Manila Standard - 2023 May 17 - Wednesday

FOR STABBING OF BILIBID INMATE

DOJ: Teves comes home today

Remulla

By Rey E. Requejo

cites ‘reliable source’; solon’s side denies it

SUSPENDED Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. is expected to return to the country today, possibly ending over two months of staying abroad after the expiration of his official travel last March 9, Justice Secretary Jesus Remulla said yesterday.

Frasco: PH still open to tourists amid surging COVID cases

By Vince Lopez and Rio N. Araja

TOURISM Secretary Christina Frasco said on Tuesday that the Philippines will continue to open up to travel and tourism despite a spike in COVID-19 cases.

At a Palace press briefing, Frasco said the country would continue to move forward even as the number of infections rose to more than 12,000 from May 8 to May 14.

“The pandemic is over according to the WHO (World Health Organization). That’s why while we continue to sup port the Department of Health’s measures as well as ensure the health and safety of our fellow Filipinos, the direction for the Philippines is forward and that is to ensure that

PBBM okays tourism dev’t plan until 2028

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday approved the National Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028, which will serve as a blue print for the country’s tourism industry.

At a Palace briefing, Tourism Secretary Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia-Frasco announced the plan’s approval at a sectoral meeting.

“This NTDP is the result of consultation among the Tourism Coordinating Council as well as our various tourism stakeholders from our regions all over the Philippines. The NTDP shall serve as the blueprint and the development framework

WORLD CUP KIT. The Philippine Women’s Football team models the kit or uniforms Adidas designed for them for the Filipinas’ stint in the 2023 FIFA World Cup at the BGC Ampitheatre in Taguig City on Tuesday. PHWomensFA via Twitter

High-level team off to Kuwait talks, preaches patience on workers’ ban

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE high-level team dispatched by the government to Kuwait will hold exploratory talks with their counterparts from the Gulf state, but this does not guarantee that the entry ban for new Filipino workers will be lifted immediately.

“We have to explore our options. The meetings will be exploratory talks

first,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega said in a radio interview. “I hope our countrymen will understand that we cannot guarantee the return of normal deployment of our skilled workers right away. We have to prioritize attaining justice and the protection of our fellow Filipinos working as househelps,” he added.

Citing a “very reliable source,” Remula made the disclosure in a hastily called press conference a day before the National Bureau of Investigation is set to formally file a complaint against Teves today (Wednesday) in connection with the killing of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo and nine others last March 4.

“He’s usually a very reliable

source for those who come in and out of the country... (He) may have access to flight data into the country,” the Justice chief said of his source. Teves’ lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, declined to comment on Remulla’s statement. He later said in a TV Patrol report that his client’s return was “fake news.”

rides the shoulders of Gilas Pilipinas after the men’s basketball team regained the gold medal – and regional hoops pride -- against host Cambodia at the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh on May 16. Justin Brownlee (32) led the Filipinos with 23 points (see full story in Sports page C1) AFP

Text scammers have ‘re-programmed’ tack DICT

DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)

Secretary Ivan Uy on Tuesday warned the public that text scammers have “reprogrammed” their approach to sending messages to capture personal information online.

Uy, in a press briefing in Malacañang, said scammers are sending fake links for SIM registration as bait for potential victims.

Court sustains decision on big Subic drug case

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Supreme Court has sustained the decision issued by the Office of the Secretary of Justice reversing the dismissal by the City Prosecutor Of Olongapo of the P6.2 billion drug complaint filed against the alleged members of a big-time drug syndicate operating in Subic.

“Those text scams have increased again, but most of them now have redirected...or re-programmed their approach. They are cheating by asking people: ‘Have you registered your SIM card? If you haven’t yet, click this link,’ and you go to their site, which is a fake site,” he said.

Uy said scammers are able to capture subscribers’ data if they key in their information on the provided fake link.

“They also have exploited (the same modus) with respect to e-wallets – you will receive a text purportedly coming from your e-wallet provider: If you have already registered a SIM card, you have to re-register in the e-wallet in order to be able to activate it,’” he said.

“Do not fall for these scams,” Uy added.

He urged Filipino subscribers to register their SIM cards before

Tourism Secretary Cristina Garcia-Frasco

GOLDEN GILAS. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser (45) exults and coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes

mst.daydesk@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023 A2 NEWS

DOJ indicts Bantag for stabbing

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice has approved the indictment of former Bureau of Corrections Director General Geraldo Q. Bantag and former security officer Ricardo S. Zulueta for the stabbing in 2022 of two persons deprived of liberty at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

In a statement, the DOJ’s panel of prosecutors said the charges will be filed before the Muntinlupa City regional trial court (RTC) after they found probable cause to hold Bantag and Zulueta criminally liable for the stabbing of two PDLs.

Both Bantag and Zulueta have been ordered arrested on two counts of murder each for the killings of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and PDL

IN BRIEF

Lawmakers to study emergency powers

Cristito Villamor Palana, the alleged middleman in the slaying of the journalist.

They have neither surrendered nor been arrested since the arrest orders were issued by the Las Pinas City RTC and the Muntinlupa City RTC.

The DOJ said the new criminal charges against Bantag and Zulueta were the results of the preliminary investigation conducted on complaints filed by NBP PDLs Ronald

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

for the tourism industry for the duration of the Marcos administration,” she said.

The Tourism chief said the plan focuses on giving the Philippines a chance to become a “tourism powerhouse.”

“These objectives involve not simply the promotion of the Philippines, which we will continue domestically and internationally but also, more importantly, addressing the essential issues of tourism development, including the development of infrastructure, connectivity, as well as digitalization, the equalization of tourism product development and promotion, the enhancement of the overall tourism experience as well as the strengthening of tourism governance,” Frasco said.

Frasco said the plan would also serve as a guide for regions across the Philippines “to spread countrywide development through tourism,” adding that this will also provide jobs to Filipinos.

Frasco said the tourism industry earned P1.74 trillion in 2022 as a composite of domestic visitor seats as well as foreign visitor receipts and also generated at least 5.2 million local jobs.

By 2028, the DOT expects to have accumulated a total of 51.9 million tourist arrivals and 34.7 million tourism-related jobs.

Department Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy promised that the agency would extend support to DOT on this tourism plan, specifically on connection issues.

“The DICT’s role here is to really support the Department of Tourism in its effort in establishing the Philippines as one of the primary tourist destinations around the world. And one of the challenges really in promoting and establishing that position for the Philippines is its issues on digitalization and connectivity,” Uy said.

“Secretary Frasco provided us initially with the list of about 94 tourist destinations that have connectivity challenges,” Uy said. He said in a few months, 46 of these representing major tourist sites would enjoy free internet connectivity.

From

The team left Monday for the Middle Eastern country.

Among its members are DFA Assistant Secretary for Middle East and African Affairs Mardomel Melicor and Ariel Javier; Department of Migrant Workers Assistant Secretary for Migrant Workers Welfare Services Felicitas Bay and Assistant Secretary for Public Policy and International Cooperation Mario Zinampan; and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration head Arnell Ignacio.

“We can always resolve things through diplomacy but not at the expense of national pride and honor. After all, the safety and welfare of our kababayans are at stake,” De Vega said.

In a House hearing Monday, De Vega and Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary Hans Cacdac said keeping shelters for runaway and abused Filipino workers in Kuwait is a “non-negotiable” for the Philippines.

“Our shelters have to remain as it is in the law passed by Congress. Let’s make other compromises but not close down the shelter,” De Vega said.

Cacdac said no OFW should be hurt, raped, physically assaulted, or killed at the hands of their employers in Kuwait.

S. Usman and Jonathan C. Escopete, both of whom are serving life imprisonment for the sale of dangerous drugs.

“In a resolution dated 02 May 2023, the DOJ State Prosecutors found probable cause to indict respondent Bantag for two (2) counts of physical torture and mental/psychological torture under Section 4(a) and Section 4(b)(2) and/or (12) of Republic Act No. 9745, while respondent Zulueta is charged as an accessory thereof,” the DOJ said.

“Also, DOJ State Prosecutors found probable cause to indict respondent Bantag for two counts of serious physical injuries under Article 263 of the Revised Penal Code,” it added.

It also said the prosecutors recommended to the DOJ’s Technical Division

to administratively charge the two former BuCor officials for grave misconduct.

“The cases stemmed from the stabbing incident on 01 February 2022 when respondent Bantag summoned the complainants and other PDL kumanders inside the NBP to go to his office. Escopete alleged that respondent Bantag stabed him in his left thigh. On the other hand, Usman stated that he was stabbed in his right hand which caused his middle finger to be paralyzed,” the DOJ said.

It said that “Usman and Escopete presented PDL kumanders who witnessed the stabbing incidents: Nicanor M. Dimaiwat, Jr., Richard B. Gabriel, Fromencio T. Enacmal, Conrado S. Ramos, Jr., and Ferlito V. Ayok.”

THE House of Representatives committee on energy will study the proposal to grant the President the power to implement temporary measures during an electric power crisis or when prices are surging.

This was disclosed yesterday during the hearing of the committee chaired by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

The proposal is among the proposed amendments being pushed by the Department of Energy (DOE) to Republic Act 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).

The DOE proposal submitted to the committee includes a provision allowing the government to issue “temporary measures” to protect consumers against surcharges in electricity or when power supply is critically low.

DEPARTMENT of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian

vowed to strengthen the government’s interventions to break the cycle of poverty

as he got the nod of the powerful Commission on Appointments yesterday.

He said the department will particularly strengthen the 4Ps program as well as livelihood interventions under the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and KALAHI-CIDSS.

These will ensure that beneficiaries who were assisted by the DSWD will no longer go back to being poor, Gatchalian said.

“Once they graduate from 4Ps, they’re

DOJ:... From

“We have no comment as of this time. We will just (wait for) events to show whether or not the information of the good Secretary is reliable or not,” Topacio told Manila Standard in a message.

Because of Teves’ anticipated return, Remulla said law enforcement agencies have already been placed on alert in order to avoid any untoward incident upon his arrival.

However, he clarified that Teves will not be arrested as there is still no standing warrant of arrest against the lawmaker yet.

“Law enforcement agencies have been placed on alert so he can be secured properly, so we would not be surprised by the arrival,” Remulla said.

The notice issued by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) could have prompted Teves to consider returning to the country, Remulla said.

now called non-poor. They will be in the near-poor line, or families making P15,000 to P18,000 (monthly) supposedly.

(But) we saw during the COVID pandemic that one shock – a death in the family, a lockdown, or a natural disaster – will slip them back to poverty,” he said.

He said there are multiple studies from the Asian Development Bank that say that near-poor Filipinos should already be considered poor.

“So now we’re about to share P16 billion – if I’m not mistaken – for our 4Ps graduates as well as our near-poor,” he said. Gatchalian vowed to continue the DSWD’s social protection programs.

The social welfare chief was scruti-

Teves flew to the United States days before the attack on Degamo’s property. He has since transferred to TimorLeste, which last week denied his application for political asylum. He was also rumored to have gone to Cambodia and South Korea.

“He’s already on Interpol notice and things are becoming more difficult for Mr. Teves to go around. That’s what was told to me by my reliable sources,” Remulla said.

“He will likely return, most probably because it’s difficult to go around the world now when you’re already on Interpol notice and it’s already known in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) that he’s a subject of designation as a terrorist. So, things have become more difficult, I suppose,” the DOJ chief added.

Remulla said Teves’ return would give the latter an opportunity to formally answer the cases against him.

“It means he can answer the process

COVID-19 cases increased by 31 percent from May 8 to 14.

nized by some CA members on the policy programs and reforms of the department and the status of his case before the Ombudsman regarding housing cooperatives when he was still the mayor of Valenzuela City, among others.

Sen. JV Ejercito, for his part, recalled working with Gatchalian, saying he was “amazed” with how the latter turned Valenzuela City into a “yardstick” of local governance.

“I recommend Sec. Rex [for DSWD] not only because of his governance but also because of his innovative programs,” Ejercito said.

Sen. Bong Go also expressed his support for Gatchalian’s confirmation.

of law. If a case is filed against him (today) then it can be immediately served to him. That can run accordingly and the cases be resolved by the panel of prosecutors based on his counter-affidavit,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, Degamo’s widow said she already expected the possible recantations of suspect-witnesses in the assassination of her husband.

“Even from the start, I was also already informed by my lawyers that that is something we should also expect. It (recantation) didn’t come unexpected,” said Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo in an interview on dzBB.

Remulla on Monday said the filing of murder complaints against Teves has been pushed back because six to seven suspects-turned-witnesses have been advised by their lawyers not to cooperate.

“We are expecting the worst scenario. But we are still very confident that we will make it,” Mayor Degamo said. With Rio N. Araja

to be wearing their face masks.”

“The President may, upon the recommendation of the DOE, issue a declaration of electric power crisis in times of critically low electricity supply or unusually high electricity prices,” the proposed amendment reads. Maricel V. Cruz

CAAP: Airspace shutdown finalized

THE scheduled shutdown of Philippine airspace early Wednesday for replacement and repairs has been finalized, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The CAAP is set to replace the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) units at its air traffic management center from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Wednesday, May 17, to avoid a repeat of the New Year’s Day aviation meltdown last January, ABS-CBN News reported.

The CAAP said it has been practicing how to replace the UPS units over the past three days to make sure it would be done within the 2-hour window.

“Starting midnight tonight, everybody will be here,” CAAP Deputy Director General for Operations Captain Edgardo Diaz, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said.

CAAP said shutting down the Philippine airspace was necessary to ensure the safety of all aircraft and passengers flying to and from the country.

OFW falls to death from window in HK

THE Philippine Consulate in Hong Kong confirmed that a Filipino domestic worker died on Monday after falling off a window she was cleaning.

Reports from Hong Kong media said that the 38-year-old Filipina allegedly fell from the 18th floor of an apartment building in Kowloon.

we continue to open up the country to travel and tourism as is the direction set by our President,” Frasco said.

“Of course, all the minimum health and safety standards are in place,” she said, noting that Department of Tourism-accredited establishments comply with these standards.

Early this month, the World Health Organization said COVID-19 no longer represents a global health emergency.

Despite this, Department of Health (DOH) officer-in-charge Maria Rosario Vergeire has called on the public not to be complacent as the pandemic is still not over.

Earlier, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the COVID-19 Health Emergency has lapsed following its expiration in December 2022.

The DOH reported on Monday that the country’s daily average of new

In its latest case bulletin, the agency recorded 1,773 daily infections, which is 421 higher than the 1,352 recorded between May 1 to 7.

Additionally, there were 12,414 new cases in the past week.

To date, the country has logged more than 4.1 million coronavirus cases and 66,453 deaths since January 2020.

Despite the tourism push, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said his city would reimpose the mandatory use of face masks to curb an increase in infections.

The city is logging an average of 13 to 14 COVID cases a day, Magalong said.

“We need to observe again the minimum health standards, especially the wearing of masks. So we are reimposing their use here at city hall and other government offices, especially indoors,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English in a video post on Facebook. “We’re now requiring our constituents and visitors

Church leaders have also been asked to reimpose the mask mandate, he said. Meanwhile, the Quezon City government urged residents to report if they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or if they have come in close contact with individuals who have tested positive.

“We highly encourage our people to continue reporting cases so we can effectively reach out to them and provide necessary assistance. This collaborative effort will help us mitigate the spread of the virus and further reduce the number of cases,” City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit head Dr. Rolly Cruz said.

Amid an increase in the number of infections in the city, he reminded residents to adhere to health protocols and advised people who are feeling unwell or experiencing symptoms such as fever, a cough or runny nose, to immediately isolate themselves for a period of five days and refrain from leaving their homes or going to work.

Philippine consul general Raly Tejada, quoted by ABS-CBN News, said Hong Kong police were investigating the incident, as the city’s laws ban employers from asking their household helpers to clean windows without adequate safety precautions.

“This is such a deplorable tragedy because the Hong Kong government itself has banned window cleaning since 2017, as they are aware that this is unsafe and very dangerous,” Tejada said.

the July 26 deadline to put an end to scammers defrauding people through text messages.

massive

cover-up in a case involving 900

kilos of shabu worth P6.7 billion.

In the Olongapo case, the Supreme Court’s Second Division dismissed the petition filed by Rudy Chua and Cai Changcheng, two of the accused in the drug complaint, seeking the reversal of the Court of Appeals’ decision dated July 17, 2012 and resolution dated Nov. 14, 2012.

In that ruling, the appellate court found no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the secretary of Justice in reversing the city prosecutor’s dismissal of the complaint and ordering the filing of charges against Chua, Changcheng, and several others.

Court records showed that on May 25, 2008, a security guard of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) flagged down a Mitsubishi Outlander with Plate No. RAE 615 driven by Anthony “Anton” Ang, part-owner of import-export firm Hualong International, Inc. (Hualong)

During the inspection, the driver failed to show documents authorizing them to bring out the cargoes, which were earlier seen being unloaded from a docked Chinese-registered cargo ship FIB Shun Fa Xing. Ang was then brought to the office of Internal Affairs General Assignment Service for investigation.

When questioned, Ang refused to open the boxes and claimed that they merely contained sensitive computer parts.

Ang was later allowed to leave the office after committing to produce the necessary documents, but he failed to return.

When the boxes were opened, they were found to contain 40 transport plastic packs containing a white crystalline substance and weighing 81.95 kilos, which later tested positive for shabu, a dangerous drug.

On May 28, 2008, two bags containing 10 vacuum-sealed packs of the same substances were recovered by divers of the Subic Dry Dock, which later yielded positive results for shabu with a weight of 20.49 kilos.

On the same day, the operatives of the Presidential Anti-Smuggling GroupTask Force Subic (Task Force) received information that a dark blue Toyota Hi-Ace with plate number UKU-699

parked inside a warehouse owned by Anglo Asia Commodity Corporation (Anglo Asia) contained similar boxes as those earlier seized.

The operatives proceeded to the warehouse and confiscated 60 boxes containing five packs of shabu weighing 612.22 kilograms.

Enrique L. Ong, manager of Anglo Asia, admitted that he was instructed by Ang and Ang’s wife Estrella Ang (Estrella), operations manager of Hualong, to allow Rolando Labandelo, the driver of the vehicle, to park inside the warehouse.

It was also revealed during the investigation that Estrella notified the Seaport Department of SBMA of the arrival of the cargo vessel F/B Shun Fa Xing, which contained the dangerous drugs later seized.

Manalo bats for stable security in Indo-Pacific

By Rey E. Requejo

FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique

Manalo on Tuesday urged Japan to ensure that the security architecture in the Indo-Pacific would maintain trust and confidence among parties as the USChina rivalry rages.

In a speech at a forum in Japan, Manalo stressed that such regional architecture “must empower diplomacy and the rule of law to prevail over any influence engaging in coercion, intimidation, the use and threat of use of force in violation” of the United Nations Charter.

The country’s top diplomat made the appeal as he said the Philippines and Japan, along with South Korea, “share a commonality which no other nation in Asia possesses.”

“Our treaty alliance with the United States, our historic and important relationship with America stands alongside our huge economic relationship with China,” he said at the forum held upon the invitation of Japan’s National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).

Manalo counts on Japan to work with the Philippines to continue engaging both China and the United States “constructively,” as well as “support calls for Beijing and Washington to responsibly manage their strategic rivalry.”

“Whilst every now and then, current and future challenges and transformations may make it seem that the relationship is treading on unfamiliar ground, the Philippines and Japan can always draw on the strength of our enduring values underpinning our Strategic partnership,” he stressed.

“Thus, [it can] chart a solid course towards mutual benefit, peace, and prosperity for our peoples in the years and decades to come,” Manalo said.

Marcos confers rank of Datu to S’porean envoy

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. conferred the rank Datu (Grand Cross) to outgoing Singaporean Ambassador Gerard Ho Wei during the diplomat’s visit to Malacanang on Tuesday.

The President also cited Ho’s achievements in further strengthening ties between the two countries, and conveyed his “heartfelt appreciation” for all that Ho has done for the Philippines during his stint in Manila.

The Chief Executive particularly noted the increase in trade and investment from Singapore that were palpably felt in the Philippines during Ho’s tenure.

Marcos conferred on Ho the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu (Grand Cross) Silver Distinction in recognition of the envoy’s “significant contributions in strengthening the partnership and overall relations between the Philippines and Singapore.”

Among Ambassador Ho’s notable contributions as read in the citation include his support and facilitation of numerous governmentto-government cooperation agreements in the areas of economic, security and people-to-people; his efforts to obtain and provide humanitarian assistance to the country in times of naturaldisasters and during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; and his initiatives to foster amity and mutual appreciation between the peoples of the Philippines and Singapore, among others.

AI seen to contribute 12% of PH GDP by 2030—DTI

THE Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry could potentially contribute 12 percent of the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, a Trade official said on Tuesday.

At an online forum by the Stratbase ADR Institute, Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said AI could likely contribute $92 billion to the GDP in seven years.

An AI roadmap has been developed, with the belief that the industry will uplift Filipinos and Filipino industries, he said.

“Make the Philippines an AI center of excellence. AI adoption can enable the country to tap vast opportunities,” Aldaba said.

She added that one of the recommendations of the AI roadmap is building a Center for AI Research. It will be a public-private partnership hub for data scientists and researchers to perform collaborative AI research, development, and technology application.

“The center would focus on key areas utilizing AI such as precision farming to improve productivity of the agriculture sector and increase incomes of farmers, smart manufacturing, healthcare services, AI-powered business process

IN BRIEF

Pangandaman assumes post at Bataan freeport

MOHAMMED Hussein Pangandaman reported for work for the very first time on Monday as the new administrator of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB).

outsourcing, smart cities, and resilient technology,” Aldaba said.

“It’s gonna unlock a lot of business modes that were not economical, not sustainable, or even not imaginable in the past,” said Jokin Aboitiz, head of corporate services of Aboitiz Power, at the recent AI summit in Pasay City.

Organizers of the meeting said AI is the future and can benefit the Philippines.

Both Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma and Economic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan likewise cited AI technology in the Philippines. They said while there may be some initial job losses, AI will also create new jobs to offset this.

BUCOR CHIEF CALLS ON SPEAKER.

Bureau of Corrections director general Gregorio Catapang Jr. (left) calls on Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez at the House of Representatives. Ver Noveno

Former Pandan mayor takes over as SBMA chair

By Butch Gunio

SUBIC Bay Freeport—Former Mayor

Jonathan Tan of Pandan, Antique has formally assumed his post as chairman and administrator of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) in a turnover ceremony on Tuesday at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center.

SBMA director Tomas Lahom III handed over the SBMA flag to Tan, with the rest of the facility’s board members

PH-Aussie military drill kicks off in Tanay

By Charles Dantes

PHILIPPINE Army troopers, still fresh from their rigorous 17-day military exercise with their American counterparts, are back in another intensive training, this time with Australian soldiers.

The Philippine Army and the Australian Defence Force officially kicked off this year’s Philippine-Australia Army-to-Army exercise dubbed “KASANGGA” 23-2 at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal on Monday.

A total of 114 combatants from the Philippine Army’s Second Infantry Division will train side by-side with 43 Australian Armymen during the bilateral exercises which will until June 23.

The joint exercise covers urban operations combat tracking; jungle warfare and survival training; long-range marksmanship; tactical combat casualty care; sensitive site exploitation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations; and small unit leader’s training through an exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Col. Paul Joseph Barta, Australian defense attaché to the Philippines, said their troops will learn jungle warfare and survival skills from their Filipino counterparts who were also known as the “Jungle Fighters”.

For his part, 2nd ID commander Brig. Gen. Augusto Villareal said his men would focus on urban operations knowledge and skills from the Australians.

and other officials in attendance. Tan, who was also into public service and business, served as mayor of Pandan, for three consecutive terms.

President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. appointed Tan to the SBMA last April 28 and was sworn into office by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on May 3.

In his acceptance speech, Tan acknowledged the support he has been receiving as SBMA chief. At the same time, he urged everyone to continue that

synergy and cooperation as he cited an African philosophy.

““I am because we are” – an African philosophy of Ubuntu, which reminds us that our sense of self is shaped by our relationship with others. My success is your success, and your failure is my failure. Let’s not just lift ourselves up, but lift our colleagues, as well. And whatever it is that we do individually and collectively, reflects the leadership of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority,” he said.

Pangandaman received a warm welcome from freeport employees upon his arrival at AFAB Auditorium.

The new AFAB chief, In his message, echoed what President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told him about Bataan.

“Hussein, mahal na mahal ko ang lugar na yan. Bata pa lamang ako, pumupunta na ako diyan sa Bataan. I have wonderful memories of that place,” he quoted the President as saying.

Pangandaman said he was very excited to set foot in the province, see its beauty, meet hardworking people, and unravel the great potentials for development of the province.

He said he will sustain AFAB’s successes over the years. Butch Gunio

Taguig seals tie-up with St. Luke’s BGC

THE Taguig City government has signed an agreement with St. Luke’s Medical Center in Bonifacio Global City pursuant to the city’s medical assistance and referral program for its residents.

Local city officials and executives of the hospital signed a multi-year memorandum of agreement aimed at helping individuals in crisis situation based on the assessment of the social workers and the Taguig City Health Office.

Qualified beneficiaries endorsed by the City Health Office will be afforded hospital services for medical and surgical cases.

Patients admitted in other hospitals where primary care has been already rendered may also qualify for this program.

The local government and the hospital will also come up with residency training programs for Taguigbased doctors at partner institutions.

Dr. Dennis Serrano, president and chief executive officer of St. Luke’s Medical Center, expressed confidence for the greater collaboration with the local government. Joel E. Zurbano

75 newly trained BI agents posted at NAIA

AT least 75 new immigration officers who recently completed the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Philippine Immigration Academy (PIA), will be assigned to the country’s premier airport, according to BI commissioner Norman Tansingco Tansingco said the 75 new immigration officers underwent the fast-tracked course that aims to provide “a brief and concise learning experience” to serve as frontliners at the Ninoy Aquino International airport (NAIA).

“All immigration officers undergo training under the BI-PIA on immigration laws, rules, and procedures. The academy is located in Clark, Pampanga, but the new officers were trained in-house at the NAIA to provide a more holistic, on-the-ground training,” he said.

The new officers were trained in the latest and best practicesin the migration industry and are prepared to be deployed immediately after the course.

Vito Barcelo

MOVE OVER, RAMBO. A gun enthusiast fantasizes at how if must feel to have high-powered firearms in your hands in this Rambo-like image taken at the Philippine Navy Reservists Fair and Recruitment in the Mall of Asia. Danny Pata

NEW SBMA CHAIRMAN. Newly appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman and administrator Jonathan Dioso Tan waves the facility’s banner during the turnover ceremony. Joseph Muego

By Maricel V. Cruz

BUKIDNON Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores

on Tuesday joined the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD), bringing the party’s strength in the House of Representatives to 71.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, Lakas CMD president, welcomed and administered the oath to Flores as the party’s 71st House member at the Speaker’s Office in Quezon City.

“I thank Cong. Flores for joining the right political party whose commitment is to work towards a better future for our nation. We are honored to welcome you today as the 71st House member of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, a dedicated advocate for positive change,” Romualdez said.

Laguna residents get P2k aid via DSWD, solons

THE offices of Speaker Ferdinand Martin

G. Romualdez, Tingog Party-list Reps.

Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, Jude Acidre, and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Tuesday distributed P2,000 in financial assistance to each of the 1,588 residents of Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

The event was held at Villa Remedios Covered Court in Brgy. Bubukal, Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Local officials from the provincial and municipal governments, including, Mayor Egay San Luis, Board Member Milo San Luis, Municipal Councilors Allan Pamatpat, and Throphy Tolentino, Barangay Captain Allan Damitan, and barangay officials attended the event.

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) secured the area and safety of the residents during the activity.

The assistance is aimed at providing P2,000 worth of subsidy to the residents of Sta. Cruz who needed support to access essential food items, particularly the indigent members of the community struggling from economic crisis and the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Maricel V. Cruz

PBBM calls on lawmakers to strengthen ‘Solid North’

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday called on Northern Luzon lawmakers to further strengthen the “Solid North” regional bloc and maintain the strong unity of its members.

The President made the pitch during the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected officials of the Northern Luzon Alliance (NLA) held in Malacañang where he recalled the difficult times when the group was considered politically irrelevant.

“Those times that we went through that, the Ilocano bloc remained solid. And the result is that we are now here celebrating the taking the oath of new officers of the Northern Alliance here in the Palace,” President Marcos said.

“And that has kept us afloat through all the lean years kung tawagin, through all the lean years. And as I said, now the solidarity and the strength of the Ilocano bloc has remained and it has served us well. So let us keep it going. And now

instead only fighting up, may katulong na kayo dito sa taas,” he added.

The President emphasized the solidarity of the alliance that was evident even during the time of his father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., widely considered the patriarch of Ilocanos and the region’s politicians.

And even after the Marcoses fell out of favor politically for some time with the subsequent administrations that followed, the alliance has maintained its unity and staying power, he said.

“So let us take that as our lesson that really what has kept us going, what has kept us strong, and what has kept us relevant in national politics,” the President said.

President Marcos also echoed obser-

vations that Ilocanos are over represented in government and in politics.

“And there is maybe a point to that, but the reason that is –because we help each other because we stay solid. And we – we acknowledge [that] these are Ilocanos that have been working with us that we know are good workers that will bring value to government service,” he said.

The NLA is a group of congressmen mostly belonging to the tobacco-producing provinces. Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos III serves as the NLA’s honorary chairman.

The alliances’ officers include Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Beard, NLA President; Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Y. Dalog Jr., NLA Executive Vice President; Pangasinan 1st District Rep. Arthur F. Celeste, NLA Vice President –Region 1; Isabela 1st District Rep. Antonio T. Albano, NLA Vice President – Region 2; CAR and Kalinga Rep. Allen Jesse C. Mangaoang, Vice President of the NLA.

Salceda urges agencies to resolve VAT concerns

ALBAY Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda has asked the Department of Finance (DOF) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to resolve remaining issues with value-added tax exemptions and VAT zero-rating of registered business enterprises (RBEs) with tax incentives on or before June 20, the next date of the monthly physical filing of VAT returns.

This, “so that the VAT problem stops getting bigger for locators as soon as possible.” Salceda made the “urgent request” during Tuesday’s committee meeting of the House tax panel chaired by Salceda.

Salceda, House ways and means committee chair, explained the actions taken by the committee to address House Resolution (HR) 490, authored by Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, which directed the Committee to determine inconsistencies between the CREATE Law and its corresponding administrative issuances regarding VAT privileges of registered business enterprises.

Salceda said that the committee found that “There are substantial inconsistencies between the CREATE Law and the IRR and BIR issuances.” Maricel V. Cruz

Other House officials, including former President-turned senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Lakas-CMD president emeritus; Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, LakasCMD executive vice president; and Agusan del Norte Rep. Jose Aquino II, Lakas-CMD secretary general witnessed the oath-taking.

Welcoming the party’s new member, Romualdez said he is happy that Flores decided to join Lakas-CMD and be a partner in providing the people with a stronger voice to effect positive transformations.

He also urged the Lakas-CMD members to continue working with the administration of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. for a more inclusive and prosperous future and effect a meaningful difference in addressing various problems besetting the country.

“As promised, we continue to grow in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Agenda for Prosperity and socioeconomic development roadmap. Let us join together in our drive for meaningful progress in addressing our country’s critical issues,” Romualdez said.

Tingog celebrates Mother’s Day with gift-giving event

IN A heartwarming celebration of Mother’s Day, Tingog Party-list led by Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez organized on Tuesday a remarkable giftgiving event to honor and appreciate the invaluable role of mothers in society.

Held in partnership with Barangay Southside Makati and the Philippine Qipao Cultural Charity under the guidance of Congressional Staff member Jessica Medina, the event was aimed at acknowledging and appreciating the dedication and sacrifices of mothers in their daily lives.

The community of Barangay Southside Makati buzzed with anticipation and excitement as the Tingog Party-list prepared to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Tingog Party-list meticulously curated a memorable occasion for 150 deserving beneficiaries, specifically focusing on mothers.

As the sponsor of this event, Winny Chang, Qipao founder, led the distribution of gifts to the 150 beneficiaries alongside her two executives for the Chinese and Filipinos, Jewell Gomez and Shirley Go.

This collaborative effort resulted in the successful distribution of 150 sets of gifts.

Each gift set consisted of a selection of items, including flowers, vitamins, powdered milk, Chinese delicacies, and a complete set of toiletries.

Maricel V. Cruz

Lakas welcomes new members, now has 71 reps

NEW LAKAS MEMBER. Lakas-CMD president and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez administers the oath to Bukidnon 2nd District Rep.Jonathan Keith Flores as Lakas CMD 71st House member at the Speaker’s office in the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon witnessing the oath are (from left to right) Rep.Ruth MarianoHernandez, Rep.Josefina Tallado, Rep. Maricar Zamora, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Rep.Joboy Aquino, Deputy Speaker Sid Ungab and Rep. Bingo Matugas. Ver Noveno

RISING PRICES. Farmers harvest red onions grown in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija. According to farmers, the price of red onions has skyrocketed anew to  at least P200 per kilo in some markets. Manny Palmero

MCC, NBDB hold 40th National Book Awards at the Met

extends beyond the literary community. The excitement and curiosity sparked by these awards can inspire people from all walks of life to engage with literature, encouraging them to explore different genres, authors, and themes.

By connecting readers with exceptional works, book awards become a catalyst for fostering a love of reading and nurturing a nation of literary enthusiasts.

ANYWHERE in the literary world, book awards hold a sacred space.

They are not mere shiny trophies to gather dust on a shelf. Rather, they can serve as catalysts for the promotion and development of national literature.

This was the hope of the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) and the National Book Development Board (NBDB) with their staging of the 40th National Book Awards (NBA) last May 13 at the Metropolitan Theater. This cycle honored books published in 2021. The list of winners has appeared previously in this column and elsewhere, but I’d like to congratulate the ‘chosen ones’ again. I also wish the nominees and all authors, in general, the very best and hope they continue to keep writing and contributing to the nation’s trove of stories and information.

The NBA has been called “the Oscars” of the Philippine literary world. Perhaps because of the shape of the trophy, but I hope the NBA is also appreciated for the prestige, constancy, and reputation it has built over four decades.

A very special guest at the event was MCC founder Dr. Isagani R. Cruz. A professor emeritus of De La Salle University, the multiawarded poet, playwright, and educator established the MCC along with writers Dr. Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta (who attended and taught at the University of Santo Tomas), Alfredo Navarra Salanga, and Alfred A. Yuson in 1981.

They staged the first NBA the following year. Also during the evening, a welldeserved Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Maria Karina A. Bolasco, director of the Ateneo de Manila University Press, for her exemplary work throughout the decades in the publishing industry.

* * *

Fourth: beyond individual recognition, book awards also contribute to the collective growth of national literature.

They create a sense of pride and identity, reinforcing the importance of literary heritage and cultural diversity.

By honoring works that reflect the unique nuances and experiences of a nation, book awards help build a literary canon that mirrors the richness and complexity of a society.

These accolades encourage authors to delve deeper into their cultural roots, bringing forth narratives that might otherwise remain untold.

This process not only preserves cultural heritage but also fosters a sense of belonging and national identity.

Fifth: book awards provide a much-needed boost to the publishing industry.

Recognition through awards enhances a book’s marketability, leading to increased sales and wider distribution.

This financial support allows publishers to take risks on emerging authors and experimental works that may not have gained attention otherwise.

By nurturing a diverse range of voices, book awards contribute to a vibrant literary ecosystem, ensuring the sustained growth and development of national literature.

Sixth: book awards play a vital role in shaping literary trends and discourse. Recognizing and celebrating exceptional works paves the way for literary conversations, debates, and critical analysis.

These discussions foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of literature, nurturing a culture of intellectual inquiry and literary exploration.

Book awards act as a catalyst for pushing boundaries, encouraging authors to experiment with form, style, and content

Reducing dependence on oil

GOOD news indeed.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed the renewal agreement for the Malampaya Service Contract No. 38, or plain SC 38, that would allow the continued production of the Malampaya gas field for another 15 years until February 22, 2039.

Renewal of SC 38, which covers the Malampaya gas field in offshore Palawan, would reduce the country’s dependence on oil imports and ensure a stable supply of clean energy, Malacanang quoted the President as saying.

The agreement was signed by Mr. Marcos and representatives of the Malampaya Consortium in Malacañang on Monday.

The SC 38 was originally scheduled to expire on February 22, 2024.

“We optimistically look forward to the continued production and utilization of the remaining reserves of the Malampaya gas field, as well as further exploration and development of its untapped potential,” Mr. Marcos said.

During the ceremonial signing, the President said the renewal of the contract is significant to achieve the country’s

energy security as Malampaya powers 20 percent of Luzon’s energy needs.

What’s so important, though, about having awards for the best books produced in any given year? Do they serve any practical purpose?

Let’s examine six points why book awards are meaningful and important for the advancement of our national literary landscape.

First: book awards provide a platform for recognition. Writing is a solitary craft, and many excellent writers toil away in obscurity.

When an author’s work is acknowledged and celebrated through an award, it acts as a validating force, not only for the writer but also for the readers and the literary community as a whole.

The visibility garnered from a book award can bring newfound attention to an author’s work, attracting a larger readership and expanding the reach of their literary voice.

This recognition also elevates the status of the author, encouraging them to continue honing their craft and contributing to the literary canon.

Second: book awards serve as a barometer of literary excellence.

The rigorous evaluation process that accompanies these awards ensures that only the best works receive recognition.

Judging panels comprising seasoned literary experts, critics, and scholars scrutinize the quality of writing, originality of ideas, and thematic depth.

By honoring the most outstanding works, book awards set a standard of excellence that aspiring writers can strive for.

This fosters healthy competition within the literary community, pushing authors to continually improve and innovate, ultimately enriching the national literary landscape.

Third: book awards have the power to ignite public interest in literature.

Through media coverage and public ceremonies, book awards generate a buzz that

Book awards act as a catalyst for pushing boundaries, encouraging authors to experiment with form, style, and content.

By championing innovation and originality, book awards inspire a continual evolution of literary expression.

Book awards are not just ceremonial decorations or empty gestures; they are meaningful and important for the promotion and development of national literature.

Through recognition, they validate and inspire authors, pushing them to further hone their craft, and publishers to share a diverse range of voices and ideas.

* * *

My fellow MCC members – Chairman Dean Francis Alfar, Alma Anonas-Carpio, Dr. Michael Coroza, Dr. Tony La Viña, Dr. Shirley Lua, Dr. Danton Remoto – and I eagerly look forward to reading the nominated entries for the 41st cycle, which we shall be starting to plan for next month.

I am constantly grateful for the magic of imagination that enables the creation of books.

The warmest thanks of the MCC and myself as an individual writer and reader goes to the NBDB – Chairman Dante Francis ‘Klink’ Ang II, Executive Director Charisse AquinoTugade, Director Anthony John Balisi, Project Development Officer Kevin Ansel Dy, Kathrine Dean, Addie Eleanor Pobre, and the rest of the NBDB team – for their financial and logistical support of the NBA since 2008. We acknowledge their hard work and dedication to promoting Filipino literature.

We also thank the generous donors of cash awards whose names are given to the prizes they sponsor: the Gerardo P. Cabochan Prize (short fiction in Filipino), the National Artist Cirilo F. Bautista Prize (short fiction in English), the Pablo A. Tan Prize (nonfiction prose in English), the Victorio C. Valledor Prize (poetry in Filipino), the Alfonso T. Ongpin Prize (art), the Elfren S. Cruz Prize (social sciences), and the John C. Kaw Prize (history).

Most of all, we thank the writers and readers who keep our literature healthy, vibrant, and alive.

FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

The President urged the Department of Energy to oversee the project’s implementation through strict monitoring and ensuring the consortium’s goals are aligned with the country’s national interests

“This is the key to our drive to energy security and calculated to advance the nation’s energy interest. This project will reduce our dependence on oil imports while ensuring a stable supply of energy,” the President said According to the Chief Executive, the 15-year extension is consistent with the Constitution, and the state policy of hastening discovery and production of the country’s indigenous petroleum. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to actively pursue the

exploration, development, and utilization of the country’s indigenous energy resources, and to optimize the country’s energy mix.

The President urged the Department of Energy to oversee the project’s implementation through strict monitoring and ensuring the consortium’s goals are aligned with the country’s national interests. Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla welcomed the renewal of SC 38, and noted the assessment encompassed legal, technical, and financial capabilities, and confirmed the consortium’s capacity to sustain the production operations and meet its obligations under the renewal agreement.

This policy was first laid down in 1972 through Presidential Decree 87 issued by the president’s father, then president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

From the discovery of the gas field more than three decades ago, and the project’s commissioning in 2001, the Malampaya Deep Water Gas-to-Power Project has been a boon to the Philippines, providing 20 percent of Luzon’s energy requirement.

The Presidential Communications Office said in a news release through the project, the government was able to generate P374 billion in revenues. In 2022 alone, the project yielded about P26 billion in government revenues.

Reclamation: More harm than good?

can provide additional sources of income for government in the form of taxes from enterprises and factories that choose to locate in reclaimed land.

But reclamation also has its downside. While it sounds like a good developmental idea, it may not be as sound as we might think.

They cite the reduction of fishing grounds which can threaten food security.

Once land reclamation starts, they foresee incalculable damage to mangroves, seagrass and corals. And reclamation will also lead to the displacement of people in coastal areas.

RECLAMATION offers coastal countries in various parts of the world the prospect of expanding their land area and hence create more opportunities for economic growth.

In an archipelago like the Philippines whose territory consists of more than 7,100 islands, reclamation is an attractive and convenient option for the government and the private sector to collaborate in making reclaimed land serve economic development goals.

At present, there are a number of proposed and ongoing land reclamation projects.

There were 50 reclamation projects in various stages of construction across the country as of September 2022.

Of these, 20 projects have been approved by the Philippine Reclamation Agency (PRA), while 24 are still in the application stage. The estimated total area of reclamation projects nationwide is 11,800 hectares.

The Bulacan Aerotropolis being built north of Manila by one of the country’s biggest business conglomerates is one such reclamation project.

It will reclaim land from the coast of Bulakan municipality to build a new airport, thus decongesting the old, run-down Manila International Airport.

At the same time, the modern airport can contribute immensely to over-all economic growth It is true that reclamation has huge potential to contribute to sustainable development goals.

There are reclamation projects abroad from which the Philippines can draw valuable lessons.

The reclamation project undertaken in the port of Rotterdam, Netherlands, for instance, is considered a big success as extensive studies have shown that it led to innovative practices and improved social and environmental conditions, apart from complying with strict safety standards and producing economic and social benefits. Reclamation projects, therefore, can yield additional land that can be tapped for residential, commercial and industrial uses.

Once completed, reclamation projects

Reclamation projects already approved for implementation by previous administrations appear to have proceeded without due consideration to their adverse economic, environmental and social impacts. Reclamation projects should be part of an over-all economic development program.

Last April 22, 2023, on Earth Day, groups renewed their call for the government to stop reclamation and dredging projects without the required Environmental Impact Study (EIS).

They are one in saying that reclamation, dump-and-fill, dredging and seabed quarrying would lead to habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.

What they are urging the government to do now is to review all proposed and ongoing projects to determine whether they will be beneficial or harmful to the economy and the environment.

A concrete step along this direction is the recent move by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to convene an experts’ forum to review the government’s policy on reclamation and to craft recommendations on how this can be improved so that it results in sustainable development rather than cause adverse economic, environmental and social costs.

They should also obtain the required environmental compliance certificates from the DENR. Moreover, they should undertake proper consultation with the affected communities, such as fisherfolk, since this sector faces the threat of loss of livelihood once the reclamation project gets off the ground.

NGOs opposed to reclamation projects have raised other questions.

Why are reclamation projects already being awarded to proponents when the supposed masterplan that will govern them is still non-existent? Do these projects even have feasibility studies that will justify the clearing of mangroves and coast-filling already undertaken by reclamation companies?

Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan-PNE) and the People’s Network for the Integrity of Coastal Habitats and Ecosystems (People’s NICHE) are among the non-government organizations opposed to reclamation projects.

The forum seeks to foster dialogue among experts and stakeholders to generate insights on reclamation, identify entry points as well as gaps in policy, and obtain expert recommendations on what policies should be put in place at both the national and local levels to make reclamation serve development goals.

The expected output of the experts’ forum is a set of policy guidelines that will inform the review of existing reclamation laws and policies.

The DENR has pointed out that while the recently launched Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 prioritizes economic growth and a conducive business environment to increase public-private partnerships (PPPs) in various sectors, it also seeks to protect the environment and strengthen community resilience from climate change hazards.

In the end, what matters is what President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July last year. He emphasized: “Companies who exploit our natural resources must follow the law… there is no question that the preservation of the environment is the preservation of lives.”

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

Japan to push disarmament in Hiroshima, with modest hopes

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Japan hosts G7 leaders in Hiroshima this week hoping to drive home the dangers of nuclear weapons and push for progress on disarmament.

But with North Korea and Russia making nuclear threats, and China growing its arsenal, there may be little appetite for bold action on Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s stated goal of a “world free of nuclear weapons.”

Here are some questions and answers about nuclear weapons and what Japan hopes to achieve: Which G7 states are nuclear-armed?

Three G7 members—the United States, Britain and France—have nuclear arsenals, with Washington holding an estimated 5,244 warheads, according to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS).

The figure, which includes stockpiled, reserve and retired warheads, dwarves the inventories of France and Britain, estimated by FAS at 290 and 225 respectively.

Several G7 members, however, either host

US nuclear weapons or are covered by the US “nuclear umbrella”—an expectation that Washington would deploy the weapons in their defense if necessary—including Japan.

What treaties cover nuclear weapons?

Perhaps the most famous treaty covering nuclear weapons remains the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty (NPT), which opened for signature in 1968.

A total of 191 states, including China, Russia, France, Britain and the United States are parties.

The core of the treaty is a pledge by nations not to acquire nuclear weapons if they do not have them, and for nuclear-armed countries to share peaceful technology while aiming to dismantle their arsenals.

However, in July 2017, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) was adopted by over 100 UN states.

Campaigners view the more recent pact as filling the NPT’s “gaps” by demanding the elimination of nuclear weapons. No nuclear power has signed it and it is

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he chose Hiroshima for the G7 summit to help bring home the devastation that nuclear weapons cause

actively opposed by some.

France and the United States last year called it “at odds with the existing non-proliferation and disarmament architecture.”

Japan is not party to the TPNW.

What about other nuclear powers?

There are nine nuclear-armed states in the world: the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea and Israel, which does not officially acknowledge

its arsenal.

FAS estimates most nuclear-armed states are working to increase their arsenal, with only Washington decreasing its stockpile, and those of France and Israel seen as stable.

The spectre of nuclear weapons use has reemerged in recent months, with fresh missile tests by Pyongyang and thinly veiled threats from Moscow about using the arms if it is attacked.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to deploy the weapons in neighbour and ally Belarus, and suspended participation in a treaty under which Moscow and Washington agreed to limit stockpiles.

China is also in the midst of the largest-ever expansion of its nuclear arsenal and could go from the estimated 400 warheads it now holds to 1,500 by 2035, according to the Pentagon.

What does Japan want?

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said he chose Hiroshima for the G7 summit to help bring home the devastation that nuclear weapons cause.

He hopes to take leaders to the city’s Peace Park and museum, according to Japanese officials, where they will confront evidence of the horrifying aftermath of the nuclear bomb.

Kishida hopes for endorsement of his “Hiroshima Action Plan”, unveiled last year.

It urges a continued pledge never to use nuclear weapons, transparency on stockpiles, further arsenal reductions, a commitment to non-proliferation and an understanding of the “realities of nuclear weapons use.”

Expectations for concrete disarmament progress are low, however, with G7 foreign ministers explicitly noting last month the “current harsh security environment” in their language on nuclear weapons.

“Instead of another empty statement, the current nuclear risk level demands real action,” the International Campaign Against Nuclear Weapons said in a statement last month.

It wants a “concrete, credible plan” for talks by all nuclear-armed states on eliminating nuclear weapons. AFP

Leaders of wider Europe unite against Russia too in Reykjavik

REYKJAVIK, Iceland – A year after kicking Russia out of the Council of Europe (CoE), the leaders of the 46-nation pan-continental rights body gather Tuesday in Iceland to show a united face against Moscow.

Firming up ways to hold Russia legally responsible for the death and destruction it has wrought in Ukraine will dominate the summit in Reykjavik, only the fourth to be held in the CoE's seven-decade history.

As of late Monday, there was no official word as to whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would take part in the summit. But he has been on a tour of major European capitals, with each stop publicly announced only just before arrival.

Along the way, Berlin, Paris and London all pledged to step up arms deliveries to Kyiv, deepening a military arrangement between the West and Ukraine that has helped put Russia on the back foot.

Ukraine is expected to mount an offensive against Russian forces in the east of its territory in coming weeks.

Zelensky tweeted that he was "returning home with new defence packages".

The CoE focuses on its mission to promote human rights, democracy and rule of law in its member states, which include all 27 European Union nations plus Britain, Turkey, Western Balkan countries, Georgia and Armenia.

Russia was kicked out of the CoE in March 2022, because of its invasion of Ukraine, just ahead of its plan to withdraw from the Strasbourg-based body.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who is attending the summit, said on Monday the EU will "keep supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes".

She said that, "in Reykjavik we will discuss how to hold Russia accountable" and "I will support the creation of a dedicated tribunal to bring Russia’s crime of aggression to trial".

Notably, she said, the summit will look to set up a register of damage in The Hague, where a special court could be set up as "a first step, and a good step, towards Russian compensation". - Russia isolated -

The commission and EU countries are in favour of setting up a special tribunal, likely in The Hague in the Netherlands where the International Criminal Court already sits, to judge Russian leaders and commanders.

That prospect, though, is pushed off to after what looks like it will be a long war, with Russia digging in and perhaps preparing its own spring attack on Ukrainian positions. AFP

G7 leaders meet to tighten screws on Russia, find united line on China

TOKYO – Leaders of the International Group of Seven (G7) nations meet in Hiroshima this week looking to tighten the screws on Russia further over the Ukraine war and agree a united line on China's growing military and economic power. The three-day summit of leading developed democracies will cover everything from energy to AI, but a key focus will be targeting those who have helped Moscow blunt the impact of Western-led sanctions.

The leaders will also chart a careful course on Beijing, projecting unity on Taiwan and emphasizing the need to "derisk" crucial supply chains by diversifying away from China, while also attempting to avoid further inflaming tensions. Last month's G7 foreign ministers' meeting, seen as setting the stage for the Hiroshima talks, had a heavy focus on China, and put Beijing on notice over "militarization activities" in the South China Sea.

It also insisted there was "no change" on Taiwan policy after French President Emmanuel Macron, following a trip to Beijing last month, said Europe should avoid "crises that aren't ours". Ministers warned Beijing on

everything from its nuclear arsenal to its business practices, and this week's summit is expected to endorse extracting crucial supply chains from Chinese influence.

Washington has taken an aggressive approach, blocking China's access to the most advanced semiconductors and the equipment to make them, and has convinced Japan and the Netherlands to follow suit.

But Europe's foreign policy chief this week warned the bloc needs to "define" and "recalibrate" its position.

"We seek a multifaceted approach to our economic relationships with China," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday.

"It is characterized by de-risking, and

not decoupling," she added.

- 'Vulnerable to coercion'She cited specific examples of Chinese attempts at economic coercion, targeting Lithuania, Japan and Australia.

"We are most vulnerable to coercion... where dependencies build up. That's why we are taking action," she added, calling critical raw materials one area for work.

Europe has already enraged Beijing by proposing to restrict exports of sensitive tech to eight Chinese firms suspected of shipping it on to Russia.

And the Hiroshima summit is expected to push for similar actions to help close gaps in the sanctions regime G7 countries have imposed on Russia. AFP

NOWHERE TO GO. Residents stand on a broken bridge at the Khaung Dote Khar Rohingya refugee camp in Sittwe, Myanmar on May 15 after cyclone Mocha made landfall between Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh and Myanmar's Sittwe, carrying winds of up to 195 kilometers (120 miles) per hour, the biggest storm to hit the Bay of Bengal in more than a decade. AFP

CIA urges Russians to leak ‘the truth’ in Telegram video

WASHINGTON – The US Central Intelligence Agency bolstered efforts to convince Russians to leak their country's secrets on Monday, posting an emotional video on Telegram aimed at people frustrated with the situation under President Vladimir Putin.

The short video depicts a Russian bureaucrat and a woman at home with a child, both apparently troubled in their lives, asking if it is what they dreamed of. It suggests that people can take action to make things better – providing information to the US intelligence agency – and still be patriotic Russians.

The video and an accompanying text provide instructions on how to do so, using a Tor browser to access the dark web and encryption tools the CIA says will ensure their protection.

"The CIA wants to know the truth about Russia, and we are looking for reliable people who can tell us this truth," the agency writes.

US shares nuke warhead data under treaty

"Your information may be more valuable than you think."

The CIA said it was hoping to contact people from intelligence, diplomatic, science and technology, as well as other fields, and were interested in all kinds of information, including political and economic.

An agency official told AFP that while they had made the pitch on other social media before, they were now focusing on encrypted Telegram because it is the main medium for Russians to share and obtain information and news, about everything from politics to the war in Ukraine.

The CIA hopes that providing a simple but clear way to leak information via the dark web will convince cautious Russians to take the next step.

"Our aim is to provide avenues that are as secure as possible for them to contact us," the official said on grounds of anonymity. AFP

WASHINGTON – The United States publicly released data on its nuclear arsenal Monday and pressed Russia to do the same after Moscow said it was suspending participation in New START, the last arms control treaty between the two powers.

The disclosure amounts to a quick shift by the United States, which said in March it would no longer share information under New START, reciprocating the move by Russia whose invasion of Ukraine has led to a nosedive in relations with the West.

"The United States continues to view transparency among nuclear weapon states as extremely valuable for reducing the likelihood of misperception, miscalculation and costly arms competitions," a State Department statement said.

"The United States calls on the Russian Federation to comply with its legally binding obligations by returning to full

implementation of the New START Treaty and all the stabilizing transparency and verification measures contained within it," it said.

Describing the data release as voluntary, the State Department said that the United States had 1,419 deployed nuclear warheads as of March 1.

The figure was down from 1,515 in March 2022 and within the 1,550 limit set by the treaty signed in 2010. Last year, Russia said it had deployed 1,474 nuclear warheads.

The US warheads are on 662 intercontinental ballistic missiles and other deployed delivery systems, down from 686 a year earlier and within the New START limit of 700. Russia reported 526 a year earlier.

The United States again said it retained a total stock of 800 delivery systems, including those not deployed, the same as a year before and the maximum allowed by the treaty.

New START, a legacy of the Cold War,

New study quantifies link between climate crisis, wildfires

WASHINGTON – In a first, US climate scientists have quantified the extent to which greenhouse gasses from the world's top fossil fuel companies have contributed to wildfires.

Their analysis, published Tuesday in Environmental Research Letters, found that carbon dioxide and methane emissions from the so-called "Big 88" firms were responsible for more than a third of the area scorched by forest blazes in western North America over the past 40 years.

First author Kristina Dahl, of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), told AFP wildfires in the western United

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

Notice is hereby given that a Deed of Extrajudicial Partition of the Estates of the late Israel L. Racelis and Bernard D. Racelis, who both died intestate, was executed by their heirs namely, Florita D. Racelis, widow, and the remaining children of Israel and Florita who are also Bernard’s siblings, Noel D. Racelis, Erica RacelisGascon, Aliza D. Racelis and Glen D. Racelis,

States and southwestern Canada have been worsening for decades: they are burning more intensely, over longer seasons, covering larger areas and reaching higher elevations.

To date, the cost of rebuilding and increasing resilience has largely been footed by the general public, "so we wanted to better understand the role that fossil fuel industry emissions have had in altering the wildfire landscape," she said.

"We really wanted to put a spotlight on their role in that, so that they can be held accountable for their fair share of the cost."

- 'Atmospheric thirst' -

Using climate modeling, the team determined that emissions from the Big 88 – which includes ExxonMobil, BP, Chevron and Shell – were responsible for increasing global average temperatures by 0.9 degrees Fahrenheit (0.5 degrees Celsius) since the start of the 20th century, or roughly half of the observed warming.

For the purposes of this study, the authors included all emissions across the life cycle of fossil fuels – from extraction and flaring operations to refinement and use inside a vehicle, for example. AFP

was signed by former presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev at a warmer point in relations and had the dual aims of limiting nuclear weapons and increasing transparency.

President Vladimir Putin, in a February address on the anniversary of his invasion of Ukraine, announced that Russia was suspending participation in the treaty although he stopped short of withdrawing from it.

President Joe Biden extended New START, which was set to expire, by five years immediately after entering office in 2021.

The previous US administration of Donald Trump had held off on the treaty, saying it was unfair by making no demands of China, whose nuclear arsenal is significantly smaller than those of Russia and the United States but is expected to grow quickly. AFP

New Zealand hostel fire kills at least 6 people

WELLINGTON – A fire ripped through a four-storey hostel in New Zealand's capital in the early hours of Tuesday, killing at least six people as others fled for their lives, with some plucked from the roof.

Towering flames and thick smoke could be seen pouring from the top-floor windows of the Loafers Lodge hostel in central Wellington during the night, as 80 firefighters and 20 trucks battled the blaze.

Firefighters found six bodies inside the charred building, but a roof collapse on the top floor prevented them from searching all of the 92-room hostel, emergency services said.

Police said the final toll could not be confirmed until they had entered the building for a "methodical" examination once it was made safe, probably on Wednesday.

Six people were taken to hospital, one in serious condition, the city's ambulance service said. An additional 15 people were treated at the scene.

More than 50 people were rescued.

Firefighters used a ladder truck to save people trapped on the roof, said Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Brendan Nally.

"They plucked quite a few people off the top of the roof from an area directly above the fire," Nally told local media.

"There was no other way. Those people were going to perish, except for the intervention of our team. Multiple people are walking around because of it." There were no sprinklers in the hostel, Nally said. AFP

PRO-PALESTINE. A woman takes part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration staged by members of social organizations and human rights activists in front of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires on May 15 during heightened tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thirty-five people, almost all of them Palestinian, were killed during five days of fighting between Israel and armed groups in the blockaded Gaza Strip last week. AFP

GT Capital leads stock market’s rebound

LOCAL stocks rebounded Tuesday even as traders grew increasingly concerned that US lawmakers remain far apart in talks to raise the country’s borrowing limit to avert a default.

The PSE index, the 30-company bellwether of the Philippine Stock Exchange, gained 65 points, or 1.01 percent, to close at 6,588.90, as five of the six subsectors advanced, led by holding firms.

The index representing all shares also went up by 28 points, or 0.81 percent, to settle at 3,519.36 on a value turnover of P5.18 billion. Gainers edged losers, 94 to 91, while 53 shares were unchanged.

All 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by GT Capital Holdings Inc. which climbed 4.21 percent to P495.00 and Ayala Corp. which rose 2.13 percent

PSEi May 16, 2023

TOP GAINERS

to P670.00.

Meanwhile, Asian markets were mixed as data showing China’s economic recovery remained sticky weighed on investor sentiment.

While there is a general feeling that an agreement will be reached, Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy warned Monday that staff-level meetings were “not productive at all” and they were “nowhere near reaching a conclusion”.

For their part, Republicans are demanding spending cuts as a condition for passing the bill while Democrats

want a “clean” increase of the borrowing limit with no strings attached.

US President Joe Biden, who has expressed confidence the two sides can bridge the gap, is scheduled to meet with McCarthy and other congressional leaders at the White House later Tuesday.

McCarthy’s comments came after Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen again said the government would likely run out of cash on June 1, meaning it would not be able to meet its debt repayment obligations, sparking a potentially devastating default. Meanwhile, two top Federal Reserve officials suggested they were in favor of pausing the US central bank’s interest rate-hiking drive next month.

Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee said he wanted to wait for the effects of more than a year of increases aimed

at bringing inflation down from multidecade highs.

“There is still a lot of the impact of the 500 basis points we did in the last year that’s still to come,” he told CNBC. “And you add on that there are tight credit conditions, and I think that we should be extra mindful.

“We need to take that into account, and the only way to do that is sit and watch it.”

Atlanta Fed president Raphael Bostic added that he favored staying put at the June meeting, though he threw cold water on any hope for a cut before the end of the year.

While Bostic made clear he favors putting the policy on hold for now, he also suggested that the next move may be more likely up than down, given the persistence of price pressures.

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

‘DIESELGATE’ HEARING. Rupert Stadler (center), former CEO of German car manufacturer Audi, sits in a room of the regional court in Munich, southern Germany, on May 16, 2023. Stadler pleaded guilty in connection with the ‘Dieselgate’ emissions cheating scandal. AFP

China courts Central Asia as Russia’s in uence wanes

BEIJING—China is renewing its push for massive infrastructure projects in Central Asia as Beijing aims to fill the vacuum left in former Soviet states by Russia, which is ensnared in a widening net of Western sanctions over the Ukraine war.

Central Asia has become key to China’s trillion-dollar Belt and Road Initiative, a defining geopolitical project for President Xi Jinping. Around 150 countries have received Chinese funds to build roads, ports, railways or hydroelectric dams.

Beijing says trade with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reached $70 billion in 2022 and expanded 22 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2023.

Analysts say Russia’s war in Ukraine has further shifted the dynamic in Beijing’s favor—leading many in the region to question their long-standing ties with Moscow and seek economic, diplomatic, and strategic assurances elsewhere.

“After the Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Central Asian republics started to fear for their sovereignty,” Ayjaz Wani, a fellow at the Observer Research Foundation in Mumbai, told AFP.

Xi will host the leaders of the five countries in the western city of Xi’an this week for a summit Beijing has described as of “milestone significance”.

Bound by shared borders and a long history, the choice of Xi’an—the historic eastern end of the Silk Road—is fitting.

The summit is likely to see efforts to push ahead with vast transport links and pipelines, including a long-stalled $6 billion China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway and an expansion of the Central Asia-to-China gas pipeline.

“China’s approach to Central Asia has been very consistent,” said Nargis Kassenova, director of the Central Asia program at Harvard’s Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, pointing to long-standing ties in security, infrastructure and development.

Russia’s war in Ukraine, she said, only “pushed Central Asian countries deeper into China’s embrace”.

‘Growing phobias’

China’s inroads into Central Asia have not always been popular, however. In 2019, protests broke out in Kazakhstan, which has described itself as the “buckle” in the Belt and Road project, over perceived Chinese expansionism in the country.

The following year, a Chinese investor that had planned to pour nearly $300 million into a trade and logistics center in Kyrgyzstan quit the project over local protests. AFP

Online search to make up lost time with artificial intelligence

By Julie Jammot

SAN Francisco, USA—Online search, dominated by Google for 25 years, has become as banal as making a phone call, but it could finally be getting a profound reset thanks to artificial intelligence.

The classic search and click made ubiquitous by the Google behemoth is getting a major AI makeover as bots ChatGPT, Bard or Bing see hundreds of millions of web surfers seek answers to life’s questions in a new way.

“People are realizing how many times they use Google search, not to find a webpage, but to answer a question,” said Stefan Sigg, Chief Product Officer at Germany-based Software AG.

Microsoft, long considered big tech’s boring uncle, has jumped fearlessly and some say blindly into generative AI search with an update to Bing, the long-struggling also-ran to Google. Bing’s bot, which was released worldwide after three months of testing, responds directly to a query instead of throwing out a pageful of links for the search user to wade and click through.

With a prompt, Bing will compare two products, brainstorm vacation plans or reassuringly help prepare a job interview, for example.

‘Heavy lifting’

“Now, search does the heavy lifting for you,” said Cathy Edwards, VP Engineering at Google, during the company’s annual I/O developers conference in California.

The user no longer has to “sift through the information and then piece things together,” she said. At the conference, matching Bing, Google presented the latest iteration of its web search juggernaut, but instead of the constellation of links that confronts you today, a chatbot offered a few paragraphs to answer what you were looking for.

A man (right)

promoting ChatGPT, a hugely popular language app that has sparked a rush in arti cial intelligence technology, during the three-day 7th AI Expo, part of NexTech Week Tokyo 2023, Japan’s largest trade show for arti cial intelligence technology companies, at Tokyo Big Sight on May 10, 2023. AFP

Google’s AI-amped search engine will slowly be released in the United States as a start, the company said.

“What we’re trying to do is make it more natural and intuitive, as easy as asking a friend and getting information from someone who’s really knowledgeable for any question you have in the world,” Elizabeth Reid, Vice President of Search, told AFP. Beyond search, Google and Microsoft have deployed generative AI tools to other products, from cloud to word processing, presenting bots as helpful “co-pilots,” to use the term hammered home by the Windows-maker. Personal ‘genie’

“I think search is going to be fractured into a million pieces, and integrated into all sorts of interfaces, and not just one monolithic centralized place, which is what Google has become,” said John Battelle, author and media entrepreneur. AFP

But Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari said monetary policymakers still had plenty of work to do to rein in prices, citing the still strong labor market and the fact that inflation, at five percent, remained well above the bank’s two percent target.

Hong Kong was flat, with support coming from a rally in tech firms following news that US investor Michael Burry—who made his name predicting the 2008 housing crisis— had boosted his investments in e-commerce giants Alibaba and JD.com.

However, below-forecast readings on Chinese retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment reinforced the view that the world’s number two economy was still struggling to bounce back from years of tough zeroCovid measures. With AFP

China’s economic indicators for April missed expectations

BEIJING—China’s economic data for April missed expectations last month, official figures showed Tuesday, as low demand and high youth unemployment led to a patchy recovery after lifting strict Covid rules.

Retail sales—a key indicator of domestic consumer activity—grew 18.4 percent on-year, data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed.

The reading was short of the 21.9 percent forecast in a survey of economists by Bloomberg, even as shoppers and diners returned to malls and restaurants.

Low domestic demand despite low inflation has slowed China’s economic recovery. Beijing has set a growth target of around five percent this year, the lowest goal in decades, with Premier Li Qiang warning it “will be no easy task”.

Zhang Zhiwei, chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said:

“The growth target for this year is set at a low level, which leaves room for the government to wait and see.” Unemployment among China’s urban 16-24-year-olds reached a record high of 20 percent in April, as the services sector was slow to absorb millions of rural migrants flocking to cities.

Overall urban unemployment slipped to 5.2 percent in April, from 5.3 percent in March.

Industrial production for April rose 5.6 percent, a little more than half the 10.9 percent growth expected as factories gradually returned to full capacity after scrapping disruptive lockdown rules. Fixed asset investments from January through April increased 4.7 percent, below the 5.7 percent forecast, as debt-laden local governments were forced to cut back on big infrastructure projects. AFP

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that ASIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER BACOLOD, INC. (Formerly: ALLIED CARE EXPERTS MEDICAL CENTER-BACOLOD INC.) with office address at Room 4, Ground Floor, MC Metroplex Bldg., BS Aquino Drive, Bacolod City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a New Operator of Level 2 General Hospital (Asia-Pacific Medical Center Bacolod) with 248-bed capacity, under Tier I (Preferred Activities - Healthcare and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Services) of the 2022 Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) of R.A. 11534 (CREATE Act), with project site at Lacson St., Brgy. Bata, Bacolod City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) MARY ANN E. RAGANIT Acting Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(MS-MAY 17, 2023)

NOTICE OF POSTPONEMENT OF 2023 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS

This is to notify all stockholders of Asia-Pacific Medical Center Bacolod, Inc. (formerly: Allied Care Experts Medical Center – Bacolod Inc. and hereinafter the “Corporation’) that on its meeting held on 15 May 2023, the Board of Directors had approved to postpone the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Corporation for the year 2023, from 4 June 2023 to 11 June 2023. The meeting was postponed to give the Management ample time to prepare the Management Report which includes the 17Q Report for the 1st Quarter of 2023 approved on 15 May 2023.

A separate notice containing the details of the said Annual Stockholders’ Meeting will be posted at a prescribed period before the meeting, taking into consideration the requirements of the law and its implementing rules. Please be guided accordingly.

Bacolod, 16 May 2023

SGD. MA. IVY V. MALATA, M.D. Corporate Secretary

speaks with a booth representative (second from right) next to a digital display (left)

BUSINESS

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Malampaya consortium led by gas field operator Prime Energy Resources Development

B.V. of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. is looking at initial investments of about $600 million for the drilling of up to three exploration wells by 2026.

The programmed investments also include a tieback production facility to allow the production of additional gas from the Malampaya field in northwest Palawan.

“In total, for two wells and the tieback for production, this would amount to about $600 million,” Department of Energy Undersecretary Alessandro

Sales said in a media briefing Tuesday.

Sales said the Service Contract 38

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Consortium indicated to the Department of Energy that they were preparing to drill for three wells which would be more cost-effective, above the committed program for the contract renewal.

“In terms of the cost of drilling one well, currently the cost increased, and they are looking at between $80 million and $90 million per well,” Sales said.

He said that if the two of the wells would be found to be producing

wells, the consortium would connect them back to production in the Malampaya facilities.

This would require an additional $330 million to $360 million for the tie-back and subsea facilities to allow these near field wells to produce.

Sales said the Malampaya field’s best estimate for the near field is about additional 210 billion cubic feet of gas.

Prime Energy, a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc., owns a 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project, while UC38 LLC owns 45 percent and state-run PNOC Exploration Corp., 10 percent.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said this is the first extension granted to a natural gas producing service contract in the country.

“We hope that it would not be the

last of its kind. That there are attractive prospects within the same service contract area worthy of an extension beyond the initial period shows promise in exploration activities in the Philippines,” Lotilla said. He said the Malampaya consortium is also the first backed up and run entirely by Filipinos, which is “a remarkable milestone in the maturation of the Philippine petroleum industry.”

Lotilla said Prime Energy and its personnel showed technical competence over the last six months by managing the decline of the gas supply and undertaking successfully a maintenance activity.

“This confirms the findings of the DOE last year on the operator’s technical, financial and legal qualifications,” the energy chief said.

Malampaya consortium investing $600m IN BRIEF

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved on Monday the renewal of SC 38 or the Malampaya Deep Water Gas to Power Project for 15 years until Feb. 22, 2039.

“This is a significant development for our national energy security and independence. The Malampaya asset will continue what it has started in operating this world-class installation for further exploration and utilization of the country’s remaining gas reserves, as well as open up the other potential near field areas for future production,” said Razon, who serves as Prime Infra chairman.

The Malampaya project supplies natural gas to power four power generation plants in Batangas province, including Santa Rita, San Lorenzo, San Gabriel and Avion with a combined capacity of 2,011 megawatts.

BPI Wealth reduces UITFs’ minimum investments

BPI Wealth, a wholly-owned unit of the Bank of the Philippine Islands authorized to engage in trust and other fiduciary services, said Tuesday it reduced the minimum investment amount for unit investment trust funds from P10,000 to P1,000 to help promote financial inclusion in the country.

BPI Wealth said in a statement Tuesday the reduction would take effect June 1, 2023. It said the reduction would make investing more accessible to Filipinos, particularly those just starting to build their portfolios.

“It also aligns with BPI’s mission of promoting financial inclusion,” it said.

Unit investment trust funds are financial instruments managed by professionals who help investors make the most of their money. They do not earn through a fixed interest rate, but grow in value depending on the assets it carries and the market. UITFs carry a risk of going down in value as the market moves.

BPI Wealth president and chief executive Maria Theresa Marcial said everyone deserves a chance to grow their wealth and secure their financial future. “With lower minimum amount for UITFs, BPI Wealth is making investing easier and more inclusive,” she said. Julito G. Rada

GT Capital‘s income advanced by 52% to P6.6b in first quarter

By Jenni er B. Austria CONGLOMERATE

GT Capital Holdings Inc.’s attributable net income grew 52 percent in the first quarter to P6.6 billion from the same period last year as core automotive, banking and insurance businesses delivered strong results.

First-quarter consolidated revenues climbed 26 percent in the first three months to P69.8 billion from P55.3 billion a year ago, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Tuesday.

“Our first-quarter financial results show all our operating companies sustaining the high growth momentum of the previous year. With expectations of a more stable macroeconomic environment, less value chain disruptions and resurgent consumption, our outlook remains positive for the rest of the year,” GT Capital president Carmelo Maria Luza Bautista said.

Banking unit Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company delivered first-quarter profit of P10.5 billion, as net interest income surged 28.8 percent to P24.9 billion.

Automotive arm Toyota Motor Philippines posted a net income of P4.5 billion, more than double the P2.1 billion it attained in the first quarter of 2022, driven by higher vehicle sales.

TMP’s consolidated revenues surged 28 percent to P53.7 billion in the first quarter as it rolled out 45,205 vehicles, up by 21 percent from 37,230 units sold in the same period last year.

Property subsidiary Federal Land Inc. booked a net income of P286 million, down 8 percent from a year ago. Real estate revenues went down by 53 percent to P860.6 million from P1.8 billion, but reservation sales went up by 71 percent year-onyear to P6.2 billion, driven by sales from newlylaunched residential projects.

Insurance firm AXA Philippines posted a consolidated net income of P708 million, up 66 percent from P426 million a year earlier, arising from improved premium margins and net investment income.

Monde Nissin bullish on alternative meat

FOOD manufacturer Monde Nissin Corp. said its alternative meat business in United Kingdom has the potential to grow by 7 percent to 12 percent once the high inflation environment improves.

Monde Nissin chief executive Henry Seosanto said in a virtual news briefing the 7-percent to 12-percent growth trend was based on the 30-year historical data.

“Today, the market is flat because of the macro-economy, but once this improves, the trend is still there since animal protein cannot supply population growth,” Soesanto said.

Monde Nissin chief financial officer Jesse Teo said the group’s earnings are expected to start showing year-on-year gain in the second quarter, followed by “solid” improvement in the third quarter as commodity prices start to go down and with the expiration of expensive hedging contracts of flour and palm oil.

“We are turning the corner especially for Asia Pacific branded food and beverage business which is showing very strong turnaround,” Teo said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Grab PH ready to refund

P6.6 million to users Friday

GRAB Philippines said it is ready to implement the reimbursement of P6.6 million to its users as early as Friday after the Philippine Competition Commission issued a resolution directing the transport company to complete reimbursements totaling P25.4 million.

Grab Philippines director for public affairs Atty. Sherielysse Bonifacio said in an interview with reporters that the company is “working on the implementation and will be ready to implement as early as Friday,” beginning with the publication requirement of the PCC.

Bonifacio said the company welcomed the release of the PCC resolution as it had long sought to comply with the agency’s directives to refund Grab users for trips they took between 2018 and 2019.

The PCC slapped a fresh P9-million fine on Grab Philippines amid its failure to fully refund its customers more than three years after the PCC ordered the reimbursement.

Prior to the release of the resolution, Bonifacio said Grab had been in constant communication with the PCC and had filed several motions requesting the PCC for guidance as to how to return the remaining P6.66 million to users. Darwin Amojelar

First Gen’s unit submits highest bid of $526m for 165-MW Casecnan hydroelectric power plant

FRESH River Lakes Corp. of First Gen Corp. on Tuesday submitted the highest offer of $526 million for the 165-megawatt Casecnan hydroelectric power plant in Nueva Ecija province, sources said Tuesday. Sources said Fresh River bested the other offers of the Yuchengco-owned EEI Power Corp. in partnership with Soosan ENS CO. LTD., Soosan Industries Co. Ltd. and Mapalad Power Corp. at $298.899 million and of SN Aboitiz Power Corp.’s Nepture Hydro Inc. at $258 million during the bidding on Tuesday.

Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. set the minimum bid price for the sale of CHEPP at $227,272,727.28 upon

the recommendation of the Privatization Bids and Awards Committee.

The other interested bidders for CHEPP were Semirara Mining and Power Corp., Global Hydro Power Corp. of Global Business Power Corp., Panasia Energy Inc., GigaAce 11 Inc. of ACEN Corp. and Romero-owned Belgrove Power Corp. PSALM scheduled the post-qualification of the highest-ranking bidder on May 17 to May 23. The issuance of the notice of award to the winning bidder is scheduled on May 26.

It is expected to use the proceeds from the CHEPP privatization to reduce its outstanding financial obligations. Alena Mae S. Flores

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila Standard TODAY

MEDICAL DONATION. Consolacion National High School in Poblacion Occidental, Cebu receives clinic and medical supplies from Aboitiz Power Corp. and Universal Feed Mill Corp. for the bene t of their sta , faculty and students. Attending the turnover ceremony are

(from left) AboitizPower segment manager for the Visayas Rio Colipapa, Universal Feed Mill Corp. chief executive Joshua De Manuel and Consolacion National High School-evening class school caretaker Garnet Posas. The school is one of the bene ciaries of AboitizPower’s program to support public schools across the Philippines by helping improve the quality of education and welfare of students. Apart from upgrading the clinic, medical equipment was also given to members of the evening class of Consolacion.

SPORTS

PH settles for silver in oorball

PHNOM PENH—Team Philippines fell to a tough Thailand stand in the third and final period and absorbed a 2-3 loss on Tuesday in the men’s floorball finals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the competition venue of the Dinosaur Alive Theme Park in Chroy Changvar District here.

A late goal from Simon Johansson, struck home in the 39th minute in the th ird period, allowed the Thais to escape for the third straight time.

Despite the loss, it was still the Philippines’ best finish after placing fourth in 2015 and 2019.

“It was a tight game. We made a few mistakes. That made the difference today,” said coach Noel Mendoza.

The Filipinos took the lead early, drawing strength on Kim Franz’s attack in the 20:58 mark in the second period.

The Thais then equalized in the third period, behind Johansson, who scored in the 30:46 mark for a 1-all tie.

Then, Franz assisted Melvin Mendoza for the Philippines’ second goal in the 32:07 mark, for a 2-1 score.

Thakit Kavairit then broke through at 36:07 to keep the Thais close with a 2-all deadlock, before Johansson came through with the deciding point.

The Filipinos earlier upset Thailand, 6-4 in the Group Stage.

“Lumaban ang men’s team. ‘Yung goal natin gold. Nakita natin na kaya. And we almost got it. Pero mabilis ang scoring, and the momentum changed quickly,” said Philippine Floorball Association president Ralph Ramos.

Earlier, the Philippine women’s team settled for the bronze medal with their 4-2 victory over Malaysia.

Peter Atencio

Full IRONMAN, 70.3 races back in Subic

A MIX of seasoned campaigners and rising endurance racing stars gear up for another riveting duel of power, speed and stamina when the Century Tuna (Full) IRONMAN Philippines and the IRONMAN 70.3 are held back in Subic Bay next month.

Close to a thousand bidders from at least 33 countries, including 33 from Japan and 15 from the US, have so far confirmed their participation with the total cast expected to double or triple with still four weeks left before the sport’s centerpiece event is fired off on June 11 at the world-class Subic Bay course.

Registration is ongoing. For listup and details, visit www.ironman.com/ ironmanphilippines or www.ironman. com/im703-subicbay.

The full IRONMAN PH race, set over the punishing 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42km run distance, has lured an early roster of 339, including 89 bets in the 4549 age group division. Other age categories (male and female) are 18-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-and-above.

Five hundred and two triathletes, on the other hand, are listed in the early Subic IRONMAN 70.3 roster, including 92 i n the 40-44 age bracket. They will dispute the titles in various categories over the 1.9km swim, 90km bike and 21km run.

“We are excited to provide these triathletes another great racing experience and at the same time showcase once more the best the country can offer,” said Princess Galura, general manager of the organizing The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc. Also on tap is the IM 70.3 relay event. SEI and Century Tuna staged the first full IRONMAN in 2018, also in country’s triathlon capital with Nick Baldwin from Seychelles ruling the event in eight hours, 50 minutes and 13 seconds and Aussie Liz Blatchford topping the women’s division in nine hours, 22 minutes and 22 seconds.

August Benedicto emerged the best Filipino finisher with a clocking of nine hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds.

Czech Petr Lukosz took the top honors in last year’s edition of the full IRONMAN PH following a two-year break due to pandemic with local ace Ines Santiago scoring a wire-to-wire win in the distaff side.

Gilas regains seat at high table

By Riera U. Mallari

PHNOM PENH—The Philippines completed its road to redemption with an 80-69 victory over a thoroughly shackled Cambodian team of naturalized players to regain the basketball throne in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games at the Elephant Hall 2 of the Morodok Techno National Stadium here on Tuesday.

A day after ending the reign of Indonesia, the Filipino team known as Gilas Pilipinas, hurdled the final obstacle in its bid to reclaim its seat at the high table with a pesky defense that stopped the Cambodians’ usually high-octane offense to a screeching halt. Their solid defensive effort was in full display in the second quarter,

where they scored 23 while limiting the hosts to just 11 to grab a 44-33 halftime lead.

“We kept this team of what, five, six American imports to below 70 points, that is great defense, man,” said Gilas coach Chot Reyes, who himself got his vindication with the win, after earning the ire of Filipino fans back home when

the team lost the basketball gold to Indonesia during last year’s games.

Justin Brownlee, who has learned to adapt to the humid conditions and slippery flooring, starred for the second straight game for the Filipinos as he hit 23 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists.

He had more help, this time though, from Chris Newsome (16), Marcio Lassiter (10), Christian Standhardinger (9), Brandor Rosser (9) and CJ Perez (9), whose triple, followed by Brownlee’s own trey, brought back full control to Gilas at 70-59, when the Cambodians threatened to within 59-64.

“A lot of people doubted this team the first time we lost. But the first words I told them when we lost was this was the one we could afford. And I thought that was the lost that we

needed,” said Reyes, in firing up his wards after a 79-68 spanking at the hands of the hosts in the elims.

“Win or lose, this was going to be my last SEA Games, I promised I’ll never coach in the SEA Games anymore. At least, I will go out with a gold medal,” added Reyes, who can now focus on his FIBA World Cup preparations for Gilas.

Brandon Peterson led the hosts with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Morgan had 13 points on 6-of-7 shooting. But Cambodia, which played just seven cagers in the game, was dragged by the 4-of-14 shooting of Darrin Dorsey.

The Cambodians, who haven’t medalled in the history of SEAG basketball, settled for the silver, with Thailand taking the bronze after a 76-66 mauling of dethroned champion Indonesia in the other semifinal game.

Tabique’s bronze smashes 2 PH marks

By Peter Atencio PHNOM PENH—Cebuano

lifter Dex-

ter Tabique had difficulty going down in weight, but his move to compete in the men’s 89-kg class yielded him two new Philippine records and a bronzemedal finish on Tuesday in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games weightlifting meet at the Olympic Stadium here.

The 22-year-old Tabique, who went down from the 102 to the 89-kg division, lifted new records of 140 in the snatch and the total of 310, erasing the Philippine marks set by John Kevin Padullo last year.and Tabique had a record-tying 170 in the clean and jerk. Padullo lifted a 125, a 170, and totalled 295 in the biennial meet in Hanoi, but did not earn a medal.

Quoc Toan Nguyen of Vietnam claimed the gold medal with his heaves of 115-190345, to set three new games’ records.

Muhammad Zul Ilmi of Malaysia was second with a total lift of 328.

“May kaba po ako. Pero hindi ako nagpadala sa emosyon,” said

Tabique of his performance.

National coach Tony Agustin said Tabique has met his goals when he competed in the 89-kg class for the first time.

“Ang goal namin ay mailagay siya sa medal position sa first competition niya, at sa bagong weight class niya. Nagawa namin iyun. Galing siya sa 102, at nag-aadjust pa,” said Agustin. Meanwhile, Kristel Macrohon earlier settled for fourth with lifts of 101 and 120, for a total of 221 in the women’s +71 kg. class.

Duangkasorn Chaidee of Thailand took the gold after totalling 270, with Nukmul Akmal of Indonesia placing second (263), and Si Ro Pha of Vietnam in third (246).

Vanessa Sarno (-71kgs) and Elreen Ando (-59kg) delivered the two golds for the Philippines, which also had four silvers, courtesy of Angeline Colonia (women’s 45 kg), Lovely Inan (women’s 49 kg), John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61 kg) and Rosalinda Faustino (women’s 55 kg).

Taekwondo ends campaign with 4 more bronze medals

PHNOM PENH.—The Philippine

taekwondo team capped a successful campaign in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games by winning four bronze medals

Tuesday.

Joseph Chua (men’s under-65kg), Dave Cea (men’s -80kg), Baby Dessica Canabal (women’s -53kg) and Lai la Delo (women’s -67kg) delivered podium finishes as the charging jins wrapped up their stint with six gold m edals, one silver and eight bronzes.

The Filipinos easily surpassed their 2-5-3 gold-silver-bronze tally last year in Hanoi.

“Our team performed better compared to the last Vietnam SEA Games,” head of delegation Rocky Samson said.

Leading the medal rush were poomsae champs Patrick Perez (men’s individual), Jocel Lyn Ninobla, Nicole Labayne and Aidine

Laxa (women’s team) and kyorugi rulers Kurt Barbosa (men’s finweight), Arven Alcantara (men’s featherweight), Samuel Morrison (men’s middleweight) and Elaine Alora (women’s middleweight).

Perez accounted for the lone silver in partnership with Ian Corton and Joaquin Tuzon in the recognized poomsae men’s team event.

Other bronze medalists were Ninobla and Corton (recognized poomsae mixed pair), Jeordan Dominguez, Darius Venerable, Justin Macario, Juvenile Faye Crisostomo and Zyka Angelica Santiago (freestyle mixed team), Veronica Garces (women’s -45kg), Nicole McCann (women’s -57kg).

The jins more than lived up to expectations.

“We were targeting four golds—at least two in poomsae and two in kyorugi,” Samson said.

Christian Standhardinger of the Philippines scores against three Cambodian defenders during the SEA Games’ basketball nals.

Dexter Tabique The Recognized Poomsae Men’s Team in action during their bronze-medal effort

Philippines

ON AUDIT Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City

The Government of the Philippines is a signatory to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In compliance with the Paris Agreement, Republic Act (RA) No. 9729 , or the Climate Change Act of 2009, was enacted and was subsequently amended by RA No. 101742. Thereafter, Department of Budget and Management (DBM)-Climate Change Commission (CCC) Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) No. 2013-013, as amended by DBM-CCC JMC No. 2015-014, was issued to provide the guidelines CCET in the GAAs.

In view of its international commitments in the UNFCCC, the Paris Agreement, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the National Government (NG) has incorporated various programs on climate change in the Updated Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2017-20225 towards achieving the vision of AmBisyon Natin 2040

For its part, the CCC crafted the National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) and the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) as the country’s guide to the long-term development plan towards a climate-resilient and low-carbon pathway.

Accordingly, the NG has mobilized the budget preparation process to tag climate change expenditures using a common policy-based typology and guidelines. It developed the Risk Resiliency Program that constitutes a major part of the overall climate change expenditure. Recent developments in the budget system of the DBM strengthen the process of tracking, monitoring, and reporting climate change expenditure; and performance-informed budget outcome. Also, performance indicators specific to climate change expenditures have been formulated in sync with the NCCAP.6 Sections 36 and 37, General Provisions, GAAs of Fiscal Years (FYs) 2020 and 2021, respectively, provide the mainstreaming of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation and mitigation in all agency programs and projects. Further, Section 38, General Provisions, GAA FY 2021 provides the directive for climate budget tagging.7 Thus, the CCC has summarized the other climate change-related provisions in the GAAs for FYs 2020 and 2021, Annex “A” hereof. It identified all government agencies in the GAAs with CCET and required them to submit to CCC their budget utilization to implement their respective programs on climate change.

In view of the importance of assessing the implementation of government PAPs with CCET, this Commission provides the audit guidelines pursuant to its power to examine, audit and settle all accounts of government; and exclusive authority to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations.8

II. PURPOSE

This Circular is issued to provide the guidelines in the audit of PAPs with CCET to validate the budget utilization and implementation in accordance with the laws, rules and regulations; and assess whether climate change programs have been implemented in accordance with the principles of economy, effectiveness and efficiency.

III. COVERAGE

This Circular covers the audit of PAPs with climate change tagged expenditures in the GAAs beginning FY 2021 onwards.

IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Audit of programs with CCET - refers to a comprehensive audit of a government agency’s policies, funds, programs, projects, and activities on the area of climate change adaptation and mitigation to determine: (1) the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness; (2) the fair presentation of the financial statements of the audited agencies, in accordance with the government and accounting standards and applicable reporting framework; and (3) the compliance with the government auditing laws, rules and regulations on the interventions addressing climate change issues and its impacts and transition to a low-carbon economy.

2. Climate Change (CC) - refers to a change in climate that can be identified by changes in the mean and/or variability of its properties and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity.

3. Climate Change Adaptation - refers to the adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.10

4. Climate Change Mitigation - refers to human intervention to address anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks all GHG, including ozone-depleting substances and their substitutes.11

5. COA Wide Audit Risk Assessment Matrix - a matrix that documents the key government risks identified, selected, and prioritized as a result of risk analysis and risk evaluation, and contains the planned response to key government risks.

6. Government Risk Model (GRM) - a framework consisting of risk categorized into groups that could threaten the government agencies as a whole or a specific processes of government agencies. GRM includes a definition of each risk for Audit Teams to have a common understanding of risks.

7. NCCAP - refers to the Philippines’ long-term plan to operationalize the Framework Strategy on Climate Change, with specific programs and strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation to enhance the adaptive capacity of communities, resilience of natural ecosystems, and sustainability of built environment and transition towards climate-smart development.

8. NDC - refers to the national plan and strategy of the Philippines to reduce and avoid national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change in view of the Paris Agreement of 2015.

9. Voluntary National Review (VNR) - refers to a process through which countries assess and present progress made in achieving the global goals and the pledge to leave no one behind. The purpose of VNRs is to present a snapshot of where the country stands in SDG implementation, with a view to help accelerate progress through experience sharing, peer-learning, identifying gaps and good practices, and mobilizing partnerships.

V. GENERAL GUIDELINES

1. Audit of the CCET shall consist of: a. Financial and compliance audits of funds tagged as climate change adaptation or mitigation; and b. Performance audit of climate change PAPs which shall include the determination of the economy, efficiency, and effectiveness of the agency’s PAPs in addressing climate change responses as approved by the CCC. It shall include an assessment of whether the climate change responses are aligned and contribute to the attainment of the program goals and the Philippines’ commitments on climate change related goals and targets under the SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. An annual financial audit of funds on the CCET and PAPs of national government agencies and government-owned or controlled corporations with appropriation for climate change in the GAA shall be conducted and included in the identified audit thrusts to be integrated in the regular audit of the agency. The audit shall be conducted in accordance with the Financial Audit Manual (FAM).

3. An annual compliance audit shall be conducted on the CCET and its PAPs in accordance with the Compliance Audit Manual (CAM) under COA Resolution No. 2020-011 dated January 31, 2020.

4. The performance audit shall be undertaken in accordance with COA Resolution No. 2017-012 dated August 17, 2017, which established the Performance Audit Office under the Special Services Sector and transferred thereto the Government-wide and Sectoral Performance Audit and the agency-based value-for-money audit component of the comprehensive audit. The conduct of performance audit shall be guided by the Performance Audit Manual (PAM) prescribed under COA Resolution No. 2020-007 dated January 31, 2020.

5. The Commission conducts performance audits to help government agencies better perform their mandate and achieve program goals and objectives. Performance auditing promotes accountability by assisting those with governance and oversight responsibilities to improve performance. The audit shall assess the extent PAPs with CCET have contributed to the attainment of the goals and objectives of NCCAP, NDC and relevant PDP chapters and SDGs. Sex-disaggregated data and gender statistics shall always be considered in the audit of climate change PAPs.

6. The audit of CCET shall always be a priority area in the conduct of regular audit of agencies with resident audit teams. In case of agencies being audited under the audit team approach where time and resources are limited, the audit of the CCET PAPs will depend on the result of risk assessment and identification, and materiality of the funds involved.

7. The Supervising Auditor (SA)/Audit Team Leader (ATL) of government agencies concerned shall require the submission of sex-disaggregated data and reports on climate change; and encourage the auditees to conduct climate change mainstreaming or self-assessment, particularly in the following areas:

a. Use of climate change and disaster risk information in determining the agency’s PAPs to address climate change;

b. Determining the agency’s compliance with existing laws and regulations on climate change responses, which can be either or both with respect to adaptation and/or mitigation, as well as on the utilization of funds under the GAAs; c. Compliance of the agency’s plans and PAPs with the NCCAP, PDP, AmBisyon Natin 2040 and the NDC; and d. Monitoring of the use of funds tagged or appropriated for climate change.

8. Financial and compliance audits of CCET PAPs of agencies concerned shall be mandatory for the first three (3) years of implementation of this Circular when mainstreaming of climate change is in progress. Thereafter, the SA/ATL concerned shall determine the necessity of conducting a detailed audit of such funds and activities based on the risk assessment of the audit teams, or in the following instances, when: a. required as part of the COA’s commitment to the government’s development plan and/or international conventions; b. there is reasonable request for such audit from the public or other clients of COA;

c. required by funding institutions, i.e., funds are sourced from grants, donations, or loans from international or local funding institutions aside from the agency’s budget;

under the heading “Climate Change Expenditure Tagging.” A separate report shall be prepared when required by the Commission and funding institutions such as international organizations.

10. A consolidated report on the results of the audit of CCET funds and corresponding implementation of PAPs shall be submitted by the Cluster 1, National Government Audit Sector (NGAS) to the CCC.

11. COA may tap the assistance of the CCC, through the CCET Helpdesk, in executing and implementing the provisions of this Guidelines.

VI. SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

A. FINANCIAL AND COMPLIANCE AUDIT ON CCET

1. Audit of CCET shall be conducted simultaneous with the audit of the agency’s financial statements. The audit shall determine, among others, whether the agency has submitted a CCET Quality Assurance and Review (QAR) Form, Annex “B” hereof, and approved by the CCC.

2. Audit of CCET shall ascertain, among others, whether funds for climate change PAPs were indeed appropriated and properly utilized for that purpose. Audit procedures shall be designed to validate whether the agency’s climate changetagged budget was allocated as fund to support climate change PAPs as provided in the approved QAR Form with corresponding National Expenditure Program.

3. The audit shall also look into the specific budget items where climate change responses are tagged and drawn, such as Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE), and Capital Outlay; and verify whether these are in accordance with the existing laws, rules and regulations on climate change.

4. Climate change responses shall be considered as one of the main processes of the financial audit as provided under the FAM and CAM (i.e., strategic planning and risk identification, planning [agency audit planning and risk assessment], delivery [execution, conclusion, and reporting], and monitoring [quality control]). The area of CCET shall always be considered in the development of the GRM, the COA Wide Audit Risk Assessment Matrix, the Agency Risk Model, and other templates designed to identify and/or develop the audit response to the identified risk.

5. Funds for climate change may be used for:

and the Annual Training Plan; and

• Capacity development on CC, including meals and snacks, honoraria, transportation of lecturers, trainers, participants, and resource persons, supplies and materials, and incidental expenses for CC trainings and meetings, are in reasonable amounts.

c. Equipment or capital outlay, provided that:

• Procurement of property, plant and equipment, infrastructure or capital outlay is included in the approved QARs, and in the APP; and

• Procurement is in accordance with RA No. 9184, or the Government Procurement Reform Act.

6. Compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations on climate change should be considered (e.g., NCCAP, DBM-CCC JMC No. 2015-01, NDC, annual DBM Memorandum on the National Budget Call, and annual GAAs).

7. With respect to the initial implementation of this Circular, emphasis shall be made on the agency’s compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations on climate change. The data on the initial implementation of climate change mainstreaming in the agency shall be secured and evaluated.

8. In addition to existing laws, rules and regulations on climate change responses, the following may be used as authorities/criteria in the conduct of compliance audit: a. R.A No. 9729, as amended by RA No. 10174;

b. Reports made by the CCC;

c. SDG 13 – Climate Actions; and d. PDP Chapters on climate change.

10. The NGAS and Corporate Government Audit Sector Clusters concerned shall submit a report on the results of the audit of CCET funds and PAPs implemented to NGAS Cluster - 1, not later than August 15 of each year, for consolidation and to be submitted to the CCC every September 30 of each year.

B. PERFORMANCE AUDIT OF CLIMATE CHANGE PAPs

In line with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAI) 300012 and the Performance Audit Manual,13 the audit topics for performance audit shall undergo selection and prioritization through strategic audit planning process. The selected and prioritized topics, are embodied in the COA Performance Audit Portfolio. To be included in the portfolio, NGAS Cluster - 1 shall submit audit topic proposals relating to climate change adaptation and mitigation PAPs for consideration in the strategic planning. The proposal should capture the emerging issues and risks by NCCAP strategic priorities with the aim of maximizing the expected impact of the audit.

The audit of implementation of SDG 13 on Climate Action can be included in the Performance Audit Portfolio as a priority topic when the Philippine Government shall render VNR to the United Nations Political Forum. The audit results shall serve as inputs to the VNR.

In instances where climate change adaptation and mitigation streaming efforts form part of implementation of a government program subject of performance audit, the audit will cover the efficiency, economy, and effectiveness of these efforts in contributing to the attainment of program goals and objectives as well as relevant SDG targets.

The performance audit shall be undertaken by the Performance Audit Office and/or the Performance Audit Units/Services in the audit sectors once they are established.

The audit planning at engagement level and conducting the performance audit and follow-up audit to include assessment of audit impact shall be conducted in accordance with the prescribed PAM.

VII. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE AUDITED AGENCY

The audited agencies shall mainstream climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives in its annual PAPs. It shall also submit within five (5) working days from receipt of the approved

QAR from the CCC, a copy of the annual climate change plan, as an annex to BP Form No. 201-F or

Vic Sotto and Maja Salvador (second and third from left, standing) forms a dynamic duo for their upcoming sitcom ‘Open 24/7’

By Angelica Villanueva

PREPARE yourself for an entertaining Saturday as Vic Sotto stars in a new sitcom alongside Maja Salvador, forming a dynamic duo that promises laughter and entertainment.

Working together in a TV series for the first time, Vic and Maja had nothing but praise for each other in their respective fields. Maja is renowned for her versatility as an actress, while Bossing has made his mark in the comedy and hosting industry over several decades.

“Bossing doesn’t believe in ‘filters.’ What you see in him, whether it’s through Zoom or in person, that’s exactly how he is. And you can feel that you’re welcome. He really wants you to be part of Bulaga, he wants you to be part of the sitcom. And he makes you feel that he trusts you, so no matter what you do... it’s okay with him, that’s why it’s easygoing,” explained Maja.

The actress, who happens to be a close friend of Bossing’s wife, Pauleen Luna, was given the opportunity to work in Open 24/7 when she became part of the longest-running noontime show, Eat Bulaga!.

“As for Maja, we were together in Bulaga for almost two years. She’s not a stranger to me anymore. When we were doing the casting, I immediately felt at ease because I know, we all know, that she’s a very versatile actress. Not only is she great at acting, but she can also sing, dance, and almost do everything,” stated the veteran host.

Bossing Vic and Maja will portray the roles of Boss EZ and Mikaela in Open 24/7, respectively.

Responsible for managing a convenience store.

Mikaela’s character, on the other hand, is introduced as someone who enters the lives of the store owners and becomes a humorous and lively crew member alongside Boss EZ.

Beks Battalion transcends comedy fame in new Viva movie

VIVA Films brings forth Beks Day of Our Lives, a heartwarming dramedy that delves into the ups and downs of friendship.

Chad Kinis, MC Muah, and Lassy, collectively known as Beks Battalion, take center stage, portraying a trio of friends who navigate the rollercoaster of life together. Through their impeccable chemistry, they show how genuine friendships endure, turning moments of sadness into laughter and preserving their unbreakable bond against all odds.

The film’s storyline was born from Chad’s creative vision, drawing inspiration from his fellow Beks Battalion members.

Richard Gutierrez in a scene from ‘The Iron Heart’

Hit action drama

ABS-CBN’s sensational primetime series, The Iron Heart, continues to captivate the hearts of Filipino viewers as its popularity soars.

Led by Richard Gutierrez, the show has amassed an astounding 200 million views on popular social media platforms including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram.

From the start of the year until April, the series has attracted an evergrowing audience, solidifying its position as a must-watch television phenomenon.

The popularity of the action-packed series continues to increase as it leaves viewers hooked on the lead character Apollo’s (Gutierrez) vengeance against the head of the criminal organization of Tatsulok, Priam, played by Albert Martinez

Netizens praise the show for its compelling content and thrilling action scenes as it has garnered more than 20 million views on YouTube this March, while the show’s hashtag #TheIronHeart continues to be in the trending topics on Twitter.

In its May 10 episode, Apollo revealed to Priam what he knows about the ‘Iron Project’ and that one of the babies included in the project is still alive. Apollo thought his mission would be over, but luckily he survived after the CIB went in to hunt Priam.

On the other hand, Priam is unfazed by Apollo’s confession, and he still plans to continue the said project. In the coming episodes, find out Menandro’s (Ian Veneracion) motives in saving Apollo.

The Iron Heart airs at 8:45 p.m. on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube, Jeepney TV, and TFC IPTV.

Vic Sotto, Maja Salvador ‘Open 24/7’

Richard, played by Chad Kinis, excels as an insurance broker, while Melvin, portrayed by MC Muah, shines as a knowledgeable tour guide. Reggie, brought to life by Lassy, thrives in the world of sales. Despite their diverse professional paths, these three friends have stood by each other for years. They dedicate time every week to be in each other’s company, and they even commemorate their friendship anniversary with joyous celebrations.

However, their yearly commemoration might soon come to a halt when Reggie receives a devastating leukemia diagnosis. Heartbroken, they decide to embark on a memorable journey to Camarines Sur, creating lasting memories together. They aim to turn it into the best days of their lives, cherishing their time together if it happens to be their last grand adventure.

During their vacation, they find themselves entangled in hilarious situations while also addressing personal family issues. Everything seems to be going well until the night Reggie suddenly collapses, shattering their idyllic moments.

team up for hilarious showdown in

Meanwhile, collaborating with Bossing is not a new experience for fellow Dabarkads host Jose Manalo. He has often played the role of the seasoned comedian’s sidekick in his films and has even been his partner in Bulagaan Olympics. The only distinction now is that Jose will portray Boss EZ’s brother, Spark.

“Of course, with Bossing, we have been working together for a long time, so we have a mutual understanding,” said Jose.

Meanwhile, Sparkle loveteam Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay shared their first encounter with Bossing, Jose, and Maja.

“During lunch, we were all sitting at the table, including Bossing and Kuya Jose. We were just there, unsure if we should even speak because you know that feeling when

you used to watch them on screen, and now you’re with them. Then when Miss Maja entered, I didn’t even know how to say hi,” Allen shared with the press.

“It feels amazing because looking at them... it’s so fulfilling. In the past, we only dreamed of having projects. But we never imagined that we would get to work with them. I just remembered watching them before. And I’m so happy because now we eat together on set, and we act in front of each other,” expressed Sofia.

Completing the cast are Riel Lomadilla, Anjay Anson, Kimson Tan, Abed Green, and Bruce Roeland from Sparkle. Open 24/7 premieres on May 27, 9:15 p.m., right after Magpakailanman

Stars to gather at Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention

BRILLIANT star power is set to light up Puregold’s upcoming Tindahan ni Aling Puring Convention on May 18, 19, and 20, with a posse of entertainment celebrities expected to show up at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, the event’s venue.

Entertainment celebrities such as David Licauco, Yassi Presman, Jane de Leon, Francine Diaz, BINI, BGYO, and more are set to make their presence felt.

Attending as well will be Wilbert Ross and Yukii Takahashi, lead

actors of Puregold Channel’s latest digital series, Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile. The tandem will be joined by other cast members at a press conference on May 18 that will discuss Puregold’s newest project in its retailtainment portfolio.

The Puregold SariSari Store Negosyo Convention is an annual gathering of thousands of Aling Puring members from all over the country, with over 30,000 small business owners signing up for the event. Featuring the theme “Sari-Saring Saya, Sari-Saring Benta,” the convention marks the company’s milestone of amassing 800,000 small business owners nationwide. These are the establishment’s primary customers –sari-sari store owners, bulk buyers, online sellers, caterers, and operators of karinderyas, canteens, and bakeries.

Aling Puring members enjoy perks and privileges that help them grow and expand their businesses. At the forthcoming Puregold Sari-Sari Store Negosyo Convention, for instance, they will be spurred to engage with some of the country’s brightest business minds at free seminars; enjoy value-for-money deals, and get instant freebies.

Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile airs on the YouTube Puregold Channel every Saturday as part of the brand’s

Overwhelmed by illness, guilt, and internal conflicts, their already strained friendship faces another blow as a devastating secret is on the brink of revelation. How will they navigate through this emotional turmoil?

Beks Day of Our Lives holds immense significance for Chad Kinis, as it marks his directorial debut. He expressed his joy on Facebook, realizing his dream of directing a movie for the Beks Battalion.

The group, consisting of Chad, MC, and Lassy, was formed in February 2020 but had been friends long before, having previously worked together in a comedy bar. During the pandemic lockdown, they even lived together, and their uplifting vlogs became viral sensations. Although they have become busier with other endeavors, this film aims to compensate for their reduced vlog releases.

Beks Days of our Lives unspools today in cinemas.

Beks Battalion headlines Viva Films’‘Beks Day of Our Lives’

portfolio of retailtainment projects.

The company’s retailtainment concept stresses connecting to viewers online with riveting, relatable stories.

The series tells the story of Bryce (Wilbert Ross), a young video game enthusiast who ventures into the local dating scene with virtual wingman Angge (Yukii Takahashi). Totally relatable are the comedic, kilig-worthy situations that ensue as Bryce and Angge form a bond online and later sense a strong chemistry between them.

Wilbert Ross cheerfully looks forward to this year’s TNAP convention as he anticipates seeing the show’s ardent fans up close.

Sobrang grateful talaga ako for the opportunity na binigay ng Puregold to be a leading man,” said Ross. “Kaya sobrang excited na rin ako na magpasalamat ng personal sa mga fans namin sa TNAP Convention.”

Also in attendance will be the show’s supporting cast that includes Kat Galang (Genski), Migs Almendras

(Ketch), Marissa Sanchez (Bessy), Star Orjaliza (Yaya Aimee), Moi Marcampo (Chili Anne), TJ Valderrama (Cyrus), and Anjo Resurreccion (Jerry).

Two of the creative visionaries behind the series – producer and awardwinning filmmaker Chris Cahilig and Victor Villanueva, the director of the show – will be at the event as well. Cahilig will share some thoughts during the press conference. Villanueva, meanwhile, speaks on his continued collaboration with Puregold.

“It’s a thrill to have the chance to keep telling stories for my fellow Filipinos,” he said. “Puregold understands the kind of entertainment that touches everyday people, and it’s a great honor to continue working with them to bring these stories to life.”

Vincent Co, President of Puregold Inc., emphasizes that this is an exciting opportunity for fans of the show.

“Viewers have so far shown a warm and enthusiastic reception to Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile,” he points out.

“This is a great chance for them to see members of the cast, live and in person, and check out what makes the series a mustsee entertainment.”

‘The Iron Heart’ stuns with over 200m views online

Wilbert Ross, who stars as Bryce, will be in attendance.

TikTok superstar Yukii Takahashi, who plays Angge, will be coming to the convention

TV actor and model David Licauco is set to appear at the annual Tindahan ni Aling Puring Convention

Francine Diaz will be sharing her ‘always panalo’ presence at this year’s convention BGYO will be sharing their talents with all those coming to the convention

C4 WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2023

Nickie Wang, Editor Patricia Taculao, Editorial Assistant E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

By Joyce Babe Pañares

THERE are very few things that can frazzle the nerves of steel of Josephine GotianunYap, President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation. But 25 years ago, Gotianun-Yap experienced restlessness and sleeplessness on the eve of the opening of Festival Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa.

“The one night that I could not sleep was when we were about to open the mall. We only had 30 stalls – mostly in the food court – and we had no anchor stores or supermarket, and Festival Mall is a big mall,” recalled Gotianun-Yap, who made history after becoming the first woman to receive the Real Estate Personality of the Year award last year and bagging the first Property Woman of the Year by the Philippine chapter of Paris-based International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI) early this year.

“I think 30,000 people came that day. The foot traffic was there so the stores came in. We have a beautiful mall that literally, our competitors would come and take notes because our design was really ahead of its time.” Festival Mall, which Gotinanun-Yap described as “very close to my heart,” has come a long way since opening its doors in May 1998, positioning itself as the premier go-to lifestyle and recreational destination in the south of Metro Manila.

“We thank our 800 tenants for believing in us. We value our collaboration with major retailers, which has enabled us to bring together SaveMore, Ace Hardware, Robinson’s Department Store, Handyman, Shopwise, H&M, Decathlon, and Landmark all under one roof,” she said.

It is currently the 5th largest mall in the Philippines, housing two indoor amusement centers for people of all ages: X-Site with exciting attractions such as the Xtreme Coaster, Xyber Trax, and Xplo Drive; and the enchanting Pixie Forest with fun rides such as Flying Dwarves, Elfin Waves, and Fairy’s Wheel. It also has in-mall amusement rides such as the iconic Festival Grand Carousel, the whimsical train station-inspired Festival Grand Station, the indoor race track at Kiddo Driving School

LIFE

From local and foreign brands to family-focused amusement centers and choice restaurants to generous outdoor and indoor spaces, the mall remains committed to providing the best experiences to all of its patrons.

25 years of celebrating everyday moments

as well as eight cinemas. What is next after its milestone celebration?

For Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon, who admits to seeing the mall grow and expand over the past two and a half decades with his family, efforts are in the pipeline to make Festival Mall, along with Filinvest City and the rest of the city, as “smart” areas.

“That is the plan of Filinvest – becoming a smart and liveable business district. It is

dance performance. It doesn’t matter what the genre is, there is something about dance that just pulls you in. And apparently, there’s a science to it.

A study published in Acta Psychologica examined the emotional and aesthetic experience when people watch dance. Based on the study, the participants “perceived the dancers’ emotions as more intense than their own.” Interestingly, the participants reacted positively to rounded movements, while they elicited negative emotions with edgier movements.

GROWING up, my childhood friends and I would gather in one of the shaded areas in the neighborhood not just to play, but to dance. We would “choreograph” simple movements for the latest dance song craze back then.

Looking back, I’m quite amazed at how democratic our whole process was. Everyone could suggest songs, or the best steps that everyone could easily follow, or the different formations we could do that would best showcase each other’s dance skills. We would refine the choreography as we tried to complete the whole dance performance.

I remember dancing to “Macarena” and “Tootsie Roll” one summer day; then “Raggamuffin Girl” and “Oh Carol” on another. In one fiesta, we performed “Dying Inside to Hold You” and “Always.” Holiday performances would mean any songs that have a Christmas theme. Those were the days. I wonder when did we ever stop dancing with so much fun, with great abandon. To dance without a care, without embarrassment, and just pure joy at the moment. ***

While I might not be able to dance as I used to, I still enjoy watching a good

“What we like when we see a dance is not necessarily beautiful – but especially honest and authentic. The beauty expressed in the movements of the dancers does not come from the perfection of the movements, but from the quality of the expressive intention in the movement,” said Julia Christensen, the corresponding author of the study.

I guess this is the reason audiences can relate more to some dances more than others. The perceived kinesthetic empathy, as scientists call it, or the “ability to experience empathy merely by observing the movements

aligned with Muntinlupa City’s own plan,” Biazon said.

“As we move into the post-pandemic period, the cooperation between the local government and Filinvest will continue,” he added.

Located at the heart of Filinvest City, which is certified with a LEED Gold for Neighborhood Development, Festival Mall actively promotes sustainability by implementing sustainable practices in its daily

POWER OF DANCE theUnleashing

of another human being.”

In ballet, there are so many characters that the audience can relate to and sympathize with. But the most curious one, perhaps, is Don Quixote.

You see, when you watch the ballet named after the nobleman from La Mancha, Don Quixote doesn’t really dance; he mimes for the most part. And yet, his presence sets the stage and illuminates the love story between the innkeeper’s daughter Kitri and the town barber Basilio.

Try to ponder on this when you watch Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote on May 27, 8:00 p.m., and May 28, 5:00 p.m., at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

As a tradition, Ballet Manila makes sure that they perform one classic ballet for their season. For its 25th season, they will perform Don Quixote for practical reasons. It doesn’t require a full corps de ballet – something that Ballet Manila might not have due to the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The challenges that Ballet Manila has faced these past years have proven our grit and resilience in the face of adversity, which I believe is relatable with Don

Quixote’s burning passion, the love for adventure, and challenges to prove oneself.

We see this as an opportunity to showcase the depth of talent in our company,” said BM artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde

Taking the titular roles are American danseur and a rising star of San Francisco Ballet Esteban Hernandez and BM’s principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames ***

If ballet is not your thing, you might want to catch Indak Pilipinas: Mga Tradisyon at Interpretasyon, the biggest folkloric dance festival that gathers the best Filipino folk dance groups, slated on May 19 and 20, 7:00 p.m., with 2:00 p.m. matinee on Saturday, at Metropolitan Theater Manila. The bi-annual dance event perpetuates the promotion and preservation of the country’s diverse dance traditions and heritage and highlights the best dance pieces choreographed and staged by Philippine National Artists for Dance and other respected personalities in the dance community.

Featured dance groups are Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Philippine Barangay Folk Dance Troupe, Kaloob, Music and Dance Ministry, SINDAW Philippines Performing Arts Guild, Kalilayan Folkloric Group, Sining Palawan Dance Troupe, and Irong-Irong Dance Company

The school/university-based dance groups are Bulacan State University Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Troupe, Centro Escolar University Folk Dance Troupe, Lyceum of the Philippines University Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe, Philippine Normal University Kislap Sining Dance Troupe, Rizal Technological University Kultura Rizalia Dance Troupe, Technological University of the Philippines Kalinangan Dance Troupe, University of the East Silangan Dance Troupe, and University of Santo Tomas Salinggawi Dance Troupe

“Festival Mall has achieved many milestones over the past 25 years, but what makes me very proud is the way it has become a cherished part of the community in the south of Metro Manila. Back in 1998, we dared to be ahead of our time by opening a regional mall that was not just about shopping, but about creating a place where families and the community could build dreams and memories together,” Gotianun-Yap said.

operations. These include using energy-efficient lighting, specialized segregation bins, waterefficient solutions, recycling, and waste re duction to reduce its environmental impact.

efficient solutions, recycling, and waste re-

The mall also installed a 2.8-megawatt peak state-of-the-art solar panel on the rooftop that will supply about 28 percent of its peak demand and save close to 41,000 tons of carbon dioxide, equivalent to removing 8,855 cars off the roads of Metro Manila annually.

“We would not be where we are today without the unwavering support of our customers, merchants, suppliers, and employees who have journeyed with us through the years...As we build on its strong foundations for the future, we see Festival Mall continuing to serve as a place where time stops for making memories with family and friends,” she ended.

President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation Josephine Gotianun-Yap

Some artifacts on display at the ‘Masaganang Ani’ exhibit

Nayong Pilipino Foundation unveils exquisite collection of artifacts

OVER 150 Artifacts from Nayong Pilipino Foundation (NPF) are currently on display at the historical Casa Comunidad de Tayabas in Quezon Province.

Occupying the historical building is the collection of ethnographic artifacts from various ethnolinguistic groups, from textiles, farming tools, ritual items, hunting and warfare, and domestic objects, which the Foundation has treasured and cared for in the last five decades.

The exhibit titled Masaganang Ani is one of the highlights of Mayohan Festival that commemorates the bountiful harvest in the city.

NPF Executive Director Gertie Duran-Batocabe said that the exhibition is a celebration of Filipino creativity as it spotlights the unique and skilled craftsmanship of indigenous groups from different “Nayon” in the country.

“It is time for the Filipino craftsman to tell his narrative,” she said.

NPF has been doing its mandate of promoting culture and heritage hence the agency launched its traveling museum project early this year which aims to bring our ethnographic collections nearer to the general public.

“This is our fifth exhibit this year and I

can say that it is the most exciting because it is happening during the most festive time in the City of Tayabas,” said DuranBatocabe.

The exhibit, which runs until June 15, is made possible through the NPF’s partnership with Oplan Sagip Tulay (OST) Tayabas and the Local Government of Tayabas.

Admission to the exhibit is free. To get full information about NPF’s upcoming exhibits, follow Nayong Pilipino Foundation on Facebook and Instagram.

Hunting and warfare items used by early settlers in the Philippines

From left: Mitch Dumlao, FSI First Vice-President & Retail Business Head; Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Yap, FREIT Fund Managers Inc. chairman; Muntinlupa Rep. Jaime Fresnedi; Josephine Gotianun Yap, Filinvest Development Corporation Director, President and CEO; Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon; and Filinvest Land Inc. President and CEO Tristan Las Marias

Ballet Manila’s principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames.