH

by Donnabelle GatDula-arevalo / AJPress

SEVEN-A-SIDE football (soccer) is becoming increasingly popular in the world. And at the helm of this emerging and innovative sport is world-class Filipino American football legend and entrepreneur Anton del Rosario.

Del Rosario, who himself founded the first 7’s Football League in the Philippines in 2018, has been at the forefront of this growing football community and wants to take the lead in actively promoting it in the coming years, not only in the Philippines but also in the entire Asian region and eventually to the world.

“We are creating a sport here and I am in this godly mission because I know what it could do for the world. If we’re able to create another sport, it’s like creating another whole industry. Imagine the jobs that would be created, all of the players, all of the coaches and all the kids that get to dream to play professionally on another sport. It’s much more than a sport, it’s being able to give back and make an impact to the world,” del Rosario told the Asian Journal in an interview.

The 41-year-old football superstar believes that the seven-a-side football, which is a mini variation of the 11-a-side football played in a much smaller field, will be a big thing in the future.

“They say football is the most popular sport in the world but imagine all of these kids, there are not a lot of football fields for all of these kids all over the world. People are playing a smaller-sided football already but has not been structured to it. So that’s where me and my company comes in to create that structure,” he said.

Kickstarting 7’s football league

Seven years ago, del Rosario partnered with premier insurance company AIA Philippines to pioneer the 7’s Football League (7s FL) in the Philippines. The league, which was formed to focus on sevena-side football competitions locally and internationally, is being played using a mix indoor futsal and standard football rules in a much smaller field.

Starting from less than 10 teams in 2018, the Americanborn footballer is proud to have tremendously increased the size of league over the years.

“I started in 2018 in the Philippines with eight teams. Last year, we ended the year with 350 teams across the country of the Philippines. We are now in nine cities. With our partner AIA Philippines (formerly Philamlife), we are the largest men’s and women’s football league in the Philippines,” he said.

So far, the 7’s FL already had four seasons. It has a two-tiered men’s division, a women’s division, and youth divisions. It is also currently affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Football 7 (FIF7). The league should have expanded in the fifth season in 2020 but was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a year after its inception, 7’s FL received the Best in Sports Youth Development Program award at HR Asia’s Sports Industry Awards and Conference. HR Asia is the most authoritative publication for HR professionals in the Asian region.

In 2021, the franchise launched further leagues in the United States and across Asia providing an opportunity to people to chase their dreams, to be able to unite players of all ages from all over the world and build a community for football in every city where 7’s FL makes it available for all, giving each person a chance to grow and enjoy their passion.

This year, 7’s FL will

hold major milestones in the history of seven-a-side football by launching two major tournaments: one in Taguig in the Philippines from April 2123 and another one in North Carolina in the United States from June 1-2.

Fostering partnerships

As many countries around the globe have already started their journey to the seven-a-side football, del Rosario admitted that Asia still requires a muchneeded push to further develop this emerging sport.

“In Europe, they already have organizations playing this. South America have organizations playing this. They are the ones who actually reached out to me and introduced me to this and their big problem is that they can not secure Asia. So that’s where I want to come in and I want to be the one to create Asia for all of us,” he revealed.

“Asia’s quite hard, unless you’re there. Unless you have somebody active and believing in it, as much as we do, then it becomes very difficult,” he said, when asked why most Asian countries are still a little bit hesitant to go into this new type of sport.

Del Rosario reiterated his eagerness and enthusiasm to become a prime mover in making seven-a-side known in Asia and then to the rest of the world. “Soccer is the number one sport in Asia, that’s why it’s going to be very successful. Actually, I believe it’s going to be successful anywhere,” he added.

This innovation in the sport of football, he said, will make it more popular and acceptable. “Everybody knows that soccer has been under FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association). FIFA only owns 11-a-side soccer, foot soccer and beach soccer. We are coming in and we are creating seven-a-side soccer similar to what’s happened in basketball. Basketball is played five-on-five. Right now, they have a version which is now getting popular, three-on-three, so we want to bring this more modern, exciting style of the most popular sport (football) in the world, to the world,” he stressed.

Del Rosario, who entered the football world since the tender age of six, played as a right back or center-back for Maharlika Manila (of which he is also a co-founder and coowner) and represented the Philippines national team for a decade from 2004 to 2014. He has also teamed up with private companies, a group of goal-driven professionals, and government entities to accomplish the goal of putting a mark on seven-a-side football across the world.

These partners will help del Rosario and his company in facilitating future events and tournaments, making each game not just a regular football competition but uniquely thought off event with a lot of music, arts and festivities.

For instance, 7’s FL took in the group of Gonzalo “Bogie” de Guia of TapGo Digital Media Ventures to provide an exciting live streaming coverage for each event.

“I think, we as a company, TapGo is looking for ways to help football in the Philippines and to make football available and football is actually the national sports for Filipinos and not basketball and we feel that there’s huge untapped market for football to be the national past time of the Philippines,” de Guia, TapGo co-founder and chief technology officer, said.

“We are excited to stream the 7’s event, the international part of it. We are very excited to be part of this. This is something we see as a longterm partnership and we know that the right people around, with the right partners, this will grow in to something really big,” the TapGo honcho added.

De Guia has committed to bring a broadcast quality stream and coverage to this event.

“Once you see your kids playing in broadcast quality format, that is something will be proud of and at the same time we want to make sure that Filipinos and Asian eventually in the region watching. We want them to see quality event both online and on TV. That is something that we bring in to the table, something that make sure that people will love,” he added.

The company is also tapping Ovation Productions to handle the festivities and concerts that would be showcased as part of tournament.

“We want to make sure that we bring quality games, good competition and working with people like Ovation will be able to bring other communities, when we talk about communities, football and sport, they go hand-inhand with music, art especially in the modern day. This is why bringing Ovation into our whole event, it would make so much sense because I think that’s where the future of the events could go where we have a great sporting events, mixed in with good music events,” del Rosario said.

Del Rosario also brought on board Dion Ugbebor, a U.S.based Filipina who is a social impact and change driven entrepreneur with businesses and partnerships globally in health care, technology, real estate, sports, entertainment and social solutions.

“I believe in humanity and the powerful change we can make together. Each of us have the role to make that happenmake it passionate, bring your best self. Leadership matter,” Ugbebor said.

Being in the healthcare business for more than two decades, Ugbebor is sincerely keen on bringing change and uplifting people’s lives by supporting efforts that will make a significant difference to the society. “There’s a lot of passion and excitement on the ground. Seven-a-side is getting really popular in the Philippines and

it’s just a great opportunity for us to bring forth something innovative with a live streaming platform like TapGo, and at the same time, create a platform for our children, for our families, for our community to tell their story and be heard. [This] sport is more than a sport. What a way for us to do this with great partners, and wanting to have the same mission which is to make an impact to the community and make a difference and do something bigger than we can be proud of as Filipinos and bring it to Asia and hopefully the globe,” she said.

Eddie Mallari, who handles the marketing side of 7’s FL, for his part, sees this sport gaining ground with the advent of social media platforms which are readily available to stream these

“It’s kinda becoming a trend, especially for social media and things being online nowadays, it’s something a lot easier to attain now than it was say 1015 years ago. The response has been very good,” Mallari said, when asked how they expand their reach for support, specifically from Filipino Americans.

Mallari recalled his experience when he got the chance to play for the Philippine national team years back. “I really did not grow up in a Filipino community and when I heard about the opportunities to be able to play football for the national team and eventually it became professional, it gives (them) an opportunity and an

Participants of the 7’s Football League youth division. Photos courtesy of Anton del Rosario/7’s Football League

Del Rosario receives “Best Youth Development Program” award at the SPIA Asia Conference on behalf of the 7’s Football League. Photo courtesy of Anton del Rosario/Instagram

Kids participate in Maharlika Manila Youth Academy. sports events.

The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego to hold 21st Annual  ‘Step

by Step 5K Walk’

THE Parkinson’s Association of San Diego (PASD) is holding its 21st Annual ‘Step by Step 5K Walk’ on Saturday, April 1 at Liberty Station. CBS News 8 Anchor Carlo Cecchetto will emcee the event.

Lisa Evans, Walk Chairperson, explained that there are several ways you can participate: Walk yourself (with your family); Join a team; Form your own team or Make a contribution to the Association (if you’d like; make it in Memory of or in Honor of a loved one).

The Parkinson’s Association of San Diego is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to optimizing quality of life for people affected by neurological and movement disorders. For this event, people can register online: www. parkinsonsassociation.org or call 858-215-2570.

on

April 1

or are affected by Parkinson’s disease. All funds raised from the event stay within San Diego County.

As the leading Parkinson’s resource in San Diego County, the association provides information and referral services, education, support groups, evidence-based exercise programs, community events, social opportunities, compassion and encouragement.

The Walk commences at 9:00 a.m. with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. The donation is $50, Youth 12 to 17 are $10 and children under 12 are free. The donations are tax deductible under IRS guidelines and includes a Walk Step by Step T- Shirt.

Organizers are expecting about a thousand participants and there will be over fifty health and other resources in attendance in the exhibitor area. The Walk is dog friendly.

FIIRE holds conference for US delegation in Manila

FILIPINOS in Institutional Real Estate (FIIRE) held a 5-day conference in the Philippines for a delegation coming from the United States in midFebruary.

FIIRE initially planned an inaugural event in the Philippines to commemorate the beginning of the Manila Chapter in February 2020, eventually pivoting to a virtual launch due to COVID-19.

Proceeds from the Walk enable the PASD to continue to make critical resources available to thousands of San Diego County residents who have

Fil-Am athlete Anton del Rosario...

PAGE 9

“We are seeing more and more Fil-Ams coming here (Philippines) and to play with the national team, play with the local clubs, send their kids for youth tournaments,” he added.

Long-term goal

“Our goal eventually is to try to make it free for kids. I want to be able raise funds from sponsors and local governments to make it possible,” del Rosario said.

It was noted that it is only in the Philippines and in the U.S. that football is a fee-based sport.

“The U.S. and the Philippines are probably one of only two countries where football is a paid-to-play model

and generally, it’s for the people who can afford but everywhere else in the whole world is pretty much for free and its a mass sport,” Mallari, meanwhile, pointed out.

For Step by Step 5k registration, fundraising and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www. parkinsonsassociation.org or call 858-215-2570. n advantage. One thing that gives (them) the advantage is because you’re a Filipino, you get a Filipino passport and you get treated as a local,” said Mallari.

Mallari shared del Rosario’s vision, saying that making football free would only be achieved through collective efforts.

“What does it take? It’s community’s building, getting sponsors, people who have the same mission as us to really get support so it would eventually become free in places like the Philippines and the U.S. And it has slowly started happening in the U.S. in he past 10 years and should improve a lot faster than it is, and we kinda wanna do the same thing out here in the Philippines as well to make it a mass sport where it’s not just the privileged people than can pay to play,” Mallari said.

Del Rosario has actually started to draw up a concept to make this free-for-all football games for the youth.

The 7’s FL executive is optimistic that this goal would be attained in the near-term.

“Give us one year to create a concept in each of these countries and give us another six months to gather sponsors. I should say in two years’ time, we should be able (to achieve this goal),” he said. n

The recent conference served as an opportunity to celebrate the inauguration of the Manila Chapter of FIIRE while allowing visiting FIIRE members the opportunity to explore the Philippines firsthand as originally intended.

Through launching a Philippines Chapter, FIIRE intends to do the following:

• Assist in attracting large institutions to invest in the Philippines;

• Cultivate a pipeline of talent by sharing best practices of the US specific to the commercial real estate industry;

• Create an exchange program that will bring Filipino students/professionals to train with institutional commercial real estate companies.

The event included a welcome dinner hosted at a private estate in Forbes Park hosted by Monocle Group and Longview, a market introduction by AyalaLand, and real estate tours in various areas of BGC, Makati, Pasay City, and Aseana City hosted by NEO, AyalaLand, SM, and DM Wenceslao.

The main event was held on Friday, February 17 at the Shangri-La in Bonifacio Global City. Speakers included board members from the U.S. – Gloria Browning Gil, Jennifer del Rosario Taylor, Huber Bongolan, Barbara Faylona-Jesuele, and Ernie Ocampo. Economic and real estate updates were presented by Victor Calanog/Moody’s Analytics and David Leechiu/ Leechiu Property Consultants.

A keynote presentation was provided by Wick Veloso/GSIS.

The first panel discussion with Sheryll Verano/Arthaland Corporation, Mike Rodriguez/ Macquarie Asset Management, and RB Roa/ATRAM touched on the growth of the Philippine real estate sector, highlighting how unprecedented capital is being sourced from both equity and debt markets.

Another panel featured Barbara Faylona-Jesuele/J. Paul Getty Trust, Jonathan “Loy” Umali/Arch Capital, and Paul Gately/EQT Exeter who all came in from different countries to discuss the key components institutional real

estate investors analyze when entering new markets and potential partners. They also highlighted how institutional

capital can provide advantages for local real estate developers to grow and scale their businesses.

A FIIREside chat moderated by Eric Manuel/Arch Capital and featuring Gloria-Browning Gil, co-founder of FIIRE, concluded the program. Through this chat, the audience discovered how FIIRE started, the importance of mentors, the rise of Gloria’s career, and her outlook on the industry.

Over the weekend, a Poblacion food and pub crawl was coordinated by Poblacion Land and Urban Development for the attendees to get a taste of the nightlife in the vibrant area that has rapidly been transforming over the past few years. The National Parks Development Committee hosted a tour of Intramuros and its rich history. The last day of the conference, delegates were invited to visit the Philippine Stock Exchange.

The conference concluded with a master class in collaboration with Urban Land Institute (ULI) Philippines, with speakers from the U.S. discussing real estate topics such as an introduction to institutional investing, debt market, underwriting, fund management, asset management, and much more.

The events were made possible through the generous sponsorship of Arch Capital Management, D.M. Wenceslao and Associates, Manulife Investment Management, EQT Exeter, NEO, Leechiu Property Consultants, Monocle Group, Arthaland Corp, AyalaLand, Santos Knight Frank, CebuLand, Corebuilt, Grow Capital Partners, Romulo, KMC Savills, Colliers, Catellina Property Consultants. FIIRE, or Filipinos in Institutional Real Estate, is a 501c3 trade organization started in the United States of America that focuses on networking, educating and mentoring Filipinos in institutional real estate. The organization was established in 2009 and has chapters throughout the US in Chicago, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Mid-South, New York City, New England, San Diego, San Francisco, Pacific Northwest and internationally in the Philippines. n

Abigail Zelenski, Ernie Ocampo, Gloria Gil and Bob Tessa view model of AyalaLand’s assets.

Raymond Ruffino, Rene Benitez, Jennifer Taylor, Eric Manuel and Loy Umali attend a private reception hosted by Monocle Group and Longview.

The main event was held at the Shangri-La Fort was attended by FIIRE USA delegates and many local investors, developers and from the banking sector.

Panelists Mike Rodriguez, RB Roa and Sheryll Verano in a discussion with moderator Jean De Castro.

Barbara Jesuele, Sheryll Verano and Huber Bongolan having lunch at Manila House hosted by NEO.

Raymond Rufino welcomes his guests to Manila House at a private lunch hosted by NEO.

Buds Wensceslao hosted FIIRE USA delegates for a private tour of Aseana City.

City of San Diego unveils plan to fully implement bold climate action plan

Newly released climate action implementation plan advances cleaner, more sustainable future for San Diegans

SAN DIEGO – This week, the City of San Diego unveiled the Climate Action Implementation Plan draft, safeguarding a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable future for San Diegans. This living planning tool guides the full implementation of the measures laid out in San Diego’s landmark 2022 Climate Action Plan (CAP) by clearly defining each city department’s responsibilities and providing cost estimates for those actions.

The Implementation Plan will also help guide and organize the City’s processes and governance structure around climate action with equity, accountability and transparency at the center.

“The City’s 2022 Climate Action Plan update laid out our ambitious goals, and this week, we released our comprehensive plan to fully implement them,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “This Implementation Plan is just one part of a larger framework to ensure our climate goals are embedded in decisions across the city. We have a long way to go, but many steps are already complete or in progress.”

As part of the broader city program called “Our Climate, Our Future,” San Diego’s 2022 CAP includes six strategies that set a path toward achieving the City’s interim 2030 fair-share reduction goal and ambitious 2035 goal of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The strategies include 17 quantified performance targets, outlining how the city will track progress and achieve its overall GHG reduction goals. Each of the 21 CAP measures is broken down into discrete actions and supporting actions, including 190 in total, that work together to achieve targets and emissions reduction goals.

While the Implementation Plan does lay out a robust outline of future actions to be taken, much of the climate action work is already underway, including the rollout of citywide organic waste collection, transitioning all city electricity accounts to San Diego Community Power’s 100% renewable energy provider and drafting

in decisions across the city.”

File photo/www.sandiego.gov

building code amendments to electrify new construction.

The Implementation Plan is just one part of a larger shift in city processes and decision making to center climate action.

“It is a sea change in the Mayor and Council’s commitment to adopt an ambitious plan and implement the individual steps to achieve our goals and timelines,” said Councilmember Joe LaCava, Chair of the Environment Committee. “This Plan informs policies, ensures that climate action is part of every city department’s work plan, and it documents actions already underway. We can no longer delay ensuring our city’s future is sustainable and resilient. I invite the public’s input as the Environment Committee discusses the draft plan at our next meeting.”

Each action and supporting action included in the CAP will require funding and city staff resources. To plan for these budgetary and staffing needs, the Implementation Plan includes the results of a comprehensive Implementation Cost Analysis (ICA). The ICA estimates the funding and resources needed to be repurposed or added to implement the CAP over the next five fiscal years (FY20242028).

As identified in the ICA,

Incurable plant disease found in Rancho Bernardo

existing programs account for 96% of the total cost estimate of $4.2 billion for the CAP. The remaining 4% represents incremental costs for new and expanded programs, which translates to about $30 million annually. Approximately 75% of that amount is estimated to cover currently known costs associated with local water supply, tree canopy, decarbonization of city facilities and sequestration (the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide). For context, $30 million represents less than 1% of the city’s adopted FY2023 budget.

The concept of climate equity is critical throughout the CAP and the Implementation Plan connects directly to the principles outlined in the city’s Strategic Plan. During the preparation of the CAP, city staff worked closely with stakeholders to develop a method for scoring each action to understand its potential to prioritize and empower residents within Communities of Concern, and to address those disparities where the greatest needs exist.

In parallel with development of the Implementation Plan, the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst (IBA) has prepared Council Policy for Climate Action Plan Implementation Prioritization, which helps prioritize actions set forth in the CAP. The Council Policy reflects the metrics developed for each action and supporting action and assigns a weighted score to each measure. Details about the calculated prioritization scores are included in the tables in the Implementation Plan. Together, the Implementation Plan and Council Policy will inform the city’s ongoing annual work plans as well as budget and resource allocation decisions.

At the upcoming Environment Committee meeting on March 9, the Climate Action Implementation Plan draft will be presented by the Sustainability and Mobility Department, and the new Council Policy will be presented by the IBA.

(City of San Diego Release) n

SAN DIEGO – The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced the first detection of Huanglongbing (HLB) in the city of San Diego. Huanglongbing (HLB), an incurable plant disease that infects and kills all citrus tree varieties, was discovered in residential citrus trees in the Rancho Bernardo area of San Diego, prompting a plant quarantine to be established in the area.

HLB is spread by a small pest called the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) as it feeds on leaves and stems of citrus trees. HLB is not harmful to humans or animals, but once a tree is infected, it will die and must be removed.

HLB was first confirmed in San Diego County in 2021 in Oceanside. To limit the spread of HLB, a citrus plant quarantine is currently in place throughout portions of San Diego, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties. The Rancho Bernardo detections have resulted in the establishment of a new HLB quarantine area, including parts of Rancho Bernardo, 4S Ranch, Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Peñasquitos, Black Market Ranch, Carmel Mountain Ranch, Poway and Escondido.

The HLB citrus plant quarantine prohibits the transport and movement of citrus plants and material to prevent the spread of the deadly disease. The newly established quarantine zone will not intersect with the existing quarantine boundaries in the Oceanside area of San Diego County.

California homeowners – 60% of whom are estimated to own citrus trees – play an important role in protecting our state’s citrus and are being asked to protect their own backyard trees by searching for signs of the pest and disease.

More information and photos of the ACP and HLB symptoms are available at CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org or the University of California’s website at https://ucanr. edu/sites/ACP/Homeowner_ Options/. The Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program is an

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said the implementation plan “is just one part of a larger framework to ensure our climate goals are embedded