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The Observer.com DON’T JUST BE AN INQUIRER AND ASK, BE AN OBSERVER AND ACT

#20 - JULY 20, 2022

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO UNIFORMED PERSONNEL ‘Gawin niyo ang inyong tungkulin ng tama, suportado namin kayo’ — Sen. Bong Go

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Php 20.00

Boracay, Palawan and Cebu hailed World’s Best Islands12 Islands

Tourism Infra strengthens industry, raises PH global position ­‑‑ DOT Sec. Frasco Story on Page 3

Tourism Secretry Christina Garcia Frasco

Mactan-Cebu Airport

PH ready for risks and challenges -- Sec. Diokno 6

DOTr Sec. Bautista: Sufficient transport ahead of f2f classes 2

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VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

Reelected LDN Governor takes oath, vows to make last term a memorable one

TUBOD, Lanao del Norte (PIA)--Reelected Lanao del Norte Governor Imelda ‘Angging’ Dela Cruz Quibranza took her oath of office before Regional Trial Court Branch 7 Presiding Judge Richie Gay T. Mendoza, June 30.

The Governor was sworn in for her last term of service at her Office in Arsenio A. Quibranza Building, Provincial Capitol, in the presence of her son Nazrollah Dimaporo, close friends, and family.

“This is my last term as the governor, and I want the whole provincial government to serve truthfully to the people and for the people,” she said.

In her inaugural speech, the Governor expressed her gratitude to the residents and local officials for their support of her pursuit of lasting development for the province.

(PIO-LDN)

PH Red Cross strengthens its blood donation campaign as dengue cases rise

THE Philippine Red Cross (PRC) strengthened its blood donation campaign as dengue cases rise in the country.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported over 60,000 dengue cases from January 1 to June 25, 2022, which is 90% higher compared to over 30,000 cases during the same period in 2021. Some dengue cases warrant blood transfusion.

With the increased demand for blood transfusions, the PRC maintains its blood supply by continuing to accept walk-in blood donors in its 102 facilities nationwide. Aside from the blood donation in its facilities, the PRC establishes more strategic partnerships with public and private companies to conduct its Mobile Blood Donation (MBD), which aims to make blood donations more accessible to communities across the country.

As of July 13, the PRC has dispensed 2,267 blood units to 774 dengue patients.

“Sa dumadaming kaso ng dengue sa ating bansa, tinitiyak natin na laging sapat ang suplay ng dugo sa Red Cross para sa mga kababayan natin na nangangailangan nito,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said.

Chairman Gordon encouraged healthy individuals to donate blood regularly through its 102 facilities nationwide to save the lives of dengue patients.

For blood donation, blood requests, and other inquiries, email the PRC NBS at nbs@redcross.org. ph or contact the PRC Blood Call Center which may be reached nationwide by dialing 143.

NATIONAL

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World Population Day 2022 DOTr Sec. Bautista convenes various Local leaders, agencies to ensure sufficient, safe partners to tap transport ahead of face-to-face classes potential of Pinays,

DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime J. Bautista convened on Friday, 15 July 2022, various concerned government agencies to thresh out issues and problems faced by the transport sector, and offer solutions to provide “accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience” to students in preparation for the education sector’s transition to face-to-face classes in August.

During a discussion with Vice President Sara Duterte, Secretary Bautista said the inter-agency cooperation will be vital to provide students ample supply of transportation, while also ensuring their safety amid the threat of COVID-19.

“Napagusapan namin ni VP Sara after the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that there is indeed a need for different agencies to meet and discuss problems and possible solutions, which we will encounter when face-to-face classes start in August,” Secretary Bautista said.

“Kailangan magtulung-tulong tayo para mabigyan natin ng accessible, affordable, comfortable, and safe travel experience ang mananakay lalung-lao na ang mga estudyante,” he added.

The DOTr Road Sector, on the other hand, has recommended to Secretary Bautista the following points: - Improve deployment of public utility vehicle (PUV) units through formulation and mandating compliance to Service Plans (peak hour deployment at 90% to 100% of PUVs authorized) - Opening of additional routes as

may be deemed necessary, including the reinstatement of pre-pandemic city bus routes, particularly routes not traversing EDSA and fast-tracking of fare review and evaluation of non-operational routes, and introduce developmental routes - Offering of Libreng Sakay for students on rail lines and EDSA Busway; - And extension for another two (2) years the life span of school services that have reached 15-year maximum limit by December 2022 “Upon the directive of Secretary Bautista, the DOTr Road Sector ramps up our plans and initiatives to ensure the safe and efficient service in public transportation amid the increase in passenger demand. Hindi lamang supply ang ating concern but also the students’ safety,” DOTr Undersecretary for Road and Transport Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor said.

“Sufficient po ang ating available transportation provided that operators deploy 90% of their PUV units,” he added.

The Metro Manila Development Authority, for its part, will deploy 2,238 personnel along major roads and within high-density schools in Metro Manila with 581 traffic enforcers to be dispatched to 148 schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) for the resumption of classes.

A total of four (4) MMDA buses and two (2) military trucks are also deployed for free rides to assist the commuting public daily. On the other hand, the Pasig River Service operated by the MMDA will also offer free rides for commuters from

Mondays through Saturdays within its 13 stations.

At the inter-agency meeting were DOTr Undersecretary for Rails Cesae Chavez, Department of Education (Deped) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Executive Director Atty. Cinderella Filipina Benitez-Jaro, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Romeo Vera Cruz, Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Atty. Cheloy Garafil.

Also present were MMDA OIC Engr. Baltazar Melgar, Light Rail Manila Corp. President & CEO Juan Alfonso, Philippine National Police - National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torree III, Metro Rail Transit (MRT-3) OIC Engr. Ofelia Astrera, Philippine National Railways (PNR) OIC Atty. Celeste Lauta, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Artemio Abu, Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) OIC Paul Chua, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Task Force NCR Deputy Commander Col. Romel Recinto.

QUEZON CITY -- As part of its pro-active disaster response operations, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau (NRLMB), has tapped the Cebu Pacific Airlines to transport the forms used by the Department during disaster operations in Visayas and Mindanao.

Through the logistical support provided by the Airlines, a total of 348,000 pieces of Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC) forms were delivered to Butuan, Iloilo, Zamboanga, Davao, Laguindingan, and General Santos Airports on July 9, through a freeof-charge airlift.

The partnership with CebuPac is sought by the NRLMB to expedite the delivery of DAFAC Forms to disaster-vulnerable areas in preparation for the onset of rainy seasons.

The NRLMB expressed its utmost gratitude to the Airline for its continuous support to the Department.

“We are filled with gratitude for Cebu Pacific Airlines’ prompt response and action towards our request and for their continuous support and generosity to the Department’s operation. It has been the

fastest means to provide the support needed by the Visayas and Mindanao regions,” NRLMB Director Emmanuel Privado said.

The DAFAC is used by the DSWD in monitoring the provision of aid to families affected by disasters and ensuring that all families hit by calamities are given appro-

priate assistance. (DSWD) Some personnel of the National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau and Cebu Pacific Airlines facilitate the transfer of the Disaster Assistance Family Access Card (DAFAC) Forms from the National Resource Operation Center to Cebu Pacific Cargo Warehouse.

young Pinoys

DOTr ecretary Jaime J. Bautista

DSWD partners with CebuPac to deliver forms used in disaster ops in VisMin

THE global population is projected to reach eight billion on 15 November 2022, according to the World Population Prospects 2022 released on Monday by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

Latest projections by the United Nations suggest that the global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030, 9.7 billion in 2050, and 10.4 billion in 2100. More than half of the estimated increase in global population up to 2050 will be concentrated in just eight countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, the United Republic of Tanzania, and the Philippines.

Many groups may meet this announcement with alarmism: fears that the world is on the verge of a disastrous overpopulation that may result in extreme poverty, conflict, or adverse environmental impacts.

However, UNFPA, United Nations Population Fund, calls on countries to expand their perspective beyond the numbers.

UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem emphasized: “Focusing exclusively on population totals and growth rates misses the point, and often leads to coercive and counter-productive measures and the erosion of human rights.

In fact, people are the solution, not the problem. Experience shows that investing in people, in their rights and choices, is the path to peaceful, prosperous and sustainable societies.”

UNFPA in the Philippines, the Commission on Population and Development (POPCOM) and the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) invited key government agencies and international development aid organizations to discuss pursuing people-centered population policies with sexual and reproductive health and rights at their core in line with the report and the commemoration of World Population Day (WPD) 2022.

With the global theme: “A world of 8 billion: Towards a resilient future,” WPD 2022 focuses on harnessing opportunities and ensuring rights and choices for all. It is translated locally to: “110 Milyong Solusyon Tungo sa Pagkamit ng Potensyal ng bawat Pilipino (110 Million Solutions: Reaching the Potential of Every Filipino).”

“What equally matters is how we ensure that everyone that today’s 110 million Filipinos can realize their full potential and human rights,” said Dr. Leila Sajii Joudane, UNFPA Country Representative in the Philippines. “We must give everyone the capacity and space to make informed and responsible decisions, provide opportunities to choose and exercise their human rights—including sexual and reproductive health, and enable access to quality education and equal chance for economic opportunities.”

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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. “We just have to support the plan to develop all of these enabling environments, the policy, conditions, and infrastructure.”

DOT Christina Garcia Frasco

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

ANG PANGARAP NYO, AY PANGARAP KO...

Tourism Infra strengthens industry, raises PH global position ­‑‑ DOT Sec. Frasco TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the recent pronouncement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on the need to improve tourism infrastructure and introduce proactive policies to boost the country’s tourism industry.

During the Cabinet Meeting held at the Malacañan, President Marcos Jr. said that local tourism-related infrastructure must be at par with top tourist destinations such as Singapore.

“We just have to support the plan to develop all of these enabling environments—the policy, conditions, and infrastructure,” President Marcos Jr. said during the meeting.

Thanking the President for making the tourism sector a priority under his administration, Frasco expressed the DOT’s commitment to the full development of the enabling environment—the policies, conditions, and infrastructure—that will further boost the revitalization

of the tourism industry.

“Certainly, to benchmark their policies in this regard would be the direction that we would take per your instructions,” Frasco told the President.

“Many measures could be improved as far as policy regulations, both on the national and local level, and proper coordination to be able to focus on the overall tourist experience from the time that he arrives to the point of entry to the time that he gets to his point of destination,”

she added.

Targets and objectives Marking her second week as DOT Secretary, Frasco laid down the targets and objectives of the Department in keeping with the President’s earlier directive to revitalize the tourism industry and transform it into a major pillar for economic growth in the Philippines.

The specific objectives of the DOT include the following: the improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility; a cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity; enhancement of the overall tourist experience; equalization of tourism product development and promotion; diversification of portfolio through multi-dimensional tourism; maximization of domestic tourism; and strengthening tourism governance through close coordination with LGUs and stakeholders.

She stressed on the need to anchor these objectives on three focus points taking into consideration the Philippines’ current ranking of 6th in Southeast Asia in terms of tourist arrivals and preference vis-a-vis leaders such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, and recognizing the country’s potential to improve its rankings considering the quality of its offerings in terms of natural resources.

“These three focus points which take into consideration the perspective of a traveler are connectivity, convenience, and E(quality),” Secretary Frasco said.

Connectivity According to the tourism chief, per the President’s direction, the DOT shall work towards improving

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connectivity of tourist destinations through convergence with tourism-enhancing government agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for infrastructure, and Department of Transportation (DOTr) for transportation.

Further, efforts will be made towards tourism clustering or establishment of Regional tourism circuits for there to be more tourist offerings connecting bigger provinces and more well-known destinations to smaller islands.

Also, attention will be given to improving end-to-end transportation by land, sea, and air from arrival to departure, reducing as much as possible the number of legs a tourist has to take to arrive at his destination, and reviewing the availability and affordability of these routes.

“While it’s true that we do have available international airports at certain gateways across the Philippines, the reality is that many of these airports are simply not yet of the global standard that would put us at par with our direct competitors in the ASEAN member nations.

Second, there’s also a need to revisit the capacity of these airports as that will greatly determine whether or not there would be an addition of direct flights to our tourist destinations. And finally, the availability of seaports and so there is also a necessity to identify and study which particular tier one and tier two tourism destinations are still in need of ports of entry or need of improvement as far as ports of entry is concerned”, the DOT chief explained.

providers to ensure availability of high quality emergency and tertiary care when needed”.

Convenience

Meanwhile, Frasco echoed President Marcos, Jr.’s pronouncement that the country should bank on domestic tourism and explore this simultaneously with international tourism to yield better economic returns.

“From our experience in Cebu it was really domestic tourism that helped Cebu in its recovery from the ravages of the pandemic and typhoon Odette. The President’s recognition of the need to maximize domestic tourism simultaneously with International tourism would surely raise our regional and global standing because his vision is very clear on the elevation of all the elements constituting the Philippine tourism industry as a whole.”

The tourism chief announced that the DOT will facilitate cross province collaboration and the establishment of tourism circuits across the regions, conduct an extensive site and product mapping particularly on areas not yet given equal opportunity for attention and development. (DOT)

The convenience of the traveler, according to Frasco, is of utmost priority to the Department especially as President Marcos deems this an essential component of travel to the country. Efforts will be made towards pushing for uniformity of protocols through inter-agency collaboration with national agencies such as Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Health (DOH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as Local Government Units (LGUs), to name a few.

The Department will also work on the enhancement of tourist experience through the establishment of tourist service centers and rest areas across the Regions.

The DOT chief also hailed President Marcos’ desire to improve healthcare facilities particularly in key tourist destinations across the country, noting that “this can be done in coordination with LGUs as well as private hospitals

E (Quality) With the President’s desire to spread economic opportunities to LGUs across the country, the tourism chief emphasized the importance of enhancing E (Quality) with focus on the equalization of overall tourism product development and promotion across the Regions, and encompassing tourism standards, accreditation, and inclusive development.

The Department, Frasco said aims to accomplish this through the Diversification of the country’s portfolio through multi-dimensional tourism harnessing the country’s potential in Nature-based tourism, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), heritage and culture, food tourism, health wellness and retirement, and the arts, noting the necessity as well to benchmark already successful tourism programs in various LGUs and in neighboring countries.

“There is no question as to the richness of our heritage and the vastness of our culture, but, there is definitely still a need for national government assistance to local govt assistance as far as technical expertise on how we can harness these aspects of our country so we can package it in a manner that is at par with the finest that is being offered by other countries, and make our offerings in our country characteristically Filipino,” Frasco explained.

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NEWS

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

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Provide temporary employment to displaced workers

‘Gawin niyo ang inyong tungkulin ng tama, suportado namin kayo’ — Bong Go

Free dialysis Bong Go seeks to make hospital services more accessible to all

IN a bid to continuously improve the delivery of health services and make hospital facilities more accessible to all, Senator Bong Go file a measure mandating the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to provide free dialysis to all its members.

“Dahil masyadong mahal ang magpa-dialysis, ipaglalaban natin na maipasa ang panukalang ito na comprehensive dialysis benefit package para sa libreng dialysis ng lahat ng mangangailangang miyembro ng PhilHealth. Aatasan din nito ang PhilHealth na maging mahigpit sa pag-aanalisa ng mga claims na may kinalaman sa dialysis,” said Go. Consistent with the provisions of the Universal Health Care Act in relation to increases in pre­mium rates and benefits, the proposed “Free Dialysis Act of 2022” tasks PhilHealth, in consultation with the Health Technology Assessment Council, to develop a comprehensive dialysis benefit package which shall fully cover all costs of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments, sessions and procedures done in PhilHealth accredited-health facilities.

Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Go has been consistently pushing for strengthened govern­ ment initiatives to improve the country’s health system especially in providing healthcare access to the countryside.

Apart from the proposed Free Dialysis Act, other health-related measures also make up the bulk of Senator Go’s priority bills filed in the 19th Congress. These include measures providing free annual medical check-up for all Filipinos and instituting the Emergency Medical Services System. He also filed a bill amending the Insurance Code to allow stricter supervision over Health Maintenance Organizations.

FREE LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

SENATOR Bong Go renewed his push for his proposed legislative measure that would provide free legal assistance to all uniformed personnel, giving them necessary support when they face charges from incidents related to their official duties.

“Palaging nasa frontline natin ang ating mga kapulisan at mga sundalo sa kampanya ng pamahalaan upang masiguro na ligtas ang ating mga mamamayan mula sa banta ng mga kriminal, lalo na ang mga drug syndicates at mga terorista,” noted Go. “Minsan, kahit sa pagtupad nila ng kanilang tungkulin, sila ay nakakasuhan o nasususpinde nang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na idepensa ang sarili ayon sa nakasaad sa batas,” he added.

Senator Go reiterated his utmost confidence to the country’s uniformed personnel, citing how the measure can significantly reassure them of legal support as long as they perform their duties in accordance with the law.

“Alam naman po natin gaano kabigat ang responsibilidad ng ating mga sundalo, pulis, at iba pang uniformed personnel. Paminsan, sa nais lamang nilang gampanan ang kanilang tungkulin, sila pa ang iniipit at nakakasuhan kapag may nakakabanggang mga maimpluwensiyang tao,” Go said.

“Ito ang rason kung bakit nais

nating bigyan sila ng sapat na suportang legal upang maproteksyunan nila ang kanilang sarili basta nasa tama sila at ginagampanan ang kanilang tungkulin na naaayon sa batas,” he expressed.

If passed into law, any officer or enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP), who is facing before the prosecutor’s office, court or any competent body, any charge arising from an incident related to the performance of official duty shall be entitled to free legal assistance.

“Malayo na ang narating natin sa pagpapalakas ng integridad at pagbalik ng respeto sa ating kapulisan at kasundaluhan. Dahil ito sa suporta ng dating administrasyong Duterte sa kanila na nais nating maipagpatuloy,” expressed Go. “Kung maalala niyo po, isa rin po ito sa mga panukalang binigyang-diin ni dating pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa kaniyang mga huling State of the Nation Address.

Talaga pong mahalaga para sa kaniya ang kapakanan nila dahil sila ang pumoprotekta sa kaayusan ng ban-

sa,” he stressed.

According to the proposed measure, the Chief of Staff of the AFP, the Chairperson of the National Police Commission or the Chief of the PNP shall authorize the legal office of their respective agencies, with the assistance of the Public Attorneys Office, to provide legal aid.

“Sa pagbibigay natin ng free legal assistance, malaking tulong na po ito sa ating mga sundalo at mga pulis na patuloy ang pagsasakripisyo ng kanilang buhay para lang ma-protektahan ang ating bansa,” underscored Go. “Like any other sector of the society, our military and police, should not be denied access to legal assistance which they may need as a consequence of the faithful performance of their official duties,” he cited.

The senator then expressed hope that the new administration will continue the Duterte legacy of uplifting the lives of the country’s frontliners. He vowed that he will remain focused on supporting the country’s uniformed personnel and other frontliners, stressing that their interests will always be part of his priorities.

In this regard, the lawmaker also filed a bill that provides a magna carta for Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel, a bill on e-governance, and a measure seeking to enact the “Magna Carta for Barangays”.

Sen. Go push for the empowerment of barangays for their role as frontliners governance unit SENATOR Bong Go continued to push for measures empowering barangays as the frontline unit of governance in the country by providing barangay personnel with capability building opportunities as well as regular salaries and addi­ tional benefits, among others.

“Ang barangay ang panguna­ hing hanay ng gobyerno na nalala­ pitan ng mga tao sa kanilang komunidad. Sila ang haligi ng maayos na pagpapatakbo ng bansa at pagpapaabot ng serbisyo sa mga nanga­ ngailangan. Sila ang takbuhan, ang first responders, at ang may alam ng tunay na kalagayan sa baba,” Go

explained.

“Kung kaya’t dapat mas lalong palakasin ang kanilang kakayahan at maalagaan ang kanilang kapakanan,” he emphasized.

Recognizing their efforts to serve their constituents, Go said barangay officials should receive simi­lar benefits given to regular government employees. This prompted him to refile Senate Bill No. 197 providing a Magna Carta for Barangays. He also filed Senate Bill No. 427 which mandates the provision of allowances and incentives to barangay health workers.

“We all know that the baran-

gay and its officials are the immediate provider of frontline services to our fellow countrymen. Sila ang pinakaunang tinatakbuhan ng ating mga kababayan,” Go said.

Under SB 197, barangay officials will be treated as regular go­ vern­ment employees. The Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay members, the SK chairperson, the brgy. secretary and brgy. treasurer will be entitled to salaries, emoluments, allowances such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, 13th month pay and other benefits that regular government employees enjoy.

AS the government strives to achieve economic recovery, Senator Bong Go underscored how imperative it is for all sectors in the country to be well-taken care of, especially those who reside in rural areas lacking job opportunities.

Thus, one of the priority measures filed by the senator in the 19th Congress is Senate Bill No. 420 which seeks to provide temporary employment for qualified members of poor households in rural areas who are willing to do unskilled manual work for a period of time.

Under his proposed measure, there shall be a Rural Employment Assistance Program (REAP) under the Department of Labor and Employment, which shall provide temporary employment to qualified individuals who are poor, disadvantaged, displaced or seasonal workers willing to work for a minimum of ten days, but not more than 90 days in a calendar year.

The Local Social Welfare and Development Officers, in close coordination with DOLE and the Department of Social Welfare and Development, shall conduct an assessment and survey of all poor, disadvantaged or displaced individuals who signify interest in undertaking work under the REAP. The assessment shall take into consideration the inherent know­ ledge, skills, capacities and capabilities of potential qualified parti­ cipants so as to properly determine the type and nature of projects that are most suited to them and their res­pective communities.

The DOLE shall likewise facilitate basic knowledge and skills orientation, including briefings on minimum public health standards and protocols in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, and capacity-building training and seminars as deemed necessary towards project development for qualified participants.

The local government units and program partners concerned may make available for use any tools and equipment necessary for project development to the qualified individuals.

These projects may include, but are not limited to the development, rebuilding or rehabilitation of damaged agri-based livelihood assets, common service facilities, and physical assets to open up access to areas necessary to transport rural products; protection of natural and productive assets through miti­ gation and disaster risk reduction measures; social community pro­ jects such as repair, maintenance or improvement of common public facilities and infrastructure; and remote or online work projects such as digitization of records and collation of inquiries submitted to govern­ment agencies.

The senator was also the main proponent of the Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-asa Program (BP2) which is a long-term plan of the government to decongest urban areas, boost countryside development, and improve the quality of life in all regions.

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Antique to give educational aid to 1.8K PWDs

THE Antique provincial government will provide an initial 100 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in each of its 18 municipalities with educational assistance for the 2022-2023 school year.

Vice Governor Edgar Denosta said Tuesday that he would be working to provide more PWDs with the educational aid of PHP5,000 for college students and PHP6,000 for graduate students every semester.

The giving of assistance is part of the 44th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) Week celebration, from July 18 to 23.

“I will lobby that the PWDs will be given allocation on the educational assistance so that they could also have opportunity to avail of the support,” he said.

He also instructed personnel of the Antique Provincial Disability Affairs Office (PDAO), which is under the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), to survey the PWDs in college so they would be prioritized in the assistance.

Irish Manlapaz, head of the Antique Provincial Youth Development Office (PYDO) that is in charge of the educational assistance, said in a separate interview that 48 PWDs availed of the PHP5,000 per semester assistance last school year.

PROVINCIAL

THE Department of Agriculture Provincial Agricultural Technology Coordinating Office (DA-PATCO) Siquijor lauded the success of the corn technology demonstration project in Brgy. Timbaon, San Juan, Siquijor.

Together with the Provincial Agriculture Office and the Municipal Agriculture Office, farmer cooperators, the Timbaon Farmer Scientist Association, gathered to discuss the result of the recently concluded crop-cut activity.

The project yielded 2.56 metric tons/hectare (2.56MT/ha), based on the five crop-cut samples taken from the one-hectare demonstration site with hybrid yellow corn as the seed variety.

“Dako mi’g kalipay nga na-success ang atong project despite sa daghang pagsulay nga atong na-agi-an. Ug manghina-ut mi sa Agriculture Offices nga ma-

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Normin project monitoring committee inspects priority projects in Bukidnon CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Regional Project Monitoring Committee-Region (RPMC)-10 conducted its 2nd quarter project field visits from June 27-30, 2022 to monitor the implementation of local and national programs and projects in the Province of Bukidnon, northern Mindanao.

The monitoring team visited four projects funded under the Local Government Support Fund-Support to Barangay Development Program (LGSF-SBDP) of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The SBDP is a flagship program of the DILG and an offshoot of Executive Order No. 70 (s.2018), which institutionalizes the wholeof-nation approach to end local communist armed conflict. The team inspected the construction of barangay access roads that are in various stages of completion.

The RPMC-10 team also visited the Bukidnon Airport Development Project in Barangay Maraymaray, Don Carlos, Bukidnon. The 149-hectare new airport is one of the flagship infrastructure projects of the region. During the visit, the group inspected the construction of

The Regional Project Monitoring Committee-Region X (RPMC-X) conducted its 2nd quarter project field visits from 27 to 30 June 2022 in Bukidnon. (NEDA10)

the 1,500-meter by 30-meter runway.

The concrete runway is expected to be completed by 20 December 2022. Other ongoing works include embankment as part of the preparation of landside area, while the construction of the taxiway, apron, passenger terminal building, and access roads will be undertaken and completed by 2026.

Further, the team visited the Valencia City Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Center, and the Digital Transformation Center, in Mara-

Siquijodnon farmers celebrate success of corn techno-demo

By Mary Jane Bangglos

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

adapt ninyo ni nga technology sa inyong tagsa-tagsa ka umahan (We are very happy with the result of the project despite many challenges. We, from the agriculture offices, hope that you will adopt these technologies in your own farms),” said Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coritico.

According to Coritico, implementing the project was challenging because of restrictions of group gatherings caused by the rising cases of COVID-19 at the time of the second cropping.

However, he said the project was still pushed through, thanks to the efforts and cooperation of the farmer cooperators, corn program coordinators, and agricultural technicians.

Reggie Bon Ontoy, president of the association, likewise thanked the implementers of the project.

“Dako kaayo namong pasalamat sa Department of Agriculture, sa Provincial ug Municipal Agriculture, kay dako kaayo’g

Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coritico

natabang ang maong proyekto (We are very thankful to the Department of Agriculture and Provincial and Municipal Agriculture because this project has really helped us a lot),” expressed Ontoy.

“Base sa among experience sa pagpananom, dako ra gyud kaayo ug kalahian ug dinhi nakita gyud namo nga adunaý kalambuan bisan pa ug gibagyo mi (Based on our previous planting experience, it was very different.

Through this project, we have seen the adoption of these technologies yielded a positive result),” he added.

Based on the cost and return analysis, the farmer association earned a gross income of P64,000 from corn grains and P69,712 from corn grits with an overall production cost of P52,920.

Recently retired Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer (APCO) Gregolito Bunado (L) giving his message during the Corn Techno Demo at San Juan, Siquijor. (DA-PATCO Siquijor)

mag, Bukidnon.

These centers serve as information hubs for beneficiaries such as students, women, senior citizens, out-of-school youths, and indigenous people to conduct research, learn new skills, and avail of government online services.

The centers are currently operational and being utilized in the conduct of digital literacy trainings and other government online services.

Other areas inspected were major bypass road projects implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Regional Office 10, namely, the Cabanglasan-San Fernando Alternate Road,

Access Road Leading to Bukidnon Airport, Construction of Pulangi Bridge along Don Carlos–Kiburiao, Quezon, Bukidnon, Maramag Maraduago Road-Junction Lampanusan Road, and the Bukidnon–Davao City Road.

The team also monitored the expansion and construction of Phase V of Central Mindanao University’s University Hospital and Phase III of its Administration Building Extension.

Phase V of the hospital is at 75 percent physical accomplishment, while the construction activities planned under the program of works for the Administration Building were completed.

DSWD KALAHI-CIDSS-10 Regional Program Management Team pays a courtesy visit to Gov. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, July 14, 2022, to provide updates on KALAHI-CIDSS’ ongoing implementation and advocate for CDD institutionalization.

Camiguin LGU vouches to push for CDD institutionalization

CAMIGUIN Gov. Xavier Jesus Romualdo expressed his fervent support for the enactment of the Community-Driven Development (CDD) Institutionalization Bill, says he will tap Camiguin Rep. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, to be one of its lead authors.

Romualdo said the program is helpful in providing “smaller but much-needed projects” in barangays.

“On the part of the provincial government and even the congressional district, there are certain limitations on what we can deliver, budget-wise, to our constituents, and it’s the KALAHI-CIDSS program that fills in the gap,” Romualdo said, adding that the local government has been able to provide better services to the public.

Currently, the KALAHI-CIDSS National Community-Drive Development Program Additional Financing Phase 1 implements P51.8 million worth of sub-projects across five municipalities, identifying solar street lights as the priority need in most barangays.

The sub-projects are supported by

LGU cash counterparts. KALAHI-CIDSS targets completion and turnover by September.

From 2014-2018, Camiguin implemented KALAHI-CIDSS to respond to the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda, assisting LGUs in their post-recovery efforts using the Disaster Response Operations Modality of the Program.

KALAHI-CIDSS found an ally in Romualdo as one of the local officials in Region 10 who advocates the institutionalization of CDD. “The province and all our municipalities, and particularly all our barangays will be in full support of the institutionalization of the program by law, and of course its implementation,” Romualdo said.

CDD is the strategy used by the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan-Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) of the DSWD in implementing poverty-alleviating projects in partnership with local government units (LGUs). The program aims to make CDD a national strategy for implementing government programs, projects, and activities.

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VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

Economic Watch: All eyes on Fed as US inflation surges WASHINGTON – United States consumer prices exploded upwards last month, marking the latest high in surging inflation.

All eyes are now on the US Federal Reserve, as the bank could continue its aggressive rate path on the news.

“Today’s shockingly high consumer price inflation number does not bode well for our country’s economic outlook,” Desmond Lachman, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, told Xinhua.

US consumer prices skyrocketed a whopping 9.1 percent last month, the fastest annual clip since November 1981, as inflation keeps rising, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

June’s consumer price index rose from the previous 40-year high of 8.6 percent in May and was higher than the 8.8 percent increase forecast by Bloomberg.

Sam Bullard, senior economist at Wells Fargo, a major US bank, told Xinhua, “It came in hotter than expected.”

“Everyone pretty much knew energy prices were going to be a large contributor,” Bullard said.

“And that turned out to be the case – it was about half of last month’s contribution” to the monthover-month rise, he added. “Everything’s about what’s the Fed going to do next.”

The Fed last month hiked rates by 75 basis points, the biggest hike since 1994, and some economists fret the central bank will implement yet another rate hike that could be even higher.

Lachman said the report “makes it all but certain that the Federal Reserve will continue with its policy of aggressively raising interest rates.”

BUSINESS

Economic recovery

PH ready for risks and challenges THE Philippines is fully prepared to address risks and challenges that threaten its economic reco­very, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said.

“We have a comprehensive set of interventions to effectively balance the need to sustain growth momentum while containing inflationary pressures and their cascading effects on the economy,” Diokno said before fellow leaders at the Global Economy session of the hybrid 3rd G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting on Friday.

The G20 or Group of Twenty is an intergovernmental forum that works to address global economic issues, including international financial stability, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

It is composed of 19 countries plus the European Union, which, together, comprises the world’s largest economies, accounting for about 60 percent of the world’s population, 80 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP), and 75 percent to 80 percent of international trade.

The Philippines is not part of the G20 but was invited to participate as a guest nation by the gov-

ernment of Indonesia, the current chair and president of the group.

The Global Economy session was the first in a series of discussions covering various topics, including, global health, international financial architecture, financial sector issues, sustainable finance, infrastructure, and international taxation.

Responding to issues raised on risks to financial stability and rising inflationary pressures, Diokno cited the Philippine government’s effort to increase agricultural output and importation of certain commodities to stabilize the supply and prices of food.

He said targeted subsidies have been allocated to cushion the impact of rising fuel prices on the public transport sector.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), he said, has been decisive in undertaking the necessary monetary policy actions to arrest the rise of inflation.

“With these policy instruments and a Medium-Term Fiscal Framework in hand, we are confident that

Economic recovery to boost demand for insurance coverage

THE importance of protecting one’s health and having health insurance coverage got a big boost during the pandemic, hence, the outlook for the continued robust growth of the bancassurance business of a local firm.

Citing results of surveys conducted by the company and its partners, Sunlife Philippines and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. president Richard S. Lim, said Friday the need for health protection has significantly increased in recent years.

“And because of that, we are also seeing that our health and insurance coverage has grown. In fact, even in the last two years, we’re growing our new policies by about 20-30 percent,” Lim said during the commemorative signing event for the extension of the bancassurance tie-up between Sun Life Grepa and RCBC, which began in 2011.

He said people have greatly realized the importance of having

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HEALTH PROTECTION. The need for health protection increased during the pandemic. Officials of a bancassurance tie-up continue to see robust growth for insurance coverage as the economy recovers.

insurance coverage, thus, the 100 percent expansion of their group business to date, with the help of new products catering to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

These products, Lim added, allow MSME owners to provide appropriate coverage for their employees.

He said having insurance coverage is an important factor in having contingencies during emergencies.

During the same event, RCBC president and chief executive officer Eugene Acevedo said the continued recovery of the economy is expected to boost demand for insurance products.

“We think we continue to see a double-digit growth in insurance and investment demand in this country as the economy grows at 6-7 percent,” Acevedo said.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno

the pains brought by ongoing shocks will be short and our recovery will remain robust,” Diokno said.

The government’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework (MTFF) is aimed at reducing the deficit, promoting fiscal sustainability, and enabling robust economic growth.

It contains near-term and medium-term strategic plans for socioeconomic development, which will be presented in detail to the public

by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA).

To demonstrate the country’s bright economic prospects, Diokno said during the meeting that the Philippines is projected to post the

highest growth rate in the Asean+3 region this year and in 2023.

The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) revised upwards its 2022 economic growth projection for the Philippines from 6.5 percent to 6.9 percent of its GDP, based on the July quarterly update of the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook (AREO) Report.

For 2023, the AMRO kept its growth forecast for the Philippines at 6.5 percent.

“Rest assured, the Philippines will contribute all it can to support the ongoing efforts of the G20 countries in implementing exit strategies and appropriate fiscal and monetary tools to secure a sustainable global economic recovery,” Diokno said.

BSP 28-day bills’ rate rises after BSP rate hike THE rate of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) 28-day bills rose on Monday but the central bank said demand for the paper remained strong.

The average rate of the debt paper, which is among the BSP’s tools to mop up excess liquidity from the financial system, inched up to 3.3958 percent from 2.8635 percent during the auction last July 8.

The BSP kept the offer volume at PHP150 billion and bids reached PHP236.25 billion. The auction committee made a full award.

In a statement, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said yields accepted during the securities auction this week also “shifted higher and widened to a range of 2.8530-3.4900 percent.”

“The results of the auction reflect that BSP bill rates rose in response to the 75-bp rate hike yesterday,” he said.

On Thursday, the central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) decided an off-cycle rate hike on the BSP’s key rates in a bid to help address risks to inflation and buoy the inflation outlook as price pressures mount given the ongo-

BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr.

ing monetary policy normalization around the world.

The rate increase, the biggest one-time adjustment to date, brought the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) rate to 3.25 percent, the overnight deposit rate to 2.75 percent, and the overnight repurchase rate to 3.75 percent.

Amidst the rate uptick, Dakila said “liquidity in the financial system remains ample and continues to support normal market conditions.”

“Looking ahead, the BSP’s monetary operations will continue to be guided by its assessment of the latest liquidity conditions and market developments,” he added.

(PNA)

FEATURES

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VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

7

‘F2C2 to foster food sufficiency’ -- Siquijor agri officers

By Mary Jane Banglos

TO establish the Farm and Fisheries Clustering and Consolidation program (F2C2) in the Province of Siquijor, the Department of Agriculture 7, through Dr. Gerry Avila, chief of Field Operations Division, held an orientation on the salient features of the program recently at Dongsan, Pulangyuta, Siquijor.

OIC-Agricultural Program Coordinating Officer, Dr. Julius Galvan.

Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coritico.

The activity was attended by the agri-extension workers from the provincial and municipal offices with 36 farmer associations and cooperatives.

According to Avila, the F2C2 program aims to modify the value chain, enable consolidated farms to benefit from economies of scale, ensure better access to markets, financing, and investments for crops, livestock, and fisheries ventures and development, and accelerate the over-all growth and development of the agri-sector.

Big Brother-Small Brother active partnerships and joint ventures will be established, with Big Brother as the major provider of support and expertise in production, processing, and storage technologies and equipment, transport and logistics, and access to finance and marketing networks to small brother associations.

Under F2C2, Avila stressed the importance of adoption of modern agricultural practices and industrialization to establish empowered and competitive farm and fishing communities.

“As I have observed, Siquijor’s agri sector is very promising, one of the best in Central Visayas,” said Avila.

“As compared to other provinces, yield in palay and cassava alone is very high. Palay at 4-5 mt/ ha and cassava at 60-70 mt/ha pero ubos ug (low) volume because of your area,” added Avila.

However, Avila said, with the establishment of F2C2, production volume is expected to increase.

“Our end goal is food security, increase income and productivity, and we can only do that if we work as a group,” he added.

Provincial Agriculturist Emigdio Coritico echoed Avila, saying

that the clustering program will ensure food sufficiency in the province and pave the way for the establishment of community business enterprise.

Newly-elected and incumbent Gov. Jake Vincent Villa, in his message, said he has high hopes that F2C2 will bring equal access to assets, resources, and services.

“I believe in the potential of our farmers, and hopefully with this program, we can also inspire new generation of farmer entrepreneurs,” he said.

With F2C2, crops and plantbased products shall conform to combined land resources and minimum product arrangements.

For rice, fruit trees and perennials, and fiber crops, the minimum requirement is 100 hectares, 75 hectares for corn and other grain crops, and 50 hectares for high value vegetable crops.

For rice commodity, Licoan Siquijor Farmer irrigators Association in Maria, Siquijor have been identified as the big brother association.

In the case of livestock production, the F2C2 program shall adopt the farm systems approach through feedmill-centered-livestock production ecosystem, agro-pasture approach, and well-delineated community growing territories or farm

areas.

In the case of fisheries and aquaculture, producer communities may adopt community marine and fishery production zones or area-based production enterprises within municipal waters, community fishery fleet, and community fishpond leases.

The program shall encourage and assist the cluster’s agriculture production, processing, storage, marketing and other relevant community-based producer groups, provided that 75% of the cluster members are registered in the Registry System for Basic Sector in Agriculture.

To kickstart the F2C2 implementation in Siquijor, various trainings on financial literacy, organizational management, marketing, value orientation, and social preparation will be conducted to better prepare big brother and small brother associations for the transformation in the agri-sector.

Avila encouraged the farmer associations to avail of loan programs of the Department of Agriculture to finance mechanization and industrialization.

Moreover, he said with the high prices of fertilizers in the market, farmers should adopt balanced fertilization and Bio-N to lessen production cost. (PR)

Grace under pressure

ILIGAN CITY (PIA)--Grace Anobling worked in a local photo studio here for 10 years.

While still employed, she started a personal micro-lending business as her second job.

“Kay g sweldo lang ang saligan dili mapasaigo jud (If I only relied on my salary, it will not be enough),” she said.

But because of health issues, she stopped working in the photo studio and chose instead to continue her business and expand it to include selling cosmetic products and processed food products like longganisa.

Grace had to strive twice as hard because she was the breadwinner of the family. She made sure to provide for the needs of her siblings whenever they asked for help.

She started her own sari-sari store two years after quitting her job at the local photo studio. But as she was moving toward suc-

cess with the growing business, a fire hit her store. Nobody offered to help her get back on her feet. She was left with nothing and with no one.

Grace felt lost for a while. Fortunately, a friend offered to lend her money to restart her business. She used it to reengage in microlending and even improved and expanded her sari-sari store until it eventually became a go-to store in the neighborhood in Purok 6 Canaway, Iligan City.

In her years of hard work, Grace learned the importance of calculating risk at every opportunity. So when the pandemic started, she took it as an opportunity instead of a threat.

“Mas ni kusog pa hinoon ang akong sari-sari kay ang mga silingan diri naman mamalit. Labi na nga namaligya mi ug hypo, kusog kaayo to (Business became stronger because my neighbors would buy from the store. Especially when we

sold hypo; it was selling like hotcakes),” she shared.

Her captured market gave her an idea to expand her store to offer a wider variety of consumer goods when she received assistance from her barangay through cash and grocery donations.

In addition, Grace also became a beneficiary of the Livelihood Seeding Program-Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay (LSP-NSB) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

LSP-NSB is a livelihood program by DTI that provides business development assistance to MSMEs affected by natural and human-induced calamities including health disasters arising from epidemics and pandemics.

Under the program, Grace underwent an entrepreneurial seminar and received a livelihood starter kit of grocery items.

“Nakatabang jud kaayo ug dako ang akong mga nadawat sa

Grace Anobling

DTI. Ako dayon tong gi-display diri sa akong tindahan (The livelihood kit from DTI helped me a lot.

I immediately displayed the grocery items).” she said.

As she continues to build a successful path for her business, Grace hopes that more deserving business owners like her would receive assistance from DTI. Not only that, she also added

that entrepreneurs should continue to work hard and be wise when saving for the future.

“Mag-kugi lang jud og kung mag-negosyo ug dapat kana jud linya nimo para mas ma ganahan ka (Have perseverance in your business and choose something that is in line with your skill set so that you will always be motivated).” (DTI-10/PIA-10)

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VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

DPWH completes La Union P66-M flood mitigation MANILA – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported on Saturday the completion of two flood mitigating structures worth over PHP66 million in La Union.

DPWH Region 1 Director Ronnel Tan said in a statement that the twin projects will help reduce flooding and protect lives and properties in three villages in the municipalities of Sudipen and Agoo.

An eight-meter high revetment wall was constructed along the riverbanks of Amburayan River in Sudipen, spanning 260 meters in Barangay Porporiket.

A total of PHP27.99 million was allocated under the 2022 General Appropriations Act (GAA) for the project implemented by La Union First District Engineering Office from February to April.

The La Union Second District Engineering Office, meanwhile, completed 14 flood control structures in Agoo to benefit residents of the villages of San Julian Norte and San Julian West.

The reconstruction of the 653-meter damaged shore protection wall was worth PHP38.3 million. (PNA)

NEWS

Filipino resistance, sacrifices remembered in WWII exhibit

Original copy of the surrender document signed

by General Tomoyuki Yamashita at Camp John Hay in Baguio City on Sept. 3, 1945 (PNA photo)

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

MANILA – An exhibit retelling the resistance and sacrifices made by Filipinos that led to the country’s liberation from its oppressors during World War II opened to the public at Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila.

“Remembering World War II”, a narrative and pictorial exhibit led by the Philippine World War II Memorial Foundation (Philwar) and curated by its vice president for research, Desiree Ann Benipayo, will be on display until December 31.

It features five sections and easy-to-digest texts that cover the pre-war years, Japanese invasion and occupation, rise of various resistance groups, and finally, the country’s liberation.

“Often called the war that

1.2M new registrants in 10 days for barangay, SK polls

MANILA – More than a week after the resumption of voter’s registration nationwide, the number of new regular and youth voters has reached 1.2 million.

John Rex Laudiangco, acting spokesperson of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), reported over the weekend that as of July 14 or 10 days since registration resumed, there have been 1,209,888 applications for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) slated December 5.

Majority of the registrants or 761,684 are aged 15-17; followed by the 18-30 bracket at 383,836; and those aged 31 and above at 64,368 Based on the nationwide consolidated daily report, the applications for transfer from other cities/municipalities are 202,707 for the barangay polls and 2,001 for SK.

China-PH cooperation on infra, agri, energy to continue THE cooperation between China and the Philippines under the Marcos administration will center on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and cultural exchanges, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin, in an statement, said the two nations made the commitment during the official visit of Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Manila.

“The two sides agreed to conduct cooperation in the four key areas of large-scale agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges to enhance friendship and cooperation,” Wang said. “The Chinese side will support the Philippines in its efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency and agricultural modernization, strengthen conventional and hi-tech infrastructure, and improve its energy structure, so as to generate more tangible benefits to the Philippine people and also the Chinese people.”

He said China stresses the

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“importance to view things from a strategic and overall perspective, set aside disputes, and use political wisdom to advance joint development and make the pie of cooperation bigger.”

“Both sides stressed that the South China Sea issue is not the sum total of bilateral relations. We cannot afford to allow specific differences to define our relationship or allow individual disputes to interfere with overall cooperation,” Wang said.

The diplomat said the Philippine side “responded positively and expressed readiness to carry out candid exchanges” with the Chinese side to find a “friendly” solution to the issue and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea. During his July 5-6 trip to the Philippines, Wang paid courtesy calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Vice President Sara Duterte, Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos, and other ranking government officials. (PNA)

changed the world, World War II was one of the most pivotal periods in our nation’s history. It was a war that tested our mettle, our national values, and our endurance and resilience,” Benipayo said in her speech.

“For three and a half years during the war, the Filipino people lived in darkness and uncertainty. The death toll was staggering -- 1.12 million died out of the 17 million population, meaning one in every 17 Filipinos died during the war,” she added.

Benipayo stressed that not one family was spared the death of a loved one or some form of hardship during that dark period of tragedy and fear, but she said, “it was also a period of triumph and glory, as numerous Filipinos fought to resist the enemy.”

Amid the “fading” collective war memory of the nation, the curator hoped this project would help inspire future generations to continue remembering and honoring the fallen.

WAR EXHIBIT. Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson and Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Arredondo (2nd and 3rd from left) and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna (viewing the photos) grace the launch of the “Remembering World War II” exhibit at Fort Santiago in Intramuros. (PNA photo by Robert Alfiler)

More importantly, she hopes the exhibit would impart “that there are no real victors in war and everyone must continually aspire peace across the globe.”

The launch was graced by Intramuros Administration chief Edgardo Baysic, John Groch of the United States Embassy in Manila, Mexican Ambassador Gerardo Arredondo, Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson, Memorare Manila 1945 Foundation president Jose Cabarrus and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna.

Lacuna thanked Philwar for providing the current generation with a reminder of what happened during the tragic events.

“This narrative and pictorial exhibit of the second world war in

our country is a manifestation of our commitment to be partners in initiating, developing, and carrying-out projects and activities that will educate and enlighten the Filipino people, especially the youth by immortalizing significant events of our past,” she said in her speech.

“The events of the past [Battle of Manila] may be a bitter pill for us to swallow, but the lessons it brought to us made us better citizens of today.”

Arredondo acknowledged the importance of the exhibit in preserving the memories of the Philippine resistance while Robinson reminded the public to remember the courage and sacrifices of Filipinos, Australians, and other allied partners during the war. (PNA)

ings, it was determined that water, electricity, and telecommunications are critical lifelines and utility companies were assumed to secure the delivery of these services during a disruption.

PDRF president Butch Meily emphasized that water is an essential commodity.

“It is critical to ensure its continued delivery during any type of disaster. We hope the session will make for a stronger partnership between the public and private sector that can be replicated with the other lifeline service providers such as power and telecommunications,” Meily said during the meeting.

The vulnerability assessment identified the heavy dependency of LGUs on water concessionaires to

ensure supplies during a worst-case scenario; inadequacy of current alternative water sources such as water tanks, cisterns, and trucks; and severe impact of water interruption in hospitals, health centers, markets, evacuation centers, clinics, and other entities providing protective services.

Among the solutions discussed were stronger collaboration between LGUs and the water concessionaires and determining policy recommendations to improve the continuity of supply.

Manila Water, Maynilad, and MWSS recognized the importance of interconnectivity and partnership with government counterparts as well as the need to build a culture of preparedness in any disaster. (PNA)

Public-private partnership crucial to disaster resilience

MANILA – The Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) conducted a Public Service Continuity Planning (PSCP) for national government and local government units to amplify the importance of public and private sector partnership when dealing with disasters and other crises.

Representatives of the Makati and Quezon City governments participated in the roundtable discussion, held in partnership with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

It was part of PDRF’s “Project KoNeK” (Komunidad at Negosyo tungo sa Katatagan or Communities and Businesses toward Resiliency), which aims to capacitate local communities with disaster risk reduction and management capabilities.

Veronica Gabaldon, PDRF executive director, said in a statement over the weekend that Project KoNeK arms LGUs and national line agencies with crisis preparations.

Officials of Manila Water and Maynilad, Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS), and OCD-National Capital Region also ensured that there will be no water supply interruption during a disaster.

As in previous PSCP meet-

HEALTH

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Dengue cases up by 83% from Jan. 1 to July 2 MANILA – The country has logged 65,190 dengue cases from January 1 to July 2 this year, 83 percent higher than the figures in the same period in 2021, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

In a Viber message to reporters, the DOH noted that cases for the same period last year totaled 35,715.

A total of 274 deaths due to dengue were reported nationwide -36 in January; 32 in February; 39 in March; 46 in April; 63 in May; and 58 in June.

Most of the dengue cases were reported in Central Luzon with 9,448 or 14 percent; Central Visayas, 7,771 or 12 percent; and Zamboanga Peninsula, 5,708 or 9 percent.

For the period of June 5 to July 2, about 16,324 cases were recorded. Of the tally, 3,196 or 20 percent were from Central Luzon; 1,703 or 10 percent from Central Visayas; and 1,729 or 11 percent from the National Capital Region (NCR).

About 13 out of 17 regions have exceeded the epidemic threshold in the past four weeks.

Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao Region, SOCCSKSARGEN, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Cordillera Administrative Region showed a sustained increasing trend in cases from June 5 to July 2, 2022.

NegOr logs 5th dengue death; rise in cases now ‘alarming’ The province of Negros Oriental logged one new death due to dengue as cases continue to soar with the trend now being seen as “alarming”, a key official of the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said.

Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion told the Philippine News Agency the latest death due to dengue is a 16-year-old male from Barangay Maninihon, Bayawan City.

He expired at a private hospital in this capital last July 14, which brought to five the number of dengue deaths in Negros Oriental this year.

Records at the PHO showed that from January 1 to July 16, the province tallied 910 dengue cases, which is 144 percent higher compared to the 373 infections with zero deaths during the same period last year, she added.

“If this trend will continue, we will be seeing a potential outbreak and right now, this is already alarming,” Estacion said.

Health authorities here say 2022 is what they call an “epidemic year” given the three-year cycle in which dengue cases in the province spike based on previous trends and with the anopheles mosquito, the dengue virus carrier, being endemic to Negros Oriental.

Estacion called on the local government units (LGUs) to strengthen their measures against dengue to prevent an outbreak.

DOH fully supports F2F classes in November

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

9

By Ma. Teresa Montemayor

MANILA – The Department of Health (DOH) said it “fully supports” the resumption of face-toface (F2F) classes in November.

As of mid-June, about 38,000 schools nationwide have been nominated to conduct in-person classes.

“We fully support that and even our experts have given their recommendations na kailangan na po talagang buksan ang ating mga edukasyon para sa mga kabataan (that we really need to open education for our children),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a televised public briefing.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte plans to start the phased implementation of in-person classes by September.

However, the DOH emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe learning environment for the children.

Vergeire noted that the DOH does not mandate that children must be vaccinated against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) “but it strongly encourages” parents to consider inoculation to provide bet-

Infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvaña

Covid close to endemic phase; declaration ‘just a matter of time’ ter protection for them when in-person classes start.

“Maglalagay po tayo ng bakunahan sa mga eskwelahan para mas ma-encourage ang ating mga magulang para pabakunahan ang kanilang mga anak (We will set up vaccination sites in schools to encourage more parents to have their children inoculated),” she said.

On the other hand, schools must ensure that teachers and non-teaching personnel who will interact with the children should be vaccinated.

“I think, marami po sa ating mga eskwelahan hindi po talaga

kaya ang physical distancing, so, the most po na ating ire-require would really be that children will wear a mask, especially during those times na magkakasama sa classroom (many among our schools are unable to implement physical distancing, so, the most that we will require would be that children wear a mask, especially during those times when they’re together in the classroom),” Vergeire said.

Learners would be exempted from wearing face masks when engaging in high-impact or strenuous activities, she added.

as of June 25, the DOH noted that majority, 119 cases or 76 percent of the cases, were not vaccinated with rabies immunoglobulin or rabies vaccine.

Category 3 is the highest exposure history among reported rabies cases comprising 112 or 71 percent of the tally.

Category 3 is defined as single or multiple transdermal bites or scratches, licks on broken skin,

contamination of mucous membrane with saliva, and suspect contacts with bats.

About 131 or 83 percent of the biting animals among rabies cases were dogs.

Seventy-seven or 49 percent out of 157 biting animals of the reported cases were domesticated.

Of the domesticated biting animals, about 53 or 69 percent were unvaccinated for rabies.

Rabies cases down 5% from Jan 1-June 25 MANILA – The country has recorded 157 rabies cases for the first six months of the year, with Central Luzon logging the most number of infections, the Department of Health said Wednesday.

In a Viber message to reporters, the DOH noted that the number, recorded from January 1 to June 25, 2022, is five percent lower compared to the 167 cases during the same period last year.

Most of the rabies cases were reported from Central Luzon with 25 or 16 percent; Calabarzon, 21 or 13 percent; Western Visayas, 17 or 11 percent; and Davao Region, 16 or 10 percent.

Citing National Rabies Data

DOH open to reviewing Dengvaxia data, benefits: exec

THE Department of Health (DOH) is open to reviewing the data and benefits of the Dengvaxia vaccine as dengue cases continue to rise in the country, an official said.

This, after infectious disease expert Dr. Rontgene Solante said it is high time for the government to review the benefits of the vaccine which is the prevention of hospitalization and prevention of severe dengue.

“Ang ating gobyerno po kasama ang Kagawaran ng Kalusugan, always open naman tayo sa bagong teknolohiya, lalong lalo na kung

maipapakita ng ebidensiya na (The government together with the Department of Health is always open to new technology especially if evidence can show that) it can really protect our population,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online media forum.

The certificate of product registration of Dengvaxia was revoked in 2018 following the announcement of its manufacturer, Sanofi Pasteur, that its administration “may lead to more severe symptoms among those who have never been infected by the dengue virus prior to vaccination”.

“For us to be able to bring

back this kind of vaccine, kailangan completed na po ang evidence natin, marami po tayong proseso at pag-aaral na kailangan isagawa para magawa po natin lahat ito (the evidence must already be complete, there are processes and studies which must be done to do all these),” Vergeire said.

She added the manufacturer must be compliant with the country’s regulations apart from careful study and input from health experts.

Fifteen out of the country’s 17 regions have exceeded the alert or epidemic threshold from May 29 to June 25, 2022.

MANILA – The Covid-19 situation is moving toward the endemic phase considering the Covid-19 metrics, an infectious disease expert said.

In a televised public briefing, Dr. Edsel Salvaña said in an endemic phase, the damage brought about by a certain disease is predictable.

“Ang endemic naman hindi ibig sabihin ay wala nang pinsala ang isang bagay (Endemic [phase] does not mean something can no longer cause damage),” he said.

“Ang ibig sabihin lang ng endemic is predictable na ‘yung pinsala ng isang disease na meron na tayong gamot, meron na tayong bakuna, at kaya na ng ating healthcare systems (Endemic means the damage caused by the disease is predictable and we already have treatment, medicine and our healthcare system can address it),” he added.

Health experts say there are endemic diseases like dengue and tuberculosis which still circulate and claim lives worldwide.

However, the main problem with Covid-19 is mutation and the risk of having a new variant that is more difficult to deal with.

“But, overall the vaccines are keeping the number of severe cases low, so, papunta na ‘yan sa endemicity, it is just a matter of time kung kailan ‘yan ide-declare ng (it’s moving to endemicity, it’s just a matter of time when it will be declared by the) WHO [World Health Organization],” Salvaña said.

NCR Covid-19 cases remain on an uptrend; positivity rate at 13% The number of coronavirus cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) remains on an uptrend, showing a steep increase in recent weeks.

The Department of Health said the NCR’s weekly positivity rate or the percentage of those people tested who are actually infected with the virus, is 13 percent as of July 14.

The region’s seven-day moving average in the current week (July 8 to 14) is 748 cases – higher by 29 percent from the previous week’s (July 1 to 7) 582.

For the entire country, the weekly positivity rate is 10.6 percent.

About 12,254 new cases were logged, bringing the overall tally to 3,725,382 as of July 14.

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VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

Where to Stay, Drink & Dine...

H O T E L S A N D R E S TA U R A N T D I R E C T O R Y

QUEZON CITY

Imperial Palace Suites ***

Timog Avenue corner Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City.

Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Quezon City, known for its open spaces, lush gardens and laid-back attitude. A growing city for business and leisure. The Imperial Palace sites combines the fine service of a hotel with the convenience of a condominium, offering exceptional value to travellers.

B O R A C AY

Eastwood Richmonde Hotel ****

17 Orchard Road, Eastwood, Q.C. Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 With over 130 stylishly furnished guestrooms; a spacious fitness center with rooftop swimming pool; a stately ballroom; a rejuvenating spa and chic salon; plus a myriad of dining options, EASTWOOD RICHMONDE HOTEL invites you to experience convenience and luxury all under one roof. Reacquaint yourself with world-class service that is undeniably warm and gracious.

Marco Polo Plaza Cebu *****

Cebu Veterans Drive, Nivel Hills, Lahug Cebu City 6000, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu is located in the prestigious Nivel Hills district where it dominates the Cebu City skyline. The hotel is surrounded by 7.5 hectares of lush greenery, and is 25 minutes from Mactan International Airport and only 10 minutes from the business and commercial centers of Cebu City. The 329 well-appointed guest rooms and suites are equipped with wireless broadband Internet.

CEBU

Crown Regency Boracay -

Boat Station 3, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Located at the Boat Station 3 white beachfront, the 40-unit resort owes its design inspired by a sun-drenched island. A beautiful view of the sunset, creating an amazing display of amber hues exemplifying the passion of fire. Essences of the Fire element are shown in patterns of sunshine as streaks of sunlight penetrate the warm and vibrant interiors of the resort.

Marriott Hotel Cebu *****

Torre Venezia ***

#62 Timog Ave., cor. Scout Santiago St., QC, 1103, MM, Phils.

Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Towering along Timog Avenue, Quezon City, Torre Venezia offers contemporary accommodation for guests traveling for both business and leisure. It is conveniently located within the country’s media center, wellness hub, and developing business and commercial districts. Its proximity to mass transit systems, highways, and major thoroughfares, makes it a very accessible destination.

Balabag, Boracay, Malay, Aklan, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Experience the crystal clear waters and powder-white sand of the island like never before with Boracay Regency. With its striking Mediterranean-inspired architecture, landscaped gardens and expansive beach front, this is a resort that stands unparalleled in beauty and service in the entire island. Boracay Regency allows you to relax and luxuriate within its 285 world-class rooms.

Cardinal Rosales Avenue Cebu City, 6000 Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Located in an upscale financial district with shopping, recreation and leisure activities at our doorstep, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel offers an incredible location for business or leisure travel. We’re adjacent to the Ayala Center, a sprawling shopping and commercial complex, and just 10 minutes from downtown and the Cebu International Convention Center.

Crown Regency Hotel Fuente ****

Osmena Blvd. Cebu City 6000, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 At the Center of Cebu City, Philippines rises the Fuente Towers, hosting the prestigious Crown Regency Hotel & Towers.

The tallest structure outside Metro Manila, the 23-storey, 22,000-square meter Fuente 1 and its equally arresting twin the 38storey, 36,000- square meter Fuente Tower 2 majestically tower over the Queen City of the South.

Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel ***

# 222 P. Tuazon Blvd., Cubao, Q.C. Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Discover the pleasure of Luxury Living at suprisingly affordable room rates at Fernandina 88 Suites Hotel located at the heart of Araneta Shopping Center, Cubao, Quezon City. This twelve storey hotel has amenities that perfectly suit the needs of Tourists, Businessmen and Families while staying in a strategic location where first class malls and restaurants are all a few steps away.

Boracay Regency Beach Resort *****

SUBIC

Regalia Tower Suites ***

15/F Tower B, P. Tuazon Ave., Cubao, Quezon City 1109 Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 The Regalia Tower Suites - the condotel component of the Regalia Park Towers in the Araneta Center provides de luxe hotel accommodation and services in the heart of this dynamic business center. It is just a stone’s throw-away to what the Araneta Business and Shopping Center has to offer.

The Observer.

Observer.com

Cebu Parklane International Hotel ****

Corner Arch. Reyes Ave. and Escario St. Cebu City, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 It must be The Parklane! A hip new hotel with a cool, stylish point of view. Its art deco design blends beautifully with its state-of-the-art facilities and the city’s blue skyline and surrounding hills. The Parklane’s signature of excellence is defined by its perfect location, fine amenities and personalized service. Or right inside its doors!

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort ****

Buyong, Maribago, Mactan Cebu, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699

Island,

Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort is a AAA 5 hectare resort that sits on prime white beach sand in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines. Maribago Bluewater has 2 lagoon-shaped swimming pools, 102 luxuriously furnished cottages with hot & cold running water, mini bar, refrigerator, individual airconditioning and individual private verandas.

Fridays Boracay *****

Boracay Island Malay 5608, Aklan Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 A resort that truly spells out an enjoyable and memorable stay in Boracay. That would be Friday’s! We are a Department of Tourism “AAA” accredited self-contained 34-room resort taking pride with our astounding amenities: freshwater swimming pool, beachfront bar, and 120-seat capacity restaurant considered by many to be the finest in the island.

La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel ***

Near Boat Station 2, Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan Province, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699 Enjoy your dream in one of the world’s finest beaches in the Heart of Boracay. La Carmela de Boracay, one of the newest resort hotels in the island, offers you all these at affordable rates. Note: There will be a seventy five pesos (Php75) per person Environmental Fee and fifty pesos (Php50) per person Terminal Fee to be paid at the Caticlan Jetty Port

Fairways and Bluewater Resort and Country Club ***** Newcoast, Boracay Island, Malay, Aklan, Philippines Tel: +63 (2) 6355099 Fax: +63 (2) 6356699

Imagine the mesmerizing detail of a tropical retreat: shimmering white sand, sensuous sun and a somnolent sea. A tropical sea. A tropical toast. A dive into adventure. And yield - to the wild sensation of sun, sand, and sea. A breathless apparition, Fairways & Bluewater, Newcoast, Boracay reinvents an island adventure the way it’s meant to be.

ADVERTISING: 0927-862-3600

Court Meridian Hotel & Suites

Lot B, Waterfront Road corner Rojas St. Central Business District, Subic Bay Freefort Zone Court Meridian Hotel & Suites Located right at the center of Subic Freeport, along waterfront, the hotel takes pride in its 67 spacious and fully furnished luxury guestrooms, equipped with superior amenities. Their facilities and services are designed to give the guests maximum comfort and convenience. Housed in a very quiet environment, close to the seas and nature, Court Meridian Hotel has become an ideal place for tourist, nature lovers and people wanting to unwind from the daily pressures of work. Away from the hassles of noise and distractions, Court meridian Hotel makes a perfect choice from team building sessions, strategic planning, seminars and social events.

The 67 rooms of Court Meridian Hotel enjoy views of Subic and the working street or the vibrant Waterfront Road. Each has a separate shower, fully stocked mini bar, king size bed and innovative luxury modern appointments, ensuring a comfortable stay. Rooms are categorized into Deluxe, Executive Suite, Superior, Superior deluxe with veranda and Superior deluxe without veranda.

Truly, Courtyard Inn is unrivaled when it comes to having a Subic hotel that offers everything you need and then some. It features modern amenities, contemporary style, and a relaxed atmosphere in all its guest rooms that is perfect for any type of visitor. Restaurants, parks, churches, bay walks, water sports rentals, karaoke bars, billiard halls, and coffee shops at the Freeport can’t be nearer when staying at Courtyard Inn Subic.

Courtyard Inn is your gateway to fun in the freeport. The hotel’s prime location places it in the heart of a leisure hub.

Enjoy jet skiing and other aquasports, nature treks and motorbiking in any of the nearby sports outlets. Courtyard Inn’s younger guests can enjoy the children’s playground.

The Observer.

Observer.com

ARTS&TRAVEL

Stargaze, see fireflies glow in Puerto Princesa

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

11

By Joyce Ann L. Rocamora

Kitu-Kito’s floating restaurant

MANILA – Palawan’s heavily forested setting has blessed Puerto Princesa, an attraction you can also find in most pristine places in the Philippines, an unmatched view of constellations in the sky and a night with fireflies enchantingly fluttering in the trees.

Cowrie Island

The unique experience is offered at Kitu-Kito D’Makarios, a firefly-watching place in Sitio Tag-bato, about an hour away from the city proper.

Upon arriving, you’ll be welcomed by a floating restaurant that serves buffet-style dinner before you ride an outrigger boat that will take you inside the Honda Bay-connected mangrove forest.

For first-timers, the ride could be scary at the start because the boat will steer you into a completely dark river.

Flashlights won’t be lit since

AirAsia PH to resume Bali, Bangkok flights MANILA -- Low-cost carrier AirAsia Philippines on Friday announced the resumption of its services between Manila and Bali, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand.

The carrier had planned to relaunch these routes last April.

The resumption, however, got delayed as it depended on the easing of travel protocols, according to spokesperson Steve Dailisan.

Twice weekly flights (Wednesday, Sunday) between the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) will be offered. AirAsia PH only flies via DMK in Bangkok.

The flight from NAIA to DMK is scheduled at 5:35 p.m., while the return flight at 8:35 p.m.

Flights to the Denpasar International Airport in Bali are also twice weekly every Friday and Sunday. Flight Z2 231 to Bali is scheduled at 9:15 p.m., while the return flight is at 11:40 p.m.

Pre-pandemic, the airline flew 139,296 people to Bangkok, with a 92-percent load factor. In 2019, the carrier had a 90-percent load factor or 110,694 passengers to Bali.

“Reopening our Bangkok and Bali routes is part of our aggressive route expansion strategy as we sustain the momentum to recovery,” said AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Ricky Isla in a statement.

you’re trying to spot the light-emitting insects. But when you do, you’ll be spellbound.

The fireflies only flock to certain mangroves that look like Christmas lights decking a seasoaked tree when you see them. If you get lucky they’ll even flutter above your head as they fly from one tree to another.

The tour takes about 45 minutes.

Overall, from the steady sound of the boat’s paddle to the clearest view of the sky and stars as a bonus backdrop, the calming experience the tour offers is in itself worthy of a repeat should you visit Puerto Princesa again.

Beach-hopping, caving A Puerto Princesa trip, of course, won’t be complete without a visit to its subterranean river and white sand beaches.

Tourists can now travel to Honda Bay, which is home to a number of beaches, including the Cowrie, Starfish, and Luli Islands.

At Cowrie, there are cabanas that serve as a spa area for tourists who want to get a massage by the beach. The island is also large enough to accommodate big groups and team-building activities.

Also not to be missed is the “paluto” on Starfish Island.

Locals who reside there would serve you some of the most refreshing seafood dishes even if cooked in the simplest way -- there’s the buttered shellfish, spicy abalone in vinegar, and if they catch one, the spotted reef crab, which is way sweeter than the ones you buy from the market.

Luli, on the other hand, is the perfect spot to cap your Honda Bay day trip.

Aptly named from the combination of Filipino words lulubog (to sink) and lilitaw (to resurface), the island submerges during high tide

Starfish Island and the seven-eleven crab.

The underground river, located underneath the Saint Paul Mountain Range, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. From Sabang Wharf, you’ll have to board a boat to get to Sabang Beach and walk a bit more to get to the cave’s entrance.

and reappears when low tide.

There’s a platform that you can use to dive into its clear water and rattan hammocks lined by the beach if you just want to laze around while waiting for the sunset.

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park tour, meanwhile, is often taken on the first day upon arrival at the airport because travel to Sabang from the city proper can be quite long.

‘Food to visit’ Food spots in Puerto Princesa, like the many natural wonders it hosts, are in itself attractions that should be included in your itinerary.

If you’re craving grilled chicken, Yamang Bukid Farm is the place to go. Bikers from other towns, according to the staff, are among their frequent visitors.

The farm is popular for its eponymous line of teas sold in several supermarkets across the country, particularly their turmeric and insulin teas. After a sumptuous

Inihaw na manok at Yamang Bukid Farm (Photo by Joyce Ann L. Rocamora)

lunch here, guests can have a relaxing break at their rest area.

Cacaoyan, another charming dining spot in the city, will let you

reconnect with nature while serving you fresh seafood and the exotic shell-less clams from dead mangroves called “tamilok”.

This Bali-inspired park, found in Sitio Sabang like the Puerto Princesa Underground River, also features bamboo-made structures spread behind their dining area, making it a great spot to take Instagram-worthy photos.

Apart from Cacaoyan, the city is an emerging hub for rustic Filipino restaurants, such as the Ka Joel’s, Lawiswis, Kinabuch’s, to name a few. (PNA)

Boracay, Palawan and Cebu...

From Page 12

“The Philippines is truly blessed with the unrivaled beauty of our natural resources coupled by the warmth and endless talent of the Filipinos manifested in this citation of Travel + Leisure that included our Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay in their prestigious list,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

Boracay and Palawan also topped T+L’s 5 Best Islands in Asia alongside Phuket, Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, and The Maldives.

“Travel + Leisure readers fondly recalled pre-COVID-era visits to the best islands in Asia. Now that the region is reopening, they’re surely eager to return to these five ports of call, including the islands of the Maldives, as well as those found in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines,” stated T+L. “We express our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to all tourism stakeholders from the public and private sector, the national and local government units, the efforts of the previous administration included, and all the hardworking employees and officials of the Department across the country for forging forward amidst the challenges of the pandemic and contributing in their own ways so our country may earn the title as one of the most beautiful in the world. The natural beauty of a country can truly shine through

when we are united in heralding our best qualities,” Frasco added.

The Philippines concurrently was named among “The 40 Most Beautiful Countries in the World” by lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNT).

The country is accompanied in the list by other countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States of America, among others.

Meanwhile, TimeOut.com also ranked Manila among the top cities in the world.

The ranking comes as a result of a survey among city-dwellers worldwide.

The choice is a result of several criteria that include aspects like walkability, good public transport, safety, and sustainability other than a thriving nightlife, amazing food and drink, and art and culture.

It should be noted, nonetheless, that Manila is usually in reference to Metro Manila or the Philippines’ National Capital Region.

“May this global recognition of the beauty of our natural resources inspire our efforts to raise the Philippines’ standing in the tourism industry by introducing tourism infrastructure development and improvements that would enhance connectivity and convenience in reaching our destinations,” enthused Secretary Frasco.

The Observer

ARTS&TRAVEL .com

12

VOLUME 1, NO. 20 WEDNESDAY JULY 20, 2022

Boracay, Palawan and Cebu hailed World’s Best Islands MANILA – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has lauded the naming of the country’s three island destinations among “The 25 Best Islands in the World” by the New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure (T+L).

INSIDE

Boracay Island featuring its postcard-perfect sunset ranked 9th in the T+L World’s Best Island list, followed by Palawan at 11th with a photo of an idyllic lagoon in El Nido, and Cebu at 16th with Taoist Temple, in Cebu City.

According to T+L, readers were asked to “weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.” Turn to Page 11

AirAsia PH to resume Bali, Bangkok flights

Stargaze, see fireflies glow in Puerto Princesa

W here to Stay, Drink & Dine...

H O T E L S A N D R E S TA U R A N T D I R E C T O R Y

- Page 10