Manila Standard - 2023 June 17 - Saturday

DTI orders price freeze in Albay; Mayon spurs 20k to leave homes

By Charles Dantes and Rio N. Araja

THE Department of Trade and Industry has ordered a price freeze within Albay province for Basic Necessities and Prime

Commodities (BNPCs) after the local government declared a state of calamity amid Mayon Volcano's ongoing unrest.

"Through DTI's provincial office in Albay, I have ordered a price freeze for BNPCs today," Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said Friday.

PBBM stays put as DA chief

Jokes no ‘volunteers’ to take over job, vows to pursue structural reforms

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Friday there are no takers for the job of leading the Department of Agriculture, and the people he asked to assume the post don’t want him to give up the reins.

Mr. Marcos, who has been sitting concurrently as Agriculture secretary since he assumed the presidency last year, joked that he has already asked people to volunteer for the post, but they said they did not want him to leave the department.

In receiving a sizable donation of urea fertilizer from China, the President repeated his promise of not stepping down from the DA until key structural changes are in place to ensure food security.

Marcos: China urea donation testament to improving ties

By Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday expressed gratitude to China for its “generous” donation of some 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizers to the Philippines, saying the act is a testament to the two nations’ improving ties.

During the turnover ceremony at

Gov’t mulls rice, corn ‘hub and spoke’ tack

By Vince Lopez

the National Food Authority (NFA) warehouse in Malanday, Valenzuela City, Marcos inspected the donated urea fertilizers from China.

Marcos also received the certificate of handover on fertilizer donation from Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian who represented the Chinese government.

‘Sleepers’ worry Imee, intel community

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and

Rey

E. Requejo

SENATOR Imee Marcos and the leaders of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and National Bureau of Investigation are

worried about “sleepers” or terrorist agents who may be among the refugees from Afghanistan that the United States is asking the Philippines to temporarily shelter in the country. In a Senate hearing, Sen. Marcos first asked NBI Deputy Director Jose

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Agriculture (DA) to study the feasibility of a private sector proposal to set up storage facilities for rice and corn across the country to ensure a 30-day buffer stock for these commodities.

During a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council on agriculture

Chinese navy ship tails BFAR vessel in WPS

A CHINESE Navy ship tailed a Philippine government vessel in the disputed West Philippine Sea on Thursday, GMA News and several eyewitness reporters said.

The rare encounter with China’s "gray" or military ship took place six nautical miles southwest of Pag-asa Island, an area well within the 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Journalists from several media organizations witnessed the incident while on board BRP Francisco Dagohoy, a multi-mission vessel of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The Dagohoy was just two hours into its journey from Pag-asa Island to Puerto Princesa, Palawan after

FATHER’S DAY AT SM. Dads across the country can celebrate Father’s Day this weekend with their families at the nearest SM Supermall where installations -- from interactive retro-futuristic and arcade designs to astounding larger-than-life vintage cars and big bike setups (inset) – can give them another photo to remember.

By Julito G. Rada

in Malacañan Palace on Thursday, the President ordered DA Undersecretary Drusila Bayate and National Food Authority Administrator Roderico Bioco to look into the feasibility and efficiency of building rice and corn stations modules using a mother-daughter or "Hub and Spoke" system.

Such a system is an avenue for farmers to diversify their income streams and expand revenue in a financially

sustainable way, requiring minimal investment of their time, subverting the traditional upfront costs, and reducing risk by providing a guaranteed market and fair wages, the advisers told Mr. Marcos. “We should really look into it because it’s a successful program,” the Chief Executive—the concurrent Agriculture Secretary—said, noting that such rice stations and modules have been a

PH, US, Japan stress peace in Taiwan Strait

THE Philippines, Japan, and the United States on Friday stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait following the first three-way talks in Tokyo among the countries' security advisors.

The three countries also pledged to deepen their trilateral cooperation

SHADOWED. In this video grab, the Chinese Navy ship with bow number 549 tails the civilian ship BRP Francisco Dagohoy (inset, file photo) as it completes an aid mission to Pag-Asa Island in the West Philippine Sea before sailing back to Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Rey Baniquet

China linked to cyber espionage try

WASHINGTON—Online attackers with clear links to China are behind a vast cyber espionage campaign targeting government agencies of interest to Beijing, Google subsidiary Mandiant said on Thursday.

"This is the broadest cyber espionage campaign known to be conducted by a China-nexus threat actor since the mass exploitation of Microsoft Exchange in early 2021," said Mandiant chief technology officer Charles Carmakal.

The cyber attackers compromised the computer defenses of hundreds of organizations, in some cases stealing

PBBM...

From A1

"I have asked many, I asked them, I am just waiting for someone to volunteer themselves to take the post as secretary, they don't want me to leave," Mr. Marcos said.

The President said the country has undergone a crisis in food supply and prices and said he wants to address these first, especially food production.

“At the beginning of this year, we had problems with food supply, prices, everything—and fertilizer prices,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

After a turnover ceremony in which the Chinese government donated some

Gov’t...

From A1 preferred solution in other countries to ensure an adequate buffer stock of rice and other produce.

Aileen Christel Ongkauko of La Filipina Uy Gongco Corporation, who heads the PSAC Agriculture group, said the system has been used by other countries like China, the United States, and India.

The PSAC recommended that building nationwide mother-daughter stations for rice and corn storage will complement the Marcos administration’s Food Security Infrastructure Modernization Plan to ensure sufficient stock and stable prices of rice and corn.

Under the proposal, 30 mother stations will be built all over the country. Each mother station will have 10 daughter station modules, which would be built within a 30-kilometer radius of the main station.

The stations or storage facilities will store rice and corn for buffer stocking for 30 days at any given time.

Marcos:...

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“On behalf of the Filipino people, let me extend our deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Chinese government and its people for this donation — a solid gesture of friendship and goodwill,” the President said in a speech.

“I am not surprised that immediately, upon our request for any assistance in terms of fertilizer supply, China immediately understood the predicament that we're in. Thus, we have today the turnover of 20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer from China to the Philippines,” Marcos added.

Marcos said the donation would help realize his administration’s bid to boost agricultural production in pursuit of food security.

In a chance interview, Marcos said the donated fertilizers will be distributed to farmers in Luzon through the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) existing voucher system.

“We will prioritize Luzon. We will distribute these in Luzon through the voucher system that we already have. So these will be included in the supply of fertilizers [that we will give to local farmers]),” he said.

“The diligence and hard work of our farmers are the realizable goals of food self-sufficiency and the lasting beneficial impact of the long-standing friendly ties between

DTI...

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"Business establishments are directed to comply with this, otherwise, we will impose necessary penalties. We want to ensure that our affected kababayans in Albay will have access to affordable and reasonably-priced commodities, especially during disasters like this," he added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Friday said it recorded Mayon's largest pyroclastic density current (PDC) registered since June 8.

In an advisory, Phivolcs said the PDC occurred at 11:18 p.m. on Thursday and was the largest seen since last week.

It was one of the 13 pyroclastic flows recorded from Thursday to Friday, higher than the three PDCs recorded from Wednesday to Thursday.

The volcano's ongoing unrest has

"emails of prominent employees dealing in matters of interest to the Chinese government," Carmakal added.

Mandiant reported having "high confidence" that a group referred to as UNC4841 was behind the wide-ranging espionage campaign "in support of the People's Republic of China".

The hackers targeted victims in at

20,000 metric tons of urea fertilizer worth about P782.68 million, the President said the donation was a big deal.

"You know, the truth of the matter is... we have really managed to make some very important structural changes in the Department of Agriculture. We are going through them one by one… So this donation given to us by China is a very big thing," President Marcos said.

Farmers' groups and industry experts have been receptive to the Chief Executive taking the DA portfolio, while militant groups have frowned on his continued leadership of the department, one year into his tenure.

The Federation of Free Farmers and the Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (Sinag) have welcomed Mr. Marcos at the

Ongkauko said the project may be subject to a Public-Private Partnership scheme, as each mother station may cost P5.7 billion each or P170 billion for the entire project.

Bioco, meanwhile, noted the NFA will transition to providing physical rice stock from granting cash assistance to poor households under the government’s welfare program as part of the agency’s new rice stocking scheme.

“There has been an endeavor before to make this physical but NFA has not been able to transition to that physical stock and this is where we’re going to change as part of our transformation from that, when we buffer, we actually buffer for the poor,” Bioco told the President.

He said the government has more than P35 billion for rice procurement. The target is to supply poor households with physical rice so they do not have to go to the market to buy rice, which, in the end, will put less pressure on rice prices.

“If we switch to that also Mr. President, what we hope to achieve is that quantitative easing in prices of rice… supply the bottom 18 percent of our society, take that away

our two nations,” he added. The donated urea fertilizers worth renminbi (RMB)100 million (P782.68 million) are part of the grant provided in the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Philippine and Chinese governments on April 25, 2019.

Urea is widely used in the agriculture sector both as a fertilizer and animal feed additive. With its high nitrogen content of about 46 percent, urea fertilizer initiates vegetative growth and makes the plants look lush.

The President said agricultural cooperation between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China is very promising, as both countries share the same priorities and outlooks for the sector.

“It’s very, very promising,” President Marcos told reporters after the turnover ceremony.

“It turns out that the priority that we put here in the Philippines on agriculture, the Chinese government, as it was explained to me by President Xi when I went to visit him last January, was the same, that their outlook, that their priorities are the same,” he added.

The President also emphasized that the Philippines and China have the same goal of providing affordable food supplies to the people, ensuring farmers’ needs are attended to and providing them with good living conditions, and enhancing the productivity of the two countries’ agricultural commodities. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

driven more than 20,000 to leave their residences, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council revealed.

During an interview with ANC, NDRRMC spokesperson Raffy Alejandro said managing evacuation centers might pose a problem as the number of evacuees continues to balloon.

"As long as nobody is inside the permanent danger zone, we don't expect any casualty, but the challenge really is how to maintain or manage the evacuation centers because this is where we might have problems," said Alejandro.

"We have to prevent outbreaks of diseases, problems in terms of health and sanitation," he added.

Under the Price Act (RA7581), as amended by RA 10623, prices of basic necessities (BN) are automatically frozen at their prevailing prices for 60 days from declaration unless sooner lifted by the President. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

least 16 different countries, striking organizations in the public and private sectors worldwide, the report said.

The targeting focused on issues of high policy importance to the Chinese government, particularly in the AsiaPacific region and Taiwan, according to the report.

Victims included foreign ministries, research organizations, and foreign trade missions based in Hong Kong and Taiwan, Mandiant said in its findings.

The attacks involved email messages booby-trapped with malicious code and exploited a vulnerability in Barracuda software for screening such missives to

reins of the DA, saying last year only the President could "jumpstart the gargantuan task of rehabilitating local agriculture from the carnage created by those at the helm of the department these past years."

The Pamalakaya Pilipinas (Federation of Small Fisherfolk Organizations in the Philippines), however, said it doubts whether Mr. Marcos can solve the problems of the agri-fisheries sector.

The President said he wants the Agriculture Department to have efficient systems in place to ensure food security before stepping down from the agency. This would mean it could guarantee the supply of food, make sure that prices are affordable, and see to it that farmers make a good living.

from the market then we can put lesser pressure on prices, especially during the lean season,” he said.

“So, that’s why traditionally, NFA is supposed to have a 30-day buffer stock before the lean season. It was easier because you just import but now we have to procure palay nine months earlier,” he added.

A similar scheme is being implemented in Indonesia, with its government producing more than 200,000 metric tons of rice a month, the NFA official said.

Bioco, however, noted the present difficulty being encountered by Asian nations in securing food stock to temper the rise in prices during the lean season.

The NFA is mandated to procure palay locally and maintain the optimal level of buffer stock at all times strategically located across the country.

President Marcos was glad about the reforms and transformation of the NFA despite the challenges.

“I’m happy to see that NFA is returning to its original function in trying to even out the price of rice, making it stable all throughout harvest and then the planting cycle,” he said.

‘Sleepers’...

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Justo Yap about the agency’s position that it was “highly probable” there were "sleepers" among the Afghan refugees endorsed by the US, and that their presence in the country could make the Philippines a “target for Taliban and splinter groups.”

“I think the apprehension that we noted is that they may have sympathizers from the Southern Philippines, from our Muslim brothers. So that is a possibility, madam chair,” Yap told the Senate panel.

NICA Director General Ricardo de Leon echoed the NBI position, saying the move could be used as propaganda by pro-Taliban or Al Qaeda groups and other sympathizers —even though the refugees are supposed to have worked for the US government.

“Our apprehension is about the sleepers, they could always be activated and have an impact as far as the revival of some activities in the south,” he said.

The National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, on the other hand, did not seem concerned about the possibility of sleepers, but said these special immigrant visa (SIV) applicants might be a “target of an attack.”

This request is still being evaluated, the Palace said last night, after Foreign

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to "maintain and strengthen a free and open international order," in a joint press release issued after the meeting, Kyodo News reported.

The agreement comes amid China's increasing military assertiveness toward Taiwan and other parts of the IndoPacific region.

National Security Adviser Eduardo

Ano represented the Philippines in the meeting with Takeo Akiba, secretary general of Japan's National Security Secretariat, and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan.

The gathering took place amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing over issues such as Taiwan, a self-ruled democratic island that Communist-led China regards as a renegade province to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. US Secretary of State Antony

make sure they are safe, according to the report.

The cyber espionage activity was detected in May and is believed to have started as early as October of last year.

"We continue to see evidence of ongoing malware activity" on some systems that were compromised, Barracuda Networks told AFP.

The 2021 hack of Microsoft Exchange, which security researchers attributed to a Beijing-backed group, affected at least 30,000 organizations in the United States including businesses and local governments. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

“Until we achieve that, I suppose you will just have to put up with me as DA secretary,” he added.

Mr. Marcos said as concurrent Agriculture secretary, he can put in place emergency measures to support and assist farmers.

Last August, Mr. Marcos said sustainable livelihood for farmers, food security, and affordable food for all are his three “dreams” for the country’s agriculture sector.

In November last year, the President also said it would take some time before he finally gives up the DA portfolio, as the list of candidates to replace him “keeps changing.”

In March this year, Mr. Marcos said he prefers to appoint a successor who is an expert in the field of agriculture.

Other recommendations forwarded by the PSAC Agriculture group were giving long-term permits of 25 years for the Fishpond Lease Agreements (FLAs); Development of a national policy that will guide and encourage local government units to provide long-term permits on exclusive areas for aquaculture operators for at least 10 years for new developments and 5 to 7 years for existing farming areas; and,

The issuance of clear policy as regards delineation areas for commercial fishing.

Among those who attended the PSAC meeting were DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, Presidential Adviser on Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, PSAC Convenor Sabin Aboitiz, industry leaders Chris Po of the Century Group, Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. of Frabelle, Irwin Lee of Universal Robina, Ramon T. Lim of RNCL Prime Holdings Corporation, Anna Margarita HontiverosMalvar, PSAC Communications Lead, and David Jude Sta. Ana, PSAC Assistant Secretariat Lead.

Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo's statement that the request was made by US President Joe Biden during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s US visit in May.

Senator Marcos—the President’s sister—asked why the US was seeking to house the Afghan refugees, who are former US government employees, in the Philippines instead of bringing them directly to America.

“Doesn’t the fact that the US no longer wants to house these foreigners in safe havens within the territory of the US raise concerns for us? They are claiming that there will be very low risk in security, that highly vetted groups will be the only ones coming, and that the SIV is assured, and yet, they don’t want them,” Marcos said.

But Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez said SIVs should be processed in other jurisdictions before they are allowed to enter the United States.

He said once their applications for special immigrant visas are accepted, they would go to the United States to work and live there.

“That’s how we understand the special immigrant visa works,” said Romualdez, who attended the hearing virtually from the US.

He also said the US proposal was not a secret—in response to Senator Marcos’ charge that there was a lack of transparency in the plan. With Vince Lopez and AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Blinken is set to push through with his long-delayed trip to China this weekend aimed at stabilizing tense relations between the world’s two superpowers, but the mood in Beijing is hardly welcoming, CNN reported.

China has been stepping up its military pressure on Taiwan, which has been governed independently since it split from China in 1949 following a civil war.

Based on bilateral US security alliances with Japan and the Philippines, respectively, the three countries will work together and enhance their response capabilities "in order to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," the statement said.

"A free and open maritime order, characterized by freedom of navigation, and a free, fair, and equitable economic order are essential," especially given "unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion," it added. (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

Water board OKs 52cms allocation for

MWSS in June

THE National Water Resources Board (NWRB) approved the request of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) to retain a higher water allocation of 52 cubic meters per second (cms) from June 16 to June 30.

NWRB chief Sevillo David confirmed the NWRB decision, although the board was reportedly expected to lower the allocation -- drawn from Angat Dam -- to 50 cms for Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Corporation beginning Friday to conserve water amid a looming El Niño. House Ways and Means chair and Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda meanwhile expressed his gratitude to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe Medalla for officially clarifying that “financing of water and sanitation projects in rural communities” qualifies as a project financeable with Agri-Agra Rural Credit funds under the country’s banking system. Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Bivalent COVID jabs out by June 21, DOH vows

THE Philippines will begin distributing bivalent COVID-19 vaccines to healthcare workers and senior citizens starting June 21, the Department of Health said Friday.

The modified jabs will be launched through a ceremony at the Philippine Heart Center in Quezon City next week, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will attend, the DOH said.

The Philippines received early this month some 390,000 doses of the adapted version of the original vaccine from Lithuania.

Those eligible for the first phase of the bivalent vaccine rollout include healthcare workers and senior citizens who received their second booster shots at least 4 to 6 months ago.

The DOH urged eligible Filipinos to get inoculated with the bivalent vaccines, which are modified to target both the original and omicron strains of the coronavirus. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

DBM:...

From A1 or 6.23 percent higher than the 2023 shares of LGUs.

In a statement Friday, DBM said it has released the guidelines on the preparation of the 2024 annual budgets of local government units. Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman signed on June 9, 2023 the Local Budget Memorandum 87. This spells out the factors in allocating the 2024 NTA shares of the LGUs, consistent with the codal formula provided in the Local Government Code of 1991.

It also complies with the Supreme Court Ruling on the consolidated cases of Congressman Hermilando Mandanas, et al. vs. Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., et al. and Honorable Enrique T. Garcia, Jr. vs. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa, et al., the DBM noted.

The LGUs’ total NTA shares for 2024 of P871.38 billion was based on the certifications issued by tax-collecting agencies such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue (P688 billion), the Bureau of Customs, (P183.36 billion), and other agencies certified by the Bureau of the Treasury (P19.60 million). (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Chinese...

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completing an aid mission when it encountered the Chinese ship.

An official Department of Agriculture-BFAR statement said the Dagohoy carried P4.95 million worth of fishing and post-harvest equipment to fisherfolk groups in Pag-Asa Island.

Amid rough sea conditions and gloomy skies, a speeding gray ship flying China’s flag with bow number 549 appeared on the horizon.

It caught the crew of the Dagohoy by surprise, as the Chinese ship’s Automatic Identification System was turned off while making its approach from the rear.

The navy vessel revved up its powerful engines and started making a beeline for the much slower BRP ship, GMA News reported. The Chinese ship barreled through the waves with ease, tailing the Philippine ship from a distance of approximately one nautical mile.

The navy ship then maneuvered to the right and shadowed the civilian vessel while still maintaining a safe sailing distance. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IN BRIEF

PAO reminds traders to abide by retail law

THE Public Attorney’s Office (PA0) warns commercial establishments against misleading the buying public on the retail price of consumer goods as set by Republic Act 10909

During its weekly #PALA program, PAO chief Persida Acosta reminded business owners to put a price tag on anything that is being bought and sold.

A price tag is any device written, printed, affixed or attached to an article for sale, or displayed in a consumer retail or service establishment to indicate its retail price.

“If a business operator fails to do so, he or she may face the corresponding penalties, suspension or revocation of the permit to operate,” she said. Rio N. Araja

Manila gov’t launches

cultural fashion show

THE city of Manila on Friday launched Rampa Manila fashion show with a press conference at the iconic Bulwagang Rodriguez, Manila City Hall. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-

Pangan unveiled details of the upcoming Rampa Manila fashion extravaganza, celebrating Manila’s founding anniversary and showcasing the best of Philippine fashion.

Creations by renowned designers Albert Andrada, Michael Leyva, Marlon Tuazon, Puey Quinones, and Jo Rubio will be featured at the fashion show.

The event will highlight the city’s vibrant fashion industry and rich cultural heritage, with a focus on Filipino artistry and craftsmanship, the mayor said.

Jinggoy cites relevance of seafarers’ measure

PASSAGE of the proposed Magna Carta of Filipino Seafarers has become timely and relevant in light of the near banning of Filipino seamen by European Union-flagged vessels, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said on Friday.

Estrada said the measure will ensure the clear and coordinated fulfillment of mandates of the concerned government agencies.

This will also improve the services given by the government to Filipino seafarers and facilitate the proper implementation of the proposed law, Estrada said.

Estrada, chairman of of the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment, and Human Resource Development suggested that the passage of the Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers was long overdue. Macon Ramos-Araneta

DMW chief optimistic OFW hiring will pick up this year

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Friday expressed optimism that demand for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) would pick up this year, surpassing last year’s deployment of 1.2 million.

Meanwhile, the country has already deployed more than one-half of the maximum annual allocation of nurses overseas during the first five months of the year.

In the same interview, Ople said the Philippines has been granted the Tier 1 ranking in the 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report, signifying an improvement in addressing the problem of human exploitation.

“We are not just on track, but we definitely will surpass the deployment figures of last year,” DMW Secretary Susan Ople told CNN Philippines.

“We see an increase in the number of our OFWs, both new hires and rehires, and also we are looking at a rebound in the number of seafarers being hired abroad.”

Ople said from January to April alone, some 800,000 land-based and sea-based OFWs were landed jobs abroad, mostly in the areas of healthcare, construction, and hotel and restaurant management in countries like Saudi Arabia and Croatia.

Other nations like the UAE, and Canada have a big demand for medical professionals, she added.

Ople also said more countries such

Merger doubles bid to P210b for NAIA rehab

as Hungary and Oman have indicated their willingness to enter into bilateral labor agreements with the Philippines.

Ople earlier said they expect the volume of deployed OFWs to hit pre-pandemic levels in 2023, with the total number seen to reach the two-million mark.

While there is a demand for Filipino workers, especially for nurses, Ople said she wants to have a dialogue with relevant agencies to come up with solutions on how to encourage these professionals to work in the Philippines.

“It will take a whole of government, whole of society approach,” Ople said.

“To stay here would be the most attractive choice because their families are here… We need to create opportunities for them to stay and look at quality of life issues.”

By Joel E. Zurbano and Darwin Amojelar

A CONSORTIUM of large real estate developers has doubled its offer from P100 billion to P210 billion not only to rehabilitate but also modernize the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Meanwhile, the country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Friday started operating its international flights at the NAIA Terminal 1 as part of the airport authority’s Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program to optimize the capacity of the four NAIA terminals.

The P210-billion unsolicited proposal came from the Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC), composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital, AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp, Alliance Global – Infracorp Development, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp., and Global Infrastructure Partners.

“The construction firmly believes that NAIA needs rehabilitation and introduction of new operating procedures and new technologies as soon as possible and our unsolicited proposal is the fastest route towards providing comfortable and efficient international gateway for the passengers now, which the Filipinos deserve and now,” Aboitiz Infracapital Inc. president and chief executive officer Cosette Canilao told ANC.

The MIAC said the increase in its offer was based on new studies, including the projected growth in flight traffic to about 55 million passengers annually from the 48 million pre-pandemic level.

TINGOG party-list and the Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday spearheaded the distribution of relief items to fire victims in Ormoc City.

At least 346 individuals from 72 families in a resettlement village have received mosquito blankets, slippers, towels, toiletries, and other primary necessities.

The fire incident happened last Wednesday evening, a day before the fiesta celebration of Barangay Danao where the village was situated.

The recipients were also victims of the July 2017 quake that hit Ormoc, City, and its nearby municipalities, taking the lives of two residents and leaving multi-million pesos worth of damages in infrastructure. Maricel V. Cruz

“There is a real need to implement these comprehensive changes the soonest time possible and our proposal is you know is based on that new studies,” Canilao said.

Speaker backs ‘community pantry’ project for Mayon evacuees

By Maricel V. Cruz

on Friday lauded Albay Rep.

for his plans to set up a “community pantry” for the evacuees in the province who have been affected by the continued restiveness of Mayon Volcano.

The Speaker’s office was informed

that Cabredo will use the P500,000 financial assistance he received from Romualdez and Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre to set up to community pantry, which the Albay solon will call “Community Pantry nina Speaker and Cong Didi”.

“It’s very heartwarming to see the

return of the community pantry during this situation in Albay. Community pantries symbolized malasakit (compassion) and hope for Filipinos during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. I am happy and humbled to serve as an instrument of this laudable initiative that would benefit the evacuees,” Speaker Romualdez said.

As restrictions brought about by the pandemic stripped many Filipinos of their livelihood, kind-hearted citizens set up tables and filled it with canned goods, fresh produce, water, toiletries, and other basic necessities. People could freely take whatever items they needed for that given day. Thus, the community pantry was born.

Villar renews vow to uplift farmers’ lives

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Cynthia Villar on Friday renewed her commitment to improve the farmers’ lives as she gave assurance that her legislations will address the needs of the agriculture sector to attain promote food security.

Villar, chairperson of the Senate committee on Agriculture and Food, issued the statement as she led the inauguration rites for the “The Philippine Poultry Show and ILDEX Philippines 2023” at SMX Convention Center.

The event, Villar said, featured “cutting-edge technology and informative seminars focused on the poultry industry, livestock and dairy products.”

More than 100 exhibitors from over 20 countries worldwide, including prominent companies specializing in animal health, breeding and hatching,

farm production, and feed ingredient and additive companies in the Philippines, participated in the event.

The senator related that one of her priority legislations was “Livestock, Poultry and Dairy Development and Competitiveness Act of 2022,” which she described as “very relevant” to the poultry industry.

“To provide additional support to the livestock, poultry and dairy industry, I am also prioritizing the passage of the Yellow Corn Industry Development Act of 2022,” she said.

The senator noted that the two bills would help boost the livestock, poultry and dairy sectors.

She said it would also give the backyard farmers the chance to improve their lives.

The senator also recalled having filed bills in response to the issues of smuggling.

Tingog party-list extends relief to Ormoc fire victims

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin Romualdez

Fernando Cabredo

died on June 12 at the age of 88 after a battle with pneumonia. Ver Noveno and

Judge recuses self in De Lima case

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Muntinlupa City regional trial court judge who denied the plea of former senator Leila M. de Lima and her coaccused to post bail has recused himself from further handling the illegal drugs case.

“In order to preserve the ideal of cold and impartial dispensation of justice by the Court, better part of prudence dictates that herein Presiding Judge should recuse and disassociate himself from further hearing the above-entitled case,” Judge Romeo S. Buenaventura of Muntinlupa City RTC, Branch 256, said

PNP drug haul hit over P6.2b from Jan. to June

By Charles Dantes

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that seized illegal drugs from January 1 to June 9, 2023, reached more than P6.2 billion.

The PNP also reported a decrease of almost 10% in crime situations across the country.

During this period, the PNP said it has conducted 19,464 antidrug operations across the country which resulted in the arrest of 25,641 drug offenders.

The PNP said it remains stern in its campaign against narcotics together with various government agencies.

PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said that the national police is in full support of the Buhay Ingatan Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The BIDA program led by DILG Sec. Benhur Abalos Jr. was created to reduce the demand for illegal drugs in society.

The PNP also apprehended 31,956 offenders included in their wanted list.

Meanwhile, the national police campaign against loose firearms recorded 3,904 arrested individuals and 12,373 firearms recovered.

The PNP stated that these numbers showed the effectiveness and efficiency of anti-crime strategies and programs laid out by the national police.

IN BRIEF

in an order issued on June 15.

The order granted the motions filed by De Lima’s co-accused – former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director general Franklin Jesus B. Bucayu, and Joenel T. Sanchez and Ronnie P. Dayan, former security aide and driver, respectively, of the former senator.

In their motions, the accused sought the inhibition of the judge for being the brother of lawyer Emmanuel S. Buenaventura, who was reportedly the former counsel of late former Oriental Mindoro 2nd District Rep. Reynaldo Umali, chairperson of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice that conducted the 2016 hearings on De Lima’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs subject of the case. Emmanuel was pointed as the one who acted as counsel of Dayan who issued sworn statements on the alleged involvement of De Lima in the illegal drugs trade.

However, Dayan recanted his testimonies and alleged that he was coerced by Umali into making the false statements against De Lima.

Three cases were filed against De Lima and her co-accused. The first case was dismissed on a demurrer to evidence and the dismissal was tantamount to an acquittal. She was acquitted in the second case.

In the third and last case, De Lima and her co-accused were indicted for allegedly receiving P70 million in illegal drugs earnings collected by imprisoned narcotics traders of the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

DANGEROUS TOYS? Plastic lato-lato toys are for sale in a stall in Divisoria Market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned the public to avoid purchasing the glow in the dark lato-lato as “potential hazards may come from ingredients that are not allowed to be part of toy and childcare article product.” Norman Cruz

EXPECT a major revamp in the Philippine National Police (PNP) with the retirement of two senior officials of the police organization.

Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) chief Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz bids farewell to his distinguished career in the PNP on June 14, while Maj. Gen. Ronaldo Olay, Director for Logistics, was honored for

Admin pledges

‘safe’ environment for press

THE Marcos administration is committed to providing a “safe and secure” environment to the Philippine press, the Presidential Task Force on Media Security (PTFoMS) said on Friday.

PTFoMS executive director Paul Gutierrez said the decision of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to support the task force’s continued operations under his watch is a testament to the current administration’s dedication to upholding and protecting the media workers’ rights.

“The decision of President Marcos Jr. to continue with the PTFoMS is the clearest demonstration of his administration’s commitment to the strengthening of our democracy and in sustaining an environment that is generally safe and secure for all members of the press,” Gutierrez said.

“The corollary aim is to ensure that all transgressors of media rights are made accountable before the law,” he added.

NAIA officer hailed for returning wallet with cash

THE Office for Transportation Security (OTS) has commended one of its screening officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for good conduct after the officer returned a wallet containing foreign money equivalent to P29,000.

OTS administrator Undersecretary Ma.O Aplasca said Security Screening Officer (SSO) Ivan Godwin Loraña returned the wallet containing cards and cash amounting to 500 US dollars, and 61,000 Korean won owned by a passenger identified as one certain Changkyu Park, who was bound for Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Park, according to OTS, inadvertently left the wallet inside the tray after the usual security screening procedures in NAIA Terminal 1 last Thursday. Joel E.

Zurbano

DENR welcomes PH, US pact on climate change

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday welcomed the strengthening of bilateral relations between the Philippines and the US on various areas of mutual interest, including cooperation on climate change, environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and water security.

DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga was invited by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be part of the Philippine delegation during the President’s official visit to Washington, D.C. from April 30 to May 4. The meeting between President Marcos and US President Joe Biden at the White House yielded several new bilateral commitments and reaffirmed the continued partnership between the two countries.

Rio N. Araja

Major revamp seen in PNP ranks with exit of two senior officials

his exceptional service and dedication to the PNP on June 13.

In a statement on Friday, PNP Chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. expressed his admiration and gratitude to Cruz, acknowledging his exceptional work ethic, competence, and unwavering dedication during his 37-year service in the police force.

“We congratulate Maj. Gen. Eliseo

2 househelp admit to killing woman, 86, in P’que

TWO domestic helpers have admitted to killing an 86-year-old woman in Paranaque City -- the sister of a public relations practitioner -- last May 4 and taking her ATM card to get her money, then framing another house helper for the crime.

Agents of the National Bureau of In-

vestigation filed charges of robbery with homicide against the two suspects, named “Ken” and “Juliet”, after they owned up to the killing of Noemi Dacuycuy.

A month after leaving their employer bloodied and lifeless at her home, the two were caught on CCTV video withdrawing money from a bank us-

ing the victim’s ATM card. They later pointed to their fellow helper, a man, as the suspect to the Paranaque police. But invited for questioning by the NBI after the video was discovered, the suspects admitted tearfully to the slaying, then agreed to reenact the crime for investigators.

BFP Region 7 vows full support to anti-drug program

THE Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 7, under the leadership of their regional director, CSupt. Roberto M. Genave expressed its full support and commitment to intensifying the implementation of the country’s anti-drug program as initiated by the Department of the Interior

and Local Government (DILG). During the visit of DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Hon. Serafin P. Barretto at Cebu Parklane International Hotel on June 15, all key officials of BFP Region 7 exuded determination in protecting the public against the proliferation and detrimental

impact of illegal drug abuse in their respective areas of jurisdiction. The officials further pledge to help out in the projects and programs aligned in the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (BIDA) Program of the government. Roy Tomandao

Dela Cruz on this momentous occasion of his retirement. His leadership and commitment have been an invaluable asset to the Philippine National Police,” said Acorda. “Sa loob ng mahabang taon sa serbisyo, naniniwala akong ibinigay mo ang lahat ng iyong kakayahan, galing at sakripisyo upang mapaglingkuran at proteksyonan ang ating bayan ng

buong puso, tapang, at husay (During the long years of service, I believe you have given all your skills, talent and sacrifice to serve and protect our people with all your heart, courage, and skill). We will miss your presence in the PNP, your mentoring, and the great works that have benefitted different police units you have worked with,” he added.

PLEDGE OF COMMITMENT.

Officials of the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Region 7, and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) pose for a photo. The BFP Region 7, under the leadership of their regional director, CSupt. Roberto M. Genave vowed to support the government’s antidrug campaign. DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Hon. Serafin P. Barretto recently visited the BFP Region 7 and met with officials at the Cebu Parklane International Hotel on June 15.

Roy Tomandao

A ‘BRAVE SOUL.’ Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez pays his last respects to the late former Senator Rodolfo Biazon at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig on Friday. Romualdez called Biazon, who also served as AFP Chief of Staff and as a member of the House of Representatives, a “brave soul” and cited his inspiring and selfless service to the nation. Romualdez converses with Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon as he condoles with the passing of Biazon, who

Danny Pata

Deadly dreams: Record Everest season among most dangerous

KATHMANDU, Nepal—Scaling

Everest is always dangerous, but expedition organizers have warned that a combination of extreme weather, cornercutting on safety, and inexperienced and “impatient” foreign climbers has resulted in one of the peak’s deadliest mountaineering seasons.

As the last search and rescue teams hang up their boots and the tent city at base camp packs up for the year, expert climbers say several of the 17 people killed or missing and presumed dead this season could have avoided disaster.

“This season was very bad overall,” said expedition organizer Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, of Imagine Nepal Trek and Expedition, whose team was responsible for opening the route to the summit.

“The main reason is that the weather was extremely cold... but there was also carelessness.”

Higher death numbers were recorded in past seasons, but those tolls included several killed in single large-scale disasters.

In 2014, 16 Nepali guides were killed by an avalanche, with climbing closed for the season thereafter.

Many climbers dropped out this season, even after paying a nonrefundable $11,000 for a permit and at least $30,000 more for the expedition

The deadliest season was in 2015, when at least 18 people died in an earthquake that also killed nearly 9,000 people across Nepal.

This season, 12 people died and five others are missing.

Ten of them were foreigners, the highest such toll on record, as well as seven Nepalis: guides, mountain workers and a climber.

Around five climbers die each year on the oxygen-starved paths to the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) icy peak.

Some say too many of the foreign mountaineers are ill-prepared for what remains a major test of body and soul.

Nepal issued a record 478 permits for foreign clients this season, with around 600 climbers and guides reaching the top, prompting some to suggest there is a need to cut numbers.

Minus 40 degrees

The tough guides say the mountain was the coldest they have ever experienced, with freezing temperatures far lower than usual adding to the danger.

“It should already have been warm, around minus 28 degrees Celsius (-18.4 degrees Fahrenheit),” said Mingma Gyalje Sherpa.

“This year it was even down to minus 40 degrees.”

Climate change is dramatically altering weather patterns and causing extreme fluctuations in temperature,

Golden rule in social media

but scientists caution against linking individual events directly to global heating without evidence.

Three of Mingma Gyalje Sherpa’s route-opening team -- Dawa Tseri, Pemba Tenzing and Lakpa Rita Sherpa -- died after dropping off ropes at Camp 2 when a serac ice block fell and buried them in the Khumbu icefall.

As the season progressed, more climbers died or were reported missing in the icy heights.

Several others suffered frostbite and infections related to high-altitude pulmonary edema, when liquid accumulates in air spaces of the lungs.

Mingma Gyalje Sherpa said the freezing weather and high winds meant many Nepali guides and porters suffered frostbite early in the season.

That had a knock-on impact, especially for equipping higher altitude camps.

“It meant that Camp 4 was not prepared enough and not all supplies reached there... but clients were impatient and climbing began,” he said.

“I think some of the casualties could have been prevented if all the supplies were there.”

The rapid growth of the climbing industry has created fierce competition among companies for business, also raising fears that some are cutting corners on safety.

Lukas Furtenbach, of Austria-based Furtenbach Adventures, said that a majority of the deaths could have been avoided “with mandatory safety standards”.

“These accidents do all have a similar pattern,” Furtenbach said.

“This, in combination with the fact that oxygen cylinders have been stolen from several teams, including ours, shows one of the main problems this season -- oxygen logistics and safety standards.”

‘Overworked’

Many climbers dropped out this season, even after paying a nonrefundable $11,000 for a permit and at least $30,000 more for the expedition.

“It shook people’s confidence. When you keep seeing people getting sick, having to be rescued, or bodies being brought down, even the fittest climber has doubts,” said Dawa Steven Sherpa of expedition organizer Asian Trekking.

But the season took a heavier toll on Nepali guides, usually ethnic Sherpas from the valleys around Everest, who are considered the backbone of the climbing industry and bear huge risks to carry equipment and food, fix ropes and repair ladders. The increased need for rescues also demanded more staffing.

Mountain guide Gelje Sherpa, 30, made headlines after he abandoned his client’s Everest bid to rescue a Malaysian climber from the “death zone” above 8,000 meters, carrying him down on his back when he couldn’t be dragged.

“It has been an emotionally and physically draining year for the Sherpas,” Dawa Steven Sherpa said.

“Some left, many were injured, which meant that those still on the mountain were overworked. Everyone was exhausted.” AFP

HACKERS these days don’t come in the form of tech-savvy nerds.

All they need is the basic knowledge in social media process plus superb acting. Hackers just sweet-talk would-be victim, pretending to be a friend or a friend of a friend, and suddenly, they get to own the details needed to take over one’s social media account.

With this evolving pattern, anyone can be a victim of hacking. And they attack when people least expect it, in their most unguarded moment. Number one rule in social media is never ever trust anyone because you’ll never know when you are still communicating with the real owner of the account of the social media platform—the most susceptible of which is Facebook.

After the hacker takes over an account, he sends messages to the victim’s friends, asking for or borrowing money and with the smoothness

Be cautious, social media are not always a bed of roses.

of cash-sending transactions using GCash, the scammer can rake in a lot of money within minutes.

When the account owner realizes someone stole his Facebook account and identity, he could not do anything but try to reach most friends as possible to spread the bad news, hoping to minimize the damage.

Meanwhile, the hacker is going on a cashpicking binge from unsuspecting friends. The sad part is even Facebook is not fast on acting on such incidents.

There’s no way an account owner can directly talk with a Facebook call center agent or customer service representative.

The hacking victim can only ask friends to report the stolen account but even after 24 hours the stolen account remains active even if there are complaints already.

It’s nice, helpful and convenient to use social media in our daily lives, but when things go wrong, we people are left to fend for ourselves.

Even the police said authorities are helpless in acting fast on unmasking the hacker of social media accounts due to strict privacy laws. And when remedies are done, damage has been done.

There is a legal maxim quod factum est infectum fieri non potest, which means what has been done cannot be undone.

The golden rule is, when someone asks for money through messenger, confirm first by asking a video call to prove the real identity of the person sending messages.

Be cautious, social media are not always a bed of roses, whatever Bon Jovi says.

Yamashita’s Treasure: Hoax of the century

IN THE aftermath of the end of the Japanese Occupation and the execution of Japanese commander Tomoyuki Yamashita, who was known as “The Tiger of Malaya” after his conquest of Singapore, his Occupation of Malaysia and Burma (now Myanmar), talks and rumors abound that Yamashita had brought with him a treasure, the biggest of all, a Golden Buddha. These talks, Santa Banana, persisted so much that a B-movie was even made about it.

Talks, gossip and rumors persisted when a buddha was discovered in Baguio City, owned by a family, not a golden buddha, but with some jade and other expensive rocks. All these gossip and talks about the Yamashita treasure persisted, enhanced by a B-movie so much so that when then President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. came to power, there were talks about FEM’s wealth being attributed to his having found the Yamashita treasure. I know for instance that even Marcos Sr. suspected the existence of the Yamashita treasure since I knew that he even commissioned my elder brother Desi, who was his good friend, having both served in the guerilla movement of the USAFIPNL with my brother Desi belonging to to 121st Infantry under then Major Conrado Rigor, the head of the 3rd Battalion, and with then Major Marcos of the 14th Infantry that covered Cagayan, Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya, all under the command of Col. Russell Volckmann.

Together with my brother Desi, Marcos Sr. commissioned General Zosimo Paredes of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to look for Yamashita’s treasure.

After three months of searching, my brother Desi and General Paredes gave up. According to my late brother Desi, the alleged Yamashita Treasure was just a hoax, Santa Banana!

But because of the talks, gossip and rumors about the treasure of Yamashita, treasure hunters from all over the world came, obviously hoping they would find Yamashiita’s treasure. They started digging in almost all the places, like Fort Santiago and places where they thought Yamashita buried his treasure.

Santa Banana, it was the biggest hoax of the century since the alleged Yamashita treasure was more of a gossip and rumor. I myself started asking questions like “ why would a Japanese general like Yamashita come to the Philippines and bury his treasure and how could he hide the treasure? But treasure hunters came and left – all disappointed and empty-handed, my gulay ! 83 percent of Pinoys

The Department of Information and Communication Technology has made a very interesting study on the use by Filipinos of the Internet. It found that 83 percent of Pinoys are Internet users, Santa Banana! But, the problem, according to DICT, is that Filipinos don’t use the Internet for useful platforms that can help them in their jobs, or to find jobs, or use the Internet for productive purposes.

Santa Banana, would you believe a worldwide study of the use of the Internet showed the world average use of the Internet daily is only around six hours? In the Philippines, the average use of the Internet is more than 10 hours. The DICT also said “connectivity” is “neutral”

and it depends on how a person makes use of it.

Another interesting survey is on the use of social media.

The global average use of the internet for social media is two to three hours only.

But in the Philippines, it is four to five hours, with Filipinos using it for games and for connecting themselves with friends and relatives, and often reading information which is disinformation and fake news.

My gulay, how many times have I heard that Pinoys who are Facebook addicts have become gossipers and rumor-mongers, spreading disinformation?

There are of course many Internet platforms like Twitter and others, but Pinoys prefer Facebook.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Commissioner of Customs and the Immigration Commissioner should look into what is happening at NAIA

It is also interesting to note the DICT found that many countries use the Internet for productive purposes like the use of skills and the use of the Internet by micro and medium entrepreneurs to maximize productivity.

The DICT also noted the so-called “Generation Z” – from ages 18 to 24 – among Pinoys, are spending more time in social media for gossiping than for using the web or search engines to learn helpful information.

I can believe that since I often see people using their phones for social media rather than for productive use.

In fact, I would say that, because of the Internet, people have lost the “art of conversation.”

In my generation, we wrote love letters.

Now the “Generation Z” just text each other to meet at shopping malls.

How I miss those days when I had to visit somebody who I was in love with or wrote silly things in love letters.

That’s what I call the “Great Divide” that divided my generation, before the internet came, from the later ones

The DICT advised Pinoys it is important for people to realize that “digitalization” could be inviting scams, like employment scams or many other scams.

There are many scams in digitalization the government must regulate.

It is for all these reasons that DICT has entered into agreements with the Departments of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of

Justice on scams like the Anti-Online Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Law since the abuses of all forms can get access to information online. No peace talks

New National Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro has ruled out any peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines.

And for the DND secretary’s negative stand on further peace talks with the communists, the usual reaction of the Makabayan party-list bloc was expected.

As far as I see it, what’s the use of peace talks which the CCP uses only for propaganda purposes?

And what for since the insurgency is slowly becoming a dying movement after the death of its founder Joma Sison?

As I see it, nobody has stepped into the shoes of Sison.

Even the New People’s Army is no longer as active as it used to be, already divided by a small group of ideologues and now they are mostly bandits extorting what they call “revolutionary taxes’’ from countryside businesses, like mining, logging, and lumber, and the usual victims, bus companies, that are victimized so often. Gibo knows only too well that most of the NPAs are now plain bandits.

It’s all for these reasons why I commend Gibo. He knows whereof he speaks – has been there, and done that.

Corruption at NAIA

Inside sources informed me the main gateway to the Philippines -- the Ninoy Aquino International Airport -- has become a very corrupt government agency where NAIA, Immigration and Customs are all engaged not only in human trafficking, but in the entry of contraband goods including smuggling of illegal drugs like crystal meth and shabu.

Only recently, NAIA personnel were found to be escorting people using private planes out of NAIA without going through Immigration and Customs. More than that, according to my sources, NAIA personnel are in connivance with immigration in escorting alleged OFWs destined for abroad without going through Immigration or going through in connivance with Immigration without necessary papers. There is also what is known as “the escort service” provided by corrupt NAIA personnel for known smugglers and VIPs without going through Immigration and Customs.

Worse, I am told that unaccompanied luggage are surreptitiously released by Customs without being opened, again with the connivance of corrupt Customs guards at Customs and NAIA personnel. The reasons, my sources said, why NAIA General Manager Cesar Chiong was sued before the Ombudsman by NAIA personnel was his attempt to cleanse NAIA of corruption by rotating personnel. Chiong was later suspended.

Santa Banana, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Commissioner of Customs and the Immigration Commissioner should look into what is happening at NAIA, my gulay.

His grandson wants to be a journalist

These may include:

MANONG Eniong, a retired university professor in the metropolis, and I were having limitless cups of coffee the other day at the sheltered portion of his manicured garden. We talked about just anything—from rainwater to climate change to migrating white herons to agitated volcanoes in this country where 18 of 32 are still active, a country on the Pacific Ring of Fire which stretches for about 40,000 km around the Pacific Ocean.

Then suddenly, like some Corvus philippinus that flew past the shielding umbrella in his garden, he asked me something how it was when I myself was teaching journalism at the university.

Right off the bat, I unreeled to him an anecdote in Journ 102 class, described in the module as news writing, where I asked those in my class why they wanted to become journalists.

One student had a daredevil answer:” It’s glamorous sir.” A sentiment shared by more than a dozen of the more than 30 enrolled for the course. That could mean exotic, picturesque, colorful, fantastical, romantic, and marvelous—whichever would be closest to the understanding of the speaker and aspiring journalist.

Unreservedly, I told the students that if that was their intention to pursue journalism they might as well enrol in BS mathematics—to which as many aspiring journalists raised eyebrows and visual antipathy. Then, careful not to be carried away, I remembered manong Eniong’s question.

I discovered his grandson, Aaron Maximilian, son of his second daughter, a doctor of medicine, and son-in-law, a licensed pharmacist, had told his parents—he was now in Grade 11 of the K-12 curriculum—he was being lured by the journalism profile.

Which appeared to be a volte-face from his young boy’s previously stated dream to become, first, a doctor of pharmacy, on the trail of his father, then a doctor of medicine like his mother, before he was coming home with excellent grades in English and law.

Some enrolees in journalism have the easy thought that if they can write, then they can be in what one described as a “glamorous” calling in print or even news agency journalism with their byline read or with their face on cam or on camera.

They seem to forget that writing is not just writing grade school theme compositions. That there is a style in news English different from plain written or conversational English.

While having a good sip on his second cup, I told him if his grandson would like to pursue journalism—and I thought the grandson had the academic credentials, based on the grandfather’s narrative – he must not forget the HBCs in this calling: he must have the Heart, the Brawn or the muscle to be strong, and the Commitment to pursue a story.

And, at quick notice, he must be right when he writes. At the same time, he must write to communicate, not to impress, like writing in the simplest language understandable by the grade 4 relatives of Yuko Nakamikado in Japan or Eun

Hee Yoon in South Korea. And he must have a healthy constitution because he will be working beyond the bundy clock-watched eight hours a day six days a week, the seventh being the day off —and there are times the day off may even be canceled but either immediately paid or added on to either the accumulated vacation leave or the sick leave.

A way with words;. how do you distinguish between an average news story and an enthralling news piece?; thorough knowledge; investigative skills; effective communication skills; professionalism and confidence; persistence and discipline; and ethics.

Additionally, I said—although I knew manong Eniong had the things I was going to tell him on his template—a good journalist must have an analytical mind and must base stories on evidence and facts, not emotion or hearsay.

They are astute observers and instinctively sense when there is much more to a story than what is being shared at a news conference, for example, where many questions, including irrelevant ones, are asked..

Excellent grammar, spelling and written communication skills are mandatory for any of the journalism genres. Comfort and familiarity with word processing and graphics software are important, and many journalists looking for jobs with smaller publications find that technical skill with desktop publishing is helpful.

I whispered that when I was with an international news agency for more than a dozen years, my days off were cancelled, and the only times I was off—it was a compassionate leave—was when my father answered the Lord’s summons and had a monthlong vacation in the Queen City of the South.. Which gave me a sac à main bombé, a bulging purse, when I resigned. Then I went peripherally to what I thought as a practitioner what the essential qualities of a good journalist should be: perhaps print or news agency or broadcast (radio or television) journalist.

A journalist needs to have a broad interest in the world around him – not just what happens in the West Philippine Sea perhaps, but must be interested as well in what is happening in Ukraine and in Canada and Cuba where reports suggest China has placed some spying or listening devices and want to find things out and share their discoveries with their readers or listeners. They must have a love of language, written or spoken, understand the meaning and flow of words and take delight in using them.

A good reporter must be fair, accurate and objective in his news writing and reporting job. Fairness, accuracy and objectivity are news virtues, which the profession thrives on.

Any attempt to compromise any of these values makes a mess of the reputation and credibility of the industry.

Print journalists collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation and observation and write stories for newspapers, magazines or journals.

In addition to the sensory aspects, print media is widely considered more credible than digital media.

People who subscribe to magazines and newspapers do so for a reason – they believe the information contained in the publication is accurate, credible and provides them with some benefit.

Print journalism—which covers magazines, newspaper, flyers and books—is presented in written form and appears in newspapers and magazines.

While it may include pictures, illustrations, or graphs, print journalism is intended to be read.

Broadcast journalism is presented through video or audio on television, radio, or the internet.

A journalist, or reporter, is responsible for researching and writing informational news articles and stories about real events using a fair and unbiased perspective.

Their duties include interviewing experts, gathering first-hand accounts of events and organizing an outline into a cohesive, interesting story. I sensed in his hand grip the character of a grateful fellow academic.

Comfort and familiarity with word processing and graphics software are important

Macron to sway ‘MBS’ on

Mexico police find 45 bags with human body parts in ravine

Ukraine

as prince in Paris

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday hosts Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for talks in Paris, seeking to nudge the de-facto leader of the oil-rich kingdom into more full-throated support of Ukraine against the Russian invasion.

The visit of the 37-year-old, widely known as “MBS”, comes less than a year after his last visit to the Elysee Palace and underlines the warm relationship between Paris and Riyadh that has irked rights activists in the wake of the 2018 killing of Saudi critic Jamal Khashoggi.

Meanwhile, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Ukraine on Friday as part of a group of African leaders seeking to broker peace between Kyiv and Moscow, officials said.

Four presidents and three representatives are due to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv before heading to Saint Petersburg on Saturday to meet his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.

The high-profile diplomatic team hopes to bring to the table the voice of a continent that has been badly hit by rising grain prices and the wider impact on global trade since Russia invaded Ukraine last year.

Over their lunch at the Elysee Palace from 1115 GMT, Macron is also expected to seek support from MBS to find a solution in the search for a new president in Lebanon, a stalemate that is causing increasing exasperation for France.

His stay in France appears set to be a long one, with the crown prince due to attend a Paris summit on a New Global

Financing Pact hosted by Macron on June 22-23.

On Monday, he will also attend an official Saudi reception for Riyadh’s candidacy to host Expo 2030, a bid for which Saudi wants strong French support.

The prince can reside comfortably in France, given he owns the opulent Chateau Louis XIV near Versailles outside Paris, a modern building that seeks to replicate the look of French imperial palaces.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa has arrived at the Nemichaeve train station,” the South African presidency tweeted.

Ramaphosa will be joined by Senegal’s Macky Sall and Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, plus Comoros President Azali Assoumani, who currently heads the African Union.

Three other leaders who had been due to join the trip—Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, Egypt’s Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Congo-Brazzaville’s President Denis Sassou Nguesso—have pulled out of the visit and have sent other representatives instead.

A French presidential official, who asked not to be named, said Paris wanted MBS to understand the scale of the Ukraine conflict and “help us speed up the final outcome of the war, which means a victory for Ukraine on the ground”. AFP

WASHINGTON—A “horrifi c” tornado ripped through a northern Texas town Thursday causing widespread destruction, with reports that at least three people were killed and up to 100 others injured.

Several million Americans across multiple southern and midwestern states were under severe weather alerts as dangerous storms fueled by high temperatures battered the region, bringing tornadoes, thunderstorms and hail the size of golf balls.

Tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood warnings were in effect in parts of Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida.

A fierce tornado slammed Perryton, a town of some 8,000 people in the Texas Panhandle, on Thursday evening with storm-chaser drone video showing sev-

eral buildings including mobile homes destroyed or damaged, trees uprooted and vehicles overturned.

Perryton Fire Chief Paul Dutcher told ABC News that three people were confi rmed dead and an estimated 100 had been treated at local hospitals with minor to severe injuries. Some patients were transferred to trauma centers, he said. A trailer park in the area was one of the locations that took a direct hit, according to Dutcher.

In a statement, Governor Greg Abbott said “Texas is swiftly deploying critical emergency response resources to provide all necessary support and assistance to protect Texans and help those impacted by tornadoes in Perryton,” including search and rescue teams, medical personnel, and crews aiming to

Seoul military salvages N. Korea’s space rocket wreck after 15 days

SEOUL—South Korea’s military said Friday it had successfully retrieved a large chunk of a crashed North Korean space rocket from the sea bed after 15 days of complex salvage operations.

North Korea attempted to put its first military spy satellite into orbit on May 31, but the projectile and its payload crashed into the sea shortly after launch due to what Pyongyang said was a rocket failure.

After deploying a fleet of naval rescue ships and minesweepers plus dozens of deep-sea divers, Seoul’s military said it had managed to salvage what appeared to be the main body of the rocket late Thursday from the Yellow Sea.

“The salvaged object is scheduled to be analysed in detail by specialised institutions such as the national agency for defense development,” the Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

The wreckage was pulled from the sea bed at a depth of about 75 metres (250 feet) in waters about 200 kilometres (125 miles)

southwest of Eocheong Island, it added.

Images released by Seoul’s defence ministry showed a long, white barrel-like metal structure with the word “Chonma” written on it—possibly a shorter form of the rocket’s official name, Chollima-1.

The rocket was named after a mythical winged horse that often features in Pyongyang’s propaganda.

The May 31 launch was slammed by the United States, South Korea and Japan, saying it violated UN resolutions barring the nuclear-armed country from any tests using ballistic missile technology.

Analysts have said there is significant technological overlap between the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles and space launch capabilities.

Seoul has been working for the last two weeks to recover the wreckage of the space rocket, as the debris could help scientists gain insight into Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and satellite surveillance programmes. AFP

Sudan war death toll surges past 2,000; fighting enters 3rd month, gov killed

KHARTOUM—Sudan’s devastating war raged on into a third month Thursday as the reported death toll topped 2,000 and after a state governor was killed in the remote Darfur region.

Since April 15, the regular army headed by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has been locked in fighting with paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo.

The fighting has driven 2.2 million people from their homes,

Tornado ravages Texas town, 3 reported dead, 100 hurt IN BRIEF

including 528,000 who have fl ed to neighbouring countries, according to the International Organization for Migration.

“In our worst expectations, we didn’t see this war dragging on for this long,” said Mohamad al-Hassan Othman, one of more than a million civilians who have fled heavy fighting in the capital Khartoum.

Everything in “our life has changed”, he told AFP. “We don’t know whether we’ll be back home or need to start a new life.”

Peru health chief resigns over dengue crisis that killed 248, infected 147,000

LIMA—Peru’s health minister resigned Thursday following criticism over her handling of a dengue crisis that has left at least 248 people dead and around 147,000 infected, a presidential statement said.

Peruvian President Dina Boluarte accepted Rosa Gutierrez’s resignation and vowed to “redouble all efforts to bring quality health care” to all citizens, according to a post on the Peruvian presidency’s Twitter account.

Gutierrez announced her departure during a congressional meeting in which she was questioned over her management of the dengue outbreak.

Several parties had called for her resignation after she attributed the increase in dengue cases to high temperatures and rains in the first quarter of the year.

Peru has the second-highest dengue mortality rate in Latin America after Brazil, according to the Pan American Health Organization, with cases overwhelming hospitals in the north of the country this year.

Dengue is a disease endemic to tropical areas that causes high fevers, headaches, nausea, vomiting, muscle pain and, in the most serious cases, haemorrhages that can lead to death. AFP

The death toll has risen above 2,000, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project’s latest figures, which cover fighting until June 9. In long-troubled West Darfur state, the violence claimed the life of Governor Khamis Abdullah Abakar, hours after he made remarks critical of the paramilitaries in a telephone interview with a Saudi TV channel. The United Nations said “compelling eyewitness accounts attribute this act to Arab militias and the

RSF”, while the Darfur Lawyers Association condemned the act of “barbarism, brutality and cruelty”. Burhan accused his paramilitary foes of the “treacherous attack”. The RSF denied responsibility and said it condemned Abakar’s “assassination in cold blood”. Sudan analyst Kholood Khair of the Khartoum-based think tank Confluence Advisory said the “heinous assassination” was meant “to silence his highlighting of genocide... in Darfur”. AFP

restore electricity and water service.

“I ask all Texans to join Cecilia and me in praying for our fellow Texans who have been impacted by this horrific storm. Stay safe, Texas.”

A state lawmaker, Representative Four Price, said on Facebook that “many structures are damaged” and “the state is engaging additional medical help to triage ER.”

“This is a serious situation,” he added. Storm chaser Brian Emfinger, who shot drone footage over Perryton, said he saw “significant damage” including in the industrial section of town.

“Unfortunately northwest of there, there is just mobile home after mobile home after mobile home that is just completely destroyed. There is significant damage,” Emfinger told Fox Weather’s YouTube channel. AFP

Japan age of consent raised from 13 to 16

TOKYO—Japan’s age of consent was raised from 13, among the world’s lowest, to 16 years old on Friday as lawmakers passed key reforms to sex crime legislation. The reforms, which also clarify rape prosecution requirements and criminalize voyeurism, cleared parliament’s upper house in a unanimous vote.

Campaigners welcomed the reforms, with the Tokyo-based group Human Rights Now calling them “a big step forward”.

The lifting of the age of consent in particular will “send a message to society that sexual violence by adults against children is unacceptable”, the group said in a statement.

The age of consent—below which sexual activity is considered statutory rape —is 16 in Britain, 15 in France, and 14 in Germany and China.

Japan’s had been unchanged since 1907, with children aged 13 and above deemed capable of consent.

In practice however, across many parts of the country regional ordinances banning “lewd” acts with minors were sometimes seen as effectively raising the age of consent to 18.

Under the new law, teen couples no more than five years apart in age will be exempt from prosecution if both partners are over 13.

Japan last revised its criminal code on sexual offences in 2017, for the first time in more than a century, but campaigners said the reforms were insufficient. AFP

CO2 cuts vs. cash: Climate talks halted

PARIS—Pressure to speed cuts in carbon pollution took a back seat at UN climate talks that ended late Thursday night, as emerging economies, including China, demanded that rich ones vastly scale up climate financing.

The stand-off over 10 days of technical negotiations in Bonn stymied progress across a raft of issues, including how to minimize the social costs of transitioning to clean energy, how to quantify countries’ adaptation needs, and how to help economies already devastated by climate-amplified extreme weather.

This puts even more pressure on the COP28 climate summit in oil-rich United Arab Emirates in December. There, nearly 200 nations will review a “global stocktake” of how far off track the world is from achieving the Paris climate treaty goal of capping global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Under current policies, the planet will warm nearly twice that much by 2100, according to the UN’s climate science advisory panel.

“Climate change is not a North versus South issue,” UN Climate chief Simon Stiell said at the closing plenary on Thursday.

“This is a tidal wave that doesn’t discriminate. The only way we can avoid being swallowed by it is investing in climate action.” AFP

US SUB IN SOUTH KOREA. The USS Michigan, an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine, arrives at a South Korean naval port in the southeastern port city of Busan on June 16. The visit demonstrates Washington’s pledge to counter Pyongyang’s growing threats, Seoul’s military said. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

JUST WRECKED. In this file photo, a man surveys the wreckage and debris outside his destroyed home on April 5, 2023 in Glenallen, Missouri. Down south, a fierce tornado slammed Perryton, a town of some 8,000 people in the Texas Panhandle, on Thursday evening with storm-chaser drone video showing several buildings including mobile homes destroyed or damaged, trees uprooted and vehicles overturned. AFP

Stocks climb as traders eye China stimulus

PSEi June 16, 2023

TOP GAINERS

STOCKS rose for a second day on hopes China will unveil fresh measures to kickstart its ailing economy, while the dollar struggled to bounce from losses fueled by bets the Federal Reserve is near the end of its tightening cycle.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index gained 46 points, or 0.73 percent, to close at 6,508.34, as four of the six subsectors advanced, with services leading the way.

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

The broader all-shares index went up 23 points, or 0.67 percent, to settle at 3,467.11, on a value turnover of P53 billion. Gainers led losers, 96 to 81, while 43 issues were unchanged. Five of the 10 most active stocks ended in the green, led by International Container Terminal Services Inc. which climbed 3.86 percent to P202.00 and SM Prime Holdings Inc. which went up 2.56 percent to P34.00.

The peso also inched up 0.15 percent to close at 55.86 against the US dollar from 55.94.

Most Asian markets traded higher as optimism is seeping through trading floors after the US central bank on Wednesday decided against lifting in-

terest rates, with data suggesting the 10 previous straight hikes were beginning to kick in.

That was followed by a cut by the People’s Bank of China that compounded speculation that authorities are about to announce measures to help fire growth as the post-zero-Covid recovery runs out of steam.

A series of lackluster economic indicators in recent weeks have added to worries about the outlook for the world’s number two economy.

Inflation is just 0.2 percent, factory activity contracted for the second consecutive month in May, retail sales slowed further last month and youth unemployment has hit a record high.

AIRCRAFT FACILITY.

French President Emmanuel Macron (center) shakes hands with a worker during a visit to the Safran Aircraft Engine site in Villaroche, near Paris, on June 16, 2023. AFP

EU says China’s Huawei, ZTE pose higher risk to bloc security

BRUSSELS, Belgium—Chinese telecoms giants Huawei and ZTE pose a risk to the EU’s security, the European Commission warned Thursday, as it announced it will no longer use services that rely on the companies.

“The commission considers that Huawei and ZTE represent in fact materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers,” the EU’s executive arm said in a statement.

It added the commission “will take relevant security measures so as not to procure new connectivity services that rely on equipment from those suppliers”. The EU’s internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton, called on the 27 member states and telecoms operators to exclude Huawei and ZTE equipment from their mobile networks.

“We cannot afford to maintain critical dependencies that could become a ‘weapon’ against our interests. That would be too critical a vulnerability and too serious a risk to our common security,” Breton said during a press conference in Brussels.

Some 24 EU member states have adopted the rules or are laying down the groundwork to give national authorities powers to issue restrictions, the commission said.

But Breton pointed out that only 10 members, without naming which countries, had used the rules to restrict or exclude high-risk vendors.

“This is too slow, and it poses a major security risk and exposes the union’s collective security, since it creates a major dependency for the EU and serious vulnerabilities,” he said.

The move comes three years after the commission introduced strict 5G rules but they did not include an outright ban on any supplier and did not name Huawei.

Thursday’s announcement, therefore, marks a departure for the bloc and represents the EU’s increasingly tougher line on China, while maintaining ties with Beijing.

The United States has put pressure on Europe to exclude the companies over national security concerns and last year issued a ban on the import or sale of communications equipment from Chinese companies including Huawei and ZTE.

Washington has previously expressed fears that Huawei equipment could be compromised by Chinese intelligence. AFP

Xi Jinping meets with ‘old friend’ Bill Gates in Beijing after $50-m pledge

BEIJING, China—President Xi

Jinping told his “old friend” Bill Gates on Friday that China had always placed its hopes in the American people, after the Microsoft cofounder’s foundation pledged $50 million to help Chinese efforts to battle disease.

Gates—one of the world’s richest men—is the latest in a string of Western business leaders to visit China since the country ended strict Covid controls that largely closed it off from the world for almost three years.

The visit is Gates’ first to China in four years and included a rare sitdown between the Chinese head of state and a foreign business leader.

“You are the first American friend I have met in Beijing this year,” Xi told Gates in Beijing, according to the state-run People’s Daily.

“We have always placed our hopes on the American people and hoped for continued friendship between the peoples of the two countries,” Xi added.

Gates, in turn, said he was “very honored to have this chance to meet”, according to a recording shared by state broadcaster CCTV.

“We’ve always had great conversations and we’ll have a lot of important topics to discuss today,” he said.

“I was very disappointed I couldn’t come during these last four years, and so it’s very exciting to be back.”

A state media readout also quoted Gates as praising China’s efforts

Bloomberg News reported this month that authorities were planning a rollout of support measures, with the State Council said to target the ailing property sector.

A further loosening of monetary policy to boost lending could also be on the cards as well as more infrastructure spending.

The commerce ministry said Thursday that promotion of the car, home appliance and catering industries was also on the agenda, Bloomberg said.

“It seems China’s policymakers have had enough and are unwilling to sit idle and watch consumer sentiment crumble,” said SPI Asset Management’s Stephen Innes. With AFP

US seeks more resilient supply chains, says Tai

WASHINGTON, USA—Global supply chains need to be redesigned, with a greater focus on raising standards and building resilience for the sake of economic security, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Thursday.

“Fragile supply chains and an unsustainable version of globalization” call for reform, and such challenges will have a bearing on trade policy, Tai said in a speech at the National Press Club.

President Joe Biden’s administration has sought to move away from traditional trade deals.

By focusing on efficiency and low costs, Tai added, those deals allowed significant content to come from countries that were not parties to the agreements.

This benefited “free riders, who have not signed up to any of the other obligations in the agreement, such as labor and environmental standards,” Tai said.

She believes such practices bring advantages to countries that used “unfair competition to become production hubs.”

“That is how the supply chain rules in these (Free Trade Agreements) tend to reinforce existing supply chains that are fragile and make us vulnerable,” said Tai.

She also added that with a focus on efficiency and low cost, production moves outside America and becomes “increasingly consolidated in one economy,” like China, which “manipulates cost structures” and controls key industries.

While the expectation was for a gradual rise in labor standards and environmental protection as countries gained wealth from more trade flows, there were no guardrails to ensure this. AFP

said, hailing China’s efforts in eradicating malaria and poverty reduction.

“China has made significant gains reducing poverty and improving health outcomes within China,” Gates said.

“I’m hopeful China can play an even bigger role in addressing the current challenges, particularly those facing African countries.”

Gates last visited China in 2019, where he met with first lady Peng Liyuan to discuss his foundation’s work in HIV/AIDS prevention.

Vietnam’s power crisis hits local firms, investors

HANOI, Vietnam—An intensely hot summer and unprecedented drought are straining energy supplies in northern Vietnam, prompting rolling blackouts and sudden power outages that have led to “uncountable” losses among local firms and foreign manufacturers.

Vietnam is a crucial part of the supply chain for some of the world’s most important companies, and many of them—including Samsung and Apple supplier Foxconn—have factories in the north, not far from the capital Hanoi.

it would give $50 million to support Chinese efforts to fight malaria and tuberculosis.

This combination of pictures created on June 15, 2023, shows US philanthropist Bill Gates in New York on Sept. 21, 2022, and China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Oct. 23, 2022. AFP in “tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, setting a good example for the world.”

The meeting comes ahead of an expected visit to China by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday, during which Beijing said the two countries “will exchange views on China-US relations and major international and regional issues of common interest”.

“China will state its position and concerns on China-US relations and resolutely safeguard its interests,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a regular briefing on Friday.

The tete-a-tete also follows an announcement by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on Thursday that

The foundation announced it would renew a collaboration with the Global Health Drug Discovery Institute-- a Beijing-based group set up by Gates, the Beijing municipal government and Tsinghua University.

The $50 million will support “efforts to improve health outcomes worldwide through lifesaving therapies for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, which disproportionately affect the world’s poorest”, the Gates Foundation said in a statement.

On Thursday, Gates gave a speech at GHDDI, the Gates Foundation

During a visit to the country the previous year, he brandished a jar of human waste at a forum in Beijing in a bid to draw attention to the shortage of toilets in the developing world.

A string of American business leaders have visited China this year, talking up their optimism about its vast market and trade ties between the two economic powerhouses.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon visited China in recent weeks, as did Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who made his first trip there in more than three years.

Musk, who has extensive business interests in China, met senior officials in Beijing and visited Tesla’s Gigafactory on the outskirts of Shanghai for a late-night meeting with staff.

In March, Apple CEO Tim Cook visited Beijing, saying his company enjoyed a “symbiotic” relationship with China. AFP

Operations at a large number of factories have been badly impacted by the lengthy power outages, business leaders told AFP. Some were given very little notice or had no warning at all.

“We had a 26-hour power cut. It cost us tens of thousands of dollars that day. It’s not nice at all,” said Vu Chi Hieu, director of Vietnam’s KingBill XNK Joint Stock Company that produces aluminum parts in Bac Ninh province, which neighbors Hanoi.

Last week, several northern areas —many of them home to key industrial parks—were told to cut their energy use in half, forcing the Japanese, Korean and European chambers of commerce to petition the government to find a quick solution to the crisis.

Susumu Yoshida from Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry told AFP that direct damage from one single power outage affecting five manufacturers at an industrial park was over $190,000. AFP

BUSINESS

By Julito G. Rada

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Friday revised its balance of payments forecast in 2023 to a deficit of $1.2 billion from a previous estimate of $1.6-billion shortfall over the narrowing trade deficit.

“For 2023, the overall BOP position is seen to register a lower deficit relative to the March 2023 projection exercise. This development is underpinned largely by a narrower merchandise trade gap, as goods imports growth is expected to slow down sharply following the pullback in international prices

Alsons lists P1.38-b commercial papers

ALSONS Consolidated Resources Inc. on Friday listed P1.38 billion worth of commercial papers with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp., the second tranche of the company’s P3-billion CP program.

“Consistent with our concern for the environment, we are deliberately moving into renewable energy for our capacity expansion. Our next major projects will use run of river hydro, and solar power,” Alsons executive vice president and chief executive Tirso Santillan said during the listing ceremony.

“Although we continue to rely on our fossil fuel fired baseload plants for reliability and cost considerations, in time we expect to increase the contribution of renewable sources to at least 50 percent of our energy mix to lead to a reduction of our carbon footprint,” Santillan said.

Alsons said it would use the proceeds primarily for general working capital purposes. The first tranche amounting to P620 million was listed in December 2022. This was the third CP program for the publicly-listed company of the Alcantara Group, which had its first CP issuance in 2018. Alena Mae S. Flores

CAB maintains fuel surcharge of airlines

THE Civil Aeronautics Board maintained the fuel surcharge that airlines may impose on passengers next month due to lower jet fuel prices.

CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said the fuel surcharge level for July 1 to 31 would be at level 4 as jet fuel averaged between P30 and P33 per liter. The fuel surcharge for the month of June is also at level 4.

Under Level 4, airlines can impose a fuel surcharge per passenger between P117 and P342 for domestic flights and P385.70 to P2,867.82 for international flights. For cargo, airlines are allowed to collect fuel surcharge between P0.60 and P1.76 per kilogram for domestic and P1.98 to P14.74 per kg for international.

“Airlines wishing to impose or collect fuel surcharge must file its application with CAB on or before the effectivity period, with fuel surcharge rates not exceeding the above-stated level,” Arcilla said.

The CAB said airline fuel surcharge is an optional fee, imposed and collected by airlines to recover fuel costs and stem losses caused by upward spikes in fuel prices.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Data Lake begins deploying Starlink Enterprise units

DATA Lake Inc., a Philippine data company, said Friday it deployed more than 200 Starlink Enterprise units, enabling reliable and high-speed internet connectivity for various industries, including banking, maritime, mining, hospitality, education and remote field offices.

Data Lake, led by businessman Henry Sy Jr., signed an official reseller agreement with Space Exploration Technologies Corp. and Starlink Internet Services Inc. in October 2022. By harnessing the cutting-edge satellite technology provided by Starlink’s Low Earth Orbit Constellation, Data Lake bridged the digital divide in geographically and communication isolated areas throughout the country.

“Starlink’s revolutionary system offers unparalleled internet speed and low latency, overcoming the challenges faced by traditional infrastructure in reaching remote regions of the Philippines,” Data Lake said.

“Moreover, with its small power and physical footprint, Starlink ensures seamless connectivity with minimal disruption to the user’s operations,” the company said.

Data Lake and SpaceX forged a powerful partnership with a shared vision of connecting all islands of the Philippines to the global digital network, thereby eliminating the digital divide.

Alena Mae S. Flores

of major commodities, particularly fuel.

This is accompanied by a sustained fall in goods exports as global demand weakens further,” it said in a statement.

The Philippines incurred a BOP deficit of $7.3 billion in 2022, a turnaround from the $1.3-billion surplus in 2021.

The BSP said despite the optimism

attached to the reopening of China’s economy, such a view remained tentative given its numerous domestic challenges, including declining property sales and real estate investment.

“Nonetheless, prospects for business process outsourcing and tourism industries remain positive, alongside stable remittance inflows from overseas Filipinos, providing support to the current account,” it said.

Latest Philippine Statistics Authority data showed that the trade-in-goods deficit, or the difference between the value of exports and imports, reached $4.53 billion in April, down from $5.32 billion a year ago. It was also lower than the

$5.1-billion deficit in March.

The BSP said it also expects a lower BOP deficit of $500 million in 2024.

“For 2024, the overall BOP position is projected to post a slightly lower deficit relative to the previous forecast. This is hinged mainly on the foreseen normalization and return to pre-pandemic levels of global and domestic economic activity,” the BSP said.

The International Monetary Fund expects global economic activity and trade to rise by 3.0 percent and 3.5 percent in 2024, respectively, both higher than their 2023 forecasted growth rates.

The BSP said these developments bode well for the country’s trade and in-

BSP sees lower 2023 BOP deficit of $1.2b IN BRIEF

vestments prospects for next year, with the downturn in the global semiconductor market predicted to bottom out by the middle of 2023 and into 2024.

The Monetary Board earlier approved the new set of 2023 and 2024 balance of payments projections during its June 15 meeting that incorporated the latest available data and recent emerging developments.

The forecast for cash remittances for 2023 and 2024 was retained at 3 percent on sustained demand for overseas Filipino workers abroad as they fill in for the labor shortage resulting from pandemic-induced job losses and aging populations in host economies.

SMIC names Tetangco new board chairman

By Jenniffer B. Austria

SM INVESTMENTS Corp. announced Friday the appointment of former Bankgo Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. as its new chairman.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange its board of directors, in a special board meeting, approved the election of Tetangco as chairman and independent director of the company.

Tetangco will take over the post held by Jose Sio, who will retire as chairman and independent director of the conglomerate. Sio was designated chairman emeritus.

BDO’S AWARDS. BDO Trust and Investments Group head Rafael Ayuste Jr. (eft) receives BDO’s gold award for Investment Fund Company in the 2023 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards from Sheron White, advertising and retail director of Reader’s Digest. BDO Unibank Inc. also won a gold for Personal/Consumer Loans and platinum for Online Banking and Credit Card issuing Bank. The 2023 Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards recognized exceptional brands that hold the highest level of consumer trust in the market.

ERC releases final Green Energy Auction Reserve prices

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Energy Regulatory Commission said Friday it released the final Green Energy Auction Reserve prices for the second phase of the program that will be conducted by the Department of Energy.

It adjusted the rates to reflect the concerns raised by renewable energy developers during the series of consultations.

The agency set the GEAR price for ground-mounted solar at P4.4043 per kilowatt-hour, rooftop solar at P4.8738 per kWh, floating solar at P5.3948 per KWh, onshore wind at P5.8481, biomass at P5.4024 and biomass waste-toenergy at P6.2683 per kWh.

The final rates were higher than the preliminary rates for rooftop solar at P4.7156 per kWh, ground-mounted solar at P4.2395 per KWh, floating solar at

P4.7565 per kWh and biomass waste at P6.4968 per kWh.

However, the final rate was lower for biomass and wind, compared to the preliminary rates of P5.1475 per kWh and P5.9823 per kWh, respectively.

“After thorough and due deliberation, and after careful consideration of the various views and comments submitted by stakeholders and guided by the policy objectives in the EPIRA and the RE Act of 2008, the commission, on June 14, 2023, approved the Final Green Energy Auction Reserve prices for the second round of Green Energy Auction,” the ERC said.

The issuance is pursuant to the DOE’s Department Circular No. DC2021-110036, providing the revised guidelines for the Green Energy Auction Program, where the ERC will determine the

GEAR prices which are the ceiling price offers in the auction.

RE developers said the Philippine energy system is in a critical stage of decarbonization as the government auctions over 11,000 MW of clean energy for deployment from 2024 to 2026.

“The volume is impressive as it beats other Asian countries except China. However, the true test will be in the participation of the bidders given the proposed tariff, especially for solar which constitutes half of the target installation,” said Philippine Solar and Storage Alliance chairperson Tetchi Capellan.

“The first round of auction failed to attract the major energy stakeholders in the solar space due to low bid price. Let us watch how this year will turn out and if bidders will have a different profile,” Capellan said.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

Tetangco was the third Governor of the BSP and chairman of the Monetary Board who served for two consecutive six-year terms from July 2005 to July 2017. He was a career central banker for over four decades, having joined the BSP in 1974.

He graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with an AB Economics degree and obtained his Masters in Public Policy and Administration from the University of Winconsin.

He is concurrently an independent director of various listed companies, including Belle Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc., Converge ICT Solutions Inc. and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.

Meanwhile, Sio was a longtime chief finance officer of SMIC prior to his appointment as chairman in 2017.

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. disclosed a capital expenditure program of P350 billion from 2023 to 2027 primarily to build more townships across the country and roll out more residential, office, retail and hotel projects.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it earmarked P55 billion for 2023 capital expenditures.

The five-year capex is primarily intended to develop townships in new growth areas outside Metro Manila, particularly CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Northern Luzon and some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, it said.

“This capex program will allow Megaworld to set its sight on various opportunities in building townships or mixed-use lifestyle communities, which is already the strength of our company,” Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan said.

GSIS-SM TREATS. In celebration of the 86th anniversary of the Government Service Insurance System on May 31, its 2.5 million members and pensioners may avail of special discounts and offers in participating SM Supermalls for the whole month of June 2023. Signing the partnership agreement at the GSIS head office in Pasay City on June 15 are (from left) SM Prime Holdings Inc. senior vice president for mall operations Bien Mateo, GSIS president and general manager Wick Veloso and GSIS trustee and SMPHI senior assistant vice president for mall based business units and operations services Rachel Queenie Dizon-Rodulfo.

Manila startup ecosystem gains traction as innovation hub with record growth of 85% in 2022

By Othel V. Campos

THE startup ecosystem in Manila posted a record growth of 85 percent to $3.5 billion from $2.1 billion, based on the 2023 Global Startup Ecosystem Report.

Released at The Next Web Conference in Amsterdam, the GSER 2023 recognized Manila with numerous commendations including Top 25 Global Ecosystem and Top 10 Asian Ecosystem in Affordable Talent, Top 20 Asian Ecosystem in Funding, Top 30 Asian Ecosystem in Bang for Buck, Top 30 Asian Ecosystem in Talent & Experience and Top 30 Asian Ecosystem in Performance.

“To witness Manila gaining traction as

an innovation hub is incredibly rewarding. This underscores the Philippines’ transformation from an active player to a formidable leader in the ASEAN region—an achievement we share with the dynamic stakeholders of the Philippine startup ecosystem” said Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual.

The GSER 2023 cited the vibrancy of Manila’s financial technology, electronic commerce and gaming sectors, attributing their growth to a high density of talent, dynamic startup activity and the collaboration between government agencies and private stakeholders working towards improving innovation and entrepreneurship across the nation.

“Our impressive leap in the GSER 2023 Report is a testament of our sustained commitment to fostering a dynamic startup ecosystem. We have put in place mechanisms for continued growth, from streamlined government processes to strategic investment support mechanisms,” Pascual said. He said the recognition was the result of collective efforts of DTI, the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Economic and Development Authority to harmonize programs and resources thereby accelerating the innovative startup ecosystems.

The DTI underscored the pivotal role of Innovative Startup Act, the Philippine Innovation Act and the Ease of Doing Business Act in fueling Manila’s rise from a regional tech hub to a globally recognized player in the digital economy.

Trade Undersecretary for the Competitiveness and Innovation Group

Rafaelita Aldaba underscored the government’s steadfast investment in the nation’s human capital, recognizing its pivotal role in Manila’s tech innovation success. The focus, she said, is centered on nurturing and developing the young, educated workforce that is driving Manila’s vibrant startup ecosystem.

“Aside from residential, office, malls and hotels, there are more to offer to make every township more relevant and sustainable to the next generation of Filipinos,” Tan said.

Megaworld also plans to build more hotels and MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions) facilities in key cities within the next five years as global travel rebounds from the pandemic.

The property firm is also building more ‘sustainable’ Grade A office towers to address continued strong demand for workspaces especially from emerging businesses and industries, even as BPOs remain a key driver for office demand.

These new office towers are located in the group’s townships in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod and Davao.

It also plans to build more malls in Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Cebu, Bacolod and Davao on significant increase in economic activities. Jenniffer B. Austria

Megaworld unveils P350-b spending program until 2027

Gilas faces Dominican Republic in FIBA opener

FOR the first time in 45 years, the Philippines will be the setting for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Manila will play host—alongside Okinawa, Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia —to the best of the best players in the 2023 world meet scheduled for August 25 to September 10.

Specifically, Angola, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Sudan, and the USA will all be first up front and center for Filipinos to watch in the group phase.

The last time the Philippines served as venue was in 1978, in what was then called the FIBA World Championship. It was the first time the showcase was put on in an Asian country, with the Araneta Coliseum and Rizal Memorial Coliseum standing as stages.

Deyto: Azkals’ victory over Nepalese a good 1st step

By Peter Atencio

RETURNING player Patrick

Deyto felt that the 1-0 win of the Philippine Azkals over Nepal in a friendly match last Thursday is just one of the first steps to get the team back in shape again.

The team’s substitute keeper said this at the end of their encounter at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Ma nila.

“It’s a good first step. We will be better in our next game,” said Deyto, who handled the goalkeeping chores in place of veteran Neil Etheridge.

Jarvey Gayoso scored his second international goal in the 45th minute for the Azkals’ lone point.

The Azkals also welcomed the return of Stephan Schrock, who unretired after six months.

Returning Azkals’ coach Hans Michael Weiss said the Azkals were lucky against Nepal, considering that they are a strong team, having beaten his former team Laos twice in a pair of friendlies last March.

The 58-year-old Weiss said the Azkals need to get back in game shape and the team’s fitness level showed when they could not keep up with Nepal side’s counterattacks.

Weiss complimented the defense of Deyto at the goal mouth as he foiled numerous Nepalese attacks.

For this game, Weiss did not field in Etheridge, whom he felt was not fit to play. Etheridge contented himself with commentating on the game with the broadcasting panel at the bleachers.

“You can see that they are not in good shape. And in this case, you can’t put into reality what you want to do

with the ball,” added Weiss.

The Nepalese squad appeared dangerous with their counterattacks in the first few minutes even as the Azkals tried to look comfortable at home with their defense.

“Their (Azkals) keeper kept the game in play in favor of the Philippines. Their defense was solid from there,” said new Nepal team coach Vincenzo Annese, who recently replaced Abdullah Almutairi,

The Azkals put in Gayoso to replace Patrick Reichelt, who figured in an accidental clash of heads with Nepal’s Bimal Pandey in the 41st minute.

The Nepalese tried to go for a pressing attack in the opening of the second half, but the Azkals turned the tables around.

The Philippines found a chance to score when a fallen Gayoso picked his way up following a scramble and then flicked the ball to the back of the net.

Yulo bags silver, earns berth in world tourney

TOKYO Olympian Carlos Yulo captured his first medal in the 2023 Asian Gymnastics Championships in Singapore on Thursday. The 23-year old Yulo settled for a silver medal in the men’s individual all-around event, with a score of 85.930, behind champion, Japan’s Shinnosuke Oka, who tallied 86.065.

Another Japanese bet in Takeru Kitazono took third with 85.431.

The performance was good enough, though, for Yulo to earn a spot in the World Championships in Antwerp, Belgium this September. Yulo also took the

lead in the qualifiers for floor with 14.966 points, vault with 14.833, and parallel bars with 15.066, and placed second in the rings (14.3), to earn a spot in the apparatus finals on Saturday.

Yulo and teammates Juancho Besana, Justine de Leon and Justine Timbang tallied 237.193 points for seventh place in the team all-around.

He will also compete in the horizontal bar finals, despite originally placing ninth as only two representatives per federation are allowed to qualify.

China had three gymnasts finishing in the top eight, allowing Yulo to be the next best athlete to qualify.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on 20-yearold Fil-American Emma Malabuyo, who will debut for Team PH in the women’s division.

Race for 2nd PGT win heats up at F. Hills

ALL but one of the six winners of this year’s Philippine Golf Tour go flat out in quest of a second championship on an unfamiliar terrain in the ICTSI Forest Hills Classic, which unwraps Tuesday at the Nicklaus course in Antipolo.

For one, Ira Alido, who came out of nowhere to stun Tony Lascuña by one and set off the chase for the Order of Merit honors in Bacolod last March, expects to figure conspicuously in the upcoming P2 million event despite a wobbly finish the last time out.

The former amateur hotshot, who secured his maiden PGT win in big fashion at Riviera in 2020, set the PGT Valley pace two weeks ago, stayed in the hunt in the middle rounds but faltered when it mattered most, closing out with a 76 and winding up joint sixth.

“I wouldn’t call it a loss of rhythm but more of a learning experience and that only makes me want to play even better (in the next event),” said Alido. “Like I said the last time, I’m exactly where I want to be right now and I whole-heartedly believe I can compete to win week-in and week-out.”

Just like everybody else, including Valley leg champion Reymon Jaraula, Villamor Philippine

Masters titlist Jhonnel Ababa, Iloilo leg runaway winner Rupert Zaragosa and Lascuña, who reigned at Caliraya Springs.

Throw in Lloyd Go and Clyde Mondilla, who tied for second at Valley, and former leg winners Angelo Que, Zanieboy Gialon, Jay Bayron and Guido van der Valk, also the reigning back-to-back The Country Club Invitational champion, a mad, wild chase for the top P360,000 prize could be in the works in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Title-hungry Marvin Dumandan, Gerald Rosales, Keanu Jahns, Albin Engino, Enrico Gallardo and Fidel Concepcion are also keen on muddling up the title race, along with young guns Gabriel Manotoc, Sean Ramos, Josh Jorge, Kristoffer Arevalo, Ivan Monsalve, Japanese Ueda Atsushi and Korean Hyun Ho Rho while Russell Bautista and Elee Bautista are also due to producing solid results on a hilly 36-hole championship course that favors no one.

The par-72 Forest Hills-Nicklaus has not hosted a PGT event since 2017 with the management renovating some key holes to make it more challenging, a risk-and-reward course even for the country’s touring pros.

Malabuyo was a promising young gymnast for Team USA, placing second in the all-around as a junior at the 2017 U.S. Championships.

She joined the Team Philippines after injuries affected her senior career with Team USA.

After missing out on the 2018 and 2019 U.S. Championships, Malabuyo bounced back with a great performance at the 2021 U.S. Championships, where she finished fourth in the all-around.

Then, Malabuyo spent 2022 and 2023 with good performances, while with the University of California-Los Angeles women’s gymnastics team, coming up with a fourth-place finish on the balance beam at the US National Collegiate Athletic Association early this year.

Now, the Big Dome in Quezon City will yet again welcome global basketball with arms wide open, this time alongside Pasay’s SM Mall of Asia Arena and, for the opening day, Bulacan’s Philippine Arena, which is expected to be at full capacity to witness top-10 ranked Italy versus scrappy Angola in the opener, followed by the home team Gilas Pilipinas battling the Dominican Republic.

Tip-offs are slated at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, on August 25, as a projected record-breaking number of fans is expected to cheer on the Philippine national team in its quest to claim its first world win on home soil in the nightcap.

The highly-anticipated opening day matchups will be surrounded by other attractions as celebrities will be in attendance and tournament organizers are preparing a show comprised of top local musical acts, booths set up by both local and global event partners, and other gimmicks that will give fans a truly world-class experience aside from a chance to be part of FIBA World Cup record-breaking attendance history.

Ticket holders for the opening day games at the Philippine Arena can avail of free shuttle services from major transportation hubs, as there will be 400 buses deployed for this purpose.

Otico stuns big guns, wins Malita Open tennis crown

UNRANKED John Bryan Otico pulled off one of the most stirring triumphs in PPS-PEPP Open Championships, toppling the top two seeds, including No. 2 Jose Maria Pague, 6-4, 6-3, in the finals to clinch the men’s singles crown in the Malita Open in Davao Occidental yesterday.

The 24-year-old Otico earlier ended Johnny Arcilla’s string of Open title romps, outdueling and outlasting the top-ranked veteran Davis Cupper in long rallies on his way to a 6-2, 6-4 reversal in the semis. He then shattered Pague with a key break in the ninth game of the fiercely-fought first set of the finals then sustained his assault with two breaks in the next frame for a 5-1 count at the Malita Tennis Club. Pague did hold serve in the seventh then broke Otico in the next but the Maramag, Bukidnon find, playing out of Loyola Marymount U in Los Angeles, broke back in the ninth to wrap up the victory worth P80,000.

No. 5 Alexei Santos of UST capped the day of the lesser lights as she produced her own stunner in women’s singles, beating top seed Tennielle Madis, 6-3, 6-2, to pocket the top prize of P30,000 in the 10day event also held as part of the country’s longest talent-search put up by Palawan Pawnshop president/ CEO Bobby Castro.

Otico, a finalist in the recent Manila Open, worked his way into contention with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Eric Tangub following a walkover win in the opening round of the event hosted by Mayor Bradly Bautista.

The Philippine Azkals acknowledge the cheers of the home crowd at the Rizal Memorial Football Pitch. Danny Pata

The great Southern wait

SOUTHERN residents are looking forward to a leveledup consumer experience as they await the opening of two big retail universes inside the Vermosa Estates in Imus, Cavite.

Landers Super Store Vermosa and the newest Ayala Mall in Vermosa are set to open in the fourth quarter of 2023 inside the sprawling 700-hectare estate.

A 1.3-hectare Central Garden with a variety of landscapes and experiences will go up in the area.

It will feature a Kids Park, a Calisthenics Park, and a Dog Park that will bring joy to of this leisure part of the Estates. Amenities, like the San Sebastian Church will ground break in 2024.

The Playpark for kids and the young at heart will open in the second quarter of 2024.

Located along the Daang Hari corridor and straddling the towns of Imus and Dasmariñas in Cavite, Vermosa is easily accessible from Manila, Makati, Alabang and Tagaytay.

HOME/DESIGN

Another feather in industry icon’s cap

ALEJANDRO Mañalac, Chairman and Co-Founder of Havitas Developments Corporation and Operating Principal of Keller Williams Manila Bay, was recently named Asia’s Iconic Realtor at the Asia’s Golden Icons Awards held at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.

Mañalac’s leadership and expertise in the real estate industry have made him a prominent figure in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia’s Golden Icons Awards is a prestigious event that recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions in their respective fields. Other notable awardees include Senators J.V. Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian.

The award solidifies Mañalac’s status as one of the most prominent realtors in the Asia-Pacific region, and serves as a testament to his unwavering commitment to the industry.

Turning big ideas into practical solutions

Architect-educator gives insights on integrating technology to improve design

DESIGN is crucial in architecture as it determines residential and commercial buildings’ functionality, sustainability, and aesthetic appeal.

With technological advancements and the growing awareness of environmental issues, architects today must design structures that meet their client’s needs and align with the changing global trends.

Considering the implications of every decision

Architect Nikki Escalona-Tayag, Dean of the College of Architecture and Design at Enderun Colleges, finds great pleasure in designing spaces that provide the best user experience by combining big ideas into practical solutions. Through her proficiency in design, she has learned the importance of considering the implications of every decision, including its impact on marketing, sales, and other related fields.

Tayag explains that she could only simply design by considering how her decisions would affect other project elements, thus avoiding potential clashes. “For example, when I am involved in projects, there are many aspects I need to consider, from the interior designer’s furniture layout to the engineering team’s mechanical plans,” she says. “I cannot just design without thinking about how that decision would affect other elements, so clashes have to be identified.”

“After graduating college, I figured I would learn more from small to medium-sized firms. So instead of joining a bigger, more popular firm, I tried a smaller outfit. I stayed on for about three years, even after I completed my board exam. I felt

Co-living space in Batangas

ABOITIZ InfraCapital’s LIMA Estate, an 800-hectare industrial-anchored mixed-use development in the Philippines, recently broke ground on a co-living space project, The Pods at LIMA.

Designed with comfort, convenience, and sustainability in mind, the first phase of The Pods at LIMA will consist of a 600 bed facility (shown in photo)

interspersed with common areas, open spaces, a transport hub, as well as roofmounted solar panels.

Construction is currently underway and is projected to be completed by the end of 2023. The Pods at LIMA enhances the quality of life for the community, provides a service to its locators, and addresses LIMA Estate’s decarbonization targets.

quite lucky that I got the exposure that I wanted,” she remembers. Her work style emphasizes consideration of the entire design process and how her proposals can align with project goals. She prioritizes an approach that considers the bigger picture and ensures that all aspects of a project work cohesively to provide the best possible outcome.

Inspirations

“Arch. Ed Ledesma and the late Arch. Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa inspired me through their deep respect for site context,” she reveals. “I had the privilege of meeting Arch. Mañosa during my days as a student, and his words still resonate with me: ‘Always remember that the Philippines has six months of summer and six months of rain.’ He reminded me to consider macro and microsite conditions when designing, which is fundamental to good space planning. Additionally, I am drawn to the simplicity of Tadao Ando’s work, Tino Kwan, the pioneer lighting designer of Asia, and the modern designs of Philip Johnson. My design principle is simple but critical: to ensure that my designs always have a clear rationale,” Tayag recalls.

Technology in architecture

She sees the relevance of architecture in the digital age as it integrates technology to improve design and construction workflows. Technology in architecture makes the process seamless, efficient, and fast. At Enderun Colleges, she introduces students to design thinking

and entrepreneurship programs, gradually acquainting them with available technology.

Tayag believes that students must become well-versed in technology to prepare them for their future careers in architecture. “Utilizing modern technology to create better workflows, processes and systems is the key. It keeps us efficient and competitive. From a human need perspective, architects play a crucial role in designing spaces that cater to the lifestyles and activities of people daily. “For instance, if you don’t have an architect who simply plans your home properly, it might not adhere to the requirements that you need for you and your family,” she points out.

Urban planning

Similarly, urban planners must be able to efficiently design metropolises with proper

systems that make it easy for people to move around.It is especially relevant today, as many cities lack even the most basic elements, such as sidewalks and bike lanes. Architects and planners bring their expertise to meet such essential requirements. Tayag explains that these seemingly simple requirements need the attention of professionals with technical knowledge in architecture and planning.

As an educator, she believes anything worth pursuing requires effort. Her constant reminder to students is that completing the course and establishing a career from it takes considerable grit and discipline. The training is rigorous, requiring the acquisition of good work habits and time management skills. “Each year will test their resolve to continue in the course, but if they love the work, and they get excited about the prospects of working in a highly creative field, they must keep in mind their end goals and try their best to persevere,” she avers.

Elevating the environment with Synca LED lights

ENDO Lighting Corporation, a Japanbased pioneer of LED lighting, recently introduced Synca to the Philippine market. Synca lights offer a perfect multi-functional solution for residential and commercial spaces. It can, for example, visually simulate a morning with a nature-inspired green color, or elevate a room to a home

theater experience with mood or themed color lights.

Synca’s features include a 1800K to 12000K color temperature that ranges from candle light to clear blue sky. Synca closely follows the Planckian locus* and can replicate vast colors of natural light.

In addition to the temperature color range, Synca’s 121 accenting color

selection replicates natural phenomenons and seasons using tones that blend into the environment naturally. Its High CRI (Color Rendering Index) also shows the true colors of an object. Synca lights come in three varieties: Smart LEDZ Fit is perfect for small spaces or one-room operations.

Smart LEDZ Base is suited for multiple rooms and allows for an easy by-schedule operation and is also equipped with an intuitive interface. Smart LEDZ Fit Plus is ideal for large spaces. Its expandable system was designed for a multi-storey operation with features such as individual control, scene switching and schedule configuration.

Shown in photo are guests of the recent “Night of Japanese Wellness” hosted by Endo Philippines through its distributor, Our Curated House. Guests were given an overview of the benefits of proper lighting through a lighting industry expert as well as a demonstration on the many uses and benefits of Synca. To know more about Synca, visit www.ourcuratedhouse.com.

Architect Nikki Escalona-Tayag

MOTORING

Toyota fuels drive to carbon neutrality with all-new Zenix

TOYOTA

Motor

Philippines’ (TMP)

drive to carbon neutrality continues to get stronger with the addition of the All-New Toyota Zenix to its Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) lineup.

The much-anticipated Toyota HEV will be officially launched in the country with retail sales starting on June 22, in all Toyota dealerships nationwide.

As the pioneer in electrified mobility, TMP advocates for a multiple pathway approach to carbon neutrality. Part of this strategy is continuously expanding its range of electrified vehicles that are appropriate for current market and infrastructure conditions and are suitable for the customers’ needs.

“We are very excited to finally bring in the All-New Toyota Zenix, further boosting Toyota’s wide range of electrified vehicle choices for Filipino families,” said Danny Cruz, Toyota Motor Philippines’ First Vice President for Vehicle Sales Operations. “We acknowledge the growing demand for electrified vehicles in the country and we appreciate our customers’ conscious efforts to opt for sustainable mobility. Widespread adoption of electrified vehicles is one of our goals and we would like to support this by providing practical and suitable choices.”

Full features and specifications of the All-New Toyota Zenix will be released soon via TMP’s official website, toyota. com.ph. Interested customers can also follow Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook and Instagram, ToyotaMotorPH on Twitter or join the Viber community, Toyota PH, for updates on the start of the reservation period.

The All-New Toyota Zenix will soon be featured in Toyota’s HEV activities and both its HEV and gas variants will be on display in select dealerships nationwide. Price for the All-New Toyota Zenix will start at P1,670,000.00 for its gas variant and P1,953,000 for HEV.

EVAP chief witnesses cutting-edge innovation at E-Mobility Asia 2023

KUALA LUMPUR—Edmund Araga, President of the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), participated in the highly anticipated EMA 2023 CEO Business Luncheon held on May 30, 2023, in Kuala Lumpur. The E-Mobility Asia (EMA) event, recognized as Southeast Asia’s ultimate platform for the electric vehicle industry, showcased cutting-edge electromobility offerings and unrivaled opportunities. This engagement served as a significant step towards the forthcoming Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit, scheduled to take place on October 19-21, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center in the Philippines.

EMA 2023 encompassed a diverse range of activities, including an international exhibition, conference, seminar, and business meetings. The event focused on highlighting the latest technologies and solutions within the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector, covering automotive variants, charging infrastructure, battery technology, energy storage, logistics, and system providers, among others. EMA brought together industry experts, advisors, architects, OEM leaders, power

companies, venture capitalists, and more, fostering a dynamic environment for networking and collaboration.

The recent EMA 2023 CEO Business Luncheon, held on May 30, 2023, welcomed 150 esteemed guests from 97 companies. Notable participants included strategic partners such as the Electric Vehicle Association of Malaysia (EVAM) and supporting associations from the Asian Federation of Electric Vehicle Associations (AFEVA), including the Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP), the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand (EVAT), the Indonesian Electric Vehicle Industry Association (PERIKLINDO), and the ESG Association of Malaysia (ESGAM).

Representatives from the Malaysia Automotive Robotics and IoT Institute (MARii) and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Industry (MITI) were also in attendance, alongside local media outlets in Malaysia. This diverse gathering of industry leaders and enthusiasts created a vibrant atmosphere for networking and knowledge exchange.

Edmund Araga’s participation in the EMA 2023 CEO Business Luncheon

MPT South revitalizes ‘Envirosafe Tour’

METRO Pacific Tollways South (MPT South), a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC), revives this year’s “Envirosafe Tour” for stakeholders, showcasing its commitment to environmental safety and promoting sustainable tourism.

In partnership with Acienda

Designer Outlet and Henry’s Cameras, the toll road company embarked on an exclusive tour, accompanying media partners to explore both the current operational and the soon-to-open section of the CaviteLaguna Expressway (CALAX)- the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange or Subsection 4.

During the visit, MPT South showcased its dedication to innovation and green technology by highlighting energyefficient equipment along CALAX. The operational sections of CALAX feature toll plazas equipped with solar panels, generating power for their own operations.

LED fixtures are installed in both lighting and roadway systems, enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability measures throughout the company.

highlighted EVAP’s dedication to advancing the electric vehicle industry in the Philippines. By engaging in influential gatherings, EVAP seeks to establish strategic alliances, exchange insights, and learn from regional and global leaders in the EV sector. The luncheon provided a valuable opportunity for collaboration and exploration of innovative solutions that will shape the future of e-mobility in Southeast Asia.

EVAP remains steadfast in its mission to promote and develop the electric vehicle industry in the Philippines. Participation in events like EMA 2023 exemplifies the association’s dedication to advocating for sustainable transportation solutions, fostering collaboration with industry stakeholders, and championing the benefits of e-mobility for a greener and more efficient future. As EVAP prepares for the highly anticipated Philippine Electric Vehicle Summit on October 19-21, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center, this engagement marks a pivotal step towards showcasing the Philippines’ commitment to driving the growth and development of the electric vehicle industry.

MPT South is committed to carbon offsetting initiatives, actively involved in planting trees and creating biodiverse areas along CALAX. These initiatives have a two-fold purpose: offsetting the company’s emissions and mitigating the emissions produced by customer vehicles.

During the tour, the toll road company showcased various locations along the expressway that have been transformed into green spaces.

Through the Envirosafe Tour, MPT South supports local businesses situated in its host communities by sourcing sustainable items from them and offering them as tokens to the tour guests. For this leg, the toll road company highlighted delicacies from the Municipal Economic and Investment Promotions Office (MEIPO) of Silang produced by the Municipality’s MSMEs, including Crispy Mushroom Chips, Kapeng Bigas and Plant-based fries. Additionally, handcrafted handbags made from recycled tarpaulins by the Imus City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) were also showcased. MPTC is the biggest toll road developer and operator in the country. Aside from CALAX, MPTC also holds concession rights for Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), its C5 Link Segment, the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), the Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), the NLEX Connector Road, and the CebuCordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) in Cebu.Roy Tomandao

Bespoke experience awaits dads at Lexus-Mitsukoshi BGC

YOU might already have the perfect card or gift for our dad for Father’s Day but do you know where to take him on his special day?

Lexus invites you to take your dad to Lexus at Mitsukoshi where they will be treated to a free bespoke experience like no other.

From today until tomorrow (Father;s Day), all dads who visit the space can enjoy grooming and haircut services by The Spoiled Groom. They can also avail of tailoring consultation services by J. Recon Tailor who can custom make a suit and give tips on how to choose the right color

to complement their skin tone, or help them choose the best suit for a specific occasion.

They can also sit back and relax and enjoy cocktails and drinks provided by Ralph’s as they get to see and experience the Lexus electrified models on display.

Lexus at Mitsukoshi is the home of LEXUS ELECTRIFIED vehicles. The space showcases the brand’s heritage, sensibilities, and design inspirations that symbolize the new Lexus DNA of craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology.

The space is as stylish as the brand, created

in the easily recognizable “spindle grille” that has become a design icon for the Lexus brand. Intricately woven in Cebu, it has been crafted to transform into a Nest Box, using local materials such as Capiz shells, rattan, natural wood, which are also found in the furniture, lighting fixtures, and décor of the space. The columns wrapped with natural, local wood hold up the focal point of the space.

To learn more, visit the Lexus website at lexus.com.ph or visit our social media pages on Facebook and Instagram @ lexusphilippines

By Patricia Taculao

FILIPINOS have a myriad of ways to entertain themselves throughout the day. A favorite is watching television to catch up on their wellloved programs.

But as years passed, the public’s demands changed. Instead of waiting for their shows to air, they can choose to watch what they want, when they want them via the various available streaming platforms that have made their viewing experience convenient. Some users, on the other hand, even maximize the television’s visual and audio features and use them for gaming, which is prevalent nowadays.

Yet despite the vast technology market in the Philippines and globally, finding the ideal product for everyday needs can be challenging for some consumers. If they’re not compromising features to enhance their experience, they sometimes have to sacrifice their budgets and burn a significant hole in their banks.

Nevertheless, one consumer electronic brand has stood out from the stiff market competition and secured its position as a household name in the Philippines – TCL.

TCL is a leading global technology brand that dabbles in display panels, TVs, home comfort, and mobile devices. Initially founded in 1981, the brand operates its manufacturing and R&D (research and development) worldwide, with an established presence in more than 160 countries. The brand’s slogan is “Inspire Greatness” and focuses on improving people’s lives with cutting-edge technology.

In 2022, OMDIA’s Global TV sets report named TCL the Global Top 2 TV Brand. In the Philippines, TCL ranks first.

According to TCL Philippines President Loyal Cheng, TCL’s rise to the top was no accident. After establishing a presence in the country for 23 years, TCL carefully curated itself to become a consumer electronics brand that connects with its market.

During an exclusive interview with Manila Standard, Cheng shared that TCL’s ranking locally and globally comes as no surprise because decades of hard work and dedication through their capable operations and competitive

T.L.C. from TCL: How the consumer electronics brand won Filipinos’ hearts

We provide these services in special periods,” he said.

TCL, under the leadership of Loyal Cheng (right) and Cyd Montebon, is a Global Top 2 TV Brand and no. 1 in the Philippines.

Philippines to achieve a win-win situation with every stakeholder.

Cyd Montebon, TCL Philippines’ Sales Director, shared that one market trend that made a significant impact on the brand is how the Filipino lifestyle switched from enjoying the outdoors to finding solace in the comforts of their homes, partly because of the pandemic. TCL’s close ties with their dealers allowed them to witness this trend firsthand because they saw how the market rapidly shifted. And just like that, the consumer electronics brand pivoted its R&D operations to bring the best products and services to meet those new demands.

Yet the most relevant part of their success is how TCL doesn’t limit itself to being a mere consumer electronics brand. Like many others in various industries, TCL has also positioned itself as a catalyst of change by becoming a leader in the sector by embodying its motto of inspiring greatness among others.

On their end, this means constantly finding ways to challenge themselves on how to provide contributions to Filipino society.

Now seated at the top, TCL’s new challenge is maintaining its position in the local and global markets, further encouraging the brand to strengthen its efforts to connect with Filipinos and other communities to provide top-quality products and services for the everchanging technological landscape.

Meeting the demands of modern consumers

Thanks to TCL’s commitment to considering its market’s preferences, the brand developed a new series of televisions, the C Series QLED TVs, to cater to current consumer interests while continuously pushing its boundaries for brand growth and maintaining its position of being the standard in the industry.

Among the three C Series QLED TVs meant to delight users, TCL launched the C645 Color Master TV in the Philippine market first. It brings a new definition to home entertainment with its contemporary features that champion accessibility and provide a sensory feast with the unit’s audio and video components.

products have brought tangible results.

Continuously learning through the years

“In the journey to become the top leader in the market, we have several lessons [learned],” Cheng shared.

First, TCL paid attention to what Fil-

HONOR Magic5 Pro now available

YOU can now get your very own HONOR Magic5 Pro starting June 16, 2023 for P59,990!

The leading smart devices provider in the country, HONOR Philippines, recently launched its latest flagship available both offline and online.

“We are proud to finally bring the best flagship smartphone in the Philippines and starting June 16, HONOR fans can get their hands on the new HONOR Magic5 Pro. Experience the real magic with its powerful camera, display, and water resistance feature,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

Unrivaled Camera and Display

With a powerful Triple Main Camera combination alongside the AI-powered upgraded HONOR Image Engine, the HONOR Magic5 Pro has achieved the #1 position in the DXOMARK Smartphone Camera ranking for the first quarter of 2023. Delivering an exceptional photography experience, the HONOR Magic5 Pro debuts an all-new Millisecond Falcon Capture feature, enabling users to capture complex scenes with remarkable ease and clarity.

The camera also boasts a breakthrough AI Motion Sensing Capture, enabling users to shoot their best moments, every time. The HONOR Magic5 Pro is equipped with IMAX Enhanced Movie Master to produce cinematic-style videos, bringing also an exceptional videography experience to smartphone users.

HONOR Magic5 Pro also guarantees an immersive viewing experience whether you are browsing, gaming, or reading with its 6.81-inch1 LTPO Quad-Curved Floating Display with a Novel Display Luminance Enhancement Technology.

HONOR Magic5 Pro Price and Availability

HONOR Magic5 Pro is now available in Midnight Black and Meadow Green starting June 16 for P59,990 with FREE HONOR Band 6 smartwatch and HONOR X3 Lite Earbuds both worth P6,000 at select HONOR and partner dealer stores or online via Lazada (https://s.lazada. com.ph/s.hsr3z), Shopee (https://shope. ee/1LApXmPIen), and Tiktok Shop (https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSLN2DNm1/).

ipino users appreciated. It allowed the brand to acquire ideas from its target market.

Speaking of collaboration, Cheng also noted that TCL establishes a strong connection between its corporate offices, R&D facilities, and local dealers in the

Another factor that helped TCL secure a high ranking in the industry is that the brand thinks about methods to give back to society. Cheng said TCL has been engaging in CSR (corporate social responsibility) campaigns this year.

“When the typhoon season comes, sometimes users need specific services.

The new TCL QLED C645 Color Master TV is powered by TCL’s very own AIPQ Engine 3.0 (Artificial Intelligence Picture Quality Engine), which is a processor with a software-based picture enhancement technology that utilizes AI - automatic control and adjustment of any video content to the best quality settings.

Enstack unleashes power of branded web stores

ENSTACK, the pioneering SME superapp, continues to make waves in its ongoing nationwide tour aimed at educating and empowering the 10 million online sellers in the Philippines.

Through strategic collaborations with local government units and the Department of Trade and Industry, Enstack has organized a series of onground events in key cities and provinces across the country, including Cebu, Albay, Baguio, Davao, Rizal, Bataan, Batangas, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Aurora, and La Union.

In Davao, Cebu, and Bicol, the tour garnered an overwhelming response from the business community, with over 2,000 SMEs enthusiastically attending the workshops in just three days. These entrepreneurs eagerly acquired the knowledge and skills to digitize their businesses through the Enstack app, enabling them to navigate the digital landscape with ease and drive significant business growth.

Macy Castillo, Co-founder and CEO of Enstack, expresses her enthusiasm for reaching underserved SMEs in the provinces and providing them with userfriendly digital tools to build and boost

their businesses. She says, “Our goal is to bridge the digital divide and empower SMEs across the Philippines. We understand that many entrepreneurs in the provinces face challenges when it comes to digitization. Enstack aims to provide them with easy-to-use, ready-made digi-

tal solutions that eliminate the friction costs of setup and sales, so our merchants are able to build their store faster and sell their products faster. We believe that with proper education and access to the right tools, these SMEs have immense potential to thrive in the digital era.”

UNO to facilitate quick loans for unbanked Filipinos thru e-transaction based credit rating

A CURSORY look at the Philippine banking landscape may look grim: 30 percent of the overall population remains unbanked with little or no access to the formal lending sector. Worse, many of them do resort to informal loans which bury them in insurmountable debt and restrict, rather than expand, their financial freedom. However, when you look at the area of digital payment, there has been significant and steady growth, as Filipinos, known for their resilience and adaptability, are looking for ways to gain financial inclusion, that can better their lives.

UNO Digital Bank, known as a fullspectrum bank, paves the way for Filipinos’ successful transition into this brave new digital world, through digital services that “make banking simple, better, and accessible,’ as described by the company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer Manish Bhai.

Bhai, who is also the co-founder of the Singapore-based financial technology firm UNOAsia Pte. Ltd., shared his knowledge and insights with the Manila Standard on how digital transformation can break through the usual traditional barriers against financial inclusion.

First, he explained the reasons for his optimism when asked if this trend toward digital transformation, especially in the fi-

nancial sector, is sustainable. “Yes, it will not only be sustained but will keep on increasing,” he affirmed. “I go back to our data which shows that the trendline is up

and there is no reason to believe that this will change. Digital services in the financial sector will continue to grow by 35 to 55 percent. From credit cards to digital insurance, to digital apps, every parameter will grow in the Philippines.”

To accelerate this progress, UNO Digital Bank is committed to accompanying these newbie customers on their journeys to acquire digital financial footprints that will open up the world of online payments and responsible lending to them.

“Our vision is to elevate banking in the country,” Bhai continued, “and we have noticed a significant change in the behavior of our customers. People are getting more comfortable with the idea and practice of doing online banking. At the same time, they do want to know more about cybersecurity and if their money is safe.”

As to these concerns, he addressed them, saying, “We are proud to say that we are completely built up on AWS cloud which is secure technology. We have not cut corners when it comes to putting software for cybersecurity and security monitoring. We have a command center and a monitoring team which do all that.”

The trend toward digital banking is reflected in the increase in customers who are using UNO Digital Bank’s services. From 150,000 accounts in the last quar-

ter of 2022, they have risen to more than 200,000 in the present. Probably one incentive to joining is that a new UNO Digital Bank account holder does not have to pay any fees; nor do they have to meet any minimum account balance requirements.

The virtual card the bank holders receive is free. Another service that comes free of charge is doing fund transfers.

Bhai pointed out the rationale for all the free services: “Everything is free because we want to really encourage people who don’t have bank accounts or people who are underbanked, who had bank accounts but didn’t find any incentives to use the bank account to start operating and using UNO.”

UNO Digital Bank made opening accounts even easier in two ways.

First, new customers can use the UNO Digital Bank mobile app to open their own individual savings accounts. Second, GCash customers can also avail of their own UNO account by clicking on their GSave feature; savings can be transferred from GCash funds to UNO Digital Bank accounts in less than 60 seconds.

He acknowledged that many of these account holders are “first-time bankers. What helps get them onboard is awareness and getting educated.”

Financial literacy, which also encourages customers to adopt digital banking

and other platforms of online transportation, is a core value that undergirds UNO Digital Bank’s vision. The full-spectrum bank partnered with Singaporean organization Proxtera to launch the SME Financial Empowerment Program last year. The partnership’s goal is to teach and immerse 10,000 Philippine MSME’S in financial knowledge and techniques. But far from being armchair seminars, the participants will be equipped and given support to use this learning to grow their businesses while being integrated into the overall banking system.

MSME owners who finish the training do get certified. Afterward, “they automatically get an UNO account and privilege rates of interest,” Bhai expounded. “Similarly, other initiatives which we have on the lending side are to offer loans both to the salaried class and self-employed through a combination of general purpose loans, conventionally financing loans, and working capital loans.”

“Our goal is to be the digital bank that understands ethical lending and responsible lending,” Bhai pointed out. Bhai further said that UNO Digital Bank loans are designed to teach borrowers responsible lending, making loans accessible and turning them into tools for growth and progress, instead of debt.

Enstack reach expands to Mindanao with rst-ever merchant program in Davao, attracting over 1,000 merchant sign-ups for digital nancing program