Manila Standard - 2021 December 29 - Wednesday

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4-YEAR OLD BAN ON OPEN-PIT MINING LIFTED—CIMATU

NEWS / A3

PH ORDERS 2 NEW SOKOR WARSHIPS FOR P28 BILLION

POC DECLARES JUICO PERSONA NON GRATA

NEWS / A3

SPORTS / C1 VOL. XXXV • NO. 317 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 •WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Typhoon victims to get land

Duterte orders distribution of idle govt lands to displaced, poor people

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja DRIVE-THRU BLESSING.

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to distribute idle government lands to Filipinos who were displaced by typhoon “Odette.”

The rector of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (Quiapo Church), Hernando ‘Ding’ Coronel, leads the drive-thru blessing of replica images of the Black Nazarene right outside the church at Plaza Miranda on December 28, 2021. The blessing always takes place before the annual processional activity or ‘Traslacion’ that will be suspended for the second year in a row because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Norman Cruz

“My advice is, if you’ll rehabilitate a community, and you would want to look for the space, if it’s government land, give away all of it,” Duterte said during his pre-taped “Talk to the People” public briefing.

“Those idle government lands… better give it to the people right away,” he said.

He said he told DENR to distribute the unused government lands, saying “whether they were victims of the typhoon or not, let’s just give what we can give.”

He said most of those affected by the typhoon were “marginalized” and “very poor” and had no other place to go.

Disaster officials estimate that 508,785 houses were damaged by Odette, 167,417 of which were destroyed.

These were in Mimaropa and Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Next page

Philhealth appeals to hospitals P5k cash aid for Odette-hit families set for release to reconsider ‘holiday’ protest

By Vito Barcelo, Julito G. Rada, Alena Mae Flores and Othel Campos

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Willie Casas THE country’s state health insurer urged hospitals on Tuesday not to push through with a proposed five-day “PhilHealth holiday” – quickly branded by a senator as a “major cause of concern.”

PhilHealth spokesperson Dr. Shirley Domingo told a government public briefing that the agency was continu-

ously paying hospital claims, and it was meeting with other hospitals to reconcile unpaid claims.

Senator Nancy Binay said the situation merited an emergency meeting of the Philhealth board and all members “that are cabinet secretaries. Not just representatives should attend.”

According to the senator, it was sad that some hospitals had to resort to this.

Next page

New Year revelers told to shun ‘torotot,’ firecrackers to be safe

THE government is expediting the list of families who will receive the P5,000 cash aid due to the effects of Typhoon Odette, Malacanang said Tuesday.

Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles said the distribution of the cash assistance is similar to the distribution of cash aid under the government’s social amelioration program during the lockdowns due to COVID-19.

He said government agencies aim to finalize the list of beneficiaries on Tuesday and release the list the following day.

“The fund will be downloaded to the local government units monitored by the DSWD and the DILG,” Nograles said, referring to the Department of Next page

By Willie Casas

by the onslaught of Typhoon Odette in Surigao City, Siargao, and Dinagat Islands.

This social good initiative, dubbed as Operation Tulong Express (OPTE), was done in partnership with SM City Butuan and with the assistance of the Philippine Army and the City Government of Surigao. OPTE is a social good program of SM Foundation in collaboration with SM Supermalls and SM Markets that aims to address the needs of communities during calamities and crises.

Husband of 4th Omicron case also infected, for strain testing

THE Department of Health has discouraged the use of torotot (horn or trumpet) in welcoming 2022 before midnight Friday amid the threat of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire

By Willie Casas THE husband of the Philippines’ 4th Omicron variant case has tested positive for COVID-19, Department of Health (DOH) spokesperson and Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported on Tuesday.

Vergeire said the husband is a

Next page

NO BLOWING OF HORN. A

vendor blows a plastic horn to get the attention of buyers at Muelle Street in Binondo, Manila.

The Department of Health urges the public not to use the ‘torotot’ or horn, whistles or other noise-making items that require revelers to use their mouths to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Danny Pata

HELPING HAND. SM Foundation distributes 2,150 Kalinga packs to families affected

Next page

Power failure wasted 4k vax doses

By Willie Casas

Typhoon Odette, the Department of Health said.

Health Undersecretary Maria RosaOVER 4,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines were wasted due to power in- rio Vergeire said a total of 4,120 doses terruptions during the onslaught of Next page

2,839,111 421

9,750

51,213

2

2,778,148

248

(As of 4 PM, December 28)

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

Rody alarmed by riding-in-tandem spike R IDING-in-tandem criminals, you are being watched.

President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the Philippine National Police to report on robbery incidents involving riding-in-tandem perpetrators – following an increase in holdup cases with this mode of operation.

During his Talk to the People aired late Monday evening, Duterte told

PNP chief Lt. Gen. Dionardo Carlos to submit a report “so we can look into this problem.”

This month, two students who were shooting Tiktok videos on a sidewalk in Caloocan City lost their mobile phones to motorcycle-riding thieves.

Earlier, Senator Richard Gordon criticized the Land Transportation Office over the non-implementation of Republic Act 11235 or the Motorcycle Crime Prevention Act, which aims “to protect the public, and to have a full arsenal

Husband...

From A1

Typhoon...

From A1

37-year-old Filipino.

Both husband and wife were isolated for 10 days after testing positive.

They will be retested again based on protocols, said Vergeire.

On Monday, DOH announced the 4th omicron variant case, a 38-year old female who entered the Philippines from the United States on Dec.10 on Philippine Airlines flight PR 127.

A sample from the husband will be processed for sequencing to identify its variant.

Their household members are isolated and will also be tested based on protocols, Vergeire said.

The four patients with omicron infection in the Philippines have shown mild symptoms of the disease so far, the DOH said on Tuesday.

Vergeire said authorities have yet to discover other characteristics of the highly transmissible COVID-19 variant.

“What we have seen is that those with the Omicron variant showed milder symptoms. But of course, it’s not conclusive because these are just four individuals we are currently observing,” she said in an interview with ANC’s Headstart.

Vergeire said two patients experienced colds, cough and itchy throat but these were resolved after two to three days. The other two patients were asymptomatic.

The Philippines announced its first two omicron cases on Dec. 15 from a returning Filipino from Japan and a Nigerian national.

Barely a week later, it reported its third Omicron case in a returning Filipino from Qatar.

Health authorities said the Omicron variant is far more contagious than previous variants of COVID-19 but appears to cause a less severe illness than its predecessors.

Omicron is spreading faster than any variant before it, with cases in some countries doubling every two to three days.

It has already overtaken Delta as the dominant strain in Denmark and the UK, where the number of new cases daily has topped 100,000. It is likely to become dominant in other countries soon.

As of Dec. 27, the country has administered over 106 million COVID-19 shots. Some 56.9 million people have received the first dose while 47.8 million others are fully vaccinated.

Also on Tuesday, Vergeire said it is too early to shorten the isolation period for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in light of the threat of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Vergeire made the statement in response to the recommendation of United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to cut the isolation time for people with asymptomatic COVID-19 infections, from 10 to five days.

“This has to be discussed thoroughly with our experts. But based on my knowledge, I think this is too early because of the threat of the Omicron,” Vergeire said.

Soccsksargen, Caraga, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Also on Monday night, Duterte ordered the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to talk to mayors regarding structures built in danger zones.

Duterte told DPWH Secretary Roger Mercado to talk to the mayors about structures in no-build zones.

He said he was reluctant to dismantle houses unless a relocation site was available because these residents had nowhere to go.

Duterte said families living along the coastlines or rivers often become the “ultimate sacrifices” when catastrophes strike.

“There are just too many people who are poor, the huge crowd of masses with nowhere to move to. If the mayor doesn’t get involved, you’ll really have a hard time,” Duterte said in Filipino.

Earlier, the President had ordered the immediate eviction of residents living on coastal easements within 40 meters of the shoreline to prevent loss of lives and damage to property during natural calamities such as Typhoon Odette.

“It will be a summary eviction,” the President said in a recent command conference with military and police officials in Cebu.

“Don’t wait for the court to issue an order. They [residents] will usually seek court intervention through a writ of injunction. Let us just tell the judge: ‘You know, Judge, this is what the government wants [to do] to protect its citizens,” Duterte said.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reported to Duterte that some residents living along coastal easements have resisted efforts to have them relocated despite an existing law that there should be no housing structures within 40 meters of the shoreline.

“We will work with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban De-

Power...

From A1

aged 5 to 11.

“The DOH would also like to clarify that the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 5 to 11 years old has not started yet and that preparations for the rollout for this specific age group are still underway,” Vergerie said.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration approved the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer vaccine for the age group.

Meanwhile, the Philippines’ total number of acquired COVID-19 vaccines breached the 200 million mark after it received 587,800 Moderna vaccines on Monday, officials said.

The new shipment of the USmade vaccines, donated by Germany through the COVAX Facility initiative, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 4 p.m.

from Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Central Visayas regions were wasted.

“There were also some vaccines that were returned or have been transferred so that we can be able to assess these vaccines if they are still potent, if they can still be used,” Vergeire said.

The DOH previously reported that around 100 vials of the Pfizer vaccine were wasted due to power interruptions in Iloilo.

The National Vaccination Operations Center said it had instructed local government units on how to determine which vaccines to save.

Meanwhile, the DOH reminded local government units they could not yet administer COVID-19 vaccines to minors

Philhealth...

From A1 “It’s a dismay Since we have repeatedly raised before the Senate committee hearings the issue with Philhealth and until now, there is no clear solution to the problem.”

“A ‘Philhealth holiday’ is a major cause of concern. Is it right that a patient should work first to raise money for his hospital bill and he should later chase Philhealth?”

Binay said COVID was not yet over and “we need to prepare for a possible surge.”

Domingo said: “We hope they will rethink this call because in the end, it’s our members who will suffer.”

The Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines said Monday it was encouraging its members to not accept PhilHealth deductions for their services on Jan. 1-5, 2022.

This would result in PhilHealth

P5k...

From A1

against criminals using motorcycles.”

“More people are still getting killed by criminals in riding-in-tandem incidents. Impunity, not accountability, reigns,” he said.

Meanwhile, the PNP reminded the public to protect themselves from possible crimes and road accidents as they celebrate the New Year.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Carlos said those who leave their homes for a vacation should not update their social media accounts in real-time.

“We should not report real-time, where you will travel and that you will leave your house,” said Carlos.

He also advised travelers not to bring many personal belongings like jewelry and cash as it might also attract robbers.

Due to the easing of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, Carlos advised merrymakers and drivers to control their intake of liquor during Yuletide celebration to avoid road accidents.

velopment and the National Housing Authority. We have to implement that law. That was our lesson learned from super typhoon Yolanda [in 2013],” Año said.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Tuesday said it has already started rolling out assistance to thousands of families affected by typhoon “Odette.”

Housing chief Eduardo del Rosario went to areas hardest hit by the typhoon, including Surigao City, Siargao, Cebu and Dinagat Islands to inspect, assess and determine the extent of damage, particularly to housing.

In coordination with the United States Agency for International Development and the International Organization for Migration, DHSUD was able to distribute shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets to affected families.

A total of 5,598 shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets were handed over to typhoon-affected local government units in Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte and CARAGA region, he said.

DHSUD joined forces with the Philippine Coast Guard in the distribution of 14,000 more shelter-grade tarpaulin sheets, 250 modular tents for evacuation centers and 1,310 solar lamps in other typhoon-hit areas.

Del Rosario said they also handed out a total of P487.5 million worth of financial assistance to typhoon-affected regions 4B, 6, 7, 8, 10 and CARAGA, with recipient families set to receive PP5,000 each.

A total of 97,500 families would benefit from the cash assistance.

Del Rosario said they plan to complete their commitment of providing P100 million per typhoon-hit province with severe damage to housing and procurement of housing materials for targeted island LGUs with onsite delivery during the first quarter of 2022.

“We are hastening efforts to immediately assist families in typhoon-hit regions, especially those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by ‘Odette.’

We are also stepping up coordination with other government agencies to en-

sure faster delivery of relief and financial assistance to regions that were battered by the typhoon,” he said.

The humanitarian group Oxfam Pilipinas on Tuesday called on the government and the private sector to prioritize the distribution of shelter repair materials on top of food and water for typhoon-hit communities.

“Typhoon survivors already spent Christmas in evacuation centers; let’s not keep them there for New Year’s Day too as we are still battling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Oxfam Pilipinas Country Director Lot Felizco said.

Felizco said the distribution of construction materials, which were requested both by residents and local government officials, will allow typhoon survivors to repair and rebuild their homes. “This will in turn help decongest evacuation centers,” Felizco said.

While COVID-19 cases in the Philippines are much lower now compared to previous months, other countries are experiencing a surge in new cases due to the Omicron variant.

Reports from Oxfam staff on the ground showed that evacuation centers are currently cramped with some rooms being occupied by three to four families at a time.

“This raises major health risks as it is impossible for them to observe physical distancing,” Felizco said.

The Oxfam country director pointed out that they are also worried about the safety of women and children as there are no room partitions between families. In some evacuation centers, people are also forced to bathe in open areas due to the continuous low water supply.

“The lack of water and sanitation facilities make frequent hand washing and proper hygiene habits more challenging for typhoon survivors,” Felizco said.

In Surigao del Norte, it might take three to four months before electricity is fully restored. “Based on Oxfam’s experience supporting internally-displaced communities, the lack of electricity is also a safety concern and the use of gas lamps at night is a fire hazard.

members having to directly ask the agency to reimburse them for their expenses instead.

“It will be more difficult for PhilHealth and the members, too,” Domingo said.

“Members will still have to put out money. So what about those who can’t shell out any money but will still need to visit a hospital?”

According to Domingo, PhilHealth already met with PHAPI and its president Dr. Rene De Grano, while PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran met with hospitals in Iloilo.

Meanwhile, Binay added: “We also do not want the arrears of Philhealth to pile up,” she said.

Sen. Grace Poe said it made perfect sense for PhilHealth to be headed by one who must also be adept in finance.

“We have no lack of brilliant experts who have a background in both public health and finance, particularly those with Masters in Public Health,” she said.

More than re-arranging the bureau-

cracy, she said it might be more beneficial to just appoint the right person for the job.

“A true public health and finance expert must be at the helm of PhilHealth, not just any bureaucrat with close ties to the appointing authority,” she said.

“But the question we have been asking since the start of the pandemic is: who will take over a sinking ship? Surely, this country has no shortage of men and women who can run PhilHealth properly. But it is hard to find a true expert if we will continuously just look at the usual pool of recycled appointees.”

Poe said the move for a PhilHealth holiday has long been coming “ever since we found out about the anomalies last year.”

“We can hardly fault the private hospitals for taking more drastic measures this time around. Instead of getting better after the revamp, the agency’s finances took a turn for the worse,” noted the chair of the Senate committee on public services.

Social Welfare and Development and the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

He said it is important to identify within the day who will receive the aid, as these are the most severely affected families.

“We will be relying on the speed and efficiency of the LGUs for the distribution,” Nograles said.

The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is looking for sources of funds for the assistance, he added.

Nograles said that this P5,000 cash assistance for typhoon-affected families is different from the P5,000 cash shelter assistance to be given by National Housing Authority (NHA).

Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary Eduardo del Rosario earlier said that the NHA shelter assistance would be initially provided to 97,500 families Regions 4B, 7, 8, 10 and 13 and will be worth P487.5 million for Regions 4B, 7, 8, 10 and 13.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, meanwhile, said the World Bank released an $80 million (about P4 billion) disaster relief loan to the government through the Bureau of Treasury on Tuesday, which is part of the bank’s $500-million standby credit line extended to the Philippines to support disaster relief and rehabilitation efforts in provinces damaged by typhoon Odette.

He said last week the government will draw another $120 million (about P6 billion) from the same World Bank standby loan facility in the first week of January when the loan cover will be available in the 2022 national budget, bringing the total to $200 million (P10 billion).

A presidential declaration of a state of calamity or a public health emergency is required to trigger the release of the funds available under the $500-million World Bank standby loan facility.

President Duterte declared on Dec. 21 a state of calamity in six Odette-battered areas: Regions 4B (Mimaropa–Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao) and 13 (Caraga).

Based on reports from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as of Dec. 27, damage to public infrastructure due to the typhoon hit P16.7 billion, including roads and bridges, government buildings, schools and utility service facilities.

The typhoon also displaced 571,000 people, with more than half of them staying in 1,179 evacuation centers across the affected areas.

Some e 167,077 houses were destroyed while almost 340,000 were damaged.

The Department of Agriculture said Odette caused P8 billion worth of damage to agriculture.

The amount includes production losses of 171,222 metric tons (MT) and 341,280 hectares of agricultural areas in CALABARZON, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Caraga.

The calamity affected 68,991 farmers and fishermen.

Rice, corn, high value crops, coconut, livestock, and fisheries were all affected.

On Tuesday, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines reported that the Mabinay-Bayawan 69kV line serving parts of Negros Oriental was restored on Dec. 27, four days ahead of its target restoration date.

The restored transmission line, which was damaged by typhoon Odette, now services the customers of Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative I (Mabinay) and II (Banaba, Bayawan, and Sta. Catalina).

cal governments, because we will implement law enforcement through Executive Order 28 aimed at regulating, controlling the sale and use of fireworks or firecrackers. And our PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection and LGUs expect us to strictly enforce this regulation,” Año told President Rodrigo Duterte during his pre-recorded Talk to the People on Monday night.

EO 28, signed by Duterte in 2017, provides for the regulation and control of the use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, the use of regulated firecrackers shall henceforth be confined to community fireworks displays.

The DILG chief said it was the responsibility of the PNP and the LGUs to enforce national and local policies regulating the manufacture and use of firecrackers through inspections, and confiscation and destruction of prohibited

firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices.

“Our LGUs can designate a community fireworks display or area as required with the permission of our PNP and a designated safety officer. It is even better for our countrymen to really quietly celebrate our New Year in order to avoid COVID-19 and avoid fireworks accidents,” he said.

Violations include a fine of P20,000 to P30,000, imprisonment of six months to one year, cancellation of license and business permit and confiscation of inventory stocks.

Under Memorandum Order 31 issued

by Duterte in 2019, the PNP, in coordination with LGUs, the BFP and other concerned agencies, is tasked to conduct inspections to ensure that manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and users of firecrackers and pyrotechnic devices are complying with safety guidelines.

New Year...

From A1 advised Filipinos to use other alternatives to celebrate the arrival of the new year.

“Let’s avoid using horns, whistles, or other items that we use with our mouths to prevent infection. Welcoming the new year will be more joyous if we are safe and in good health,” she said.

The department also discouraged the use of torotot last year, and sellers in Divisoria saw brisk sales of a version of the toy that uses an air pump instead.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año also appealed to the public to do away with the use of firecrackers.

“I just want to remind the public that the use of firecrackers is not allowed.

So here in Executive Order 28, we show that the public must comply and our lo-

News

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DENR lifts ban on open-pit mining T HE government has lifted the four-year-old ban on open-pit mining, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said.

The ban on open-pit mining was a policy initiated by the late former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez in 2017.

Reports said DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu overturned Lopez’s Administrative Order No. 2017-10, which banned the mining method for the extraction of copper, gold, silver, and/or complex ores in the country.

Cimatu, quoted in a GMANews.com report, said “lifting the ban on open-pit

mining would revitalize the mining industry and usher in significant economic benefits to the country by providing raw materials for the construction and development of other industries and by increasing employment opportunities in rural areas where there are mining activities thereby stimulating countryside development.”

The official also said open-pit mining “is a globally-accepted method of mining” adding that it is “the most fea-

sible option for mining near-surface or shallow ore deposits.”

Cimatu further defended the DENR’s decision, saying that major concerns on open pit “cannot be attributed to the use of the method itself.” He said concerns are often due to accidents involving wastes and tailings.

Further, Cimatu said the DENR has imposed conditions for open-pit mining including; use of surface mining shall not pose possible hazard to public health and safety resulting from ground failure or physical deterioration; “the open mine shall not release hazardous chemicals into the

IN BRIEF

environment; the proponent has adequate information to conduct a comprehensive stakeholders’ involvement process to ensure that all interests and concerns are considered, and has social acceptability of its project since the commencement of the exploration activities; that the proponent has submitted and presented appropriate program/s for surface and subsurface slope-stability monitoring of potential slope failures; and that the proponent has accumulated sufficient geological data to conduct proper and assessment of local geology, rock mass characteristics, hydrogeology, and surface hydrology.”

Defense buys two new Navy vessels from South Korea The Department of National Defense (DND) on Tuesday signed the P28-billion contract with South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for the acquisition of two brand-new corvettes for the Philippine Navy.

The vessels are capable of conducting anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and HHI representative Ka Sam Hyun signed the deal in a virtual ceremony which was also attended by Minister Kang Eun-ho, head of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, and HHI president and chief executive officer Chung Ki-Sun. Other ranking DND, HHI, and officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), including chiefof-staff, Gen. Andres Centino, and Navy chief Vice Admiral Adeluis Bordado also witnessed the event.

Lorenzana, in his speech, said they are very pleased that they can meet their target of having the PN Corvette Lot 1 Acquisition Project contract signed before the end of 2021 despite the delays caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We are finally signing the contract, the last phase of the procurement process. For a total approved budget of PHP28 billion, this project will give the PN two modern corvettes that are capable of antiship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions,” he added.

Lorenzana said acquiring the two corvettes from HHI, where the two Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigates, will ensure commonality and interoperability.

The two ships will also serve as backstops for the two frigates now in commission with the PN. “With a common shipbuilder for all our naval platforms, we expect ease of maintenance and repairs,” the DND chief added.

Lorenzana also said he is commending HHI for being an active and reliable partner in the modernization program of the PN. “Like the two frigates which were built in record time, we expect this acquisition project will likewise run smoothly,” he added.

The Special Allotment Release Order (SARO) for the 15 percent advance payment for the PN’s Corvette Acquisition Program (CAP) was released by the Department of Budget and Management last December 10.

The SARO worth PHP3.75 billion is intended to “cover the funding requirements for the 15 percent advance payment for the CAP of the PN under the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program.”

NEA prepares aid for kin of 2 linemen THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) is preparing the government’s assistance to the families of two linemen who died while working on energy restoration activities.

The linemen, Al Abarico of Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative (SURNECO), and Ronald Gallarde of Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II) were working to restore the electricity of their respective Odette-affected areas.

The NEA has coordinated with the Office of the President and the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure aid is provided to the bereaved families.

In addition to government aid, NEA employees volunteered to provide some financial assistance to the families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty.

NEA said the llinemen will both be remembered for their exceptional efforts to alleviate the aftermath of Super Typhoon Odette.

In honor of these men and in the spirit of solidarity, the NEA employees initiated a collection to be given to the families of Abarico and Gallarde.

As of December 27, they have raised a total of P50,000. Alena Mae S. Flores

Housing agency vows to prioritize education DESPITE the COVID-19 pandemic, the Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor is committed to prioritize the education of the marginalized sector.

Chair and chief executive officer Alvin Feliciano vowed to pursue the agency’s mission in providing adequate programs and services for the poor, “most especially on education.”

He said PCUP and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority would continue to strengthen their partnership to enable their poor scholars to avail themselves of the free skills training and technical vocational courses.

PCUP has already endorsed 2,700 deserving scholars to TESDA, he added.

He said 500 scholars have already graduated, and that they are in the process of endorsement to the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment and the public employment service office within their local government units for employment.

“This program (PCUP scholarship caravan) is one of our priorities because we believe that our urban poor will be fully empowered through education, skills, and knowledge that will be useful to their lives,” he stressed. Rio N. Araja

NEW NAVY VESSELS. The Department of National Defense signed a contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries for the acquisition of two brand new corvettes worth P28 billion for the Philippine Navy in a virtual signing ceremony.

‘2022 budget will be signed before December 31’

By Vito Barcelo THE Palace assured that the proposed 2022 national budget will be signed before December 31, saying it is currently under study and the review process of the budget is not yet finished Cabinet Secretary and Acting Presidential Spokesperson Karlo Nograles made the statement on Tuesday regarding the sudden postponement of the signing of the P5.024-trillion national budget for next year.

The ceremonial signing of the budget measure–which had already been ratified by the House of Representatives and the Senate–was supposed to take place in Malacañang yesterday.

“We have not finished the review process and assessing the budget…

The budget book is thick. They’re a lot of books we need to go through one by one,” he said in a Palace press briefing.

But the Palace official assured that

the President will sign the 2022 national budget within the week to ensure that the government does not operate on a reenacted budget.

“We would want to assure and we assure the public that the budget will be signed before Dec. 31,” he said. The 2022 national budget is the biggest budget ever legislated in the country and is the second under the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

The government typically aims to enact the budget bill before the start of its prescribed year to avoid complications.

President Duterte said last week that he expects the 2022 budget to give a boost to the relief and rehabilitation efforts in connection with typhoon “Odette.”

It was only last Dec. 16 when Odette ravaged various provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao. Duterte declared a state of calamity in six regions affected by the typhoon to hasten relief and rehabilitation and vowed to allocate P10 billion.

Nograles further explained that the signing of next year’s budget was postponed since the Office of the President is still currently in the process of vetting and reviewing it.

“Hindi pa po natatapos yung review process at pagsusuri ng budget…Napakakapal ng budget book. Ilang libro po ‘yan na kailangang isa-isahin (We have not finished the review process and assessing the budget…The budget book is thick. They’re a lot of books we need to go through one by one),” he said in a Palace press briefing.

He, however, assured that Duterte will sign next year’s budget within the week to ensure that the government does not operate on a reenacted budget.

“Ilang araw na lamang po at matatapos na rin yung (It would only take a few more days for the review process to be completed) review process and the President will immediately sign the budget,” he said.

MORE PFIZER DOSES. Airport

personnel offload cargo containing 1,187,550 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City on Monday night. The newly delivered shipment is part of the governmentprocured COVID-19 vaccines through the Asian Development Bank. Avito Dalan

DOH to post COVID data with analysis instead of daily updates STARTING January 2022, the Department of Health (DOH) will post COVID-19 data with brief analysis instead of daily case bulletins.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Tuesday that the department will also stop issuing case bulletins on social media. The official said most of the details that are included in the case bulletins are no longer “very useful” to the public.

She said the public will most likely look for daily cases and the number of deaths. She assured all relevant information will still be made public.

Earlier, the DOH reported that CO-

A3

VID-19 updates will be posted on the agency’s website and online tracker.

Vergeire, however, said the DOH will issue advisories that will include the daily reported cases and brief analysis of the figures.

In a radio interview, Vergeire said the department is continuing to look for ways to better present information and guide the public on COVID-19 cases.

All information will still be made available on the DOH website, the official said, adding that nothing will be removed from the COVID-19 data that the DOH provides on a daily basis, but the

analysis of the said data will be available on the DOH website starting 2022.

In the interview, Vergeire also said the DOH is “reformatting and restrategizing” on how to better guide the public regarding the COVID-19 situation in the Philippines The DOH said all COVID-19 data will then be transferred to the COVID-19 tracker on the DOH website at doh.gov.ph/covid19tracker. The tracker will be updated every 4 p.m. daily, the DOH said.

Senators meanwhile aired various reactions on the plan of the DOH to stop Issuing its daily reports on

new COVID-19 cases.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in times of crisis, people are hungry for information, as she expressed opposition to the DOH plan.

With the serious threat of Omicron, she said it is the worst time for the DOH to stick all our heads in the sand.

“Let us encourage people to make good decisions by providing them timely information about COVID-19,” said the reelectionist senator.

She stressed that communicating the daily bulletins at a mass level also prevents confusion and misinformation.

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

More than 22k ‘voters’ to join mock polls Over 22,000 registered voters will be participating in the mock elections in different areas in the country on Wednesday.

The latest data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) released on Tuesday said a total of 34 barangays will be joining the event which will simulate the entire election process in preparation for the May 2022 polls.

The participating barangays are from Metro Manila, particularly in the cities of Pasay and Taguig and the municipality of Pateros. It will also simultaneously be held in the provinces of Albay, Davao del Sur, Isabela, Leyte, Maguindanao, and Negros Oriental.

The simulation will cover 2,774 polling precincts with a total of 22,746 registered voters. The poll body said each of the clustered precincts will be able to accommodate at least 500 up to 600 people.

It added that participants in the mock elections will be required to present a vaccination card or an RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test result showing they are negative for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Voters will be using a 30-inch test ballot that would contain fictitious names.

Manila

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Standard

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS TODAY ANNOUNCEMENT

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA) for the confirmation of the ad interim appointments of the following Generals of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), namely: To the rank of GENERAL: 1. ANDRES C. CENTINO To the rank of LIEUTENANT GENERAL: 2. ROMEO S. BRAWNER JR. 3. CONNOR ANTHONY D. CANLAS SR. To the rank of MAJOR GENERAL: 4. ANDREW D. COSTELO 5. AUGUSTINE S. MALINIT To the rank of BRIGADIER GENERAL: 6. PEDRO C. BALISI JR. 7. REY B. ALEMANIA 8. ALDWINE I. ALMASE 9. OLIVER C. MAQUILING 10. ALVIN P. FLORES 11. CERILO C. BALAORO 12. EDWIN E. AMADAR 13. FREDERICK M. CUTLER 14. JIMMY D. LARIDA 15. ROMEO T. RACADIO 16. JT T. BAJET The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above ad interim appointments in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 88342706 and 8551-1989.

28 December 2021.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-DEC. 29, 2021)

Isko still upbeat, to continue going around country

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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021 E-mail: mst.daydesk@gmail.com

By Rey E. Requejo PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso remains upbeat about his election chances despite placing third among presidential aspirants in a recent survey.

He said Tuesday he will just continue to focus his attention in going around the country and reaching as many people as he can in order to win in next year’s election.

“Well, thank you very much. Even though I’m a not-so-big-time candidate, at least I’m still there, we’ll just go straight,” the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer said, in a media interview after the flag-raising ceremonies at Manila City Hall Monday.

“For us, my only focus is to go around the country. It’s a big country politically. While we are geographically small, but politically, it’s a very challenging country because you must cross waters from one place to another most of the time. And we will try to reach as many people as possible, and hopefully, may God have mercy, we will win,” Moreno said with optimism.

The 47-year-old presidential aspirant made the statement when asked to comment about the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted December 1-6 where he and Senator Manny Pacquiao were tied in third place with an 8-percent rating each.

Meanwhile, Moreno on Monday asked his constituents in the city to continue to observe physical distancing and follow all health and safety guidelines to prevent a spike of COVID-19 cases in the capital.

He made the call after a granular lockdown was enforced in three Manila barangays where a slight increase of COVID-19 cases were monitored over the weekend.

Moreno pointed out that ever since he entered public service, he is used to being an underdog candidate since he has no resources to speak of, having been raised in the slums of Tondo where he was forced to scavenge for leftover food and later on collected trash and became a pedicab driver.

No ‘defeatist’ attitude for Ping despite surveys

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE year may be ending, but for Partido Reporma standard-bearer Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, a calendar change presents new and better opportunities for him and his campaign team to do what needs to be done so they can turn the political tide in favor of their advocacies.

Although mainstream surveys of late kept painting him as an aspirant with low chances of winning, Lacson remains “strong, unbowed and unyielding,” like the quintessential cavalier that truly belongs to the 1971 Philippine Military Academy (PMA) “Matatag” Class of 1971.

Dirty tricks, mudslinging, digital black propaganda and other tactics commonly associated in toxic politics also are out of the question for the tandem of Lacson and Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III. Unlike other aspirants obsessed with winning, Lacson and Sotto vowed not to capitalize on ridiculous lies, hate speech, and exploitation of public fears.

While both career public servants recognize the tough challenges posed by their opponents based on recent surveys, they vowed to take the high road.

Speaking to local government officials and residents during his recent visit in La Trinidad, Benguet, Lacson said Filipinos must not succumb to a “defeatist” mindset, especially those who only base their voting decisions on bandwagon politics even if it is against their own principles.

News BACK ON DOLOMITE.

People visit the reopened Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach in Malate, Manila on December 28. Others who want to visit the beach must register online via a website accredited by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and must abide with health protocols.

Norman Cruz

Comelec warns vs. leaks on 3 Marcos DQ petitions I NFORMATION regarding the three petitions pending before the Commission on Elections First Division against the presidential candidacy of former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may not be made public without clearance, poll body spokesman James Jimenez said Tuesday.

This developed as the presidential aspirant asked the Comelec to dismiss the disqualification petition filed by a group of Ilocano martial law survivors for lack of merit.

In their 24-page answer to the petition for disqualification, Marcos’ camp argued that the former lawmaker was never convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Even if Marcos was convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude, the

disqualification has long been automatically removed, their statement added.

“These cases being pendente lite (during litigation), copy and content of the Answers may not be shared with the public without clearance from the First Division,” Jimenez said.

“We can, however, provide general info on these cases as soon as they become available,” he added.

Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, a member of the First Divi-

sion, last week told lawyers in the petitions against Marcos to stop disclosing details on the three pending cases.

The cases which will be deliberated in the Comelec First Division include the petition filed by Bonifacio Ilagan Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA) and religious and youth rights advocates; the petition filed by Akbayan Citizens’ Action Party; and the petition filed by Abubakar Mangelen claiming to be the duly-elected chairman of the PFP and that the CONA issued to Marcos Jr. is “unauthorized, defective, invalid and void.”

But the presidential aspirant’s camp further noted that Marcos was never sentenced by final judgment to a penalty of more than 18 months of imprisonment nor sentenced to a penalty of prision correccional.

ROUND FOR NEW YEAR. The vendor of a fruit stand in San Andres, Manila on Tuesday arranges the round fruits that usually sell well ahead of the New Year, following the tradition that they attract wealth for the household.

Norman Cruz

Bongbong outpaces Leni among poorest polled by OCTA ONLY 11 out of 100 Filipino voters from the so-called “poorest of the poor or the marginalized” social class will vote for presidential aspirant Leni Robredo if the elections were held between December 7 and December 12, 2021.

In contrast, 46 voters out of every hundred from the same Class E voting sector prefer Bongbong Marcos, according to the latest test polling by OCTA Research, a group of academicians mostly from the University of the Philippines.

Citizens who belong to Class E are

BAIL POSTED.

Senator Risa Hontiveros shows the media her affidavit posting bail in the criminal case filed against her by former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre at the Pasay City Metropolitan Trial Court Branch 46 on Tuesday.

Aguirre sued the reelectionist lawmaker for allegedly violating Republic Act No. 4200 (Anti-Wire Tapping Act) during the Senate hearing on the Kian delos Santos slay case.

those with no homes that they can call their own and usually live on a hand-tomouth basis, meaning, they are not assured if they will have something to eat by the next meal time.

They are mostly informal settlers who do not have a stable source of income and often rely on government dole-outs to survive.

However, they comprise the majority of voters and their decision to give their support to Marcos indicates that they see him as a symbol of hope.

Even the Class D or the working class expressed support for the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard bearer at 55 percent, while the Class ABC or the economic classes favored him at 63 percent preference votes.

These figures confirm that Filipinos from all classes of society have shown confidence in the unifying leadership of Marcos, as were also shown on surveys conducted by other polling firms where he was rating at more than 50 percent.

Rey E. Requejo

‘Merge disaster dept. with climate council’ INSTEAD of simply upgrading the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) into a full-blown executive department, presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao believes Congress should create a super-agency that not only manages the country’s disaster response and resilience but also creates long-term strategies to deal with climate change.

Pacquiao said the proposed Department of Disaster Resilience should be integrated with the Climate Change Commission to ensure perceptive and proactive government action on all forms of disasters, natural or otherwise.

He noted that the super-powerful typhoons that hit Mindanao and Palawan in recent years are concrete indicators of a shifting climate pattern that should prompt the government to re-assess its disaster resilience and disaster adaptation strategies.

Pacquiao, the lone Mindanaoan and lone Visayan-speaking presidential candidate, said it is only very recently that super typhoons are causing a lot of death and destruction in Mindanao.

Climate change caused by global warming, he said, has turned Mindanao into a “typhoon alley” from November to December.

Pacquiao also observed the government’s primary disaster response arm, the NDRRMC, is only equipped to respond but not to create long-term disaster adaptation strategies, hence the need to include climate change adaptation in the proposed DDR as part of its primary mandate.

“I grew up in Mindanao and we never really experienced strong typhoons. Biyaya para sa aming mga taga Mindanao ang tubig. Ngayon lang talaga namin nararansan ang mga ganitong kalalakas na mga bagyo,” Pacquiao observed.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

IN BRIEF

‘Seafarers, porters need more work, aid’ A PARTY-LIST group advocating the rights of seamen on Tuesday called on the government to provide emergency employment and financial assistance to seafarers and port workers who lost their jobs due to the devastation of the local shipping industry caused by typhoon “Odette.”

Rep. Sandro Gonzalez of Marino party-list group made the call in the wake of news reports that at least 1,000 maritime industry workers, including seafarers and port workers, became jobless after “Odette” sank or ran aground 120 vessels owned by members of the Philippine Coastwise Shipping Association.

“We should take the necessary steps in this direction. I know that providing emergency employment and financial assistance is a regular program of the administration. That is why I believe that our call to immediately give emergency, albeit temporary, jobs to seafarers and port workers displaced by ‘Odette’ is in order,” Gonzalez said in a statement.

The Marino party-list, currently represented by two congressmen in the 18th Congress, champions the rights and welfare of seafarers, sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers, and fisherfolk.

It is seeking reelection in the May 2022 national elections, with Gonzalez as the first nominee, Karl Castelo as the second nominee, and Atty. Collin N. Rosell as the third nominee.

Rosell, a Cebuano, suggested that the affected shipping industry workers could be given temporary jobs in ongoing government infrastructure projects.

“President Duterte has many ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide. The government can hire the displaced seafarers and port workers to work in these projects,” Rosell said. Maricel V. Cruz

Gatchalian tells DTI to release soft loans SENATOR Win Gatchalian on Tuesday urged the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to boost its information campaign on the availability of soft loans.

This would provide longer grace period for repayment terms and lower interest rates, and financial grant programs to typhoon-affected micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to prevent loan sharks and online lending schemes from targeting small business owners.

He said MSMEs can avail of collateral-free loans through Small Business (SB) Corp., the micro-lending arm of the government under the DTI. Through SB’s Pondo sa Pagbabago at Pag-asenso (P3) Program, micro enterprises with an asset size not exceeding P3 million can borrow up to P200,000 with a 2.5% interest rate per month, Gatchalian said.

Also under the P3 Program is the Enterprise Rehabilitation Facility (ERF) that covers all natural and man-made calamities that adversely affect microbusinesses in vulnerable areas.

“This is a quick response for efficient mobilization of loan funds for immediate recovery. Areas and sectors to be financed must be declared under the state of calamity or reported to be severely devastated,” the senator said.

Gatchalian said through government initiatives like these, struggling MSMEs can have an alternative financial line instead of borrowing from informal lenders or the “5-6” money lenders.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez already announced the availability of an initial P200 million for livelihood assistance to micro enterprises affected by typhoon Odette in some provinces in Visayas and Mindanao.

The senator saw the extent of damage left behind by typhoon Odette as he has been making the rounds in Maasin City in Southern Leyte, Loboc in Bohol, Surigao City and the municipality of Tagana-an in Surigao Del Norte.

Gatchalian is the first elected national official to visit the municipality of Tagana-an, according to its Mayor Cesar Diaz Jr., after Typhoon Odette hit the area.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Opinion Omicron spurs new wave of infections EvEryman

By Honor Blanco Cabie THE Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) of coronavirus 2019 or COVID-19 has been dubbed a variant of concern by the World Health Organization based on evidence it has several mutations that may have what experts call an impact on how it behaves.

But these experts say there is still “substantial uncertainty regarding Omicron and a lot of research underway to evaluate its transmissibility, severity and reinfection risk.”

Earlier this month, top US pandemic advisor Anthony Fauci has warned of a bleak winter ahead as the Omicron variant spurs a new wave of infections worldwide, sparking restrictions and concerns over hospital capacity.

“One thing that’s very clear... is (Omicron’s) extraordinary capability of spreading,” Fauci told NBC News. “It is just... raging through the world.”

New variants like Omicron are a reminder, according to experts, that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.

Since it was first reported in South Africa in November, Omicron has been identified in dozens of countries, including the Philippines, prompting many to reimpose travel restrictions and other measures.

Despite indications it is not more severe than the Delta variant – currently still the dominant strain -- the heavily mutated Omicron has been shown in early data to have a worrying resistance to vaccines and higher transmissibility.

Fauci also cautioned against too much optimism over Omicron’s severity, noting that in South Africa, while the hospitalization-to-case ratio is lower than with Delta, this could be due to underlying immunity from widespread previous infections.

“No matter how you look at it,” he said, “when you have so many, many infections, even if it is less severe, that overcomes this slight to moderate diminution in severity.”

“Our hospitals, if things look like they’re looking now in the next week or two, are going to be very stressed,” particularly in areas of the country with low levels of vaccination, Fauci said.

These developments overseas are being watched keenly as at home a health official announced a third case of the Omicron coronavirus variant has been detected in the Philippines, which has come under various rungs of lockdown since mid March 2020.

In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire identified the case as a 36-year-old returning overseas Filipino who already tested negative for COVID-19 on December 19 after a repeat test.

He arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport from Qatar on November 28. A sample was collected from him on December 4 which yielded a positive result on December 5.

“The case completed his isolation in Cebu before traveling back to Cavite, his hometown, where he immediately self quarantined upon arrival. The case is currently finishing his home quarantine in Cavite and has remained asymptomatic since his arrival,” Vergeire said.

According to Vergeire, the DOH is identifying the possible close contacts of the case among his co-passengers.

It is also verifying the test results and health status of all passengers of the flights taken by the confirmed cases.

On December 15, the Department of Health reported the first two imported cases of the Omicron variant.

One of the cases is an ROF who arrived from Japan on December 1 via Philippine Airlines flight number PR 0427.

The other case is a Nigerian who arrived on November 30 via Oman Air with flight number WY 843.

On December 16, the DOH said the cases remain in isolation and under close monitoring, and seven close contacts of them have been identified.

How did the Omicron variant develop?

World health authorities say when a virus is circulating widely and causing numerous infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases, which means the more opportunities a virus has to spread, the more opportunities it has to undergo changes.

New variants like Omicron are a reminder, according to experts, that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) itself says it is “essential that people get the vaccine when available to them and continue to follow existing advice on preventing the spread of the virus, including physical distancing, wearing masks, regular handwashing and keeping indoor areas well ventilated. “(It) is also crucial that vaccines and other public health measures are accessible everywhere. Vaccine inequity leaves lower income countries – many of them in Africa – at the mercy of COVID-19. Well-supplied countries must urgently deliver the doses they promised.”

There is this stalking fear that Omicron, which has now been detected in many countries, is probably in most countries even if this latest variant has not been detected yet.

There have also been thoughts on previous findings that Omicron might be less severe than the Delta variant, but experts say more data is needed and WHO has warned it should not be dismissed as “mild.”

These experts suggest it is important to remember that all variants of COVID-19 can cause severe disease or death, including the Delta variant that is still dominant worldwide, which is why preventing the spread of the virus and reducing your risk of exposure to the virus is so important.

Based on information available, WHO believes it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta variant where there is COVID-19 transmission in the community.

However, being vaccinated and taking precautions such as avoiding crowded spaces, keeping your distance from others and wearing a mask are critical in helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and we know these actions have been effective against other variants. |With the continuing booster shots made available to the population after the second dose of vaccines had been taken, there remain questions if the COVID-19 vaccines can be effective against the Omicron variant.

Researchers are looking into any potential impact the Omicron variant has on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

Information is still limited, according to experts, but there may be a small reduction in the effectiveness of vaccines against severe illness and death, and a decline in preventing mild disease and infection.

However, WHO reports that so far it looks like the currently available vaccines offer significant protection against severe disease and death.

It is also important to be vaccinated to protect against the other widely circulating variants, such as the Delta one.

UNICEF strongly suggests: “When it’s your turn, make sure to get vaccinated. If your vaccination involves two doses, it’s important to receive both in order to have the maximum protection.”

(HBC, president of the Alumni Association of the graduate school Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, is a speechwriter who teaches journalism and literature, and is night editor of the Manila Standard.)

World Cup to Rio carnival: Six key events in 2022 FROM the World Cup in Qatar to the midterm elections in the United States, here are six events that are likely to mark the coming year.

Beijing’s Winter Olympics Beijing stages the Winter Olympics from February 4 to 20 under some of the strictest rules for a mass sporting event since the pandemic began. Everybody attending, including athletes, must be fully vaccinated or face a 21day quarantine and will be kept in a “closedloop” bubble from the moment they set foot in the Chinese capital. Unlike the Tokyo Olympics, there will be spectators but ticket sales are restricted to people living in China.

Activists are calling for a diplomatic boycott over China’s rights record, with an outcry over the fate of tennis star Peng Shuai, who accused a top Communist Party politician of sexual assault, causing Beijing

Rio Carnival returns...

Rio de Janeiro is hoping its famed carnival will return from February 25 to March 1, after the pandemic scuppered last year’s party.

Hard-hit Brazil has recently seen a drop in virus deaths, with more than 62 percent of its 213 million people now fully vaccinated.

Rio’s samba schools are resuming rehearsals for their massive parades and more than 500 groups have registered to hold the epic street festivals known as “blocos.” More than two million tourists usually descend on the iconic beach city for the party, a quarter of them foreigners. Mayor Eduardo Paes, a self-declared carnival lover, said he would impose no social distancing rules or face masks.

“With everyone vaccinated, who would keep their distance during carnival? It would be ridiculous to even ask,” he said. “I’d be the

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EDITORIAL

Rooted in most ancient instincts

A

T ONE second past midnight on Saturday, the first of 365 days of 2022, many are prompted to celebrate and step outside the day-to-day activity they have always been busy with to reflect, look back, take stock, assess how they did, and resolve to do better.

Why indeed does the start of the New Year carry verily special symbolism?

As part of his calendar reform, the Roman dictator Julius Caesar instituted January 1 in 45 BC as the first day of the year, partly to honor the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future.

And why is its celebration so common around the world today, as it has been for at least as long as there have been Gregorian or other calendars?

This must be tied to something intrinsic in the human animal, something profoundly meaningful and important, given all the energy and resources we invest not just in the celebration but

also in our efforts to make good on a fresh set of resolutions, even though we mostly fail to keep them.

We have been celebrating New Year as far back as we can remember, which gives us a time to raise glasses, as it were, and toast our survival.

It may be that the symbolism we attach to this moment is rooted in one of the most powerful motivations of all: our motivation to survive.

We have been celebrating New Year as far back as we can remember, which gives us a time to raise glasses, as it were, and toast our survival – and particularly on the second consecutive year of the worldwide health emergency that has infected and killed millions in the populated continents.

Save perhaps for our birthdays and wedding anniversaries, no other moment in our year gets this sort of attention.

It appears it is New Year’s, more than any other day, which makes the attainment of happiness more real and possible. This is the meaning of New Year’s Day and why it is so psychologically important and significant to people worldwide.

Our postulation is that if people were to apply the value-achievement meaning of New Year’s Day explicitly and consistently 365 days each year, they would be happier.

So every day, as from here on, we must fill our champagne glass of life to the brim with values – and drink deep to our life and the joy that it can and should be.

Happy 2022. Happy life.

Leni loses ground vs. Robredo’s 11 percent.

Moreno will also beat Robredo in the NCR 20 percent vs. 7 percent, and is breathing down the veep in the Visayas 15 percent to her 17 percent. He is tied with her in Mindanao, with an identical 8 percent.

Only in Balance of Luzon (BL) does Robredo beat Moreno in the major regions – 17

FOUR months before the May 9, 2022 presidential elections, Vice President Leni Robredo appears headed toward a disastrous defeat.

In survey after survey, the disparate opposition’s presidential candidate will be voted, at best, by no more than 20 percent of Filipino voters.

The latest results show former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will dominate the May 2022 presidential derby in all areas in the country and all social classes.

More than half, or 54 percent to be exact, per the OCTA Research Survey of Dec. 7-12, 2021, will choose Marcos Jr. Robredo will get just 14 percent, in the OCTA poll which involved 1,200 respondents interviewed face to face.

A vote of 54 percent against 14 percent is a margin of 40 percentage points, equivalent to 24 million votes – 32.4 million for Marcos and only 8.4 million for Robredo, assuming 60 million cast their vote in May. Where Robredo will get that many votes – 24 million – to catch up with Marcos will be a constant source of wonder for her strategists.

With OCTA’s +/-3 percent margin of error, it is possible Manila Mayor Isko Moreno will even beat Robredo and place second to Marcos. The same poll showed that if Marcos were disqualified, it would not mean voters would choose Leni for president.

Moreno is the overwhelming second choice for president.

Robredo has a 14 percent share or 8.4 million votes, two percentage points or 1.2 million votes ahead of Moreno’s 12 percent or 7.2 million votes. Add the 3 percent error margin (or 1.8 million votes) to the Manila mayor’s 12 percent and you get 15 percent or 9 million, exceeding Robredo’s 8.4 million possible votes.

In the OCTA poll, Isko beats Robredo in the economic class ABC, 14 percent vs. 9 percent, and in the economic class E, 23 percent first one to break the rules.”

more headaches.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

...As does Glastonbury The legendary British music festival returns for real in June for the first time since 2019 after its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2020 fell victim to the pandemic. About 135,000 tickets were sold for 2021’s five-day extravaganza before a surge in COVID infections in Britain meant it could only be live-streamed, with Coldplay headlining.

Billie Eilish, 19, will become the youngest performer to headline the fabled Pyramid Stage on June 24, while Diana Ross takes top billing at the “Legends” slot on June 26.

Five more years for Xi? China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, President Xi Jinping is expected to secure an unprecedented third term in office when top Communist Party officials convene for their 20th congress in the autumn of 2022.

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

Their decision to give their support to Marcos indicates that they see him as a symbol of hope. percent vs. 10 percent. Metro Manila has 7.3 million registered voters, while the Balance of Luzon has 27 million voters.

Moreno’s is a much more compelling story than Robredo. He is an authentic rags-to-success story, having foraged garbage bins for food and income to become hizzoner of the Philippines’ most famous city.

Leni is practically a non-entity to the masses. They don’t know her. Nor could they relate to her ever-changing messaging.

Leni seems to have been so finely packaged (she has even been likened to the Virgin Mary) that people have no idea who she really is.

In the OCTA survey, Bongbong Marcos won in all economic classes – 63 percent from ABC, 55 percent from D, and 46 percent from economic class E. Robredo had only 9 percent in ABC, 15 percent in D, and 11 percent in E classes.

The 54 percent OCTA rate for Marcos is consistent with his 53 percent of Pulse Asia survey of Dec. 1-6, 2021, 58 percent of Laylo Research on Nov. 22-29, 2021, and 47 percent of Social Weather Stations in October 2021.

Average score of Marcos in the four surveys: 53 percent. More than 50 of every 100 voters want Bongbong to be their president.

In contrast, Leni Robredo managed only 14 percent in OCTA, 20 percent in Pulse Asia, 13 percent in Laylo, and 18 percent in SWS, for an average of 16.25 percent, or one of every six voters voting for her if The rubber-stamp meeting in Beijing – attended by around 2,000 delegates – will also decide a new line-up for the powerful Politburo Standing Committee which runs the world’s second-largest economy.

Every Chinese leader since Mao has served no more than two five-year stints, but Xi scrapped term limits in a 2018 constitutional amendment. The 68-year-old has not appointed a clear successor, further hinting that he intends to head the globe’s most populous nation until at least 2027.

US Republicans plot comeback Republicans are bidding to retake both chambers of Congress and vying for 36 governorships in the midterm elections on November 8, 2022.

Democrats are still reeling from defeat in Virginia’s recent gubernatorial election and a much closer than expected victory in progressive New Jersey, and fear being dragged down by President Joe Biden’s sliding approval ratings. They

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

elections were held today.

In the OCTA survey, Isko Moreno received 12 percent, Manny Pacquiao has 10 percent, while Panfilo Lacson has 5 percent.

The same survey showed Marcos winning in the National Capital Region with 37 percent vs. Robredo’s 7 percent, and in Luzon, 57 percent, Visayas 50 percent, and Mindanao, where he outclassed Robredo 63 percent vs. 8 percent.

Class E, according to the Marcos camp, are those with no homes, eke out a handto-mouth existence, and with no assurance where to get their next meal.

Class E are mostly informal settlers who do not have a stable source of income and often rely on government dole-outs to survive.

They are the majority of voters and their decision to give their support to Marcos indicates that they see him as a symbol of hope.

Even the Class D, the working class support Marcos, with 55 percent. About 63 percent of the upper and middle class ABC will vote for the son and namesake of the late longest serving president.

In the vice presidential race, per OCTA, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte is also a runaway winner if the polls were held today with her 50 percent mark, as opposed to her closest pursuer Sen. Vicente Sotto III, who received 33 percent of the votes.

Mayor Duterte also validated her claim of dominance in Mindanao after she registered 71 percent preference, as compared to Sotto’s 17 percent. In the socio-economic class, Inday Sara consistently held her ground with 61 percent in the ABC Class, 41 percent in the D Class, and 58 percent in the E Class.

The latest OCTA Research survey results confirmed and reinforced the previous polls

by SWS, Publicus, Kalye Survey, DZRH, RMN, and Pulse Asia, among others, showing Marcos pulling away.

Marcos said that while he is honored and humbled with the positive response from the people, the BBM-Sara UniTeam will not be complacent and will continue to push for a unifying leadership, which he said is the only way for the country to get back on its feet after the debilitating pandemic. biznewsasia@gmail.com are desperate to avoid Virginia becoming a nationwide trend, although the party in control of the White House often suffers when it comes to the midterms.

Desert World Cup Qatar will host the first World Cup in the Middle East, hoping to confound critics who question holding football’s showcase in the tiny Gulf state. The tournament in November and December will be the first played in the northern hemisphere’s winter months, after a switch to avoid Qatar’s searing summer. The resource-rich monarchy fought off vote-buying allegations after its winning bid, but has been criticized over its treatment of migrant workers, including those who built the World Cup stadiums.

The tournament will be fought out in eight venues from November 21, with the final in the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium on December 18. AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Jimbo Owen Gulle City Editor Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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TODAY WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

US halves isolation guidelines for asymptomatic COVID cases

GOOD RIDDANCE.

A woman tapes the word “Omicron” to a handmade doll depicting COVID-19 Omicron variant in Managua, Nicaragua on December 27. The dolls are burned at midnight on December 31 as a tradition of saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new. AFP

prospect of mass labor shortages in key parts of the economy.

The recommendations, which are nonbinding but closely followed by US businesses and policymakers, further suggest that the five-day isolation period be “followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others.”

The agency said the new guidelines were “motivated by science,” which had demonstrated that the majority of Covid-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and in the two to three days after.

In a virtual meeting hosted by the White House with several state governors and top health advisors, Biden stressed the Omicron variant would not have the same impact as the initial outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 or the Delta surge this year. AFP

WASHINGTON—US health authorities on Monday halved the recommended isolation time for people with asymptomatic Covid-19, as President Joe Biden warned Americans not to panic amid a surge of cases threatening wider social disruption.

Speaking about the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, Biden said some US hospitals could be “overrun,” but the country is generally well prepared to meet the latest surge.

The coronavirus continued to punch holes in airlines’ busy Christmas holiday schedules Monday, with multiple airlines saying spikes in cases of the Omicron variant have caused staffing shortages.

The CDC recommendations, which cut isolation for asymptomatic cases from 10 to five days, open the way for people to return to work sooner -- minimizing the

IN EARLY JANUARY IN GENEVA

US, Russia to hold security, Ukraine talks M OSCOW—The United States and Russia will hold much-anticipated talks in January on European security and the Ukraine conflict after Moscow listed demands including to end NATO’s expansion.

A spokesperson for the US National Security Council told AFP on condition of anonymity late Monday that the talks with Russia will take place on January 10.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Tuesday confirmed the date and said that they will take place in Geneva, where US President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met for their first summit in June.

The Kremlin has grown increasingly insistent that the West and NATO are encroaching dangerously close to Russia’s borders.

Moscow earlier this month presented the West with sweeping security demands, saying NATO must not admit new members and seeking to bar the United States from establishing new bases in former Soviet republics.

“The United States looks forward to

engaging with Russia,” the National Security Council spokesperson said.

“When we sit down to talk, Russia can put its concerns on the table and we will put our concerns on the table with Russia’s activities as well.”

Moscow and NATO representatives are then expected to meet January 12, while Russia and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), which includes the United States, will meet January 13, the spokesperson added.

The talks come after weeks of heightening tensions, with Washington accusing Russia of massing tens of thousands of troops around ex-Soviet Ukraine and

plotting a winter invasion.

The January 10 meeting will be held as part of the Strategic Security Dialogue initiative launched by Biden and Putin at their June summit.

While that format is mostly consecrated to resuscitating post-Cold War nuclear arms control treaties, the talks will also cover the standoff over Ukraine, where Russia has deployed a large combat force on the border, a senior White House official said, also on condition of anonymity.

The NATO-Russia Council meeting and the talks between Moscow and the OSCE’s Permanent Council are slated to focus on Ukraine.

The OSCE was founded during the Cold War as a forum between Russia and the West.

Urgent talks Ryabkov said that Moscow expects the talks with the United States to focus on Russia’s security demands.

“January 10 will be the main day for bilateral Russian-American consultations, which, we hope, will transform into negotiations on our draft agreements,” Ryabkov told Russian news agency TASS. “It is impossible to come to an agreement in one day, but we cannot drag out the process either. The issue is very urgent and very serious.” AFP

ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC (ORMECO)

France closes mosque over its preaching

Brgy. Sta. Isabel, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro 043.288.7801 / 288.7802 / 288.7803 Fax No. 043.288.7804 • E-mail: ormeco_coop@yahoo.com • Website: www.ormeco-inc.com

INVITATION TO BID ORIENTAL MINDORO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ORMECO, INC.), through its BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE (BAC), hereby intends to apply the sum of Three Million Five Hundred Twenty-Two Thousand Six Hundred Seventy-Six and 08/100 Pesos Only (₱3,522,676.08)funded by General Fund inclusive of all applicable taxes and fees, being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC), for the procurement, supply, and delivery of materials/supplies/ equipment.

1.

ORMECO, INC. now calls for the submission of Letter of Intent by interested bidders thru email at ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com.The list of the ORMECO, INC. Eligibility Requirements may be viewed atwww. ormeco-inc.com,https://web.facebook.com/OrmecoOGMOfficial, and may be requested through email ormeco_coop@yahoo.com, including the numbers listed above. An amount of two hundred fifty pesos (₱ 250.00) is required as Accreditation Fee;

2.

ORMECO, INC. now invites suppliers for the following:

LOT

Supply of Security Agency Services (20 Security Guards)

I

3.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

ABC (INCLUSIVE OF VAT)

COST OF BID DOCUMENTS (NON-REFUNDABLE)

FUNDING SOURCE

₱3,522,676.08

₱5,000.00

General Fund

Due to COVID-19, in compliance with the Community Quarantine (CQ),Online/Virtual Bidding Conferences will be conducted. Stable internet connection is required to all prospective bidders during the conferences.

BAC shall not be liable in any unexpected disruption due to poor/unstable signal which may cause loss of connection and inability of Bidders to engross with the conferences.

For Additional info please be guided in the following: (please refer to Online Bidding procedures) a.

Payment of bidding documents shall be deposited to BAC bank account (to be emailed by BAC secretariat).

b.

Prospective bidders must submit to the BAC via email the scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip / screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer as proof of payment.

c.

Scanned copy of Bidding Documents will be sent by the BAC secretariat upon validation that the payments are credited to the coop’s bank account.

d.

ID number or link of the Online/Virtual conference will be provided by BAC secretariat

4.

Online Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the NEA Memorandum NO. 2017-019: Revised Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives, IRR-RA 10531 (2017); All video conferences shall be recorded in CD/DVD for reference and other purposes.

5.

The schedule of bidding activities is as follows:

ACTIVITIES Release of Invitation to Bid Submission of Letter of Intent thru email / Availability of Bidding Documents

SCHEDULE 29 December 2021 (Wednesday) 30 December 2021 to 5 January 2022 Office Hours, at ORMECO, INC. Office (ormeco.bac.official@gmail.com)

January 2022 (Thursday) at Online/Virtual Pre-Bid Conference 6 9:00 am for Lot I ORMECO, INC. Board Room Deadline of Bid Submission (ormeco.bac.official@gmail.

20 January 2022 (Thursday) at 9:00 am for Lot I com), ORMECO, INC. Board Room Opening and Evaluation of Bids (Online/Virtual) Post-Qualification 21 January 2022 Approval through Board Resolution and Issuance of Notice Board Meeting for the Month of January 2022 of Award Signing of Contract After Issuance of Notice of Award Delivery Schedule To be announced during the Pre-Bid Conference

6.

Only those who have bought the Bidding Documents shall be allowed to attend or participate during the Online/Virtual Pre-Bidding Conference, where their presence is MANDATORY;

7.

All bids shall be opened and read in the presence of Bidders or their duly authorized representatives. All bids shall be accompanied by a scanned copy of validated bank deposit slip or screenshot of successful electronic fund transfer representing payment of bid bond equivalent to 2% of ABC.

8.

The winning bidder shall issue Performance Security in the form of Cash, Cashier’s Check, Manager’s Check, issued by a Universal or Commercial Bank, equivalent to five percent (5%) of the Contract Price; and

9.

ORMECO, INC. reserves the right to accept or reject any bids, declare failure of bidding and not to award the contract without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. ORMECO, INC. also has no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

Certified by:

Noted by:

(SGD) (SGD) LINA C. YUMANG ATTY. NORBERTO M. MENDOZA Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee Head Of Procuring Entity (HOPE) (BAC) (MS-DEC. 29, 2021)

PORT ABLAZE. A handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) shows firefighters battling the blaze at Syria’s Latakia port after an Israeli air strike early on December 28. The strike was the second such attack on the key facility this month, according to Syrian state media. AFP

Indonesia rejects Rohingya boat, refugees BIREUN, Indonesia—Dozens of Rohingya refugees intercepted after their boat ran into trouble off the coast of Indonesia’s Aceh province were being sent into Malaysian waters, authorities said on Tuesday.

At least 100 mostly women and children aboard a wooden vessel said to be taking on water were denied refuge in Indonesia and instead pushed into the neighboring Southeast Asian country.

Despite calls from non-governmental organizations and the United Nations agency for refugees, Indonesian authorities are attempting to send the group back after providing supREPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES Department of Human Settelements and Urban Development plies, clothes and fuel, Kagawaran ng Pamahalaang Pantao at Pagpapaunlad ng Kalunsuran National Capital Region as well as a technician Notice is hereby given that to fix their damaged FILINVEST LAND, INC. (owner/ developer) has filed with this Board boat. for the amendmend of license to sell of the LEVELS - BURBANK “We hope (the supTOWER located at Pacific Rim corner Commerce Avenue, plies) can help the Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang, Rohingyas to continue Muntinlupa City, specifically described as Lot 2-A, Psd-00074849, Transfer Certificate of Title No. 01 4-2015001055, with a total area of 13,590 square meters. The project was issued Certificate of Registration No. 26799 and License to Sell No. 033407 were issued on 28 December 2015 and 02 July 2018, respectively.

The fo regoing project is utilizing units in SUNNY BROOKE II located at Sitio Elang , Gen. Trias, Cavite, owned and developed by Filinvest Land, Inc., issued License to Sell No. 26799 on 28 October 2010 and Certificate of Accreditation No. CA2019-67 dated August 13, . 2019, as its compliance pursuant to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279, as amended by R.A. 10884.

All papers relative thereto shall, upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business Ilours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the name of the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, Dec. 13, 2021.

COL. JEOFREY DELOS REYES TUPAZ (Ret) Regional Director (MS-DEC. 22 & 29, 2021)

their journey to Malaysia as they planned and intended,” Winardy, an Aceh police spokesman who, like many Indonesians, goes by only one name, told AFP. “We will monitor them until they reach their destination,” he said.

The wooden boat was first sighted two days ago, stranded about 70 nautical miles off the Indonesian coast, according to a local navy commander.

Indonesian authorities have not pushed back Rohingya refugees as strongly as Malaysia or Thailand, instead reluctantly accepting them upon arrival by sea.

But Amnesty International and the UNHCR have called on the government to let the stranded group of Rohingya refugees land.

“This is about life and death. There are women and children, we must pay attention to their health,” executive director of Amnesty International Indonesia Usman Hamid said in a statement. AFP

PARIS— France has ordered the closure of a mosque in the north of the country because of the radical nature of its imam’s preaching, regional authorities told AFP on Tuesday.

The mosque in Beauvais, a town of 50,000 people some 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Paris, will remain shut for six months, according to the prefecture of the Oise region where Beauvais is located.

It said the sermons there incite hatred, violence and “defend jihad”.

The move comes two weeks after Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said he had triggered the procedure to close the site because the imam there “is targeting Christians, homosexuals and Jews” in his sermons. This, the minister said, was “unacceptable”.

Local authorities were legally bound to launch a 10-day period of information-gathering before taking action, but told AFP on Tuesday that the mosque would now be shut within two days.

Local daily Courrier Picard reported this month that the mosque’s imam was a recent convert to Islam.

The paper quoted a lawyer for the association managing the mosque as saying that his remarks had been “taken out of context”, and said that the imam had been suspended from his duties following the prefecture’s letter.

The French government announced earlier this year that it would step up checks of places of worship and associations suspected of spreading radical Islamic propaganda. AFP

China hits US after Tiangong brushes with Musk satellites BEIJING—Beijing on Tuesday accused the United States of irresponsible and unsafe conduct in space over two “close encounters” between the Chinese space station and satellites operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Tiangong, China’s new space station, had to maneuver to avoid colliding with one Starlink satellite in July and with another in October, according to a note submitted by Beijing to the United Nations space agency this month.

The note said the incidents “constituted dangers to the life or health of astronauts aboard the China Space Station”.

“The US... ignores its obliga-

tions under international treaties, posing a serious threat to the lives and safety of astronauts,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a routine briefing on Tuesday.

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, operates a constellation of close to 2,000 satellites that aims to provide internet access to most parts of Earth.

SpaceX is a private American company, independent of the US military and civilian space agency NASA. But China said in its note to the UN that members of the Outer Space Treaty—the foundation of international space law—are also

responsible for actions by their nongovernment entities.

SpaceX has not responded to a request for comment.

Evasive maneuvers to reduce the risk of collisions in space are becoming more frequent as more objects enter Earth’s orbit, said Jonathan McDowell of the HarvardSmithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

“We’ve really noticed the increase in the number of close passes since Starlink started getting deployed,” he told AFP. Any collision would likely “completely demolish” the Chinese space station and kill everyone on board, McDowell added. AFP

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TODAYRepublic of the Philippines NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY AFFAIRS

H. The issuing offices, the PDAO or the City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Offices as the case maybe shall: 1.

Administrative Order No. 001 Series of 2021 Subject : ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON THE ISSUANCE OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IDENTIFICATION CARD RELATIVE TO REPUBLIC ACT NOS. 9442, 10754, 11215, 10747

2.

3.

4.

5.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9442 as amendment to Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and For Other Purposes, these foregoing guidelines shall serve as a mechanism for the issuance of a Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD IDC).

Examples: Issuing Facility NSCB Philippine Standard Geographic Code PWD ID No. City of San Fernando, Pampanga 13-5416-000 13-5416-000001 Municipality of Apalit, Pampanga 03-5402-000 03-5402-000-001 Sucad Barangay, Apalit, Pampanga 03-5402-013 03-5402-013-001

The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has formulated these guidelines in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as provided for in Rule IV, Section 6.11 of the IRR of Republic Act No. 9442.

Person with Disability Identification Card (PWD IDC) shall be issued to any bonafide Filipino with permanent disabilities due to anyone or more of the following types of disabilities: deaf/hard of hearing, Intellectual, learning, mental, orthopedic, physical, psychosocial, speech and language impairment, visual, people with cancer, and people with rare disease.

PWD IDs shall serve as proof of disability to fully enjoy the benefits and privileges as provided for under applicable laws.

II. ACRONYMS

3.

Protect the establishments from illegitimate claims or fraudulent practices on the use of the PWD IDC.

4.

Establish mechanisms to protect personal data of the beneficiaries in accordance with Republic Act No.10173 or Data Privacy Act of 2012.

The DOH shall maintain the system and database of the DOH-PPWDRS in coordination with the NCDA, DSWD, DILG and LGUs. The official website is www.pwd.doh.gov.ph.

K. The NCDA shall maintain a mirror of the database to ensure the reliability, availability and integrity of the database. This shall form part of the Executive Information System of Persons with Disabilities sector.

L.

Any bonafide person with permanent disability can apply for the issuance of the PWD IDC. His/her caregiver can assist in the application process. Procedures for the issuance of the 10 Cards are as follows: A. Applicant/Guardian/Authorized Representative.

1. Secure and accomplish all the necessary required details in the application form (See Section IV, C).

2. Attach the requirements to PWD 10 AF (See Section IV, D and E).

3. Submit the complete documents/requirements to City or Municipality Mayor or PDAO. 4. Receive the PWD IDC. B. Document Evaluator/Processor.

1. Receive the PWD ID application form (PWDID-AF) with attached requirements from applicant/guardian/representative.

2. Assess new applicant with apparent disability and prepare Certificate of Disability. In case the person with disability submits a medical certificate, it may be accepted accordingly.

3. Evaluate the documents submitted by the applicant/guardian/ representative, advise them to correct discrepancy if any or complete the requirements if incomplete (See Section IV, D, E, F and G for documentary requirements).

A. The Local Government Unit through the City or Municipal Office or PDAO shall implement these guidelines on the issuance of the PWD IDC.

4. For renewal transaction, Expired PWD IDC and accomplished PWDID-AF (See Section IV, G requirements for renewal) are the only documentary requirements needed provided that the applicant is already registered in the PRPWD otherwise the transaction will be treated as NEW APPLICANT (See Section IV, D, E and F for requirements).

B. The City or Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office or PDAO shall: 1. Reproduce/Print the PWD ID Application Forms (PWD ID-AFs) to be filled out by the PWDs in accordance with the DOH Philippine Registry Form for Persons with Disability.

5. Submit documents to approving officer for approval.

2. Reproduce/Print the PWD IDCs.

C. Approving officer.

3. Enter or encode the data from the approved PWD ID AF to the PRPWD system.

1. Approving officer will return the documents to Documents Evaluator/ Processor if Discrepancy/issue is found.

4. Ensure safety and security of data in accordance with Republic Act No. 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

2. Approving officer will forward the documents to Encoder if no discrepancy/issue.

C. PWD ID AFs or application forms can be obtained from any of the following: Municipal and City Social Welfare Offices / Persons with Disability Affairs Offices

2.

Department of Health

3.

National Council on Disability Affairs

3. Maintain the veracity and authenticity of submitted documents D. Encoder.

1. Assign PWD-ID number for new applicant and affix it to the PWD IDAF. 2. Encode/upload or update/verify (RENEWAL) details in the PRPWD (See PRPWD User’s Manual: https://pwd.doh.gov.ph/downloads/PRPWD_User_Manual.pdf).

D. Submission of appropriate documents to confirm the eligibility of the new applicant is as follows: 1.

• Certificate of Disability issued by city/municipality health office • Certificate of Disability from Issuing Office of PWD IDC who assessed the applicant 2.

Non apparent Disability

Applicant with non-apparent disability, that is disability not manifested physically is required to submit a Certificate of Disability issued by SPECIALISTS or by appropriate physicians from the City, Municipal/ Regional Health Offices or any recognized private medical institutions who have competencies to assess for the following non-apparent type of disabilities: • • • • • • • • •

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Disability Intellectual Disability Learning Disability Mental Disability Psychosocial Disability Non-apparent Visual Disability Non-apparent Speech and Language Impairment Non-apparent cancer Non-apparent rare disease

Note: For cancer and rare diseases applicants, a Medical Certificate/Certificate of Disability issued by an Oncologist, Surgeon or appropriate Physician that has the expertise to determine the ailment or disease is required.

E. Submission of the appropriate document to confirm the identity of the new applicant is as follows: 1.

Two “1 x 1” recent 10 pictures with the names, and signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture.

2.

One valid government 10

3.

For children, school ID will be accepted, in the absence of school 10, a photocopy of the Birth Certificate will be required.

4.

For applicant of legal age, one valid government 10 is required. In the absence of a valid 10, a Barangay Certificate will be required. This may also be used as his proof of residence if the ID has no address indicated or if the ID indicates a different or old address.

Whereas, for the guardian/representative: a. Guardian, proof of guardianship b. Authorized Representative, notarized authorization letter F.

3. Print PWD IDC.

Apparent Disability

Applicants with apparent disability, that is, manifested by presence of physical Impairment or impaired mobility or function such as totally blind, missing limbs, limping and the likes will not be required to submit a Certificate of Disability from a physician or doctor to confirm the disability.

Instead, the issuing officer may assess the applicant to determine the cause of disability and issue a Certificate of Disability however, in case of doubt the issuing officer may refer to the city and municipal health office for the final confirmation.

Proof of residence a) Voters ID or b) Barangay certificate or c) Utility bills with exact name and address

G. For renewal or revalidation transactions, submission of documents below are required: 1.

Accomplished PWDID-AF (Renewal box checked)

2.

Expired PWD ID

3.

Affidavit of Loss if PWD ID is declared lost.

NCDA shall likewise promote the proper migration of the LGU disability data to the PRPWD system and the provision of a reliable and secure back-up database.

V. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

IV. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

1.

Keep a record of all PWDs with ID Numbers issued and with the following data sets:

J.

Provide guidance to all local government officials, licensed physicians, local health officers, PDAO HEADS AND FOCAL PERSONS ON DISABILITY and government agencies in the issuance of PWD IDC for the privileges and incentives provided for under the laws for Persons with Disabilities.

Facilitate monitoring by appropriate government agencies on the use of the PWD IDC.

3.

PWD Application Forms and ID Cards shall be issued and signed by the City or Municipal Mayor.

This Order on the issuance of PWD IDC aim to:

2.

Ensure that the PWD ID No. is sequentially assigned with no missed numbers to ensure database integrity and acceptability.

I.

III. OBJECTIVES

1.

2.

1. ID Number 2. Name of the PWD (Last Name, First Name, Middle Name) 3. Complete Address 4. Date of Birth

The Identification Card shall be the basis for the provision of certain special privileges and discounts to bonafide Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in the Philippines in accordance with Republic Act No. 9442, Republic Act NO.10754, Republic Act No. 11215 and Republic Act No. 10747.

A/G/R - Applicant/Guardian/Authorized Representative COD - Certificate of Disability DILG - Department of the Interior and Local Government DOH - Department of Health DSWD - Department of Social Welfare Development LGU - Local Government Unit MC - Medical Certificate NCDA - National Council on Disability Affairs PDAO - Persons with Disabilities Affairs Office PRPWD - Philippine Registry for Persons with Disabilities PWD IDC - Person with Disability Identification Card PWD ID-AF - PWD ID Application Form PWD - Persons with Disabilities SWDO - Social Welfare and Development Office

Use the National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) Philippine Standard Geographic Code and sequential numbering system in the issuance of the PWD ID Number. Format is <RR-PPMM-BBB-NNN> where: RR = 2-digits Region Code PP = 2-digits Province Code MM = 2-digits Municipality Code BBB = 3-digits Barangay Code (the default # is 000 unless specific barangays are issuing PWD ID) NNN = 3-digits Sequential No. or more than 3-digits as applicable

I. RATIONALE 1.

In the absence of expired PWD ID, two “1 xi” recent ID pictures with the names, and signatures or thumb marks at the back of the picture are required.

4. Forward PWD IDC to Releasing.

E. Releasing Officer.

1. Check for the accuracy of PWD IDC before releasing.

2. Release the PWD IDC to the applicant/guardian/authorized representative.

Note: Issuing facilities are reminded to ensure that employment status and PhilHealth membership are filled-up. The portion under Certifying physicians should be accomplished accurately including the processing, encoder, approving and releasing officers for proper identification and accountability.

The provision of control number is dependent on the internal control mechanism of the issuing facility; it can also be used for ISO purposes.

VI.

VALIDITY AND RENEWAL/REVALIDATION OF THE PWD IDC 1.

The PWD IDC issued to the PWD shall be valid for five (5) years.

2.

The PWD IDC is free of charge.

3.

Loss or damage may be charged a minimal fee for the replacement of PWD IDC.

4.

Renewal/revalidation may be processed a month prior to expiration or when the PWD IDC is already expired.

VII. USE OF THE PWD IDC The PWD-IDC shall serve as the Standard National Identification’ Card for PWDs, and shall be prescribed as proof for the availment of the 20% discount and other benefits to persons with disabilities as provided for under the laws.

(See Annex 5 for the facsimile of the PWD IDC).

VIII. REPEALING CLAUSE NCDA Administrative Order 001 Series 2008 is hereby repealed by this order.

All other policies or issuances inconsistent or contrary to the provisions of this AO is hereby revised or modified accordingly.

IX. PENALTY CLAUSE Abuse of any person, corporation, institution and/or entity on the use of PWD ID Card is punishable by law or can be penalized subject to the discretion of the ruling court.

ANNEX 1 - PROCESS FLOW ANNEX 2 - PWD Application Form Version 4.0 ANNEX 3 - Certificate of Apparent Disability Template ANNEX 4 - Certificate of Non-Apparent Disability Template ANNEX 5 - Template of PWD-IDC X. Effectivity: This Order shall take effect immediately after its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved by:

ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTA Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development Chairperson, National Council on Disability Affairs

(MS-DEC. 29, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

B4

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

Silangan mine to follow Philex’s ‘best practices’

By Othel V. Campos SILANGAN Mindanao Mining Co. said Tuesday it will draw from the best practices of parent company Philex Mining Corp. as it pursues various environmental and social responsibility initiatives in areas around its Silangan Copper-Gold Project in Surigao del Norte province.

“The wealth of learnings we have accumulated over the past six decades that we have operated Padcal, the engine that has driven Philex’s growth has helped us hit the ground running in Surigao del Norte,” said Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr. Philex spent billions over the decades to develop communities in Benguet, which hosts Padcal, with the bulk of the money going to education, public infrastructure, information, education and communication.

Philex spent P107.5 million in 2020 for its social and development management program. Philex also continues to plant bamboo as part of its mine rehabilitation program and ensures compliance of standard quality of water resources provided for by the regulators within its mining claim.

Silangan Mining expects to spend P5 billion over the life of the mine for community development, environmental protection and enhancement program and for final mine rehabilitation and decommissioning.

It said that as Silangan project straddles the towns of Placer, Tubod, Tagana-an and Sison populated by half a million people, its initiatives would focus on education, livelihood, promotion of socio-cultural activities, information and education campaign programs, environment and rehabilitation programs in host communities.

The programs are in adherence to the environment compliance certificate granted to the Silangan project in July 2019 by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Among the civic projects of Silangan are the distribution of school supplies; donation of funds to Placer for emergency equipment for the Surigao Provincial Hospital in Barangay Badas; establishment of a 13-hectare farm planted to cacao and turmeric; and COVID-19 assistance in the form of cashfor-work program for marginalized constituents of Sison town.

Reforestation is aso one of the stronger commitments of the mining firm as it reforested 184 hectares and distributed nearly 25 hectares under its reforestation project.

Ayala’s AREIT raises P3b from 1st bond offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria AREIT Inc., the real estate investment trust company owned by Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), has successfully raised P3 billion from its maiden bond offering.

AREIT president and chief executive said during the virtual listing ceremony at Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. the offering was more 5.5 times oversubscribed, with demand reaching over P16 billion.

Retail investors accounted for 58 percent of the total bond subscription totaling P1.75 billion, signifying the market’s strong interest in the company even after its initial public offering last year.

PDEx president and chief executive Antonino Nakpil said AREIT was the first REIT company to tap the corporate bond market.

With the successful offering,Nakpil is hopeful it will open opportunities for other REIT firms to issue corporate bonds to fund their expansion plans.

AREIT will use the net proceeds from the offering to refinance debt and partially finance the acquisition of The 30th, a mixed-use commercial development in Pasig City.

The 30th is a commercial building with a total gross leasable area of 74,704 square meters composed of a 19-storey office tower with a GLA of 47,871 sq.m. and a 4-storey retail podium with a GLA of 26,833 square meters.

AREIT early this year purchased The 30th from ALI as part of its overall strategy to expand its leasing portfolio to boost shareholder value.

AREIT’s total gross leasable area to date is estimated at 549,000 square meters.

The P3-billion bond offering is the first tranche from the company’s P15billion bond shelf registration program approved by Securities and Exchange Commission.

AREIT engaged BPI Capital Corp. and BDO Capital & Investment Corp. as the joint lead underwriters and bookrunners of the transaction.

Business DOF gives Shell until Jan. 10 to settle unpaid tax of P1.79b

By Julito G. Rada

F

INANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III gave Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. until Jan. 10, 2022 to settle its balance of P1.79 billion in alleged unpaid excise and value-added taxes on its alkylate imports to avoid losing its import accreditation.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a message to reporters the Bureau of Customs—an attached agency of the DOF—received P1.7 billion, representing the first installment of the P3.49 billion in unpaid taxes from Pilipinas Shell. Dominguez said the “balance [is] due on Jan. 10.”

“I am certain that the suspension of Pilipinas Shell’s import accreditation with the BOC will be reconsidered if the second installment is not received on the date indicated,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez earlier said the Customs’ upcoming collection of P3.49 billion in excise and value-added taxes on the alkylate importats of Pilipinas Shell from 2014 to 2020 “levels

the playing field” as other oil companies were paying the same on their shipments of the product.

He said in a recent executive committee meeting that Shell’s first payment of P1.79 billion, while under protest, was “a real move forward.”

Pilipinas Shell agreed to pay P3,491,629,824 in taxes on its past alkylate imports in two installments, but said it would be “under protest” as the case was still pending with the courts.

Alkylate is high in octane but has low volatility and can be added to motor gasoline and aviation gasoline to increase octane, while meeting stringent volatility specifications.

Customs Commissioner Reynaldo

Guerrero said in a letter to Pilipinas Shell the agency recognized the oil firm’s intent to pay the back taxes and directed it to submit its first payment on or before Dec. 27 this year.

Guerrero made it clear to Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive Lorelei Osial that the possible suspension of the oil firm’s accreditation in case it failed to pay the taxes “was not whimsically raised nor is the same a threat, but rather a proper recourse of the bureau pursuant to existing rules and regulations and in view of the dissolution by the Supreme Court of the temporary restraining order previously issued” on the government’s demand for payment.

The Supreme Court lifted the TRO that barred the government from collecting taxes on Shell’s alkylate imports in March.

The high court also remanded the case to the Court of Tax Appeals, where Pilipinas Shell filed a motion to pursue its previous TRO application to stop the government from collecting taxes on alkylate shipments.

PSE INDEX CLOSING Tuesday, December 28, 2021 31.70 PTS. 7,286.50

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES UNCHANGED

3,313,265,516 68,623 5,093,101,925.75 115 75 52

F oreign e xchange r ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

50.1340

Japan

Yen

0.008709

0.4366

UK

Pound

1.344100

67.3851

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128223

6.4283

Switzerland

Franc

1.090275

54.6598

Canada

Dollar

0.782289

39.2193

Singapore

Dollar

0.737028

36.9502

Australia

Dollar

0.723400

36.2669

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

132.9991

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266312

13.3513

Brunei

Dollar

0.734322

36.8145

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.029789

1.4934

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.6508

Euro

Euro

1.132900

56.7968

Korea

Won

0.000843

0.0423

China

Yuan

0.156910

7.8665

India

Rupee

0.013340

0.6688

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239177

11.9909

New Zealand

Dollar

0.680700

34.1262

Taiwan

Dollar

0.036118

1.8107 Source: BSP

IN BRIEF

BSP says 50% digital goal attainable by 2023

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno is optimistic the Digital Payments Transformation Roadmap targets of digitalizing at least 50 percent of retail payments volume and bringing 70 percent of Filipino adults to the formal financial system through a payment or transaction account will be doable by 2023.

“We are confident of hitting the twin goals,” Diokno said as he cited the latest digitalization and financial inclusion figures during the HSBC Digital Bankers Forum held recently.

In terms of volume, the share of digital payments to total financial transactions reached 20.1 percent in 2020 from 14 percent in 2019 and only 1.0 percent in 2013.

“As more Filipinos embrace the convenience of digital payments, we expect the phenomenal growth in digital financial transactions to continue in the years ahead,” he said.

Meanwhile, registered e-money accounts reached 138.8 million last year with the total number of transactions at 1.7 billion.

Julito G. Rada

Zubiri’s Mangima Hydro signs P2.4-b loan deal

MANGIMA Hydro Power Corp., developer of the 12-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric power project in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, is borrowing P2.4 billion from Philippine National Bank to fund the construction of the dam.

MHPC and PNB recently signed an omnibus loan and security agreement on the funding “We at Mangima Hydro Power are really passionate about making Bukidnon a sustainable, energy-secure, renewable energy-powered province, and this project is our big step towards that vision,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri, MHPC president and chief executive officer, said of the initiative.

The project, which is set to be completed by 2024, is projected to have an annual generation of 64.12 gigawatt hours. It is the fifth power plant project spearheaded by Zubiri, having built a solar plant and three peaking power plants prior.

The project takes its name from the Mangima River in Manolo Fortich, where it will be built. Alena Mae S. Flores

CHINA BANK MARKER. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno (third from left) and National Historical Commission of the Philippines chairman Rene Escalante (third from right) lead the unveiling of the historical marker signifying the NHCP’s recognition of China Bank’s 100-year history and its original head office, built in 1924 and fully restored in 2021, as a heritage site. They are joined by (from left) China Bank chief finance officer Patrick Cheng, China Bank president William Whang, NHCP officerin-charge executive director Carminda Arevalo and China Bank director Ricardo Chua.

PCC awaits notification from UnionBank-Citi PH merger THE Philippine Competition Commission said Tuesday it has not yet received a notification from Union Bank of the Philippines on its planned acquisition of Citibank’s consumer banking unit in the country.

The antitrust body said it also did not receive any notice from Century Pacific Food Inc. on its planned takeover of Ligo Sardines and Potato Corner. PCC is responsible for reviewing mergers and acquisitions that breached the thresholds provided under the law, which could prevent, restrict or lessen competition in the market for goods or services.

Given its latest P50-billion threshold qualification, PCC encouraged the parties to conduct due diligence to check if they meet the thresholds for compulsory

notification, or to steer clear of any competition issues by undergoing voluntary notification in case they do not meet the thresholds.

The PCC, amid the pandemic, allowed parties to file their notifications before consummation, and waived the usual notification period of 30 days upon signing of definitive agreement.

Transactions of this nature may very well indicate the outset for economic recovery or post-pandemic restructuring, the commission said.

It said that while change of ownership of well-known brands would mean efficiency or expansion for former competitors into partners, this could also mean that consumers may be faced with fewer choices

and possible changes of price points.

It said that as the antitrust authority, its merger reviews would ensure that the transactions do not lead to substantial lessening of competition in the relevant markets.

UnionBank earlier signed a share and business transfer agreement with several subsidiaries of Citigroup Inc. to acquire Citi’s consumer banking business in the Philippines. The transaction includes Citi’s credit card, personal loans, wealth management and retail deposit businesses. The acquisition also includes Citi’s real estate interests such as Citibank Square in Eastwood, three full service bank branches, five wealth centers and two bank branch lites. Othel V. Campos

HMO firms’ assets up 27.6% to P63.2b

THE assets of health maintenance industry based on unaudited interim financial statements submitted by 28 health maintenance firms rose 27.6 percent to P63.21 billion as of Sept. 30, 2021 from P49.54 billion a year ago, Insurance Commissioner Dennis Funa said Tuesday.

Funa in a statement attributed the growth in the HMOs’ assets to a corresponding increase in the value of the industry’s investment portfolio despite the 7.1-percent decrease in cash and cash equivalents by percent.

“Investments in subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures and investments in property increased by a staggering 3,763.99 percent and 1,446.53 percent, respectively. Moreover, financial assets at fair value through profit or loss and HMOs’ deferred tax assets increased by 75.43 percent and 168.75 percent, respectively,” Funa said.

Meanwhile, total equity rose 17.2 percent year-on-year,from ₱12.99 billion in third quarter 2020 to ₱15.22 billion year-on-year.

“According to the unaudited reports, this increase in total equity was due to an increase in retained earnings by 14.45 percent, which comprise 77.28 percent of HMOs’ total equity for third quarter 2021,” Funa said.

Julito G. Rada

SMC’s MRT-7, other infra projects to ease traffic

By Darwin G. Amojelar SAN Miguel Corp. said its MRT-7 system project and other infrastructure projects will alleviate traffic and accelerate the country’s economic recovery.

SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said this is the vision behind the firm’s current and future infrastructure projects, which he said are all aimed at alleviating traffic and pollution, boosting economic activity, creating jobs and opportunities in the provinces, and improving quality of life within the metropolis.

“MRT-7 is a vital cog in our long-term goal to develop an integrated and interconnected transportation system where people from all income levels can get around and beyond the metropolis, quickly and efficiently,” said Ang. “More than an affordable, reliable, and efficient means to move people, MRT-7 signifies a turning point, in our resolve to promote equity and inclusivity across our cities.

It’s a vehicle for opportunities, equity, and better quality of life for Filipinos,” he added.

The project, a 22-km rail and road devel-

opment starting in North Avenue, Quezon City and ending in the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, is 56 percent complete, with test runs slated to begin in just a year’s time, or starting December 2022.

“Without the continued support of our partners in government and the cooperation of motorists and the public, we wouldn’t be where we are today. As with any major infrastructure project, there have been many challenges,” Ang said.

“But we are all still here, working together to deliver this project that will greatly improve the lives of Filipinos, and help usher a better future for our cities and provinces,” he added.

MRT-7, according to him, is envisioned to be part of what will be become the country’s future infrastructure network that will include interconnected railways and expressways that address social, environmental and economic issues experienced by Filipinos as a result of inadequate infrastructure and urban planning.

The MRT-7 is set to connect to LRT-1 and MRT-3, improving accessibility throughout Metro Manila and the nearby growth corridor of Bulacan.

ILLEGAL FIRECRACKERS. The Department of Trade and Industry’s Consumer Protection Group confiscates 573 pieces of unlicensed fireworks with a retail value of P26,340 in Bocaue, Bulacan. Trade Undersecretary Ruth Castelo leads the activity conducted by the DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau, in coordination with the DTIBulacan Provincial Office and the Philippine National Police. The spot check in several stalls selling fireworks in the fireworks capital of the Philippines aims to ensure the products being sold in the market are compliant with safety standards.

Sports

NBA reduces COVID-19 isolation from 10 to 6 days NEW YORK—The NBA has reduced quarantine time from 10 days to six for vaccinated players and coaches who come into contact with COVIF-19 or contract the disease but are asymptomatic, ESPN reported Monday.

Teams were informed in a league memo obtained by ESPN about the move, which came the same day the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reduced the isolation time for those with asymptomatic COVID-19 from 10 days to five.

The quicker return time for players to active status was agreed to by the league and the players union. It comes after the NBA has postponed nine games because at least one team could not field the minimum eight players due to COVID-19 absences.

People can also move out of COVID-19 quarantine with two negative test results 24 hours or more apart.

The NBA is dealing with record numbers of players entering its Covid-19 health and safety protocols, with 205 for the season, 192 in December and 169 of those doing so within the past two weeks, according to ESPN. A one-day season-high of 27 players entered protocols on Sunday, 10 more than Thursday’s prior mark, ESPN noted.

The league has started a postChristmas period of increased testing.

Dolphins beat Saints to move into playoff position in NFL WASHINGTON—Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa threw for 198 yards and a touchdown Monday to spark the Dolphins to a 20-3 triumph at New Orleans, stretching their win streak to seven games.

The Dolphins had lost seven games in a row before starting their victory run, during which Tagovailoa has completed an NFL-best 74 percent of his passes.

“The guys spend a lot of time outside the building with each other,” said Tagovailoa. “And that’s what has brought us closer inside the building, in the meeting room, the locker room and in the huddle as well.”

By defeating a Saints squad depleted by 22 players on the Covid-19 reserve list, the Dolphins improved to 8-7 and bumped over Baltimore into the seventh and final AFC playoff spot with two weeks remaining in the campaign.

Miami’s Nik Needham opened the scoring on a 28-yard interception return touchdown off a pass from Saints’ rookie starting quarterback Ian Book, who was pressed into duty

by Covid-19 absences.

“The defense gave us some life with the interceptions and the stops,” said Tagovailoa.

Jason Sanders added a 48-yard field goal for the Dolphins while Brett Maher answered from 38 for the Saints to pull New Orleans within 10-3 at half-time.

Miami’s Jaylen Waddle scored on a one-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter and Sanderson added a 34-yard field goal to create the final margin.

The Saints fell to 7-8, level with Minnesota and Atlanta and one game behind San Francisco and Philadelphia, both 8-7, for the final two NFC playoff spots. AFP

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

C1

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

MORANT WINS IT FOR GRIZZLIES. Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is hailed by teammates after the game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Morant scored the last of his 33 points on a driving layup with a half-second remaining to lift the Grizzlies over host Phoenix 114-113. AFP

POC withdraws recognition of Juico as athletics’ chief

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Philippine Olympic Committee has withdrawn its recognition of Philip Ella Juico as president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

The decision was made after Juico was declared persona non grata on Tuesday by the POC Executive Board following a meeting at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Pasay City.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said the board reached this verdict after they upheld the recommendations and findings of the Ethics Commission, which looked into the complaints of

pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena.

“We do not recognize him (Juico) anymore as president of PATAFA,” said Tolentino.

Last month, Obiena filed a complaint against Juico, who questioned him regarding his liquidation paperworks concerning Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov’s 85,000 euro funding allocation. The complaint was submitted before the Athletes

Commission and Safe Sports Technical Working Group of the POC, while a similar one was sent to the International Olympic Committee.

Tolentino clarified that the POC will still recognize PATAFA as the national association for athletics and its other officials, like the vice president and the secretary-general, as both can still attend their meetings.

Obiena’s complaint on Juico centered on “alleged acts of harassment, attempts to collude with coaches to fabricate statements, coercing to solicit doctor-patient privileged communication.”

According to the seven-page resolution, Juico accused Obiena of squandering government funds that were intended for Petrov, and made the situation public without giving him an

chance to clarify the issue.

The verdict on Juico came a day after the Philippine Sports Commission stepped back from mediation talks involving PATAFA and Obiena.

The PATAFA initially questioned Obiena after it received an affidavit from top World Athletics’ official Sergey Bubka and the written statements of Petrov alleging that he “did not receive any monthly coach’s fees for the years 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.”

Obiena, in a message to Tolentino, thanked the POC for acting on his plight.

Eleven of the 15-member POC Executive Board approved the committee recommendation, which will be ratified by the General Assembly in its January meeting.

Yield Guild Games teams up with PH Army, Navy, international groups to help Odette victims

YGG has turned over close to 10 million pesos worth of medicines and diapers, potable water, canned foods, biscuits, coffee and cash donations to the Philippine Army and Navy.

FILIPINO-LED gaming guild Yield Guild Games raised over P50 million from its donation drive and joined forces with the Philippine Army and Navy to deploy essential goods to those affected by Odette in the Visayas and Mindanao Region.

“While the community has acted fast and accumulated a significant amount of money from those who are willing to help the victims of the typhoon, we needed to tap organizations that already have the capacity to ensure that the goods reach everyone who needs them,” YGG Country Manager Luis Buenaventura said.

YGG has turned over close to 10 million pesos worth of medicines and diapers, potable water, canned foods, biscuits, coffee and cash donations to the Philippine Army and Navy, as well as non-profit organizations, to support victims in Leyte, Cebu,

Siargao, Surigao, Bohol, Negros and Dinagat Island, among others.

“The typhoon has damaged electricity and telecommunication lines in many areas in Visayas and Mindanao, making it harder for people to connect and send help to those affected,” Major Cenon Pancito of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Media and Civil Affairs Group, Civil Relations Service said. “With the combined efforts of communities such as YGG and our own resources, we can effectively provide the necessary support Odette victims need at this time.”

Additionally, YGG also worked with international and local organizations alike to provide support. The guild has provided cash donations to World Food Programme Philippines and World Vision Development Foundation Fund for their own disaster relief efforts in various locations.

YGG also supported community-led efforts targeting specific locations ravaged by the typhoon.

These efforts include a medical mission in Siargao, provision for solar-powered lights by Bangon Bohol, and delivery of meals and water by Axies Alerts in Tigbauan, Iloilo and Sipalay, and Negros.

YGG has also provided thousands of affected victims with P10,000 cash payouts each to support rebuilding efforts.

“We, at YGG, are very grateful for members of the community who started this initiative, everyone who has contributed to our donation drive, and the organizations we reached out to and are working with,” Buenaventura said. “We hope that all our efforts will provide relief for Odette victims and help them recover and rebuild faster.”

Rebisco Volleyball Academy launched; coaches, referees express gratitude TO play at an elite level in international competitions and ultimately score a podium finish has always been the country’s volleyball dream.

But to become elite in any sport, the effort must begin in the grassroots.

Thus Republic Biscuit Corporation (Rebisco), a committed supporter of Philippine volleyball, launched the Rebisco Volleyball Academy to train coaches and game officials on international coaches and refereeing standards to put them at par with their counterparts in other countries in Asia and the world.

The snacks and biscuits company believes that the development and competitiveness of volleyball athletes are due to the quality of coaching

and officiating in the schools. Thus, coaches and referees must learn concepts, skills, and modern, scientific approaches for the game consistent with international standards.

The 5-day courses for volleyball coaches and referees had a pilot run in Naga City, Tacloban City, and Cagayan De Oro City last March and April. Four more courses were conducted in October and November in Numancia, Aklan; Dauis, Bohol; Infanta, Quezon and Morong, Rizal in response to LGU requests.

Over 200 coaches and 200 referees benefited from the courses conducted by volleyball experts. They were conducted in person, endorsed by local government units, and approved by the

IATF. Strict health and safety protocols were followed.

Theory courses highlighting scientific research, game trends, new philosophies, and concepts were shared with coaches who were oriented based on a unified system for volleyball coaches’ training worldwide. Coaches

were also given the opportunity to exchange views and experiences with trainers and fellow coaches.

Referees meanwhile participated in drills and on-court activities that improved their technical abilities, perceptive responses, and judgment decisions. They were also given the most comprehensive interpretation of game rules.

“We learned new skills, new tactics, and new rules that will help us a lot in handling our players and in refereeing the game. All that we learned from Day 1 to Day 5 we will take to heart and put into practice when we go back to our schools. We thank Rebisco for this opportunity. This is only the beginning,” said Coach Lutchina Tabuso

of Timoteo Reyes Memorial School in Morong, Rizal.

“We are happy that the Rebisco Volleyball Academy is now a reality. It is the fulfilment of a grassroots program approved by the Philippine Sports Commission that aims to, among other things, develop a pool of people with technical volleyball know-how who can teach and improve the level of competition in their respective areas,” explained Noric Ng, Business Unit Head of Rebisco.

“The Academy will fire up volleyball enthusiasm in the provinces after the long hiatus from the pandemic.

Ultimately, we hope to attain our longterm goal of being able to compete at a higher level locally and abroad,” Ng added.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard Republic of the Philippines TODAY COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Aggregate-Remit or Transfer-Distribute-Liquidate scheme shall be contracted in compliance with RA No. 9184 (Government Procurement Reform Act) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) or with RA No. 6957 (BOT Law), as amended by RA No. 7718. For the purpose of acquiring the services mentioned above, the government entities shall engage only with BSPregulated/supervised intermediaries. The contract shall contain, among others, the Auditability Clause as required under COA Circular No. 2020-010 dated December 2, 2020.

Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines

CIRCULAR

To

1.0

2021-014

Date:

December 22, 2021

5.1.3

All Heads of Departments, Agencies, Bureaus, Offices, and Instrumentalities of the National Government; Local Chief Executives; Managing Heads of Government Corporations; Head of Finance, Accounting and Treasury Units; Commission on Audit (COA) Assistant Commissioners, Directors and Auditors; and All Others Concerned

:

Subject

No.:

:

5.1.4

Guidelines on the use of Electronic Collection (e-Collection) and Electronic Payment (e-Payment) for Government Transactions

RATIONALE On June 14, 2000, Republic Act (RA) No. 8792, the Electronic Commerce Act of 2000, was enacted pursuant to state policy that recognizes the vital role of information and communications technology (ICT) in nation-building and the need to marshal, organize and deploy national information infrastructures, comprising in both communications network and strategic information services, including their interconnection to the global information networks, with the necessary and appropriate legal, financial, diplomatic and technical framework, systems and facilities.

The objective of this Act is to facilitate domestic and international dealings, transactions, arrangements, agreements, contracts, and exchanges and storage of information through the utilization of electronic, optical, and similar medium, mode, instrumentality and technology to recognize the authenticity and reliability of electronic data messages or electronic documents related to such activities and to promote the universal use of electronic transactions in the government and by the general public.

The COA, through the IT Audit Office (ITAO), Systems and Technical Services Sector may, motu proprio or upon request of Audit Team concerned, conduct IS audit if risk assessment suggests that the conduct of such IS audit is warranted.

5.1.6

Government entities shall provide for or require intermediaries to allow COA access to view, generate, download, and print any data/reports necessary to attain the audit objectives. This provision on access and the audit of government funds shall be expressly stated in the contract between the government entity and such intermediary, pursuant to Section 4.3 of COA Circular No. 2020010 dated December 2, 2020. Failure to provide for the Auditability Clause in the contract does not preclude COA from conducting the audit.

The COA Audit Teams shall review compliance of government entities using e-Collection or e-Payment System with the provisions of the DTI-DOF JDAO No. 02 s.2006 on the “Guidelines Implementing R.A. No. 8792 on Electronic Payment and Collection System (EPCS) in Government” or any subsequent JDAO of DTI and DOF on the subject of EPCS. For the purpose of this Circular, the provisions of the said JDAOs shall have an analogous application to all government entities covered herein. The Audit Teams concerned may seek assistance from ITAO in conducting the technical aspect of the compliance audit.

Pursuant to this Act, the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued Joint Department Administrative Order (JDAO) No. 02 s.2006 and JDAO No. 10-01 s.2010 to prescribe policies and guidelines in the adoption of Electronic Payment and Collection System (EPCS) in government transactions and bring about more efficient and effective payment and collection services for the transacting clients and government offices.

5.1.8

For the purpose of this Circular, government entities shall designate a focal person for their implementation of e-Collection and/or e-Payment Systems.

5.1.9

Officer/Office, designated by the head of government entity for the purpose, shall keep the electronic copy of all e-Collection and e-Payment documents (i.e., report of daily collection, electronic official receipts (eOR), acknowledgment receipts, digital purchase receipts, invoices, etc.) in the active file of the government entity for a period of one year from the end of transaction year, available for access of the Audit Team, and forward such electronic copies to COA pursuant to existing regulations in the submission of reports.

Notwithstanding, all records of e-Collection and e-Payment shall be kept in Electronic Archives for a minimum period of ten years, or as may be prescribed by law, with a facility to restore data from backup facility whenever necessary.

These technologies have changed the methods and dynamics of the standard and usual way of doing business in government. They increase efficiency in government operations without or less personal interactions with collecting and disbursing officers and other public officials involved in processing government transactions and provide comfort and convenience to the transacting public and other stakeholders.

COA issues these guidelines to provide clear audit policies and guidance on the use of e-Collections and e-Payments for government transactions, thereby removing the common pitfalls in adopting e-Governance in public service. The issuance is consistent with the mission and mandate of this Commission to promote transparency, help improve government operations, and be an enabling partner of government.

2.0

3.0

5.2

5.2.1

5.2.5

Reconciliation of e-Collection and remittance or deposit shall be conducted daily, and any discrepancies shall be resolved. Proof of this activity (e.g., Activity Log or Bank Reconciliation Statement) shall be submitted to the Audit Team concerned.

Electronic Payment (e-Payment) 5.3.1

For public sector accounting and auditing purposes, in addition to cash and traditional check payments, the use of electronic modes of payment shall be generally allowed. The modes of the disbursements can be executed under the Direct Electronic Payment (DEP) or Transfer-Distribute-Liquidate (TDL) scheme.

5.3.2

All e-Payments shall follow the existing procedures on disbursement with duly approved Disbursement Vouchers (DV) or Payroll with complete supporting documents subject to the usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.

5.3.3

eOR or AR received by the government entity, if the payee is another government entity implementing their electronic collection system, shall be accepted as proof of payment for the transaction.

5.3.4

The government entity should ensure that taxes are withheld from their suppliers or contractors, and other authorized deductions are deducted from, and reflected in the DV or Payroll.

5.3.5

The following guidelines shall apply to payments under the DEP scheme: a. For payment of obligation using the ADA facility: i.

iii. For unsuccessful fund transfers, an electronic list containing the name, amount, and date of attempt shall be submitted to the government entity. b. For payment of obligation using the mobile or online banking facility of the AGDB such as payment of bills online, EFT to payee from the government entity’s account, or other similar modes of e-Payments, the disbursing officer shall prepare daily the Daily Report of e-Payments from Agency Account, Annex H hereof. The report shall be submitted to the Audit Team concerned together with all the digital payment receipts supporting the report. c. The following guidelines apply for the use of credit cards: i.

Authorized Government Depository Bank (AGDB) refers to banks where NGAs/ Government-Owned or Controlled Corporations/ Government Financial Institutions/ Government Instrumentalities with Corporate Powers/ Government Corporate Entities/ and Local Government Units are allowed by law to deposit government funds and maintain depository accounts, or by way of exception, a bank allowed by the DOF and the Monetary Board to hold government deposits subject to prescribed rules and regulations.

In addition to the existing practice of collection, different revenues, fees, taxes, assessments, or other obligations due to the government may be collected with the participation of intermediaries under the CAR or SCC scheme.

iii. Use of this credit card shall only be resorted to if no other modes of payment are more expeditious and inexpensive.

In such cases, a certification from the head of agency or representative shall be executed attesting to the circumstance.

iii. iv. v. vi.

Collect-Aggregate-Remit (CAR) refers to an e-Collection scheme where the daily collections are done by the intermediary on behalf of its principal government entity and aggregated in the intermediaries’ possession or control for a period of time before being remitted to the government entity’s AGDB accounts or that of National Treasurer.

vii. viii.

Direct Electronic Payment (DEP) refers to an e-Payment scheme where the payments are made by the government entity itself, using the intermediary’s technology or infrastructure. This includes the use of ADA.

Electronic Money Issuers (EMIs) refers to (a) banks; (b) non-bank financial institutions supervised by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP); and (c) nonbank institutions registered with the BSP as a monetary transfer agent under Sec. 4511N of the Manual of Regulations for Non-Bank Financial Institutions.

Front-end System refers to the primary interface between the system’s customers, which may be citizens’ transactions on their own behalf, or the interface to other systems that connect to the EPCS. This may be a mobile application or web-based online system.

h. The intermediary shall be required to post intermediary’s bond in favor of the government entity as the beneficiary, a copy of which shall be provided to the Audit Team concerned. The bond shall cover any amount collected by the former in the event that it fails to deposit the collections to the appropriate AGDB account within the prescribed period. The government entity shall, through the head of agency, make it the duty of such intermediary to adjust the bond coverage as needed depending on the risk exposure, by contractual objection. The government entity shall require the submission of the bond before such intermediary be allowed to start collecting on its behalf. In case of loss of public funds resulting from the intermediary’s failure to deposit the collections due to the government entity appropriately, the latter may claim the equivalent of the amount lost from the bond.

In such case, the government entity shall send a notice to the Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) for blacklisting of the intermediary. Any deficiency between the amount lost and the amount claimed shall be for the account of the negligent government officials. The deficiency shall be recorded as receivable pending the receipt of proceeds from the bond.

Self-Collect and Credit (SCC) refers to an e-Collection scheme where the collections are done by the government entity itself utilizing the intermediary’s technology or infrastructure, and collections will not pass through the hands of the collecting officer but are directly credited to the government entity’s AGDB accounts or that of National Treasurer.

Transfer-Distribute-Liquidate (TDL) refers to an e-Payment scheme where the government entity’s funds are first transferred to the intermediary’s possession and control, which the latter thereafter uses to distribute payments to the intended payees of the principal government entity.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES Use of electronic data messages, electronic documents, and technology in performing government functions such as, but not limited to, collection and payment are generally allowed. Thus, the use of e-Collection or e-Payment System is encouraged, pursuant to e-Commerce Act of 2000; and Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018, subject to regulations.

5.1.2

Government entities that employ the services of intermediaries for the performance of their collection or disbursement function shall execute a contract with the latter. After signing the contract, the government entity shall furnish the Audit Team concerned with a copy of the completed contract within five (5) working days from approval thereto, pursuant to COA Circular No. 2009-001 dated February 12, 2009. The scope of the collection or disbursement function between the government entity and the intermediary shall be made clear in the terms and conditions of the contract.

The scope may cover a particular government program, project, or activity for a specific period, office, recipient/payee group.

The contract shall contain, at the minimum, the responsibilities of the parties on reporting facility and security standards to be observed.

Intermediaries, other than AGDBs, engaged under a Collect-

5.3.6

5.2.3

The following guidelines shall apply to collections under the SelfCollect and Credit (SCC) scheme: a. The government entity, using its own front-end system for online collection, shall immediately issue eOR to acknowledge every transaction consistent with COA Circular No. 2013-007 dated September 18, 2013, DTI-DOF JDAO No. 02 s.2006, and DTIDOF JDAO No. 10-01, s. 2010. b. For face-to-face collection, where no cash, check, or physical note was used, through the government entity’s collecting officer, the government entity shall issue an eOR. The eOR issued to acknowledge the amount collected should clearly indicate the mode of collection (e.g., manual deposit, online/mobile banking, e-Wallets, etc.). The collecting officer shall require proof to satisfaction that the amount is already credited to the government entity’s account (e.g., validated bank deposit slip, fund transfer receipt, online/mobile banking confirmation, etc.).

i. Obligations of both parties ii. Manner of remittance of funds from the agency to the intermediary iii. Liquidation of funds iv. Return of undistributed funds v. Service fee vi. Confidentiality and security of information vii. Reporting requirements viii. Penalty for breach of contract xi. Auditability clause related to government funds b. authorize the transfer of a sum of money to intermediaries, consistent with the fiscal responsibility of the heads of the government entity, only based on the program of distribution of the government entity or net disbursing capacity of the intermediary to release funds within 30 days, whichever is lesser, subject to replenishment upon submission of liquidation report; c. transfer the funds, as determined in the preceding section, to the intermediary only after the latter has submitted the appropriate intermediary’s bond in favor of the government entity as the beneficiary, a copy of which shall be provided to the Audit Team concerned. The bond shall cover any amount transferred by the former, which the latter failed to liquidate within the prescribed period. The government entity shall, through the head of agency, make it the duty of such intermediary to adjust the bond coverage as needed depending on the risk exposure. In case of loss of public funds resulting from such intermediary’s failure to return the unliquidated funds appropriately, the government entity may claim the equivalent of the amount lost from the bond. In such as case, the government entity shall send a notice to the GPPB for blacklisting of the intermediary. Any deficiency between the amount lost and the amount claimed shall be for the account of the negligent government officials.; d. require intermediaries to submit liquidation reports containing the payment information within the agreed time period provided in the contract between the government entity and the intermediary, but not exceeding 30 days. A unique transaction ID or reference number shall be generated for each payment.

The liquidation report shall have security protocol to ensure its integrity and protection from alteration; and e. conduct a monthly reconciliation of the funds transferred to intermediaries and the amount disbursed therefrom. Any unclaimed/undisbursed funds should be returned to the account of the government entity within 30 days from the date of transfer of funds to the intermediaries.

6.0

7.0

TRANSITORY CLAUSE

Government entities with an existing contract with intermediaries prior to the effectivity of this Circular are given one year therefrom to make amendments, remedies, and other activities to comply with this Circular.

8.0

REPEALING CLAUSE

All COA issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby revoked, amended, or modified accordingly.

9.0

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE

In the event that any of the provisions of this Circular is declared invalid or unconstitutional, all the provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid and subsisting.

10.0 EFFECTIVITY This Circular shall take effect 15 days after its publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

MICHAEL G. AGUINALDO Chairperson

ROLAND C. PONDOC Commissioner NOTE: Annexes A to H of the Circular may be accessed in the COA website @www.coa.gov.ph 1 2 3 4 5

e. The specific portion of Government Accounting Manual for National Government Entities pertaining to AGDB collections

SAVING CLAUSE

This Circular is issued to facilitate online transactions in government. Cases not covered in this Circular may be referred to this Commission, through the Systems and Technical Services Sector, for resolution.

c. For all collections wherein the funds are not yet in the appropriate AGDB account, the agency shall prepare the Report of e-Collections and Deposits (Annex F). The details of deposit in this report shall be filled in once the money is deposited or transferred to the appropriate AGDB account. The Cash/ Treasury Unit shall monitor such deposits or fund transfers. The deposit slip or transaction confirmation receipt shall be attached to the report. d. For collections directly credited to the appropriate AGBD account, the authorized cash/treasury personnel shall confirm the deposit, which shall be the basis for preparing the Report of Daily Collection Directly Deposited to the Agency’s Bank Account, Annex G hereof.

If the government entity avails of the services of intermediaries under a TDL scheme, and uses those services in the implementation of government programs, such as but not limited to, distribution of cash assistance to beneficiaries, it shall: a. execute a contract with intermediaries with the following provisions, as a minimum:

g. The designated officer of government entity, based on the submitted LDC and the Certification of Deposit by the intermediary, shall classify the collection based on their respective income classification, revenue code, and fund cluster to prepare the required Report of e-Collections and Deposit via intermediary, Annex E hereof. The designated officer shall, using the Certification portion of Annex E, certify that he/she reviewed and found the details of collections and deposits in order.

Net Disbursing Capacity refers to the capacity of an intermediary to distribute funds for a given period, considering its resources, minus the needed resources for all outstanding or existing commitments under ongoing contracts, including awarded contracts yet to be started coinciding with the specific fund distribution engagement.

5.1.1

viii. Credit card users shall ensure that the card balance will not exceed the authorized credit card limit. Incurrence of delay in the payment or nonpayment of official transactions by reason of exceeding the credit limit shall constitute negligence or oversight on the part of the designated Cash/ Treasury personnel.

f. All electronic ARs and corresponding electronic LDCs with Certificates of Deposit supporting the LDCs shall be made available to the Audit Team for reference and confirmation.

The filename to be used for each electronic AR shall follow the format <Surname of Payor All Caps> + ”_” + AR number + ”_” + Reference number (e.g., SANTOS_0012345_000999).

Intermediary’s bond refers to a bond undertaking to guarantee the faithful remittance or return by the intermediary of, its daily collection to the appropriate AGDB account or unliquidated fund, within the prescribed period. For this nature of obligation, that is, remittance of collections or return of unliquidated funds, the intermediary has the option whether to post a cash bond or surety bond from a reputable provider, equivalent to the full amount of fund exposed to risk of loss, or such other sum as may be prescribed by the government entity for its full protection. The bond shall answer for the non-remittance or any shortfall in the remittance of collections or unliquidated funds.

General Guidelines

vii. The credit card shall be used only for official transactions of the government entity and not for any personal transactions.

e. Government entities shall require the intermediaries to submit an electronic copy of the List of Daily Collections (LDC), Annex D hereof, containing the details provided in paragraph 5.2.2.a, within the next banking day from the date of collection. The same shall be supported with an electronic copy of all corresponding ARs issued and the Certification of Deposit mentioned above.

Intermediaries refer to AGDBs, EMIs, EPGPs, banks, or any other BSPregulated private entity facilitating government entity’s collection or payment transactions.

5.1

vi. The primary user shall ensure that the billed amount shall be paid in full and on time to avoid the incurrence of interest and surcharges. Any interest or surcharges incurred due to negligence or oversight shall be for the personal account of the negligent designated Cash/Treasury personnel.

d. The intermediaries shall remit or deposit intact the full amount of collections due to the government to the appropriate account in the AGDB within the next banking day from the collection date or within the time period as may be prescribed by DOF. They shall submit to the government entity a Certification of Deposit, Annex C hereof, and proof (e.g., EFT receipt, validated deposit slip, bank confirmation) that the total amount collected from the previous day is actually deposited to the appropriate AGDB account.

Electronic Payment Gateway Provider (EPGP) refers to a bank or nonbank entity, which operates or maintains an e-Collection and/or e-Payment Systems.

GUIDELINES

v. The Statement of Account from the credit card issuer showing each transaction supported with receipts shall be a mandatory supporting document to the DV to be prepared for the purpose of paying the credit card issuer.

Letterhead of the intermediary AR Number (unique number generated by intermediary, consecutively numbered and chronologically issued) Date and Time Agency Name Name of payor Particulars (nature of collection. e.g., payment for passport fees) Amount received for the transaction, value-added tax, and service charge, if any, indicated separately Reference Number (unique reference number of the output generated/service rendered/document issued by the government entity. e.g., account number, order of payment slip number, assessment number or equivalent, passport application number, etc.)

c. For auditing purposes, the government entity is not required to issue a separate OR to individually acknowledge each collection made through such intermediary. However, from the point of collection, such amount forms part of public funds. It remains the duty of the government entity to prepare and submit the required duly accomplished reports of collection and deposit mentioned in paragraph 5.2.2.g hereof, either with the assistance of such intermediary or by its own efforts.

Electronic Payment (e-Payment) refers to the disbursement of money or equivalent electronic representations of legal tender, for purposes of paying government expenditures, solely through electronic means as opposed to the use of cash, check, or physical notes to accomplish the same. This includes the manner by which an obligation is extinguished by means of sending instruction for the debit of the government entity’s account and the corresponding credit to the payee’s account. For the purpose of this Circular, this includes the transfer of funds to the intermediary for the purpose of distribution.

Engaging technology partners to improve public service delivery does not remove the accountability over public funds entrusted to public officials from the audit jurisdiction of this Commission. All revenues and receipts of the government should be accounted for, and all expenditures or uses of funds should be authorized only within the permission of the law. The same accountability principles apply when government transactions shift into the digital realm with the use of ICT. Collection and payment schemes that prevent transparency and accountability over public funds, as well as arrangements disadvantageous to the government, shall be discontinued.

iv. Every transaction to be paid using credit card shall follow the existing rules on Accounts Payable. The approval confirmation or the transaction receipt, and the certification mentioned in the preceding section shall be a mandatory supporting document for the transactions.

b. The electronic AR mentioned above issued pursuant to a contract with the government entity shall be accepted to the same extent as OR supposedly issued by the government entity itself. As far as the public is concerned, every AR issued by such intermediary is binding to the government entity, and for all intents and purposes, is considered collection by the latter. Such AR should have a security protocol to ensure the authenticity, completeness, and traceability of the collection.

Electronic Collection (e-Collection) refers to a method or manner wherein revenue, fees, assessments, or obligations due to the government entity is being collected using a mechanical device, electronic device, or computerbased system. The term refers to an alternative way of collection where no actual money, check, or any physical note is handed through the hands of the government entity’s collecting officer. For the purpose of this Circular, this includes the use of an intermediary in performing the collection function.

Public office is a public trust. Public officials and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people. Such accountability over public funds cannot be transferred to a private entity whatsoever. In utilizing machineries of private entities to perform all or portion of their functions, public officials cannot validly deny liability over unaccounted funds.

The following guidelines shall apply to collections under the CollectAggregate-Remit (CAR) scheme:

i. ii.

No government entity may be allowed to use credit card to pay for government transaction unless they can reasonably protect such use against misuse and misappropriation.

Documentation of internal control for this purpose shall be submitted to the Audit Team concerned for evaluation and approval.

ii. The head of the government entity may designate the authorized Cash/Treasury personnel to be the credit card user, after the approval mentioned in the preceding section.

The head of the government entity may designate primary or alternate users (officials), as may be necessary, provided they are bonded officials

a. The government entity shall require the intermediary to generate an electronic Acknowledgement Receipt (AR) to be immediately issued to the payor, via online, mobile, or printed copy, for every collection made, Annex B hereof. The AR issued by the intermediary to the payor shall have the following minimum data content:

Advice to Debit Account (ADA) refers to an authorization issued by the government entity that serves as an instruction to Government Servicing Banks to debit a specified amount from its available account balance for payment of creditors/payees.

The rules and procedures for ADA, and any amendments thereto shall be followed.

ii. This facility removes the personal appearance of the payee, to whose account the government funds are directly credited.

As compensating control mechanism, the AGDB shall be required by the government entity to submit a certified list of successful fund transfers to each payee’s account. The electronic list shall contain the payee’s name, the amount, date of transaction, and bank account number to which the government fund was credited. The electronic list from the AGDB shall have security protocol to ensure its integrity and protection from alteration.

DEFINITION OF TERMS 5.2.2

5.0

The government entity shall establish a system to update its own transaction records or ledger cards, if any (e.g., billing records, member contribution, assessment, taxes, etc.).

Electronic Collection (e-Collection)

For purposes of this Circular, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

4.0

5.2.4

5.1.10 In the case of FBGAs, these guidelines shall be applied in conjunction with the local laws of the host country. In a few cases wherein a portion of this Circular cannot be implemented due to the laws, regulations, and industry practices in the host country, such portion will give way to the latter. In such a case, the FBGA concerned shall notify this Commission for the review of controls, which are needed to compensate for such deviation from these guidelines.

COVERAGE This Circular shall apply to all government entities, including foreignbased government agencies (FBGAs), having e-Collections or e-Payment transactions as described herein, without or less physical interaction with the collecting or disbursing officers and other public officials involved in these transactions. This shall also apply to other private entities authorized to perform governmental functions.

5.3

Government entities shall submit to their respective COA Audit Teams, within 60 days from the effectivity of this Circular and every March 31 thereafter, a Management Representation letter, Annex A hereof, to attest their compliance with the immediately preceding requirement. The non-submission of the Management Representation letter shall be considered as a high-risk indicator for the purpose of conducting information systems (IS) audit.

5.1.5

5.1.7

With the advancement of technology, various payment and collection schemes are now available, such as: electronic fund transfers (EFT), online or mobile banking, credit or debit cards, electronic wallets (e-Wallets), and prepaid or stored value cards. In line with the e-Commerce Act and providing public convenience and ease of doing business, many government entities have resorted to these methods for various types of collection and payment involving government transactions.

Government entities are required to design, implement, and continuously review appropriate internal controls and procedures, including prevention and detection controls over the use of e-Collection and e-Payment Systems to safeguard the interest of the government.

shall be suppletory in application by all government entities covered by this Circular.

6

7

Section 2, Part 1, RA 8792 Section 3, Part 1, RA 8792 Department of Finance Circular No. 01-2017 dated May 11, 2017 Section 1, Article XI, 1987 Constitution.

An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and for the Other Purposes An Act Amending Certain Sections of Republic Act No. 6957, Entitled “An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the Private Sector, and for the Other Purposes” Electronic Commerce Act of 2000 (MS-DEC. 29, 2021)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Entertainment Belle Mariano, Jayda, and Vivoree lead the Christmas special along with other stars from Star Magic, Polaris, Star Hunt, Rise, and Pinoy Big Brother

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

C3

Almost 100 Star Magic artists spread cheer in Yuletide special

A

MID the trying times of today, ChristChrist mas remains a much-awaited, magical occasion for Filipinos. Aside from their loved ones, viewers from here and abroad were able to celebrate Christmas ahead of everyone else together with the brightest Star Magic artists through the Star Magical Christmas: The Star Magic Christmas Special 2021.

A worthwhile prelude to the annual ABS-CBN Christmas Special, Star Magical Christmas event is a fund-raising show for the benefit of Lingkod Kapamilya that was initiated by Star Magic.

Hundreds of netizens joined the first-ever Christmas gather gathering of the Star Magic performers and singers on the online show hosted by Andrei Felix, Sela Guia, and Turs Daza on Dec. 18. The special streamed on the ABS-CBN Entertainment and other selected ABS-CBN YouTube platforms.

Performing together for the first time since their inclusion under the premier talent management arm months back are Star Magic’s sub-talent management groups Polaris, Star Hunt, Rise, and Pinoy Big Brother.

Fulfilling their mission of spreading Christmas cheer, uplifting spirits, and making the audience’s Christmas more magical, Kyle Echarri, Luis Vera Perez, Kurt Mendoza, Rans Rifol, Moira Lacambra, Sela, Drey Brown, Kei Kurosawa, Reich Alim, Krystl Jamilla, and Charles Kieron fired up the dance floor with their numbers. While singers Nyoy Volante, Liezel Garcia, Marlo Mortel, Recio, Angela Ken, Poppert Bernadas, LA Santos, Gian Magdangal, Davey Langit, and Mitoy Yonting serenaded the viewers with the most heartfelt songs.

Giving a virtual version of caroling during the most magical day of the year are Polaris artists Niel Murillo, Anne Lorenzo, Luis Gragera, Anthony Castillo, Shan dela Vega, Reiven

Umali, Vanessa Celestial, Adrian Manibale, JM dela Cer Cerna, Lorraine Galvez, Rachel Gabreza, Nisha Bedana, Anthony Andres, Jerold Tamayo, Psalm Manalo, Wincel Portugal, Anne Tenorio and the TNT Boys, as well as, Bidaman contestants Dan Delgado, JR Baring, and Kristof Garcia.

To remind us to keep reaching our dreams and how Christmas ought to be celebrated were Star Hunt artists composed of Lou Yanong, Kaori Oinuma, Kiara Takahashi, Sky Quizon, Quincy Villanueva, Criza Taa, Lance Carr, Haira Palaguitto, Reign Parani, Luciana Andres, Argel Saycon, Angela Tungol, Abi Kassem, RJ Perkins, Mika Pajares, Liofer Pinatacan, Shawntel Cruz, Gail Devera, Jem Macatuno, Ashley del Mundo, and Tan Roncal.

Christmas is, and always, will be about love. Whether it is love for your craft or for family and special someone, the Rise Artists Studio members Belle Mariano, Vivoree, JC Alcantara, Jayda, Bianca De Vera, Anthony Jennings, Daniella Stranner, Jeremiah Lisbo, Markus Paterson, Karina Bautista, Gello Marquez, Bianca De Vera, CJ Salonga, Esnyrr Ranollo, Gillian Vicencio, Zach Castaneda, Gigi de Lana, and Charlie Dizon showcased to everyone that it is essential to give and receive love during this season.

Finally, completing the jampacked lineup of Star Magic artists are the PBB Kumunity Edition Season 10 housemates. The one of a kind reunion jamming of the current and ex-celebrity housemates KD Estrada, Anji Salvacion, Alexa Ilacad, Kyle Echarri, Madam Inutz, Brenda Mage, Jordan Andrews, Eian Rances, Alyssa Valdez, Samantha Bernardo, Albie Casino, TJ Valderrama, Karen Bordador, John Adajar, Shanaia Gomez, Benedix Ramos, and Chie Filomeno, have highlighted the kind of big love that PBB has been showing all through the years.

Regardless of how tough the situation is right now, Star Magic artists would always find ways to bring some comfort and spark some hope in the hearts of many. All donations gathered from the Star Magical Christmas show would go to its beneficiary, ABS-CBN Foundation’s Sagip Kapamilya (Operation: Odette).

Rise artists Zach Castañeda (left) and CJ Salonga

GMA Regional TV newscasts now on Tiktok LOCAL news matters ern Visayas, and GMA on-air and online. This Regional TV One Mindis why GMA Regional anao; as well as the naTV (RTV) is extending tional newscast Regional its reach of serving the TV News. latest news and informaLikewise, regional tion from various areas morning shows Mornof the Philippines to a ings with GMA Regional wider range of audiencTV, GMA Regional TV es by making waves in Live!, GMA Regional the popular video-sharTV Early Edition, and ing app TikTok. At Home with GMA Re“In GMA Network, we gional TV are also availremain steadfast to our able on TikTok. commitment to deliver “We’ve made the Serbisyong Totoo on-air, content of our various on-ground, and even onGMA RTV newscasts line. This is why GMA and morning shows geoRegional TV continues targeted so that our Kato find ways to bring local puso in the regions can news and information to stay updated with what’s GMA Regional TV Balitang more Kapuso and these Bicolandia is just one of GMA RTV’s happening in their area. include tapping popular newscasts making waves on TikTok. At the same time, these social media platforms videos are all delivered in such as TikTok which is very popular to the their respective dialects which makes it easyoung generation,” says GMA Regional ier for them to relate to,” shares Amoroso.

TV and Synergy First Vice President and “We look forward to giving our younger Head Oliver Victor Amoroso. audience the tools and means to keep themAs of Dec. 17, the regional arm of GMA selves informed about the local news and upNetwork already has cumulative views dates that matter to them wherever they are in of 46,780,523 through its newscasts and the Philippines,” he added. morning shows’ TikTok accounts. These Kapuso in the regions can only expect accounts include award-winning flagship the best TikTok experience from the Platilocal newscasts GMA Regional TV Bali- num Stallion Award’s five-time Best Retang Amianan, GMA Regional TV Bali- gional TV Station as GMA RTV is set to tang Bisdak, GMA Regional TV Balitang roll out more exciting content in the coming Bicolandia, GMA Regional TV One West- days.

Maja Salvador starrer ‘Niña Niño’ premieres on Netflix STARTING tomorrow, viewers are able as many audience as possible. We are to watch TV 5’s family drama Niña very thankful to Cignal Entertainment Niño, topbilled by Maja Salvador and for making Niña Niño available to more Noel Comia, Jr., on the popular stream- and more viewers. This series is truly a gift that keeps on giving,” Jeffrey Vaing platform, Netflix.

“This is an achievement already for dillo, VP of CS Entertainment, added.

Niña Niño follows the story of the sibCS Studios. We are so happy to know that more people will be able to enjoy lings Niña played by Salvador and Niño and watch Niña Niño. More platforms played by Comia who touched the lives just mean, wider audience. We will be of the people of the small village of Sta. able to cater Filipino talents not only Ynez, and moved them through appealhere in the Philippines but worldwide,” ing to faith and the miracles exhibited by Erickson Raymundo, CS Entertain- the healing powers of Niño.

Niña Niño airs every Monday, Tuesment’s president shared in an interview.

As the production arm of CS Enter- day, and Thursday, 7:15 p.m. on TV5. tainment, CS Studios continues to expand and provide quality content on different platforms.

Piolo Pascual on the “We are super proud that Niña set with ‘Niña Niño’ Niño will also be available on lead star Maja Netflix. This Salvador. development is in keeping with our goal in CS Studios which is to provide en-tertaining and meaningful content to

The Star Magic Christmas special is the prelude to the annual ABS-CBN Christmas event and is a fund-raising show for the benefit of Lingkod Kapamilya.

Hero Bautista embraces the holiday spirit

By Robbie Pangilinan CHRISTMAS and New Year are just around the corner and Filipinos everywhere are gearing up for a festive celebration of the holiday season.

Showbiz veteran and Quezon City councilor Hero Bautista and his family are no exception and for the busy politician, director, producer, and businessman, the holidays are the perfect occasion to catch up and spend time with family.

The Baustista siblings make it a point to come together during Christmas eve to celebrate as a family. Each one takes on a specific role to create a family-focused feast.

“I am the one that runs the kitchen dur- The Bautista siblings — Herbert (leftmost), Harlene, and Hero — hold Christmas parties the ing Christmas eve. I take care of the meals way their parents would celebrate this special occasion. and drinks. Meanwhile, my sister Harlene “We had many successful projects this handles the games and desserts. Herbert Tzu puppy so that they’d learn how to be year. We did several feeding programs, a and his children handle the venue and the more responsible,” he said.

Giving gifts is part and parcel of the Fili- free wedding, wheelchair and bike donaexchange gifts,” Hero shared.

In the kitchen, Hero pulls out all the pino Christmas, with godparents showering tions, medical assistance, and other prostops, making family favorites such as their godchildren with gifts every year. For jects. We want to expand this further next spaghetti, Max’s-style fried chicken, Hero though, he is not just a godparent to a year. Meanwhile, I’m also looking into hearty kaldereta, and spicy chicken wings. handful. In fact, he is a godparent to almost new movies and digital online independent The festivities do not stop with family cel- 300 children during their baptism. Further- projects for our production house. There’s more, he is also a sponsor to over 500 cou- also a teleserye which will be launched by ebrations.

Both Hero and Herbert also hold a ples due to a mass wedding held this year in Heaven’s Best soon,’ he said.

With another fulfilling year coming to Christmas party for their staff in the city Quezon City.

“I’m thinking of giving them a rice a close, Hero looks back fondly on the hall, employees of the family-owned production house Heaven’s Best, and house- cooker for Christmas. As for my godchil- memories of his parents which served as the siblings’ guiding pillar. hold staff to celebrate a fruitful year. As dren, whoever comes to our house will “Christmas is a special time for many as 300 people come together for this be given a gift,” he shared.

Hero also wished that the couples us. We fondly remember Mama and event to enjoy a day of celebration and Papa every time the Yuletide fun. Christmas day itself is a day Hero re- he sponsored would have a happy season comes. We strive to serves solely for himself and his children. marriage ahead. “I want them oth make the lives of othBeing a single father has never become a to enjoy life to the fullest. ers better so that we hindrance for him to show the true mean- Think of the good things so can live up to their ing of Christmas – love and time spent that whenever there is an argument, they wouldn’t start motto: Everyone with loved ones. is happy and bless“We would all be together. We would finding faults in one another ed,” Hero ended. attend mass, eat, and open presents to- and it’s resolved by working together. I pray that they put God gether,” he said.

A doting father, Hero takes into consid- first,” he shared.

The end of the year is also a eration the changing interests of his kids time for looking forward. Hero as they grow up when choosing gifts.

Direk Hero Bautista and “For Jaguar, I enjoy spending time with has deployed several projects over his uncle Mario him and since he’s still young, I want to the course of the year and he is Maclang give him some toys. For Issh, it’s going to looking to do more, both as a counbe a guitar. I also want to gift them a Shih cilor and as a producer.

Life

Nickie Wang, Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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ART AND CULTURE

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2021

The gifts that keep on giving I

Noel Cabangun’s virtual concert was for the benefit of Tabang Dinagat Islands.

How local artists banded together and moved to provide aid for the victims of Typhoon Odette F THERE is one thing I admire about Filipino artists, it is their generous soul.

Filipino artists are talented. That is already a given. But their ability to embrace their community while using their talents to give and share is truly commendable.

Simply saying that the COVID-19 pandemic has devastating social and economic effects on the art and cultural sector is an understatement. Since most of the artists and creative professionals are self-employed, they are among those who are hit the hardest by the crisis.

Based on the Philippine Statistics

Shirt For A Cause is a fundraising initiative by the University of the Philippines Foundation.

Authority report in 2020, arts was the top sub-sector with the largest drop in employment, about 73 percent. The National Live Events Coalition reported that there were over 400,000 jobs lost, with approximately P133 billion losses. Enumerating the stats certainly doesn’t paint the whole picture.

Proceeds of Rebeta, Belarmino, IbonMan, and Altarejos’ filmmaking workshop went to provide safe drinking water for Cebu, Leyte, Palawan, Dinagat, Bohol, and Negros.

Artists are yet to return to the stage and galleries, and yet they still have the heart to give back.

••• Days before Christmas, Typhoon Odette ravaged Visayas and Mindanao, bringing with her torrential rains, violent winds, landfalls, and storm surges. The death tolls are rising. The scale of the destruction remains unknown since some of the areas are still inaccessible and the connection and communication lines are still down.

If there’s a silver lining to this natural disaster, it would be that people rally together to provide immediate relief and recovery.

Artists, likewise, heed the call.

Acclaimed visual artist Toym Imao generously donated his artwork and agreed to have it printed on shirts. For every donation of P1,000, you get to help the typhoon victims and receive a limited edition, specially designed shirt.

Filmmakers Arjanmar Rebeta, Arvin Belarmino, Direk IbonMan, and Jay Altarejos conducted a film-

A spiritual haven at SM Grand Central

Designed by Casas + Architects, the 1,025 square -meter chapel has a simple and contemporary, streamlined and yet warm look.

AMIDST the hustle and bustle of the Caloocan City is a calm and serene haven where mallgoers can reflect, refresh, and renew their spirits at the newly opened SM City Grand Central.

At the Our Lady of Most Holy Rosary Chapel in the mall’s fifth level, they can pray, and attend Mass, and other services.

Bishop Pablo Virgilio S. David of the Diocese of Caloocan, who recently assumed the Presidency of the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), led the Eucharistic Mass and Chapel Dedication. He also officiated at the chapel blessing together with members of the Sy Family led by SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy Sr., Carol Sy, and SM En-

gineering Design and Development President Hans “Chico” Sy Jr. Designed by Casas + Architects, the 1,025 square meter chapel has a simple and contemporary, streamlined and yet warm look. An air of quiet solemnity is evident by the use of light neutral colors, travertine stone for altar floor and walls while the general area is in porcelain tiles with the same color tone. The altar is fully molded on a solid surface to establish its contemporary minimal look.

Inspired by traditional period churches, the main doors and pews are in narra with natural varnish.

The ceiling design has sinuous arches

completely lined with lights to showcase its form.

Sacred sculptures of the Crucifix, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary, and St. Joseph are uniquely handcrafted by sculptor Ronald Castrillo; while the 14 stations of the cross in Stained Glass Mosaic Windows are designed by VitreArtus Liturgical Arts.

The chapel also has a choir loft and a children’s room. Felicidad Sy chose to name the chapel after our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary as she is a Marian devotee. The new chapel was built to give thanks and glory to God, and to give back

making workshop and screening, dubbed Tabang VisMin, A Benefit Film Screening and Film Talks for OdettePh on Dec. 23. They screened Nakaw, Santa Nena, Memories of Forgetting, and Palabas. All proceeds went to provide safe drinking water for Cebu, Leyte, Palawan, Dinagat, Bohol and Negros.

Music artist Noel Cabangon held a virtual concert, Dito sa Bahay, Birthday and Christmas Edition, last Dec. 26 for the benefit of Tabang Dinagat Islands.

Through their Artwork for Odette PH Relief Facebook page, some Davao artists are once again calling for support to help bring relief to some places affected by Typhoon Odette. The Facebook page used to be Artworks for Marawi, a donation drive for the Marawi Siege victims.

The artists will be swapping their artworks in exchange for cash or goods to be donated for their partner beneficiar-

ies. They are also calling their fellow artists to donate their artworks such as painting, drawing, prints and/or sculptures. I also saw some individual artists who are doing commissioned portraits/ paintings for a donation.

Of course, I want to remind you to be discerning to avoid being scammed.

While there are generous and selfless people, there are some whose hearts are in the wrong place and take advantage of the grim situation.

••• With the worsening impacts of the environmental crisis, this might be an opportune time to renew the call for Climate Change. With the Philippines in the typhoon path, we really need to take this seriously.

According to Yeb Sano, Greenpeace Southeast Asia-Philippines executive director, these typhoons will get worse, more unpredictable, and more destructive should we remain merely reactionary to the climate crisis.

Book launch presents 22 titles written in various local languages THE Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) published this month a collection of 22 books written in various local languages.

In an event held on Dec. 16 at the Bulwagang Romualdez in Malacañang Palace, KWF publicly presented the new titles to highlight Philippine literature as proof that the Filipino language can be effective in conveying both creative and intellectual pursuits.

“It is a way of storing knowledge in various disciplines and to underscore that Filipino is the language of writing and research,” KWF noted in vernacular.

Here is the list of books launched: Babasahing Pangkasarian (Moreal Camba, editor), Bungsod nga Gipangguba (Sulpicio Osorio), Lingguwistikong Etnograpiya (Wikang Asi), Lingguwistikong Etnograpiya (Wikang Bikol), Lingguwistikong Etnograpiya (Wikang Iguwak), Birtuwal: Mga Bago at Piling Tula (Gerome Dela Peña), Ugnayan: kaisipan, Kalinangan, Lipunan (Voltaire Villanueva), Nananalamin: Tatlong

Dulang Sumasalamin sa Kontemporaneong Pamilya (Sonny Valencia), Mahiwagang Bulong sa Sinapupunan ng Himpapawid (Raul Funilas), Cubao Ilalim: Unang aklat (Tony Perez), Labas: Mga Dula sa Labas ng Sentro (Reuel M. Aguila), Diskors Pangmidya at Literatura (Teresita Fortunato), Batang Mandirigma at Lima pang Dula (Arthur P. Casanova), Mga Kuwentong-bayan ng Timog Cordillera (Jimmy B. Fong), Problemang Mindanao: Ugat at Pagunawa (Abraham P. Sakili), Manwal ng Bahay-wika, Padayon sa Pagtindog (John Iremil Teodoro, ed.), Patnubay sa Korespondensiya Opisyal, Kalipunan ng mga Dulang Akdang Mindanawon (Arthur P. Casanova), Kulintangan at Gandingan (Mubarak M. Tahir), Margosatubig (Ramon Muzones), and Mga Salawikaing Pampolitika (Sheilee Vega).

The book launch also streamed on the Facebook pages of Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM), National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

The Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) launched a total of 22 titles written in various local languages.

An air of solemnity is evident in the chapel’s modern, minimalist interiors.

At the unveiling of the Chapel Marker are Most Reverend Pablo Virgilio ‘Bishop Ambo’ S. David, D.D, (right), SM Prime Holdings Executive Committee Chairman Hans Sy Sr. (middle), and wife Carol Sy (left).

to the religious community.

Apart from the Chapel of The Most Holy Rosary in SM City Grand Central, SM has opened chapels at SM City North Edsa, SM Megamall and SM Aura, as well as the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life at the Mall of Asia Complex and the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod in SM Seaside in Cebu.

The Chapel of Our Lady of The Most

Holy Rosary located at the fifth level of SM City Grand Central can house an estimate of 1,000 patrons and daily mass at 12:15 p.m., anticipated mass at 5:00 p.m., and Sunday mass at 12:15 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

The administration and management of the chapel will be under the supervision of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kalookan under Reverend Father Paul Nicklaus C. Woo.