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NOTHING BUT SCARS n

A mother’s dream of a better life for her son turns into a nightmare– or why migrant workers still need protecting

FILIPINO workers gather at the HSBC building in the central business district of Hong Kong on August 13, 2006. PAUL HILTON/BLOOMBERG NEWS

By Estrella Torres | Special to the BusinessMirror

AYDEE CARO, 43, left her 11-year-old son to a relative in 2016 to earn a living as a domestic worker in Buraydah province in Saudi Arabia. Although she was hired by a licensed recruiter in Manila, she was turned over to a Saudi recruiter,

not accredited by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

Her first employer was a police officer with a wife who made her do heavy house chores for 11 hours a day and fed her only frozen peas. After three months of physical pain, hunger and humiliation, she fell ill. Haydee, a single mother, asked her male employer to send her to the Saudi recruiter so she could return home. Instead, she was sent to jail and accused of stealing valuables. After spending four days in jail, she was turned over to another Saudi employer. Her second employer treated her well, but she re-

mained too sickly to perform work. The second employer brought her to a parking lot to meet another Saudi national. “I knew I was being sold to another employer as I could see the payoffs while inside the car.” Haydee was then asked to move to another car—that of her third employer. Haydee suffered her worst nightmare in the hands of her third employer—a hospital employee with his wife. “Everytime I came out of the shower, my male employer would grope me. Many times, he would

barge into my room while I slept and try to rape me.” Haydee threatened to tell her male employer’s wife and file a complaint, but such threats did not stop the sexual molestation. “I finally told the wife about her husband’s abuse.” Shortly after, the male employer arrived home with three men who asked her to come with them. It was October 19 last year, Haydee remembered that date well as she feared being gang-raped. She excused herself to go to the

restroom but she locked herself until her employers called the police. She was sent to jail again but this time, she was allowed to call her son, who then contacted the Center for Migrants Advocacy (CMA), which facilitated her repatriation. In an interview, Haydee vowed to fight for justice for all the abuses she suffered from her three Saudi employers. She is now seeking payment of six months worth of salary as she was only paid once by the second employer. Continued on A2

SAMAR ‘MISENCOUNTER’ ANOTHER TRAGIC LESSON IN POLICE, MILITARY COORDINATION

By Rene Acosta

N May last year, it took the Marawi siege for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to learn its lesson— the urgent need for its troops to train, equip and improve their skills in urban warfare. Thirteen months later, and this time, in the province of Samar, it took both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the military to learn another invaluable lesson— the need for a more “realistic” coordination. While both events happened in different settings with different objectives, both happened under the same course of combat

operations. While investigations are still being conducted into the events, including possible lapses, leading to the killings of six rookie policemen in the rather so unfortunate “misencounter” in Samar, officials are already laying the cornerstone that governs coordination between the police and the military in future combat operations.

PESO EXCHANGE RATES n US 53.5220

As to how this coordination should be properly conducted, relayed, and to whom, should be incorporated into the report that is probing the “whys” of the debacle that also wounded nine other policemen. To spell out the importance of coordination, which is being pointed to as the culprit behind the debacle, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. even went as far as suggesting the crafting of “future joint campaign plans” with the PNP so that “at least, coordination will be strong.” While the policemen may have coordinated with a detachment near the operational area in Santa Rita, Samar, Galvez said protocols may not have been followed that may have precipitated the incident. “It’s on the protocols which we have been implementing, our joint Continued on A2

A SOLDIER stands beside bullet-riddled gate and walls in an area where government troops battled Islamic extremists in Marawi City on June 15, 2018. AP/AARON FAVILA

HELGIDINSON | DREAMSTIME.COM

Treachery of the ‘fog of war’

n JAPAN 0.4844 n UK 70.0068 n HK 6.8200 n CHINA 8.0790 n SINGAPORE 39.1386 n AUSTRALIA 39.3494 n EU 61.9303 n SAUDI ARABIA 14.2717

Source: BSP (June 29, 2018 )

The World BusinessMirror

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Thai baht may have further to fall–Mizuho

he Thai baht, set to become the worstperforming currency in emerging Asia this quarter, doesn’t look like it’s going to bottom anytime soon, according to Mizuho Bank Ltd. Foreign funds have pulled a net $3.8 billion from the nation’s equity market since the end of March, the most since at least 1999 on a quarterly basis, amid concerns that an escalation in trade frictions between the US and China will weigh on Thailand’s currentaccount surplus—a source of attraction for the country’s currency bulls. The baht had been the second-best performer in emerging Asia in the first quarter, underscoring the spread of the rout in developing economies to countries with relatively strong fundamentals. Central banks in emerging markets—from Argentina to Turkey—have gone on the defensive as a stronger dollar and rising Treasury yields fueled concern that a failure to tighten monetary policy risks a currency sell-off and an acceleration in inflation. “The market’s focus has shifted to trade frictions and the currencies of economies with high dependence to trade are becoming more vulnerable to sell-offs,” said Masakatsu Fukaya, an emergingmarket currency trader at Mizuho Bank. “My view is that the dollar will remain strong for a while. People are becoming concerned that a trade war will lead to overall shrinkage in global trade, so that could potentially threaten Thailand’s current-account surplus.” The baht has weakened almost 6 percent against the dollar this quarter to trade at 33.10 as of 2:15 p.m. in Bangkok on Thursday. Overseas investors withdrew net $251 million from the bond market since the end of March, the first net quarterly outflows since the last three months of 2016, according to data from the Thai Bond Market Association. “Factors that supported the first-quarter gains are now turning around to bite the currencies of export-oriented economies,” Mizuho’s Fukaya said. “We may even see the baht test the 33.50 level.” Bloomberg News

Beijing digs in on trade as tariffs near, economy deepens slowdown

hina reiterated its opposition to new curbs on investment in the US, as White House officials tussle over trade policy and the imposition of tariffs approaches.

Restrictions on US exports to China—of sensitive technologies that the government wants to protect—will backfire, hampering President Donald J. Trump’s intention to lower his nation’s trade deficit, according to Commerce Ministry spokesman Gao Feng on Thursday. Beijing is monitoring the impact of the proposed strengthening of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin won an internal fight to stave off an even tougher approach to curbing Chinese investment in US technology. Even so, there’s little sign of a broader detente between

the two sides, as a July 6 start-date for tariffs on $34 billion of Chinese imports approaches. “The US wants to expand its exports and narrow the trade deficit. It has huge potential in high-tech products and services trade. However, the move to restrict exports can only backfire,” Gao said. He also argued that a protectionist US has become a major drag on global cross-border investment and economic growth, and repeated the threat that China will fight back with “quantitative and qualitative measures” should the US roll out a new tariff list. China looks more exposed to the impact of worsening trade

The US wants to expand its exports and narrow the trade deficit. It has huge potential in hightech products and services trade. However, the move to restrict exports can only backfire.”—Gao

Oil trades near three-year high as Libya crisis tightens supply nited States crude traded near the highest in three-and-a-half years as disruption at Libyan ports and a plunge in American stockpiles reinforced fears of a supply squeeze. US oil stockpiles declined the most since September 2016, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Wednesday, just as some buyers of Iranian crude faced increasing pressure from President Donald Trump to halt imports from the Persian Gulf nation. A breakaway faction of Libya’s National Oil Corp. ordered the halt of eastern ports placed under its control by a militia leader. “We are looking at a near-term future where supply risk will support the price,” said Ole Sloth Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank A/S in Copenhagen. “We have seen before the major impact that Libya can have on the market. Europe could end up having to source oil from different locations on a combination of Iran sanctions and the risk of falling Libyan production.” Prices have been on an upward swing as Trump’s administration seeks to dissuade purchases of oil from Iran, the thirdlargest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. The efforts to isolate and hobble the Islamic Republic have overshadowed Saudi Arabia’s plan to lift output to a record within weeks following Opec’s agreement to relax output caps. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for August delivery traded at $72.50 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 26 cents, at 8:52 a.m. local time. Total volume was about 14 percent below the 100-day average. The contract rose $2.23 to $72.76 on Wednesday, the highest settlement since November 2014. The spread between front-month WTI futures and the September contract widened for a seventh day to $1.54 as shrinking inventories strengthened the market structure known as backwardation. Brent futures for August settlement fell 5 cents to $77.57 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange, after climbing $1.31 to $77.62 on Wednesday. The more active September contract was 11 cents lower at $77.35.

Sunday, July 1, 2018

The global benchmark traded at a $5.04 premium to WTI for August, after closing at the narrowest since April on Wednesday. The spread has collapsed since settling at $11.43 on June 7, the widest since February 2015. In Libya the eastern National Oil Corp. (NOC) in Benghazi ordered the halt of exports from Es Sider, the country’s biggest terminal, as well as Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega and Hariga, according to company chief Faraj Said. Forces loyal to militia commander Khalifa Haftar gave eastern NOC control of the terminals earlier this month. The internationally recognized NOC in Tripoli said it was confident the eastern splinter organization isn’t capable of exporting crude. National production has slumped to 700,000 barrels a day from about 1 million. In the US, nationwide stockpiles declined by 9.89 million barrels last week, US government data showed, far bigger than the 3-million-barrel fall expected in an earlier Bloomberg survey. Inventories in the storage hub at Cushing, Oklahoma, also drew down by about 2.7 million barrels last week, while exports rose, hitting 3 million barrels a day for the first time. This was despite concerns about a pipeline bottleneck in the Permian region. “The massive $11 Brent-WTI spread in early-June was probably a significant factor in the jump in exports,” said Stephen Innes, head of trading for Asia Pacific at Oanda Corp. “All the while, supplies will continue to run tight in North America. And without question, the markets are bedeviled again by enormous supply uncertainties. The oil bulls are back in charge.” Syncrude Canada Ltd. is said to reduce supply to customers by 92 percent in July after an unplanned outage last week, according to people familiar with the matter. Geneva Energy Markets Llc., one of the largest market-makers in crude oil and refined products, has shut due to regulatory pressures related to capital requirements for clearing banks, its top executive said. Bloomberg News

Shipping containers stand in a terminal in this aerial photograph taken at the Yangshan Deep Water Port in Shanghai, China, on Friday, March 23, 2018. The trade conflict between China and the U.S. escalated, with Beijing announcing its first retaliation against metals levies hours after President Donald Trump outlined fresh tariffs on $50 billion of Chinese imports and pledged there's more on the way. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg

relations with the US than just a few months ago. Economic data for May came in below expectations, and the slide looks likely to continue in June. A sharp deceleration in credit expansion may have weighed on the economy, according to Fielding Chen at Bloomberg Economics, who aggregates the earliest available indicators into one reading. The impact of slower credit growth amid a government campaign to clean up the financial system has,

along with the escalating trade war, hurt sentiment for smaller companies, as well as stock and property investors. Trade frictions and concerns about whether the economy is slowing down more have sent Chinese stocks into a bear market and its currency sliding past 6.6 per dollar for the first time since December. T he centra l bank has intervened verbally to calm markets, and also increased policy support for the economy

by cutting the amount of money banks have to lock away, letting them lend more. “Authorities are supporting smaller enterprises and keeping liquidity sufficient to react to the downward pressure,” Chen said. “The trade war has hurt market sentiment, but its impact on the economy hasn’t yet materialized.” China’s yuan f luctuated on Thursday, for the longest run of declines in more than a year. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index sank 0.4 percent to the lowest in almost nine months. Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated, with both sides now threatening to increase tariffs from early-July and also retaliate for the other’s actions. The two nations are promising to impose tariffs on $34 billion of each other’s exports from next Friday, with more to come. China issued a stout defense of its trade and business practices on Thursday, responding to the persistent accusations from the White House that it steals American technology and shuts foreigners out of its economy. “China has been a strong advocate for free trade,” according to the white paper, entitled “China and the World Trade Organization,” issued by the State Council Information Office. “China has comprehensively fulfilled its commitment to the WTO, substantially opened its market to the world, and delivered mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes on a wider scale.” Bloomberg News

Powell lists criteria on Fed decisions F

ederal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell is testing the economy’s room to run. It’s a strategy that contains both big benefits and risks for ordinary Americans and is causing excitement, tinged with caution, inside the central bank. Take Fed treatment of one of its bedrock conceptual benchmarks, a rate of unemployment that keeps inflation stable. In June they estimated that level at 4.5 percent. Unemployment in May was 3.8 percent. Yet with no sign of price pressures, policy-makers plan to let the labor market run even hotter, with the jobless rate projected at 3.5 percent over the next two years. Powell, a Trump administration appointee, shares his predecessor Janet Yellen’s appreciation that labor-market slack may be greater than estimated. He’s combined that with a sense that the range of uncertainty around guidepost estimates that govern monetary policy are highly uncertain tools. For Powell, the first non-economist to hold the job in more than three decades, conceptual benchmarks can’t fully describe the complexity of the US economy. So in this first five months, he’s brought a subtle but important change to the chairmanship at a key juncture in the business cycle: trust evidence as much as economic models. “Let’s be guided by what’s going on and what the real economy’s telling us,” Powell said on the sidelines of a June 20 central bank conference in Sintra, Portugal, at which he also repeated the case for gradual interest-rate increases. “And let’s also admit that our understanding of what the location” of full employment is must be “informed by reality

and what’s actually happening.” A hot labor market has tremendous benefits for US workers, m i l l ion s of whom were locked out of jobs during the post-crisis recover y because of age or racial bias, or a lack of skills. Some of these gains are already show ing up. Workers are mov ing off disability rosters, black unemploy ment fell to 5.9 percent in May, the lowest going to back to 1972, and Hispa n ic u nemploy ment h a s matched record lows. Powell said on June 13, and again in Sintra, that there’s “a lot to like” about low unemployment. He even hinted that it could have lasting benefits. Julio Joaquin is the sort of person he might have in mind. The 26-year-old from Harlem, New York, got out of prison in 2014 after being convicted of robbery at 18—a record that could have been a job-market kiss of death in an earlier era. At first, Joaquin swung between unemployment insurance, jobs in demolition and handyman work. But with the help of the Center for Employment Opportunities in Manhattan, he recently landed a job placing reinforcing bars in building projects for $18 an hour.

‘Like a masterpiece’

“When everything is laid out, it looks like a masterpiece,” he says. He woke up at 4:30 a.m. to clock in at 6:30 and has just got off a nine-hour day—his shirt flecked with the concrete to prove it— but he says the job is fulfilling. With experience, he could also earn a much-higher wage. Fed researchers are digging into what low unemployment might mean for wages, inf lation and the US economy more

broadly. One big idea: A tight labor market could improve laborforce attachment and boost productivity. That’s a double win. “Some of our research suggests if you become employed in a high pressure period, your labor market prospects in terms of attachment and wages are better,” Atlanta Fed research director David Altig said in an interview. On-the-job learning and skill acquisition “feeds into greater productivity.” For all the enthusiasm, there is also plenty of caution and debate. Kartik Athreya, the research director at the Richmond Fed, said that for the gains in the current hot labor market to stick and produce more attachment “these people need to be transformed in some way.” Evidence that such widespread training and skill development happened in past booms, or is under way now, is “tentative at best,” he said.

Bubble concerns

Some Fed officials also worry that a long period of low interest rates amid scarce resources, including a smaller pool of available workers, could generate bubbles. “You want to get to a lower level of unemployment without triggering excesses, and imbalances?,” said Dallas Fed President Robert Kaplan. “I personally still believe that we should at least be moving gradually toward a neutral monetary-policy stance,” he added, referring to a policy rate that neither speeds up nor slows the economy. Stylistically, Powell’s approach is closer to an earlier Fed chief— Alan Greenspan—than his immediate predecessors, Ben Bernanke or Yellen. Greenspan was an expert in “current analysis,”

his own, often idiosyncratic, discipline of forecast updating that dove deep into esoteric economic data. It’s a hard act to duplicate. The strategy requires nimbleness and sometimes sharp changes in policy. A more datadependent approach can be frustrating for investors who have been spoon-fed guidance by the US central bank much of the past decade, because economic data are often noisy. Against that backdrop, Powell is stepping up communication and will start holding press conferences after every meeting, starting in January.

Inflation expectations

Fed strategy hinges on the idea that the central bank’s actions inform inflation expectations. Remarkably, even as the unemployment rate dipped below 4 percent and some ty pes of compensation moved higher, the public’s inflation outlook has remained low and stable. So have overall price gains, averaging 1.7 percent over the past 16 months, according to the Fed’s preferred benchmark, below the central bank’s 2-percent target. Still, anchoring expectations was a hard-won victory, and the Fed wants to keep them nailed down. Officials raised rates on June 13 for the second time in 2018 and signaled another two moves this year. “He is testing the economy’s limits,” said former Fed Governor Laurence Meyer, whose term at the Fed encompassed a dip below 4-percent unemployment. “He’s said as long as we appear to be doing something, that will take inflation in the right direction,” he added. “But we don’t know” how this is going to end. Bloomberg News

The World BusinessMirror

Sunday, July 1, 2018

UK worries on what Donald Trump could promise Putin

s the United Kingdom prepares to welcome Donald J. Trump next month, there are fears at the top of government about what he might do when he meets Vladimir Putin. One Cabinet minister, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that, having watched the president’s meeting with North Korean leader K im Jong Un, they worry Trump would want to burnish his deal-maker credentials by outlining a plan to reduce military presence around Europe’s Eastern boundaries. Right after that June 12 summit with Kim, Trump called off joint military exercises with South Korea that had been an irritant to North Korea. The UK has reason to be vigilant given its claim that Moscow was behind the poisoning of a former Russian spy on British soil. It’s also been thrown off by the prospect of Trump and Putin meeting just before-or after-the US leader’s visit to the United Kingdom on July 13 and around the time of a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit. Britain has forces stationed on Nato’s Eastern frontier to deter Russian aggression. The risk is that if Putin staged any kind of incursion, as has happened in the Ukraine and Crimea, there could be a direct confrontation between UK and Russian troops. Some of the senior minister’s concerns are shared within Prime

China opens up more of its economy to foreign investors

hina formalized the easing of foreign investment restrictions on a range of industries from banking to agriculture, against the backdrop of an escalating trade dispute with the United States. China’s National Development and Reform Commission on Thursday published an updated version of its so-called negative list, which outlines industries where foreign investment is limited or banned. Among the changes, many of which have been previously announced, caps on foreign ownership of banks will be removed, ownership limits on brokerages and insurance companies will be lifted in 2021, and in 2022 for passenger car manufacturing. The US government has repeatedly criticized the lack of openness in China’s economy, and relations between the two nations are deteriorating, with both threatening to increase tariffs from early July and impose other restrictions. On Thursday, China issued a stout defense of its trade and business prac tices, responding to the persistent accusations from the White House that it steals American technology and shuts foreigners out of its economy. “China has been a strong advocate for free trade,” according to a white paper, entitled “China and the World Trade Organization,” issued by the State Council Information Office. “China has comprehensively fulfilled its commitment to the WTO [World Trade Organization], substantially opened its market to the world, and delivered mutually beneficial and win-win outcomes on a wider scale.” China is looking to increase foreign access to its market, both with these investment changes and also by cutting tariffs for various goods. The statement said that the number of sectors restricted for foreign investors is being reduced to 48 from 63 in 2017, and is effective from July 28. Bloomberg News

Minister Theresa May’s government and Conservative Party. Another UK official agreed it was difficult to know what Trump might say when he met Putin. May’s spokesman, Alison Donnelly, said “the meeting is a matter for them”—Putin and Trump— and that the “prime minister has been clear on our policy with Russia, and that is to engage, but beware.” The minister didn’t say whether the UK had raised these concerns with other allies or the White House. British diplomats and politicians have struggled to read Trump since he took office, and been repeatedly caught out by him, leaving them wary of what he may do next. Bob Seely, a Tory lawmaker

Vladimir Putin, Russia’s president, gestures as he speaks during the plenary session at the SaintPetersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg

and member of the foreign affairs parliamentary committee, saw grounds to be concerned about what Trump might do. On his way to the Group of 7 (G7) Summit, Trump blindsided other leaders by saying that Russia ought to be readmitted, and then caught them off guard again by rejecting the joint statement he’d just agreed to. He went from there to meet Kim, and was much warmer about the North Korean dictator than he had been about his G7 colleagues. “There seem to be three or four different policies towards Russia in Washington,” Seely said in

There seem to be three or four different policies towards Russia in Washington. The State Department is quite Russia-skeptic, but Trump seems quite pro-Putin. They veer between them.”—Seely

an interview. “The State Department is quite Russia-skeptic, but Trump seems quite pro-Putin. They veer between them.” Even if Trump doesn’t go so far as to offer Putin a deal, Seely said there’s reason for concern that a warm embrace from the US president will set back efforts to contain the Russian leader. “ T he wor r y is about t he mood music,” he sa id. “Br ita in doesn’t want to g ive succor to t he Russians. Putin w i l l want Tr ump to say he’s ready to move t he relationship on, w it hout a ny t h ing in ret u r n. But the nicer the Americans are towards Putin, t he more Putin w il l think he can get away w ith ag g ressive beh av ior towa rd s his neighbors.” The date—and location—for the meeting between Trump and Putin will be announced Thursday, simultaneously from Moscow and Washington, according to US National Security Adviser John Bolton. He was in Moscow Wednesday helping pave the way for the encounter. Bloomberg News

Alibaba Group pulls back in America amid Chinese investment crackdown

libaba Group Holding Ltd. is scaling back its presence in Silicon Valley—a sign that the Trump administration’s crackdown on Chinese investment in US companies is casting a chill. After a flurry of deal-making, the Chinese e-commerce giant’s corporate venture arm has announced only one fresh investment in the United States this year, leading a $26.4-million funding round in a New York and Tel Aviv data-analysis startup called SQream Technologies. And that’s a tiny deal compared with the hundreds of millions Alibaba lavished on high-profile US companies, such as Magic Leap, Jet.com and Snap Inc. Earlier this year the company lost its top US dealmaker, Michael Zeisser, according to people familiar with the matter. R at her t ha n hir ing a n outside replacement, A libaba is promoting Peter Stern, who used to be an investment banker at Credit Suisse, the people s a id . A l ibaba’s pu l l back coincides with escalating tensions between the US and C hina. T he Tr ump administration has been cracking down on Chinese investments in US technology, from takeovers to venture capital funding rounds. On Tuesday administration officials said Trump wants Congress to give expanded powers to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, which reviews foreign take-

overs. Earlier this year, Ant Financial—the payments giant spun out of A libaba—abandoned plans to buy MoneyGram International after CFIUS blocked the transaction on national-security grounds. “Given the current environment, it remains to be seen what investments they can make without CFIUS getting against them,” says Hans Tung, managing partner at GGV Capital, an early investor in Alibaba. Going “where they’re more welcomed makes more sense.” Alibaba declined to comment. A l ibaba’s pr ior it y in t he US has long been to persuade businesses there to sell to Chinese consumers v ia its massive on line ba zaars, rat her than chasing US consumers and competing w ith the likes of A mazon.com Inc. A libaba looked for American start-ups that would help it learn about new technologies and trends, a s we l l a s bu si nesses t h at would complement its core ecommerce offerings in Asia. Alibaba took sizable stakes in sports e-commerce retailer Fa n at ic s, g a m i ng compa ny Kabam, messaging app Tango, ride-hailing start-up Lyft, ecommerce company Jet.com and Snap. More recently, Alibaba’s investments had shifted toward early-stage companies that would help make Alibaba more efficient, including data-storage firms and startups building location-based technology.

Now Alibaba is once again focusing its dealmaking on Asia. To fulfill billionaire cofounder Jack Ma’s vision of bringing Chinese supermarkets and department stores into the 21st century, Alibaba has sunk billions of dollars into traditional retail, from buying existing companies to openi n g c a s h ie r l e s s b r i c k- a nd mortar stores. To attract new consumers in the fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia, Alibaba invested $4 billion in Singapore-based e-commerce giant Lazada Group and led a $1.1-billion investment round in Tokopedia, an Indonesian online marketplace. Alibaba isn’t the only Chinese company avoiding the US these days. In the first five months of the year, Chinese acquisitions and investments fell to the lowest level in seven years, a drop of 92 percent, according to Rhodium Group. Though it may become increasingly difficult for Alibaba to make big investments in US companies, it’s finding other ways to innovate. The company has pushed into a huge range of businesses from cloud services to entertainment, a vast laboratory to experiment with such emerging technologies as artificial intelligence and quantum computing. Last year Alibaba said it would spend $15 billion on research and recruiting scientists from the US, China, Russia, Israel and Singapore. Bloomberg News

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Pakistan back on global terrorism financing list

global anti-money laundering agency placed Pakistan back on its terrorism financing “grey” monitoring list in a bid to push Islamabad to halt support for militant groups as the country’s economy faces headwinds ahead of national elections. In Paris meetings this week, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to place Pakistan back onto its watch list three years after it was previously removed, Mohammad Faisal, a spokesman for Pakistan’s foreign ministry, told reporters in Islamabad on Thursday. The move follows a push by the United States and European allies in February to get Pakistan to do more to combat militancy and close financing loopholes to terrorist groups. With elections scheduled for July 25, Pakistan faces financial difficulties due to a widening current-account deficit and dwindling foreign-exchange reserves. While FATF’s decision is a blow to Islamabad, Pakistan still managed to negotiate an International Monetary Fund bailout package and continued to tap the global bond market when it was last included on the monitoring list. “Pakistan’s inclusion will not trigger a draconian impact of financial sanctions,” said Hasnain Malik, the global head of equity research at Exotix Capital. However, the placement could be a precursor to Pakistan’s eventual addition onto FATF’s socalled “black” list, which would mean more serious sanctions. Islamabad has been rushing since

the start of the year to avoid inclusion. A week before the FATF meetings Pakistan changed financial regulations and sought disclosure of the ultimate beneficial owners and details of all legal persons and legal arrangements before they offer any services.

Pakistan Sanctuaries

In February it also banned organizations linked to the suspected planner of the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Hafiz Saeed and changed a law to allow security agencies to take action against groups on the United Nations Security Council sanctions list. Yet, while apparently clamping down on some groups, Pakistan on Wednesday removed a six-year ban on suspected terror group Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat and unfroze the assets of its leader. The military has also been accused of renewing a push to lend certain militant outfits political legitimacy, which it denies. Relations between the US and Pakistan have deteriorated drastically this year after President Dona ld J. Tr ump in Januar y suspended billions of dollars of military aid and said Islamabad gave “ lies and deceit” in return for funding. Pakistani sanctuaries sheltering insurgents are the biggest challenge to stabilizing Afghanistan, US Army Lieutenant General Austin Miller, who is Trump’s nominee to lead allied forces in the 17-year Afghan conflict, told the Senate Armed Services Committee last week. Bloomberg News

Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor, gestures while speaking to lawmakers during a budget policy plan speech in the lowerhouse of the Bundestag in Berlin, Germany. Krisztian Bocsi/Bloomberg

Merkel says Germany only thrives when Europe thrives

h a n c e l lo r Angela Merkel said German-French proposals for the euro area won’t lead to a “debt union” and rejected unilateral measures to curb migration as she headed to a summit with other European Union (EU) leaders. In a speech to the lower house of parliament in Berlin, Merkel also reiterated a commitment to boosting defense spending and flagged trade conflict with President Donald J. Trump’s administration as a summit topic, saying leaders should discuss how to engage the US in talks “to avoid further tariffs and thus further steps toward a trade war.” As a clash over migration threatens the stability of her governing coalition, Merkel said Thursday she doesn’t expect EU leaders to agree on a comprehensive migration plan this week. Merkel’s accord with French President Emmanuel Macron on a euro-area budget also faces criticism from some in her party bloc, prompting her to push back in her speech. “Of course, the rules apply: everyone needs to stick to the agreed rules, every member-country is responsible for its own budget,” Merkel said. “There will be no debt union.” Looking ahead to a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) summit in July, Merkel reminded lawmakers that an alliance agreement in 2014 to boost capabilities was in par t a response to Russia’s annexation of Crimea. She renewed her commitment to lifting

German defense spending to 1.5 percent of GDP by 2024. While that’s less than demanded by Trump, Merkel said Nato “remains central to our security.” The German leader devoted long stretches of the speech to migration, where a clash over border security with Bavaria’s ruling Christian Social Union party, which helps secure her government’s parliamentary majority, has triggered one of the biggest crises of her almost 13 years in power.

Slain teenager

Departing from her focus on policy details, she cited two cases that provoked populist outrage and newspaper headlines this month: an Iraqi immigrant suspected of slaying a 14-year-old German girl and the allegedly slow process of deporting Osama bin Laden’s former body guard from Germany. “We can’t just let that happen,” she said. While suggesting that Germany needs to further reduce asylum numbers, Merkel said the refugee crisis had abated and cited a series of EU measures to block refugees at the union’s outer borders as the model for further action, including steps to help Italy. “Europe faces many challenges, but migration may well turn into a question of the European Union’s destiny,” Merkel told lawmakers. The EU needs to “tackle it in a way that people in Africa and elsewhere believe we are being guided by values and that we’re committed to multilateralism, not unilateralism,” she said. Bloomberg News

Sports BusinessMirror

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Editor: Jun Lomibao | mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph

ALININGRAD, Russia—Relaxing strict visa requirements for the World Cup, Russia made entry even easier than intended for foreigners. Supporters from England are being advised to exploit the loophole. To cope with its biggest influx of foreigners, Russia just asked for ticket details to be provided to obtain governmentapproved Fan IDs that double as visas and are mandatory to enter stadiums. Before the knockout rounds, the official supporters’ group in England has uncovered the gap in the system that allows people to travel to Russia without a match ticket. All that is required to complete the Fan ID process— along with a photo, passport data and other personal information—is a match ticket reference. “It could even be a match ticket in somebody else’s name or a game that’s already taken place,” Football Supporters’ Federation Chief Executive Kevin Miles told The Associated Press in Kaliningrad before England’s last group stage against Belgium on Thursday. “What that allows you to do is to get the electronic version of the Fan ID within a few minutes so that you’re able to enter the country.” England, along with Belgium, has already secured a spot in the round of 16 and Miles hopes the loophole will encourage more supporters to fly to Russia for the knockout stage. “You can have a great time at the World Cup without a ticket,” Miles said. “The experience of the fans who have been out in Russia is clearly at variance with what the expectations a lot of people had been before the tournament.” After trips to Volgograd and Nizhny Novgorod, England fans were arriving on Wednesday in the most westerly of the World Cup host cities. Kaliningrad is cut off from the rest of Russia but provides multiple entry points for fans. English people who couldn’t find flights were arriving in the Russian exclave by bus from neighboring Poland and reported several security checks and delays around the border. “If anyone is doing anything slightly dodgy, there is absolutely no way they are going to get into this country,” London-based England fan Billy Grant said after leaving the bus. “We had a camera come through which was recording everybody and obviously they had facial recognition. The security was hardcore.” The discovery that Fan IDs don’t require a match ticket is because details from the sales system aren’t shared by Swiss-based tournament organizer Fifa with the Russian government because of data protection regulations. “In line with such policies, Fifa doesn’t transfer any personal data of ticket customers to the Ministry of Mass Communications,” world football’s governing body said in a statement to the AP. “Any personal data used in connection with the issuance of Fan IDs is collected and stored by the ministry itself without any involvement from Fifa. Fifa solely provides the ministry with ticket application IDs in an anonymized procedure, thus not sharing any personal data with the ministry.” The shortcomings in the Fan ID system could have implications for migration into Russia. Authorities in Finland have said they already intercepted a group of migrants with Fan IDs trying to enter the country, apparently after using Russia as a staging point on their journey to the European Union. Russian authorities will have records of personal information, such as address and passport details, but less information than is generally required for a visa. However, the security issues are likely to be limited by Russia’s terrorist watch list system. “I imagine it’s an embarrassment for the Russians, because I suspect this is an oversight rather than something they had thought through,” said Mark Galeotti, a senior fellow at the Institute for International Relations in Prague who has closely followed Russian security agencies. The Football Supporters’ Federation said it would still not allow fans prevented by British authorities from traveling to foreign football matches—currently 1,312 people—making the trip to the World Cup. AP

Loophole exposed to get easier entry to World Cup in Russia

FANS celebrate after England scores its first goal against Panama on a big screen at Millennium Square in Leeds, England. AP

IT ISN’T EASY TO BE DEFENDING CHAMP Four of the last five winners, including Germany this year, have failed to get out of the group stage of the next tournament. The one exception was 2002 champion Brazil in 2006.

Museum exhibit highlights impact of sports after 9/11

By Pan Pylas

The Associated Press

OLGOGRAD, Russia—Being a defending champion at the World Cup has proven to be a tough challenge in recent years. Four of the last five winners, including Germany this year, have failed to get out of the group stage of the next tournament. The one exception was 2002 champion Brazil in 2006. Although only Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 have successfully defended their World Cup titles, most champions in the 20th century managed to get themselves beyond the first stage. Here’s a look at the ones that didn’t in this century:

2002

FRANCE arrived at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea as the favorite to defend the title it won at home four years earlier. After all, France had also won the 2000 European Championship and had a freescoring striker in David Trezeguet, unlike in 1998 when the team

relied on goals from elsewhere. However, on the eve of the tournament, Zinedine Zidane injured his thigh in a friendly and would miss the start of the tournament. In the opening match, Senegal upset the defending champions, 1-0. In France’s next match, it drew 0-0 against Uruguay, again without Zidane. “Zizou” made a return for the must-win game against Denmark but he was a shadow of his former self and France lost 2-0, eliminated from the tournament with only one point and no goals.

2010

ITALY has historically been a slow starter in World Cups. But in 2010, defending the title it had won in Germany, the Italians barely awoke from their slumber. The Azzurri picked up only two points from three group games after successive draws against Paraguay and New Zealand were followed by a surprise 3-2 loss to Slovakia. Like France in 2002, Italy finished at the bottom of its group, with injuries and age playing its part. Marcello Lippi, the World Cup-winning coach from 2006, took responsibility for the disappointing performance in South Africa and admitted he hadn’t prepared his team well enough.

2014

SPAIN turned up in 2014 widely expected to be the first team since Brazil in 1962 to defend its World Cup title. The Spanish had been all-conquering since 2008, winning back-

SILVER GETS 5-YEAR EXTENSION

EW YORK—A new exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum highlights the impact of sports after the 2001 attacks, including the Mets’ win in New York’s first major sporting event after 9/11. Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11 explores how sports helped unite the country and features interviews with athletes such as Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza. “In that first game back, the home team came back and won,” said Piazza, whose two-run homer for the Mets in the eighth inning on September 21, 2001, lifted the team past Atlanta. “That’s exactly the lesson the city, the country and the world needed to see that night.” Carol Gies attended that game with her three sons and celebrated the moment in the stands. Her firefighter husband, Lt. Ronnie Gies, died in the attacks on the World Trade Center. “When that ball went over the wall, I saw my children smile for the very first time since they lost their dad,” she said in an oral history recording. The exhibit covers various sports, including football, hockey, basketball, soccer, Nascar, the New York City Marathon and the 2002 Winter Olympics. The story is told in nine chapters, using archival sports footage and testimonies from athletes, coaches and 9/11 families. It opens with the US Open final of Venus versus Serena Williams on the weekend before the attacks. It moves through the cancellation of events, including the first stoppage of Major League Baseball since the death of President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945.

N A VISITOR to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum views the Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11 exhibit. AP

The Mets’ and Giants’ stadiums were used as recovery and supply sites after the attacks. Piazza’s jersey, his batting helmet with “NYPD” taped on the back and John Franco’s FDNY hat are on display. So, is Pat Tillman’s Army Ranger uniform, on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tillman, an Arizona Cardinal player, enlisted after 9/11 and died in Afghanistan. New York Rangers Mike Richter, Eric Lindros and Mark Messier are pictured during a visit to thank rescue workers at ground zero on September 16. There’s a quote from Mets Manager Bobby Valentine: “When we went down there the first time, you could still smell it. You could still feel it. You could see the filth on the faces of the workers. When they saw us, their faces lit up. You could see their

teeth through their black masks.” A letter from 10-year-old Brielle Saracini to Derek Jeter dated September 14 is on display. She explains to her favorite player that her father, Victor Saracini, was a pilot of hijacked Flight 175 that crashed into the south tower. Soon after, Jeter called to invite Brielle, her sister and mother to a game. In the World Series, the Yankees hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks among heightened security for Games Three, Four, Five at Yankee Stadium, just 14 miles from ground zero. Video shows Jeter hitting a walkoff home run in Game Four and jumping into the arms of teammates at home plate. Michael Jordan is pictured with members of the military before a Washington Wizards versus Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on October 30. Jordan had pledged his entire year’s salary to the 9/11 relief effort. AP

ATIONAL Basketball Association (NBA) Commissioner Adam Silver has received a five-year contract extension, a reward for accomplishments that include rapid growth in the value of franchises and attendance records around the league being set annually. Board of Governors Chairman Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Raptors announced the deal, one that keeps Silver under contract through the 2024 NBA Finals. Financial terms were not disclosed. Silver, 56, led a very smooth series of negotiations with the NBA players union on the way to a new collective bargaining agreement in 2016—one where salaries around the league soared thanks to a $24.1 billion, nine-year television and media rights deal that he helped strike with Disney and Turner Sports two years earlier. Franchise values of the 30 NBA clubs have risen fivefold, from an estimated $12 billion when Silver took over to $60 billion now. This was also the fourth consecutive season where the league set an all-time attendance record, with 22.1 million fans attending games in 2017 to 2018.

to-back European Championships, as well as the World Cup in 2010. It had a tough first match against the Netherlands to contend with, but all seemed to be going as planned when Xabi Alonso slotted in a 27th-minute penalty to give his team a 1-0 lead. Spain then nearly doubled its lead before a spectacular header from Robin van Persie got the Dutch even. The second half capitulation was a shock. It ended 5-1 to the men in orange. Still, Spain had lost its opening match to Switzerland in 2010 and went on to win the title. But this time Spain then went on to lose 2-0 to Chile in its next match and was eliminated from the World Cup in Brazil six days after it had begun.

2018

GERMANY, still with the nucleus of the successful 2014 team, arrived in Russia expected to contend after doing little wrong between World Cups. The Germans reached the semifinals at the 2016 European Championship and won last year’s Confederations Cup, a dress rehearsal for the tournament in Russia, with what was basically a reserve team. But the Germans never really got going this time, losing their opening match to Mexico, 1-0. A last-gasp winner from Toni Kroos against Sweden in the second match appeared to have gotten Germany back on track. But a 2-0 loss to South Korea in the final group match meant elimination and last place in the group.

This season also marked the launch of the first eSports league—the NBA 2K League, which Silver has raved about. “From the NBA’s standpoint, this is our fourth league,” he said earlier this year. “Of course we have the NBA, the WNBA and the G League, and now this is the fourth league in our family, and that’s exactly as we’re treating it: one more professional league.” Silver has been with the NBA since 1992, and became deputy commissioner under David Stern in 2005. When Stern retired on February 1, 2014, after holding the office for 30 years, Silver took over as the fifth commissioner in NBA history. AP

ADAM SILVER gets a reward for his accomplishments. AP

A6 Sunday, July 1, 2018

Science

BusinessMirror

Sunday

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

While PHL developed technologies on a par with Asean neighbors

‘Distrust’ between industry and academe surfaces at AghamBayan STI festival

By Edd K. Usman | Special to the BusinessMirror

urprising or not, there is a certain level of “distrust” driving a wedge between the academe and the industry.

The trust issue surfaced at the recent “AghamBayan” (Science for the People) festival at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. It’s a two-way street, though. Certainly, trust is a major thing in all kinds of partnership. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines (UP) organized the event dubbed “Aghambayan: A DOST-UP Science, Technology and Innovation [STI] Festival” on June 20. It celebrated for the first time the two government agencies’ fruitful collaboration as they continue to team up on research and development (R&D) projects. DOST Undersecretary for R&D Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara cited the strong partnership. “The DOST directs, leads and coordinates the country’s scientists, research and technological efforts, and collaborates with our scientists, researchers and engineers to provide solutions to issues and matters of national concern. Our biggest partner is the University of the Philippines. “From 2014 to 2016, the DOST funded 460 projects of [UP] for R&D. It involved 3,750 research personnel and we were averaging about P2 billion of funding per year to the university,” Guevara, a former DOST scholar, revealed at AghamBayan. In the first panel discussion involving the industry sector, the speakers recognized the tripartite collaboration involving government, academe and industry. But it’s not all roses. Danny Lachica, president of Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Inc.; Roberto C. Amores, committee chairman of SME Development of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); and lawyer Michael Toledo of the MVP

Group of Companies, acknowledged the collaboration. At the same time, they raised concerns in the commercialization of R&D products. One is the trust issue on the part of the private sector and academe. “I think one of the issues... especially with industry and academe, studies have shown that there is a certain degree of distrust…that needs to be somehow resolved,” Toledo said. Apparently, he was referring to a study conducted by the United States Agency for International Development in its Science, Technology, Research and Innovat ion for Development (Stride) Program. Toledo responded to a UP consultant who suggested developing wider ties among the three parties through a memorandum of agreement (MOA). “The academe, perhaps members of the faculty, are not exactly keen in sharing some of their studies and thoughts because of fear that perhaps somehow there will be some kind of intellectualproperty theft,” he said. He acknowledged that industry needed to make sure that theft would not happen. He agreed on the suggestion for a MOA; but not so fast, though. “ T here was mistr ust bet ween the gover nment and the pr ivate sector. Pr ivate hea lt h g roups do not e x ac t ly t r u st government hospitals and government policies. A nd, I think, t he same holds tr ue when it comes w ith the DOST, academe and the industr y,” Toledo said. Dr. Carlos Primo David, formerly with UP, the DOST and currently in the private sector, said, “The statement was inaccurate, isolated instances, at most. Maybe what was meant was a disconnect in what the industry needs and what academe is doing

Poe: Balik Scientist to stem brain drain, encourage experts to return to PHL

he newly signed law that institutionalizes the Balik Scientist Program will encourage Filipino technology experts to return to the Philippines to aid in the country’s development, Sen. Grace Poe said on Wednesday. Poe, one of the authors of the law, said it is expected that the goal of strengthening research and development in various fields will be achieved to help alleviate poverty and offer more opportunities for Filipinos. “Through this law that offers a wide range of benefits and privileges to our scientists, we hope that various sectors will level up and become more productive,” Poe said. She added that the phrase “Filipino scientist” is often accompanied by the words “working abroad.” She expressed hopes that this will be reversed with the passage of the “game-changing social legislation.” Under Republic Act 11305 signed by President Duterte on June 11, eligible scientists, as certified by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), may either be Filipino citizens or foreigners of Filipino descent, who undertake science and technology activities. The proposed terms of engagement range from 15 days to six months for

the short-term engagement; six months to three years for the medium-term engagement; and up to six years for the long-term engagement. They are entitled to a special nonimmigrant visa, free round-trip airfare, accident and medical insurance, exemption from licensing requirements of the Professional Regulation Commission and exclusion from taxes on their daily allowance and on donations of instruments related to the scientific project. For the long-term program, grantees will be given relocation benefits and funding for the establishment of a research facility. “We hope these highly trained Filipino scientists will help the government and institutions for the continued improvement of policies and programs and in research and development as these are core components of national development,” Poe added. Presidential Decree 819, issued in 1975, established the Balik Scientist Program for a period of five years. In 1980 the program was extended until 1986 through Letter of Instruction 1044. In 1993 Executive Order 130 was issued that revived the brain-gain program and put it under the supervision of the DOST.

Roberto C. Amores of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with Atty. Mike T. Toledo of the MVP Group of Companies during the industry panel discussion at AghamBayan. Henry de Leon/S&T Media Service

for its applied research.” David, who attended the AghamBayan, suggested a continuous dialogue: the DOST and Department of Trade and Industry the (DTI) can start new connections and continue to strengthen the connections established in the past. Undersecretary Adoracion M. Navarro for Regional Development of National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), said she read about that distrust but has no idea about its extent. “A ny way, the government is helping through tripartite [academe, industr y, government] collaborations on projects involv ing innovation,” Navarro said in an e-mail. “I don’t think there is distrust between government and industr y.” Meanwhile, economist Cielito F. Habito, in one of his newspaper columns in January, commented on the issue. “Stride noted that mutual distrust and disregard between universities and industry get in the way of effective collaboration between them. Most universities consider assisting companies to be outside of, or even in conflict with their core missions,” he said. “For their part, businesses cite difficulty in convincing universities of their shared interests, resent suspicions harbored in academe, and often doubt that universities can deliver commercially relevant research in a timely way. Academics are indeed often notorious for taking their sweet time in research.” That’s exactly what Amores hammered on, the speed on bringing the application of R&D products to the market.

He said the DOST’s people are efficient and competent but the agency needs more personnel. “The government has no people. We don’t question the competence of the government, specially the DOST. The competence in understanding technology and innovation is already on a par with Asean [member-countries]; the problem is [speed of] implementation,” the PCCI official said. Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña said in a text message that if the duration of R&D is being referred to, it really depends on the availability of funds for research. Additional people can be taken if a research project has more funds, he added. “If the private sector will fund a research, that can be sped up. If government funds will be used, of course, there will be many who will compete for the available budget,” de la Peña said. Amores noted that the DOST has a l ready developed ma ny technolog ica l innovations. “However, the bottom line here is what is our performance visà-vis our Asean neighbors?” While a lot of Philippine-produced technology is already on a par with Asean countries, Thailand and Vietnam, in particular, “our technology application and commercialization are the [issues] we have to look into with serious concern,” he pointed out. He expressed hope academe could listen to what the industry is sharing “for us to better understand what best we can do in terms of the application of technology.... Research should be market-driven.” He added: “Technology is there,

Science Secretary Fortunato T. de la Peña and Science Undersecretary Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara at AghamBayan in a light moment. Edd K. Usman

but the implementation on a timely basis is the challenge.” He cited the packaging of dried mango, which takes 90 days if ordered from the Philippines. But the packaging of okra in Thailand took only 30 days. He sa id t he gover nment would have to solve the problem on productivity first. Lachica shared some of his thoughts on emerging technologies, such as Internet of Things applications, smart agriculture and portable medical applications that could serve the needs of the local market. “ With that premise, I can look up on the list of projects [of the DOST and UP]. There were four or five—Diwata microsatellites, the LiDAR-DREAM [Light Detection and Ranging Data for Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation Program], the Robust Early Warning System for Landslides, Sarai [Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry], as well as the R x Box Telemedicine devices,” he said. “Now, these were the obvious. As we explore these applications, I am sure we can come up with electronic devices that can be used by the particular projects,” he added. The industry, he said, needs to support the government and UP. “Let’s walk our talk,” Amores said. AghamBayan showcased the top 40 projects out of the DOST and UP’s collaboration. Around 50 percent of DOST ’s research grants went to UP, said de la Peña. It provided a platform for the major players in the industry, the executives in the government and academe to

explore ideas and determine possible collaborative opportunities in the future. Speaking of collaboration, the DOST and DTI agreed earlier to jointly push the competitiveness of the products and services of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the world market. They committed to work together through a memorandum of agreement by sharing their materials, knowledge and facilities to help the MSMEs in the country. De la Peña and Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez signed the MOA to implement their agencies’ initiatives for MSMEs. The DOST head said their collaboration is quite timely as the two agencies work to prioritize the improvement of MSMEs’ capabilities. “The DOST and DTI have a common goal, which is to bring development to every part of the country…. We assure [the public] that we would give our best efforts to maximize the use of each other’s resources and facilities to support the productivity of our local MSMEs and, eventually, allow them to give job opportunities to the local residents,” Lopez said. Usman is a freelance journalist who is into science, information technology and current events, among others. He won the “Best Science Feature Story” in the first University of the Philippines Science Journalism Award 2018 on February 17, and the “Kabalikat Award ” for Print Media from the Department of Science and TechnologyPhilippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development on June 27, 2014.

Filipina engineer-inventor finds opportunity for clean-water invention

he Philippine government’s push for environmental compliance, especially in the country’s top tourist destinations, has sent hotels and hospitality industry scrambling in “greening” their operations. At the same time, this has proven to be a boon for a Filipino woman inventor whose water-treatment invention is seeing increased demand from top tourism operators in Palawan and Siargao. Water pollution has long been a problem for Dr. Merlinda Palencia, who, as former dean of the Graduate School of Adamson University, had to endure the filth and odor of wastewater from Estero de Balete, one of Pasig River’s tributaries, which runs through the university’s grounds. “The estero is a common problem for us because the odor, especially during low tide, is terrible. As a chemical engineer I thought of a way of addressing that problem and help the university neutralize the odor and at the same time improve the quality of water near Estero de Balete,” Palencia said.

From that idea, Palencia initially tested locally available Organo Minerals in a septic tank of Adamson University. Test results showed it could help in improving the quality of wastewater. Moreover, the invention, a white powder mixture, is 100 percent from naturally occurring materials, or has no chemical-based component. With hernatural water-treatment technology that promises widespread benefits to flood-prone Metro Manila, Palencia sought protection with the help of the university and the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL). The IPOPHL and Adamson University launched an Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) in the campus, which helped Palencia develop the patent for the composition and method of the biomineral. ITSO is a program of IPOPHL to spur innovation performance by putting up patent libraries in areas with high potential for patent and IP-related activities. IPOPHL pa r t nered w it h institutions—mostly universities

and research organizations—and enabled them to create their own in-house patent libraries to benefit the students and researchers. “Once you have the patent, no one can just copy [your invention]. The marketing and promotion of the product becomes more ethical because no one can just copy or develop similar products with similar materials. If there’s no patent, it’s difficult to develop and invest because you do all the hard work, and when it gains popularity, someone will just copy it,” Palencia explained. With the patent for the method and composition filed with IPOPHL, Palencia went about marketing her technology named “Vigormin,” which quickly captured the attention of environment-conscious hotels and resorts. “Among the business clients are resort and restaurant owners, and hotel management companies in Leyte, Siargao Island, El Nido and Coron, Palawan,” she said. Among local government units, it was received in the municipalities of San Fernando in La Union,

Palompon in Leyte, General Luna and Del Carmen in Siargao. The application of Vigormin for livestock is also being introduced in Pangasinan, Tanauan City and Agoncillo in Batangas. Two variants of the Vigormin products were developed. Vigormin 732, which improves wastewater by absorbing pollutants and bioremediation. It also manages the pH level of water. Vigormin 550 is for odor control in solid-waste management and livestock and poultry industries. Vigormin has an affordable price of P200 per kilogram. Palencia is hoping to make inroads among local government units and households. “We are trying to educate people that the problem of water pollution is not a problem of the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] alone but is everyone’s concern. We can protect the limited fresh water resources through collaboration and active pa r t ic ipat ion i n t he t reat ment of domestic and industrial wa stewater,” Pa lenc i a sa id.

Tourism&Entertainment BusinessMirror

Editor: Carla Mortel-Baricaua

Where the Mangroves and Mud Crabs are

Sunday, July 1, 2018

The Colors of Kaamulan

Story & photos by Joshua Berida

he last time I was in Bukidnon was a couple of years ago and I just went to one of the parks and tried the famous Drop Zone. Since then I’ve been planning a return trip. Recently, I had the chance to attend the Kaamulan Festival that is often held annually in Malaybalay City.

Different groups, one Bukidnon

Inside the mangrove sanctuary where mud crabs are being harvested by a boatman.

Story by Gelyka Ruth R. Dumaraos Photos by Ramir G. Cambiado

ercedes, a town tucked in the southeastern part of Camarines Norte, is just like how it was named after—quaint, enthralling and full of compassion. Considered as one of the emerging destinations in the Bicol region’s gateway, its islands, falls and rivers surprise travelers beyond island-hopping and beach bumming.

Catandunganon River

The town’s Catandunganon River, just a several minutes boat ride from the mainland port, is slowly carving its name as an eco and agritourism site for its vast 90-hectare mangrove forest. The mangrove forest was a sleepy, unmanned area before being wholly protected by the government six years ago. Most parts of the vast Catandunganon River were neglected fish farms. Mangrove forests were unregulated and were regularly harvested by the locals. Former Barangay Captain Joseph Arciga, who has witnessed how the river and the mangroves have been overlooked for years, says locals tend to harvest the mangroves for coal production so they can augment their daily income. He underscores how important it is to educate the locals on the preservation of natural resources for their own long-term benefit. “Mahirap po kung hindi ma-preserve ‘yung lugar. Ngayon, gumawa kami ng paraan para maipakita ang kahalagahan ng mangrove area. [It is hard to preserve the place. This time, we have come up with a way to demonstrate the importance of the mangrove].” The local government reached out to the fisherfolks and spread awareness on how to protect the area, as well as make a living out through the implementation of fishery and breeding programs. They put up nets to shelter mangroves and its diverse marine life. Mangroves play a major role in economic development as it contributes to food and social security and, thus, uplifting the lives of locals. The mangrove is not only a sustainable source of income. As Arciaga points out, they also serve as coastal defense for environmental hazards, such as erosion, flooding, hurricanes, storms and tsunamis. Furthermore, the mangrove forests guard coral reefs and sea grass meadows. With the help of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the mangrove forest is now being regulated by the local government through an ordinance banning

the harvest of mangroves. The plan is in line with the Millennium Development Goals of the Camarines Norte province, under the upland development projects where unproductive fishponds are reforested. In 2012 its rehabilitation paved the way for the mangrove forest to be declared as a sanctuary and as a source of livelihood for the locals. Today, 10 of the 90-hectare mangrove forest are protected and named as the Cantadunganon Mangrove and Mud Crab Sanctuary. “Ngayon nakikita na ng mga tao na pwedeng may pagkakitaan sila [Now, the locals beginning to see how they can have a livelihood.] Arciga adds.” While ecotourism is being highlighted, Mercedes eyes to promote agritourism within the sanctuary. The town has a lot of plans for Barangay Catandunganon’s protected area and as an added attraction, the river also offers visitors a sneak peak of the local living. Passing through the river, tourists can view the 30-year-old stairway from the old port of the barangay. A bamboo walkway going to the entrance sanctuary is in the works for easier access. Mud crabs, scientific name Scylla serrata, are known to inhabit in rivers lined with mangroves. These crabs, usually dark brown in color, prefer living in the soft, muddy bottom, just below the tide. They can grow as big as 25 cms. Aside from crabs, prawns, shrimps and fishes also thrive in the area. With the help of the locals, visitors can experience catching mud crabs

The mangrove by the riverside is an attraction and a source of livelihood for locals as well.

When we arrived at our hotel, the atmosphere was already festive. I felt the buzz of the people as they prepared for the events that will take place the day after. Booths and concessionaires were set up near the festival grounds, while some tourists were camping out to get the best possible view of the festivities. The energy of the city was on the cusp of breaking out. Kaamulan derives its meaning from the word amul, which translates to “to gather,” and the festivities are a mix of wedding ceremonies, thanksgiving to the gods, datuship rituals and harvest or peace arrangements among indigenous groups. This year representatives from Bukidnon’s seven indigenous groups participated in the festivities of Kaamulan; each one displaying their heritage and culture through song and dance, rhythmic drum beats, chanting and mythical stories. The groups include the Manobo, Higaonon, Umayammon, Tigwahanon, Talaandig, Matigsalug and the Bukidnon. Kaamulan spans several days and highlights street dancing. We got up early to get a good spot of the groups performing. A crowd was already gathering way before the festivities began; all were jostling for position to cheer on their favorite indigenous group and learn about the others. Each participating group performs to depict a distinct story connected to their tribe. For example, the Don Carlos municipality celebrates Lake Pinamaloy’s generosity. They also included the legend of a datu’s heir that angered one of the spirits living in the lake. A banog (hawk) and baylans (healers) interceded and healed the protagonist. The other groups followed a similar storyline of spirits, heroes and healers all to the rhythm of song, dance and music from their own instruments. Other than mythical stories and beings, the festival also focused on the daily lives of different people. Planting, farming, harvesting and even wedding ceremonies were on display. It was truly an experience of what Bukidnon was, is and will be. As the day went on, the crowd grew bigger; families with their kids in tow, friends and casual observers from different parts of the Philippines gathered in one place. The young, old and in-betweens participated in the performances, each one doing their best to represent their groups.

Shared culture The main port of Mercedes in Camarines, Norte is the jump-off point to Catandunganon River.

while kayaking, or boating around the vast mangrove forest, as part of the river tour. After the activity, while waiting for some cooked mud crabs to be served, visitors can also get to taste Catandunganon’s best rice coffee and rice cakes.

Bird watching at dusk

Aside from the mud crab harvest, the river tour also provides an opportunity to watch some migratory birds. On the way back to the mainland port, there is a part of the Catandunganon River where people can do bird watching from afternoon until dusk. If you are lucky, you can get to witness thousands of migratory birds covering up the skies, batches as they seek refuge in Barangay Catandunganon’s forest.

According to Kevin Mel Pastor of the Mercedes Tourism office, these migratory birds prefer the Catandunganon forest during nighttime for its peaceful and quiet environment. During the day, the birds fly around different neighboring towns, such as Basud and Daet. The migratory bird species seen in the area were Bittern, Kentish Plover, Cattle Egret and Brahminy Kite. Some associated birds like Maya-Maya, White Collared Kingfisher, Sunbirds and Fantail were also spotted. The Philippines’ natural attractions are already given and Mercedes is not an exception to this. With the marine ecosystem of this beautiful town slowly carving a name as one of its destinations, this just proves that tourism can work both for the locals and the environment.

New center for faith is set to rise The groundbreaking rites for

the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at the Marian Orchard, a prayer park in Balete, Batangas, were recently held. When completed, the second chapel will connect with the existing Sacred Heart of Jesus Chapel via the Twin Hearts Promenade. Celebrating its 30th year, the Marian Orchard is a pilgrimage site promoting the Roman Catholic religion through Marian devotion and other religious activities. In photo, (from left) Project Manager Engr. Romy Vinco; Contractor Engr. Lyn Tape; Marian Orchard FAITH Foundation Inc. (Moffi) President Amada J. Javellana; FAITH Colleges Chairman Saturnino G. Belen; Brainsparks Founder Lionel Victor L. Belen; Project Manager Aia Halili; and Moffi Managing Director Juan P. Lozano.

During the early years of the festival, only members of the tribes participated. As time went on, more and more people outside the groups joined the performances. The display of stories, culture and history managed to convert the festival as a rallying of point of the province, where participants became prouder of their heritage, and more respectful and open to the practices of the different indigenous peoples. Before the festival’s performances, the elders of the communities have to give their blessing first as the dances are considered sacred. The choreographers have to show their routines and seek approval from the leaders of the indigenous peoples. Once they receive the community elders’ nod, they can perform. Other than this, a ritual to ask the spirits and the god’s blessing is performed before pushing through with the festivities.

The winners

The day culminated with the announcement of winners: Malaybalay City took Best Street Dance; the municipality of Lantapan won Best Float; and Pangantucan municipality won for Best Ground Presentation award. Kaamulan showed that despite differences, people can come together to celebrate, share stories, learn more about themselves and others, and find a common ground to unite. It was an enriching experience for me, as I got to see another side of Bukidnon. I’m looking forward to my return trip and discover more of what the province has to offer.

participants get ready for their turn as the crowd watches the other performers up front.

Faith A8 Sunday, July 1, 2018

Sunday

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Lyn Resurreccion

Tagle: Don’t be distracted by pressing problems

hile stressing the need to defend the Catholic Church against attacks, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle of Manila called on the people “not to be distracted” from other issues that affect them. Meanwhile, a Catholic archbishop refused to get involved in a war of words with President Duterte, calling on the faithful to instead pray for the country’s top leader. Archbishop Socrates Villegas of Lingayen-Dagupan called on Catholics not to let Duterte’s tirades against the Church for calling God “stupid” deter them from praying for him. “Pray for him with compassion. We pray for his healing and for God’s forgiveness on him,” Villegas said in a statement addressed to the young people in the archdiocese. But the former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) urged the people to rebuke Duterte’s “errors” about Christian faith. “He is a person in authority, and some of you might get confused when you hear him. To pray for him is not enough. We must serve you the truth as we pray for him,” Villegas said. “We are in a spiritual warfare against error and sin. Shield yourselves from error and guide your fellow youth in godliness. Read more about the faith. Study the true teaching of the Church,” he said. Tagle said that with the increasing prices of goods, the rising unemployment, corruption and the continued killings, these are real issues that need attention and must be addressed.   “Let us not be distracted from addressing other pressing con-

cerns with fervor of faith and love,” Tagle said in a statement issued on Wednesday. The cardinal, who is currently in Geneva for the UN Conference on Migrants and Refugees, made the statement after President’s recent tirade against the Church, its teachings, and even calling God “stupid.”   D ut e r t e a l s o b l a s t e d t h e creation stor y in t he Bible and questioned t he characters in t he L a st Supper, a nd c a l led t hem “ id iots.” Tagle urged the faithful to harbor no grudge and to remain firm in their faith. “Be at peace. Be calm. Don’t let things disturb your inner peace. Let us read the situation with eyes of faith,” he said. He lamented the worsening traffic in big cities, flooding, exploitation of women and children, the vulnerabilities of Filipino workers abroad, and terrorism as among the problems besetting the nation.   “We need to come together and contribute to positive responses according to each one’s capability. We cannot address these problems by just blaming someone,” he said. As a constructive step, he encouraged the church’s philosophers, scientists, theologians, Bible scholars, catechists and social workers to revisit these concerns “and present responses appropriate to our contemporary sensibilities.”

Catholics join the penitential pilgrimage walk along the streets in Dagupan City in Pangasinan on June 18 to condemn the continued killings in the country. Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan

“Maybe a renewed apologetics is needed for those who are sincerely searching for the truth,” he added. Bishop Pablo Virgilio David of K alookan said disagreeing with a particular belief does not give Duterte the license to insult

the Catholic Church, especially that many of his supporters are Catholics. “Disagreeing is never a license to insult,” said David, who is also the CBCP vice president. “How can he be the president for all Filipinos when he does

Be at peace. Be calm. Don’t let things disturb your inner peace. Let us read the situation with eyes of faith.”—Tagle

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal By Corazon Damo-Santiago

eace means serenity, calmness, quietude or stillness. But during the early times when the rulers of countries desired to acquire foreign lands or settle disputes, they go on invasions and conquests. So peace is the absence of war. Even the Catholic Church organized military expeditions called crusades to liberate the Holy Land from the Muslims from 1095 to 1291. During the Middle Ages, conflicts are resolved by war. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal is called Patroness of Peace for having prevented wars and bloodshed between her son and illegitimate brothers, her son and her son-in-law and her brother and a cousin.

Peacemaker

Her role as a peacemaker started in 1323 when her son, Alfonso, declared a war against his illegitimate brothers. Elizabeth rode a horse between the sons of King Denis to make a truce and avoid bloodshed among the soldiers of both groups. When Dennis fell ill in 1324, Elizabeth devoted all her time caring for him. She never left him except when she attended to her church services. During his yearlong illness, the queen offered sacrifices for his spiritual wellness. Her prayers were answered, for Denis repented for his sins and died peacefully the following year. A capstone of her prayers for him was her pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, then to Coimbra, Portugal, for a period of mourning in a house built near the convent. Her peace-making task was followed by reconciling Ferdinand IV of Castile, Spain, and his cousins, who laid claim to the crown. Then she pacified her brother James 11 of Aragon, who had a quarrel with Ferdinand IV.

much rejection and hurts in the past that he blurts out so much hatred and angst now. If he had been loved much, he would be giving so much of that love too,” he said. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo earlier said that Duterte’s criticisms against the Church were tactics meant to divert public attention away from critical issues involving the administration. “ T he criticisms of Duterte against the Church are diversionary tactics to cover the failures of his administration,” he said. Roy Lagarde/CBCPNews

Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: ‘Mark 5:24-43’

Jesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman

In 1336 she traveled to Estremoz, Portugal, despite her bad health to reconcile her own son and the King of Castile, the husband of her granddaughter Maria, who is being neglected and abused by the king himself. She succeeded in reconciling her family members, thereafter she received the last rites of the church and died peacefully in the presence of her son and daughter in law. She was buried in the Poor Clare’s Monastrery in Coimbra. Pope Urban VIII canonized her in 1625.

Msgr. Josefino S. Ramirez SUNDAY GOSPEL IN OUR LIFE

Affectionate queen

Elizabeth is the daughter of Peter III King of Aragon, Spain, and Queen Constancia, daughter of King Manfred of Sicily, Italy. Named after her great aunt Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, she was born in 1271 in Saragossa, Spain. At an early age, she exhibited a sweet disposition, piety and self-denial. At the age of 12 she was married to Denis, King of Portugal. He tolerated her devotions— rising early to recite her daily prayers before attending the Holy Mass. Modest in her deportment, she was determined to “serve God in all things.” Somehow, she tolerated her husband’s infidelities to the extent that he had children with other women. Although deeply hurt by her husband’s scandalous behavior, she prayed unceasingly for his conversion and accorded him courtesy. They had two children, Alfonso and Constancia. Through the years, “she strove to gain his husband’s love with her courtesy and constant sweetness, cheerfully nurtured their children and took care of their education,” Rev. Alban Butler said in “Saint Elizabeth, Queen of Portugal” in Lives of the Saints. S h e l o v i n g l y c a re d f o r “ D e n i s ’s illegitimate children, too, providing for their present and future welfare” (Joan Cruz, 227).

not respect the Catholic faithful? Majority of his supporters are Catholics, aren’t they? We hope he w ill respect Catholics even if he does not agree w ith the Catholic faith,” he said. “Catholics respect his role and mandate as the president. We can only hope that he shows the same respect to Catholics even if he disagrees with the Catholic doctrine,” said David. Accord ing to Vi l legas, the president’s “scarred past” may be one of the reasons he has been showing hatred and angst. “He must have received so

Saint Elizabeth of Portugal, portrait by José Gil de Castro, Museo Colonial de San Francisco (Santiago, Chile). Wikimedia Commons

Reproached for her attitude, she answered, “If the king sins, am I to lose patience and, thus, add my transgressions to his? I love better to confide my sorrows to God and His holy saints and to strive to win back my husband by gentleness.” Elizabeth spent her money for her charitable concerns. A hospital was built in Coimbra for the poor and strangers. An orphanage was provided for foundlings. Penitent women were rescued from sinful life and helped to start a new

life. She allotted marriage dowries for poor girls. A convent was built for the Poor Clares at Coimbra, which she honored with countless miracles after her death. Damo-Santiago is a former regional director of the Department of Education National Capital Region. She is currently a faculty member of Mater Redemptoris Collegium in Calauan, Laguna, and of Mater Redemptoris College in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija.

oday ’s Gospel tells us of a story of two miracles performed by Jesus on the same day. It also involves two people who had no one else to turn to so they came to Jesus—two people whose faith and trust assured them that God would take care of them. We could say that a miracle can be one of those times when things get out of control in a good way. God interrupts our orderly existence with something wonderful that does not fit our notions of orderliness or routine. We need those moments in our memories for when things go out of control in a bad way. For eac h one of us, t here comes a day when we feel like our lives have fallen apart. We go along day after day doing our best in raising our children, getting fit and healthy, paying our bills on time. The years go by, and we begin to think that we are in control of our lives, that ever y thing w ill be okay. We just need to do our best. Then, perhaps, in one glimpse, things can go spiraling down like losing your job or becoming ill, and we begin to feel that we have lost control. Remember Jesus’ words when He spoke of faith: “Daughter, your

faith has made you well,” and “Don’t be afraid, just have faith.” W hatever it is we think is missing in our lives, no money or material possession can fill that void. No job, fame or prestige w ill make us whole. T he peace and wholeness we w ished for becomes as elusive as it ever was. Maybe we have tried everything, maybe we have searched to fill the emptiness inside, maybe we have tried everything to find satisfaction, but it remains out of our reach. Try Jesus, reach out and touch Him. We have tried everything else, now let’s try Jesus. He heals our brokenness, He heals our pain. He can help us find that peace and joy that we have been searching for. Just, this time, it is no longer in vain because of the faith that holds us. When we begin to seek God, we find the peace that has been eluding us for so long. A longing for a close encounter with Him changes everything. Jesus reaches out to us even if we don’t. When we make that step to seek Him and reach out to Him, we realize what has been missing all this time. That close encounter brings us peace, and our lives will never be the same again.

RegionsSunday

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Efleda P. Campos

BusinessMirror

Sunday, July 1, 2018 A9

Quezon Science High School:

Investing in the youth of Quezon

FAçADE of QSHS

QSHS dormitory where students can stay for free

Story and photos by John Bello Correspondent

HE province of Quezon is investing big time in the education of its youth with the establishment of the Quezon Science High School (QSHS). The school opened in June 2011 in Barangay Isabang, Tayabas City, behind other provinces in Calabarzon in putting up such a school. The province appears to be a bit laggard as it was the last to put up a science-oriented high school in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon). Its first batch consisted of 80 freshmen students that year. Seven years later today, the total enrollees are 388 with 43 students graduating from senior high school or Grade 12 in April, with 31 of them passing the College Admission Test of the University of the Philippines. Carmela Ezcel Orugo, education program supervisor of the Department of Education (DepEd) Division of Quezon and acting princi-

pal of QSHS since 2011, said the school is focused on academic excellence, especially in science and mathematics. “This is the only science high school in the country which offers free dormitory for its students, aside from free meals for them and the teachers. This is due to the full support of Gov. David Suarez to help us focus on academic excellence in science and mathematics here at QSHS,” Orugo told the

Master teacher Edgar Yabut with Grade 7 students at the science room of QSHS

School lobby and canteen at QSHS

BusinessMirror in an interview in her office at QSHS on June 22. QSHS has a total land area of 19,738 square meters and began its operation with a contribution of P1 million each from the province’s four congressmen. It was converted to a science high school from an originally designed provincial science center as conceived by the late Gov. Rafael Nantes. Since then, under Governor Suarez, it underwent a transformation to become a center of academic excellence for brilliant and deserving high-school students from Quezon province.

tions such as in science investigative Project and in those sponsored by the Association of Science Education of the Philippines. Aside from the regular academic subjects being taught at the QSHS, there are enhanced elective, arts, computer and research subjects for freshmen students, Yabut cited subjects being taught to their students such as environmental research for Grade 8; research 1 for Grade 9; algebra, geometry, research 2 and robotics for Grade 10; and calculus for Grade 11. One product of QSHS enhanced education program is Gwen Leila Abano, a Grade 10 student of QSHS who was selected as a member of the Philippine Team to the Olympic Mathematics 3D Cup Pan-Asia Pacific International Invitation Competition 2018 to be held in Hong Kong from June 29 to July 3. Bright and ambitious students from poor families learn advanced and specialized academic subjects. They also get free board and lodging in a 3-story dormitory built and inaugurated on November 4, 2014. Most of the students come from far-flung municipalities of the province. Merlinda Endrenal, dormitory supervisor, said there are 157 student occupants at present at the dormitory consisting of 68 girls and 86 boys. She said there are two big rooms each for boys and girls and one room accommodates 43 “dormers” who are required to be in their room at 7 p.m.

Admission requirement

EDGAR Yabut, master teacher in science recruited from Lutucan National High School in Sari-

aya town, is one of the school’s 19 teachers. Last month before the opening of classes, he was with four Grade 12 students who underwent two weeks of “brain train” in preparation for college. He offered information about how Grade 6 graduates qualify and get admitted to QSHS. He said first, a student must have a minimum average grade of 85 percent in English, science and math and 83 percent in other subjects. Second, the student must pass the school’s entrance exam. Third is the final interview which includes family-background investigation and profiling. There are usually over 600 applicants from all over the province seeking admission at QSHS but only 200 are interviewed and only the top 80 are admitted. Yabut said following the DepEd’s policy of “Education for All,” admission is based solely on the entrance-exam score. He said the profile of the student population at QSHS shows that 70 percent come from lowerand middle-income bracket and only 20 percent are from well-off families. For school year 2018-2019, there are 80 student enrollees for Grade 7, 78 for Grade 8, 74 for Grade 9, 75 for Grade 10, 37 for Grade 11 and 44 for Grade 12.

Modified and advanced curriculum

Quezon Gov. David Suarez (in green shirt) reads a book to some students inside the library of Quezon Science High School, while School Director Carmela Ezcel Orugo and the governor’s Executive Assistants Webster Letargo and Juanito Diaz look on.

“WE have a modified curriculum in QSHS. We offer advanced and enhanced math and science subjects compared with the DepEd’s basic curriculum,” Yabut said, adding their students have become regional and national qualifiers since 2012 in various academic competi-

Payback to the community

ELOISA Marie Tulay, Grade 12 student from Tiaong town who plans to enroll in UP Los Baños

and take up BS Electrical Engineering, expressed her excitement in behalf of her fellow QSHS students who aim to pay back the community after college: “I had always wanted to enroll at QSHS and be called ‘cream of the crop.’ I always strive for excellence, to become a better version of myself. Once I graduate from senior high school, I vow to pay the community back, to make it my duty to serve in return for the education I received from QSHS.” Suarez believes the best investment the government can make is to help develop the minds of the youth. He has built 94 computer laboratories in various high schools in the province since 2013 as part of his administration’s province-wide computer literacy program. “I place a huge stake in science education for the youth in Quezon province to prepare them for a highly competitive environment of technological advancement in the future,” Suarez, the youngest governor of the province at 34 when he was first elected in 2010, said in a media interview about the establishment of QSHS. House Minority Floor Leader and Quezon Third District Rep. Danilo Suarez, the governor’s father, has pitched in and granted scholarship assistance of P20,000 each to 43 senior high-school students who graduated from QSHS last November to start off their college education. Armed with the assurance of assistance and the pursuit of knowledge and excellence, QSHS students look forward to bright hopes and unlimited opportunities for themselves and for the province.

A10 Sunday, July 1, 2018

RegionsSunday BusinessMirror

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YOUNG Nonie takes pictures of the iconic postcard-perfect statue of Queen Isabella of Spain in front of the Isabela Provincial Capitol in the City of Ilagan.

Isabela’s bountiful farm-tourism destinations rediscovered Story and photos by Ceasar M. Perante

Correspondent

VEN before Tourism Secretary Bernadette Fatima Romulo Puyat announced that farm tourism is the ideal advocacy of her department, the province of Isabela has long been reputed to be a bountiful travel destination up north with its verdant agricultural landscape. Isabela geographically straddles the heart of Cagayan Valley region, bordered by the Northern Sierra Madre Mountain Range in the east and the Cordillera mountains in the west with predominantly rich agricultural terrain. The province’s economy is primarily agricultural with rice and corn as the dominant crops. Today, Isabela is the premier province of the north and one of the most progressive in the country. The province of Isabela is dubbed as the new “Rice Granary of the Philippines.” It is blessed with water as complementary natural resources through the Magat River Integrated Irrigation System that irrigates about 85,000 hectares of farmlands favoring the large-scale production of premium quality grain crops like rice and corn. The agriculture department reported that the province produced 1,049,954 metric tons of corn and 1,068,275 MT of rice last cropping year. With the sustainability of these golden yields, the province was awarded Top Corn Producer in the Philippines and second in rice production. Believed to be the biggest in Southeast Asia established by Mindanao Grains Processing Co. and the Philippine Maize Federation Inc., a P750-million corn processing plant established in Reina Mercedes town is seen to have answered the major postharvest

problems confronting corn farmers in the region Along the province’s Pacific coastline of Divilacan town is the white-sand beach on Honeymoon Island. The municipality of Maconacon is said to be the Lobster Capital of the North because of the enormous lobsters that flourish in its coastal waters that enterprising traders export to Japan. Another hidden paradise is the coastal town of Palanan where exotic seafood, blue marlins and humpback whales abound, attracting game fishers to the town. At the foot of the Sierra Madre, the country’s longest mountain range and home to the rare and endangered species like the Philippine Eagle, the Golden Crowned Flying Fox, the Green Sea Turtle and the Dugong. The Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park is a biodiversity hot spot and the largest of 10 priority protected areas in the Philippines. A joint venture among Japanese, Taiwanese and Filipino partners, Green Future Innovations Inc. has erected a 54-million liter ethanol plant in San Mariano town. The multinational investment has substantially converted many idle lands in the province into lucrative sugarcane farms. The town also pioneered in honeybee culture through the Isabela State University (San Mariano) apiculture farm. Continued on A11

CANDIDATES for the search for Miss San Mateo (Isabela) take a farm tour on a mung bean plantation in Barangay Sinamar Norte. Known for growing abundantly the heat-resistant crop, the town is said to be the “Munggo Capital of the Philippines.”

A FARMER in San Guillermo Isabela shows a fruit sample from his hillside pineapple plantation.

ON a farm tour in Alicia, Isabela, a young lady looks amazed by a dwarf, but fully laden papaya tree before her. Organically grown papaya is one of the most sought-after fruits in town.

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RegionsSunday BusinessMirror

Sunday, July 1, 2018 A11

Isabela’s bountiful farm-tourism destinations rediscovered

ON a cut-flower farm tour in San Mateo, Isabela, young ladies enjoy the pick-and-pay promo offered as a marketing strategy of the owners.

A modern broiler poultry facility in Roxas, Isabela, houses thousands of well-ventilated chickens. Continued from A10

Despite the influx of multinational food companies in the province, Isabela’s cuisine like the popular “Pancit Cabagan,” the chunky glutinous “Bibingka of Naguillian,” patupat (glutinous rice tightly wrapped in coconut leaves cooked in boiling sugarcane syrup) and muscuvado sugar of Santiago City are popularly enticing to enthusiasts who crave for organic food products. For growing vegetables associated with the hugely popular Ilocano pinakbet dish, this town in the second congressional district of Isabela has been dubbed “Pinakbet Capital of the North.” With its enormous production of mung bean, the multiawarded San Mateo town is dubbed as the “Munggo Capital of the Philippines.” When one thinks of San Mateo, Isabela, mung beans always come to mind. The town is also known for watermelons and salted eggs. The adjacent town of Alicia is popular for sweet melons and watermelons. Famous for its Santa Victoria Cave System and Wildlife Sanctuary is the young city of Ilagan, better known for its Binallay rice cake. The city is the provincial capital of Isabela province since May 1, 1856. It has a total land area of

116,626 hectares. The municipality of Aurora is the vegetable basket of the province and home to CornWorld seed processing plant. Known for large-scale cattle and carabao production, San Pablo and San Agustin towns play as livestock and dairy capital of the province. One of the fastest-growing cities in the region is Cauayan City, which plays as the literal domestic gateway to the valley, home of the Cauayan Domestic Airport. With over 100,000 hectares of farmlands planted with corn, the province is the country’s No.1 corn producer. Its fields of gold are dotted with bambanti—scarecrows created by Isabelinos to keep away birds, pests and other threats to their rice and corn crops. Often dressed in scary tatters and colorful hand-me-downs, the bambanti symbolizes the best of Isabela, its impressive beginnings, intense growth and dazzling future. Because of its predominantly agricultural setting, bambanti, an Ilocano term for “scarecrow, was the adopted name for the annual thanksgiving festival as it symbolizes food security. The festival aims to showcase Isabela’s rich cultural heritage, the ingenuity of its people, industry and the pristine beauty of its 35 towns and three cities.

CHERRY (left) and Christy Base entice motorists with a creative showcase of sliced watermelons at the farm gate of Centeno Farms in Alicia, Isabela. The two help their father sell his harvest of sweet watermelons during the summer break.

CULTURED honeybees are literally busy at work in an apiculture center in San Mariano, Isabela.

A STAFF from the Santiago City Agriculture Office displays locally produced pickles and banana chips and pouches of muscovado sugar and bottled cane vinegar at a trade fair booth at the city hall grounds. The city cooperative office and the Rural Improvement Club help promote and market indigenous products.

RegionsSunday Eastern Samar nurtures its people’s health BusinessMirror

A12 Sunday, July 1, 2018

www.businessmirror.com.ph

Story and photos by Elmer V. Recuerdo

Correspondent

ORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar—When 58-year-old Manuel Bagares was diagnosed with pneumonia in 2012, he felt a few lots his parents left him may have to go—a decision he knew would have a long impact on his family. He tried seeking an admission in a district hospital, but he felt his condition instead worsened. “There is no medicine, the doctor is hard to find, and the whole ambiance is sickening,” he said. A farmer and a part-time motorcycle technician, Bagares spends most of his time tending to a 3-hectare farm he inherited from his parents, making sure his vegetables are gowing and thriving, rain or shine. So when he got sick with pneumonia and with no option but to seek admission in a private hospital, he knew a piece of his land may have to go. He sold a hectare to cover most of his bills that amounted to more than P100,000. He vowed never to be back in a hospital. But last month Bagares was once again admitted in a hospital, this time to bring his youngest daughter who was experiencing abdominal pains for three days already. Wary of the possible expense, he asked the nurse at the front desk how much it would cost him. Instead of telling him the amount, he was directed to an office in the hospital where he filled out a form for health-insurance coverage. “I felt relieved I didn’t have to pay anymore. If this happened before, I would have saved that parcel of land my parents gave me instead of selling it away,” he said.

Free medical services

SINCE October last year, when Gov. Dindo Picardal took over the helm of the province due to the frail health of his predecessor, reforms have been going on to improve the delivery of health services in the whole province. At the very least, district hospitals in the whole province—all of them downgraded to community hospital level in the previous years due to lack of patients and available services—are now showing signs of functionality worth the trust of anybody seeking medical attention. Except for a few still needing some face-lifting, hospitals across the province have been repainted, broken facilities and equipment fixed, once-empty shelves of pharmacies now fully stocked with the

most commonly used medicines, services for some common laboratory tests are now available, and ambulance service now easily available without a drama. But what makes Eastern Samar stand out among other more affluent provinces in terms of health-care delivery is its “no outof-pocket expense” for all patients admitted in all public hospitals. Whether a patient is poor or with capacity to pay, all hospital expenses are for free, including laboratory tests, medicine, ambulance services and even food.

Political will to bring poverty down

PICARDAL said that to bring changes, what his province needs are guts and determination, a strong political will and a sincere desire to uplift the condition of the people. His far-fetched dream is to bring poverty incidence down from 40.1 percent in 2015, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, to 25 percent in 2023. “This is a tall order, but I am determined to do that,” he said. In 2012, a year before Supertyphoon Yolanda devastated the whole province, Eastern Samar was the second-poorest province in the country next only to Lanao del Sur. Last year Picardal launched his flagship project called Proyekto 25 to rally the people of Eastern Samar to bring poverty rates down. Among the major components of this project was to provide free health services to all. “When one gets sick, each family member gets affected and, sometimes, the breadwinner could not work because he had to attend to the sick family member,” said Picardal in an interview with the BusinessMirror. “It gets worse when the breadwinner gets sick. Illness makes a poor family poorer.” Picardal believes that for the people in the province to be more productive, they have to remain healthy. One way of doing so is to ensure that health services are available for free, especially to the poor. He set up extension offices of the Office of the Governor in five

district hospitals to ensure free medical services are provided to the poor. When a prescribed medicine is not available at the hospital pharmacy, the extension office buys the medicine for the patient for free. “For patients who could not be treated in the hospital, we bring them immediately to Tacloban,” said Daniel Lagos, who manages the governor’s extension office at Felipe Abrigo Medical Hospital. “Everything else, we provide them here for free, including food. There are instances when we even give them money for fare when the patient is really poor.”

Bringing efficiency to public hospitals

WHILE many wonder how a poor province like Eastern Samar can provide free health services to its people, its officials said there are no tricks, but only the tried and tested formula—efficiency and transparency. Eastern Samar Provincial Administrator George Erroba said among the first challenges they faced is to bring back the trust of local people on the capability of government hospitals. This includes refurbishing the dilapidated hospitals, making sure available equipment are working and

pharmacies are stocked with the needed medicines. Government health workers are also required to be at work all the time, its doctors are now discouraged to hold clinics in private hospitals. To compensate, the provincial government last month granted the full implementation of Magna Carta for Public Health Workers that has long been planned, but never implemented. Patients seeking medical attention are asked if they are registered with the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth). When a patient is not a PhilHealth member, the provincial government takes

charge in registering the patient with PhilHealth and pays the fees. “The province ensures everybody is covered by PhilHealth. We want to use the PhilHealth fund free hospitalization,” Erroba said. Erroba said the minimal amount of PhilHealth premium actually goes to government hospitals. Last year, for example, out of the P600-million PhilHealth fund that went to Eastern Samar, only P60 million went to provincial hospitals. “This means that private hospitals were full. We know that when a patient is brought to a private hospital, some payments have to be made, especially services not covered by health insurance,” he said. Another challenge the provincial government is now working on is to bring back the old status of the hospitals before they were downgraded. This means government hospitals should accommodate more patients and more services should be made available. “There is less PhilHealth coverage in a community hospital than a district hospital,” he said. To get more patients to avail themselves of free hospitalization, the provincial government is now encouraging specialists and consultants from Tacloban hospitals to moonlight in any government hospital in Eastern Samar. So far, it has already been able to contract the services of at least 10 doctors. “A patient need not to go to Tacloban anymore. These top doctors in Tacloban will be here at least three days a week,” Erroba said. “Bringing a patient to Tacloban for treatment is expensive.”