Manila Standard - 2018 July 08 - Sunday

SPORTS/ A4

WORLD CUP ENDS IN AGONY FOR BRAZIL VOL. XXXII • NO. 143 • 4 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

LEPTOS VIRUS SPREADS TO 10 MORE VILLAGES HEALTH authorities have declared 10 more barangays in Metro Manila’s at least 1,706 barangays have been afflicted with leptospirosis attack, raising the number of affected villages to 28.

Leptospirosis, according to medical experts, is an infectious disease caused by a particular type of bacteria called a spirochete transmitted by rats as well as by skunks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other vermin.

It occurs worldwide but is most commonly acquired in the tropics.

Symptoms begin from two to 25 days after initial direct exposure to the urine or tissue of an infected animal.

This can even occur via contaminated soil or water.

“The number of affected barangays has increased from 18 from the last time I spoke to 28 now. There are an additional 10 [villages] and one additional city,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque told dzMM radio heard nationwide.

Caloocan was added to the list of affected cities, as two of its barangays have recorded cases of the animalborne disease.

In a related development: • A waste and pollution watch group urged local leaders to ensure proper Turn to A2

CUP WAVE. Brazil’s defender Marcelo (left) vies with Belgium’s midfielder Kevin De Bruyne during the Russia 2018 World Cup quarterfinal football match between Brazil and Belgium at the Kazan Arena in Kazan on Friday. AFP

CAVITE VICE MAYOR, ZAMBO DAD KILLED

DU30 PUSHES NEW CHARTER IN CONGRESS DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte has asked Congress to approve the draft of the new constitution under the Federalist form of government before his term ends in 2022.

He said Friday he would gladly step down from his office and relinquish his post for the transition from a unilateral form of government to a federalist form.

“The Constitution now being crafted...is being reviewed by Congress, but the Consultative Committee [headed by former Chief] Justice Puno can make this correction and I suggest Congress approve it,” he said.

Turn to A2

By Francisco Tuyay

T

HE vice mayor of Trece Martirez town and his driverbodyguard were killed while another security aide was critically injured after they were ambushed by car-riding gunmen in front of a hospital Saturday afternoon, police said.

LETTERS OF HOPE FOR TEENERS MAE SAI, Thailand—Scrawled deep inside a mountain in northern Thailand, heartwarming fragments of communication from trapped youngsters have reached families keeping vigil for two excruciating weeks at the entrance to the cave complex.

Turn to A2

Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan

The killing of Vice Mayor Alexander Lubigan, 44, happened on the same day when councilor Michael Magallanes of Zamboanga City, who had survived three previous attempts on his life, was shot dead by a lone gunman, police added.

Initial reports said Lubigan died on the spot— the third slay of a local executive official this week—while his driver, Romulo Guillemer, 50, died hours later after they were ambushed in front of the Korean Hospital at about 3:15 pm the other day.

Romeo Edrinal, 56, the other security person-

nel of Lubigan was in critical condition at the Korea-Philippine Friendship Hospital.

From Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the government strongly condemned the ambush, adding “Our condolences go out to the grieving family and friends of the late Vice Mayor Lubigan.”

Roque added: “We ask the leadership of the Philippine National Police to conduct a fair and thorough investigation and spare no effort in getting to the bottom of this latest crime.

Turn to A2

RODY TO QUIT IF 'THE NOISY ONES HAVE SEEN GOD'

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

TRIAL HIV VACCINE PASSES KEY TEST

DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte vows to step down from the presidency once someone will appear in front of him and tell him he had seen and talked with God. During his speech Friday at the National Science and Technology Week Celebration for Mindanao, Duterte said he believed there was one supreme mind—God.

PARIS, France—The near 40-year quest for an AIDS vaccine received a hopeful boost Saturday when scientists announced that a trial drug triggered an immune response in humans and shielded monkeys from infection.

Turn to A2

“I never said I do not believe in God. I’m not a prognostic (sic) and I’m not an atheist. I just happen to be a human being believing in that there’s a universal mind somewhere which controls the universe,” he said.

“And if there is anyone of you there, the noisy ones, who would say that you have been to heaven, talked to (sic) God, saw him personally, and that He exists, the

God that is yours, and if [what] He does is true, I will step down [from] the presidency tonight,” he added.

Duterte explained that even though he believed in one supreme God there were still things that he thought were illogical.

In Manila, meanwhile, “running priest” Father Robert Reyes on Saturday said he opposed the one-on-one meeting of Duterte and the Catholic Bishops' Confer-

ence of the Philippines president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles on July 9.

In a report on Super Radyo dzBB, beamed nationwide, Mao dela Cruz quoted Reyes as saying there should be another witness in the supposed Turn to A2

POLICE TOLD: OBSERVE MAXIMUM TOLERANCE DURING SONA DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police to exercise maximum tolerance and “sacrifice even if people spit on you” during protest rallies when he delivers his third State of the Nation Address on July 23.

Duterte also discouraged law enforcers from bringing firearms, except sticks and shields.

To his critics, the President said, “Air your grievance. That is a constitutional guarantee. Seek redress, shout on the streets.”

He even offered to declare a two-day holiday to allow all Filipinos to join rallies.

“I even want all of you to hold a feast.

I will declare the next two days as vacation time so that all the people can go there during the SONA address and demonstrate there,” Duterte said during the 2018 National Science Week at the SMX Convention Center here Friday evening.

He said the military and the police should just back off in the face of advancing protesters.

twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

“If you have nowhere to go because your back is on the wall, you are boxed in a corner, maybe you should try to advance a little,” the President said.

“But as much as possible, I do not want to see any rifle, anything there except your baton and your shield. And you have to sacrifice, even if people spit on you, including foreigners who would curse you, let them,” he added.

Duterte, however, clarified, “I’m not asking you to die. Just retreat. Do not be afraid.” PNA

S

manilastandard.net

NO RISK TAKERS. Residents ride on a makeshift boat to cross stagnant floodwaters

at the Artex Compound in Manila on Friday, with health officials declaring a surge in leptospirosis cases they have attributed to flooding due to continuous rains. Leptospirosis, according to medical experts, is an infectious disease caused by a particular type of bacteria called a spirochete transmitted by rats as well as by skunks, opossums, raccoons, foxes, and other vermin. AFP

Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circ@manilastandardtoday.com

News

A2

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

LEPTOS...

From A1

management of discards to control rat infestation.

The EcoWaste Coalition, in a press statement, pressed for the strict observance of ecological waste management after Duque last July 5 declared outbreaks of the dreaded Leptospirosis in certain barangays in Malabon, Mandaluyong, Navotas, Parañaque, Pasig, Quezon and Taguig cities.

The group specifically asked newly-installed barangay officials to enforce waste prevention and reduction measures to avoid garbage from piling up, as well as to avert flooding caused by trash-choked waterways.

“Poor waste management attracts rodent infestation and increases the risk of human exposure to the Leptospirosiscausing bacteria transmitted through rat urine,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste Campaigner for EcoWaste Coalition.

“Rats thrive in filthy surroundings such as garbage dumps where they go to find food, rest and hide,” he added in a statement.

“Improper trash disposal can also obstruct canals and rivers causing flooding, which forces rats to flee floods and seek shelter on higher ground. This makes wading and swimming in flooded areas very dangerous as floodwaters may be contaminated with Leptospira bacteria from infected rats,” he said.

“It is imperative for our barangays to help in enforcing Republic Act 9003, or the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act, which aims to protect public health and the environment from mismanaged discards,” he emphasized.

Among other things, R.A. 9003 requires the country’s over 42,000 barangays to develop an ecological solid waste management program, promote waste segregation, implement a segregated collection for biodegradable and non-biodegradable discards, and set up Materials Recovery Facilities in every barangay or cluster of barangays.

“Ecological solid waste management can help not only in preventing leptospirosis, but also in preventing cholera, dengue, gastroenteritis, typhoid fever and other common diseases during the rainy season,” he said.

According to the World Health Organization, “Leptospirosis can be transmitted to humans through cuts and abrasions of the skin, or through the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and mouth with water contaminated with the urine of infected animals.”

The outbreak of Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection caused by contact with rodent urine, was declared in the following areas: Quezon City – Brgy. Bagbag (3 cases), Brgy. Silangan (5), Brgy. Batasan Hills (9), Brgy. Commonwealth (7), Brgy. Novaliches Proper (4), Brgy. Payatas (5), Brgy. Pinyahan (3), Brgy. Vasra (4); Taguig City – Brgy. Lower Bicutan (5), Brgy. Maharlika Village (3), Brgy. Signal Village (4), Brgy. Western Bicutan (4); Pasig City – Brgy. Pinagbuhatan (4); Parañaque City – Brgy. BF Homes (3), Brgy. San Dionisio (3); Navotas City – Brgy. North Bay Blvd.

South (3); Mandaluyong City – Brgy. Addition Hills (3); Malabon City – Brgy. Concepcion (3) From Jan. 1 to July 3, 2018, Duque said a total of 368 Leptospirosis cases, with 52 deaths, were reported from Metro Manila.

He noted that a sudden increase in the number of cases was observed from June 10 to July 3.

DU30...

From A1

Duterte then asked Congress to elect a president before the transition of the new form of government.

“Make my term co-terminus, with the beginning of the draft constitution. Make me stop being President during the transition. In other words, elect a President before you make the transition from unitary to federal,” Duterte said.

He also asked the team of Puno to make the final revision of the draft of the new constitution and make his term only until 2019.

He also asked Vice President Leni Robredo to take his post after the approval once the transition took place if she would like to.

“Make the changes now. Make me resign or ask me to step down by a Constitutional fiat that there will be an election before we proceed with the adoption of the Constitution,” he said.

He censured rumors his reason behind the transition of government was that he wanted to extend his term as President of the country.

“You said I want to be President beyond 2022? Of course not. Sorry to disappoint you. Excuse me, I’m not like that,” Duterte said.

The Consultative Committee tasked to review the 1987 Constitution, written by a Constitutional Commission appointed by President Corazon Aquino a year after she was swept to power by a largely peaceful Catholic Church-backed revolution, approved the draft of the proposed federal constitution on July 3.

The committee plans to submit the draft to Duterte on or before July 9.

F. Pearl A. Gajunera

FEDERAL CHARTER POSES A HEADACHE—SERENO

By MJ Blancaflor and Dexter Tilo

O

country.

USTED Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has called the proposed draft charter a “headache,” deeming it unnecessary to address the current problems of the

Sereno said the charter drafted by the consultative committee would only bring confusion on debt payment, taxation, and the possibility of secession.

“Why do we create a mess? We are seeking a mess here,” Sereno said in mix English and Filipino during a forum on Saturday morning.

She also said that the reforms that the Con-Com has proposed can be done with the present Constitution.

“There is nothing that will prevent this present Congress from giving any economic benefit to the regions or the provinces that they cannot do so now within the present Constitution and using their legislative powers,” Sereno said during a forum in Quezon City.

The Con-Com has proposed a “distribution” of state powers traditionally concentrated in the central government.

But the former Chief Justice said

that the state or national government to share revenues and divide some of its functions is already a recognized principle in the Constitution.

“I have not heard any member of the committee nor any member of Congresses nor present officer of the administation say that under the Constitution this is a necessary power that we must give the regions that we cannot give now.”

“Congress can already do that, then what is the reason for this charter change?”

Through legislation, can reorganize political subdivisions, Sereno said.

She added that the Congress can readily make a law which will penalize inefficiency of agencies of the national government.

“Kung kabagalan lang ay gawin ng batas kapag hindi nag-respond ang national government sa regional at provincial requirements ay ito ang karampatang parusa,” she added.

Other than this, Sereno said constitutional bodies such as the Office of the Ombudsman and Commission on Audit can also set performance standards to ensure that the national government remains efficient.

“E kung ganun naman pala e ano ba ang saysay nitong federal charter na ginagawa nila? ‘Yun na nga po ang problema eh, ano po ba ang tanong? Ano po ba ang problema na gusto nilang solusyunan sa charter na ito?” she said.

Sereno also raised the question on who will pay the country’s P 6.8-trillion external and local debt.

She said the draft charter made no mention if the national government or the 18 federal states will pay the debts of the country.

“We still have a lot of problems as a nation, but we do not know who will shoulder them,” Sereno added.

She added that the Constitutional Commission, created through an executive order, did not include provisions preventing double taxation.

Should the new Constitution take into effect, Sereno said there will be several levels of taxes including federal taxes, state taxes, and barangay taxes.

Sereno also claimed that the federal draft charter is about “breaking up” since it raises the possibility of

secession and division among federal states.

She noted that nothing will prevent secession since the new charter recognizes the right to self-determination of each federal states.

“The seed of secession is already planted within the federal charter,” she said.

Former Chief Justice Reynato Puno, committee chairman, previously said the proposed charter calls for a “union that is indissoluble, a federalism that is permanent, a bond that is eternal.”

Malacañang has yet to release a copy of the draft proposed by the 22-member consultative committee but a leaked version is making rounds on social media, which was called “ungenuine” by the ConCom. In the same forum, former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay urged President Duterte to assert the country’s rights on the West Philippine Sea by sending a diplomatic note to China expressing our complaints over their militarization in the areas within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone.

Hilbay said China, as a member of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas, is still bound by the decision of the UN Arbitral Tribunal that favored the Philippines last year.

RISING PRICES ERODE OFWS' GAINS FROM WEAK PESO

By Maricel V. Cruz WHILE the beneficiaries of migrant Filipino workers have benefitted from the deteriorating peso against US dollar, their gains were rendered useless by the galloping prices, a party-list lawmaker said on Saturday.

“The inflationary impact of rising oil prices has eroded whatever higher value migrant workers are getting from their earnings in dollars,” Aniceto Bertiz III, a member of the minority bloc, said.

The pace of the increase in the prices of basic goods and services, as measured by the inflation rate, hit 5.2 percent in June, the highest in more than five years, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Thursday.

To ease the jolt of soaring consumer prices, Bertiz pressed banks to lower their average 10.57 percent

CAVITE...

From A1

“We must band together and put an end to the worrisome incidents of violence involving local politicians.”

The Lubigan slay came barely four days after the two consecutive assassination of Tanauan, Batangas and Gen. Tinio Mayors Antonio Halili and Ferdinand Bote, Monday and Tuesday, respectively, this week.

Lubigan was on board a black Toyota Hilux bearing conduction sticker YV 4077 when fired upon by the gunmen along Trece-Indang Road,

transfer charge on the money sent home by migrant workers.

“Reducing the cost of bank remittance services to five percent would mean some $1.5 billion or P80.1 billion in cost-savings and extra money in the pockets of our migrant workers and their families every year,” Bertiz said.

Overseas Filipinos sent home $28.1 billion in “personal cash” through the banking system in 2017, and another $4.9 billion via non-bank remittance channels, Bertiz said, citing figures from both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the World Bank.

Bertiz also urged migrant workers “to protect themselves and their families by saving and investing persistently.”

The peso has fallen by six percent against the dollar in the last 12 months alone.

The peso-dollar rate closed the first semester on June 29 at 53.52:1, down from 50.46:1 a year ago, based on a review of the BSP’s daily exchange rate bulletins.

Meanwhile, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries or Opec crude oil price has so far averaged $67 per barrel this year versus $52 in 2017, $40 in 2016 and $49 in 2015, according to Hamburg, Germany-based Statista Research and Analysis.

As a result, Department of Energy said the common price of diesel in the Philippines surged to P43.49 per liter in June from P35.20 in January, while the common price of gasoline rose to P53.55 per liter from P47.85 over the same period.

Meanwhile, Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting expressed the hope that the 5.2 percent inflation

rate in June is just a temporary setback.

Tambunting, a pro-administration lawmaker, said many external factors contributed to the high inflation and not just the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or the TRAIN law as claimed by the administration’s critics.

“This is a case of bad timing,” he said.

“Inflation is up because of increases in the prices of oil and other prime commodities. another reason is the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar,” Tambunting said. “One of the reasons for this is that the country has been importing a lot of capital goods which will be used for production.”

He said these factors will eventually lead to economic growth in the future.

Barangay Luciano, Trece Martirez.

Police said the suspects were traveling along the Indang direction on board a black Montero then fired at Lubigan’s Hilux, killing the vice mayor instantly, while Guillemer was critically wounded and was rushed to the Emilio Aguinaldo Memorial Hospital.

Members of the Scene of the Crime Operatives responded to the crime scene to gather all pieces of evidence, including the type of firearms used by the suspects.

This developed as Chief Supt. Edward Carranza, police director of Calabarzon, ordered the creation of an special intelligence task group to unravel Lubigan’s killing.

Carranza said they would be looking all possible angles behind the Lubigan killing as he revisits Trece Martirez history, suggesting political feuds had triggered previous incidents.

Meanwhile, Senior Insp. Shellamie Chang, Zamboanga City Police information officer, said Magallanes was driving his motorcycle, on his way to a feeding program in Lustre St., Sta. Catalina, when shot by a lone gunman along Betty 2 Drive at about 7:19 am He was rushed to the hospital but died while being treated.

Police said the gunman fled on foot towards the direction of Barangay Tetuan after the incident.

Magallanes was said to be active in community service and was the president of Rotary Club of Zamboanga-West at the time of his death.

Earlier this week, 150 cleft-lipped children benefited from the free operation sponsored by the club headed by Magallanes.

The victim also served as barangay treasurer before he was elected as kagawad during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last May 14.

This year’s incident was the second attempt on the life of Magallanes. Early last year, he was shot and wounded, also in Barangay Sta. Catalina. With Dennis Abrina and PNA

RODY...

From A1

dialogue as Duterte and Valles were good friends, the latter being the Archbishop of Davao.

Reyes also expressed fears Duterte might offer Valles “P100 million for his silence” about the issues hounding the present administration— a statement Malacanang has not commented on.

Duterte had said he could not understand the logic of original sin since people were born with parents who underwent the sacrament of marriage.

He said he could not grasp the logic behind the teaching on the original sin through that cycle.

Duterte, however, stressed he believed in the supremacy of God who created the universe.

“Yes of course, there’s God,” he said.

“There are billions and millions and billions and trillions of stars. If there is nobody that has really the technology in his mind, we will be just be colliding with each other most of the time and nothing would be left for humans even to exist.”

LETTERS..

From A1

Players from the “Wild Boar” football team wrote short notes in the gloom, reassuring parents and relatives, making affectionate jokes and expressing hopes of being reunited in the near future.

“Love to Mum, Dad and my little brother,” reads one note from 15-year-old Phiphat Photi—who is better known as “Nick”—published along with the other letters given to a diver on Friday and released the next morning on the Thai Navy Seal Facebook page.

“If I get out, please can you bring me some grilled pork and vegetables?”

“I love you, Dad, Mum and my sister. You don’t need to be worried about me. I love everyone!” wrote Pheerapat, nicknamed “Night,” who turned 16 underground.

The letters provoked a surge of emotion from families, who first endured nine long days before their children were found disheveled and emaciated but alive on Monday—and now face an agonizing wait for a dangerous evacuation.

“I am so happy to see his letter, his handwriting.

I’m almost crying,” Night’s mother Supaluk Sompiengjai told AFP. AFP

TRIAL...

From A1

Shown to be safe in humans, the candidate vaccine has now advanced to the next phase of the pre-approval trial process, and will be tested in 2,600 women in southern Africa to see whether it prevents HIV infection.

While the results so far have been encouraging, the research team and outside experts warn there are no guarantees it will actually work in the next trial phase dubbed HVTN705 or “Imbokodo”—the isiZulu word for “rock.”

“Although these data are promising, we need to remain cautious,” study leader Dan Barouch, a Harvard Medical School professor, told AFP. Just because it protected two-thirds of monkeys in a lab trial doesn’t mean the drug will protect humans, “and thus we need to await the results of the... study before we know whether or not this vaccine will protect humans against HIV infection,” he said.

The results of the Imbokodo trial are expected in 2021/22.

“This is only the fifth HIV vaccine concept that will be tested for efficacy in humans in the 35+ year history of the global HIV epidemic,” added Barouch.

Only one so far, RV144, yielded some protection. RV144 was reported in 2009 to reduce the risk of HIV infection among 16,000 Thai volunteers by 31.2 percent—deemed insufficient for the drug to be pursued. AFP

News

BOC FILES CASE VS ONION, CIGARETTE SMUGGLERS

By Joel E. Zurbano

the Department of Justice were Joseph Martin E. Arriesgado, of EAJM Enterprises; Manilou A. Hernandez, HE Customs of Buensuceso Enterprise; Arvin bureau has filed Tugadi of Epitome International Trading, and licensed Customs criminal charges broker Lorenz V. Mangaliman. against six The case stemmed from the respondents’ attempt to illegally slip individuals responsible into the country six 40-foot reefer for the smuggling of containers of onions which were misdeclared as shipments of fresh onions and cigarette apples from China based on the shipments worth import documents. more than P37 million Misdeclaration, as defined in the Customs laws, is outright smuggling. intercepted at the Manila Thus, value declaration is no longer International Container an issue in determining whether an alert order should be issued or not Port two months ago. as all misdeclared shipments are Charged with smuggling before subject to immediate seizure by the

T

government.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña Jr. said that large-scale smuggling of agricultural produce is considered as economic sabotage, not to mention its adverse effect to the farmers and producers.

Agricultural produce requires import and pythosanitary permits from the Agriculture department and its line agencies aside from filing import entries. Without the necessary clearances, the release of shipments is withheld.

Local farmers had said that illegal importation of agricultural produce has been a bane to the local industry for years and likewise poses a threat to consumers’ health.

Also charged with smuggling were Mark David G. Villanueva,

owner of Marid Industrial Marketing and his broker Carme Ann S. Rollon for unlawful importation of cigarette shipment, declared in the import manifest as industrial artificial fur texture.

Customs officials said the duty for cigarette importations was raised primarily to raise revenues for the government and to discourage smoking by making it more expensive to smoke.

Dubbed as the Sin Tax Law, the authors of the law that raised duties for cigarette and liquor importations had in mind, raising more revenues for the government and helping in the government’s anti-smoking campaign by making it more expensive to smoke, when they crafted the law.

STUDENTS, TEACHERS AFFECTED BY CLASHES A TOTAL of 16,590 students and 350 teachers have been affected by the ongoing clashes between government forces and Islamic State-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in four towns in Maguindanao province’s second district.

Merriam Kawit, Maguindanao 2nd District schools’ division superintendent, said the affected schools are in the towns of Rajah Buayan, Mamasapano, Shariff Saydona Mustapha, and Datu Paglas.

“We are still waiting for advice from our superiors as to when we could resume classes in the affected areas,” she said over a local radio station Friday.

Kawit has called on both sides to “at least spare the children and schools” from the skirmishes, saying they have suffered enough from being displaced by the fighting.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said it has recorded 12,040 families or some 50,000 individuals that have been displaced since the start of the clashes on July 1.

ARMM Executive Secretary Laisa Alamia, concurrent DSWDARMM chief, enumerated the breakdown of the displaced families per town—Shariff Saydona Mustapha (1,106); Shariff Aguak (1,049); Datu Saudi Ampatuan (1,685); Datu Paglas (1,912); and Datu Unsay and Buluan (6,288).

“Despite the conflict, however, the DSWD-ARMM has monitored ‘zero’ civilian casualties so far in the field,” Alamia told newsmen during a press conference here Friday.

She said that ARMM’s Humanitarian Emergency Assistance Response Team has already prepositioned relief goods up for delivery soon to the affected areas. PNA

POLLUTED. Children enjoy swimming in

polluted waters along the flooded area in La Huerta, Coastal Road Bulungan, in Parañaque City. Lino Santos

LTFRB TOLD TO CLARIFY P1 HIKE IN JEEPNEY FARE

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulator Board was asked to add “a sunset” provision after it increased by P1 the jeepney fare in the National Capital Region and three other regions.

On Saturday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the LTFRB should specifically state that the P1 increase is only valid until the end of the year, with the option to extend it for another 3 to 6 months depending on the price of fuel.

“Ipinapanukala ko ito dahil alam naman natin na mas madaling magtaas ng singil sa pamasahe kaysa magbaba nito,” he said. [I am calling for this because we all know that it’s easier to increase fares than decrease it.]

The senator also called on the finance and transportation departments to study the Pantawid Pasada Program to determine if the P5,000 fuel voucher for drivers is enough to alleviate the effects of increasing oil prices.

The LTFRB on Friday approved the increase to P9 from the previous P8 jeepney fare in National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa.

Earlier, some transport groups were asking for a P10 minimum fare, or an additional P2, while while others wanted a P5-per-liter discount on oil or exemption from value-added tax.

Meanwhile, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles reminded the LTFRB to be fair in implementing fines on all forms of public transport.

Nograles claimed that Grab is again allegedly trying to usurp the power of the LTFRB on fare standards after coming out with a new scheme which puts their booking fee at P100 per trip.

Nograles said LTFRB’s mandate to regulate and impose fare standards to protect the riding public from abuse should extend to all forms of public conveyances such as jeepneys, buses and Transport Network Companies

such as Grab Philippines.

“LTFRB threatens drivers who overcharge by one peso, yet treat with kid gloves the multi-billion company that has been caught lying many times,” Nograles said.

Nograles said that under Joint Administrative Order no. 2014-01, TNCs like Grab Philippines can be charged the same way as jeepneys where each violation constitute one offense.

“The law should apply to all. Our hapless jeepney drivers should not be used as punching bags just to show our regulators are dutifully enforcing our laws. Barya-barya lang ang kinikita ng ating mga jeepney drivers tapos napag-iinitan pa sila samantalang ang Grab ay kumikita ng P20 million bawat araw na laway lang ang puhunan,” Nograles said.

If the P2.00 per minute illegal charges made by Grab has 67 million instances, then Grab is liable for P335 billion in fines, which the LTFRB has yet to collect, Nograles said.

INCLUDE CPR IN CURRICULUM, ANGARA URGES SCHOOLS

COFFIN MARCH. Members of the Purple Cross Movement carry a coffin as they march along Kalaw Ave. to Pope Pius in Manila to condemn the killing of Catholic priests in the country. At least three priests have been killed in a span of six months by unidentified assailants. Norman Cruz

SENATOR Sonny Angara has urged all private and public schools to include in their curriculum the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

Angara is the principal author of Republic Act 10871, known as the “Samboy Lim Law,” which aims to make lifesavers out of the Filipino youth.

“Everyone can be a lifesaver, including our youth. All it takes is training, and the schools are the best venue to equip students with the lifesaving skills,” the senator said.

Angara lauded the Department of Health for leading mass demonstrations of hands-only CPR in time for the National Disaster Resilience Month.

The DoH aims to educate the local government units on hands-only CPR to equip them during calamities and disasters.

Studies have shown that the survival rate of a victim doubles when CPR is administered. It is an emergency pro-

cedure applied when someone’s heart stopped beating to help keep and maintain the blood flow to the heart and brain.

The legislation was introduced after PBA legend Samboy Lim suffered a heart attack in 2014 during an exhibition game.

Physicians who attended to him later said that his recovery would have been better had CPR been administered within three minutes after the heart attack.

“Equipping our youth with the necessary knowledge and basic skills to respond to certain health emergencies can save lives. We instill in their consciousness not only the importance of being healthy but also the importance of saving lives,” Angara said.

RA 10871 mandates schools nationwide to incorporate CPR in their curriculum and make it a compulsory requirement prior to graduation.

A3

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ELECTRIC CO-OP RESILIENCY ACT FUND READY —SOLON THE chairman of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations on Saturday assured funding for the implementation of Republic Act 11039, also known as the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund Act. Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the panel’s chairman, made the statement following the President’s signing into law of RA 11039.

At the same time; Nograles, who was among the main authors of the measure at the Lower House, assured the availability of funds for the new law under the soon-to-be-tackled 2019 national budget.

Nograles said the main objective of RA 11039 is to support and assist electric cooperatives (ECs) that have been adversely affected by calamities or force majeure so they may be able to immediately restore electric service to the people.

“These ECs are heavily relied upon in the provinces for their electric service. If their operations get crippled, so too will the lives of local residents whose world will be plunged in darkness on top of the disaster that caused the outage in the first place.

Unfortunately, we are a magnet for natural disasters,” Nograles said.

“I will see to it that the eventual General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2019 will provide ample funding for this law, which is an important safety net for the 122 ECs scattered all over the country,” Nograles added.

The House, which has the power of the purse, expects to receive the proposed 2019 National Expenditure Program from Malacañang in late July or right at the start of the third regular session. The NEP will be the basis for the national budget or the GAA. The Appropriations panel headed

by Nograles takes the lead in the budget deliberations, which will go full blast in August.

The Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund will be managed and administered by the National Electrification Administration, whose mandate involves ensuring that these power distribution utilities are kept running.

Maricel V. Cruz

VILLAR LAUDS ‘PROTECTED AREAS’ LAW SENATOR Cynthia Villar welcomed the signing into law of the bill placing more areas under government protection, which include popular tourism destinations as well as internationally-recognized critical zones.

Villar, chairman of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, is the principal sponsor of Republic Act 11038 or the law expanding the National Integrated Protected Areas System (E-NIPAS), which was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte on June 22, 2018.

“We are very happy to come up with this legislation ensuring protection for more areas in our megadiverse country. This legislation is timely, given the heightened public clamor to protect and rehabilitate our popular tourist spots,” Villar said.

Villar added that among the 94 new areas placed under government’s protection are three Ramsar Sites; namely, the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park (Metro Manila), Agusan Marsh (Agusan del Sur) and Olango Island (Cebu). Also protected now as national parks are popular tourist spots in the country including Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Chocolate Hills and Panglao Island in Bohol, Apo Island in Negros Oriental, Mt. Mayon in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, Hinulugang Tak-tak in Rizal, and Palaui Island in Cagayan.

Internationally-recognized areas are also included, namely, the Asean Heritage Sites Mount TimpoongHibok-Hibok (Camiguin) and Mount Iglit-Baco (Mindoro); and Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary (Tawi-Tawi).

“The Philippines’ rich biodiversity is a source of pride and joy for all of us Filipinos. We actively protect and strongly defend the breadth and depth of our territories to ensure that the future generation of Filipinos will still have the opportunity to take pride and find joy in our country’s rich biodiversity,” Villar said.

The law, which amends Republic Act 7586, increases the number of protected areas covered by legislation from 13 to 107, for a total of 3 million hectares.

A4

By Yugel Losorata

T

HE much-debated “basketbrawl” between our national team and Australia’s had a solid back story that led to the melee, in the same way no way Titanic could have avoided the iceberg. It is something that cannot be discounted when analyzing the matter or before passing judgement.

While the incident is deemed regrettable and shouldn’t have happened here, it is simply just that we Filipinos generally go easy on our side.

To retell a truth, the Australian ballers have the reputation of playing dirty. In an article published two years ago during the Rio Olympics, NBA star Paul George, who was servicing Team USA at the time, noted that Australia “has a knack for being a little dirty.”

Aussies Matthew Dellavedova, in active duty for the Boomers last Monday, and Andrew Bogut, who mocked the Filipino players for taking a supposedly misinterpreted team selfie while waiting for referees after-brawl decision, are both notorious for, in the words of that same piece, “hard fouls and borderline contact.”

Not surprisingly, Dellavedova is known around the US as Dirty Delly.

Even assistant coach and former Michael Jordan-teammate Luc Longley couldn’t put much sense as to why his wards are so much into rough play. He vaguely labeled their brand of game as “international basketball.”

Both the Filipinos and the Aussies can be tagged as victims of that Monday night riot. But the Australians, by reputation and the way they had been suspiciously acting before all hell broke loose, were no doubt the instigators. Reading between the lines, they just met their match on the hard court the hard way.

Prior to the rumble, the Boomers were clearly careless about their movements which were logically taken as bullying.

They could have asked permission from tournament officials before stripping off the decals on the arena floor. And why resort to hitting opposing players during warmups, or taunt Filipino cagers at dead balls? How arrogant could you be that you would do that to your hosts?

Simply said, the visitors were inadvertently trying to pick up a fight and the home team did not back down from that. We cannot condone the actions of our compatriots, but in similar tone we would not tolerate Australian or any foreign bullying on our soil.

Besides, “this is my house” is a FIBA line used probably for good reason. The Gilas players

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

Reira U Mallari, Editor sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

BOOMERS’

BREW OF BRAWL Korean Kim Joo Hyung relishes his first victory in a young pro career.

KIM POSTS RECORD ICTSI WIN

Australian basketball assistant coach Luc Longley, player Cameron Gliddon and captain Daniel Kickert attend a press conference at Brisbane airport, two days after their FIBA World Cup Asian qualifying game against the Philippines. AFP

lost collective composure in the name of homecourt pride.

While Filipinos are known the world over for being hospitable, when pushed to limit, we tend to react in the most unpredictable of ways. Longley may think coach Chot Reyes incited players to hit somebody. But it can be argued he was only firing up his boys because they were trailing by a big margin.

Daniel Kickert’s classic-arm slam of RR Pogoy turned out to be the last straw that triggered someone as mild-mannered as Jason Castro to lose his temper and throw a punch, igniting a point-of-no-return free-for-all. If Kickert could do what he did for his comrade, who was fouled hard, why wouldn’t a Filipino do the same for his buddy who was intentionally hurt?

Yes, it was sad to see a two-time best Asian point guard lose his cool in front of 22,000 fans, but it is an isolated case as far as his personal history is concerned.

A couple of other factors contributed for the fracas to transpire. One is the apparent failure of security personnel at the Philippine Arena to keep people, both team staff and fans, from storming into the court. And two, the three Middle Eastern referees calling the shots did not put their bodies on the line to stop players from fighting; they could have helped lessen its magnitude. With such tension brewing even before game tip-off, more watchful eyes should have been delegated by teams and people-in-charge.

Watching that game live with my nineyear old basketball-loving son, I did some explaining after, so he could somehow fully fathom what happened. On hindsight, it’s something we Filipinos can actually learn from as a reemerging basketball force, especially now that both Australia and New Zealand, with players of different physique from Asians, had been inserted by FIBA into the Asian tourneys.

Filipino fans at the venue, allegedly described as trash crowd by an Aussie, cannot be fault for doing the wave or booing the Boomers. We will back our boys even if there are only three of them left to continue playing and we will not let pass any form of physicality done with harm.

We are acknowledged as best fans in the world, aren’t we?

PBA coach Yeng Guiao implied that “The Australians put themselves in that situation” and therefore “are to be blamed” for the unfortunate turnout.

We Filipinos have varying views on a brawl that is hard to watch on replay. But we have to remind ourselves of the x and the whys surrounding that sequence before we yell at the very soldiers carrying our flag.

(Editor’s note: The author has written newspaper and magazine features about the Philippine basketball national team, Philippine Basketball Association, and other sports subjects.)

ROCKSTAR TRIATHLETE WITH A BIG HEART

By Lito Cinco GOING into the sport of triathlon, whether recreational or competitive level, or even sprint distances to the full Ironman distance will always need heart just to stay in the sport and finish any race.

But for rockstar triathlete Reujen Lista, he certainly went beyond as he showed his big heart by sharing his blessings with the less privileged in life. He describes what he does as simple random acts of kindness, but then there is nothing random at all about them, as he has been doing these “little acts” for years already.

To those not in the know, Lista is a rockstar, having played in the past with iconic figures and bands like Juan dela Cruz, Wally Gonzales, Crossroads with Megan Aguilar, and was a co-founder of Advent Call. Up to now, he still does gigs in BGC. He also got K.O. Jones for the Zoo Band as replacement for his friend Arnel Pineda.

He does not deny the fact that he was a drug user in the past. Name it, he has done it. But believe it or not, he has been drug free and sober for 13 years already, since he decided to call it quits with illegal drugs.

It was Mother’s Day and the seventh birthday of his son in 2005 when he went into drug rehabilitation and saw his weight grow to 225 pounds. Two years later, he suffered a heart attack and that was the turning point in his life.

He turned to triathlon to recover.

“I found out that the sport suits me, being an ADHD guy. It was a perfect fit and without the proper training, I did my first triathlon in CamSur. I almost drowned, but managed to finish the race in 6:42.

Triathlon is a different high for me and now I feel liberated, a free spirit. Honestly, triathlon saved me,” said Lista, who now has completed 11 full Ironman races in Malaysia, Taiwan, Australia and Europe, though he still has to realize his dream of qualifying in the Ironman in Kona, Hawaii.

“If I finish another Ironman, I automatically qualify in Hawaii. This year, I also intend to break all my personal records in both the standard and the half ironman distance races. That is why I train every day, alone at that. I do this in between training other people in running and I intend to coach the national team one day,”revealed Lista, who described himself as a guy crazy enough to do what he wants to do.

He even organizes his own Rockstar

CREAMLINE, PAYMAYA START DUEL Reujen Lista (left) shakes hands with triathlon chief Tom Carrasco after donating googles and other equipment to the NSA.

Triathlon aside from coaching and doing grassroots sports program that he intends to bring to Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia next year.

But then, what differentiates this rockstar triathlete from others is his heart and compassion for the less privileged. He has established a foundation in Nueva Ecija, the“Ako Ang Saklay Foundation,”tapping his many friends for whatever donations they can give to his projects for the poor.

R e ce n t l y, t h e b l i n d t w i n s i n

paratriathlon, Jerome and Joshua Nelmida, were the recipients of his kindness as they received triathlon equipment from him. Lista promised to give more support whatever way he can.

He also gave goggles and other triathlon paraphernalia to Triathlon Association of the Philippines president Tom Carrasco Jr. for the national sports association’s grassroots program.

That alone, endears this guy to the world of triathlon.

ANOTHER WORLD CUP ENDS IN AGONY FOR BRAZIL Neymar

KAZAN—Four years after the psychodrama of Neymar’s injury and a humiliating World Cup semi-final defeat as hosts, Brazil are forced to come to terms with the crushing disappointment of a failed mission in Russia.

It was not meant to be like this, Tite’s side dumped out of the tournament in the quarterfinals at the hands of Belgium, losing 2-1 in Kazan.

They had come to the World Cup determined to confirm their revival following the 7-1 humiliation at the hands of Germany in Belo Horizonte, and there were plenty of reasons for optimism.

With Germany, Spain and Argentina out, and Italy not even at the party, the path looked to be clearing for Brazil to go and win their sixth title.

CAGAYAN de Oro—Kim Joo Hyung became the youngest winner on the Philippine Golf Tour at 16, beating the hottest player on the circuit no less with a kind of resolve and resilience rarely seen on a teenager barely warming up on big-time tournaments.

But the rising Korean star, who honed his talent and skills at Riviera before moving over to Southwoods, proved he’s ripe for the picking, foiling Jobim Carlos with clutch birdies to capture the P3 million ICTSI Pueblo De Oro Championship crown by one on a final round 69 at the Pueblo De Oro Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Pressed by Carlos after 54 holes, Kim shook off the PGT Apo leg winner’s early charge and hiked his overnight one-stroke lead to three with a gutsy 35 at the turn. He then rode the backside pressure, including a double-bogey mishap on the par-3 11th, by coming through with decisive three straight birdies from No. 15 to frustrate Carlos and clinch the victory on a 72-hole total of 18-under 270 worth a whopping P550,000.

The Filipino ace actually closed out with three straight birdies, a kind of finish that could easily win championships. But he fell short of even forcing a playoff as Kim took a two-stroke lead to the final hole and secured the win with a routine par windup. Carlos also made a 69 for a 271 and took the P370,000 runner-up prize in the fifth leg of the PGT sponsored by ICTSI. “I was surprised to hear that (youngest winner on the tour). I just wanted to win this one, so it’s a bonus,” said Kim, who bested Miguel Tabuena’s feat when the latter nailed his first pro win at 17 at Splendido in 2012.

But instead, Tite’s side came a cropper the first time they faced another of the contenders and it is Belgium who advance to a semi-final against France.

In the four World Cups since the Selecao won the 2002 tournament in Japan and South Korea, they have been eliminated three times in the quarter-finals.

The run to the semis last time around as hosts is the exception, but fans had been desperate for their team to make up for their disastrous collapse in 2014.

When Neymar was cut down in the quarter-final win over Colombia in the Brazilian city of Fortaleza and stretchered off with a fractured vertebrae, the outlook was not good for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side.

Yet nobody could have predicted exactly what would follow, with a stricken Neymar absent as Brazil dramatically capitulated to the eventual winners.

They consoled themselves with the thought that, four years later, a fit Neymar would be at his peak to lead a new assault for the title on Russian soil.

Now 26 and the world’s most expensive player, Neymar was fit here, but only just.

Brazil’s build-up to the tournament was dominated by his battle to recover from an operation on a broken bone in his foot.

He goes home after scoring just two goals, his greatest impact on this World Cup being his tears against Costa Rica and, above all, his theatrics. AFP

Games today (MOA Arena) 10 a.m. – PLDT vs Vice Co (men’s – for third) 1:45 p.m. – Pocari-Air Force vs BanKo-Perlas (women’s – for 3rd) 3:45 p.m. – Creamline vs PayMaya (women’s – for crown) 6 p.m. – Cignal vs Air Force (men’s – for crown)

CREAMLINE and PayMaya set out for Game One of the best-of-three series for the Premier Volleyball League Season 2 Reinforced Conference crown today (Sunday) riding on a contrasting pair of sudden death victories in the Final Four but with the same drive – win at all costs.

For one, the Cool Smashers are seeking redemption after settling for a pair of third place finishes despite a strong roster in last year inaugurals of the league organized by Sports Vision although their campaign then was hampered by Alyssa Valdez’s commitment with the national team and her international stint.

This time, however, the former Ateneo hotshot has dedicated her time and effort to Creamline’s title bid, helping give the Cool Smashers a crack at a first-ever championship with consistent games from the elims to the semis.

Gametime is at 3:45 p.m. which can be viewed live via streaming on sports.abs-cbn.com/livestream/pvl. It will be shown on a delayed basis starting at 7 tonight on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23.

The duel for third between Pocari and BanKo-Perlas will be shown live starting at 1:45 p.m.

B1

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Opinion

EDITORIAL

FROM WHERE I STAND ERIC JURADO

THE REAL CAUSE OF INFLATION

LATITUDE

T

HE Palace says the President’s State of the Nation Address, to be delivered on the fourth Monday of this month, will come “straight from the heart.”

While Malacañang contracted the services of yet another director, there will be no carefully crafted script, just a recitation of Mr. Duterte’s “personal sentiments.” The speech will not be “hindered with the need to report on the different achievements,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

Just when a presidential accounting on what the administration has done over the past year in objective, measurable terms became a hindrance is beyond us.

Instead, that task has been relegated to the Cabinet members, slated to hold “pre-Sona briefings” with the media.

The accomplishments would certainly carry gravitas if they are delivered by the chief executive, because then he can put them in context of a broader, more strategic vision for the nation. That is, if there is any.

Then again the President seems bent on an extemporaneous address, which, truth to tell, would not be all that new to us.

In the past two years, we have seen Mr. Duterte deviate from prepared speeches when he felt like it, and speak “from the heart,” anyway. It is during these deviations that he talks about anything he wants, and utters the incendiary statements that make for good headlines in the days that follow.

He could single out anybody in the crowd, talk about his drug war, exhort the police to do this or that, attack priests, contradict his own previous pronouncements, question God, or profess adoration—sometimes, hatred—of foreign heads of state.

It’s a shame because we would really like to know where he intends to take us, how far we have come and how we will get to our envisioned state. Here, clear and unequivocal language, based on sound data, would be ideal. Logical transition from one idea to the next is key. That will give the people a sense of direction and control over an already-challenging and unpredictable day-today existence.

But no. We are told by his spokesman: “We will all be intrigued about what the President will say.”

“Intrigued” is not a word we would use. Knowing that Mr. Duterte would be given a wide latitude of what he will say during the Sona, and how he will say them, we instead brace ourselves for a wild ride.

FAVORITE BOOKS YOU know on Facebook when you’re asked to list your 10 favorite whatevers—food, music albums, films?

I got tagged in one of those, and I was asked to list my 10 favorite books.

It was difficult to choose just a few from the innumerable books I’ve read over the decades, so I decided to make a list of books that most influenced me

as a writer because of their structure, style, or content.

• Sixty Stories and Forty Stories

by Donald Barthelme: The stories are often non-linear, some are freeassociation, many surreal. They don’t all make sense and the ones that do don’t make all that sense either. As a writer it was freeing to read these and

realize that one could actually write like this and be published.

• Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo by Jose Rizal: Still considered the Great Filipino Novels, they are to this day unsurpassed in prestige and value as literature, social commentary, and documentation of life in colonial Philippines.

POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE

THERE is no mystery about the cause of monetary instability. Like other commodities, the value of money is determined by demand and supply.

When the supply of money is constant or increases at a slow, steady rate, the purchasing power of money will be relatively stable. In contrast, when the supply of money expands rapidly compared to the supply of goods and services, the value of money declines and prices rise. This is inflation. It occurs when the government prints money or borrows from the central bank in order to pay its bills.

Politicians often blame inflation on such scapegoats as greedy businesses, tax reform law, infrastructure spending, oil prices, or foreigners. But this is a ruse—a diversionary tactic.

Persistent inflation has a single source: rapid growth in the supply of money. A nation’s money supply is its currency, checking accounts, and savings accounts, etc. When that supply increases faster than the growth of the economy, the result is inflation.

Countries that increase their money supply at a slow rate (5 percent or less) experience low rates of inflation. This is true for large highincome countries like the United States and Canada, as well for smaller ones like Singapore, New Zealand, and Sweden. It is also true for poor countries like the Central African Republic and Mauritius.

As the money supply of a country grows faster, however, so too does the rate of inflation. The money supply in Peru, Uruguay, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria, and Romania grew at an annual rate of between 20 percent and 40 percent, and most experienced annual inflation rates in the same range.

Extremely high rates of monetary growth (70 percent and above) led to hyperinflation, as in Turkey, Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela. As the growth of the money supply in these countries soared, so too did their rate of inflation.

Every country in the world with a low inflation rate in recent decades has had a policy of slow monetary growth. Conversely, every country that has experienced rapid inflation has followed a course of rapid monetary expansion. Historically, this link between rapid monetary growth and inflation has been one of the most consistent relationships in all of economics.

High and variable rates of inflation undermine prosperity.

When prices increase 20 percent one year, 50 percent the next year, 15 percent the year after that, and so on, individuals and businesses are unable to develop sensible long term plans. The uncertainty makes the planning and implementation of capital investment projects risky and less attractive. Unexpected changes in the inflation rate can quickly turn an otherwise profitable project into a personal economic disaster. Rather than dealing with these uncertainties, many decision makers will simply forgo capital investments and other transactions involving long-term commitments. Some will even move their business and investment activities to countries with a more stable environment. As a result, potential gains from trade, business activities, and capital formation will be lost.

Moreover, when the government inflates, people will spend less time producing and more time trying

Turn to B4

Turn to B4

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

ONLINE

can be accessed at: thestandard.com.ph

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager OIC-Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Manila

Standard PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OIL COMPANY TODAY

PNOC Building 6, Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Philippines, 1634 [632] 789.7662 www.pnoc.gov.ph SECRETARY’S CERTIFICATE The undersigned, ATTY. LILA CZARINA A. AQUITANIA, Corporate Secretary of the Philippine National Oil Company (hereinafter, PNOC), a corporation with original charter created under P. D. 334, as amended, with principal office at PNOC Building 6, Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Metro Manila, HEREBY CERTIFIES AND STATES THAT: In its regular meeting held on 9 March 2018, at which a quorum existed, the Governing Board of Directors of PNOC, upon the request of the Management, has approved and adopted under Resolution No. 2487, S’2018 the proposed PNOC PublicPrivate Partnership for Progress Guidelines for concessions and leases. Subject resolution reads as follows: “Resolution No. 2487, 5’2018 RESOLVED, That the guidelines proposed for pursuing a public-private partnership for progress (P4) approach towards development, particularly on concessions and leases, providing for the procedure for selecting the private sector proponent, adapting a contract management framework, and far other purposes; as appearing in Annexes “1-5” to “1-29”, be; as it hereby is, APPROVED and ADOPTED.” This Secretary’s Certificate is hereby issued this 7th day of June 2018 at Taguig City upon the request of the Estate Management Department.

(Sgd.) ATTY. LILA CZARINA A. AQUITANIA Corporate Secretary

PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR PROGRESS (P4) GUIDELINES (CONCESSIONS AND LEASES) THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OIL COMPANY (PNOC) GUIDELINES FOR PURSUING A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR PROGRESS (P4) APPROACH TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT, PARTICULARLY ON CONCESSIONS AND LEASES, PROVIDING FOR THE PROCEDURE FOR SELECTING THE PRIVATE SECTOR PROPONENT, ADOPTING A CONTRACT MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES WHEREAS, under Section 20, Article II of the 1987 Constitution, the “State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments”; WHEREAS, the private sector participates in infrastructure, development and social service-related projects of the State and through what is popularly known as PublicPrivate Partnerships (PPPs); WHEREAS, the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) is a government instrumentality vested with corporate powers created by Presidential Decree No. 334, as amended by Presidential Decrees No. 405 (1974), 572 (1974), 927 (1976), 1516 (1978), Executive Order No. 171 (1978), Memorandum Order No. 18 (1986), and Republic Act No. 7638; WHEREAS, the PNOC was created to undertake and transact the corporate business relative primarily to oil or petroleum operations and other energy resources exploitation, where, “Energy resources exploitation” shall include exploration, discovery, development, extraction, utilization, refining, processing, transport, and marketing of all forms of energy resources, and “Energy resources” means any substance, mineral or otherwise, which by itself or in combination with other substance or after processing or refining or the application to it of technology emanates, gives off, generates or causes, the emanation or generation of heat or power or energy such as, but not limited to, petroleum or oil, coal, marsh gas, methane gas, geothermal sources of heat and power, uranium and other minerals and fossils deposits.

(a) P4 shall be undertaken in furtherance of PNOC’s approved Strategy Map and Strategic Framework and P4 projects shall be determined in PNOC’s strategy formulation process (b) P4 is an essential part of the overall infrastructure reform policy of PNOC. By encouraging performance-based management of the delivery of public services and in maximizing the value and use of its assets, applying commercial principles and incentives whenever possible, by introducing competition in and for the market, and by involving users and stakeholders in the decision-making process, infrastructure and regulatory reform shall be achieved. (c) P4 should be adopted to address a pressing and urgent or critical public need and pursue asset maximization objectives. Under the principle of “Additionality,” the increased economic benefits to consumer welfare of having needed public services and infrastructure accessible now because of the P4, rather than having to wait until PNOC could provide the public services much later. P4 would also encourage the accelerated implementation of projects. (d) P4 can be adopted to avoid costs and public borrowing. By contracting with the private sector to undertake a new infrastructure project, PNOC’s capital budgets can be directed to its other projects. (e) P4 allows for technology transfer, and improved efficiency and quality of service.

These could be a valuable contribution of the private sector in governance. (f) P4 should be feasible and affordable, demonstrating the need for the project, broad level project costs estimation, and indicative commercial viability. The assessment of affordability shall be the cornerstone for all P4 projects, both to PNOC and the general public. (g) P4 Projects should be bankable. High participation costs, unreasonable risk transfer or lengthy and complex contract negotiations must be avoided. A cost recovery pricing policy attractive to the private sector must be in place; provided that the same will not be disadvantageous to government and public interest. (h) P4 Projects should provide value·for-money and good economic value as far as practicable, including allocation of risks to the party best able to control, manage, mitigate or insure these risks, and maximization of the benefits of private sector efficiency, expertise, flex ibility and innovation. (i)

P4 Projects must provide economic, social and/or financial benefits and should be evaluated on these bases. PNOC remains responsible for services provided to the public, without necessarily being responsible for corresponding investment.

(j)

P4 Projects must give consideration for empowerment of Filipino citizens as a strategy for economic growth and sustainability and must thus provide for the participation of local investors as much as practicable given the nature of the project. PNOC shall also ensure the hiring and employment of local labor in the P4 venture.

(k) Procurement or selection of P4 Projects must be competitive and must be undertaken through open Competitive Bidding, or Competitive Selection/Swiss Challenge where applicable. Competition must be legitimate, fair and honest. In the field of government contract law, competition requires, not only bidding upon a common standard, a common basis, upon the same thing, the same subject matter, the same undertaking, but also that it be legitimate, fair and honest; and not designed to injure or defraud the government. Where competitive bidding cannot be applied, a competitive process ensuring both transparency and economically efficient outcome must be employed. For competing P4 Project proposals from private sector locator applicants utilizing the Industrial Park in Limay, Bataan, the competitive procedures adopted refers to PNOC’s evaluation of competing proposals to locate/to lease therein using Republic Act No. 10516 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the Industrial Park Guidebook requirements on the locator application process, and the Industrial Park master plan as screening tools, taking into account the benefit to PNOC and the economy as basis in the selection of locator/lessor. In the alternative PNOC may decide to bid out the lease right to locate in the Park in case of two or more competing locator applications.

WHEREAS, the purposes of the PNOC include: a) To provide and maintain an adequate and stable supply of oil and petroleum products for the domestic requirement and for that purpose to engage in the transportation, storage, importation, exportation, refining, supply, sale and distribution of crude oil, refined petroleum and petroleum based products, whether imported or produced by local refineries; b) To engage in the exploration, exploitation and development of local oil, petroleum and other energy resources; c) To foster conditions relating to oil or petroleum operations and other energy resources exploitation conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy; d.) To undertake, by itself or otherwise, exploration, exploitation, and development of all energy resources of the country, including surveys and activities related thereto; e.)

To undertake all other forms of petroleum or oil operations and other energy resources exploitation.

(I)

WHEREAS, PNOC has, among others, the power, a) To lease, at reasonable rates, to private domestic entities or persons such portion or portions of the petroleum and energy base, including facilities necessary for warehousing, logistical centers for the storage of oil drilling and oil well supplies, fabrication of off-shore drilling components and structures, mechanical repair facilities and the like; spaces for the office, habitation and recreational requirements of personnel directly engaged in offshore oil drilling and in manning the various logistical support operations and their immediate dependents; b) To enter into contracts, with or without public bidding, with any person or entity, domestic or foreign, and with governments for the undertaking of the varied aspects of oil or petroleum operation, and energy resources exploitation including the acquisition, by way of purchase, lease or rent or other deferred payment arrangements of equipment and/ or raw materials and supplies, as well as for services connected therewith under such terms and conditions as it may deem proper and reasonable; c) To acquire assets, real or personal, or interests therein, and encum ber or otherwise dispose the same as it may deem proper and necessary in the conduct of its business; and d) To perform such acts and exercise such functions as may be necessary for the attainment of the purposes and objectives under its Charter;

(m) To provide efficient public service, PNOC must ensure, through stronger performance management and guidance, proper implementation of P4 contracts that will result in Value for Money, on-time delivery of quality services to the public, achievement of government policy goals, all within sustainable and integrated development.

WHEREAS, PNOC, in its capacity as Administrator, has assumed the functions, programs and operations of its former subsidiaries, PNOC Alternative Fuels Corporation and PNOC Development and Management Corporation; WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 7538, known as the Department of Energy Act of 1992, states in Section 13 thereof, that “The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC), the National Power Corporation (NPC), and the National Electrification Administration (NEA) are hereby placed under the supervision of the Department [of Energy], but shall continue to perform their respective functions insofar as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.” WHEREAS, in furtherance of, and consistent with its mandate, public good and welfare, PNOC is free, provided no statute is violated, to adopt its definition of a PPP undertaking and prescribe the requirements, procedures and conditions for PNOC PPP Projects, and incorporate these in an operative framework; and WHEREAS, having a framework will ensure and facilitate consistency, integrity, reliability, sustainability, accountability and transparency, and enforceability; NOW THEREFORE, the Board of Directors of the Philippine National Oil Company hereby promulgates its Philippine National Oil Company Public-Private Partnership for Progress (P4) Guidelines: Chapter 1. Basic Principles and Definitions SECTION 1. Short Title. -These Guidelines shall be known as the “ PNOC P4 Guidelines.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -(a) It is hereby declared as a policy that PNOC shall advance the public good and welfare, and support the Philippine government’s goal of promoting industrial and over-all economic development through energy resource development and energy infrastructure, and the effective and efficient utilization of energy sources, including oil and oil-based resources, and assuring adequate supply of oil and oil products as well as power and energy to all users, and consequently enable the unimpeded and efficient growth of the economy;

(a) Competitive Challenge or Swiss Challenge -An alternative selection process wherein third parties or challengers shall be invited to submit comparative proposals to an unsolicited proposal. Accordingly, the PSP who submitted the unsolicited proposal, or the original proponent, is accorded the right to match any superior offers given by a comparative PSP. (b) Competitive Selection or Bidding or Open Competition -Refers to a method of selection or procurement initiated and solicited by PNOC, based on transparent criteria, which is open to participation by any interested party. (c) Concession -The grant of a right to build, operate, and charge public users of the public good, infrastructure or service, a fee or tariff structured to provide for recovery of debt service, fixed costs of operation, and return on equity. The Concession is regulated by PNOC and governed by a concession contract. (d) Developmental Projects -PNOC Projects normally financed and operated

by PNOC, but which will now be wholly or partly financed, constructed and! or operated by the PSP; projects that will advance and promote the general welfare and public good; projects and activities that will be responsive to the needs of the communities; projects that will raise revenues for PNOC; and other infrastructure, social-related and developmental projects as may be authorized

by PNOC. (e) Direct PNOC Equity -Refers to the subscription by PNOC of shares of stock or other securities convertible to shares of stock of the special purpose vehicle or single-purpose project company, whether such subscription will be paid by money or assets. (f)

2.

3.

Develop and implement projects and programs in a financially prudent and responsible manner aimed at increasing the country’s self-sufficiency level in oil, gas and other energy sources.

Foster sustainable and environment-friendly sources of energy and promote energy efficiency and conservation; and Maintain the highest standards of service and corporate governance.

Sec. 3. Operative Principles. -The accomplishment of the stated policy shall be guided by the following principles: (a) Progress, general welfare and the public good shall always be promoted and that transparency, public accountability and social accountability mechanisms and approaches shall be integrated in P4 from inception to implementation. (b) PNOC exists and operates in its governmental and proprietary capacities thereby making PNOC an agent of, and is therefore accountable to, the State and the general public. (c) PNOC is a government infrastructure corporation under Book IV, Chapter 13, Section 58 of Executive Order No. 292, otherwise known as the Administrative Code of 1987.

Direct PNOC Guarantee -Refers to an agreement whereby PNOC guarantees to assume responsibility for the repayment of debt directly incurred by the PSP in implementing the project in case of a loan default.

(g) Direct PNOC Subsidy -Refers to an agreement whereby PNOC shall: (a) defray, payor shoulder a portion of the P4 Project cost or the expenses and costs in operating and maintaining the project; (b) condone or postpone any payments due from the PSP; and (c) contribute any property or assets to the project. (h) Franchise -Refers to the right or privilege affected with public interest which is conferred upon a PSP, under such terms and conditions as PNOC may impose, in the interest of public welfare, security and safety. (i)

VISION: “By 2030, PNOC has provided vital energy resource/ development and energy infrastructure conducive to a clean environment and balanced and sustainable economic growth.

1.

The regulation of the P4 shall be pursuant to the P4 contract and exercised

by PNOC’s project proponent or designated contract manager or contract administrator. A duly executed and legal P4 Contract shall be respected and not impaired, and shall be binding on the successor administration pursuant to the provision on corporate succession. Procedures, activities and steps duly undertaken by the Board of Directors, the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the P4-SC, pursuant to these Guidelines shall be continued by the successor Administration. Any amendment or revision to these Guidelines by the next Administration shall not in any way prejudice vested and contractual rights of PNOC and the Private Sector Participants (PSPs) as to the substance of agreements signed, certifications issued, resolutions issued and procedures undertaken.

Sec. 5. Definition of Terms. -As used in these Guidelines, the following terms shall mean:

(b) P4 shall be pursued by PNOC consistent with and in furtherance of the vision and mission of PNOC which state that:

MISSION: Through the efforts and initiative of world class professionals, PNOC is committed to:

(j)

Lease or Affermage -A contractual arrangement providing for operation, maintenance, and management services by the PSP, including working capital and/or redevelopment/improvements of/to an existing infrastructure, development facility, or land leased by the PSP from PNOC for a fixed term.

Under a lease, the PSP retains revenue collected from customers and makes a specified lease payment to PNOC. Under an affermage, the parties share revenue from customers wherein the PSP pays the contracting authority an affermage fee, which varies according to demand and customer tariffs, and retains the remaining revenue. PNOC may provide a purchase option at the end of the lease period or transfer of ownership of improvements in favor of PNOC subject to rules of the COA and applicable laws and regulations.

Limited Negotiations -Refers to a process whereby PNOC negotiates with the PSP in instances when there is only one eligible and qualified PSP in a competitive selection process, under Stage Two of the Competitive Challenge process, or when there is a prior completed competitive process.

(k) Negotiated Projects -Refer to instances where the desired project is the result of an unsolicited proposal from a PSP or, where PNOC has failed to identify an eligible PSP for a desired P4 activity when there is only one qualified bidder after subjecting the same to a competitive selection or bidding.

(I)

Original Proponent -In a Competitive Challenge, the PSP who submits an unsolicited proposal, and whose proposal is accepted by the PNOC upon satisfying the PNOC’s requirements for technical and financial capability and after successful negotiation. I n case of a challenge to the Original Proponent’s unsolicited proposal, the Original Proponent has the right to match the challenger’s proposal.

(m) Private Sector Proponent (PSP) -Refers to the private sector entity which shall have contractual responsibility for the project and which shall have an adequate track record in the concerned industry, as well as technical capability and financial base consisting of equity and firm commitments from reputable financial institutions, to provide, upon award, sufficient credit lines to cover the total estimated cost of the project to implement the said project.

PNOC, as a partner in a P4 arrangement, may provide cash or non-cash contributions, equity, subsidy and/or guarantee, use its own funds, allow its properties to be used and/or grant or extend a franchise or concession; and the usage thereof for a P4 project shall be considered for public use and purpose.

(n) Project Study -A study, full or pre-feasibility study, or business plan/case prepared by PNOC in a competitive selection or a PSP when submitting an unsolicited proposal, containing or indicating a needs analysis, affordability assessment, Value for Money assessment, preliminary risk assessment, stakeholder assessment, human resource assessment, bankability assessment, legal viability assessment, P4 modality selection, market testing if relevant, indicative transaction implementation plan, and draft P4 contract. The study may be supported by the results of the appropriate “willingness-and-ability-topay” survey. At the minimum, it must contain the following information: objectives of the project; background and components; relevance; benefits; value drivers; advantages; legal framework; description of the PSP and relevant skills, experience, and track record; term; obligations of the parties; cost and revenue sharing scheme; appropriate PPP modality; governance mechanism; and applicable procedure.

(g) The right of the people to information on matters of public concern is guaranteed under Section 7, Article III of the 1987 Constitution. Furthermore, it is the policy of the State to allow full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest such as P4 under Section 28, Article II of the 1987 Constitution.

(o) Public - Private Partnerships for Progress (P4) -At the policy level, a P4 is a developmental, innovative, change and partnership strategy aimed at promoting the progress of the country, general welfare, inclusive growth and better quality of life of Filipinos.

(h) The people’s right to effective and reasonable participation and public trust provision under Section 16, Article XIII and Section 1, Article XI, respectively, of the 1987 Constitution guarantee and empower civil society organizations (CSOs) to have effective and meaningful participation in the regulation and management of P4 projects.

At a project level, a P4 is a legally enforceable contract where each party assumes specified functions, bears certain risks, provides contribution or renders some obligation, and earns benefits and revenues from the P4 arrangement.

Specifically, it is a form of legally enforceable contract between PNOC and a PSP, and in certain cases, with the requiring new investments from the PSP and transferring key risks to the PSP in which payments are made in exchange for performance, for the purpose of delivering a service provided or intended to be provided by PNOC. P4 shall also include dispositions of an asset, facility, project owned, or entity created by PNOC to a PSP; incorporation of a subsidiary with PSP equity; assumption by a PSP of a proprietary function of PNOC; or usage by the PSP of property owned or possessed by PNOC.

(d) PNOC, being a government-owned and controlled corporation (GOCC), is under the jurisdiction of the Governance Commission on GOCCs (GCG), a central advisory, monitoring, and oversight agency, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10149, otherwise known as the GCG Act. (e) P4 shall be pursued by PNOC consistent with its infrastructure, development, investment, environmental and governance framework embodied in relevant policies, plans, rules, and regulations. (f)

(i)

PNOC being a government instrumentality or entity, shall adhere, when relevant, to the provisions of the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA), the Build Operate Transfer (BOT) law, 2013 NEDA Guidelines on Joint Ventures, Commission on Audit (COA) Guidelines on Disposition of Assets, and other applicable rules, regulations and guidelines on any contract it enters into requiring disbursements of public funds.

Sec. 4. Rationale for P4. -P4 shall be promoted to provide greater, better, more affordable and timely services to the community in order to attain progress, facilitate

the submission of bids from the public. The solicitation is done through the publication of an invitation for interested bidders to submit bids, and selection of the PSP is done through a public competitive process.

inclusive growth and promote the better quality of life of Filipinos as well as to increase the value of PNOC’s assets and of PNOC’s capability and resources to do so. In pursuing P4, PNOC shall be guided by the following reasons and drivers:

(p) P4 Contract - Refers to the agreement between PNOC and a PSP that governs a P4 Project. (q) Solicited Proposal - Refers to the procedure whereby PNOC formally solicits

(r)

Unsolicited Proposal -Refers to project proposals submitted by a PSP to PNOC to undertake Developmental Projects or proposals to locate/lease in the Industrial Park without a formal solicitation issued by PNOC whereby the negotiated terms shall be subjected to comparative proposals in case of Development Projects or PNOC screens applications and selects the best proposals in case of proposals to locate/lease.

Sec. 6. Rules of Interpretation. -These Guidelines and the provisions hereof shall be liberally interpreted to accomplish the policy and objectives set forth in Sections 2, 3 and 4 hereof.

Sec. 7. Authorities. -(a) These Guidelines are being adopted pursuant to PNOC constitutional and statutory authorities enumerated under Section 3 hereof; and when not inconsistent with the relevant laws aforementioned, shall govern the adoption and implementation of the P4 Modalities: Concession, Lease or Affermage, or a combination of both. (b) For Concessions, Leases and Affermage of PNOC properties (including solicited applications to locate, unsolicited application to locate with share offer to PNOC as well competing unsolicited proposals to locate/lease in the Industrial Park), the Charter of PNOC, Republic Act No. 10516 (An Act Expanding the Utilization of the Industrial Estate in Lamao, Limay Bataan) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR), this PNOC P4 Guidelines, the Disposal/Utilization Manual, the GCG Memorandum Circular No. 2013-03 (Re-Issued) on “Coordination and Alignment of Major Development Projects of the GOCC Sector,” the Industrial Park Guidebook, will be the governing instrument, and the Civil Code of the Philippines and shall apply suppletorily (c) In pursuing other PPP modalities, the applicable laws shall apply i.

For Build-Operate-Transfer Law variants, PNOC shall comply with such law and its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

ii.

For Dispositions, COA Circular No. 89-296 (January 27, 1989) shall govern.

iii.

For Corporatization, the incorporation must be done in accordance with the Corporation Code of the Philippines.

iv.

For Joint Ventures, the 2013 Guidelines on Joint Ventures issued by the National Economic and Development Authority (2013 NEDA JV Guidelines) shall be the governing regulation.

(d) In pursuing any P4 Project, a Counsel’s Opinion may be secured from the Office of the Solicitor General or the Department of Justice, confirming the legality of the terms of the proposed P4 Project and the appropriateness of the procedure to be employed by PNOC for that particular P4 Project.

Chapter 2. P4 Projects and P4 Modalities Sec. 8. P4 Projects. -(a) PNOC, through the appropriate and viable P4 modality, may undertake Developmental Projects, including but not limited to, singly or with other related components, any infrastructure, facility, or service developed or performed in pursuit of its mandate, including related structures and public utilities. (b) The determination of the appropriateness and viability of the P4 modality shall be specified, explained and justified in the Project Study weighing all the relevant value drivers and reasons for pursuing a P4 Project. (c) Parties to P4 arrangement shall undertake an activity in order to accomplish either an integrated or multi-use arrangement or specific goal or purpose with the end view of serving the public good, generating revenues or both.

Sec. 9. List of P4 Priority Projects. -PNOC shall identify specific priority Developmental Projects that may be undertaken under any of the P4 Modalities defined under Sec. 10 hereof.

Sec. 10. P4 Modalities. -In undertaking a specific P4 Project, PNOC may adopt and pursue any of the following P4 Modalities, or a combination thereof, under these PNOC P4 Guidelines: (a) Lease or Affermage -PNOC may pursue a Lease or Affermage at reasonable rates, to private domestic entities or persons such portion or portions of the Industrial Park, petroleum and energy base, including facilities necessary for warehousing, logistical centers for the storage of oil drilling and oil well supplies, fabrication of off-shore drilling components and structures, mechanical repair facilities and the like; spaces for the office, habitation and recreational requirements of personnel directly engaged in offshore oil drilling and in manning the various logistical support operations and their immediate dependents, other PNOC assets not used in the regular course of its operations/business and not identified/allocated for a specific project; (b) Concession -PNOC, as the implementing agency and/or beneficiary, may enter into contracts, with or without public bidding, with any person or entity, domestic or foreign, and with governments for the undertaking of the varied aspects of oil or petroleum or other energy resource operation, and energy resources exploitation or development and provision of energy infrastructure including the acquisition, by way of purchase, lease or rent or other deferred payment arrangements of equipment and/or raw materials and supplies, as well as for services connected therewith under such terms and conditions as it may deem proper and reasonable.

Sec. 11. General Requirements. -These are the general requirements for PNOC in entering into P4: (a) Undertaking a P4 for a Developmental Project must be premised on any or all of the reasons and drivers mentioned in Section 4 hereof. (b) Unsolicited Proposals for P4 Projects governed by these PNOC P4 Guidelines may be accepted even if the project is included in the List of Priority Projects or whether the same features a new concept or technology or not. (c) For Concessions and Leases or Affermage, PNOC may provide Direct PNOC Guarantee, Direct PNOC Subsidy, Direct PNOC Equity, or Viability Gap Funding. (d) For all P4 Modalities, PNOC may provide Credit Enhancements and Cost-Sharing schemes. (e) Official Development Assistance (ODA) as defined in R.A. 8182, otherwise known as the ODA Act of 1996, as amended by R.A. 8555, may be availed of for P4 Projects where there is difficulty in sourcing funds; provided, that ODA financing shall not exceed 50% of the project cost, with the balance to be provided by the PSP. (f) Any subsidy to the beneficiaries/recipients that will be extended by PNOC must be targeted, transparent and efficiently administered. (g) Each P4 Modality adopted for a specific P4 Project must specifically provide and adopt a tariff-mechanism such as but not limited to cash-needs, price cap, revenue cap, rate of return, fair rental valuation, a hybrid of the foregoing,or any other appropriate scheme. (h) PNOC shall have the option to form or allow the formation of a special purpose vehicle or single-purpose project company to implement the P4 Project as may be appropriate under the chosen P4 Modality. (i) PNOC shall prescribe and impose the PNOC Code of Ethics to be followed by PNOC and all challengers/bidders based on the principles of honesty, integrity, probity, diligence, fairness, trust, respect and consistency for all PSPs and bidders. (j) Procurement made by PNOC using public funds shall be subject to Republic Act NO.9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act (GPRA) and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. Procurement made by the PSP using private funds are not covered by said statute. (k) The revenues, funds, expenditures and contributions of PNOC shall be subject to the audit examination by the Commission on Audit (COA). Revenues, funds, expenditures and contributions of the PSP shall be subject to audit by a private auditing firm.

(I) Any subsidy, guarantee, equity or contingent liability assumed or given by PNOC must be reflected, disclosed and recognized in the annual appropriations of PNOC. Sec. 12. Government-to-Government Joint P4 Undertakings. -(a) PNOC, by mutual agreement in a Government-to-Government arrangement with local governments, national government agencies, government-owned and ·controlled corporations, government instrumentalities and government corporate entities, may implement P4 Projects that will benefit PNOC’s target beneficiaries, generate revenues for both and/or increase the value of their respective assets; provided, that the collaborating or partner government entity jointly undertakes with PNOC the selection of the PSP using the appropriate P4 Modality. (b) PNOC may pursue P4 Projects: i. by itself, representing the public sector; ii.

in partnership with another GOCC, NGA or an LGU as the public sector; or

iii.

through another GOCC or an LGU as the public sector, whereby PNOC shall be entitled to a share in revenues, land or benefits.

For schemes (ii) and (iii), the appropriate Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) shall be signed between PNOC and the GOCC and/or LGU, delineating the responsibilities and specifying the shares and participation of each party in the P4.

Chapter 3. P4 Procedures and P4 Contract Sec. 13. P4 Procedures. -The following procedures shall apply: (a) For any P4 Modality governed by these PNOC P4 Guidelines, Competitive Selection/ Process, Limited Negotiations, or Competitive Challenge as defined herein may be utilized to select the PSP. (b) A Project Study shall be prepared and submitted by PNOC, in case of Competitive Selection approach; or by the PSP, in case of Competitive Challenge approach or in case of competing applications to locate/lease in the Industrial Park. The costs of preparing the Project Study may be reimbursed by the winning PSP to PNOC under the Competitive Selection mode. (c) All recommendations of the P4 Selection Committee (P4-SC) shall be endorsed to the PNOC Board of Directors, through the President & CEO, for approval. (d) The terms and provisions of the P4 contract must be approved by the Board of Directors through an appropriate resolution. All P4 contracts must be signed by the President & CEO with prior authorization from the Board of Directors through a resolution. (e) During the consideration of the draft P4 Contract by PNOC, a public consultation/ hearing may be conducted explaining the P4 Project, P4 Contract, accountability mechanisms built into the P4 arrangement, the benefits and costs of the P4 Project, among other relevant matters. (f) Where applicable, after the issuance of the Notice of Award, the P4 Contract shall be signed by the President & CEO. After the required condition precedents are complied with by the winning PSP, the President & CEO shall issue the Notice to Proceed upon the recommendation of the P4-SC and approval by the PNOC Board of Directors. (g) While the P4 Contract is already valid, perfected and enforceable, it may be submitted for judicial, executive or administrative confirmation from the courts or appropriate government institutions.

Sec. 14. P4 Selection Committee. -(a) A P4 Selection Committee (P4-SC), as approved through a resolution by the PNOC Board of Directors, is hereby created for purposes of selecting a PSP for a specific P4 Project under the competitive selection system or in case of competitive challenge process, another competing proposal is received prior to conferment of an original proponent status or when a challenger submits a proposal during stage three thereof The P4-SC, to be constituted and convened, shall be composed of the following: Voting Members (i) Chairperson -The Senior Vice President under whose authority and supervision

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

the P4 Project lies (ii) Secretary -The Head or representative of the Proponent Department (iii) An officer knowledgeable in the legal aspects of the project; (iv) An Officer knowledgeable in the financial aspects of the project (v) An Officer knowledgeable in the technical aspects of the project Observers (vi) Two (2) representatives from and chosen by the accredited Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), People’s Organizations (Pos) and/or Non-Government Organizations (NGOs). (vii) Representative from other relevant agencies based on the nature of the project.

A quorum of the P4-SC shall be composed of a simple majority of all voting members.

The Chairperson shall vote only in case of a tie.

The P4-SC with the approval of the President/CEO may invite provisional non-voting members from the national government agencies, regulatory agencies, NEDA, DENR DOE, OSG, DO), DOF, COA and the private sector to observe in the proceedings of the P4-SC; and form a support staff composed of employees and staff of PNOC. (c) The P4-SC shall be responsible for all aspects of the pre-selection and selection process, including, among others, the preparation of the selection/ tender documents; determination of the minimum designs, performance standards/specifications, economic parameters and reasonable rate of return or tariff-setting mechanism appropriate to the P4 Modality; evaluation of the P4 Contract; publication of the invitation to apply for eligibility and submission of proposals or comparative proposals; defining the eligibility requirements, appropriate form and amount of proposal securities, and schedules of the selection and challenge processes; pre-qualification of prospective PSPs, bidders or challengers; conduct of pre-selection conferences and issuance of supplemental notices; interpretation of the rules regarding the selection process; conduct of the selection or challenge process; evaluation of the legal, financial and technical aspects of the proposals; resolution of disputes between PSPs and challengers; defining the appeals mechanisms; and recommendation for the acceptance of the proposal and/ or for the award of the contract. (d) The basic evaluation parameters, minimum designs, performance standards/ specifications, economic parameters, reasonable rate of return, tariff mechanism, and such other evaluation criteria determined by the P4-SC upon recommendation of PNOC project proponents, shall be subject to PNOC Board approval.

Sec. 15. Competitive Selection. -(a) The Competitive Selection procedure shall consist of the following steps: advertisement, issuance of instructions and tender documents, conduct of pre-bid conferences, eligibility screening of prospective bidders, receipt and opening of bids, posting of proposal securities, evaluation of bids, post-qualification, and award of contract. (b) The Board of Directors, upon the endorsement of the President/CEO, shall approve the tender documents and the draft P4 Contract before they are issued to the prospective PSPs/ bidders.

Sec. 16. Limited Negotiations. -Where PNOC: (a) fails to identify an eligible PSP for a desired P4 activity when there is only one qualified bidder after subjecting the same to a Competitive Selection or bidding; or

(c) The principal P4 Contract shall describe the P4 Project, the rights, functions, obligations and responsibilities of, and risks assumed by, each of the contracting parties, dispute mechanisms and all other appropriate provisions. Whenever appropriate, the P4 Contract shall contain the Pre-ambulatory Clauses or Whereas Clauses, Party Clause, Rules of Interpretation, Nature of the P4, Term of the Project, Contract Objective, Performance Bonds, Key Performance Indicators, Risk Allocation, Rights, Payment to Public Sector Entity (PSE) or Private Sector Participant (PSP), Tariff Scheme, Subsidy or Support Mechanism, Insurance Requirements, Delay Provisions, Force Majeure, Governmental Action, Government and PSE Warranties, PSP Warranties, Change in the Law, Regulatory Regime, Variations, Termination, Indemnification, Intellectual Property, Claims, Financial security, Dispute Resolution, Step-in Rights, Changes in the Composition of the PSP/Service Provider, Partnership Management, Compliance with all Laws, Personnel, Conditions Precedent, among others. (d) Ancillary contracts may include, among others, insurance contracts; loan agreements; bonds; guarantee arrangements; equity arrangements; operations and maintenance contracts; and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts. (e) The Board of Directors and/or the President/CEO shall not proceed with the award and signing of the P4 Contract if there are material deviations from the parameters and terms and conditions set forth in the proposal/tender documents that tend to increase the financial exposure, liabilities and risks of PNOC or any other factors that would cause disadvantage to government and/or any deviation that will cause prejudice to losing PSPs. (f) Neither party shall unilaterally rescind or amend a P4 Contract. Any amendment to a P4 Contract, which if effected will not violate the policy on competition and fairness and does not materially affect the substance of the P4 Contract, after award and signing of thereof shall undergo approval by the President/CEO, with prior authorization from the Board of Directors. Non-compliance with this approval process shall render the amendment null and void. Any form of amendment may be allowed after the P4 Contract has been executed, provided that, the right to amend is accorded to all bidders and challengers and specified in the tender documents, and such right is stipulated in the P4 Contract. Any amendment must be approved by the Board of Directors in a resolution by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present, there being a quorum. (g) All laws, rules, and regulations are read or deemed to form part of the P4 Contract Regulation and Contract Management. (h) The gist of the P4 Contract shall be annotated at the back of the title of the property over which the P4 Project is located.

Chapter 4. Regulation and Contract Management Section 20. The PNOC Board shall, upon the recommendation of management, designate a contract manager, which may initially be the project proponent,with specifically defined duties and responsibilities for purposes of contract management, partnership management and contract administration.

Section 21. PNOC may also develop a Contract Management Manual for each P4 project preparatory to project implementation which will guide PNOC and its personnel in ensuring a consistent, high quality contract monitoring process that is specific for such P4 contract. The appropriate committees to undertake this shall be constituted by the PNOC Board with defined duties and responsibilities upon the recommendation of the PNOC management.

Chapter 5. Accountability, Information, Education and Monitoring Sec. 22. Code of Conduct. -Before commencing their functions, each member of the P4SC shall sign a Code of Conduct, which shall guide each member in the performance of their duties as such.

Such Code of Conduct shall require each member to, among others: (a) act at all times in accordance with relevant legislation and regulations;

(b) considers a project or activity either through Competitive Selection or Competitive Challenge where an indispensable or integral component thereof has already been subjected to a competitive process by the appropriate administrative agency, government instrumentality or government-owned and -controlled corporation which gives the PSP/offeror a vested and exclusive right over that component without which, the P4 Project cannot be implemented as envisioned, limited negotiations may take place. The negotiations will cover all the technical and financial aspects of the P4 Project or activity; provided, that the minimum designs, performance standards/specifications and economic parameters stated in the Project Study and Terms of Reference are complied with. The PNOC Board of Directors, upon the endorsement of the President/ CEO, shall approve the terms of the Limited Negotiations before proceeding with the negotiations with the PSP. Under the second instance, PNOC shall publish a notice to the public prior to the start of the negotiations, and if pursued under Competitive Challenge, Stage Three thereof as defined below may be dispensed with.

(b) act at all times with fidelity, honesty, integrity and in the best interests of PNOC and its target beneficiaries;

Sec. 17. Competitive Challenge. -(a) The Competitive Challenge process is divided into three (3) stages, described below:

(g) forthwith report to the appropriate authorities any act of negligence, fraud, corruption, misuse of government funds, failure or refusal to perform duties, or any other act which may constitute a crime or offense, or which is prejudicial to the public interest, in the selection of the PSP and implementation of a P4 contract;

Stage One/Unsolicited Proposal-The steps are: (i)

A PSP submits an Unsolicited Proposal accompanied by a Project Study and draft P4 Contract to PNOC for a potential P4 Project.

(ii) The P4-SC shall make a determination of the completeness of the Unsolicited Proposal, the eligibility of the PSP, the necessity for the proposed P4 Project, the consistency of the terms of the draft P4 Contract with applicable laws and regulations as well as these PNOC P4 Guidelines, and the appropriateness of the proposed P4 Modality. (iii) Upon completion of the initial evaluation, the PNOC Board of Directors shall, upon endorsement of the President/CEO based on the recommendation of the P4-SC or the appropriate screening committee in case of application to locate/lease in the Park, shall either issue a certificate of acceptance or non-acceptance of the proposal for purposes of detailed negotiations. Upon the issuance of the certificate of acceptance, the PSP is ipso facto conferred original proponent status and no other proposal for the same project or in the case of lease, application for the same area may be subjected to the Competitive Challenge process. (iv) lf there is more than one Unsolicited Proposal submitted for the same P4 Project or covers the same area, the PNOC Board of Directors shall, upon endorsement of the President/CEO based on the, recommendation of the P4SC, may reject all proposals and pursue competitive selection, or accept the unsolicited proposal that is complete and provides the greater advantage and benefits to the community and revenues to PNOC. In the case of the Industrial Park, screening for competing proposals to lease/locate shall be based on compliance with RA 10516 and its IRR, the Guidebook, the Park’s Master Plan, among others. Proposals that pass the same shall then be evaluated based on which will provide greater advantage and benefits to the community and revenues to PNOC. Stage Two/Detailed Negotiations -The steps are: (i)

In case of concessions, the parties shall negotiate and agree on the terms and conditions of the P4 Project concerning its technical and financial aspects including the modality, benefits, systems, ancillary services, design, among other considerations, as may be determined by PNOC.

(ii) In case of leases and applications to locate in the Industrial Park, the negotiations will focus on the rental rate or where there is a proposal for PNOC to participate in the project, the elements thereof. (iii) Once negotiations are successful, the Parties shall issue a joint certification stating that an agreement has been reached and specifying the eligibility of the PSP and the technical and financial aspects of the P4 Project as agreed upon. (iv) The issuance of the certification commences the activities for the solicitation for comparative proposals. (v) However, should negotiations not result to an agreement acceptable to both parties, PNOC shall have the option to reject the proposal by informing the PSP in writing, stating the grounds for rejection thereof, and thereafter may accept a new proposal from other PSPs, decide to pursue the proposed activity through other P4 Modalities, or subject the P4 Project to Competitive Selection.

Stage Three/Competitive Challenge or Swiss Challenge Proper -The steps are: (i)

The P4-SC shall prepare the tender documents. The eligibility criteria used in determining the eligibility of the PSP shall be the same as those stated in the tender documents. Proprietary information shall, however, be respected and protected, and treated with confidentiality. As such, it shall not form part of the tender and related documents except where disclosures is necessary to attain the objective of competition and the parties agree on information to be disclosed.

(ii) The PNOC Board of Directors shall, upon endorsement ofthe President/ CEO, approve all tender documents including the draft P4 Contract before the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals. (iii) The P4-SC shall publish the invitation for comparative proposals. (iv) The PSP or Original Proponent shall post the proposal security on the date of the first day of the publication of the invitation for comparative proposals in the amount and form stated in the tender documents. (v) In the evaluation of proposals, the best offer shall be determined to include the original proposal of the PSP. If PNOC determines that an offer made by a comparative PSP or challenger other than the negotiated terms with Original Proponent is superior or more advantageous to PNOC than the original proposal, the PSP who submitted the original proposal shall be given the right to match such superior or more advantageous offer. Should no matching offer be received within the stated period, the P4 Project shall be awarded to the comparative PSP submitting the most advantageous proposal. If a matching offer is received within the prescribed period, the P4 Project shall be awarded to the Original Proponent. If no comparative proposal is received by PNOC, the P4 Project shall be immediately awarded to the Original Proponent. (vi) The competitive challenge is limited only to the financial aspect of the project.

The technical aspect of the project, as well as the modality, benefits, systems, ancillary services, design, among other considerations, as agreed upon during the negotiations, shall be adopted by third party challengers; otherwise, they shall be declared ineligible. In the case of lease and applications to locate, financial challenge covers rental rate/affermage fee/free carry offered for PNOC. (vii) In the event that the Original Proponent is not able to match the superior offer of the challenger, the winning challenger shall reimburse the Original Proponent the cost of preparing the Project Study within thirty (30) days from issuance of the notice of award; provided, that this reimbursement arrangement and the cost of preparing of the Project Study are expressly stated in the terms of reference for the Competitive Challenge, and that the P4-SC has determined that the cost is reasonable.

Sec. 18. Schedules and Timelines. -The President and CEO, through a written directive, upon the recommendation of the P4-SC or the appropriate selection committee, shall have the authority to adopt and prescribe the appropriate schedules and timelines for each PSP selection process: provided, that the periods are reasonable and will not undermine free competition, transparency and accountability.

Sec. 19. P4 Contract. -(a) The P4 Contract shall be signed by the President and CEO on behalf of PNOC with the prior authorization or ratification by the Board of Directors approving all terms of the P4 Contract, and the duly authorized representative of the PSP. (b) The direct and/or ultimate beneficiary of any P4 Contract shall be the Philippine general public, while the PSP shall only benefit from the P4 Contract as a result of an

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Standard

LGUs

arms-length transaction. Representatives of accredited CSOs, NGOs and POs may sign the P4 Contract as monitoring entity or witness.

(c) recognize the public’s right to access to information in accordance with law; (d)

not misuse his or her position and privileges of a member of the P4-SC, whether or not such will prejudice the interest of the public, the PSP, or any third person;

(e) to take the utmost care in ensuring reasonable protection of the records of each P4 Project, and to not disclose any confidential and proprietary information to persons without a need to know such information, or in violation of any nondisclosure requirements under law or contract; (f)

carry out his or her duties with the skill and care expected from a person of knowledge and experience, and to exercise prudent judgment;

(h) forthwith declare any personalor business interest that he or she, or any of his or her relatives within the fourth degree of affinity or consanguinity, may have in any business of a PSP, in which case, the officer or representative shall no longer be a member of the P4-SC; (i)

forthwith declare any conflict of interest, insofar as the P4 Project concerned, that he or she may have or will have, in which case, the officer or representative shall not longer be a member of the P4-SC;

(j)

not vote or act in a particular way on any matter in consideration of any offer, promise, gift or present, from a member of the public, government, a political party, social group or CSO, PO, NGO, or any stakeholder or potential stakeholder;

TODAY

B3

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 Jimbo Gulle, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

‘COMPLY WITH PLASTICS BAN’

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Saturday called on food and retail business operators in the city to comply with the citywide plastic ban and urge them to use environment-friendly packaging and dining utensils.

“Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern, especially for our country which has been identified as one of the world’s top sources of plastic waste dumped into the sea. We must all make a deliberate, concerted effort to reduce the volume of non-biodegradable garbage we generate daily,” said Binay.

The city chief executive came up with the statement following the inspection conducted by personnel of the Department of Environmental Services-Plastic Monitoring Task Force on 2,269 retail establishments and found out that 114 of them were noncompliant with the Solid Waste Management Code, particularly its provisions mandating the use of environment-friendly materials.

Binay pointed out that establishments can be a “strong positive influence” in effecting a lifestyle change among consumers that will lessen dependence on disposable plastic in favor of more environment-friendly alternatives.

“If all food and retail establishments in Makati were fully compliant with the plastic ban, tens of thousands of consumers would soon adapt to the shift towards non-plastic or biodegradable materials, and even assimilate it into their dayto-day living,” she said.

According to the latest data from the city Business Permits

Office, there are a total of 4,551 registered businesses in the city covered by the plastic ban.

These include 1,684 restaurants, 290 canteens, 452 carinderias, 117 bakeries, and 761 fastfood outlets. In the retail sector, there are 227 convenience stores, 968 sari-sari stores, 22 supermarkets, one public market, seven private markets, and 22 shopping malls.

From January to June, PMTF teams under the supervision of DES chief Leopoldo Parumog inspected 544 establishments in District 1, of which 85 were noncompliant. In District 2, some 29 out of 1,696 establishments inspected were found in violation of the code.

From January to December last year, PMTF teams inspected 4,289 establishments throughout the city. Of these, 563 were found to have violated the ordinance.

Enacted in 2003 through City Ordinance No. 2003-095, the code requires the use of environment-friendly materials in food chains, restaurants, supermarkets, eateries, and other similar establishments within the city.

Based on the ordinance, individual violators face a fine of P1,000 or imprisonment ranging from five to 30 days, or both at the discretion of the court. Errant establishments will be fined P5,000, and their owners may also be jailed for a month up to a year.

(k) not receive any gift or anything else of value which is or may be viewed as aimed at influencing or directing his or her vote or actions; and (I)

to disclose immediately to the P4-SC as the case may be, any attempted inducement that may be construed as aimed at influencing or directing his or her acts as a member of the P4-SC.

Sec. 23. Social Accountability. -PNOC shall ensure, promote, and eliminate all obstacles to, social accountability, and allow and enhance constructive engagement between PNOC, citizens’ groups, academe, consumers, rate-payers, general public, national government agencies, regulatory agencies, and PSP. Sec. 24. Transparency and Right to Information. -The P4 Contract, Project Study, bidding documents, terms of reference, results of the PSP selection process, Code of Ethics, minutes of the post-award conference, and other relevant documents and instruments shall be posted at PNOC Main Office and uploaded in the PNOC website which can be freely accessed by the public. PNOC shall also implement a strategic communication plan addressed to all stakeholders.

Sec. 25. Capability-Building Program. -(a) PNOC shall design and implement a continuing education and capacity-building program on P4 for its officers, and the members of the P4-SC and members of such other committees that may be created for the purpose. (b) PNOC shall also undertake a comprehensive and sustained education and governance campaign aimed at informing all stakeholders and CSOs, POs and NGOs about P4 ventures of PNOC and allowing them to participate in the overall P4 program of PNOC. The program shall include strategic and annual evaluation and planning sessions, workshops, seminars, focus-group discussions on P4, market opportunities, projects, management of contracts and regulation of P4 and other P4-related topics. (c) PNOC may tap consultants to assist them in implementing P4 and in building capability for P4.

Sec. 26. Monitoring and Governance Audit Program. -PNOC, in order to ensure transparency and accountability, shall encourage CSOs, POs, NGOs and civic aggrupations to establish a P4 monitoring, evaluation and governance audit body functionally and fiscally independent from PNOC and other government institutions.

Sec. 27. Technical and Financial Assistance. -The OSG, OGCC, GCG, Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management, NEDA and the PPP Center may extend technical and financial assistance to PNOC and such assistance may be embodied in a memorandum of understanding or agreement.

Chapter 6. Final Provisions Sec. 28. Alternative Dispute Resolution. -All P4 contracts of PNOC shall include a provision on the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms in resolving disputes arising from the P4 contract. All controversies in connection with P4 undertakings and projects of PNOC shall likewise be addressed using ADR. Sec. 29. Confirmation of Executed P4 Contracts and Procedures Commenced. -(a) P4 contracts entered into prior to the enactment of this P4 Guidelines in strict compliance with the provisions hereof are hereby confirmed. (b) P4 contracts entered into prior to the enactment of this P4 Guidelines without strictly complying with the applicable procedures set forth herein for the selection of the PSP shall be considered as negotiated agreements under Stage Two of Section 17 which must be subjected to Competitive Challenge; provided that, after publication and no expression of interest is submitted by an interested qualified party at the designated time, the subject P4 contract shall be deemed perfected, and vested and contractual rights shall continue to subsist and operate. (c) P4 contracts entered into prior to the enactment of this P4 Guidelines may be amended; provided, that the terms of the original P4 contract allow for amendments, or the amendments do not tend to increase the financial exposure, liabilities and risks of PNOC or any other factors that would cause disadvantage to PNOC and any deviation that will cause prejudice to losing PSPs; provided further, that the amendments are approved by the President and CEO with prior authorization from the Board of Directors, and the revised terms are approved or confirmed by the Board of Directors through the appropriate resolution. (d) Procedures and steps commenced and undertaken for the selection of, and statuses and rights conferred on a PSP prior to the effectivity of these Guidelines shall be operative, confirmed and recognized, and shall henceforth be continued under these Guidelines.

MHD 78TH ANNIVERSARY. Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada leads the culminating activity of the Manila Health Department’s 78th anniversary held at San Andres Sports Complex on Thursday. He thanked MHD chief Dra. Aileen Lacsamana and all health workers for providing quality health service to thousands of Manileños. In photo are Councilors Cassy Sison, Peter Ong, Dionix Dionisio, Rod Lacsamana, and SK Federation president Daniel Dave Tan.

IS COCODIESEL THE ANSWER FOR PINOY COCONUT FARMERS? THE Philippines is one of the largest coconut producers in the world.

However, Filipino coconut farmers are still trying to make ends meet and provide the day-to-day needs of their families.

Meanwhile, fuel giant Shell continues to proactively engage in sustainability efforts that generate cleaner and more efficient energy such as biofuel and is involved in social investment projects that create sustainable livelihood for communities.

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp., through its social arm, Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., recently piloted Project COCONUT, an energy and livelihood sustainability project in Lucena, Quezon Province.

“Project COCONUT is about creating more environmentally sustainable fuels for the Philippines and more sustainable livelihood

for coconut farmers by providing increased livelihood opportunities so that more Filipinos are able to provide adequately for their families,” says Edgar Veron Cruz, executive director of PSFI. COllaboration for COconut Productivity and NUrturing Farmers’ Trade (COCONUT) Sustainable Livelihood Program is Shell’s initiative in partnership with JNJ Group to help improve the lives of coconut farmers and increase their income by maximizing opportunities for livelihood.

The project aims to address the needs of the coconut farmers by helping organize a local coconut farmer cooperative, conducting seminars in managing coconut farms to improve their yield, and setting up trainings for sustainable income opportunities in processing coconut products such as handicrafts, jewelry and furniture.

Sec. 30. Application of Other PPP Laws and Regulations. -Whenever relevant and appropriate as determined by the President and CEO and in the absence of a specific provision to the contrary, upon recommendation of the P4-SC as the case may be, the BOT Law, the GPRA, Executive Order No. 301 (26 July 1987), COA Circular No. 89296 (January 27, 1989), and their applicable rules and regulations, and the 2013 JV Guidelines adopted by the NEDA, shall apply in a suppletory manner.

Sec. 31. Separability Clause. -If, for any reason, any section or provision of these Guidelines or any part thereof, or the application of such section, provision or portion is declared invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder thereof shall not be affected by such declaration.

Sec. 32. Repealing Clause. -(a) All rules, resolutions, policies, guidelines, or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of these Guidelines are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. (b) These Guidelines take precedence and thus hereby modify the relevant procedures and approval processes outlined in other issuances of PNOC relating to the implementation of P4 Projects or the modalities provided herein.

Sec. 33. Amendments. These P4 Guidelines may be amended and/or modified from time to time by PNOC upon recommendation by the PNOC management to and approval by its Board of Directors.

Section 34. Effectivity. -These Guidelines shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation, and registration before the Office of the National Administrative Register at the University of the Philippines Law Center.

(MS-JULY 8, 2018)

Present for the Project COCONUT agreement signing in Lucena, Quezon are (from left) Helen Scholey, Shell International’s Biofuels Sustainability Compliance officer; Edgar Veron Cruz, executive director of Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc.; and Rolando T. Jao, chairman of JNJ Group. The partnership behind Project COCONUT is optimistic in its future expansion to more communities within and outside Lucena.

B4

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

THE... From B1 to protect their wealth. Because failure to accurately anticipate the rate of inflation can devastate one’s wealth, individuals will shift scarce resources away from the production of goods and services and toward actions designed to hedge against inflation. The ability of business decision makers to forecast changes in prices becomes more valuable than their ability to manage and organize production.

When the inflation rate is uncertain, businesses will shy away from entering into long-term contracts, place many investment projects on hold, and divert resources and time into less productive activities.

Funds will flow into the purchase of gold, silver, art, and objects of passion, in the hope that their prices will rise with inflation, rather than into more productive investments such as buildings, machines, and technological research. As resources move from more productive to less

PINOY LIFE

Opinion

Adelle Chua, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

productive activities, economic progress slows.

Inflation also undermines the credibility of government. At the most basic level, people expect government to protect their persons and property from intruders who would take what does not belong to them. But the government becomes an intruder when it cheats citizens in the same way that counterfeiters do by creating money, spending it, and watering down its value. How can people have any confidence that the government will protect their property against other intrusions, enforce contracts, or punish unethical and criminal behavior?

When the government degrades its own currency, it is in a weak position to punish, for example, a coconut juice producer who dilutes juice sold to customers or a business that waters down its stock (issuing additional stock without the permission of current stockholders).

Economic progress will also be undermined when monetary policy makers are constantly shifting between monetary expansion and

contraction. When the monetary authority expands the monetary supply rapidly, initially the more expansionary monetary policy will generally push interest rates to a low level, which will stimulate current investment and generate an artificial economic boom.

The low interest rates will attract investment into projects that appear to be profitable, but will not be sustainable for very long.

When the expansionary monetary policy continues, it will generate inflation, which will cause monetary policy makers to shift toward a more restrictive policy. However, as they do so, interest rates will rise, which will retard private investment and throw the economy into a recession. Thus, monetary shifts from expansion to restriction will generate economic instability. The economy will be jerked back and forth between booms and busts.

This pattern of monetary policy will also create uncertainty, retard private investment, and reduce the rate of economic growth.

Monetary instability is an essential

ingredient of the environment for economic progress. Without monetary stability, potential gains from capital investment and other exchanges involving time commitments will be eroded and the people of the country will fail to realize their full potential.

In sum, the keys to economic stability are growth of money and credit consistent with price stability and avoidance of “speedup and slowdown” policy shifts in response to current economic conditions. As the Nobel Prize winning economist Milton Friedman noted several decades ago, inflation is caused by excessive money growth. Rapid money growth will lead to inflation.

Moreover, changes in monetary policy will impact prices, output, and employment with lengthy and unpredictable time lags.

Thus, attempts to manipulate real output and employment through persistent shifts in monetary policy will generate instability rather than stability. eric.jurado@gmail.com

WEAPONS OF TRADE WAR: WHAT MIGHT CHINA HAVE UP ITS SLEEVE?

By Bladimer Usi

By Julien Girault BEIJING—The first shots have been fired in a trade war between China and the United States that experts say could be damaging for the world economy.

The two superpowers on Friday imposed tit-for-tat tariffs on billions of dollars of cross-border trade.

While US President Donald Trump has brushed off warnings that trade frictions with powerful partners like China could harm the US, Beijing has other weapons in its arsenal beside tariffs to cause damage in a fight.

Cruising for a bruising Tom Cruise films, Starbucks coffee, the iPhone X and the Buick are all best-sellers in China and authorities could find all sorts of ways to make life difficult for them, says Louis Kuijs, Asia analyst at Oxford Economics.

China “has less ammunition left in terms of imposing tariffs but history shows that there are various other measures it could take to inflict pain on US companies,” said Kuijs.

Buick boycott General Motors now sells more cars in China than it does in the US—and many other iconic American brands now derive a large proportion of revenue from the fast-growing Chinese market.

China could either tie up these firms in red tape or encourage an effective boycott by Chinese consumers, experts said.

School’s out China may start limiting the number of big-spending tourists and its 350,000 students that head to the US each year, which would have a big impact on the American market.

China has previously limited tour groups to pressure Taiwan and South Korea.

Debt and devaluation With its enormous currency reserves, China holds some $1.2 trillion in US treasury bonds and officials have reportedly started to slow or halt their purchases.

While some see this as a powerful bargaining chip with Washington, it is a double-edged sword for Beijing as dumping the bonds would cause self-inflicted losses.

AFP

FAVORITE... From B1 Its characters and scenes are ingrained in the Filipino psyche—one knows exactly what is meant should another say, “Napaka-Maria Clara mo naman” or “Para kang si Sisa.”

• She by Henry Rider Haggard: I love Victorian writers. Rizal could be considered one of them because he was around during that era. It’s quite possible he was influenced by them to some extent.

I’m attracted to Victorian writing because there’s something about the cadence of their language, the intricate plots, the adherence to structure and style. Think Dickens and Conan Doyle.

There were many other writers of the era who were not as technically adept but they wrote rip-roarin’ yarns.

HRH was one of the foremost writers of the “lost world” genre. ‘She’ has all its hallmarks—lost city in Africa! Lost white race! Lost white race queen of lost city with immense power! White savior-slash-love interest!

Yes, it’s not politically correct but it’s a product of its time. Read it in the context of ‘empire-building Englishman’ to get where Rider Haggard was coming from. I find the Ayesha character most interesting—a strong woman na tanga sa pag-ibig.

Her steadfast loyalty and eternal love are what characterize her and she could have been better fleshed out, but then HRH is no Dickens. Still a great read though.

• Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man by Marshall McLuhan: One of the communication discipline’s most influential books.

I went into j-school only because I wanted to write. I had no concept of ‘media,’ its power, its flaws. This book, while dense and hard to read (McLuhan didn’t have the best writing style), helped me understand media as a cultural artifact.

• Mythologies by Roland Barthes: Each of the essays here opened my mind to the possibility of applying semiotics to analyze everything cultural, from arts to sports to politics.

Mind-blowing.

• Titus Groan by Mervyn Peake: The first book in the Gormenghast series, it is surreal and interesting. Gormenghast is an entire world that makes sense only to its inhabitants. Its characters are unforgettable—the morose Earl Sepulchrave, the ambitious Steerpike, the odd maiden sisters, the flighty Fuschia, the bird-crazed Countess. The Hall of Bright Carvings and the odd curator Rottcodd, the peculiar rituals the Earl performed, and the burning of the library are unforgettable.

Baby Titus is born the heir to all this madness, poor him.

• On the Road by Jack Kerouac: He was a male chauvinist jerk in many ways but oh, he wrote like jazz sounds. Inspired by the jazz musicians of his day, he took the rhythms and counterpoints of bebop and hard bop and infused them into his writing.

This book taught me to look to music and other forms of art and culture for literary inspiration, because it’s all combinatorial. Let it blow...!

• The Pillow Book by Sei Shonagon— written by a woman in the ultrasophisticated Heian era, I like this book for its detailed documentation of the culture of a world so different from ours that it seems almost alien. I also learned about structure, that novel or creative non-fiction writing doesn’t have to be linear nor chronological.

This book is written in chunks, some of it lists, some of it anecdotes.

What are your favorite books?

Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

SWEDISH INTELLECTUALS FORM NEW LITERATURE PRIZE IN NOBEL PROTEST

By Ilgin Karlidag

It is meant to “remind people that literature and culture at large should STOCKHOLM—What do you do when this promote democracy, transparency, empathy year’s Nobel Literature Prize, the world’s and respect, without privilege,” the 107 most prestigious accolade of its kind, is intellectuals wrote in a joint statement.

As the #MeToo movement has made postponed because of a sexual assault waves globally, the Swedish Academy scandal? descended into turmoil in November when You create your own award.

More than 100 Swedish intellectuals local media published the testimonies of have joined forces to form a new prize- 18 women claiming to have been raped, giving body in protest after the Swedish sexually assaulted or harassed by an Academy, which selects Nobel laureates, influential French cultural figure who has was plunged into crisis over its long- long been connected to the institution.

The revelations led the Academy to standing ties to a man accused of announce in May there will be no Nobel assaulting several women.

The alternative honor serves to Literature Prize this year, as disagreements denounce “bias, arrogance and sexism,” on how to deal with the scandal sowed according to its founders The New deep discord among its 18 members and Academy, whose members include prompted six to quit—including the first woman permanent secretary Sara Danius. authors, artists and journalists.

But for some, the lack of a Nobel literature award for the first time in almost 70 years was unacceptable.

“Sweden is one of the world’s most democratic, transparent and genderequal countries... it needs a great literary prize,” Swedish columnist and one of the founders of the new prize, Alexandra Pascalidou, told AFP. The New Academy plans to make its prize-awarding process transparent.

“We want to create something which is open and inclusive and which allows people to contribute,” said Pascalidou.

The new literature award—which carries a prize of one million kronor (around $113,000) raised from crowdfunding and donations— will be handed out at a Dec. 10 ceremony, the same day as the Nobel banquet.

Librarians across Sweden have been

asked to nominate up to two authors, with a deadline set for July 8. Authors with the most nominations will then receive votes online from the public in Sweden and abroad.

Based on the nominations and the vote results, a jury including publishers, literature professors, culture journalists and critics will shortlist four authors—two men and two women—and make the final choice.

The winner, who may come from anywhere in the world and must have published at least one literary work in the last 10 years, will be announced on Oct. 14, in the same month as the Nobel Literature Prize would have been announced.

But some observers are skeptical about whether the New Academy can compare with the Nobel Literature Prize’s history

of recognizing distinguished authors including Ernest Hemingway, Albert Camus, Boris Pasternak, Alice Munro and Doris Lessing, among others.

For Asa Linderborg, chief culture editor at daily paper Aftonbladet, it’s “deeply provocative” of the New Academy to use literature to promote moral values and even “the most disturbing ideas” can become high-quality literature.

Meanwhile, others are indifferent to the initiative.

“They’re free to do as they wish,” Swedish Academy member Per Wastberg told AFP. The new literature prize is the latest award to be dubbed an alternative to the Nobel, joining the Swedish Right Livelihood Award honoring those who work to improve the planet, and Finland’s Millennium Technology Prize. AFP

C1

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor / Roderick dela Cruz, Issue Editor business@manilastandard.net

AYALA ENVISIONS NTC AS TOP TEACHERS COLLEGE ‘LEAPRENEURS’ RECOGNIZED FOR TAKING LEAP OF FAITH

The National Teachers College, which is now led by AC Education Inc. of Ayala Corp., takes pride in its students and graduates.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

A

C EDUCATION Inc., the wholly-owned education arm of conglomerate Ayala Corp., is leveraging on its Student Value Add programs at its sister schools to bring the National Teachers College closer to its goal of becoming the top college in the country for teacher education.

“Our vision is for NTC to be the top college in the country for teacher education, and one of the best in producing industry-ready professionals who are ready to contribute their skills to the betterment of our country. Our aim is to deliver an education that is both good quality and affordable,” said NTC chairman and president Alfredo Ayala.

AC Education completed this year the acquisition of NTC located on Nepomuceno Street in Quiapo, Manila. Founded in 1928, it was the first school in the country to offer General Education leading to a Bachelor of Science in Education.

NTC has a long track record of commitment to excellence in teaching, growth and inclusion, with almost 10,000 students from Basic to Higher education.

“I think one of the reasons why we were selected is we have a very aligned vision for NTC and that vision is to build it the top education college in the country,” said Ayala, who is also the chief executive of AC Education.

Ayala, who has an MBA from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration, unveiled AC Education’s long-term development plan for NTC which includes three phases: building on NTC’s foundation, introducing 21st Century approaches and synergies and exploring growth possibilities.

“We will be leveraging the Student Value Add

programs AC Education has developed at our sister schools, in partnership with members of the Ayala Group and other employer partners, that have resulted in significantly better career outcomes for our graduate,” he said.

AC Education introduced four initiatives for school year 2018-2019 that are aimed at delivering quality and affordable education to NTC. Ayala said they are introducing the English Immersion Environment throughout NTC “to help our students become more comfortable in thinking and communicating in English, both inside and outside the classroom.”

“Mastering English is an important advantage in the workforce, both here and abroad, and AC Education has deep experience in helping all learners, even those with limited English skills, to improve their communication skills significantly,” he said.

The Professional Employment Program is another initiative this year. It is an employability readiness program, co-designed by AC Education with employer partners, to develop skills and work habits that are in demand.

“It employs Google Chromebook, skill-based modules and simulations to prepare students for a wide range of professional jobs, including in banking, retail, IT and BPO. Upon program completion, students are endorsed to partner employers for recruitment, and teachers act as placement facilitators,” he said.

Ayala said that historically, PEP graduates earn around 30 percent more than comparable non-PEP graduates.

All NTC seniors who are not taking their boards will have the opportunity to take PEP. AC Education is also embarking on a facilities improvement program at NTC starting this year.

“We recognize that having facilities that are conducive to learning are essential to the development of our students. This school year, we are laying the groundwork for a comprehensive and phased upgrade of our facilities, including the air-conditioning of more

rooms in 2019, and the planned upgrade of our labs especially across IT and Hospitality and Tourism Management,” he said.

Ayala is also implementing the Board Enhanced Performance Program that identifies system-wide (people, processes, tools, methods) solutions that will enable more students to reach the boards.

Aside from education, NTC has also established growing Colleges of Accountancy & Business, Arts & Science, Hospitality Management and Information Technology, and a School of Advanced Studies.

“AC Education has really focused on delivering affordable, quality education but very specifically defined quality is employability, really maximizing the potential of our students and helping them get the possible careers,” Ayala said.

Ayala said focus is also on developing the soft skills of NTC students to prepare them in the actual working environment.

“So that is professionalism. Do what you say you’re gonna do, never let your team mate down, arrive on time. The most important, and a big part of that is self confidence which all of those if you’ve had the training in English, critical thinking, you’d be more confident,” he said.

AC Education has built the largest chain of stand-alone, private high schools in the country—Apec (Affordable Private Education Center) Schools, with 16,000 students in 23 sites in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal and Batangas.

AC Education has also invested in the University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City, with 8,000 students. It is the oldest and one of the largest private schools in the Bicol region, offering college programs in Engineering and Architecture, Business and Accountancy, Education, Computer Studies, Law, Arts & Sciences, Criminology, Nursing and Graduate Studies.

Together with NTC, the combined population of AC Education’s schools is around 34,000 students.

FASTCAT DEPLOYS NEW WORLD-CLASS RO-RO VESSELS ARCHIPELAGO Philippine Ferries Corp.’s FastCat continues to operate the largest fleet of world-class catamaran roll-on, roll-off passenger and cargo ferries in the Philippines, staying true to its core values of being focused, accountable, s a fe t y co n s c i o u s, te a m p l aye r, committed, attentive to customer expectations and trendsetter.

FastCat added two brand-new vessels this year to serve more routes for Filipinos. FastCat is raising the bar high in the shipping industry, making interisland connectivity more accessible to passengers through modernization.

It is changing the game by providing better service to Filipinos, firmly believing that they deserve no less than the best.

The improvement of FastCat’s services and addition of more vessels and routes are still APFC’s utmost priority for the years to come.

The addition to its roster of moving bridges features improved version of FastCat’s signature comfort, reliability and safety.

FastCat takes pride in business class and premium economy sections that provide a fully air-conditioned

accommodation matched with an enter tainment system, reclining seats a n d fo o d t rays a s we l l a s PWD and senior citizen friendly facilities and professionally trained crew and staff for ultimate customer experience.

With FastCat’s new routes and its alliance with Jam liner and Philtranco bus lines, traveling in the Philippines has become more convenient like never before.

With its aim of ser ving more customers, FastCat plans to expand its fleet up to 30 modern ships by 2020.

EMPLOYEES-TURNEDENTREPRENEURS were honored in the first Certified Leapreneur Awards at St. Francis Shangri-La Place on June 19.

The Certified Leapreneur Awards is the first recognition given to employees who took the “leap of faith” to become full-fledged “entrepreneurs.”

The awards were given to 15 employees-turned-entrepreneurs, whose businesses vary from agriculture to retail, construction, hospitality, services and e-commerce.

This is an advocacy of Leapreneur founder Jerry Ilao, who himself was once an employee for seven years in a multinational company. He left his corporate job to become a full-time entrepreneur in 2007.

After realizing that seven of 10 employees wanted to start their own business someday, Ilao founded Leapreneur in 2015 to help employees transition into entrepreneurship.

Ilao believes that this will have positive ripple effects on the economy where one employee -turnedentrepreneur can hire more employees, and consequently, unemployment is reduced one employee at a time.

Leapreneur currently has more than 6,000 members, and many are overseas Filipino workers from Singapore, Malaysia, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Japan.

Leapreneur has helped many Filipinos through various programs such as Leapreneur Insights, Jerry’s Notes, Startup Blueprint Masterclass Program, meet-up activities and various trainings.

“Most employees and OFWs don’t have any clue how to start their own business. We want to teach them and show that with the right preparation, and unwavering determination, becoming a successful entrepreneur is indeed doable,” said Ilao.

This year’s awardees are Raymund Layoso of Rayne Laundry Express, Donna May Tomboc of ZNTR Travel and Tours, Alexander Duca of CodeSkitch Solutions & Upbeat Multimedia, Cecille Sarmiento of Buttons Up Ventures Inc., Christine Acosta of C.A. Design and Build, John Carlos Valdepenas of SV Wellness and Services Corp. and Engr. Jun Tamayo of Aquasian Water Technologies Inc. Other awardees are Esther Joy Sanchez of Villa Vitaliana Farms Inc., Mark Bryan Asilo of MYNE Inc., Elisa Cruz of Westgate Farm, Jojo Cruzado of The Laundry Project, Miguel dela Rosa of MPLIFY Marketing Enterprise, Edward Cruz of Ecomilion Inc., Mark Angelo Hernandez of MOZ Inc. and Ronnie Billones of BillGreen Enterprises.

Ted Ferrer, chairman of Generika Group and Armando Bartolome, president of GMB Franchise Developers, inspired the awardees and challenged them to go global.

Successful entrepreneurs from the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. also witnessed the momentous event.

Business

C2

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 business@manilastandard.net

MANABAT NAMED 2018 OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL KPMG R.G. Manabat & Co. chairman emeritus Roberto Manabat was named the 2018 Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Accountancy, the highest award bestowed by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Manabat was awarded during the PRC Awards Night on June 21 at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.

Manabat has over 40 years of track record in the field of accountancy. He was chairman and chief executive of KPMG R. G. Manabat & Co. for eleven years.

Before this, he was the first general accountant of the S ecurities and Exchange Commission and served as a senior par tner of another major auditing firm. He is an adviser for top conglomerates in the country and has had extensive experience on corporate governance, internal audit, financial reporting, risk management, among others.

Manabat now serves as chairman of KPMG R.G. Manabat Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of KPMG RGM&Co.. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Institute of Corporate Directors, the premier organization of corporate directors in the Philippines promoting good corporate governance.

M a n a b a t a l s o s e r ve s a s a n adviser on corporate governance of SM Investments Corp. and an independent director of Union Bank of the Philippines.

BPI TRUST APPOINTS NEW HEAD BPI Asset Management and Trust Corp. appointed chief operating officer Sheila Marie Tan as its new president and chief executive effective July 1, 2018.

She succeeded Mario Miranda, who served in the trust department for over three decades.

Tan, a lawyer, joined BPI AMTC in 2017, after a four-year stint as head of strategic advisory at BPI Capital Corp. and just as Bank of the Philippine Islands spun off its trust department as a stand-alone trust corporation.

She has almost 20 years of experience in the real estate industry and served as chief legal counsel of Ayala Land Inc. and co-managing director of Ayala Group Legal before joining BPI. “I am excited and grateful for the opportunity I have been given. Taking BPI AMTC forward today—where the markets are challenging and the investors want more—is certainly daunting. But with an organization that has been built on a culture of excellence and innovation, we will make success happen,” said Tan. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, where she also obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree.

Filipino inventor and entrepreneur Edgardo ‘Gary’ Vazquez

E

INVENTOR UNVEILS GIANT FAN WITH COOLING EFFECT

DGARDO ‘Gary’ Vazquez says he is not afraid to entertain wild ideas, especially if those ideas will help improve lives in the country.

“I am encouraged to invent more, because climate change is having a lot of effects like hotter days. After the rain, the heat becomes unbearable again,” Vazquez says.

The 67-year-old Filipino inventor’s latest design is a giant fan, with a seven-foot diameter, that can surround an area of up to 80 meters with cool mists. It is based on his Misty Kool mist-dispensing apparatus which was recently recognized and validated by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines. “ Two of these will be enough to drop temperature in an open gymnasium by 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. For a large gymnasium, six units will be enough, compared to 10 tons of airconditioners which consume a lot of electricity,” says Vazquez, whose idea of a mist machine started in his home one hot summer.

“What used to be just a hobby to make one part of the house comfortable is turning out to be a business. It is currently a backyard business, but it is getting to be big. So I may need to transfer from my garage to a warehouse,” he says.

Vazquez is optimistic after the Bureau of Legal Affairs of IPOPHL ruled that the ‘Misty Kool’ trademark for his spray mist dispensing apparatus or movable spray mist fan is a registrable trademark.

Misty Kool is a misting system that sprays ultra-fine microns of water to cool off any area.

It conserves energy while offering an air-cooling effect and repels flying insects, dust, smoke and pollen.

The machine consists of a misting fan, highpressure pumps, fine nozzles, switches, oil indicator, programmable timer, automatic shutoff mechanism, hose, water tank and heavy-duty wheels with locking mechanism.

He now offers the technology in various forms—a line machine, an electric fan-type unit, a turbo version for industrial use and giant fans with diameters of three feet, seven feet, 15 feet and 24 feet.

Misty Kool produces mist, which evaporates into the air, and this is sometimes called “flash evaporation” because it happens “quickly as

a flash” and gives a stronger cooling effect.

Vazquez says the air is cooled evenly and feels more like a fog.

A comparative analysis of Misty Kool versus cooler/humidifier and air-conditioner found that Misty Kool is more environment-friendly, more user-friendly, more economical, more portable and mobile and covers a larger area, compared to the other two machines. It also repels insects and captures smoke, dust and pollen particles.

Several churches and universities are already using the Misty Kool machines, but Vazquez believes that it would be a game changer if the government will also patronize the Filipino invention to provide comfort to thousands of Filipinos queuing in hot public areas to get permits and certificates.

The problem, according to Vazquez, is the lack of support from the Bureau of Internal Revenue which refuses to implement Republic Act No. 7459, or the Philippine Inventors and Invention Incentives Act. Section 6 of the law states that any income derived from the commercialization of technologies and inventions are exempt from all kinds of taxes in the first 10 years without any qualification.

“The mere fact that I was able to get a patent already for my product is very good. It gives me more encouragement to go on. I think the final thing is if the Bureau of Internal Revenue will give me tax incentives under the law,” he says.

“I have already passed the screening by an inter-agency committee led by the DOST. They were screening whether you deserved the benefit.

I passed it and they gave me certification to get my tax incentives from the BIR. The incentives are very clear—full tax benefits. That means it is taxfree and VAT-free. Even domestic and municipal taxes are also free, all the way to garbage tax.

Unfortunately, I am having a hard time to get my incentives,” he says.

“When I was president of the Filipino Inventors Society, I did not give much attention to it. When I was young, I was arrogant and my pride was very high. After going through all of these, and I am now 67, more wisdom has come in. I have realized that the law pushed by Filipino inventors prior to my being president was beautiful. Why? It is self-sustaining. You have a good product, you market it, you benefit from it, because the state does not charge you anything. So you make money. Because of that, you also turn to become a partner of the state,” he says.

“I wasted time going to court before. I went to court for 15 years, fighting for my invention, not knowing that I wasted my 15 years for nothing.

Instead of being an inventor, I was turning out to be more of a lawyer. That was not developmental.

Now I think it is important that the government help the inventors,” says Vazquez who is also the man behind the Vazbuilt modular housing and fencing technology.

“Even Jack Ma himself says the Philippines is full of ideas. So you have to put more incubation offices to incubate all these ideas, develop them and bring them out to the market. That will be able to help this country a lot. We will have our own identity, our own product. We are not copycats, but we will create our own that the world will also seek,” he says.

“We are not after money. We are after being able to develop and help improve lives by invention. The government should honor that law. You only have to implement it, not interpret it. It was signed into a Republic Act. If they don’t want to implement it, it becomes a subject to graft.

The more they delay it, it could mean something,” he says.

“I have been asking for a meeting with the BIR commissioner since September last year. It is now July and I have not received any response. I have been asking for a meeting to discuss why it is so important,” he says.

Vazquez says his product will become more affordable if the BIR would grant the incentives it deserves. “If I receive my tax benefits as a Filipino inventor, I could sell it cheaper. Why give tax incentives to foreign companies and deprive Filipino inventors of the same benefits. Why not encourage your own inventors?” he says.

Vazquez says with tax incentives, he will be able to grow the business and employ more people.

“The savings from tax and VAT will be good enough for us to build an incubation laboratory to help fellow Filipino inventors. We have so many OFWs who have acquired a good sense of technology and skills, and they are being put into waste. We should harness all of them. Let us give them one place to develop all their ideas there. From there, we can create a product. If I get the tax benefits from the government, I will build an ISO-certified laboratory with all the equipment to help other inventors,” he says.

“Supporting Filipino invention will create local jobs and support national pride,” says Vazquez.

Roderick T. dela Cruz

AGOO RECEIVES LIBRARY MATERIALS FROM WATER COMPANY LIK ASDIWA Foundation Inc., the corporate social responsibility arm of Metro Agoo Water Inc., donated 1,383 books to three public schools in Agoo, La Union in June.

The donation is a part of the foundation’s Library Enhancement and Appreciation Development Program that supports the Department of Education’s “Adopt-a-School” program.

The project aims to enhance and upgrade library materials of the schools for general reference and dated books for K11 and K12.

Marisol Ybañez, managing director of LikasDiwa, led the turnover of books which was attended by the local government officials of La Union including Second District Rep. Sandra Eriguel, Agoo mayor Stefanie Eriguel and members of Agoo Sangguniang Bayan.

Principals, head teachers and

students of Don Eufemio Eriguel Memorial National High School, Agoo West and Agoo East Central Elementary school also witnessed the turnover of the books at the covered court in Barangay Sta. Barbara.

Rep. Eriguel emphasized the value of partnership in the development efforts in the Second District of La Union. She talked about the roles of the private sector, the NGOs and how there should be cooperation and collaboration for the betterment of the communities and the residents of Agoo.

She also expressed her appreciation for the efforts of LikasDiwa and MAWI to help in community development and provide modern books for the education of the students.

Mayor Eriguel, on her part, encouraged students to become more diligent.

“Study hard. My dad, ex-Congressman Franny, when he was alive, emphasized

Students receive books from LikasDiwa Foundation and Metro Agoo Water Inc., witnessed by Agoo Mayor Stefanie Eriguel and Rep. Sandra Eriguel.

the value of education and proper Alex Manto, general manager of training,” she said.

MAWI, said the company and LikasDiwa

Foundation would continue to be active in Agoo’s community programs such as tree planting and other environmental projects.

Agoo has been the base of operations of MAWI, a unit of Jolliville Holdings Corp. led by businessman Jolly Ting, since 2016. The first-class municipality in the Second District of La Union is a recipient of various local and international awards.

Agoo was recently declared as the country’s top model municipality during the Philippine Model Cities Forum and Awards.

The municipality also received several awards of excellence in the area of literacy from the Department of Education and the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization because of its innovative and high-quality approach to reduce illiteracy.

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor / Jimbo Gulle, Issue Editor

C3

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

POPE FRANCIS FEARS FOR CHRISTIANS IN MIDDLE EAST BARI, Italy—Pope Francis on Saturday voiced concern that Christians will disappear from the Middle East amid “murderous indifference” as war rages on.

“The Middle East has become a land of people who leave their own lands behind,” Francis said.

He was addressing the leaders of almost all the Middle Eastern churches gathered in the Italian port city of Bari to pray for peace in the region.

“There is also the danger that the presence of our brothers and sisters in the faith will disappear, disfiguring the very face of the region,” the pope warned.

“For a Middle East without Christians would not be the Middle East.

“Indifference kills, and we desire to lift up our voices in opposition to this murderous indifference.”

Among those attending the ecumenical meeting in southern Italy are the patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, the spiritual leader of the eastern orthodox church, and metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian orthodox church which is powerful in Syria.

Patriarch Tawadros II is representing Egypt’s orthodox Copts alongside six patriarch of eastern Catholic churches.

“We want to give a voice to those who have none, to those who can only wipe away their tears,” the pope said ahead of talks with the church leaders. AFP

LEAVE CRISIS-HIT NICARAGUA, US WORKERS TOLD MANAGUA, Nicaragua—The United States on Friday ordered all its nonemergency personnel to leave crisisstricken Nicaragua amid a wave of antigovernment protests and violence that has left 230 dead, the embassy in the capital Managua said.

The US “ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel” and urged citizens to reconsider traveling to Nicaragua due to “crime, civil unrest, and limited healthcare availability,” according to a statement.

“Heavily armed, government-controlled parapolice forces in civilian clothing, sometimes numbering in the hundreds, operate in large parts of the country, including Managua,” it warned, also advising citizens to avoid demonstrations, which began in April.

Protesters are demanding elections be brought forward, or the resignation of President Daniel Ortega, whom they accuse of establishing a dictatorship with his wife and vice president Rosario Murillo.

The Nicaraguan government is planning a march for Saturday afternoon, while the opposition Civic Alliance called for a demonstration next Thursday followed by a 24-hour national strike on Friday.

After demonstrations first began, the US ordered relatives of diplomatic staff to leave. AFP

FRENCH SHOOTING SPARKS RIOTS, COP FACES CHARGES NANTES, France—A French policeman who shot dead a young black man in western France, sparking four nights of rioting, has been charged with manslaughter, his lawyer said as clashes between youths and police raged into early Saturday.

The unrest has shone a light on tensions in deprived urban areas of France, where local youths often complain about heavy-handed policing and brutality.

The officer had initially claimed he acted in self-defense while trying to arrest the 22-year-old in the city of Nantes on Tuesday, but later told investigators he had fired his weapon by accident.

“He recognizes he made a statement that did not conform with the truth,” his lawyer Laurent-Franck Lienard told AFP. The victim, identified as Aboubakar Fofana, died from a single bullet wound to the neck on Tuesday evening after police stopped him in his car in the Breil neighborhood of Nantes -- home to a large public housing estate with a history of gang violence.

Police initially said that Aboubakar, who was under surveillance for suspected drug trafficking, had resisted arrest and tried to reverse his car into an officer.

But a witness who spoke to AFP said the car was stationary when the policeman opened fire.

The policeman, who has been granted conditional release, told the IGPN police oversight body under questioning that “it was an accidental shot” that killed Aboubakar. AFP

OTHER POPES. Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II (left) and Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, arrive for a meeting with Pope Francis and other religious leaders at the Pontifical Basilica of St Nicholas in Bari, in the Apulia region in south Italy, on Saturday.

Pope Francis hosts heads of other Churches and Christian communities for an ecumenical encounter and prayers for peace in the Middle East. AFP

POMPEO PRESSES NOKOR FOR NUCLEAR PROMISES P YONGYANG—Washington’s top diplomat engaged in an intense day of negotiations with his North Korean counterpart Saturday as he strove to nail down Pyongyang’s commitment to nuclear disarmament.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks in an elegant Pyongyang guest house for a second day with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s right-hand man Kim Yong Chol.

The US envoy later left Pyongyang bound for Tokyo, where he was to brief his Japanese and South Korean counterparts and talk to reporters on Sunday.

The negotiations followed President Donald Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un in Singapore, where the leaders signed a statement committing Pyongyang to “work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula”.

While hailed by Trump as ending the threat of nuclear war, the June 12 statement was short on clear commitments, and Pompeo was tasked with negotiating a detailed plan in Pyongyang.

“Our policy hasn’t changed,” Pompeo’s spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters as the meetings got underway.

“Our expectation is exactly what the president and Kim Jong Un jointly agreed to in Singapore, and that is the denuclearization of North Korea,” she said.

Saturday’s talks were held at a villa in an official compound close to the imposing mausoleum where North Korea’s former helmsmen Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il -- the current leader’s grandfather and father -- lie in state.

As the day began, Pompeo left the compound to make a secure call to Trump away from potential surveillance, then returned to restart talks and they continued through a working lunch for almost six hours.

The meeting appeared to be ending at around 3.00pm (0600 GMT) and he flew out of the country just over an hour later, without talking to reporters.

In opening remarks, Kim Yong Chol asked Pompeo if he had slept well on his first overnight stay in the country, adding: “But we did have

very serious discussion on very important matters yesterday.

“So, thinking about those discussions you might have not slept well last night,” he suggested.

Pompeo responded that he had slept “just fine” but the exchange suggested tougher talks ahead.

- Crisis over? Pompeo warned that “the path toward complete denuclearization building a relationship between our two countries is vital for a brighter North Korea and the success that our two presidents demand of us.”

Kim replied: “Of course it is important. There are things that I have to clarify.”

“There are things that I have to clarify as well,” Pompeo responded.

Pompeo, who was on his third visit to Pyongyang, began the outreach when he was still Trump’s CIA director and remained the point man on negotiations after the process became public and he became secretary of state.

In comparison to past international nuclear disarmament negotiations, the discussions between Washington and North Korea on thawing ties and dismantling the North’s arsenal appear to be pro-

ceeding in reverse.

Kim and Trump’s Singapore summit resulted in a statement committing Pyongyang to “work towards complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula” in exchange for US “security guarantees” and peace in the decades-old stand-off.

But rather than the two leaders crowning years of detailed negotiation with their one-on-one meeting, the short statement marked instead the start of a diplomatic long slog, and Trump earned the scorn of Korea watchers and non-proliferation experts when he declared the crisis over.

- ‘Nitty gritty details’ The task of establishing the disarmament programme now falls to Pompeo, who is seeking a formal declaration by the North of the size of its nuclear programme as well as an eventual timetable for it to be ended under international verification and inspection.

Many experts doubt Kim’s sincerity -- a nuclear deterrent to US intervention has long been a strategic goal of his isolated, autocratic regime -- and few expect this to be a quick process, even if Washington wants results within a year. AFP

7 DEAD AS RECORD JAPAN RAINS CUE EVACUATIONS TOKYO—The death toll from record downpours in Japan rose to seven with more than 1.6 million people ordered to evacuate on Saturday, as heavy rain continued to strike large areas to the west of the country.

Intense rainfall triggered huge landslides and flash floods in Hiroshima, Okayama, Kyoto, and other regions, while hampering rescue operations with dozens of people reportedly missing.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe ordered his ministers to “make an all-out effort” to rescue victims, saying: “The situation is extremely serious.”

Local authorities said at least seven people were killed in rain-related accidents, while public broadcaster NHK said the death toll had risen to 21 with

47 others unaccounted for.

Record downpours prompted authorities to order some 1,614,000 people to evacuate their homes mainly in western Japan, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency.

In Hiroshima, the body of a man in his 60s was found near a bridge early Saturday and another man was killed when a mudslide struck his house, a local government official said.

A 52-year-old woman in Kyoto was found dead by a river on Friday, while in neighboring Hyogo prefecture a construction worker was swept away by flood waters and died.

Television footage showed a wooden bridge being washed away in Hiroshima by a rain-swollen muddy river.

AFP

BULLFIGHT. A reveler is pinned by a heifer bull during festivities in the bullring on the first day of the San Fermin bull run festival in Pamplona, northern Spain, on Saturday. Each day at 8am hundreds of people race with six bulls, charging along a winding, 848.6-metre (more than half a mile) course through narrow streets to the city’s bull ring, where the animals are killed in a bullfight or corrida, during this festival dating back to medieval times and featuring religious processions, folk dancing, concerts, and round-the-clock drinking. AFP

C4

TECH & Gadgets SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018 Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

TOSHIBA PORTÉGÉ Z30-E: BOOSTING PRODUCTIVITY

T

OSHIBA announced the Portégé Z30-E, packing professional performance with full-size ports into a thin and durable design.

The latest addition to Toshiba’s business PC offering, the Portégé Z30-E has been engineered with mobility and reliability at its core to increase business productivity by providing professional performance for today’s increasingly mobile workforce.

Built to perform and designed to move, the ultra-light Portégé Z30-E offers premium performance in any setting. What’s more, with a range of full-size ports and common features across Toshiba’s entire business line-up, organizations can be sure of a consistent, compatible and customisable solution across their IT infrastructure.

“The Portégé Z30-E was developed with keeping business moving in mind, from employees in small to mid-size organisations, to large corporate environments - regardless of their location,” said Ms Wong Wai Meng, Senior Manager of Product Strategy at Toshiba Singapore Pte Ltd, Mobile Computing Solutions & Devices Division. “This addition to the Portégé family provides premium performance with convenient portability, whilst offering an advanced level of security and peace of mind for today’s workforce.”

Professional Performance Anywhere Weighing in at just 1.2 kg, with a highly robust magnesium chassis, and a 18-hour battery life1 from a single charge, the Portégé Z30-E provides convenient portability.

While its 33.8 cm (13.3”) non-reflective HD or Full HD screen with LED backlighting means users won’t be distracted by glare, even in direct sunlight, enabling users to work confidently wherever the day may take them.

The Power to Multitask The Portégé Z30-E offers the latest Intel® Core™ processor—with DDR4 RAM (2400MHz) if the 8th generation Intel® Core™ processor is chosen, giving the laptop all the power needed to multitask on the move or in the office. The Portégé Z30-E handles business applications without compro-

The Toshiba Portégé Z30-E boasts of premium design with mobility and reliability at its core.

mise and with a high-performance SSD inside, means users can expect sharp speeds and fast responses all day long.

Convenient Connectivity The Portégé Z30E offers a range of convenient full-size ports to keep users connected to their surroundings.

Three USB 3.0 ports and a HDMI port allow for work to be shared quickly or presentations projected in high-resolution brilliance. Gigabit LAN allows fast access to local networks meaning users can work wirelessly if required.

Trusty Performance The Portégé Z30-E is designed to withstand the pressures of professional life and is backed up by H.A.L.T. (Highly Accelerated Life Test), which simulates approximately 3 years of wear and tear. The

tests by independent German test institute, TÜV Rheinland® include drop-testing, spill-testing2 and pressure-testing, so users can work confidently in the knowledge that they are using a robust device.

Intelligent Security for Simple Management A Trusted Platform Module (TPM) keeps critical data safe and sound on the local storage of the Portégé Z30-E. The optional Smartcard and SecurePad™ with fingerprint reader mean that no-one but the intended user can log in.

Managing the Portégé Z30-E is made easy with in-built Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) meaning IT departments can easily make updates at any time.

Product Availability Toshiba Portégé Z30-E will be available from Q3 2018. Actual product features and specifications depend on model and local availability. For products enquiries, please email to b2b@toshiba.com.sg or contact your local enterprise consultants.

BELKIN ACCESSORIES FOR NEW GEN IPHONES

By Lou Marquez Hernandez A PRICEY phone like an iPhone needs plenty of TLC. It’s a fact. You need to maintain it, protect it and make sure it’s always in top form to get back every last peso you spent on it. For those who own one, it’s an investment worth spending on.

And for this purpose, Belkin, an accessory brand, has developed new products for the new generation of iPhones – iPhone 8, 8+, and X. “For as long as Filipinos rely on their iPhones for work, Power Mac Center (PMC) and our premium partners like Belkin will keep finding ways to bring technology that improves lives and keeps us connected to things important to us,” said Power Mac Center Marketing Director Joey Alvarez.

An iPhone needs a durable screen protection as there’s nothing more heart-stopping than the sound of your iPhone’s glass screen shattering as it hits the ground.

The new Belkin TrueClear Pro 2.0 Overlay (Corning glass or Tempered glass with a price that starts at P1,090) keeps iPhone screen scratch-free and provides extra protection from drops, accidental

Belkin TrueClear Pro 2

or otherwise, without sacrificing its look and touchscreen sensitivity.

At the Power Mac Center, trained professionals use the proprietary Belkin applicator machine to apply the screen protector. This makes the usual mistakes like misalignment, bubbles and trapped dust a thing of the past.

The new Belkin Wireless Charging Pad (starts at P1,690) for iPhone 8, 8+, and X foregoes messy cables as it charges in multiple orientations: portrait, landscape, or anywhere in between. No need to remove the phone case as Belkin’s wireless charger works through most lightweight plastic cases.

Belkin Mixit Duratek

Electromagnetic induction is the secret to wireless charging. The transmitter coil in the charging base generates a signal and senses the one in the receiver coil of the iPhone, and then the electrons inside the transmitter coil start to flow around it. A magnetic field is generated and is sensed by the electrons in the receiver coil. The electrons trapped inside the receiver coil then start to flow around it and generate electricity, which eventually powers the iPhone battery.

If a cable is necessary, the Belkin MIXIT DuraTek (starts at P1,690) avoids lightning cable-re-

lated problems such as fraying and breakage. The double-braided nylon outer covering protects the wires, which are especially reinforced with Kevlar, the same high-strength synthetic fiber used in bullet-resistant vests, helmets, and extreme sports gear.

These new products are now available in select Power Mac Center stores nationwide. The Power Mac Center, a pioneer in offering the entire Apple ecosystem in the Philippines, is now a lifestyle shopping destination that brings the finest in premium accessories from exclusive audio devices, to sleek cases and the latest enhancements.

Belkin Wireless Charging Pad

PSBANK BANKS IN ON DIGITAL INNOVATIONS

By Jordan Thomas Pimentel PHILIPPINE Savings Bank (PSBank), a subsidiary of Metrobank Group, is amplifying its digital banking platforms with its wide selection of products and services available 24/7 despite rising client preference for mobile transactions.

PSBank, the second-largest savings bank in the country, first initiated the use of Cardless Withdrawal, which as the name suggests, allows withdrawal of cash from any PSBank ATM without using an ATM card among other banks.

“PSBank has been steadily creating a digital ecosystem for our banking services with the aim of making things simple for our customers and enhancing their banking experience with us,” said PSBank Senior Vice President Noel Tuazon, Head of Marketing Group.

Customer usage of Cardless Withdrawal is gradually increasing since it launched last October as average daily transaction jumped 23% at the end of the first quarter as against the average daily transaction recorded at the end of 2017.

To use said feature, clients must log in to their PSBank Online or PSBank Mobile app; select “Cardless Withdrawal” to create a transaction request; choose the account where the amount will be withdrawn; type in their nominated 4-digit PIN and the amount they wish to withdraw.

A topnotch security feature of the PSBank Mobile app is the ATM Lock, which enables clients to lock their ATM card and prevent its unauthorized use in any ATM, point of sale or online transaction that require the card number. This feature provides an additional layer of protection against ATM-card related fraud or in the case of losing or misplacing their cards which puts the clients in better control of their accounts. Clients may also activate this feature via the PSBank online portal.

Among the forefront of their innovation, PSBank introduced One Touch ID and PayMe. One Touch ID allows customers to quickly access the PSBank Mobile App with the use of their registered fingerprint, without keying in a password. PayMe, on the other hand, allows customers to request for money and payments from other users in a click of a button.

Other digital banking transactions include the PSBank Online Loan Application (POLA). This online platform provides people a simpler and convenient way to apply for a car and personal loan, eliminating the need for time-consuming paperwork.

This mode hastens approval process granting a credit decision within 24 hours for Auto Loan and within three days for Flexi Personal Loan, from the time of application, via SMS. The company’s online assets enable clients to make banking transactions through PSBank’s e-Trust, which is an online investment facility that allows clients to apply and manage their PSBank Money Market Fund online. Such facility allows clients to make additional subscriptions, redeem funs partially or fully, update risk profile or simply view their portfolio using mobile devices anytime and anywhere.

Also, PSBank Business Online Buddy is the bank’s answer to the simple cash management requirements of SMEs and retail customers for their business. The facility enables clients to manage their accounts, do fund transfers, make disbursements, effect collections and even cut checks realtime in a safe, secure and convenient online environment.

HOOQ DELIVERS NEW MOBILE WEB EXPERIENCE WITH GOOGLE TECH HOOQ—the largest Video on Demand service in Southeast Asia—launched an allnew mobile web experience for its customers using PWA—a technology that is championed by Google.

This technology allows HOOQ to deliver an app-like experience on the web and displays seamlessly and identically on all devices, including desktop, mobile and tablet.

“HOOQ’s deployment of PWA came on the back of findings that four in five consumers access the internet daily on their smartphones and the usage between apps and websites were about the same. At the same time, we‘ve also learned that more than half of those who came to the app store, interested in HOOQ chose not to download the app largely due

to data constraints or storage limits on their device. This means that having a mobile app will only serve 50% of those mobile users and serving up a pure web experience allows HOOQ to potentially double its reach to mobile users consuming content regardless of their choice of viewing over web or app.” said Michael Fleshman, Chief Technology Officer of HOOQ. “The intent of introducing PWA is to deliver a smooth and engaging experience where customers with lower-end devices or low data caps can still enjoy the full HOOQ experience without the need to compromise.

What’s more, we are able to combine the ease of access and reach of the Web together with the immersive experience of a native app for

customers to engage with HOOQ; browse the complete catalogue and play content without having to download the app”, Fleshman added.

HOOQ users can now experience faster load times and smoother interactions even in uncertain network conditions. With the help of pre-caching, HOOQ’s PWA stays up-to-date, serving the user with the newest premium content upon launch and users can also save HOOQ’s PWA to their home screen; making HOOQ accessible, without the hassle of downloading it from the app stores.

Smartphone penetration in emerging Asia has been on the rise and in 2017 over 230 million smartphones were sold, according to GFK. Whilst a 44% year-on-year growth in smart-

phone penetration provides HOOQ with a ripe opportunity in Southeast Asia, over 60% of these handsets are in the low to mid range.

This growing base of smartphone users are cognizant of their precious storage space on their phones and are less likely to download an app. By removing all this friction, more users can now access HOOQ directly from a URL and are able to share it on social media, email, text message etc. and skip the hassle of app downloads from the app store, resulting in a much larger potential user base.

PWA is now live in all HOOQ markets—the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, India and Singapore, users can enjoy the best of local and Hollywood movies and TV series by simply going to www.hooq.tv.

Destinations D1

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor

sunday, july 8, 2018

manilastandardlife@gmail.com

@manilastandardlife

@MStandardLIFE

Be right Back,

Boracay

W

e StILL have more than three months before we can frolic on the white sand and take a dip in the crystal blue water of Boracay, which government officials expect to reopen on october 26. But this doesn’t mean we have to wait to enjoy a beach getaway as the Philippines is home to more than 7,000 islands where “vitamin sea” is available all year round.

the boutique hotel has 40 well-appointed rooms and other facilities.

SantoriniinSpired reSort

Here are seven tropical wonders that promise to satisfy sunsand-sea craving:

in palawan

Rich underwater marine life in Moalboal (By Per Edin)

Moalboal, Cebu

take a trip to Apo Island (dumaguete.com)

Apo Island, Dumaguete

When on this volcanic island, situated at the southeastern tip of Negros oriental, dive with the pawikans and see them up close and personal (but please don’t touch or feed them as they easily get stressed).

How to get there: Daily flights are available from Manila to Dumaguete via Philippine Airlines for P1,828 one-way economy fare. From the airport, take a bus to Zamboanguita and ask to be dropped off at Malatapay. From Malatapay, there are boats that regularly bring tourists to Apo Island.

Dive in the crystal clear blue waters of South Cebu and witness a patch of tiny but dense school of fish moving in perfect harmony. In an hour of snorkelling, you can come close and witness the dolphins and if you’re lucky, a whale shark (but hopefully from afar, as human interaction stresses them out).

How to get there: From Manila, fly to Cebu, which is as low as P1,758 oneway economy fare via PAL. From Cebu’s South Bus terminal, take a bus to Moalboal City Hall. From there, you can hire a tricycle to take you to White Beach or Panagsama Beach.

White Island, Camiguin

the white sandbar of Camiguin is one of the most popular destinations in this province. only a few kilometers away from the northern area of Camiguin Island, it’s the only beach in the area that has fine white sand. It also has an excellent view of Mt. Vulcan and Hibok-Hibok.

How to get there: Direct flights are available from Cebu to Camiguin for as low as P988 one-way economy fare. From Camiguin Airport, you may choose to stay in resorts 10 minutes away. From there, you can plan a day trip to White Island.

Get Santorini feels at the Palladium Hotel, a newly opened boutique resort in Coron, Palawan. the hotel features 40 well-appointed rooms with queen size beds, an outdoor swimming pool, poolside bar, seminar hall, café, and restaurant. Introductory room rate starts at P3,888++, inclusive of breakfast and airport pick-up. “this is where luxury and value for money meets. We offer the best of both worlds! Luxury doesn’t have to be always expensive,” said Dino Reyes Chua, president of Palladium Hotels & Resorts International.

Guests of the Palladium Hotel can also enjoy the exclusive islands owned and operated by the Palladium Beach Club.

It also offers island hopping tours for guests who want to explore the wonders of Coron such as twin lagoon, Kayangan Lake, and Barracuda Lake, among others.

Email palladiumhotelcoron@gmail. com or call 0977-7174963 for inquiries and more information.

Ride the world-famous 'Cloud 9' in Siargao

Siargao, Surigao del Norte

this tear drop-shaped island is home to the world-famous "Cloud 9" that draws surfers and non-surfers alike. But aside from thrilling waves, this tropical paradise offers a lot more other attractions, including the Magpupungko tidal Pool, Naked Island, Guyam Island, and Dako Island.

How to get there: PAL now has direct flights from Clark to Siargao starting July 1, for as low as P988 one-way economy fare. From Sayak Airport, take a van or tricycle going to General Luna.

take a siesta on White Island's sandbar

the newly opened the Palladium Hotel features Santorini-inspired design.

mercury rising

By BoB zozoBrado

one of Nago’s beautiful beaches showing the net in the water for the swimmers’ protection.

Naha aNd Nago You have to be a Japanese to be able to tell right away that these are tourist destinations in the island of okinawa. Naha is the bigger one and is located in the southern part of the island while Nago is in the north. Although one experiences the same cultural trademark in both places, still, one notices the difference between the two.

Naha is the capital city of the okinawa Prefecture and is home to approximately half a million Japanese. the name “Naha” was originally “Naba,” the Western Japanese word for “mushroom.” It referred to a large mushroom-shaped stone the city used to have. through the years, that stone eventually eroded and got buried, and the name of the place gradually changed to what it is now.

Naha’s busy main street, Kokusai-dori or International Avenue.

Cruising along the city center, I noticed that Naha is just like any “tourist trap.” Its 1.6-kilometer main street is called Kokusai-dori, or International Avenue. It has all kinds of stores, restaurants, and bars, and is very close to a big shopping mall, the city hall, the public market, and a row of banks and big corporations.

Another interesting area nearby used to be a united States Military Housing, ceded to the okinawa Prefecture in 1987 and later developed into an upscale shopping area with many Western-brand fashion boutiques, restaurants, and other shops.

Closest to the island’s international airport, Naha is definitely a modern city and is consid-

ered to be the political, economic, and education center of okinawa. It may not have the very tall buildings of tokyo or of the other major Japanese cities but you certainly will feel the buzz of business when you drive through Naha’s streets.

Turn to D2

destinations

D2

sunday, july 8, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Anda Beach, Bohol

be right...

From D1

Bohol has a way of drawing you into its embrace. aside from the popular Chocolate Hills, there are a whole lot of things to explore in this famed island. Visit anda Beach and enjoy its white, powdery sand.

How to get there: Catch a plane from Manila to Bohol (Tagbilaran) via Pal for as low as P1,948 one-way economy fare. upon arrival at the airport, hail a trike going to dao Bus Terminal.

From there, take a bus or van to the town of anda.

Lakawon Island, Negros Occidental

Visit lakawon Island Resort and spa, touted to be negros Occidental’s secret paradise. Once there, head straight to the TawHai Floating Bar, believed to be the biggest floating bar in asia. sip some wine or chug a bottle, or two, of beer while watching the sunset. you may also find refuge in the stunning cabanas of lakawon while getting a soothing massage or dozing off while the summer breeze caresses you.

How to get there: Flights to Bacolod from Manila via Pal are frequent and only cost around P1,628 one-way economy fare. upon arrival, take a bus to Cadiz. From there, take a trike to Barangay Cadiz Viejo where you’ll find boats that will take you to lakawon Island.

Frolic on the white sand beach of anda (andabeachresort.com) Feel the summer breeze aboard TawHai Floating Bar (lakawon.com.ph)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of an FME. A copy of the FM Pass-Through Amount Computation is hereto attached as Annex “D.”

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

18.

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE EVENT REGULATED FM PASS-THROUGH FOR TYPHOON NINA IN LUZON, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

19.

ERC CASE NO. 2017-116 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant. x - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x 20.

NGCP respectfully moves for the issuance of a provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FM Pass-Through Amounts pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

21.

NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the rehabilitation of the assets damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon required capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.

22.

In addition, the timely implementation of the FM Pass-Through Amounts will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Notice is hereby given that on 22 December 2017, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application to seek the Commission’s approval of its claim for Force Majeure Event (FME) due to Typhoon Nina in Luzon through an FM Pass-Through amount, with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority.

In its Application, NGCP alleged the following: NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANS CO) pursuant to Republic Act No. (RA) 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).1

2.

Under RA 9511,2 NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

3.

On 15 January 2009, NGCP assumed the transmission functions of TRANSCO, including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid.

23.

5.

6.

WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission to: 1.

From 23 to 27 December 2016, Typhoon Nina was inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with maximum winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 225 kph. Due to heavy rains and gusty winds, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in Luzon were damaged causing widespread power interruption over the area. A copy of the Certification dated 22 March 2017 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached hereto as Annex “A.”

Luzon P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

In compliance with Article X of the Rules for the Setting of Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission a Force Majeure Event (FME) Notice dated 15 March 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “B,” receipt of which was acknowledged by the Honorable Commission in its letter dated 29 March 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “C.” Immediately after the devastation of Typhoon Nina in Luzon, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore transmission service to its customers and the public. As a result, NGCP incurred additional costs for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said damaged transmission assets.

Nina was categorized by PAGASA as a “Typhoon” in its Certification dated 22 March 2017, thus, falling within the definition of an FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR.

9.

Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by Typhoon Nina in Luzon through an FM Pass-Through Amount.

10.

Within three (3) months after the occurrence of Typhoon Nina, NGCP filed before the Honorable Commission FME Notice dated 15 March 2017, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR.

11.

Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR. FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION

12.

13.

14.

15.

It must be noted that NGCP has not recovered from its Industrial AllRisk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2016 the cost NGCP incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina, considering that the affected assets are located beyond the 1,000 meters radius from the nearest substation perimeter fence, and that the total cost of damage is below the One (1) Million US Dollars deductible amount. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant FME Claim Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon pursuant to the RTWR. The cost NGCP incurred as additional FME Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by Typhoon Nina in Luzon is One Hundred Thirty-Four Million Four Hundred Two Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Four Pesos (PhP134,402,884.00).

Further, the recoverable value or the Net Fixed Asset Value (NF A V) of the assets destroyed by Typhoon Nina in Luzon is One Hundred Ninety-Three Million One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Pesos (PhP193,114,380.00).

NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts, in P/kWmonth, as additional network charges starting January 2018 billing month until December 2020 for Luzon, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, computed as shown in the tables below: Luzon P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2018

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

16.

NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2018 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Typhoon Nina, pending the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth Regulatory Period.

17.

Considering that FM Pass-Through Amounts are not included in NGCP’s Final Determination for any regulatory period, the proposed FM Pass-Through Amounts can be recovered pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage

2018

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

3.

APPROVE the FME CAPEX amounting to One Hundred ThirtyFour Million Four Hundred Two Thousand Eight Hundred EightyFour Pesos (PhP134,402,884.00) incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon;

4.

APPROVE, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM PassThrough Amounts to be collected from the Luzon customers starting January 2018 billing month or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, as follows: Luzon P/kW-mo.

Under Section 1.3(a) of the RTWR, an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; or an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.”

8.

DECLARE Typhoons Nina in Luzon as Force Majeure Events (FME);

2 . Immediately GRANT Provisional Approval to implement and bill the following FM Pass-Through Amounts starting January 2018 billing month to December 2020 for Luzon, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered:

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM 7.

A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant Application, is hereto attached as Annex “F.” PRAYER

STATEMENT OF FACTS 4.

Also, NGCP considered the NFAV of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by said FME. JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1.

Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts in this Application do not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0357/ kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is hereto attached as Annex “E.”

P/kWh

2018

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

5.

APPROVE and ALLOW the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon amounting to One Hundred NinetyThree Million One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Pesos (PhP193,114,380.00), given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by the said FME; and

6.

EXCLUDE the proposed Pass-Through Amounts from the side constraint calculation.

NGCP prays for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and evidentiary hearing on 31 July 2018 (Tuesday), at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing.

Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 29th day of May 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaiqing Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes”

2

Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business- of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System Or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes”

3

Please see P AGASA Certification, Page 2 of for Typhon Karen and Page 3 for Typhoon Lawin.

(MS-JUNE 30 & JULY 8, 2018)

The 14-kilometer white sand beach of san Vicente (philippinebeaches.org)

San Vicente, Palawan

dubbed as the “longest white beach in the Philippines” with its 14-kilometer stretch, san Vicente is a budding destination in Palawan, seen to be at par with Coron’s fine white sand beaches.

The beach stretches across the coast of barangays san Isidro, alimangoan, and new agutaya. now is the best time to catch this tropical paradise, still untouched by commercial resorts.

How to get there: Pal is soon opening a direct flight from Clark to san Vicente on july 16. From san Vicente airport, you may hire a trike to get you to the beach.

naha...

From D1

For those interested in martial arts, you will be pleased to know that naha is where the “old school” form of self-defense called naha-te originated. It was practiced by the people indigenous to the area, and it includes some form of Chinese boxing. To this day, the locals are still “empowered” by this martial arts.

Of course, the first thing I did when I landed in naha was to partake of a serving of a real, honest-to-goodness bowl of japanese ramen and an array of delectable sushi and maki. These culinary treats, which I devoured in no time, made languishing in Okinawa’s debilitating “Philippine weather” well worth it. after negotiating with naha’s leading hotels for internship placements for our students, my business in the city was done and it was time to move north to nago, the island’s other major tourist destination.

It was about an hour’s drive from naha to nago, but I really didn’t mind the traveling time because it was such a pleasant, leisurely drive, thanks to the beautiful scenery along the way. There was one peculiar distinctive mark I noticed along the highway: the entire cemented road is painted red when that part of the highway slopes downhill. Our host told us that the red color reminds the driver to slow down and be careful. What a nice touch for the safety of motorists!

We passed by quite a number of housing for YOUR weekend CHUCkLe american milia ventriloquist was doing a show with tary personnel, his dummy on his knee, and starts going similar to those through his usual dumb Blonde jokes. we used to see suddenly, a blonde woman in the audibefore in Clark ence starts shouting, “I’ve heard enough and subic. Their of your stupid blonde jokes. What makes presence affirms you think you can stereotype blonde the island’s repwomen that way? What does the color utation as the of a woman’s hair have to do with her biggest us Miliworth as a human being? It’s men like tary Base in asia. you who keep women like me from benago’s main ing respected at work and in the comdraw is its munity.” The embarrassed ventriloquist beaches, which begins to apologize, and the blonde could rival those yells: “you stay out of this! I’m talking to of Hawaii or the that little shit on your lap.”

Caribbean. Residents of mainland japan traverse the approximately two-hour southbound airline route just to spend the weekend or their holidays at nago’s beaches, noted for their pristine white sand and crystal clear water. Mindful of the holidaymakers’ safety, a part of each beach is protected with a net in the water to prevent harmful sea creatures from getting into the swimming area. This distinctive precautionary measure is present at all beaches, and people are directed to swim only within the net enclosure.

What I missed, though, due to lack of time, was Pineapple Park, an interesting tourist destination along the main highway. I was told that this is an interactive museum which shows visitors how pineapple is grown and how wine from it is made. until then, I didn’t even know that wine could be made from pineapple. That would have been fascinating to watch.

But I was able to gather a lesser known trivia from our host in nago. Because of its subtropical environment, cherry blossoms in the city bloom much earlier than those in the other parts of japan.

In fact, the residents hold their sakura (Cherry Blossom) Festival in january, instead of the usual april celebration. and for those who are into deep sea diving, the corals and seagrass beds of the eastern coast of nago are home to those plump, medium-sized marine mammals called dugong or more popularly known as sea cows.

My visit to Okinawa was certainly an educational experience. I didn’t realize that this small island off the southern coast of mainland japan has so much to offer. It is nice to know that its popularity is gaining ground among Filipino fun-lovers and our travel agents here in the country are now poised to market it as another holiday option. This is the reason why our national carrier now has plans to operate direct non-stop flights from Manila. so, pretty soon, when you’re made to choose between naha or nago, take both! They’re only an hour’s drive from each other, and your enjoyable experience from both cities is guaranteed to last a long time.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

Entertainment

SUNDAY, JULY 8, 2018

D3

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

IT’S JOSHLIA’S TURN IN ‘MATANGLAWIN’ FEEL the heat of undeniable chemistry and competition as Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto, otherwise known as love team JoshLia, go from on-screen lovers to rivals as they battle it out in the latest episode of Matanglawin, today at 9:45 am on ABS-CBN. The stars of upcoming movie I Love You, Hater will take on Kuya Kim Atienza’s “Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot” challenge where they try to outdo each other on their knowledge of different kinds of animals. See who ends up winning…or bowing out of the competition.

Meanwhile, Kuya Kim meets creatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who inspire others to create treasures out of trash and help save the environment.

Tag along and head to the Manila Mini Maker Faire for ideas on upcycling, and watch Kuya Kim as he jams with “heavy metal” band Elemento. See how they took creativity a step further by performing with instruments made out of upcycled materials.

Finally, meet two inspiring artists— dog lover and artist at heart Jeorge Asprec, who makes lovable sculptures of dogs out of polymer clay; and Alger Guevarra, who recycles discarded slippers and turns them into paint that he uses to make works of art.

From left: GMA SAVP for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, GMA SVP for EG Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Michelle Dee, Laura Lehmann, Sophia Senoron, and Arnold Vegafria

MEET GMA ARTIST CENTER’S

NEWEST BETS

B

EAUTY queens Miss World Philippines 2017 Laura Lehmann and Miss Multinational 2018 Sophia Senoron and model Michelle Dee are looking forward to start a new journey as they signed their exclusive contracts with GMA Artist Center on Monday.

Present during the contract-signing were GMA Entertainment Group Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, GMA Senior Assistant Vice President for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, and talent manager Arnold Vegafria.

Rasonable is proud to welcome the new talents as part of the network.

She’s thankful that these young talents chose GMA to further explore their showbiz career option.

“They’ll have guestings in our different shows. They’re undergoing workshops now, so maybe after that we can give them important roles,” shared Rasonable.

Despite having little experience in the showbiz industry, the three new Kapuso artists expressed how grateful they are to sign up with GMA. Now, let’s get to know them better.

Laura Lehmann Who doesn’t know her?

Unless you’re living under a rock, you wouldn’t know Laura as a courtside reporter for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the UAAP. The statuesque mestiza used to be a host, too, for lifestyle and sports channels. She joined Binibining Pilipinas in 2014 and won first-runner up. However, she won Miss World Philippines 2017 and competed in China but fell short for the crown in the Top 15.

Laura lost but went home with the award “Beauty with a Purpose” for her dedication of a cause of building a milk bank for a local maternity ward.

Sophia Senoron She won an international pageant at just 18. She made a record for being the first to be crowned Miss Multinational. The inaugural pageant that was held in India saw how eloquent Sophia is being a varsity debater in San Beda College.

Her confidence in debating locally and internationally helped her to become a better public speaker. By the way, she loves dogs, the beach, and archery.

Michelle Dee Entering showbiz wasn’t her big dream.

It’s her mother’s dream for her initially, she said. But now, it seems that she’s enjoying the limelight. Following in the footsteps of her mother Melanie Marquez, Michelle now ventures into the world of showbiz by starting out as a model. She’s also a well-known figure in the blogging and socmed community with her pastel-filled Instagram feed.

Michie Galanida

Joshua and Julia take over 'Matanglawin' in today's episode of the infotainment show.

OLD SCHOOL HORROR WITH A MILLENNIAL TWIST HAUNTED Forest revolves around policeman Aris (Raymart Santiago) and his estranged daughter Nica (Jane Oineza), who relocate to his father’s hometown so that he can investigate a murder case eerily similar to the death of his childhood friend.

While her father is away, Nica, her cousin and her local friends wander at night, and she encounters a creature of local folklore—the sitsit. The creature becomes very fond of her and soon, tries to take a hold of her.

The film premiered in cinemas last Christmas as one of the eight entries in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival.

It also stars Joey Marquez, Dido de la Paz, Myrtle Sarrosa, Jameson Blake, Jon Lucas, and Maris Racal.

Watch out for strange things lurking in the Haunted Forest tonight on Blockbuster Sunday timeslot, 7:00 p.m., on Cinema One.

The cast of 'Haunted Forest'

7 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MYX MILLENNIAL VJS GIRLS have ruled over the competition in the MYX VJ Search 2018 as two females emerged as victors—Kaye Reyes and Samm Alvero.

Here are a few things you need to know about these newest VJs: 1. VJ Kaye is the eldest of six siblings Being in charge of their household, Kaye had doubts when she first learned she was a finalist of the recent VJ Search. “We don’t have a helper, so I thought to myself: Can I do this? So when I get home from shoots, I still did house chores. I just needed to balance everything,” said Kaye.

2. VJ Samm lost over 80 pounds in just under a year Apart from music, traveling, and make-up, the energetic lass, who used to weigh about 200 lbs. at her heaviest, is also most dedicated to fitness and exercise.

3. Singing is also a passion of VJ Kaye Aside from hosting, the 19-year-old VJ can also belt out notes. She even opened their recent media conference with a performance of Alicia Keys’s “If I Ain’t Got You.” 4. VJ Samm chose to attend the VJ Search Finals rather than her graduation ceremony in Ateneo “It was also a hard decision for me. Before that, I wasn’t

MYX's newest VJs Kaye Reyes (left) and Samm Alvero

really sure of what I was going to do. I’m very grateful that this was a path that I’m able to explore. It was very timely.”

5. VJ Kaye almost didn’t make it to the auditions The Adamson student first auditioned via online video and thought it was a long-shot since she didn’t receive any notifications after. She only received the callback text on the last day of auditions and rushed there from school.

6. VJ Samm’s audition lasted almost half an hour An audition last for only around five minutes. Unknowingly, she even called MYX channel head Andre Alvarez ‘dude’ as she didn’t know who she was speaking to at the time and just had a blast in conversing with him.

7. Both newbie VJs are empowered, outspoken women Belonging to the ‘woke’ generation, millennials Kaye and Samm aspire to be vocal about driving people towards their dreams. Both ladies also took up Communication as their college course.

Catch VJ Kaye and VJ Samm on your favorite MYX shows this July. Watch MYX on SKYcable channel 23 and SKYdirect channel 37.

D4

sunday, july 8, 2018

Desiree Carlos, Editor

daycarlos28@yahoo.com

Pets

rescuing an aniMal:

the joys and the risks

By Jhet Manio

R

ESCUING an animal is very challenging. You have to consider a lot of things to be able to execute a successful rescue.

But the challenges do not measure up to the reward and the joy of seeing a rescued dog or cat transform into a beautiful, healthy, happy dog or cat after the rescue, medical treatment, and rehabilitation to heal them from the trauma they experienced on the street, the pound or in the hands of an abusive owner. i started as a volunteer. i helped feed strays in a pound and on the streets.

By doing small acts of kindness, i realized i can do more to help animals in need. i decided to rescue.

Throughout my journey as a rescuer, i have learned a lot. i learned that i have to prepare myself prior to rescuing as it can also be a risk to my safety.

While most dogs are friendly, there are stray animals who can be very aggressive due to extreme fear or trauma.

Here are some tips on rescuing:

By Mitch Canlas-Cordova

These first aid tips are recommended actions for owners. They are not a substitute for real treatment. These are not the ONLY THINGS you can and must do.

BRINGING YOUR PET TO YOUR TRUSTED VET is still the PRIORITY.

Here are first aid tips for your pet:

1. FOR INJESTED POISON OR TOXIC FOOD >give egg whites to make your furbaby vomit or expel the unwanted substance >or give Activated Charcoal >bring to the vet 2. IF NO APPETITE/ WEAK/ LOOSE BOWEL MOVEMENT: >Mix one (1) spoon sugar to half a glass of water.

Give the mixture to your pet gradually. Press the syringe in a slow and controlled manner. even if it takes 30 minutes to give the said amount ,please be patient and give the mixture in small amounts so that your pet will not throw up. >You can also give a dextrose powder solution in the same manner. how to give the sugar and water solution using a syringe: · >3-5ml per hour if less than 5kilos · >5-10ml per hour if more than 5kilos · >10-15ml per hour if more than 10kilos 3. FOR ORDINARY VOMITING >Make your furbaby lick honey from the spoon or put a pea-size amount on his tongue 4. FOR CONTINUOUS VOMITING >Bring to a trusted vet for IV Dextrose (swero). The

vet will give your pet the needed medicine.

5. FOR NO APPETITE · Do not wait for your furbaby to miss 1-2 meals. she will get weak and will have a harder time to recover · You may use a syringe to feed soft food like Cerelac (not the milk variety). Do not give too much.

Only 3- 5ml per hour is given to small breed. More than 5 ml for a medium and large dog/cat 5. FOR CONSTIPATION OR THE PET CAN NOT POOP >Buy PEDIATRIC SUPPOSITORY (or Glycerin Laxative) for small breed or small dogs/cats. Gradually and carefully insert in the anus. Wait for the poop to come out with the melted suppository >For large dogs, get a regular suppository (same procedure).

6. FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE (Fever) Normal temperature for dogs is 38.3 to 39.2 degrees Celsius.

Normal temperature for cats is 38 to 39.2 degrees Celsius.

To check the temperature: >Use a digital thermometer. >Clean the tip of the thermometer with alcohol and coat the tip of the thermometer with lubricant (baby oil or petroleum jelly) >insert the thermometer gently until the metal tip is inside the anus. high fever is just a symptom (not an illness) so we can only lower it to return to the normal temperature.

The underlying cause has to be identified.

Thus, you need to bring. Your pet to the vet.

(To be continued next week)

This corner features pets of animal lovers every week. We hope new owners and those thinking of getting a pet will be encouraged to be responsible “furparents” through these features. We also hope more people will be moved to be kind to animals when they read about the great relationship that can be created between humans and animals.

For contributions, please email to daycarlos28@yahoo.com and put My Furry Bestie as subject.

After earning the trust of a dog with severe wounds, the rescuer, Jhet Manio, is rewarded with a smile despite the dog's pain. The dog was immediately brought to the clinic where he was treated. A rescued dog's smile and "forehead" acknowledgment are some of the joys of rescuing.

>Make sure that you have a pre-exposure vaccination against rabies. >Prepare your rescue materials: lead or leash, cage or carrier, towel, food to lure the animal. >Never approach a stray standing up. Do not pet them on the head.

They might be threatened by such actions. Any of these actions might We must ensure the dog or cat will not end up in a worse situation make them to attack you. before the rescue. We must ensure the dog will not go to an adopter >strays can be very distrustful of humans as they who will not feed him or will neglect him, or even have usually suffered some form of cruelty in the hurt the dog or cat. hands of humans on the streets. You have to earn their trust first. You can do this by giving food.

Here are some guidelines on having a dog >You can sit or squat in a safe distance to be on or cat adopted: the same level with the dog or cat.

• Screen applicants or those who want to adopt • Give the animal some food so he will know that the rescue. Watch out for hoarders, breeders, peryou want to help and that you are a friend. it may sons who might use the dog as baits for dog fights take a while for the animal to trust you enough to and cats for experiments or for feeding to snakes, approach the food. Just be patient. and persons who train dogs for dog fights, among • Once you have earned the pet’s trust, slowly put others. (Editor’s note: This will be discussed further a leash on him or her. if this is not possible because in another article.) the animal is a bit aggressive, put the food inside • Have an adoption contract signed to protect the pet crate. When the animal is already inside the the dog or cat. One important provision to put in crate, slowly close the door. the contract: the dog or cat can not be given to • Keep the animal calm by also talking to him in a someone else without the consent of the rescuer. gentle manner and making him feel safe.

• Make sure that the adoptive family can shoulder • After getting the dog or cat off the street, BRING the upkeep of the rescue.

THE DOG OR CAT TO THE VET OR THE CLINIC. DO • Make them understand the behaviour of the NOT BRING THE ANIMAL STRAIGHT TO YOUR animal that they wish to adopt. Not all animals will HOUSE. YOUR OWN PETS MIGHT BE INFECTED WITH match the adopters. For example, a very energetic A COMMUNICABLE DISEASE. or sports- minded human looking for a companion The animal usually has been exposed to or has dog will not be a good match for a senior dog.

The author, Jhet Manio, has gained the been infected with an illness while living on the trust of a dog with TVT (transmissible • Once they get adopted, always make sure that streets and scavenging for food in trash bins. The venereal disease) cancer (in the private you get updates from the adopter. part) and can thus pet the dog on the dog or cat has to be checked and treated for comRescuing requires a commitment from the rescuer municable and life-threatening diseases. The dog head to calm her more prior to bringing to ensure the rescued dog or cat gets the best treather to the vet for treatment. or cat also need treatment for other illnesses that ment from DAY ONE and even after the adoption. may be causing him or her pain and discomfort.

This may be tough but seeing their eyes filled Please request for tests and run a full blood work. with life and happiness brings joy and warmth to one’s heart. That is the • Remember to give all the medicine prescribed by the vet. greatest reward.

• After the dog or cat is declared completely well by the vet, have the About the author: Jhet Mani’s dog changed her view about anidog or cat vaccinated, mals. she saw strays in a different perspective, which led her to do • It is also important to have them spayed or neutered so that they feeding dogs and rescuing kittens. she has been a volunteer to difwill not reproduce. This will help control animal population, and thus ferent SEC- registered animal welfare groups such as Save ALL and lessen the number of dogs and cats who will be abandoned and end CARA where she learned so many things including rescuing, fosterup as strays. ing and how to become an even more responsible pet owner. she, Rescuing is very rewarding specially when you see them in loving homes. along with other compassionate colleagues, put up Reach Out for The process of looking for a lifetime, loving adopter takes time Animal Rights, Inc. (ROAR, Inc.), a SEC-registered group which proand patience. motes animal rights and helps animals in need.

First aid For pets

My Furry Bestie

About the author: Mitch Canlas-Cordova is the founder of Furbabies TLC, a facebook group on animal welfare. She is a mother to four humans who are animal rescuers and 26 rescued animals. She has a degree in management from the College of the Holy Spirit.

Editor’s note: When you see blood in your dog or cat, please bring your pet to the vet immediately. When your dog collapses or is panting heavily, please bring to the vet immediately. These first aid tips are not the treatment for your pets. Even if your pet appears to look well after giving the first aid, please bring to the vet immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Some symptoms are common to many illnesses.

Thus, you do not know what really caused the vomiting or the high temperature. Only a vet who has had a blood test and other tests done on your pet can say what the illness is and what the complete treatment should be. These first aid tips have been provided here to help your pet while you are looking for a vet. These have been tried by the author, Mitch Canlas-Cordova, who strongly recommends bringing your pet to the vet immediately after giving the first aid. We strongly recommend that you have your vet’s number on hand so you may call him or her immediately, or have addresses of 24-hour clinics on hand to be able to bring your pet when you see alarming symptoms like severe weakness, blood in poop, urine or nose, heavy panting, among others.

BUBBLES came into the life of Cynthia Barcial santos one rainy morning in July 2007.

“A friend called me if i was interested in taking in his poodle who was about 2 years old. i was hesitant at first as already had 7 dogs then and taking in one more who was not a pup might cause problems,” Cynthia recalls. she add: “But then he said he could no longer take care of the poodle. i believe i said yes to adopting Bubbles because this furbaby and i were meant to cross paths. When i got there, the poodle had the most beautiful, soulful eyes that my fears simply vanished. it was a she. And to say she was not being taken cared of was an understatement.”

Cynthia shares: “Her back legs are deformed, thus she walks in a different way. i asked what happened to Bubbles and i was told she did not get enough sunshine or vitamins thus the vitamin D deficiency resulted in deformed legs. “ Bubbles also had a lot of fleas on her. “i picked her up and wrapped her in a towel. On the way home, she just stared at me with that bewildered look. I just smiled and said, ‘So you’re Bubbles. We are going home. I’m your mom now.” From then on, I had a daughter that followed me around wherever I went,” Cynthia recalls.

Bubbles, Cynthia says, is “not a dog who will kiss you. i love it when she has this certain look when i hug her and say " Kiss mommy,” that seems to say, " OH NO! DONT KISS ME AGAIN !"

“But she endeared herself to me. i almost lost her when she had pyometra in December 2009. My vet helped me find someone who can operate on her because my vet could not guarantee she would survive. Luckily, in Februrary 2010, a co- vet trained in the US agreed.

And Bubbles survived!” Cynthia adds.

“Bubbles is my sunshine, my baby, who makes me laugh when she does her happy dance when i come home. she is also a messy eater that drives me nuts!” Cynthia says.

Bubbles is now 13 years old. “she just settles herself wherever i am, spending most of her time sleeping. Knowing how the years have passed i dread the day i will lose someone so wonderful in my life,” Cynthia says.

ARTEMY was a kitten of our former neighbor and was left alone in August, 2013 when our neighbor transferred to another place. he was very thin, and his fur was trimmed in such a way that it seemed it was cut for fun.

Initially, Kat Perez Abundancia was hesitant to get him as they were not sure who really owned him.

“I was in Cebu for work then when my sister called and found out that her kids took him in and hid him in the back area of the house. i told them to put him in a cage first as I’m not there to have him checked,” Kat says. she also asked them to clean him up, feed him and monitor him. “so when i arrived, i did what i usually do when we a new rescue. i brought him to the vet,” Kat says.

“We named him Artemy as i really wanted to have a white cat similar to Artemis, the cat from sailormoon. Now he is all grown up, loves to hang out inside the sack of cat food (buffet overload), and until now he thinks he is still as tiny as before as he loves to be carried by his meowmy (yours truly), “ Kat adds.