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Pascual presents DTI’s strategic actions to strengthen Philippine business

San Sebastian upsets JRU in NCAA men’s basketball

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OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

VOL. II, NO. 12

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THE PHILIPPINES

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‘Be vigilant vs. vog recurrence’

MANILA – Taal Volcano is clear from volcanic smog (vog) on Monday, but the head of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the public should remain vigilant as recurrence is always possible.

“They (public) should prepare for the possibility of vog recurrence as long as Taal Volcano continues to emit sulfur dioxide,” Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol told the Philippine News Agency. He said Taal Volcano is “very clear” and its main crater is “very visible” on Monday because the situation was windy, causing vog to disperse easily. Bacolcol clarified that vog could recur and Phivolcs could

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p TEAMWORK. THE success of the implementationm of the Department of Health’s campaign ‘Chikiting Ligtas’ is anchored on the teamwork of the vaccination team from the City Health Office, barangay functionaries and the citizens themselves. During the vaccination drive in Brgy. Poblacion 24, Batangas City’s most populous urban village, Punumbrangay Emma A. Tumambing personally assisted the mothers in having their kids got the jab.| Photo courtesy of Palakat

Travel to Israel postponed ‘indefinitely’; 7 Pinoys missing THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said travel to Israel is postponed “indefinitely” as the war between Israeli forces and the Hamas group enters its third day. The postponement of all travel from the Philippines to Israel, the department said, is due to “volatile security” there and will remain “until such time that the situation has sta-

bilized”. In its latest statement sent past 6 p.m., the DFA said the number of Filipinos missing since the conflict started also rose from six to seven. “Seven remain unaccounted for and cannot be contacted via their mobile numbers and social media accounts,” DFA Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said.

THE Department of Health (DOH) in Calabarzon has given itself a pat on the back for its role in a recently concluded immunization effort that has successfully vaccinated over a million children against potentially serious diseases threatening newborns, toddlers and preschoolers. The supplemental immunization activity (SIA) against measles, rubella and poliovirus dubbed “Chikiting Ligtas,” was held in the five-province region from May 2 to June 15. This effort represented the regional component of a nationwide vaccination campaign that sought to protect over nine million Filipino chil-

dren from the measles-rubella virus, and more than 11 million kids from the polio virus. In an email to the media on Monday, DOH-Calabarzon’s Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), reported that 1,031,959 children or 75.87 percent of the target population in the region received their measles-rubella jabs. It was also reported that compared to other regions, Calabarzon claims the highest number of kids vaccinated against the measles-rubella virus under the recently concluded DOH effort. Similarly, 213,296 children or 72.55 percent of the government’s target population in the

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Meralco inspects facilities in poll centers ahead of BSKE THE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) on Monday said it has inspected electric facilities in nearly 3,000 polling and canvassing centers ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30. In a statement, Meralco said its teams have already checked electric facilities in public schools and barangay halls within its franchise areas while

also conducting maintenance activities for its distribution facilities to ensure stable and reliable power service during the election day. “Meralco will be on alert 24/7 to respond to any distribution related problem until the conclusion of the election process. Our crews will be deployed in strategic locations Turn to page A6

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2 OrMin towns under state of calamity due to ASF outbreak CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro – THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on Monday night placed two towns in this province under state of calamity following confirmation of an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak. This is in response to the request of Governor Humerlito Dolor to place the towns of Roxas and Mansalay under a state of calamity to contain the infection. “The SP passed a resolution in a regular session this afternoon, October 9, declaring a state of calamity in Roxas and Mansalay, Provincial Board Member Roland Ruga said in an email. In a social media post, Dolor said he also signed Executive Order 66 banning pork or pork products from leaving the two towns to prevent the spread of ASF to other parts of the province. He said the Department of Agriculture – Mimaropa is sending initial two boxes or 360 test kits for immediate testing of samples from five villages in Roxas and one in Mansalay. In his letter to the SP on Oct. 9, Dolor cited Republic Act 10121, also known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, which empowers the SP to declare a province under state of calamity when two or more of its towns are affected by a natural or man-made disaster, upon the Turn to page A6

‘Chikiting Ligtas’ vaccinates over 1M kids in Calabarzon region received their oral polio vaccines, the DOH-CHD further disclosed. The provinces under the Calabarzon region are Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. Meanwhile, health officials and workers, as well as partners Turn to page A6

u TEAMWORK. THE success of the implementationm of the Department of Health’s campaign ‘Chikiting Ligtas’ is anchored on the teamwork of the vaccination team from the City Health Office, barangay functionaries and the citizens themselves. During the vaccination drive in Brgy. Poblacion 24, Batangas City’s most populous urban village, Punumbrangay Emma A. Tumambing personally assisted the mothers in having their kids got the jab.| Photo courtesy of Palakat

NEWS

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

PH, Qatar vow to work closely to mitigate climate change THE Philippines and the State omous Region in Muslim Minof Qatar have pledged to lever- danao (BARMM). age each other’s strengths and The CCC extended an offiexpertise in building the skills cial invitation to Qatar to beand capacities of key stake- come a member of the contact holders, including local com- group “Empowering Nurtured munities, to adapt to and mit- Alliance for Climate Action and igate climate change and its Transformation,” or ENACT. impacts. The ENACT is the CCC’s Climate Change Commis- coordination mechanism with sion (CCC) Vice Chairperson development partners and and Executive Director Robert embassies to facilitate regular E.A. Borje thanked His Excel- dialogue and enhance the exlency Ahmed Saad N. Al- Ho- change of ideas and best pracmidi, the State of Qatar’s Am- tices between the two nations bassador to the Philippines, for on climate-related issues. Qatar’s continuing support to Al-Homidi emphasized Qathe Philippines over the years. tar’s long-standing relationBorje recognized Qatar’s ship with the Philippines and partnership with the Philip- conveyed their willingness to pines, citing that continued further cooperate in achieving support, including climate the country’s climate agenda. change initiatives, would be “The Philippines is a very an important dimension of bol- important country for Qatar, stered, mature and modern bi- and we want to explore enlateral relations. gagement opportunities to “We are working closely make the bilateral relationship with Qatar in line with Presi- stronger. Our countries are dent Marcos’ vision to address working on signing a memothe climate crisis through col- randum of understanding that laboration with the interna- will benefit both of us and tional community. Qatar’s ex- serve as a catalyst for more bipertise and support can greatly lateral partnerships,” Al-Homibenefit the Philippines to adapt di said. to and mitigate the impacts of The Philippines and the climate change,” Borje said in State of Qatar affirmed the a news release on Monday. importance of strengthening Highlighted in the discus- partnerships and working tosions were potential areas of gether towards transformative cooperation between the two climate action. countries, and the need to esFor more information on tablish a formal cooperation the Climate Change Commisagreement focusing on techni- sion’s climate mainstreaming cal assistance and policy devel- activities, visit https://climate. opment, particularly in areas gov.ph and www.facebook. under the Bangsamoro Auton- com/CCCPHL.| - PNA/PR ..........................................................................................

CPECC exec sees PH’s massive potential in renewable energy MANILA – An official of the China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. (CPECC) said the Philippines has a massive potential in renewable energy (RE) that can help accelerate the country’s clean energy goals. PECC general manager Chen Jiping made this remark in his speech during the Philippine Renewable Energy Forum 2023 hosted by CPEEC, a subsidiary of China Energy Engineering Group Co., Ltd, (Energy China) in Manila on Sept. 26. “The Philippines is rich in wind and solar energy resources, the massive potential of which is to be unlocked,” Chen said. The forum focused on advances in frontier technologies of the renewable energy sector, such as floating photovoltaic (FPV), energy storage technology, and smart microgrids. It also addressed major concerns and challenges renewable energy faces in the Philippines, including the application of FPV technology in marine environments, the application of offshore microgrid technology, and insurance solutions against extreme

weather events. China-Philippine cooperation in clean energy has become an important part of the bilateral ties of both countries. CPECC, by actively leveraging its strengths as an industry leader in renewable energy construction, has provided Philippine companies with integrated solutions for investment and development of clean energy power projects. Being dedicated to advancing international production capacity cooperation, CPECC has been a part of the working towards a low-carbon energy transition in the Philippines, the Chinese company said in a news release on Wednesday. Over the past 10 years, under the “Belt and Road” initiative, CPECC has worked together with its Philippine partners and completed more than 30 design, consulting, and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) projects in the Philippines, which delivered tangible benefits to the locals, it added. In the future, Energy China hopes to initiate cooperation to create a community of shared future for mankind. Turn to A9

CLIMATE CHANGE PARTNERS. Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje and Qatar Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Ahmed Saad N. Al- Homidi shake hands after their meeting on Oct. 5, 2023. Borje and Al-Homidi vowed to work closely to mitigate climate change and its impacts.|

Photo courtesy of the Climate Change Commission

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CCC partners with JICA to boost PH’s climate change actions

MANILA – The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to further enhance the country’s climate change initiatives and programs. The CCC and JICA formalized this collaboration through the signing of a Letter of Understanding (LOU) on Oct. 3. This partnership, centered on the Data Collection Survey for Climate Change Measure and Green Transformation, marks the first direct and official collaboration between the CCC and JICA. CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that JICA has been a “proven bilateral partner in climate change initiatives.” With JICA’s vast experience in addressing climate-related challenges, Borje said the collaboration “presents valuable opportunities to enhance our programs, to fine-tune our strategies, and to build the capacities to broaden knowledge and skills.” Through the Data Collec-

tion Survey, the Philippines can count on JICA for fit-for-purpose and needs-based technical support and capacity-building, crucial for the timely and effective implementation of policies and measures set out in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). The Philippine NDC underscores the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent, aligned with global mitigation goals and sustainable development aspirations. Historically, the Philippines found support from esteemed bilateral partners like JICA, emphasizing the significance of international collaboration in confronting climate and environmental challenges. “Japan has already committed, in the ASEAN-Japan Climate Change Action Agenda 2.0, to collaborate with ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, to achieve a decarbonized and resilient society,” JICA Philippines Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto said. “We are very keen to support your efforts for the Sus-

tainable Development Goals or SDGs, considering the concept of the Paris Agreement,” he added. The CCC conveyed its appreciation to JICA for their “steadfast support over the years and in the upcoming years, and for entrusting the Climate Change Commission to lead this cooperative data collection effort alongside various Philippine government agencies stakeholders.” “We recognize that climate policies and actions are most successful when stakeholders and partners actively participate in the development, implementation and monitoring. When we effectively engage and actively work at every stage, we bridge gaps, and create a coherent and effective approach to climate change, and this is when we make a difference,” Borje added. JICA is an established bilateral partner in climate change initiatives, offering multiple collaborative opportunities that significantly benefit the Philippines’ government programs.| (PR)

RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM. China Power Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd. (CPECC) general manager Cheng Jiping delivers a speech during the Philippine Renewable Energy Forum 2023 in Manila on Sept. 26, 2023. In his speech, Cheng said the Philippines has a massive potential in renewable energy.| Contributed photo

ACROSS THE NATION

A3 ‘Mandanas Ruling’ allows LGUs to fund health initiatives faster KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

BATANGAS City – THE increased financial capacity of local government units (LGUs) following the implementation of the Mandanas ruling will better equip them for responding to emergencies, such as the emission of volcanic smog (vog) from Taal. In an interview on Tuesday, Dr. Froilan Calilung, director of the Local Government Development Institute, said the additional resources could be channeled into the development of robhust early warning systems and fortify critical structures, such as evacuation centers. “Strengthening local response capabilities is pivotal for swift and efficient interventions during crises,” Calilung said. Advanced monitoring technologies, such as sensors and satellite imaging, can be deployed to provide timely alerts about volcanic activities, enabling residents to evacuate promptly and authorities to initiate emergency measures effectively, according to him. Additionally, constructing resilient roads and bridges facilitates smoother evacuation processes and accelerates the delivery of aid to affected areas. Calilung said with the increased financial autonomy, these localities could strategi-

cally allocate funds to various facets of disaster management. Meanwhile, he said the next few years are pivotal for orchestrating a dynamic and robust recovery that propels the nation toward economic rejuvenation and sustained growth. Calilung, who is also a professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said the unified stance of LGUs across the nation in support of the Mandanas ruling carries profound significance for its effective implementation. He is positive that when LGUs endorse the ruling, they are essentially advocating for a more substantial retention of funds within their localities. The support of the LGUs signifies a collective commitment to nurturing local development, fostering resilience, and fortifying the capacities of governance at the grassroots level. “To distill this concept for ordinary citizens, envision it as an investment in the community’s well-being,” he said. In a separate interview, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas said the “spirit” of the Supreme Court ruling would be given to the people and coursed through the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays in the country. “The LGUs are close to the

BAGUIO City – THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Abra province on Monday said 44 teachers have withdrawn their intent to serve as Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKEs) while at least 122 candidates for different positions are “voluntarily withdrawing.” “The situation in Abra is generally peaceful except Bucay and some reports in Pilar,

and Bangued, with alleged terrorism and intimidation to those who already filed their certificate of candidacy,” Abra Provincial Election Officer Atty. Mae Richelle Belmes said in Ilocano in an interview over Facebook Messenger late Monday afternoon. As of Monday, she said Abra is still under the yellow category due to intense political rivalries. “With the incident in Bucay

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

HEALTH RISK. “Vog” obscures the skyline of Cuenca town in Batangas on Sept. 22, 2023. The sulfur and ash-laden air has triggered many respiratory problems among residents, prompting the local government to allocate more resources for health services.|Photo by Pot Chavez

people and can immediately provide for their daily needs, such as our social welfare, health, education, livelihood, agriculture, tourism, and during disaster response efforts,” he said. The renewed emission of vog that persisted for weeks caused skin irritation and breathing difficulties to the locals and forced schools from different towns to suspend the conduct of face-to-face classes. Mandanas, who chairs the Calabarzon Regional Development Council, said the prima-

122 bets withdraw in Abra; more cops sought from Manila

today, I have asked the municipal police of Bucay to re-assess so that we can change the town’s status,” the official said. She was referring to the exchange of fire that ensued between the police and several men, who were carrying high-powered firearms Monday at dawn. One of the men was shot and brought to the hospital for treatment but eventually died around noon. Turn to A6

TESTIMONY. Loremie Camilan, widow of Staff Sgt. Ken Camilan, who was gunned down by New People’s Army rebels during a reconnaissance operation in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, in November last year, gives testimony during the press conference of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City on Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2023). Atrocities of the CPP-NPA have claimed 38 lives, including civilians and soldiers, in Negros Island since February last year.|PNA photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver

ry assistance could be given to the citizenry in a faster and more orderly manner under the supervision of their respective LGUs. In 2018, Mandanas and then Congressman Enrique Garcia challenged the computation of the just share of the LGUs in the national taxes. The landmark case strengthened financial decentralization where the LGUs have a just share of the tax collection of national government agencies (NGAs). He cited the 1987 Consti-

tution, which mandates that part of the taxes collected, such as income tax, excise tax, documentary stamp tax, and customs duties, should be given to the LGUs for automatic release without going through Congress. Mandanas, who also became the chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means, said the implementation of the law would improve the lives of the people and equip them with their basic needs.|

BACOLOD City – TOP government and military officials urged Negrenses to stand together against the atrocities of the Communist Party of the Philippines - New People’s Army (CPP-NPA), which have claimed 38 lives, among them civilians and soldiers, in Negros Island since February last year. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson and Maj. Gen. Marion Sison, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID), led the call during the press conference of the Provincial Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (PTF-ELCAC) at the Social Hall of the Provincial Capitol here Tuesday. Lacson, who chairs the PTFELCAC, called on the stakeholders to “bring an end to violence and conflict and cultivate an environment where dialogue and understanding can overcome hostility.” “The cycle of violence, the destruction of civilian properties, and the loss of innocent lives only deepen the wounds of our society and hinder the progress we collectively work for,” he added. Sison said government troops are working hard to protect the people of Negros as the CPP-NPA claimed those atrocities.

“Put yourselves in the shoes of the families of the victims. It is very traumatic, very painful,” he said. Sison pushed for enhanced local peace engagements amongh the local chief executives and barangay officials and for strengthened TF-ELCAC as “the most potent instrument to end the insurgency.” “Not only the military and the Philippine National Police solution is needed to maintain peace and security, but the whole-of-government approach,” he added. Data from the 3ID showed 11 victims of NPA atrocities in 2022, including former rebels, paramilitary men, barangay officials, and suspected informants. This year, 27 more were killed, including a policeman, former rebels, paramilitary men, civilians, and several suspected informants. Widows of a 47th Infantry Battalion soldier and a suspected informant, whose spouses were gunned down by communist rebels, gave testimonies on the grief experienced by their families. “Every soldier has a family, and when they are compromised in the line of duty, it leaves a part that can never be filled. It is only by striving for

- POT CHAVEZ, PNA

Negrenses urged to stand united vs. NPA atrocities

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OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

The printed word— a thing of the past?

THE rapid advancement of tchnology and the proliferation of digital information sources seem to have made the printed word a thing of the past. Does this mean that from now on we should have smaller libraries and fewer museums? Not at all. Despite the popularity of digital information sources the printed word—books, newspapers, magazines, and other traditional forms of written communication—stands as a steadfast symbol of knowledge dissemination and cultural preservation. The digital revolution may have transformed the way we access and consume information, but the printed word continues to hold immense value and importance in our society due to its unique attributes and contributions. Printed media holds a distinct historical and cultural legacy that cannot be replicated by digital counterparts. Newspapers and magazines have served as repositories of our collective memory, chronicling significant events, cultural shifts, and societal changes across generations. Flipping through the pages of a newspaper or magazine is a tactile experience that evokes a sense of connection to the past, reminding us of the role these printed forms of media played in shaping our understanding of the world. The physicality of the printed word contributes to a tangible link between present and past, preserving a tangible record of human thought and progress. The tangibility of printed media offers a unique and immersive reading experience. Unlike the fleeting nature of digital content, which can be easily skimmed and discarded, printed publications encourage readers to engage deeply with the material. Holding a physical newspaper or magazine fosters a sense of undivided attention, enabling readers to absorb information more effectively and reflect on its implications. The absence of pop-up ads, notifications, and hyperlinks ensures an uninterrupted and focused reading experience, allowing individuals to fully immerse themselves in the subject matter. Printed media has historically been associated with a higher level of reliability and credibility compared to digital sources. Established newspapers and reputable magazines adhere to rigorous editorial standards, fact-checking processes, and ethical guidelines, ensuring the accuracy and credibility of their content. This commitment to journalistic integrity enhances the trust readers place in printed media as a reliable source of information. In contrast, the digital landscape is often plagued by misinformation and fake news, highlighting the enduring value of printed publications as bastions of accurate reporting and trustworthy analysis. In an age characterized by digital fatigue and information overload, the printed word offers respite and relief. Constant exposure to screens and digital devices has been linked to various health issues, including eye strain, sleep disruption, and reduced attention spans. Turn to page A5

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Intelligent discussions and exchange of views on issues are encouraged among our readers. Anyone can send comments or feedbacks about the news, features or stories published in this paper. However, the editorial board reserves the right to edit comments for clarity and brevity. The use of foul language, personal attacks or hate campaign on a person or an institution is not tolerated here. Likewise, promoting one’s own agenda or interests through this paper is discouraged, hence, will not be entertained.

OPINION

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

cbcpnews.net

Cults: Thoughts and Theories

“CULTURE and cult derive from the same word; what a culture worships defines it.” – Michael Knowles bwa Lately, we have seen several news headlines about a series of Senate hearings on an alleged cult based in Surigao del Norte. Since the Senate investigations started, several “horror” stories have come out about alleged abuses committed by cult leaders on its members, such as reported forced marriages, misappropriation of member funds, and the now trending “aroma beach” punishment. These stories have sparked renewed interest and attention on the phenomenon of cults. Questions on the nature of cults, the reasons for people joining them and their seemingly endless allure have been trending on many social media platforms. Cults are generally defined as a small group of people extremely devoted to a person, religion, idea or even philosophy. Although the term cults today has a negative connotation often applied to religious or doomsday fanatics, there were many times in history when

cults were integrated into the surrounding society. Recently, there seems to be a generally held narrow characterization of cults. Apparently, many experts say that today’s cults have similar aspects. One, they have a charismatic leader who has control of the group abetted by able aides, a unifying terrifying vision or belief, rigid rules, isolation from society and often exploitation of members financially or physically. There is a general opinion online that people who join cults are either desperate or suffering from mental illness. This is far from the truth. There have been several studies that indicate cult members can have various personalities depending on the cult. There is actually a method of targeting and converting so-called normal people into solid cult members. Why do cults keep popping up? Actually, creating cults is

an art and science that can be learned and applied by certain individuals. There are many theories on the best way to make a cult or a cult-like organization. These methods can be applied for various objectives and purposes. In general, as stated above the common element is the charismatic leader that can claim supernatural or something similar authority. The other common methods are the creation and reinforcement of a unifying ideology and a brainwashing technique that is done in isolation, proper identification of potential cult members, and making a unique financial structure. So, are cults necessarily evil? Many communication experts feel that like anything else a cult is just a tool. Cults can be used for good or bad. I agree. A cult can be used for positive action against a prevailing toxic culture. For example, we can create a cult that promotes being kind to others online. In a world where the norm is to bash or cancel people who do not have the same opinions, perhaps this could be a good cult purpose. This is my oblique observation.

Lalaking napagkamalang unggoy, patay matapos mabaril ng kaibigan

HALAGANG P3.8 bilyon ng shabu ang nasabat ng PDEA, NBI at Bureau Of Customs sa Pampanga habang ibinibiyaheng mahigit kalahating tonelada o 560 kilos sa Mexico, Pampanga mula Thailand sakay ng barkong Setc Shekou. Tulad ng dati ay nakalagay ito sa mixed red tea bags na nakalagay sa 56 brown boxes. Seguradong matagal na itong pinapalusot sa bansa. Kaya naman walang katapusan ang problema ng bansa sa iligal na droga. bwa Nang itanong sa akin ni Pareng Peejay na kandidatong kapitan kung may laban ba siya o wala sa eleksiyon ay sabi ko ay hindi ko pwedeng sagutin. Kasi ayaw kong masaktan ang loob niya! bwa Nagkita sa Paris Fashion Week sina Anne Curtiz at Heart Evangelista. May post si Anne na kasama niya si Loueve. Agad namang nag-react si Heart. Hindi katulad

ni dating Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach na parang peg talaga si Heart kaya very heart ang galawan nila hanggang pictorial at rampahan. Pero base sa mga post ay mas kilala si Heart dahil laging dinudumog ng mga fashion photographers na nangagko-cover ng event sa France. Tuwa rin naman si Heart sa Paris Fashion Week debut na ito ng kanyang bagong designer na si Michael Leyva. bwa Nakakotse na ngayon ang dating naka-motor lamang na kumpare ko. Hindi naman siya yumaman at lalo pa siyang naghirap ngayon. Kasi masmalaki ang buwanang hulog niya sa kotse kesa motor niya!

bwa Kalunos-lunos ang sinapit ng isang 70-anyos na senior citizen nang salakayin at lapain siya ng kanyang limang alagang aso mismo sa Talisay, Cebu. Padalawang beses na raw itong ginawa ng mga aso at ang una ay noong 2022. Iniimbestigahan na ang kaso at ang mga walang utang na loob na mga aso ay nakakulong na sa city pound. Kaya lang walang piyansa ang mga ito. He he he! bwa Idiniin ni P-BBM ang pagpi -gil sa corruption sa bansa. Dapat daw ay may ipataw na mas mabigat na parusa. Ayon kay Kuya Al P. ay dapat tatawaging Magna Carta laban sa magnanakaw ng kuwarta. bwa P5,000 ayuda para sa 2.3 milyon magsasaka ang inaprubahan na ni P-BBM, wika nga ni Pareng Pee Jay ay magaling pa raw ay magsaka na rin siya!

OPINION

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

Consideration in customer service communications

ESPRESSO MORNINGS By Joe Zaldarriaga*

FOR the past months, tourism has seen a strong recovery—both locally and globally with leisure travel regaining its momentum after the pandemic slowdown. The Department of Tourism over the weekend reported that tourism arrivals in the Philippines have breached the 4-million mark, putting the country on track to meet its full-year target of 4.8 million visitors from abroad. On the other side of the spectrum, interest in international travel is also gaining momentum among Filipinos with seven in 10 keen to travel abroad within a year, according to a travel insights report by Grab. My family and I join many others who have returned to the traveling scene–eagerly planning our trips months ahead so that we have ample time to iron out the details and prepare our schedule around work commitments. We, like many others, do this in order to avoid, if not minimize, possible travel woes that might crop up given recurring news reports of problems encountered by Filipino travelers such as flight delays and cancellations. I acknowledge and understand that for the past months, the airline industry has been faced with various supply chain challenges that have resulted in flight delays and cancellations, to the ire of many travelers. While the problem is on an industrial level, it must be understood that the impact is personal– especially to travelers with ruined business trips, vacations, and other momentous life events.

Last week, I received an email from Philippine Airlines (PAL) informing me of a sudden change in my upcoming trip to Hong Kong—a flight delay and previous changes in our seat assignments as well. I counted a total of six emails at least. While I appreciate the advance notice well ahead of our trip, I cannot help but be disappointed at the way PAL communicated the changes to us without a reason as to why there were such changes.

more consideration for customers when it comes to their customer service communications. As a public communicator with decades of experience, I know fully well the importance of effectively communicating changes and developments to the public since doing so has been my bread and butter. Beyond communicating the actual impact of changes in business operations to customers, I have learned over the years that consideration and explanation help make customers understand the industrial change businesses implement on a more personal level. Unforeseen changes in service delivery are naturally received in poor taste by customers and this should be understood by service providers and not frowned upon as entitlement given the personal impact on personal lives. This is why across different industries, a strong customer service communications infrastructure is a must to effectively deliver messages to customers and at the same time, ensure that these are received properly. Service is personal which is why customer service communications should be done so with utmost consideration of those in the receiving end. What may seem as business as usual or a small bump in operations for those in the service industry may not be the case for all customers. At the end of the day, all customers want is to receive quality service and if there are challenges to delivering this, hopefully these can be communicated with consideration.|

Service is personal which is why customer service communications should be done so with utmost consideration of those in the receiving end. The airline simply sent these advisories with a templated closing message of: “We acknowledge the inconvenience this may cause to your travel plans”. The message lacked an explanation for such change which left me with more questions in my mind. Was the flight overbooked? Was there a problem with the assigned aircraft for our flight? Sadly, there was no reason provided. I realized that beyond the flight delays, cancellations, and other issues when it comes to air travel, what adds insult to injury in these scenarios is the sadly disappointing customer service communications that travelers get. When it comes to air travel, we travelers are often left helpless when there are sudden changes in business operations so it would really be appreciated if airlines have

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

The Good News

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” (Lk 11:1-4) bwa

Reflections on the Word of God

Friends, our Gospel today gives us an opportunity to reflect on the Lord’s Prayer, the prayer for the Christian journey. I want to consider three of the prayer’s petitions. “Father, hallowed be your name.” We’re not implying that God should make his name holy (as though it isn’t); we’re praying that we might make it holy for us, that God might be honored above all. Everything else in the spiritual life flows from this prioritization. “Your Kingdom come.” God’s kingdom refers to God’s way of ordering things. Jesus’ teaching and his manner of life give us a very good idea of what this kingdom would look like: peace, nonviolence, forgiveness, healing, walking the path of compassion. “Forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us.” How central to the teaching of Jesus is forgiveness. And how central to the suffering of the world is the incapacity to forgive, both on the smallest, most intimate level and on the grandest scale. How wonderful and how deeply challenging that at the very heart of the prayer that the Son of God taught us is a petition to be given the grace to forgive. - Bishop Robert Barron From page A4

The printed word—a thing of the past?

Printed media provides a welcome alternative, allowing individuals to disconnect from their devices and engage in a more leisurely and soothing reading experience. The act of flipping through pages and the absence of blue light emissions contribute to a more relaxing and satisfying way of consuming information. While digital information sources have undeniably revolutionized the way we access and share knowledge, the printed word remains an invaluable and irreplaceable facet of our cultural landscape. Its historical legacy, tangible engagement, reliability, and ability to provide a reprieve from digital fatigue collectively contribute to its enduring significance. In an era where technological innovations continue to reshape our interactions with information, the printed word stands as a timeless testament to the power of written communication and its ability to connect generations, bridge cultures, and shape the very fabric of our society. Even as we enjoy and benefit from the internet, let us not get caught in the race where its service providers relentlessly try to outperform one another to prove they are the best and the fastest. As we move forward, it is crucial to recognize and preserve the intrinsic value of printed media in maintaining a balanced and informed perspective amidst the dizzying digital revolution.| - Reprinted from CBCPnews.net

WTO moratorium on tariffs on digital trade for review in 2024 THE World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, in force for over two decades, will be up for review early next year, with a few countries questioning the further extension of this suspension. The moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions (ETs) is not permanent and is normally extended at two-year intervals ever since WTO members agreed in 1998 not to impose customs duties on such transmissions. The last extension occurred in June 2022 and is due to lapse at the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference in February 2024, unless WTO members decide to make it permanent or temporarily extend it until the following Ministerial Conference. Although the term “electronic transmissions” is not defined, it is understood as trade delivered electronically, and to encompass anything from software, emails, and text messages to digital music, movies and video games, and blueprints for additive manufacturing. Some WTO members, such as India, Indonesia, and South

Africa, have argued that the moratorium should be reconsidered to allow developing countries to determine the tax base for fiscal revenues, support domestic industries, and pursue other regulatory objectives. Others, including the European Union and G-7 countries, say a permanent moratorium is needed to reduce trade policy uncertainty in the affected industries. Many developing countries have not formulated an explicit position, according to a recent paper by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). WTO members who have expressed reservations are concerned primarily with forgone customs revenues. While they noted that digitalization has wide-ranging benefits, it also creates tax policy challenges. Digitalization has led to growing concerns about tax base erosion, profit shifting, and the resulting distribution of corporate tax bases across jurisdictions, said the IMF paper. In addition, digitalization poses a challenge for recording and administering domestic taxes on cross-border transactions in digi-

tal services and e-commerce, and it has income tax implications arising from increased cross-border telecommuting. The IMF policy note, however, argued that instead of customs duties, “broad-based nondiscriminatory value-added taxes (VAT)” are preferable in terms of economic efficiency and revenue generation, and are also easier to implement and administer. “The WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission can help to effectively channel developing countries’ tax reform efforts in a more efficient direction,” the IMF said. The OECD or Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in a September 2023 working paper also saw benefits outweighing disadvantages in a moratorium extension. “Estimates of the potential fiscal implications of the Moratorium suggest that potential customs revenue losses, including from replacement of trade in ‘digitisable goods’ with their digital equivalent, would be small and could be offset through VAT/GST revenue,” the OECD said. The International Chamber of

Commerce (ICC) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in a joint policy brief in April 2023 noted that overall government revenue from customs duties on electronic transmission is low, and forgone customs revenues are concentrated in a small number of countries. The paper added that instead of looking only at potential forgone revenue, this loss has to be weighed against the collateral costs of imposing customs duties. These collateral costs include: • The cost borne by consumers in importing countries, including the small producers that rely on digital transmissions for the survival and growth of their businesses • The harm to providers of digital products and services, which are increasingly located in developing countries and would see their growth potential curtailed • The negative effect on jobs, as employment in some digitally enabled services grew by about 8% a year in low-income countries, compared with less than 4% in manufacturing and 2% in agriculture •The high administrative costs of levying, assessing, and auditing

customs duties on electronic transmissions, which will erode the value of any revenue collected •The uncertainty generated by a non-permanent moratorium, which is bound to deter investment, with detrimental impacts on innovation and economic growth “The collateral costs are considerable and compelling, as free digital transmissions contribute to business productivity, innovation, national competitiveness, and, ultimately, jobs. This is what is really at stake,” the ICC-ITC joint paper pointed out. The paper also included the sentiments of some companies. Martin Perez, founder and CEO of Petchef said: “Governments thinking of taxing digital transmissions create uncertainty, which makes companies like mine less willing to innovate and puts my business at risk.” “Not making the moratorium permanent damages entrepreneurship, particularly small businesses and those led by young people, which are disrupting established models and driving growth,” said Victoria Alonsoperez founder and CEO of Chipsafer.| - PHILEXPORT NEWS & FEATURES

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

From page A1

‘Be vigilant vs. vog...’

not say when it would totally disappear. “It depends on (various factors) such as wind speed, how much S02 (sulfur dioxide) the volcano is emitting, rain and temperature,” he said. One could determine if vog completely disappears when the surroundings are clear and there is no haze and sulfuric smell, he added. Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as S02. It could persist due to thermal inversion or when layers of the atmosphere don’t mix, causing aero-

sols to get trapped. It can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract, the severities depending on gas concentrations and durations of exposure. Taal Volcano is on Alert Level 1, which means it is still in abnormal condition and should not be interpreted to have ceased unrest nor the threat of eruptive activity. Entry into Taal Volcao Island, especially the Main Crater and Daang Kastila fissures, and occupancy and boating on Taal Lake are still prohibited.| - MA. CRISTINA ARAYATA

From page A2

From page A1

NEWS

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

Meralco inspects facilities in poll centers ahead of BSKE across its franchise area and will be ready to address any possible problem on electricity service,” Meralco spokesperson and Vice President for Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga said. The distribution utility has 300 generator sets and nearly 800 flood lights on standby in case of unexpected power interruption. It also trimmed trees and removed hazards that could obstruct power lines. Meralco crews are also on standby to respond

to any electricity service concern on BSKE day. Meralco advised personnel manning the polling and canvassing centers to refrain from plugging in unnecessary appliances to avoid octopus wiring, which can lead to overloading. “The public, meanwhile, is urged to refrain from using balloons, firecrackers, confetti, party poppers, and the like near overhead lines and facilities to avoid tripping and power interruptions,” it added.|- KRIS CRISMUNDO

LINE INSPECTION. Meralco is continuously conducting inspections and maintenance activities of its distribution facilities to ensure stable and reliable electricity service for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Oct. 30, 2023. Nearly 3,000 polling and canvassing centers were visited by Meralco crews.| Courtesy of Meralco

From page A3

Negrenses urged to stand united vs. NPA atrocities

and cooperation civilians. It is painful to the perpetrators to jus- Miranda; Calatrava town CPECC exec sees PH’s massive peace that we can hope to pre- think you took my hus- tice,” he said. Mayor Marilyn Era; Col. further loss and suf- band’s life easily,” she The Army official, Leo Pamittan, director of potential in renewable energy vent fering on all sides, where said in the Cebuano dia- however, said the gov- Negros Occidental Police In his second State of the Nation Address last July 24, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said “renewable energy is the way forward.” “We are aggressively promoting renewables, so that it provides a 35% share in the power mix by 2030, and then on to 50% by 2040. To accelerate the realization of this green energy goal, we have opened renewable energy projects to foreign investments,” Marcos said. He said 126 RE contracts with a combined potential capacity of 31,000MW have been awarded by the Depart-

ment of Energy (DOE) since 2022. “To date, we have over a thousand active projects spread all over the country: 299 of these are solar; 187 are wind; 436, hydroelectric; 58, biomass; 36, geothermal; and nine are ocean-powered,” Marcos said. In 2022, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual sent a letter to the Secretary of Justice that prompted the Department of Justice to issue a legal opinion that natural resources are not covered by constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership. (PNA)

From page A2

122 bets withdraw in Abra; more cops sought from Manila “The police are looking at this that is why we are requesting an augmentation from Manila,” Belmes said. Belmes said she had already submitted her report to the national office and has discussed with the provincial police the addition of at least one company of policemen that will be deployed in different municipalities, most of them to be sent to Bucay. Of the total number of teachers who have withdrawn from election duties, 13 came from Bucay, 14 from the municipality of Pilar, which was placed under Comelec control during the 2022 election; three in Lagayan; six in Lagangilang where there is intense political rivalry; and eight in the capital town Bangued. Belmes also said at least 122 candidates for

different positions and from different towns of the province have withdrawn their certificates of candidacy (COC). Belmes said they have already trained 41 policemen who will serve as special election officers and will be training 33 more, bringing to 74 the number of policemen who will replace the teachers. She said some of the teachers who withdrew their intention to serve reported stoning of their homes. Relatively, the official said that they have received reports of vote buying that involve the heads of families. “How can you expect the wife or the children to report the illegal activity of distributing votebuying money? It is so difficult,” she said.| - LIZA AGOOT

Accepting ad placements thru email: kabayannews2022@gmail.com

life is being valued and protected,” said Loremie Camilan, wife of the late Staff Sgt. Ken Camilan. Rochie Negrido Resotay, wife of farmer Eliseo Resotay, said her twoyear-old daughter lost a father because of the violence perpetrated by the NPA. “They also took his money, which came from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp., that would have been used to buy fertilizer. Stop killing

lect. Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade based in Murcia, Negros Occidental, said the communist groups operating in Negros have “shown complete disregard for human life.” “We have presented evidence and information that clearly highlights the atrocities committed by these terror groups. It is our duty to shed light on these crimes and bring

ernment forces cannot win the battle alone. “I urge the people of Negros Island to stand united against these communist-terrorist groups. Report any suspicious activities, offer information that could aid our operations, and most importantly, refuse to be intimidated by fear,” he added. Other officials who attended the press conference were Kabankalan City Mayor Benjie

Provincial Office; Brig. Gen. Joey Escanillas, commander of 302nd Infantry Brigade; Teodora Sumagaysay, provincial director of the Department of the Interior and Local Government; Lemwel Casas, deputy provincial director of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency - Western Visayas; and Vincent Parra, officer-in-charge of the Commission on Human Rights - Negros Occidental. (PNA)

From page A1

Travel to Israel postponed ‘indefinitely’... “The Philippine Embassy (in Israel) is working non-stop with Israeli security authorities and community contacts to ascertain their condition. We continue to await feedback from them,” she added. One of those missing is a Filipino male whose wife earlier reached out to the Philippines Embassy in Israel and said that she recognized him in a video circulating on social media which shows a man being held by armed individuals. “(The Embassy) cannot independently verify his identity based on the video alone but considers

File photo of Israel

the report of the wife as compelling. The Embassy is also working with community contacts on his case,” Daza said. Daza said there were an initial 29 Filipinos reported missing but 22 have already been rescued by Israeli security forces, transferred to a safer area, and are now housed in hotels. READ: 2 Filipinos hurt in Israel-Hamas conflict: diplomat “Of the 22, one is being treated at a hospital for moderate injuries sustained during the rescue. One was initially treated for smoke inhalation and was released after treat-

ment and is now resting in a hotel in Tel Aviv,” she said. As of this posting, no Filipino has requested for immediate repatriation but the DFA said a plan is in place and the Embassy is ready to implement it if needed. 25 Filipinos in Gaza want to be repatriated Meanwhile, the DFA said 25 Filipinos have requested to be evacuated from Gaza amid the intense war between Israel and the Hamas group. “The Philippine Embassy in Amman, Jordan has received requests for repatriation from Filipinos in Gaza. (The) num-

bers may change as some are still undecided,” Daza said in a separate statement. She said the 25 are those who have initially signified their intention to leave Gaza. There are a total of 137 Filipinos in Gaza based on the latest data from the Philippine Embassy in Jordan, which has jurisdiction over Gaza. On Oct. 8, the Embassy activated its Emergency Management Team (EMT) as it cited the “mounting violence and criminality” in the area. “We reiterate our reminder for Filipinos in Gaza to continue undertaking safety measures and take shelter in the nearest available protected area due to the increasing violence that threatens their security,” Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo Santos said. Filipinos who may require assistance are requested to contact the Embassy at ATN Hotlines: +962-7-7907-7775 and 7-7907-7778. Israel declared a state of war and bombarded Gaza after the Hamas group mounted a surprise attack last Saturday.| - JOYCE ANN L. ROCAMORA

BUSINESS

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

Trade Secretary Pascual presents DTI’s strategic actions in strengthening Philippine enterprises MAKATI City – ON 06 October 2023, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual reported the Department’s key priorities in strengthening enterprises, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the Philippine Association of Realty Consultants and Specialists, Inc. (PARCS) National Consultants Summit held at Manila Hotel. Secretary Pascual underscored, “The DTI leverages the power of partnerships and collaborations in developing and implementing our projects and programs. The DTI’s partners include

private sector businesses, civil society organizations, and academic institutions. The DTI also collaborates with other government agencies in pursuing its priorities.” The DTI chief stressed the need for business enterprises to embrace innovation and pursue digitalization to develop their global competitiveness. He also added that with the entry of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) and changing market demands, businesses will need to pursue inclusive and sustainable goals. The PARCS Summit was held to accelerate the convergence and col-

laboration of development-related professions across industries and to foster more collaboration among the private and public sectors. In his speech, the trade and industry chief positioned the Department’s first key priority towards upgrading, upskilling, and upsizing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), recognizing the sector as the backbone of the economy. Under this priority, the Department is pushing for collaboration with partner agencies, tech companies, and international organizations to promote digitalization programs for MSMEs.

POSITIONING. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual reported the Department’s key priorities in strengthening enterprises, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the Philippine Association of Realty Consultants and Specialists, Inc. (PARCS) National Consultants Summit held at Manila Hotel. Photo courtesy of DTI

Under this priority, Secretary Pascual emphasized that small businesses can put up an online storefront and utilize digital payment platforms. Further, a virtual online platform can link consumers to enterprises, products, and services making services more convenient to its consumers. The DTI chief outlined the second priority to be fostering industries that will create value-added income to our economy. He cited the country’s sizeable consumer market with a growing middle class that can strengthen potential domestic demand. He also emphasized the need to establish a solid domestic base, especially in developing agri-based manufacturing industries, to strengthen our export market. Likewise, he underscored the Department’s collaboration with the private sector mainly aimed at empowering MSMEs through setting up the Center for AI Research (CAIR), to strengthen industries and capacitate the workforce. Further, the DTI will also pursue the creation of an Industry 4.0 Pilot Factory, enabling the pursuit of innovation and technological development across all industries. For his third strategic

action, the trade and industry chief highlighted the plans to boost regional development, particularly DTI’s One Town, One Product (OTOP) Program, and partnerships with the National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and the Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering (PAASE). Additionally, he noted that the DTI will also work with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) to reinforce state universities as knowledge hubs dedicated to performing research and development (R&D) and providing training for enterprises. Meanwhile, to support agriculture and fishing sectors in the regions, Secretary Pascual also recognized the need to prioritize the establishment of businesses with value-adding processing of agri and aqua products. He also cited the DTI’s Three-Year Food Logistics Action Agenda, which was recently approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., that includes linking the agri-producers directly to the markets through streamlined food logistics facilitated by digital technology. For his final stra-

tegic priority, the DTI chief emphasized the Department’s focus on reconfiguring Philippine export sectors into industry clusters. He cited the country’s growing manufacturing sector which will provide stable employment opportunities and higher-paying jobs to Filipinos. In partnership with the World Bank, Secretary Pascual has identified three industry clusters that exhibit strong potential for growth and participation in the global value chain. He reported that the DTI will prioritize the reconfiguration of exports from three sectors, particularly Industrial, Manufacturing, and Transport (IMT); Technology, Media, and Telecommunication (TMT); and Health and Life Sciences (HLS). Highlighting the DTI’s strategic action in pursuing robust economic growth and development, the DTI chief stressed, “We must be multi-dimensional in our approach by embracing technology and sustainability, by promoting collaborative partnerships, and by fostering a culture of innovation and agility. These are pathways to success and the hallmarks of a resilient, sustainable, and equitable future.” - BNN

commitment to operate its business in a socially responsible way, contributing to the betterment of the living and working standards for the Filipinos. According to the trade and industry chief, their expan-

sion emphasizes their trust and confidence to the young, dynamic and tech-savvy Filipino workforce. He said, “The government will remain supportive to Unilever’s expansion and sustain-

ability plans. Through your investments, I am confident that we can send a message to the world that the Philippines is open for investments and there’s no better time to invest than now.”| - BNN

DTI Chief welcomes inauguration of Unilever’s new Beauty, Wellbeing, and Personal Care Manufacturing Facility GENERAL TRIAS, CAVITE – On 22 September 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., together with Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual, welcomed the opening of Unilever’s New Beauty, Wellbeing, and Personal Care (BWPC) Manufacturing facility. The DTI Chief emphasized that Unilever Philippines Inc.’s establishment of a high-technology and sustainability-driven manufacturing facility will highly contribute to the country’s investment campaign “Make It Happen in the Philippines.” Secretary Pascual said, “The Unilever BWPC manufacturing hub significantly contributes to the DTI’s efforts to highlight the Philippines’ extensive strength and enabling capacities as a regional hub for smart and sustainable manufacturing and services industries. As the whole

of government pursues a science, technology, and innovation (STI) driven approach, your investments are a realization of our collective vision to transform the country’s domestic and export markets.” The new BWPC manufacturing facility is the culmination of one of the investment pledges from President Marcos Jr.’s visit to Belgium last December 2022. The company’s multibillion-peso investment is in line with its commitment of expanding its footprint in the country as it aims to automate and digitalize its operations locally. Unilever Philippines is one of the top 10 markets of Unilever globally pioneering in technology, including green initiatives. The project applied under the Board of Investments (BOI) registration amounting to PHP4.7 billion. Their manufacturing is expect-

ed to generate at least 114 new jobs in the city. A d d i t i o n a l ly, the company’s business activities and focus are aligned with the administration’s socio-economic agenda, particularly the (1) protection of the purchasing power of families by ensuring food security; (2) reduction of vulnerability and mitigation of the COVID-19 pandemic by tackling health-related concerns; (3) creation of more jobs by promoting investments; (4) creation of high-quality and better-paying jobs by increasing capacity-building programs and enhancing the digital economy, and (5) creation of green jobs by pursuing a green and blue economy and establishing livable and sustainable communities. Meanwhile, DTI Secretary Pascual commended the company’s

RECOGNITION. From L to R: DTI Secretary Fred Pascual, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and Benjie G. Yap, Unilever Philippines General Manager- Beauty and Wellbeing Southeast Asia. Photo courtesy of DTI

CLASSIFIED

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

Republic of the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources MINES AND GEOSCIENCES BUREAU Regional Office No. IV-CALABARZON 8TH Floor, DENR by the Bay Bldg, Roxas Boulevard Ermita, Manila, Philippines

Telefax. No. (+632) 5310-88-97 E-mail: region4a@mgb.gov.ph Website: region4a.mgb.gov.ph

Certificate No. 66832 EAC Code: 36

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR EXPLORATION PERMIT OF FOCUS MINING CORPORATION Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 76 of Department of Environment and Natural Resource (DENR) Administrative Order (DA) No. 2010-21, the Consolidated Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act (RA) No. 7942, otherwise known as the Philippine Mining Act of 1995”, that Focus Mining Corporation with address at Unit 6-6 The Pentagrid Building, 1681 Laguna Street, Santa Cruz, Manila 1014 has filed an application for Exploration Permit particularly described, as follows: I.

Application No. EPA-IVA-202

II. Date of Filing February 27, 2023 III. Area Location Taysan and Lobo, Province of Batangas IV. Description of the Applied Area A. Geographical Coordinates CORNER

LATITUDE

LONGITUDE

13° 46’ 00.00”

121° 15’ 00.00”

13° 46’ 00.00”

121° 15’ 30.00”

13° 46’ 00.00”

121° 15’ 30.00”

13° 46’ 00.00”

121° 16’ 00.00”

13° 46’ 00.00”

121° 16’ 13.00”

13° 42’ 30.00”

121° 16’ 30.00”’

13 °42’ 30.00”

121° 15’ 00.00”

13° 43’ 30.00”

121° 15’ 00.00”

14° 44’ 22.27”

121° 15’ 00.00”

14° 44’ 22.27”

121° 15’ 04.40”

14° 44’ 22.03”

121° 15’ 05.56”

14° 44’ 20.50”

121° 15’ 07.27”

14° 44’ 18.54”

121° 15’ 08.63”

14° 44’ 17.07”

121° 15’ 08.00”

14° 44°16.20”

121° 15’08.12”

14° 44’ 10.67”

121° 15’ 05.07”

14° 44’ 11.33”

121° 15’ 02.64”

14° 44’ 12.95”

121° 15’ 00.86”

14° 44’ 22.72”

121° 15’ 04.40”

14° 44’ 22.72”

121° 15’ 00.00”

Sketch Plan: Please refer to “Annex A”

B. Restrictions The applied area shall be subject to Section 15 (“Areas Closed to Mining Applications”), Section 16 (“Ancestral Lands”) and Section 105 (“Entry to Lands”) of DAO No. 2010-21, and Section 4 of DAO No. 2012-07, as amended, which provide, among others, that: a. The following areas are closed to mining applications: areas covered by valid and existing mining rights/applications, old growth/virgin forests, proclaimed watershed forest reserves, protected areas and other areas expressly prohibited by law; b. The following areas shall also be closed to mining applications except upon written consent/prior clearance by the concerned government agency or private entity: areas near or under public or private buildings, cemeteries, archeological and historical sites, bridges, highways, waterways, railroads reservoirs, dams and other infrastructure projects, public or private works, including plantations or valuable crops; c. In cases of areas occupied by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and/or covered by Certificates of Ancestral Domain/Land Claims/Titles (CADC/CALC/CADT/ CAL), the Free and Prior Informed Consent shall be secured from the concerned IPs; d. In cases of surface owners, occupants and concessionaires that may be covered by the applied area, their permission shall be obtained prior to entry into their lands by the eventual Permittee for purposes of undertaking sand and gravel extraction therein; e. Prime agricultural lands, in addition to land covered by RA No. 667 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law of 1988, as amended, including plantations and areas devoted to valuable crops, and Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zones and fish refuge and sanctuaries declared as such by the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture; f. Tourism development areas, as identified in the national and local tourism development plans; and g. Other critical areas, island ecosystems, and impact areas of mining as determined by current and

existing mapping technologies, that the D E N may hereafter identify pursuant to existing laws, rules, and regulations, such as, but not limited to, the National Integrated Protected Areas System. V. Activities to be undertaken Per the submitted Exploration Work Program the following activities will be conducted: 1. Research Work Prior to actual site investigation, the proponent will be conducting research work on the applied area, including gathering geologic data, analysis, reports, maps, and other features from different references such as published data, research, and studies from public and private. a. Survey of previous works/s on the area Nature or type of study or undertaking - Gathering of information about the area on the geology, the occurrence of major rock units, structures, alterations, and other related reports on the area. Preliminary geologic assessment shall be research and collation of data from public and privately available reports. This initial work will serve as basis to draft a semi detailed work program from the project. b. Data Compilation/Collation All available data from concerned government and private entities shall be complied and collated on the following aspects: 1 Geochemical/Geophysical Data; 2. Lithological Data; 3. Mineralization/Alteration Studies; 4. Various Thematic Maps covering the Target Area; and 5. Detailed Cost Estimates. 2. Reconnaisance/Regional Survey or Studies: a. Remote sensing studies; b. Regional Geological Survey; c. Regional Geochemical Survey; and d. Geophysical Survey 3. Semi-detailed Survey or follow up Studies: a. Geological mapping/alteration studies; b. Geochemical Survey; c. Topographic Survey; and d. Detailed Survey or Studies Any and all persons having adverse claims, protests and/ or opposition to the subject application are hereby notified that their adverse claims, protests and/or opposition should be filed within ten (10) days from the last date of posting to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office (RO) No. IV-CALABARZON or through any Community Environment and Natural Resources Office or Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office concerned for filing in the MGB RO No. IV-CALABARZON for purposes of its resolution by the Panel of Arbitrators pursuant to the provisions of RA No. 7942 and DAO No. 2010-21. Adverse claims, protest or opposition should be accomplished in accordance with Sections 203 and 204 of DAO No. 2010-21 and a copy thereof shall be furnished to the applicant by the adverse claimant. For further particulars, please course your inquiries to the Regional Director, M B RO No. VI CALABARZON located at 8th floor, DEN by the Bay Building, 1515 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila. (Sgd.) EDGARDO D. CASTILLO Chief, Mine Management Division and OIC, Regional Director in Concurrent Capacity

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A9 DOST and Odyssey's e-Nutribun Feeding arrives in Cuenca NEWSWEEKLY

CUENCA, Batangas -- THE partnership between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Batangas and Odyssey Foundation Inc. for the enhanced nutribun (e-Nutribun) feeding program has been relaunched, benefitting undernourished children in this town in Batangas province. The event took place at Cuenca’s Municipal Gymnasium on September 28. This program marks a significant step forward in addressing child malnutrition in town. Odyssey Foundation, Inc., the social responsibility arm of CDO

Foodsphere, Inc., has collaborated with DOST-Batangas to implement this initiative, which has already served the municipalities of Laurel, Talisay, Tingloy, and San Nicolas since 2021. CDO Foodsphere, Inc. adopted the e-Nutribun technology developed by the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of DOST (DOST-FNRI) for this program. The feeding program is scheduled to run from October to December this year, benefiting 100 ‘undernourished’ children in the Municipality of Cuenca, Batangas. Leading the initiative

were Ms. Emelita P. Bagsit, DOST-CALABARZON’s Regional Director, Ms. Felina C. Malabanan, DOST-Batangas’ Provincial S&T Director, Ms. Patricia M. Magbanua, Odyssey Foundation, Inc.’s Executive Director, Hon. Alexander M. Magpantay, Municipal Mayor of LGU-Cuenca, Ms. and Dr. Carolina Cuevas, Municipal Health Officer of LGU-Cuenca. An official Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to formalize the partnership. The distribution of e-Nutribun to the children beneficiaries was a highlight of the launch ceremony.

DOST-Batangas also provided rice-mongo crunchies and complementary food blend to the beneficiaries. The e-Nutribun is an improved version of the nutribun from the 1970s. Developed in response to the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Memorandum Circular No. 12 Series of 2020, which outlines guidelines for implementing the Supplementary Feeding Program.| during emergencies, DOST-FNRI conducted research to reformulate bread to combat malnutrition. The enhanced version features

From page A1

‘Chikiting Ligtas’ vaccinates over 1M kids in Calabarzon in the public and private sectors, were feted for their efforts in making the Chikiting Ligtas activity a success in Calabarzon. The DOH-CHD gave out its “Good Jab Awards” to its employees and allies in ceremonies held at the Lima Park Hotel in Malvar, Batangas last Friday. Given awards were DOH personnel responsible for the highest number of jabs, as well as city and

municipal health offices in jurisdictions where immunization efforts were particularly successful. Also given recognition were media organizations that helped inform parents throughout Calabarzon about the vaccination campaign. Among the news outfits spotlighted for bringing Chikiting Ligtas to the public’s attention was the Philippines News Agency,

and community press including Balikas News Network (BNN). For her part, Dr. Leda Hernandez, assistant regional director at the DOH-CHD, said journalists play a crucial role in educating their readers and audiences on the benefits of vaccination amid ignorance and lack of information. “There are still a small number of parents who

are hesitant about having their kids vaccinated that is why we have dispatched our health promoters and advocacy units to talk to the mothers and explain the importance of getting jabs. We point out to them how only a handful of people are afflicted with polio nowadays. This proves that the immunization program over the years has worked,” she said in Filipino.| - BNN/PNA

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

a smoother texture and additional micronutrients, including iron and vitamin A. Each piece weighs between 160 and 165 grams, making it easier for children to handle and bite. Every serving

contains 504 calories, 17.8 grams of protein, 6.08 milligrams of iron, and 244 micrograms of vitamin A. Each piece weighs between 160 and 165 grams.| - JOHN MARCO M. HERNANDEZ

BSU’s engineering programs get highest re-accreditation from global accreditor BATANGAS City — Batangas State University (BatStateU), recognized as the Philippines’ National Engineering University, proudly announces that eight of its engineering programs have achieved the highest mark of re-accreditation from the Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). Based in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, ABET is a global accreditor for college and university programs in applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. This prestigious accreditation was officially posted on the ABET website on October 1, 2023. The excephtional quality of BatStateU’s engineering programs was underscored by a comprehensive evaluation conducted by experts and representatives from EAC-ABET. These assessments took place during an extensive visit to the Philippines from November 13 to 15, 2022. The outcome reaffirmed the paramount significance of ABET accreditation and verified that said engineering programs consistently meet rigorous standards. These include BS Chemical Engineering, BS Civil Engineering, BS Computer Engineering, BS Electrical Engineering, BS Electronics Engineering, BS Industrial Engineering, BS Mechanical Engineering, and BS Sani-

tary Engineering. BatStateU, renowned for its engineering education excellence, has produced over 180 engineering board topnotchers, cementing its position as the country’s largest engineering university, offering 46 engineering degree programs, the highest among higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide. Additionally, the university offers 27 emerging programs in engineering and allied fields, showcasing its dedication to staying at the forefront of educational excellence. Notably, BatStateU is the first and, thus far, the only state university in the Philippines with engineering programs accredited by ABET. “This ABET accreditation serves as a compelling affirmation of BatStateU’s commitment to providing world-class engineering education at par with other global engineering universities. It assures that our graduates from these programs are not only well-equipped to excel in critical technical fields but also primed to drive innovation and proactively meet the imperatives of the global knowledge economy,” University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo shared. Sought worldwide, ABET’s voluntary peer-review process enjoys global recognition for enhancing the quality, precision, and safety of academic programs in technical disciplines.|

Save the Children denounces death of 5th grade student from alleged physical violence by teacher; calls on the practice of Positive Parenting in school setting

SAVE the Children Philippines is saddened by the untimely demise of Grade 5 student Francis Gumikib from Antipolo who allegedly suffered from brain hemorrhage due to the slap of his teacher as punishment after reporting about his noisy classmates. Using physical and humiliating or degrading punishments to discipline children has been known to have negative consequences on children in the short and long-term. The World Health Organization’s World Report on Violence (2002) stated that in the long-term, corporal punishment of children is “a significant factor in the development of violent behav-

ior, and it is associated with other problems in childhood and later life.” In the shortterm, it “kills thousands of children each year and injures and handicaps many more.” Francis’ case shows how punitive forms of discipline can harm children and can even lead to death. In the 2016 Philippine National Baseline Study on

Violence Against Children, 66% of children experienced physical violence usually in the form of physical punishment in their childhood. Of those who attend school, 14% have experienced physical violence in school. “The moment a child is enrolled in schhool, the teacher has special parental

authority and responsibility to value, protect, and defend the child’s life, at all times. Teachers, as substitute parents, should commit to the highest standards of ensuring that children are educated in a safe anhhd nurturing learning environment,” said Save the Children Philippines CEO Atty. Alberto committed to take

all appropriate legislative, administrative, social and educational measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, while in the care of parents, legal guardians, or any other person who has the care of the child such as teachers. At present, there is no

policy that specifically protects children from physical, humiliating, and degrading acts as a form of punishment at home, in school, and in other settings where children are. Thus, Save the Children leads the advocacy on Positive Parenting and calls on the government to prioritize the passage of the Positive Parenting Bill that will provide parents, teachers, and other persons responsible for the caring of a child with information, trainings, and other interventions that can help them perform their duty to care and educate children without inflicting physical or psychological harm on the child.| - BALIKAS NEWS

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OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

LIGHTER SIDE

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

APRI Scholars’ best Christmas gift PLDT, Smart support annual youth journalists’ forum in Cebu for their parents: Achieving Latin

PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) enabled the 17th run of SunStar Cebu’s Reaching Out to Future Journalists (ROTFJ) Forum in line with the celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week 2023.

critical role of the press in representing the people. “We are supposed to reflect the opinion, the voice, and the questions of the people. When you are doing your interviews, you are not doing it for yourself, but you are doing it on behalf of

motivated me to become a good communicator for the people. Thank you SunStar, PLDT, and Smart for organizing this activity, which has given student communicators like me the opportunity to meet journalism professionals and get valuable

“PLDT and Smart’s support enabled the communication students from various universities and colleges in Cebu to learn about journalism from those who have practiced it in the capital and even abroad. They gained a lot of insights from hearing from the speakers, whose delivery of their message was not only straight to the point but also engaging and humorous,” said Cherry Ann Lim, Editor-in-Chief at SunStar Cebu. Veteran journalist and chief of News 5 Luchi Cruz-Valdes was this year’s key guest speaker, equipping over 160 students and aspiring journalists in Cebu with effective ways on how to conduct interviews, particularly for news reporting. She emphasized the

your readers or viewers,” she said, urging future journalists to do their job well since actual reality has become more difficult to uncover and report on. The forum also featured PLDT Digital Corporate Communications Manager Rissa Camongol, who shared practical technological tools and applications to assist journalists in preparing for interviews and writing their stories. In a video presentation, Cathy Yang, First Vice President and Group Head of Corporate Communications at PLDT and Smart, also gave helpful advice to the student participants based on her experience as a long-time journalist and now as a corporate communications leader. “This forum has really

insights from them that we may apply today and in the future,” said Andrian Bilbao, a third-year BA Communication student from Cebu Normal University. Aside from the insightful presentations and talks, PLDT and Smart also provided raffle prizes, such as load cards, umbrellas, and a smartphone device. The group also deployed booths to assist participants with their inquiries about PLDT and Smart’s products and services. PLDT and Smart’s efforts to support SunStar Cebu in upskilling communication students is also aligned with the group’s commitment to help the country attain the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 4 on Quality Education.| (PR)

Ika-158 kaarawan ni Heneral Miguel Malvar, ipinagdiwang ng sambayanang Tomasinos

LUNGSOD NG STO. TOMAS, Batangas -- IPINAGDIWANG ng sambayanang Tomasinos sa pangunguna ng pamahalaang lungsod sa pamamagitan ng pag-aalay ng Misa Pasasalamat at pag-aalay ng bulaklak ang ika-158 anibersaryo ng kapanganakan ni Heneral Miguel Malvar na may temang “Sto. Tomas: Tahanan ng mga Bayani, mula noon hanggang ngayon” nitong Setyembre 27. Dinaluhan ito ng mga opisyales, kawani ng lokal na pamahalaan, iba’t ibang ahensya, mga pribadong samahan at mga establisyemento. Nagsilbing panauhing pandangal si Kgg. Senadora Ana Theresia Navarro Hontiveros-Baraquel na buong pusong pinuri ang legasiya, kagitingan at pagmamahal sa bayan ng Batanguenong bayaning si Heneral Malvar. Nakiisa rin sina AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray Florence Reyes, 3rd District Rep. Ma. Theresa V. Collantes, Bureau of Corrections Director-General,

Gen. Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr., OIC-Executive Director of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines Carminda R. Arevalo at ang mga kaanak ni Hen. Miguel Malvar sa pangunguna ni Mr. Raphael Malvar Cornelio. Sa mensahe ni Punonglunsod Arth Jhun A. Marasigan, partikular niyang ipinagmalaki ang prinsipyong

ipinaglaban ni Heneral Malvar para sa mga karapatan, para sa kasarinlan, ng sambayanang Pilipino. Binigyang-diin din niya, na gawing ehemplo ang mga Tomasinong patuloy na tumutulong sa kapwa, may malasakit, katapatan at pagmamahal sa lungsod ng mga bayaning Tomasino mula noon hanggang ngayon.

honors and LET Certification THE Spirit of Christmas is fast approaching and many Filipinos are already creating their wish list of the things that they would like to receive. But for families, especially for the parents, nothing would top their list but to see their children finish their education. This wish came true when eight AP Renewables Inc. (APRI) college scholars graduated with flying colors this year. Top of the list are the five Magna Cum Laudes - Junah Mae Clave (BS Business Administration), Khym Satur (BS Business Administration), Jessa Tarim (BS Business Administration), Jerry Mae Cuevas (BS Electrical Technology), and Patricia Mae Fontejon (BS Accountancy); followed by two Cum Laudes - Almira Bragais (BA Political Science) and Judy Ann Camano (BS Electrical Engineer). To complete the list, Blezette Colot, BS Education graduate last year, graced this season’s batch as she passed the LET (Licensure Examination for Teachers) for Secondary Education. The Gift of Perseverance of the 5 Magna Cum Laudes Junah Mae Clave started early her responsibility as a breadwinner of their family when her father became paralyzed. She maximized her talent in arts and engaged in several sidelines such as commissioning personalized items like tote bags, key chains and posters. Luckily, upon the start of the “Ber season”, orders have become higher. Her sacrifices paid off when she made it to the top. “Noong nakita kong “Magna Cum Laude” ako doon sa opisyal na listahan, hindi ako nakapagsalita. Pinuntahan ko agad ang mga magulang ko para ibalita. Laking gulat nila lalo na si Papa,” said Clave. “Parang lahat ng pagod, biglang napawi,” she added.

Mabuhay si Heneral Miguel Malvar, mabuhay ang mga makabagong bayani!|

PAGKILALA SA BAYANI. Nag-alay ng bulaklak sina Sto. Tomas City Mayor Arth Jhun Marasigan, Vice Mayor Catherine Jaurigue-Perez at mga kasapi ng Sangguniang Panlungsod sa dambana ni Heneral Miguel Malvar bilang pagpupugay sa kaniyang ika-158 taong kapanganakan.|Photo by CIO-SCT

Likewise, Khym Satur, social media enthusiast, found a way to maximize her skills in marketing. She accepted offers from the local brands in Bicol where she became a brand ambassador. “Malaking bahagi ng buhay-kolehiyo ko ang APRI dahil sa naging tulong nito sa akin. Hindi naging mabigat ang aking buhay sa pag-aaral dahil natutugunan nito ang mga pangangailangan sa paaralan,” she said. On the other hand, Jessa Tarim’s mother whose work is a nail technician, could not help her emotions upon learning this early Christmas gift from her daughter. Filled with joy, her mother shared the news with her customers and neighbors. “Mas lalo akong na-motivate na magpursige sa buhay. Dadalhin ko habangbuhay ang tulong ng scholarship grant dahil nabawasan ang mga alalahanin ko para sa school at sa aking pamilya,” said Tarim. Meanwhile, Jerry Mae Cuevas is also no stranger to hardships in life. She remembered, her father told her right after high school that she might need to stop from pursuing a college degree due to financial constraints. Upon hearing this, she suffered from mental stress, making her anxious about her future. “Kung walang scholarship, baka wala akong napatunguhan. Hindi ko alam kung saan ako pupunta para humingi ng suporta. Salamat dahil binigyan ako ng APRI ng tyansang matupad ang mga pangarap ko,” she said. In spite of these struggles, APRI scholars need to uphold their academic standards. Patricia Mae Fontejon’s most challenging experience was the retention policy of her course in Accountancy. She could not afford to fail and to start all over. Therefore, this fueled her motivation to surpass the program. She shared, “I have to strive harder to maintain a passing grade in all of my major subjects. I use this pressure to always remind myself that no one will work for me in achieving my dreams except myself.” A Gift of Service to the Country: The Story of the 2 Cum Laudes and LET Passer Almira Bragais’ main motivation now is to promote good governance for her county. Her goal is to have a systematic and deeper understanding of the politics and governance, hence, making her want to become a lawyer. In fact, she recently passed the Bicol University College of Law entrance test and its panel interview. “I want to be part of

serving justice and truth in our country. Salamat sa APRI at naitaguyod ko ang kolehiyo,” she shared. Judy Ann Camano, on the other hand, has been a scholar of APRI since high school, and is currently preparing for her Master Electrician examination. “Hini hadlang ang pinansiyal na problema. Dapat iyong pagtitiyaga at determinasyon ang maging motibasyon ng isang magaaral para makapagtapos at magawa ang kanyang mga pangarap,” she shared. As a role model of dedication and perseverance, Blezette Colot recently passed the LET examination as a gift to her parents. She remembered during her college days, laptop became an essential tool for her learning especially during the pandemic in 2020. It was one of her Christmas wish lists back then. But with the help of the APRI scholarship stipend, she was able to own one. “Aside from the financial assistance, APRI has been helpful in developing my confidence,” Colot said. These scholars have been wishing for this important milestone of their lives - to graduate and give tribute to their parents who tirelessly dedicated their sacrifices just for their education. Despite the many Christmas seasons where struggles and hardships were present, these scholars did not lose hope and fought for their future. About APRI’s Scholarship Program APRI provides a stipend of PHP15,000 allowance per semester to qualified scholars and provides an additional allowance for board review. A special incentive is also provided to those students with academic excellence. APRI’s scholarship grants consist of P15,000 allowance per semester. The program also provides board review allowance for graduating students and/ or academic excellence or Latin honor incentives for those who have showcased exemplary academic performance. Since 2011, APRI has been able to support scholars in their studies in college. This is one of the organization’s initiatives in helping those qualified students who are taking up a four or five-year degree and are residing within the host communities of the organization. It also aims to provide opportunities for those selected students to finish their tertiary education – which will create a better future for them and for the communities.| - BALIKAS NEWS

SPORTS

KABAYAN NEWSWEEKLY

OCTOBER 11 - 17, 2023

San Sebastian upsets JRU in NCAA men’s basketball

ONE ON ONE. San Sebastian College’s Raymart Escobido (with ball) makes his move to the basket in their game against Jose Rizal University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 men’s basketball at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday (Oct. 10, 2023). The Stags won, 72-59. |NCAA Photo

MANILA – San Sebastian College stunned Jose Rizal University (JRU), 72-59, to claim its second win in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 99 at Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Tuesday. Jessie Sumoda scored 15 points as the Stags came back strong in the second half to send the Heavy Bombers to only their second loss against four wins. The Stags trailed 18-9 after the opening period and forced a 31-all deadlock

at the half. Entering the final canto, San Sebastian was up, 5546, and sustained momentum all the way. Raymart Escobido and Alex Desoyo added 12 points each; Rommel Calahat had 11 points and eight rebounds; and Rafael Are chipped in nine points, six rebounds, six steals and five assists. Agem Miranda finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals for JRU. JRU (2-3) trails unbeat-

en Lyceum (7-0), Mapua (41) and San Sebastian (4-2) In the other game, College of Saint Benilde downed Perpetual Help, 8680, to rise to 3-3. The Altas fell to 1-5. Meanwhile, Lyceum will gun forh win No. 7 against Emilio Aguinaldo College (2-2) on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Mapua will be up against skidding defending champion Letran College (0-5) at 4 p.m. The scores:

SAN SEBASTIAN 72 – Sumoda 15, Escobido 12, Desoyo 12, Calahat 11, Are 9, Una 6, Shanoda 4, Felebrico 2, Ra. Gabat 1, de Leon 0, Re. Gabat 0, Aguilar 0. JOSE RIZAL 59 – Miranda 15, Guiab 9, Argente 7, Mosqueda 7, Arenal 6, Pabico 4, Sarmiento 4, Dionisio 3, Ramos 2, delos Santos 1, de Leon 1, Medina 0, Barrera 0, Sy 0. Quarters: 9-18; 31-31; 55-46; 72-59.| - JEAN MALANUM, PNA

PBA fines Cariaso for conduct in preseason game IN a rare moment for a preseason game, the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) slapped Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso for his actions in a recent clash against Converge. Cariaso “fouled” Aljun Melecio while the latter was going for a fastbreak attack during the second quarter of the game in protest of a no-call in which the referees failed to call a foul on Jeo

Ambohot while trying to stop Tyrus Hill. The FiberXers did not like Cariaso’s actions on Melecio, which reportedly aggravated his calf injury, and confronted their former coach, but cooler heads prevailed and the game continued with the Bossing eventually winning. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said he summoned Cariaso inside the

Blackwater coach Jeffrey Cariaso.|File Photo from PBA Images

PBA office, and Marcial also said that Cariaso apologized for his actions. “Inaamin naman niya ang ginawa niya, so sabi ko hindi na pwedeng maulit yun. Pipinahan natin yun. Aminado naman siya, so humingi ng sorry at inaamin niya na kasalanan niya (He confessed his actions, so I told him not to do it again. We will fine him. He admitted to his mistake, so he

said sorry and he said it was his fault),” Marcial said. Oftentimes, any heated moment during tune-up games would get a pass, but Marcial said that Cariaso’s gestures were too harsh even for just a preseason matchup. “Bihira akong mag-fine sa exhibition, pero yung ginawa niya, medyo di maganda. So pipinahan natin (I rarely slap a fine during exhibition, but what he did was slightly detrimental. So we will fine him),” Marcial said, although the fine will be announced at a later date. He then announced that the officiating crew during the preseason game would be suspended too after it was confirmed that a foul should have been called on Ambohot. Marcial did not disclose how long the suspension will last, but he hinted that the ban could be for more than one cycle, that is, more than three games they are supposed to officiate.| - IVAN STEWART SALDAJENO, PNA

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Palace taps PSC to lead grand heroes’ welcome for Asiad medalists MANILA - Cariaso “fouled” Aljun MelTriumphant Filipino athletes in the recently concluded 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China will be honored in an upcoming grand heroes’ welcome at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex (RMSC) in Manila. According to the information relayed by the Office of the President (OP) to Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. will attend the ceremony for medalists, including gold winners EJ Obiena of athletics, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of jiu-jitsu, and the Gilas Pilipinas men’s basketball team. “We, at the PSC, express our sincerest gratitude to the President in recognizing the victorious stint of our athletes in this year’s Asian Games,” said Bachmann, who received the news in Hangzhou on Sunday. “His Excellency’s gesture, together with the proactive support of the national government, will go a long way in the continued success of Team Philippines in international competitions to come,” he added. Silver medalists Eumir Marcial of boxing and Arnel Mandal of wushu and bronze medalists Patrick King Perez of taekwondo; Jones Inso, Gideon Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr.

of wushu; Alex Eala and Francis Alcantara of tennis; Patrick Coo of cycling; Elreen Ando of weightlifting; Kaila Napolis of jiu-jitsu; Sakura Alforte of karate; and the men’s sepak takraw team. “Our four golds, two silvers, and 12 bronzes were enough for us to be on the 17th rank among 45 competing nations. We also overcame the 19th overall finish on the last edition of the quadrennial meet held in Indonesia in 2018,” Bachmann said. Other government agencies like the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Education (DepED), and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are also being tapped to be part of the celebration. Filipino athletes who captured medals in the Asian Games are entitled to receive cash incentives from the government under Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.’’ On Tuesday, Bachmann is scheduled to deliver a post-Asian Games report and to address matters that are of consequence to the national sports agency’s mandate and commitment to serve the country’s national athletes and ensure their well-being.|- PR

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Cebu-HK direct flights to boost visitor arrival volume With the addition of this new carrier, the MCIA now has 15 foreign and five Philippine-based airline partners, and connects to 30 domestic destinations and 12 international destinations. “We are excited to welcome Royal Air Philippines to our airport family and to offer our passengers another excellent option for traveling between Cebu and Hong Kong. This addition strengthens our commitment to develop MCIA as a key aviation hub in the Philippines as well as provide diverse travel opportuni-

ties and connecting people, businesses, and cultures,” said Athanasios Titonis, chief executive officer assigned to MCIA by Aboitiz InfraCapital. The new route firms up the airport’s commitment to provide passengers with a wide range of flight options and enhance overall travel experience. MCIA said its strategic location, modern facilities, and strong airline partnerships make the airport a gateway and a vital link to international destinations.| - JOHN REY SAAVEDRA

MAIDEN FLIGHT. A Royal Air Philippines plane receives a water salute as it leaves the Mactan Cebu-International Airport for Hong Kong on Monday (Oct. 9, 2023). GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation on Tuesday said the addition of Royal Air Philippines’ direct flight to Hong Kong is expected to boost tourist arrivals and help Cebu province recover from the impact of the pandemic.| Photo courtesy of GMCAC

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1 kabayannews2022@gmail.com

WINNER. A tribe performs during the 2023 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, held every fourth week of January. The festival was the grand winner for Best Cultural Festival under the city category of the Pearl Award given by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) in Boracay Island on Oct. 5.| PNA File photo by PG Lena

Iloilo’s Dinagyang is PH’s best cultural festival ILOILO CITY – Organizers of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival are hoping to rouse the interest of those who have yet to witness the tourism event with its three-year winning streak in various categories of the Pearl Award given by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP). Joyce Clavecillas, executive director of the Iloilo Festivals Foun-

dation Inc. (IFFI), said the festival was judged the grand winner for Best Cultural Festival under the city category during the recognition ceremony that culminated the 2023 ATOP National Convention in Boracay Island on Oct. 5. “I think this recognition will also help us to market the Dinagyang Festival, especially for those who have not joined or those who wanted to witness what Dinag-

yang looks like,” she said in an interview on Monday. She said people will become more curious about the multi-awarded festival, adding that joining different award bodies is an added marketing strategy. In 2021, the digital version of the festival won the Best Tourism Practice during the Pandemic Award, the only recognition given by the ATOP of that year, while

in 2022, it was the Best Tourism Event for the contemporary/ non-traditional expression category. “We cannot technically say it’s a grand slam because it’s from different categories. We are happy because in whatever category we fall we won. It proves that Dinagyang Festival is really one the best festivals in the country,” she added.

Clavecillas said more than the challenge, they will be more inspired to do good and think of innovations they can implement to improve and make the festival more enjoyable for spectators. The annual festival, held every fourth week of January, is organized by the IFFI, Iloilo City Government, and the San Jose Parish.| - PERLA LENA, PNA

CEBU City – THE newly-launched five times a week direct flight of Royal Air Philippines from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport to Hong Kong is seen to boost Cebu’s tourism and help the province recover from the impact of the pandemic. Edilyth Maribojoc, communi-

cations head of the airport’s private operator, GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation (GMCAC), said the maiden flight between Mactan and Hong Kong was made on Oct. 9, using a 180-seater Airbus A320 plane. She declined to give projections for the additional tourist

arrivals as a result of the new route since “we have not yet fully recovered” from the impact of the pandemic. Maribojoc, however, noted that this will surely increase the volume of passengers arriving from Hong Kong.

Ilocos Norte wins as PH Cebu-HK direct flights to boost visitor arrival volume best tourism-oriented LGU

LAOAG CITY – Ilocos Norte continues to carve its name as the Philippines’ premiere tourism hub after being named as grand winner of the 2023 Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards on Thursday. The province also won the best video for tourism promotions - provincial level for its Lolita is IN! tourism campaign, featuring a sexagenarian who traveled to Ilocos Norte in search of adventure. The tourism video presents the natural beauty and culture of the province while highlighting strong family ties, values, and traditions -- experiences that made “Lola Lolita’s” journey to Ilocos a joy. “Our unwavering dedication to promoting Ilocos Norte tourism has earned the province the prestigious award. This recognition is a testament to the entire province’s collective effort in making Ilocos Norte a top destination for travelers,” Xavier Ruiz, the province’s tourism officer-in-charg, said in a statement after receiving the award at the 24th ATOP national convention held in Boracay Island, Aklan province. Despite having a limited bud-

get, Ilocos Norte provincial treasurer Josephine Calajate, in an interview Friday, said the province’s tourism advertisement has produced optimum results. “All the hard work, brilliant ideas, and the unity of all tourism stakeholders have paid off. Hurray to the best tourism-oriented province in the Philippines, Ilocos Norte,” she said. The province received the same award in 2018, and was the second runner-up in 2019, and first runner-up both in 2016 and 2017. Government records on tourism arrivals showed a significant increase from 800,000 in 2021 to almost three million in 2022. The province also garnered an estimated PHP8.8 billion in tourism receipts in 2022, which accelerated the recovery of the tourism industry -- a major economic powerhouse as it employs thousands, including those in the informal sectors. ATOP recognizes the best practices of local government units (LGUs) in terms of creating and implementing policy reforms for tourism development.| - LEILANIE ADRIANO

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GRAND WINNER. Ilocos Norte Vice Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos (fifth from right) and the province’s tourism officers and staff receive the best tourism-oriented local government unit and best video for tourism promotion awards at the ATOP Pearl Awards 2023 held in Boracay Island, Philippines on Thursday (Oct. 5, 2023). The annual search is given to the province, city, and municipality that shows a sustainable tourism development program.| Photo courtesy of Ilocos Norte Tourism