engagements’ seen

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is in Indonesia today for the 42nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Labuan Bajo, high in the hope there would be productive engagements with his counterparts in the economic alliance.

He returned recently from a weeklong visit in the United States, where he met with US President Joe Biden, and the United Kingdom for the coronation of King Charles 3rd. .

The ASEAN Summit will kick off with an opening ceremony today, followed by a plenary session.

“A series of interfaces among ASEAN leaders and representatives and/or delegates of relevant ASEAN bodies are scheduled on the same day,” Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Teresita Daza told Palace reporters earlier on.

The 65-year-old President is expected to join other ASEAN leaders in various discussions on community building efforts and various pressing issues in the region.

In his departure statement Tuesday, Mr. Marcos said: “I look forward to our productive engagements, to our always productive engagements with our ASEAN partners.

During the summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns like the developments in the South China Sea only as single nations but as this political (alliance) that is ASEAN.” like the developments in the South China Sea, the situation in Myanmar, and major power rivalry in the Asia-Pacific region.

The chief executive stressed that joining regional summits like this one gives him optimism as “there seems to be a very clear area of commonality” among member nations.

“I am always optimistic because all the interactions that we have had with the different leaders of ASEAN member states and for that matter APEC and all the APEC Plus conferences that we’ve had there seems to be a very clear area of commonality,” he said.

In its December 1, 2021 decision, the Court denied the petition for review on certiorari filed by the City of Makati that assailed the resolution dated March 8, 2017 and the resolution dated October 3, 2017 of the Court of Appeals.

The High Court reinstated with modification the July 8, 2011 decision of the Regional Trial Court of Pasig as follows:

1) Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, consisting of Parcels 3 and 4, is confirmed to be part of the territory of Taguig City.

2) The Writ of Preliminary Injunction dated August 2, 1994 issued by the RTC of Pasig, explicitly referring to Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio, be made permanent insofar as it enjoined the municipality, now Makati City, from exercising jurisdiction over, making improvements on, or otherwise treating as part of its territory, Parcels 3 and 4, comprising Fort Bonifacio.

3. Makati City must pay the costs of the suit.

The dispute goes back to 1993, when Taguig filed a complaint against Makati before the Pasig RTC in connection with their territorial dispute over the areas comprising the Enlisted Men’s Barangays and the entirety of Fort Bonifacio. Makati City elevated the matter to the CA and, ultimately, to the High Court.

By Richard Orsino

THE Supreme Court has decided with finality on the disputed 729-hectare Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation where the Bonifacio Global City is and some other barangays in Makati City are under the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City.

In a two-page resolution, the high court gave credence to the historical, documentary and testimonial evidence presented by Taguig.

“We find that Taguig presented evidence that is more convincing and worthier of belief than those proffered by Makati,” the Supreme Court stated in its resolution.

The legal battle between Makati and Taguig over the territory in question lasted for three decades.

The case was first heard in the Regional Trial Court and then before the Court of Appeals until it reached the Supreme Court which has decided and recognized that Taguig City is the rightful local government who has jurisdiction over the territory in question.

Now that the legal battle is over, the residents in the middle of the two conflicting LGUs are hoping their situation will soon be fixed to ensure continuous public service.

I agree with the appeal of former Makati Vice Mayor Ernesto Mercado when he released a statement directly pertaining to the local government of Makati and Taguig to respect the decision of the Supreme Court being the “final arbiter of the law,” and for the local government officials to work to-

“We have the resources to bring about a transformative, lively, and caring city. We will not get tired of doing good, for we are assured that in time we will have a harvest.

“Our immediate task at hand is to work on the transition without hampering public service. Towards this end, we shall work hand in hand with our good neighbor, the City of Makati.

“We will forge ahead in assuming new responsibilities, conscious that the benefits of this monumental legal victory should redound to all the barangays of Taguig and to all sectors of the city.

“We are thinking big for our beloved City. With the Lord’s blessings, we will make things happen.”

Meanwhile, Makati second motion to elevate the case to the SC en banc is not likely to prosper.

One, the decision is now final and executory; this was confirmed by the SC spokesperson himself.

Two, the judgment says that no further motions, pleadings, letters or communication will be entertained.

Three, there is already an entry of judgment.

And four, all parties must respect the decision which the SC itself rendered after decades of litigation, and after weighing all the evidence.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

“This is a continuation of the process that we had begun where deriving from the idea and the principle and the concept of ASEAN Centrality in the face of the challenges we have to answer not

BIKING as a means of transportation in cities exploded in popularity during the pandemic, and more people are adopting it to cope with the high prices of transportation and other goods, with inflation going as high as 8.7 percent last January under this administration.

A subsector of the biking community is the women’s biker community, a rapidly growing movement providing an opportunity for Filipino women to gain a sense of independence, beat traffic, and help save the environment while getting exercise.

Going by the feedback on biking forums, the number of female biker commuters in the Philippines seems to be increasing in major cities, providing real and tangible benefits such as helping to reduce traffic and air pollution.

Even though biking is not a customary means of transportation in the Philippines, it provides women with a reliable way to get around.

It also has economic benefits, as women can save money on travel costs and cut travel time by skirting traffic.

Biking also provides an alternative form of transportation to walking, which is often seen as dangerous in some areas.

Biking can also offer a sense of freedom, as women can get away from a traditional form of travel and explore more parts of their cities and surroundings.

To get support and advice from fellow bikers, women bike commuters have formed online communities such as the Pinay Bike Commuter Community (PBCC) on Facebook. Founded by Jamaria ‘Geri’ Amarnani, the private group now has over 6,500 members.

Members use PBCC for a wide variety of purposes, such as sharing tips on biking safety, bike-friendly establishments, biking with kids, troubleshooting and bike repair, negotiating inclines and rough terrain, finding the best routes to destinations, and other topics, as well as inviting fellow bikers to biking events and long-distance bike rides.

Many heard him say his participation will serve to promote and protect the interest of the country, including efforts towards economic growth, attaining food and energy security security, promoting trade and investment, combating transnational crimes like the trafficking in persons, and protecting migrant workers in crisis situations.

During the summit, ASEAN leaders are expected to exchange views on pressing issues of common concerns

Mr. Marcos will also participate in the 15th Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA), as well as various interfaces with ASEAN leaders with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary assembly and representatives of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, ASEAN Youth and the High-Level Task Force on the ASEAN Community Post 2025 Vision.

We know he will have the opportunity to highlight the importance of strengthening cooperation in the BIMPEAGA sub-region to sustain its thriving economy; the strong partnership between the executive and legislative bodies of ASEAN; the role of private sector and the youth in advancing growth and shaping the future of the ASEAN Vision.

Pinay bikers unite

ing pennies. Her transportation expenses increased during the pandemic, so she decided to buy a bike to save money and avoid taking public transportation, also reducing her risk of contracting the coronavirus.

She wrote that she reaped many unforeseen benefits: “Hindi lang ako nakatipid, marami pa akong naging bagong kaibigan, nabawasan ang aking timbang, lumakas ang cardio, at nakarating kung saan-saan.

I love biking! I will definitely do this until I get old.”

Corinna, 40, who blogs at ‘Two Wheels, Three Hearts’ was inspired by moms in the Netherlands and Japan who take their young children around on a bike. After doing some research, she bought a Japanese surplus bike and child carriers for her two daughters.

“And guess what?” she wrote. “We but not enough to make her stop biking.

“We should support advocacies and movements,” wrote Karla, “that would help make the city bike friendly. We all need to learn to share the road especially now that public transportation isn’t really the best option for people.” gether for a “smooth transition” and orderly transfer of affected residents who were previously Makati residents but will now become legitimate Taguigeños.

One high-profile biking enthusiast is Sen. Pia Cayetano, who authored Senate Bill No. 1290 or the Walkable and Bikeable Communities Act, also known as the Safe Pathways Act. It was passed by the Senate in September 2022.

It provides for a network of bicycle lanes and walkways for pedestrians, child strollers, and other children’s mobility equipment.

However, there is no news on this more recent than last year.

The Senate bill is just one measure that can help.

Those city mayors who are proactive and pro-people can, in advance of national legislation, create safe biking pathways, and traffic authorities can create ‘bike boxes’ on roads where bikers can wait in front of cars.

Many solutions that can help bikers boil down to political will, common sense, and putting the people’s welfare ahead.

It’s time we created a biking culture similar to that in countries such as the Netherlands, Japan, and Denmark (and China before they got capitalism).

As it is, in terms of road and traffic systems, we are 50 years behind the Global North.

It is clear that Taguig City now covers Fort Bonifacio including Barangay Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo and Pitogo as well as the Philippine Army headquarters, Navy installation, Marines’ headquarters, Consular area, JUSMAG area, Heritage Park, Libingan ng mga Bayani, AFP Officers Village and six other villages adjacent to it.

(The author is a retired executive who worked for three decades in the telecommunications industry.)

Members also create hyper-localized chat groups that bring together bikers from certain geographical locations.

The biking community in general also has their own terms such as ‘ahon’ for going uphill, ‘lusong’ for going downhill, and ‘kapadyak’ for fellow biker.

There is no typical profile of a woman bike commuter because they come from all walks of life and a wide range of ages; diversity prevails.

Many of them have shared their stories on the pages of PBCC under #pinaybikecommuterstory. Here are a few of the many inspiring stories of the ‘KakaBIKEihan.’ Jules, 37, is a single mom and is watch- found that not only was it possible to bike in this metropolis, it was mostly even better than taking a car. We’ve been to neighboring cities, ridden over 20 km in one go, and I’m only getting stronger.”

She is also one of the many advocates for improved policy and infrastructure for biking to make it “possible [for] a lot more people.”

Teya is a cancer warrior, has had four surgeries, and is on hormone therapy for life to prevent recurrence. Her experiences limited her mobility at first, but then she decided to take up biking, with her doctor’s permission.

“Since then,” she wrote, “I gained my athletic prowess once again.”

Currently, women bikers in the Philippines face a number of challenges that can make biking more difficult, if not outright dangerous. These include inadequate bike lanes and harassment by male bikers and thieves on the road.

Karla, 32, recounts that she was changing lanes when she was hit by a motorcycle behind her that decided to overtake. The guy didn’t even stop.

“I had enough lights to be visible,” she wrote. “I did my hand signal, I looked at the vehicle behind me and I know it was all good.” The incident traumatized her,

We are only now developing a connected network of elevated roads and trains, whereas developed nations are making their cities more walkable and taking down concrete infrastructure to make way for the return of nature to urban areas.

Returning to the topic of Pinay bikers, it is important to give them support for multiple reasons. As we learned from the PBCC stories, not only does biking provide women with increased independence and economic benefits, but it also helps to promote environmental sustainability and good health.

More importantly, it sends a strong message of equality and inclusivity, which is essential to create a more just and equitable society.

To help bring this about, the Philippine government must pass laws, create infrastructure, and provide resources to support bike commuting, and, with the private sector, should promote biking not only as an individual form of transportation but also as a sport, a culture, and a form of exercise among more Filipinos.

* * * Dr. Ortuoste is a board member of PEN Philippines, member of the Manila Critics Circle, and judge of the National Book Awards. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com