Manila Standard - 2023 July 29 - Saturday

Storm’s damage to infra: P2.66b

Abra, Mt. Province in calamity state too; Death toll now 13, agri losses at P512m

By Maricel V. Cruz

and

Butch Gunio

THE provinces of Abra and Mountain Province were placed under a state of calamity on Friday after the onslaught of Typhoon "Egay," which ravaged many parts of northern Luzon, killing 13 people and displacing half a million residents across 12 regions.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday Egay has caused an estimated P2.66 billion worth of damage to road infrastructure.

In an advisory, the DPWH said the amount is comprised of P887.1 million in damage to roads, P48.20 million in dam

dam-

to bridges, and P1.73 billion in flood-

control structures.

The department also said it reopened a total of 25 roads that were closed due to Egay. However, 21 are still impassable due to soil collapse, eroded carriageways, damaged bridges, landslides, and flooding.

The provincial boards of Abra and

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‘Falcon’ to enter PAR as typhoon

THE southwest monsoon or "habagat" and the trough of a storm expected to become a typhoon when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend are expected to bring rains over parts of the country still reeling from the lashing of Typhoon "Egay" this week. Tropical Storm Khanun, which will be

Better boat safety sought as lake mishap victims rise to 26

By Charles Dantes, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Darwin G. Amojelar

GOVERNMENT officials and lawmakers called for more stringent safety measures for maritime vessels after the number of people killed when an overloaded passenger boat capsized in Laguna Lake on Thursday rose to 26, with divers still looking for three missing.

"These are lives we are talking about, we want to be thorough, coming from this, what are the preemptive measures we can take so this won't be repeated," Rizal Gov. Nini Ynares

said in a TV report.

Mayor Cesar Ynares of Binangonan, Rizal, where the tragedy happened, noted there could be more passengers trapped underneath the vessel aside from the 67 already rescued or retrieved.

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named "Falcon" in the Philippines, will trigger monsoon rains over Zambales and Bataan, the state weather bureau said in its 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. on Friday. Flooding or landslides due to scattered to widespread rains are possible in the

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Big fuel price hikes poised for next week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL prices may go up by as much as P3 per liter next week, industry sources said.

Based on the first four days of oil trading in the world market, diesel may go up by P2.80 to P3 per liter, and gasoline may go up by P1.60 to P1.80 per liter.

Other sources said kerosene may increase by more than P2.50 per liter.

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DFA: PH open to gas exploration with China, other nations

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said the Philippines is

open to gas explorations with other countries, including China. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, however, said that before

‘PBBM Malaysia visit hastened new deals’

By Charles Dantes and Othel Campos

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s three-day state visit to Malaysia has hastened the finalization of a P3 billion collaboration on rail-oriented projects between Manila and Kuala Lumpur and a $1 billion investment pledge for the expansion of Air Asia operations in the Philippines, the Palace said on Friday. During a roundtable meeting organized by the Department of Trade

entering into negotiations, the "terms of reference" should be discussed first with interested countries. Manalo said they "had ongoing

talks with China" and they are now "looking at possible terms of reference for the talks."

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and Industry (DTI) during the state visit, Mr. Marcos said he is glad that Air Asia, which is the fourth largest airline in the region, has a very good prospect for the Philippines.

"We’re all very happy that you have such good – you see such good prospects for the Philippines,” he said.

DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that Air Asia’s Anthony Francis Fernandes signed a letter of intent, indicating expansion plans for his business in the Philippines, specifically for aviation and aviation maintenance,

REVERSE ACQUITTAL OF DE LIMA NIXED

EGAY'S MARK. A photo from the Mountain Province Provincial Information Office shows the extent of the landslide in Bontoc town a day after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay. The storm left a trail of destruction such as in Cagayan province as residents were evacuated by police, bridges were submerged, and roofs were torn off shelters (see more photos on A4) Mt. Province, Cagayan PIO

age

House back to full face-to-face work

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE House of Representatives will revert to full faceto-face operations on Monday, July 31, after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the declaration of a nationwide public health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaker Martin Romualdez, through Memorandum 19-091, said "plenary sessions shall be conducted face to face," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed.

"In line with this, every member shall be present in all sessions of the House

QC solon Atayde, Maine Mendoza marry in Baguio

By Nickie Wang

ACTOR and QCD1 Representative Arjo

Atayde and TV host Maine Mendoza have officially tied the knot, as they exchanged vows in Baguio City, Benguet, on Friday afternoon, surrounded by their dear friends and loved ones.

As of press time, specific details and images from their wedding have not been made public. However, the couple allowed attendees to take pictures, with a strict request to refrain from sharing them on social media until July 29.

Additionally, the new couple asked guests not to geotag or include location information in their posts.

Before their wedding day, Arjo and Maine delighted their fans by sharing some charming retro-themed photos on Instagram.

The pictures, skillfully captured by Jaja Samaniego and Pearl Studios, featured the couple strolling through the streets of Los Angeles in a vintage car, having a blast at an arcade, exploring a museum, and donning suits for an exciting indoor skydiving adventure. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

‘Falcon’...

From A1 said areas, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather bureau said the hoisting of storm signals over any part of the country was unlikely but added that it might enhance the southwest monsoon and bring occasional or monsoon rains over western portions of Luzon and the Visayas starting on Saturday or Sunday.

The habagat is also expected to bring occasional rains over Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Occidental Mindoro, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Northern Palawan including Calamian, and Cuyo Islands, and the rest of Central Luzon.

Flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains are seen in these areas.

The southwest monsoon will likewise bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, the rest of CALABARZON, the rest of Ilocos Region, the rest of Central Luzon, and the rest of MIMAROPA, Batanes, and Babuyan Islands.

The trough of Khanun will bring cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in Mindanao, the weather bureau said. Rio Araja

Big...

From A1

Department of Energy director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau

Rino Abad confirmed the possible oil price hike due to the movement of prices in the world oil market.

"This is just for the four-day trading. There is still one day (Friday) so we are hoping that the estimated bigtime hike will go down," Abad said.

Abad said world oil prices went up after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) continued to implement its oil output cut of one million barrels per day.

On the other hand, he said pump prices may soften next week to reflect the impact of the US Fed's decision to hike interest rates.

The expected oil price hike next week will be the fourth consecutive week increase for diesel and kerosene and the third for gasoline.

On July 25, the oil firms hiked the price of gasoline by P1.35 per liter, diesel by P0.45 per liter, and P0.35 per liter for kerosene.

On July 18, the oil companies also increased the price of gasoline by P1.90 per liter, diesel by P2.10 per liter, and kerosene by P1.80 per liter.

as provided under Section 71 of the House Rules Registration of attendance in plenary sessions and nominal voting through mobile phones or other accounts previously registered with and verified by the Secretary-General may be allowed subject to Sections 89, 90 and 91 of the

Storm’s...

From A1

Mountain Province both approved the recommendation of their respective disaster councils to declare a state of calamity to speed up relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces and Dagupan City in Pangasinan had earlier declared a state of calamity due to Egay.

Damage to infrastructure was estimated at P656.3 million in Ilocos, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Davao region, Soccsksargen and BARMM, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

The Department of Agriculture said the value of production lost due to Egay had gone up to P512.9 million, up from the previous tally of P62 million.

The amount reflects a volume of production loss of 19,488 metric tons, affecting 58,104 hectares of agricultural land and 51,926 farmers, the department said.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry.

Damage to agriculture was placed at P58.3 million in Western Visayas and the Cordillera regions alone, the DA added.

Mountain Province's disaster office said Egay left an estimated P350 million worth of damage in 10 towns.

One casualty was recorded in Bontoc, while two were injured in Bauko and Tadian towns.

Around 179 families or 542 individuals were affected by the typhoon in Mountain Province, the local government said.

Super typhoon Egay has so far killed 13 people, eight more than the initial tally on Thursday, the country's state disaster risk reduction and monitoring agency said yesterday.

The DA said assistance to farmers and fishers includes rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds, drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry, and fingerlings to affected fishers.

In its latest bulletin, the NDRRMC said six deaths have been validated – five in the Cordillera region and one in West-

DFA:...

From A1

Former President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ended negotiations with China over a possible partnership for oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea.

But in his second State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that his administration would push for more gas exploration in other parts of the country aside from

Better...

From A1

He said the captain of the vessel could be held liable for exceeding the 42-seat capacity of the motorized outrigger.

He added that the Philippine Coast Guard could also face investigation for failing to monitor the number of passengers boarding the vessel.

The PCG relieved two of its personnel in Binangonan on Friday after the accident.

PCG Commandant Artemio Abu confirmed the PCG's decision during a press briefing in the Coast Guard Headquarters

House Rules (Conduct of Plenary Sessions through Electronic Platforms)," the memorandum read.

However, the recording of attendance in sessions and nominal voting through registered mobile phones and other accounts shall still be allowed.

The memorandum stated that the Speaker may authorize the conduct of sessions through electronic platforms in cases when the attendance of members becomes "extremely difficult or impossible."

The live streaming of the plenary sessions through the official online accounts of the House of Representatives will still be allowed.

"Virtual/Hybrid mode will be used

on a case-by-case basis and upon the approval of the Speaker," it added.

Malacañang earlier issued Proclamation 297 lifting the nationwide declaration of a public health emergency due to the pandemic.

The proclamation stated that it is time to transition to the long-term management of the COVID-19 virus.

It also stated that despite COVID-19 remaining a danger to select subpopulations and still requiring an immediate public response, the country has maintained sufficient healthcare system capacity and low hospital bed utilization rates even after the liberalization of COVID-19 health protocols.

2022 elections not rigged, poll body boss insists

THE Commission on Elections denied allegations the results of the 2022 national and local elections were rigged.

In a statement Thursday night, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia downplayed concerns raised about the transmission of results from a "private and similar IP address" in the areas of Metro Manila, Cavite, and Batangas in last year's polls.

"There's no requirement in the law stating that all modems should be different or similar IP addresses," the poll official said.

Garcia explained there were around 20,300 modems which have the same IP address last year.

The 4G network modems, he said, were purchased for the Comelec-leased vote counting machines as well as to cover the 5,000 damaged modems from VCMs purchased in 2016 that were later refurbished for last year's polls.

Garcia assured that all these modems underwent necessary tests.

He, however, noted that it would take the Comelec more months if it opted to change all IP addresses of the 20,300 modems.

"There's no effect or difference in accuracy, legitimacy, and functionality of transmission, whether the modems have similar or different IP addresses," Garcia said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

ern Visayas.

Still undergoing verification are seven deaths – four in Cordillera and one each in the Ilocos region, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas.

In the same update, the NDRRMC said it is still validating reports of 12 injured –eight in the Davao region, two in Western Visayas, and one each in Calabarzon and Ilocos.

Also undergoing confirmation are reports of 20 missing persons – 11 in Cagayan Valley and nine in Cordillera.

The NDRRMC reported that 140,923 families, equivalent to 502,782 persons residing in 1,612 barangays in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and Cordillera have been affected by the bad weather.

Some 8,890 families or 29,223 persons were taking shelter in 479 evacuation centers while another 3,851 families, equivalent to 13,608 individuals staying outside evacuation centers, were also being aided.

The Office of Civil Defense earlier said the affected families are a combination of those displaced and those who do not need evacuation but whose livelihoods have been affected.

A total of 2,002 houses were reported damaged in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao region, Soccsksargen, BARMM, and Cordillera.

The state weather bureau said Egay dumped more than a month's rain in its two Ilocos stations.

The two stations of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) are located in Laoag City in Ilocos Norte and Sinait town in Ilocos Sur.

In 48 hours, between 8:00 a.m. Tuesday and 8:00 a.m. Thursday, Laoag City recorded 620 millimeters of rain, more than the station's average July rainfall of 478.9 millimeters.

Sinait station, meanwhile, registered 578.1 mm of rain, also more than its monthly normal of 529.8 millimeters for July.

Baguio City, located on the western

Malampaya.

The President said his administration will aggressively promote renewable energy to meet the target of attaining a 35 percent share in the power mix by 2030 and then on to 50 percent by 2040.

“Renewable energy is the way forward,” Mr. Marcos said.

“The Malampaya project has been a boon to our country, energizing 20 percent of Luzon. The renewal of the contract guarantees continued revenues and energy production for another 15 years. But aside from Malampaya, we will also push for

in Manila, saying they were relieved so they could not interfere with the investigation.

“My instructions are clear to the regional commander of the Coast Guard to conduct a fair, honest, and transparent investigation," he said. He said that cases will be filed against the boat captain and operator.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III underscored the need for the Senate to investigate the Laguna Lake tragedy. His call was supported by Senator Christopher Go.

Pimentel said it was too early for the PCG to lift the “no sail” order because Typhoon "Egay" had left the country only

slope of the Cordillera mountain range at a 1,500-meter elevation, logged 589.4 millimeters of rain in two days, equivalent to three weeks of rain in July.

Between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning, Egay also dumped almost a month's worth of rain in Aparri, Cagayan at 194 millimeters.

Several towns in northwestern mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Abra, and Ilocos Sur experienced widespread flooding, while Mountain Province and Benguet were hit by multiple landslides.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez delivered relief and financial assistance to residents of Baguio City and Benguet on Friday.

Fundraising efforts initiated by Romualdez and Tingog Party-list led by Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre have already reached P218.85 million in relief goods and financial assistance as of Friday afternoon.

Despite the bad weather, Romualdez said he traveled to Baguio to heed the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for officials to ensure that aid reaches typhoonstricken communities.

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) have canceled 10 local and international flights on Friday, citing the effects of typhoon Egay.

In an advisory, PAL said the canceled flights are PR 2196/2197 and PR 2198/2199 Manila-Laoag-Manila; PR 330/331 Manila-Xiamen-Manila; and PR 356/357 Manila-Jinjiang-Manila.

Affected passengers may reroute their flights, subject to available space within 60 days.

Cebu Pacific on Thursday announced that due to Egay's impact on the Laoag International Airport, flights 5J 404 and 5J 405 between Manila and Laoag scheduled on July 28 and 29 have been canceled.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) earlier said the Laoag International Airport temporarily halted operations due to damage done to the airport’s ceiling and doors.

As of Thursday, the airport was still closed.

Affected CEB passengers may rebook their tickets without fare difference up to 30 days from the original flight date.

more gas exploration in other parts of the country,” the President added.

Manalo also said he was not aware of proposals on possible joint military exercises with China.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier disclosed to the media that China floated the idea of joint military exercises.

"Well, I think what he said was possible so I don’t know yet. Anyway, we have to see first what they’re proposing before we can even make a recommendation," the DFA secretary said.

four hours before.

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has suspended the permit of the sunken MB Aya Express. The suspension will be followed by a thorough inspection of the vessel, the agency said.

The wooden outrigger was carrying about 70 people on its regular run from a port in Binangonan municipality to the island of Talim in Laguna Lake, near Manila, on Thursday when the accident happened.

Strong winds sparked panic among passengers who moved to one side of the vessel and caused it to capsize, the coast guard said. The boat's maximum capacity was 42.

Munti court junks bid to reverse De Lima acquittal

A MUNTINLUPA court has junked the state prosecution's bid to reverse the acquittal of former Sen. Leila de Lima in her second drug case last May.

In an order dated July 6 but released Friday, Muntinlupa Regional Trial Court Branch 204 Judge Abraham Joseph Alcantara denied the prosecution’s motion for reconsideration due to “lack of merit.”

Alcantara acquitted De Lima and coaccused Ronnie Dayan of conspiracy to commit illegal drug trading in May this year, citing the retraction of former Bureau of Corrections OIC Rafael Ragos. Ragos initially claimed he personally delivered drug money to De Lima’s residence in Parañaque in November and December 2012.

Ragos later accused former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II of coercing him to testify against De Lima, a claim Aguirre denied.

"Every acquittal becomes final immediately upon promulgation and cannot be recalled for correction or amendment. With the acquittal being immediately final, granting the State's motion for reconsideration, in this case, would violate the Constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy because it would effectively reopen the prosecution and subject the accused to a second jeopardy despite their acquittal,” the court said.

‘PBBM...

From A1 repair and overhaul operations, Air Asia super app, and logistics operations in the country.

“We’re excited about what we can do in the Philippines and really stimulate small, medium enterprises … we are excited. We think we can bring a lot of value to the Philippines on logistics,” Fernandes told President Marcos during the roundtable meeting in Malaysia.

“So, over the next few years, we think we’ll invest about one billion US dollars into the Philippines. We have about $300 million so far. We want to grow our aircraft from 23 to 50 including wide-body aircraft...We are just applying for the license now,” he added.

In a separate interview, the President said the contract between the Metro Pacific Investment Corp. (MPIC) and Malaysia's Hartasuma Sdn. Bhd. is part of $285 million pledges the country secured during his trip.

He said the joint project showed the commitment of the Philippines and Malaysia to improving physical connectivity such as roads, railways, and other forms of transportation.

“Literally, because of the visit, the President’s presence in KL [Kuala Lumpur] hastened the progress of this agreement and three billion will be pledged for investments into the Philippines,” Speaker Marti Romualdez said.

"Under the collaboration agreement, 'the Parties have expressed their desire to engage in railway engineering and maintenance, and other railoriented projects in the Philippines in line with the government’s aspiration to modernize the Philippines’ railway network,'" he added.

AID FOR BAGUIO. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez hands over financial assistance to Noel Lopez Sr., whose son Noel Jr. died amid the onslaught of super typhoon “Egay” in Baguio City, on Friday. Also in photo are Baguio City Lone District Rep. Mark Go and other government officials. Jun Cabasag

IN BRIEF

BOC, cigarette makers aim to curb smuggling

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) is working with leading cigarette manufacturers to develop strategies in further improving the government’s campaign against tobacco smuggling, classified by lawmakers as a form of economic sabotage.

“Our goal and our mandate is to put these smugglers away and make them accountable, answerable and ultimately, face the consequences of what they do,” said Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio.

Rubio met recently with Philip Morris International (PMI) and Philip Morris Fortune Tobacco Corp. (PMFTC) executives, joined by Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service director Verne Enciso and Intellectual Property Rights Division chief Paul Oliver Pacunayen.

“So, in this meeting, we identified the gaps in our strategies. These groups (illegal traders) have been very creative and aggressive in entering our markets so our cooperation with tobacco companies is aimed at answering these with even more comprehensive methods to intercept their modus,” said Rubio. Joel E. Zurbano

QC gov’t set to grant discounts on RPTs

THE Quezon City government will implement updated discounts for payment of real-property tax (RPT) beginning next year with those paying in full on or before Dec. 31 eligible for a 20-percent discount.

Mayor Joy Belmonte signed Ordinance No. SP-3179 of 2023 that amended Section 12 (d), Article 7 of the Quezon City Revenue Code.

“We are collecting more taxes to be able to give more to our QCitizens who are paying their obligation to the local government diligently and in a timely manner,” she said.

The city government implements one of the lowest real property taxes in Metro Manila, she added. Rio N. Araja

355 find work during Caloocan’s 9th job fair

A TOTAL of 355 job seekers were hired on the spot by the 57 participating companies in Caloocan City’s 9th Mega Job Fair, raising the 34-percent success rate from the previous job fair to 45.6 percent.

Some 780 job applicants attended the event conducted by the local government unit through its Public Employment Service Office (PESO), at the Bulwagang Katipunan on July 26.

Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan thanked the PESO for its continued efforts to organize the job fair and called on more residents to continue attending the next career expos that will be provided by the city.

“Muli po tayong nagpapasalamat sa PESO para sa isa na namang matagumpay na job fair ngayong buwan. Patuloy lang po ang pagsasagawa natin ng mga programang magbibigay ng kabuhayan sa atin mga kababayan kaya sana po ay mas marami pa sa inyo ang dumalo sa susunod,” Mayor Along stated. Jun David

NATIONAL MUSEUM-

CEBU. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. cuts the ceremonial ribbon during the inauguration of the National Museum of the Philippines – Cebu, also known as the Central Visayas Regional Museum, located at the Old Customs House within Plaza Independencia in Cebu City. The facility offers an array of Cebu’s rich artistic, cultural and natural heritage. Rey Baniquet

NBP no longer for new PDLs—DOJ

By Rey E. Requejo

DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin

Remulla on Friday said newly convicted persons will no longer be incarcerated at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.

Remulla indicated that the measure was meant to stop further congestion at the national penitentiary.

“We will just bring them to the other jails available, the other prisons available. We will stop increasing the population in the NBP. The number (of prisoners) there will decrease,” Remulla said in a media briefing.

“You should not enculturate a person

to a bad environment if possible. Let’s try to spare them from the travails of having to go through an institution like the NBP,” Remulla added.

The DOJ chief said new persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) could instead be brought to the Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, the San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga del Sur, the Davao Prison

and Penal Farm in Mindanao in Davao del Norte, and the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Palawan.

Remulla said the moratorium took effect immediately, although he would still write a letter about it to Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. “So that he can tell the courts that it is already a policy of the DOJ not to bring anybody else into the NBP,” Remulla said.

He added they would also be coordinating on the matter with the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“Hopefully, the local government officials with provincial jails can help us so that those sentenced to less than six years may be accommodated, so

BIG CLEANUP. Field workers of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) are in for a big task in clearing the Dolomite Beach Manila Bay of debris and trash deposited by strong waves due to Typhoon Egay. Norman Cruz

European Commission prexy expected in Manila July 31-Aug. 1

By Rey E. Requejo and Charles Dantes

THE president of the European Commission which is part of the European Union’s (EU) executive arm, is expected to visit the Philippines next week as the regional bloc seeks to promote its strate-

gic ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will be in Manila from July 31 to August 1 upon the invitation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who she met during the EU-ASEAN Commemorative Summit last December in Brussels.

Von der Leyen becomes the first Eu-

ropean Commission president to make an official visit to the Philippines since Manila established diplomatic relations with the 27-member EU.

The communication team of the EU in the Philippines made the announcement, adding that her visit “aims to give a new impetus to the EU-Philippines

bilateral relations and engage in discussions on matters of mutual interest,” such as trade, green and digital transition and security.

Von der Leyen will meet Marcos during her trip to Manila to discuss trade, investment and Global Gateway cooperation, among other issues.

they will not be brought to NBP,” Remulla said.

Remulla previously bared that there could be mass graves inside the NBP.

“The culture that the witnesses told us seems to indicate this has been going on for a long time. There are gangs (in the NBP) with a proclivity to bury individuals in the septic tank,” he said.

International criminal justice expert and consultant Dr. Raymund Narag said there was a transmission of culture from one PDL to the next.

“There is a culture that all PDLs and all personnel should know, and there are rules of the game that you need to follow in order to survive in Bilibid,” Narag said.

Remulla calls on Bantag to surrender

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Friday called on former Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) Director General Gerald Bantag to surrender and face the murder charges filed against him in courts.

“He (Bantag) will have a fair trial, just surrender,” Remulla said, in an interview with ANC.

Bantag has been charged with murder before the Regional Trial Courts (RTC) in Las Piñas City and Muntinlupa City for the deaths of radio commentator Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa and Cristito Villamor Palana, a person deprived of liberty (PDLs) who was tagged as a “middleman’ in the killing of the broadcaster.

Bantag went into hiding and has remained at large, defying arrest warrants issued by the two trial courts.

Remulla revealed that he has received reports that Bantag has been spotted in Luzon. “But there were also reports that he went down to Manila for a while. I think he is back in the north now,” he said.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier offered P2-million reward to anyone who could provide information leading to Bantag’s arrest.

Remulla said however, he prefers the surrender of Bantag. Rey E. Requejo

DOJ chief favors localized peace talks with Reds

LOCALIZED peace talks would be one of the best ways to deal with communist insurgency, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the death of a ranking New People’s Army (NPA) leader in an encounter with troops in Northern Mindanao would speed up the defeat

of the communist insurgency.

Remulla stressed that in holding localized peace talks, the government can also “focus on what’s happening in the area so that development can also be concentrated.”

“Many of these rebel pockets are there because of underdevelopment also and lack of government attention,” he said.

“That’s why the localized peace

talks can be more focused in addressing the complaints of the people who are rebelling in the areas,” Remulla pointed out.

The Justice Secretary noted that the government has named Samar, Bicol, parts of Negros, and parts of Mindanao where localized peace talks would be held.

Remulla said the communist organization is “a fractured group already.”

Justice served sloppily has catastrophic effects CJ

SUPREME Court (SC) Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has warned of “catastrophic consequences” if justice was not served “efficiently and effectively.” Gesmundo served the warning in his speech at the inauguration of the Hall of Justice in Sta. Rita, Pampanga last July 26 where he told stakeholders that the

judiciary has embarked on a five-year reform program aimed at “addressing the longstanding problem of making justice not only accessible but also speedy and inexpensive.”

The Chief Justice earlier said the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI) 2022-2027 “is anchored on four guid-

ing principles: Timely and Fair Justice, Transparent and Accountable Justice, Equal and Inclusive Justice, and Technologically Adaptive Management.”

“These principles will propel the Supreme Court towards achieving three outcomes: Efficiency, Innovation, and Access,” he said. Rey E. Requejo

Survey stresses need to fight corruption

TYPHOON EGAY’S WRATH

EIGHTY-FOUR percent of Filipinos believe in the need to strengthen the power of national agencies, laws, and mechanisms to fight corruption, according to the latest Pulse Asia survey commissioned by international think tank Stratbase ADR Institute.

Pulse Asia President Dr. Ronald Holmes presented the survey results on Friday during an online forum entitled, “Rhetoric vs. Action: Reviewing the Alignment of Promises and Implementation under the Marcos Jr. Presidency”, organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute and Democracy Watch Philippines.

The polling firm conducted the survey from June 19-23, 2023, and asked 1,200 Filipinos nationwide whether or not they agree with the statement: “Pursuant to the Philippines’ concurrence to international agreements, the power of national agencies, laws, and mechanisms to fight corruption should be strengthened.”

Over 8 in 10 of the respondents agreed to the statement while only 3% disagreed. Thirteen percent said they cannot say if they agree or disagree.

Furthermore, when asked to identify the top three effects of corruption that affect Filipinos the most, 67% percent said that corruption leads to the loss of trust in government services and public officials.

Forty-seven percent said corruption normalized Filipinos’ attitudes towards corrupt practices, while 44% said that it results in inefficient service delivery.

In his speech, Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit explained the importance of addressing corruption in ensuring economic development.

“The government must ensure that it establishes and maintains the right environment to attract investors and actively collaborates with the private sector, both domestic and foreign. Among the simple desires that we hear from them are transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. Stable policy environment. We cannot eradicate corruption but we should attempt to control corruption,” Manhit said.

Last Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr delivered his second State of the Nation Address, where he pushed for the digitalization of government services, which he said is a powerful tool against graft and corruption.

Bulacan bettor wins P93-million Super Lotto pot

A LONE bettor from Bulacan province became P93 million richer after winning the jackpot of Thursday night’s Super Lotto 6/49 draw.

In an advisory Friday, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Melquiades Robles said the bettor guessed the winning combination 42-12-25-05-19-18, which carried a total jackpot prize of PHP93,693,905.40.

The ticket was purchased in Balagtas, Bulacan.

Also on Thursday, Robles and other PCSO officials signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong City for the transfer of P10 million in funds to support the OVP’s Medical Assistance Program.

The OVP’s Medical Assistance Program includes providing financial assistance for hospital bills, dialysis treatment, medicines, laboratory procedures, chemotherapy, brachytherapy, radiation therapy, implants, medical equipment, assistive devices, and physical/speech/ occupational therapy.

Meanwhile, 104 other bettors won P50,000 each for guessing five out of the six winning digits, while 3,573 will get P1,200 each for four correct digits, and 50,066 will settle for P50 each for three correct digits.

Speaker lauds PBBM for giving House role in promoting investments

By Maricel V. Cruz

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G.

Romualdez on Friday expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for acknowledging the critical role of Congress in promoting the Philippines as an ideal investment destination to create more job opportunities for the Filipino workforce.

Romualdez was part of the official delegation of Pres. Marcos on his three-

day state visit to Malaysia, which yielded up to US$285 in investment pledges expected to create over 100,000 jobs.

“We are grateful to President Marcos for citing the key legislations we had passed and the critical need for collaboration between the Executive and the Legislative in making the Philippines a more investor-friendly place,” Romualdez said.

“This motivates us even more in the House of Representatives to redouble our efforts at passing the remaining pri-

ority bills before the end of 2023, which are needed to sustain our robust economic growth and enhance our competitiveness to draw in more investments that would mean more jobs and livelihood for our people,” he added.

Romualdez was referring to the remarks of President Marcos during his Roundtable Meeting with Malaysian top business leaders where the Chief Executive cited his administration’s investor-friendly policies and programs.

The President noted that more sectors have been opened up for foreign ownership through the passage of the Retail Trade Liberalization Act, the Foreign Investments Act, the Public Services Act (PSA), and the Renewable Energy (RE) Act.

In addition, Pres. Marcos pointed out that corporate taxation has become more business-friendly with lowered tax rates and improved mechanisms for tax and tax incentives.

President appoints ex-Ilocos Sur gov, lawmaker Savellano to Agri post

Agriculture.

The Presidential Communications Office announced the appointment on Friday. Savellano, 64, served as Ilocos Sur

1st District representative from 2016 to 2022. He was defeated by current Rep. Ronald Singson in the May elections last year. He was appointed Deputy Speaker from 2019 to last year.

Before his stint in the House of Representatives, Savellano also served as

governor thrice -- in 1992, from 2001 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2010. He was vice governor of Ilocos Sur from 2010 to 2016.

Savellano was born in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur in 1959. He is the son of Virginia Barbers and Victorino Savellano, the former mayor of Cabugao and former

Chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of the Philippines. He also studied at Monterey, California, where he obtained his master’s degree in International Business Administration.

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed former lawmaker Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano as undersecretary of the Department of

Giving priority to our economic survival

THE administration should give priority to the basic needs of our people.

It is a public knowledge that every state needs funds for it to attend to the specific areas, such as infrastructure, agriculture, health and possibly education. The state must pay attention to the goals of independence to realize the substance of sovereignty.

One must note that independence without sovereignty would have no meaning much that sovereignty without development and progress is without substance.

The situation in the Philippines, however, remains pathetic and hopeless.

It failed to give priority to our endeavor to achieve the needs of independence such as the building of infrastructure, agricultural development, welfare for our labor and health to our people.

For instance, we pursue the goals in our infrastructure with a definite objective to attain progress and development.

It is often used as our gauge on how far we achieved the goals of our people as a state.

It was this particular achievement why former President Marcos was reelected.

Our people equated his building of infrastructures as his tangible achievements for progress.

The second priority the old Marcos government achieved was to guaranty on whether people will have something to eat, and could afford to buy them at affordable prices.

Marcos knew that food was equivalent to survival, and man’s best anchor to that was to give meaning to survival.

Every man must not only be given his right to eat but a means to afford him respect and dignity.

The old man’s program took a multifaceted approach to break the century-old problem of food shortage.

Unknown to many, Marcos Sr. is the only president who issued numerous decrees in favor of the working class to truly make him as the representative of the workers

First, he took the more radical approach of land reform by issuing P.D. 27 limiting the landholdings; urging the formation of farmers’ cooperatives; granting and liberalizing loans to land-reform beneficiaries; building of fertilizer plant and selling them at subsidized price; and carrying out massive irrigation in all agricultural lands.

Unfortunately, the rascals in the past administration opted to privatize the fertilizer plant only to close it later to the delight of the rich rice farmers.

Marcos knew what it meant to have food security.

The present breed of leaders does not see the difference and value of our priority as a state.

We abandoned our economy in favor of defense and security without knowing how will it cost us to invest.

We can never expect a return to our investment nor would be able to decipher what our allies intend us to do in their decision to expand their bases.

We exactly did the opposite to what the opposition once called as the “American lapdog in Asia.”

Then President Marcos did not only work to dismantle the US bases but limited their jurisdiction. He realized the US would never surrender jurisdiction over its servicemen to a foreign power. In lieu, the government was only able to obtain increased military assistance as substitute for jurisdiction over the bases including the limitation on the number of bases

NEW YORK—The violins reverberate in the ribcage, while cello and bass are felt a little further down, with horns in the shoulders and, more often than not, soloists in the wrists.

That’s one way audio expert Patrick Hanlon programs haptic suits, designed to enable concertgoers who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience orchestral music, as initiatives to improve inclusivity at live music performances break new ground.

At a recent classical concert at Manhattan’s Lincoln Center, audience members had the chance to try on the wireless vests, featuring 24 points of vibration translating the music onstage.

“It engages the body,” Hanlon told AFP prior to the show, giving attendees a “3D-surround experience through vibrations.”

Hanlon is a co-founder of Music: Not Impossible, an arm of Not Impossible Labs, which employs tech to try to alleviate social barriers, including those around disability.

Monsoon rains should not be destructive

and area covered by their use for the bases. Marcos was also able to secure a collective bargaining agreement for Filipino workers working inside the bases including the payment of tax on imported items made by US servicemen residing inside them.

The Marcos administration then embarked on a massive and ambitious construction of specialized hospitals. It was the First Lady Imelda R. Marcos that diligently took the task of providing affordable medical service to our people.

Today, the Philippines boasts of having built the first Heart Center in Asia; introduced the pioneering medical science of kidney transplant by building the National Kidney Center and Transplant Institute; established the only specialized Children’s Hospital in Asia; created the Lung Center of the Philippines in lieu of the Philippine Tuberculosis.

The First Lady also opened a general hospital for government personnel which former President Marcos initially named “Ospital ng Bagong Lipunan” to serve all in the public service.

For reason of hatred of the past administration, the successor administration changed the name of the hospital by giving it an obscure and insignificant name to maliciously erase Marcos’ program of government.

Despite the barrage of slander – Marcos was called a dictator by the radicals – Imelda improved and widened the facilities of the Philippines General Hospital to help most of its indigent and the poorest of the poor.

But in her eagerness to raise funds, she was accused of corruption, only to be acquitted of the unfounded charges. The fourth priority of the then Marcos administration was to improve the conditions of the working masses.

Unknown to many, Marcos Sr, is the only president who issued numerous decrees in favor of the working class to truly make him as the representative of the workers.

He issued decrees that significantly improved the working conditions and welfare of the workers.

For Marcos Jr. to switch from this line directly deviated from what our people wants.

He failed to analyze the urgent needs of our people from the need to maintain our national security.

National security is more of a policy and requires intensive investment for armaments.

Our current problem is more of propaganda to justify the specific objectives of the US.

We may be able to survive without fulfilling our security obligation but the US will still have to weigh their obligation to us.

On the contrary, it was during the old Marcos time when the limitation on the number of US bases was renegotiated and instead put a time limit for the stay of their bases.

He did this despite the obvious interference of Malaysia, the UK and US intelligence services.

The three took turns in manipulating the defense policy.

Marcos Jr. failed to balance the priority of our economy in favor of securing our own defense.

The Marcos era marked the period when the Philippines, not the US, was the one that dictated our foreign policy.

Previously or right after the grant of our independence, the Philippines enjoyed the utmost right to determine which element in our country constitutes a threat to our security or which country poses a threat to our security.

Yes, we have communist threat in the 50s, but again these are threats borne by the local insurgency movement.

During the then Marcos administration, we had two identifiable threats to our security: the local communist party headed by the Communist Party of the Philippines and by its military arm, the New People’s Army, and by the secessionists National Liberation Front. Marcos never took them seriously, believing that security problem was solely the government’s responsibility.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

Full text at www.manilastandard.net

METRO Manila and the rest of the Philippines experienced heavy rains in the last few days as Typhoon Egay induced monsoon rains.

The downpours resulted in floods and landslides in the north and caused damage to properties.

Heavy rains are a bane to farmers, their crops and the general public.

The floods they bring can destroy roads and bridges, and disrupt transportation. For those residing in low-lying areas, rising waters can threaten their houses and endanger lives.

Residents in low-lying and flood-prone areas of Marikina the other day had another scare after local authorities issued a second alarm, as the the water level in Marikina River rose to 16 meters.

A grade 2 alarm meant the local government needed to evacuate affected residents.

The Marikina City government reported the river’s water level first hit the 15-meter mark on the same day, or the first alarm, at around 5:38 a.m. and advised residents of potential evacuation.

PRESIDENT Bongbong Marcos’ State of the Nation speech last Monday, which lasted for over an hour, centered around the economy and business.

Throughout the address, the President presented various statistics, aiming to demonstrate the country’s purportedly remarkable economic revival after the pandemic.

Marcos said in recent months, we’ve witnessed a decline in the prices of various goods across different sectors.

We successfully demonstrated our ability to reduce the costs of rice, meat, fish, vegetables, and sugar, as illustrated in a Flourish data visualization.

Yet as has been pointed out, there is need to clarify his assertion regarding the decreasing prices of goods.

The consumer price index data, which compares average prices to those of 2018, indicates the prices of rice, meat, fish, vegetables, and sugar have either risen or remained stable in the past few months.

During Marcos’ initial year as president and agriculture chief, he had to contend with soaring prices of essential kitchen staples, such as onions (experiencing a peak increase of 560 percent since June 2022), sugar (with a 40 percent surge between June and August 2022), and eggs (witnessing a 40 percent rise since June 2022).

Regrettably, these prices are yet to fully recover.

Marcos also pointed out the employment rate had increased to 95.7 percent, which he deemed as compelling evidence of an improvement from the “severe unemployment” experienced during the pandemic.

However, a noteworthy aspect that Marcos omitted from his speech was the concerning rise of unpaid workers.

However, as has been clarified: Among the recently employed individuals in the nation, more than a million are classified as “unpaid workers.”

An unpaid family worker is characterized by the Philippine Statistics Authority as an individual who toils without remuneration on their family-operated farm or business, and this work is typically performed for another member residing in the same household.

Once the water level reaches the third alarm or the 18-meter mark, authorities will implement a forced evacuation of residents affected by the flood.

Residents in other low-lying areas in the Philippine, especially those near river banks, likely experienced the same flood

It’s important to note that food or allowances are not considered as part of their salary.

Marcos stressed that in 2022, the gross domestic product (GDP) experienced a growth of 7.8 percent; yet failing to highlight the Philippines was one of the countries severely impacted by the pandemic, facing one of the most significant economic downturns.

Marcos emphasized the inflation rate has improved, decreasing from 8.7 percent in January to 5.8 percent in June.

of certain critical issues (which) are equally pressing in the life of Filipinos

However, it is important to note that the current figure is still considerably distant from the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

Furthermore, recent data from the Philippine Statistics Authority indicates a slight increase in rice inflation, with the price of this staple food rising to 3.6 percent in June, up from 2.7 percent in January.

Marcos started his speech with encouraging economic indicators such as the 7.6 percent economic growth in 2022, “the highest in 46 years.”

However, it is important to note the firstquarter GDP growth of 6.4 percent marked a significant decline of two percentage points from the 8.3 percent growth recorded in the same period last year.

Furthermore, it was also slower than the 7.1 percent growth achieved in the final quarter of 2022.

Marcos failed to mention the 6.4 percent growth in the first quarter is still the country’s slowest economic expansion since it emerged from the recession caused by the

Vibrating vests translate music for deaf concertgoers

Previous methods that deaf and hard of hearing individuals would use to enjoy live music included literally putting their hands on speakers, or holding a balloon to feel vibrations in their fingertips.

The aim of the vests -- along with bands at the wrists or ankles -- is to allow for a full-body experience, creating sensations that render the feelings music can evoke.

“Nobody expects it to be so engaging,” Hanlon said of the vests.

“And when you see it in people’s eyes, it’s magical.”

Jay Zimmerman, a composer whose ability to hear was damaged due to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, says the vests are an example of new technology offering more flexibility and dynamism than had been available previously.

“My hope is down the road, is that we will be able to let deaf kids have experiences with real vibrations and real materials up close, so they start building this library of auditory memory—even

The aim of the vests—along with bands at the wrists or ankles—is to allow for a full-body experience, creating sensations that render the feelings music can evoke

if it’s not auditory through their ears, it’s just different sensations,” he told AFP.

“I think if we can put it all together, there’s real opportunities for us.”

‘Immersion’

Lincoln Center, the prestigious arts complex on New York’s Upper West Side, began working with Music: Not

Impossible in 2021, both for orchestra shows and for their popular outdoor silent disco series. Its most recent collaboration had 75 vests on offer during its outdoor concert as part of Korean Arts Week, which featured renditions of Korean folk music as well as Mozart’s Concerto No. 2.

Liza Fiol-Matta was among the attendees, and though she is not hard of hearing, she was excited to test the tech.

“Music is my major love, and the idea that there can be an experiential sense of the music for anybody” is exciting, she said. “But also for the deaf and hearing impaired—that’s perfect.”

“I love the idea of immersion, the whole immersive experience... music happens at so many different levels.”

Flavia Naslausky, the business head for Music: Not Impossible, described how during early testing, Mandy Harvey —a singer who lost her hearing after an illness—was able to match the sound of

threat in Marikina. It is the monsoon season in the country.

But for many Filipinos, the heavy downpours should be a blessing—not a curse.

Authorities can harness the heavy rainfall and make it a boon to farmers, instead of letting the water run its course and empty into the West Philippine Sea or the Pacific Ocean.

More mini-dams can store the excess water for use as irrigation during the dry season.

In the case of Marikina River and other tributaries, authorities should encourage the construction of a series of dams upstream to control the water flow. Marikina River serves as the route of headwaters coming from the Sierra Madre Mountains in Rodriguez, Rizal province, before merging with Pasig River. Elevating roads or building well-designed drainage structures leading to the creeks, meanwhile, will not significantly solve the flooding of Marikina and nearby towns.

The dams can also serve other purposes. It will boost the water source of Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. More importantly, the dams will mitigate flooding in Metro Manila and ease the fears of residents living on low-lying areas.

pandemic in 2021. The SONA is remarkable in the nonmention of certain critical issues.

For example, Marcos made no mention of China’s aggressive actions towards Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea, the controversial “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign, pressing public transportation issues, and the reinstatement of the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Duterte administration’s handling of the drug war.

These issues are equally pressing in the life of Filipinos.

For instance, China’s assertiveness in the region has escalated tensions and posed significant challenges to the Philippines’ sovereignty and territorial integrity, leading to diplomatic disputes and security concerns in the area.

Efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the issue have been ongoing, but the situation remains complex and sensitive.

The nation’s strategic viability and prosperity hinge on its relations with the superpowers, yet the SONA conspicuously sidestepped addressing the most critical foreign policy issue in recent years.

Despite the promise to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, Marcos refrained from denouncing the global superpower and its persistent disregard for the arbitral ruling, which invalidated its claim over the South China Sea.

The most glaring omissions were on corruption, human rights, and the peace process with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

As long as there is social conflict, as long as violence prevails in our society, and as long as impunity prevails in our islands, the state of the nation is cannot be bad and is perpetually in crisis.

Website: tonylavina.com. Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

the music after feeling the vibration that translated it.

“That’s when we knew that we were right on, because if somebody that wasn’t hearing, from that vibration could match that note—we were on the right direction,” Naslausky said.

Music: Not Impossible’s vests are not genre-limited. Hanlon explained audio leads like him can adjust the vibration points to fit a show’s vibe, from rock to disco.

The vests have been used at Greta Van Fleet and Lady Gaga concerts.

Zimmerman is excited about the technology’s potential—but there’s still a far way to go.

“Ultimately, the big goal for me is that I will be able to feel a soft violin and it will be so gorgeous to my body and my mind that I would cry,” he said. “And I could feel that exact same note come through a trombone blast and it will be so hilarious I’m going to laugh.”

“That is the big dream.” AFP

Not good state of the nation

Kim oversees military parade showing new drones, ICBMs

SEOUL—Flanked by visiting Russian and Chinese officials, Kim Jong Un oversaw a North Korean military parade featuring new drones and Pyongyang’s nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, state media reported Friday.

At least four new North Korean military drones were towed on trailers through Pyongyang’s Kim Il Sung square at the parade late Thursday, state media images showed, while another drone appeared to conduct a flyover overhead.

Standing between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Chinese politburo member Li Hongzhong in the VIP viewing stands, Kim smiled and saluted as thousands of soldiers marched past, trailed by the country’s most powerful ICBMs, banned under UN sanctions.

The event, featuring Kim’s firstknown foreign guests since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, was to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which ended open hostilities and is celebrated as Victory Day.

Meanwhile, Japan said Friday North Korea posed a more serious threat to its national security than “ever before,” as Pyongyang rattles its neighbors with repeated missile tests and belligerent rhetoric.

In its annual white paper—a rundown of the most pressing military threats and plans to ensure stability—Japan’s de-

Japan expands Russian fines over invasion

TOKYO—Japan dialled up sanctions against Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, announcing an expanded list on Friday that included an export ban on electric vehicles.

Russia was hit with a wave of sanctions after it sent forces into Ukraine in February last year, but calls have grown from Kyiv and its allies for tougher action against Moscow.

Tokyo has already frozen assets of Russian individuals and groups, and banned the export of goods to Russia’s military-related organizations, as well as the export of construction and engineering services.

On Friday, the government expanded the list of goods under its export ban to include vehicles fitted with engines of 1,900 cc or more, as well hybrid and electric cars, the trade ministry said in a statement.

The new sanctions, approved by the cabinet of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Friday, will take effect on August 9.

“As it’s been more than a year since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have been expanding the list of items” under the export ban, ministry official Noriyuki Kuroda told reporters.

The latest sanctions follow similar embargoes unveiled by the United States and the European Union, Kuroda said. AFP

fense ministry made a case for a significant hike in domestic defense spending as the world enters “a new era of crisis”.

While China’s growing military might and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were major focuses of the white paper, North Korea also ranked as a key concern for Japan.

“North Korea’s military activities pose an even more grave and imminent threat to Japan’s national security than ever before,” the document said.

Kim “extended warm militant greetings” to the parade, the official Korean Central News Agency said, and North Korea’s defense minister Kang Sun Nam made a speech.

The United States has no chance “of survival in case they use nuclear weapons against the DPRK”, Kang said, referring to the North by its official name.

He warned that any attempts by the United States to use armed force against the North would cause an “unimaginable and unforeseen crisis”.

The parade featured an array of new weaponry, including some first unveiled at a defence expo on Wednesday in Pyongyang, visited by Kim and Shoigu. AFP

KOREAN ARMISTICE. A woman walks past a television screen Friday showing a news broadcast with an image of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attending a military parade in Pyongyang to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, at a railway station in Seoul. Kim oversaw a North Korean military parade featuring new drones and Pyongyang’s nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, as his defense

Typhoon Doksuri batters China with high winds, rain

BEIJING—Typhoon Doksuri hit eastern China on Friday morning, bringing high winds and battering rains to coastal areas after the deadly storm bypassed Taiwan on its way from the Philippines.

Wind speeds of up to 175 kilometers per hour were recorded as the storm reached the coast of Fujian province at around 10:00 am, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV said.

Fears of potential danger to residents and the destruction of property led the national weather observatory to renew the most severe “red alert” in its fourtier system on Friday.

Pictures shared on social media showed huge gusts of wind pummeling residential tower blocks on Friday in Jinjiang, a county-level urban area south of the city of Quanzhou.

Live footage broadcast by CCTV

showed a reporter wading through flooded streets flanked by several downed trees, warning viewers in the area to stay home except in emergencies.

Meanwhile, videos of colossal waves crashing over embankments and howling winds whipping through urban areas were posted to the social media platform Weibo by the state-backed People’s Daily.

The powerful Typhoon Doksuri is expected to continue moving in a northwestern direction over central China as its intensity gradually weakens.

But state news agency Xinhua reported that the storm-level gales would affect “coastal regions of Taiwan, Fujian, Zhejiang and Guangdong, among others” until 8 am on Saturday.

And China’s National Meteorological Center on Friday also renewed an

orange alert for rainstorms across broad swathes of the country, effective from 2 pm Friday until 2 pm Saturday.

Local governments and transport authorities were advised to take precautions as drainage systems and roads are expected to be impacted by heavy rains, Xinhua reported.

Doksuri pounded the northern Philippines on Wednesday, toppling trees and power pylons, and causing widespread electricity cuts along with landslides and floods.

The death toll in the Philippines has risen to 13, with another 21 missing, including four coast guard rescuers, the national disaster agency said Friday.

Doksuri had been a super typhoon as it swept across the Pacific Ocean earlier this week, but lost some intensity as it neared the Philippines. AFP

Singapore executes first woman drug convict in nearly 20 years

SINGAPORE—The island state of Singapore on Friday hanged a 45-year-old citizen for drug trafficking, the citystate’s first execution of a woman in nearly 20 years, officials said.

The execution was carried out despite appeals from rights groups, who argue capital punishment has no proven deterrent effect on crime.

“The capital sentence of death imposed on Saridewi Binte Djamani was carried out on 28 July 2023,” the Central Narcotics Bureau said in a statement.

She was convicted of trafficking “not less than 30.72 grams” of heroin, more than twice the volume that merits the death penalty in Singapore.

Djamani, who was sentenced in 2018, “was accorded full due process under the law, and was represented by

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi moved from prison—partymate

YANGON—Myanmar civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who was ousted in a 2021 military coup, has been moved from prison to a government building, an official from her party said Friday.

Suu Kyi has only been seen once since she was held after the February 1, 2021 putsch—in grainy state media photos from a bare courtroom in the military-built capital Naypyidaw.

The coup plunged the Southeast Asian nation into a conflict that has displaced more than one million people, according to the United Nations.

“Daw Aung San Suu Kyi has

been moved to a high-level venue compound on Monday night,” an official from the National League for Democracy told AFP Friday on condition of anonymity. The party official also confirmed Suu Kyi had met the country’s lower house speaker Ti Khun Myat and was likely to meet Deng Xijuan, China’s special envoy for Asian Affairs, who is visiting the country.

A source from another political party said Suu Kyi had been moved to a VIP compound in Naypyidaw.

In July, Thailand’s foreign minister said he had met with Suu Kyi, the first-

known meeting with a foreign envoy since she was detained.

A junta spokesman told AFP the meeting had lasted more than one hour but did not give details on what was discussed. There have been concerns about the 78-year-old Nobel laureate’s health since her detention, including during her trial in a junta court that required her to attend almost daily hearings.

Suu Kyi has been sentenced to 33 years in jail for a clutch of charges, including corruption, possession of illegal walkie talkies and flouting coronavirus restrictions. AFP

HK court nixes gov’t ban on democracy protest song

HONG KONG—A Hong Kong judge denied on Friday a government request for an injunction banning “Glory to Hong Kong,” an anthem that emerged from the city’s huge pro-democracy protests in 2019.

“I cannot be satisfied that it is just and convenient to grant the injunction,” said Judge Anthony Chan in his ruling.

“This application is accordingly dismissed.”

The Hong Kong government had in June requested an injunction order so that the song— penned anonymously— would be banned from being disseminated or

performed “with the intention of inciting others to commit secession or with a seditious intent.”

But Chan said in his ruling that banning “Glory to Hong Kong” would raise serious freedom of expression issues.

“I believe that the intrusion to freedom of expression here, especially to innocent third parties, is what is referred to in public law as ‘chilling effects’,” he wrote.

“Whilst I entirely accept that no chilling effect is intended behind the Injunction, it is the duty of the Court to keep in mind that there is a whole spectrum of Hong Kong people” with varying degrees of knowledge about the injunction, Chan explained.

“Glory to Hong Kong” first emerged in August 2019 when the city was undergoing massive and at times violent democracy demonstrations, with millions taking to the streets to demand

freedoms.

legal counsel throughout the process,” the bureau said.

“She appealed against her conviction and sentence, and the Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal on 6 October 2022,” the bureau said, adding that her plea for presidential clemency was also rejected.

Djamani is the first woman to be executed in the city-state since 2004, when Yen May Woen was hanged for drug trafficking, the Singapore Prison Service told AFP in an email.

Yen was a 36-year-old hairdresser, according to media reports.

Djamani on Friday became the 15th prisoner sent to the gallows since the government resumed executions in March 2022 after a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. AFP

Saudi summons Danish diplomat to protest Koran ‘desecration’

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia—Saudi Arabia summoned a Danish diplomat to protest desecration of the Koran by an extremeright group in Copenhagen, state media reported Friday.

During the meeting on Thursday with the Danish charge d’affaires, foreign ministry officials delivered a protest note urging an end to “these disgraceful acts, which violate all religious teachings (and) international laws and norms” and can “fuel hatred between religions”, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

The far-right group Danske Patrioter on Monday posted a video in which a man is seen desecrating and burning what appeared to be the Muslim holy book.

It was just the latest such incident to stir anger in the Muslim world. Saudi Arabia, home to the holy cities Mecca and Medina, has also denounced protests by a Sweden-based Iraqi refugee who last month burned pages of the Koran outside Stockholm’s main mosque.

In a separate protest last week, the refugee, Salwan Momika, stepped on the Koran but did not burn it, prompting Riyadh to hand a protest note to the Swedish charge d’affaires. AFP

chief warned the United States nuclear war was coming, state media reported. AFP

WOMAN CONVICT. Singapore hanged Friday a 45-year-old citizen for drug trafficking, its first execution of a woman in nearly 20 years, Earlier in April, Leelavathy Suppiah, sister of convicted drug trafficker Tangaraju Suppiah, scheduled for execution, holds a petition letter to seek clemency in Singapore on April 23, 2023. AFP

Stock market tumbles on mixed US earnings

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks ended the week in the red, tracking the movement of the US markets.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped 52.66 points, or 0.79 percent, to close at 6,625.26, while the broader all-shares index also declined 20.08 points to 3,526.92.

“Philippine equities tumbled on a mixed batch of US earnings reports, adding some precaution that the US economy is not out of the woods yet,”

PSEi July 28, 2023

TOP GAINERS

Regina Capital Management Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said. Philstocks Financial Inc. research analyst Claire Alviar said investors took more gains Friday. while awaiting for strong catalyst to drive the market.

Alviar said market participation was also weak, with value turnover at P2.67 billion.

Meanwhile, the yen fluctuated Friday after Japan’s central bank tweaked its ultra-loose monetary policy, while other Asian stocks were mixed after forecastbeating US data revived concerns the Federal Reserve could hike interest rates further.

After a closely watched meeting, the Bank of Japan said it would allow “greater flexibility” in government bond markets, having allowed them to move

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

SAN FRANCISCO, United States—

A fired Twitter product manager said Elon Musk ran the company newly renamed X by instinct not data, surrounded by sycophants with his mood changing unpredictably.

Esther Crawford, whose picture sleeping in a Twitter office late last year made her a viral sensation, shared her thoughts on Wednesday in a lengthy post at X.

“I disagree with many of his decisions and am surprised by his willingness to burn so much down, but with enough money and time, something new and innovative may emerge,” Crawford said in the post.

Crawford joined Twitter when it bought her startup in 2020, before Musk bought the social media platform for $44 billion.

“In person Elon is oddly charming and he’s genuinely funny,” Crawford said.

“The challenge is his personality and demeanor can turn on a dime going from excited to angry.”

Twitter employees feared being called into meetings with him or having to deliver negative news, according to Crawford.

“At times it felt like the inner circle was too zealous and fanatical in their unwavering support of everything he said,” Crawford wrote.

“Product and business decisions were nearly always the result of him following his gut instinct, and he didn’t seem compelled to seek out or rely on a lot of data or expertise to inform it.” AFP

in a tight band in a process known as yields curve control. But on Friday it said that while it would maintain that range, its upper and lower limits would be used as references, rather than being rigid.

The move means rates in Japan would be allowed to rise more than previously.

The yen swung after the announcement, weakening to as much as 141.32 per dollar and strengthening to 138.07.

The currency has been hammered for more than a year as the BoJ refused to shift from its loose policy, even as central banks around the world pushed up interest rates to fight surging inflation. However, with prices picking up at home and the yen struggling, pressure has been growing on the bank to change tack.

The Nikkei 225 index sank more than two percent on the prospect of higher borrowing costs before paring the losses by the close.

“The BoJ’s decision to tweak their yield curve control was broadly in line with what the market had anticipated, but probably not as hawkish as previously feared,” said Khoon Goh, of Australia and New Zealand Banking Group.

“Market reaction has been very choppy as it is not a straightforward decision to digest.”

Traders had been on edge ahead of the announcement due to fears that tighter monetary policy would see Japanese investors -- the biggest foreign owners of US Treasuries with vast holdings of other global assets -- move their cash back

Chip giant TSMC determined to ‘keep roots in Taiwan’

HSINCHU, Taiwan—Semiconductor giant TSMC said it was determined to “keep its roots in Taiwan” as it launched a massive facility in the island’s north on Friday geared towards developing the world’s most cutting-edge microchips.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company controls more than half of the world’s output of microchips, which are the lifeblood of the modern global economy, powering everything from coffee machines and smartphones to cars and missiles.

Like the new research and development facility, much of TSMC’s manufacturing base is in the northern city of Hsinchu, where its state-of-the-art facilities are producing ever-smaller silicon wafers that have skyrocketed in demand, especially due to the recent boom in AI-related technology.

At the Friday launch of the R&D fa-

cility, chairman Mark Liu said the center would “develop world-leading technologies in the semiconductor industry more actively to explore two-nanometer and 1.4-nanometer technology, and even smaller”.

The company is racing to begin mass production of a 1.4-nanometre chip— tinier than a fraction of a fingernail— ahead of its rival Samsung, the world’s second-largest producer. Its production lines have expanded beyond Taiwan as Western powers have raised concerns about the crucial industry being centered on an island that China claims as its territory -- having ramped up political and military pressure on it over the past year.

But CEO C.C. Wei said Friday that TSMC intended to keep the heart of its technological prowess in Taiwan.

“We want to use this opportunity to show Taiwanese people TSMC’s

determination to keep its roots in Taiwan,” Wei said during the inauguration, which was attended by Taiwan’s premier as well as TSMC founder Morris Chang.

“We have heard voices expressing concerns about whether TSMC is moving its focus abroad and whether TSMC is halting its development in Taiwan. We have to say ‘no’,” he continued.

“With the opening of the global R&D centre, we are telling Taiwanese people our roots will remain in Taiwan.”

A planned Arizona plant -- one of the largest foreign investments in the United States -- is currently delayed until 2025 due to a shortage of skilled workers, a blow to the White House’s plans to bring more chip production to the US. TSMC has said they are sending over Taiwanese technicians to help train the foundry’s staff. AFP

home owing to better returns.

“It’s worth noting that Japanese investors have already sold a significant amount of foreign fixed income and have cash in dollars and foreign currencies that are waiting to be invested,” said Stephen Innes, of SPI Asset Management.

“This means that Japanese investors are currently underweight in Japanese government bonds and yen. As a result, there is a high possibility of a significant flow of funds being repatriated back into yen and invested in fixed income,” he added.

A decision late last year by the BoJ to widen the band within which it allows bonds to move sent shudders through markets and sent the yen soaring. With AFP

BoJ allows ‘greater flexibility’, imposes yield curve control

TOKYO, Japan—The Bank of Japan on Friday eased its grip on its ultraloose monetary policy in a small step towards normalization as inflation accelerates and the yen comes under pressure against other major currencies.

The central bank has for years embarked on a process known as yield curve control where it allows government bonds to move in a narrow band as part of a drive to boost the longstruggling economy.

However, after a closely watched meeting, it said it would allow “greater flexibility” in the market as it hiked its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year.

Still, officials said it did not mean the bank was abandoning its monetary policy -- which analysts have warned was looking increasingly unsustainable -- saying it would maintain its massive asset-buying measures.

Ten-year JGB yields would be allowed to “fluctuate in the range of around plus and minus 0.5 percentage points from the target level”, the bank said in a statement.

But it will “conduct yield curve control with greater flexibility regarding the upper and lower bounds of the range as references, not as rigid limits”, the bank said.

“The Bank will offer to purchase 10year JGBs at 1.0 percent every business day through fixed-rate purchase operations,” it added.

Market expectations fluctuated in the lead up to the meeting over whether the bank would tinker with its signature stimulus policies after the two-day meeting chaired by governor Kazuo Ueda, who took the helm in April.

“Allowing greater flexibility in YCC will help us respond to fluctuation risks more expeditiously, improve the sustainability of monetary loosening and realise the two percent inflation target in a stable and sustainable manner that comes with wage increases,” Ueda told a press conference. AFP

‘Silk of peace’ weaves new bonds after deadly earthquake in Turkey

ANTAKYA, Turkey—Nearly all the workers lost their houses, the accountant and vet disappeared along with their families, but after the deadly earthquake that devastated Turkey’s Hatay province, “the silk of peace” is helping make new connections.

“I had to convince myself to start up again,” admits Emel Duman, rolling between her fingers a small and incredibly fine ball of fibers.

The yellow cocoons, with which she spins and weaves natural silk, have been her life’s project.

Duman’s home was destroyed in the February disaster and she lives with her family in a silk cooperative workshop on the heights overlooking Antakya.

Following the quake, about 100 people who had lost everything crammed into the building for shelter.

They had survived but at least 50,000 people died in southern Turkey.

“Apart from the workshop, everything collapsed. It’s difficult to start over,” says the 57-year-old.

Seventy people had been employed by the Appollon cooperative, mostly women often working from home.

Only a handful have come back, including the designer who had already moved in to live.

When Duman had first started the business 25 years before, Hatay—on one of the silk routes of antiquity— had lost the refined production skills.

Weaving continued but with white cocoons imported from China. Yellow cocoon

Hatay’s special cocoon is yellowish

and Duman obsessively tracked down the last place breeding the bombyx mori domestic silk moth around the city of Antakya. Her husband, Fikret, says she talks to the insects.

“It’s like with plant species, you have to fight against the loss of biodiversity,” she says.

On dry and rocky land Fikret and Emel planted their first mulberry bushes, fragile plants which need watering day and night. The couple had water brought in by truck until a well was sunk. Today, the 15,000 bushes nourish

thousands of white worms, kept in the shade on large wooden platforms. If you listen carefully, you can hear the worms munching the fresh mulberry leaves. “It’s an orchestral symphony, the most beautiful music in the world,” says Fikret after spreading out more freshly-picked leaves. Emel lets nature do its work. The silkworm egg hatches a caterpillar which eventually pierces a hole through the cocoon it has spun and flutters off as a moth.

Working with sericulture or silk production specialists from Hatay’s Musta-

fa Kemal university and from Izmir, Duman heard of “the silk of peace”, or ahimsa silk, an Indian term for silk produced without pain.

“Industrial (production) boils the cocoon to kill the worm,” she explains.

At the cooperative each cocoon is stretched out to a thread of up to 1,700 meters of silk, says her 32-year-old daughter Tugce, who studied textiles and design.

“But all of it cannot be used because of the hole which damages the filament.”

Marriage trousseau

Silk production gradually declined in Hatay after the end of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century.

Emel recalls how brides would traditionally receive a silk trousseau for their marriage.

She lost nephews and cousins to the quake that was “so strong I thought no one had survived” and was then caught up helping families who needed aid.

But Emel struggled on to kickstart silk production again.

She found her own help from The International Organization for Migration which sent Syrian refugees to work at Appollon.

Now Emel is seeking official recognition for the “peace silk of Hatay” and has filed for a protected designation of origin.

About 350,000 people worked in 3,000 clothing and textile businesses in the provinces hit by the February 6 earthquake. AFP

Former Twitter exec says mercurial Musk rules by gut, not data

ABAC MEETING. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (center) delivers the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the APEC Business Advisory Council III meeting in Cebu on July 28, 2023. Business leaders from 21 APEC economies are engaging in dialog and discussion to refine recommendations for sustainable and inclusive growth in the region. Marcos joins other ABAC delegates, including Aboitiz Group president and CEO and ABAC PH member Sabin Aboitiz.

Emel Duman, owner of Appollon Defne silk, weaves silk fabric in Antakya on July 10, 2023. Almost all the employees lost their homes, the accountant and the veterinarian disappeared with their families. But in the province of Hatay, devastated by the earthquake in February, the “silk of peace” is reweaving ties. AFP

BUSINESS

June budget deficit hit P225b on lower tax haul

By Julito G. Rada

THE government’s budget deficit widened 4.6 percent in June to P225.4 billion from P215.5 billion a year ago as revenue collection fell 7.91 percent, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

It said this brought the budget gap in the first half to P551.7 billion, although this was 18.17 percent lower than the shortfall of P674.2 billion in the same period last year. The first-half figure was also 28.49 percent below the P771.5billion mid-year deficit program.

IN BRIEF

Revenue collections fell 7.91 percent, or P23.0 billion, in June to P267.3 billion. Despite the decline during the month, the total revenues in the first six months increased 7.68 percent to P1.9 trillion and surpassed the target by 2.72 percent or P49.2 billion.

About 89 percent of the cumulative collections came from taxes, while the remaining 11 percent represented nontax collections.

Data showed that tax collection by the Bureau of Internal Revenue contracted 5.07 percent, or P8.8 billion, in June to P164.7 billion. Overall collection in the first half, however, grew 7.65 percent, or P86.7 billion, to P1.2 trillion, but missed the target for the period by 2.57 percent or P32.2 billion.

Customs’ collections went down by 2.72 percent in June to P74.1 billion from a year ago, but its cumulative sixmonth performance climbed 9.26 per-

cent, or P36.7 billion, to P433.4 billion.

It also topped the target by 3.04 percent or P12.8 billion.

Income generated by the Bureau of the Treasury settled at P10.8 billion in June, 48.19 percent or P10 billion lower than a year ago on reduced dividend remittances. Its cumulative income of P93 billion was also down by 10.68 percent, or P11.1 billion, from last year’s P104.1 billion.

The Treasury said its six-month performance surpassed the program for the period by 92.20 percent or P44.6 billion and was already 59.52 percent or P34.7 billion higher than the P58.3 billion full-

year program. Revenue collections from other offices amounted to P17.7 billion in June and P110.2 billion in the first six months.

Government expenditures in June went down by 2.59 percent, or P13.1 billion, to P492.7 billion on lower national tax allotment shares of local government units and outstanding checks, or those issued but not yet presented for payment or enchashment by suppliers or creditors in various agencies. The total disbursements in the first six months slightly increased by 0.42 percent to P2.4 trillion, but fell short of the P2.6-trillion first-half program.

Home prices increased 10.2%

in first quarter

HOME prices in the Philippines rose 10.2 percent in the first quarter of 2023 from a year ago.

“On a year-on-year basis, growth in residential property prices in the National Capital Region slowed to 7.3 percent as the price decline in condominium units dampened the price increases in duplexes, single-detached/ attached houses, and townhouses,” the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

It said in areas outside the NCR, residential property prices rose 11.4 percent. “On a quarter-on-quarter basis, residential property prices expanded by 4.4 percent in the AONCR, but contracted by 4.3 percent in the NCR,” it said.

The BSP said the number of residential real estate loans (RRELs) granted by banks for all types of new housing units grew by 16 percent year-on-year as loans in the NCR and AONCR increased by 16.5 percent and 15.7 percent, respectively.

The average appraised value of new housing units in the country reached P73,724 per square meter in the first three months. The appraised value per sq. m. in the NCR was P123,053, higher than both the national average and the average appraised value in AONCR at P51,459. Julito G. Rada

ACEN gets SEC clearance on P50-b share issuance

THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Friday it approved the P50-billion shelfregistration of ACEN Corp., the listed energy platform of the Ayala Group.

The SEC said in a statement it approved the registration statement of ACEN covering Series A and B green preferred shares that may be issued in one or more tranches within a period of three years, subject to the company’s compliance with certain remaining requirements.

It said for the first tranche, ACEN would offer P12.5 billion of preferred shares, with an oversubscription option for another P12.5 billion. ACEN plans to use the proceeds to refinance short-term loans for eligible green projects, including solar projects in Pangasinan, Zambales and Cagayan and wind project in Ilocos Norte.

The company will offer the preferred shares to the public from Aug. 11 to 23 in time for listing on the Philippine Stock Exchange on Sept. 1, according to the latest timetable submitted to the SEC. Jenniffer B. Austria

E-visa system to lure more foreign visitors

THE Department of Tourism said Friday it expects the implementation of the electronic visa system to boost international visitor arrivals in the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said the e-visa system would improve the experience of inbound travelers and tourists and positively impact international arrivals especially from the Chinese and Indian markets.

“We believe that this will also foster even closer people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and vibrant tourism cooperation,” Frasco said.

The DOT said more than 1.7 million Chinese visitors arrived in the Philippines in 2019. Data showed that as of July 26, 2023, there were 137,822 Chinese arrivals, following the recent lifting of travel restrictions in China. Frasco said the e-visa system would help raise the confidence level of airlines, charter operators and travel agents to resume flights from various points in China directly to tourist destinations in the Philippines such as Boracay, Bohol, Cebu, Legaspi, Clark, Laoag, Lallo and Manila.

“Certainly, the e-visa will be a game changer in the Chinese market, which currently prefers other Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia which provide landing visa to Chinese travelers thus gaining faster momentum for the tourism recovery of these countries from the negative impacts of the pandemic,” Frasco said.

Othel V. Campos

Cebu Pacific raised aircraft deliveries to 21 this year

By Darwin G. Amojelar

CEBU Pacific said Friday it expects aircraft deliveries to increase by six this year to address flight delays and cancellations amid rising air travel demand.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said it raised its aircraft deliveries for 2023 to 21 from 15 to improve its operational resiliency.

“This aircraft delivery allows us to increase our operational resilience while continuing to provide safe, reliable and affordable air travel to our passengers,” said Alex Reyes, chief strategy officer of Cebu Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific.

“Our ongoing re-fleeting with newgeneration, fuel-efficient aircraft and our continued use of sustainable aviation fuel will also help our decarbonization efforts in making the aviation industry more sustainable,” he said.

Cebu Pacific’s ninth aircraft delivery for 2023, a brand-new Airbus A321neo (new engine option), arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Paranaque City on July 27 from Airbus’ Delivery Centre in Hamburg, Germany using blended sustainable aviation fuel on its flight.

The budget carrier said of the 21 expected aircraft deliveries this year, 17 are NEOs, while four are CEOs (current

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ABOITIZ Equity Ventures Inc. said

Friday its second-quarter net income fell 18 percent year-on-year to P6.5 billion mainly because of foreign exchange losses.

AEV said in a stock exchange filing it recognized non-recurring losses of P62 million in the quarter which were mainly foreign exchange losses from the revaluation of US dollar cash and liquid financial instruments.

It said minus these one-off items, core net income climbed 11 percent year-on-year in the second quarter.

First-half net income also declined 11 percent to P10.5 billion on nonrecurring losses of P656 million linked to foreign exchange losses.

Power accounted for 72 percent of the total income contributions in the first half, followed by financial services which contributed 25 percent. Income contributions from real estate, food and Infrastructure were at 3 percent, 1 percent and -1 percent, respectively.

Aboitiz Power Corp.’s income contribution to AEV amounted to P9.3 billion in the first half, up 79 percent from P5.2 billion in the same period in 2022.

engine option) on short-term lease. The airline aims to shift to a more fuel-efficient, all-NEO fleet by 2028.

The airline on June 30 received a brand new A320neo aircraft from Airbus’ final assembly line in Tianjin, China, powered by SAF with a blend of 41 percent, marking a major milestone for CEB’s sustainable aviation initiatives.

SAF is a drop-in fuel with similar characteristics as conventional jet fuels. It does not require any adaptations to the aircraft or engines and does not have any negative impact on performance.

The use of SAF results in up to 80-percent reduction in carbon emissions across the fuel’s lifecycle.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

SHARED TOWER. Team members from Unity Digital Infrastructure Inc. and representatives from the Visayas regional teams of Globe Telecom Inc., PLDT- Smart Communications Inc. and DITO Telecommunity visit the location of the three-tenant tower in Cebu. Unity hosted the three mobile network operators in one of its cell sites through its partnership with Visayan Electric Company. Unity put on air Globe as the anchor tenant, along with Smart and DITO as co-location tenants in a single tower–effectively showcasing the shared tower model. The Common Tower Initiative, initiated by the government, is geared towards accelerating the improvement of Internet connectivity and addressing telecommunications infrastructure issues in the country.

Zealand Dollar 0.61810033.7050

TaiwanDollar0.0319761.7437 Source: BSP

Grid operator vows to speed up evaluation of system impact studies for power plant connections

By Alena Mae S. Flores

NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines said Friday it is carrying out comprehensive actions to tackle the challenges posed by the lengthy queue of system impact studies for power plant connections.

SIS is a critical assessment that determines the capacity of the power grid to accommodate a new generator and identifies necessary improvements such as additional transmission lines, transformers or substations.

NGCP said in a statement that due to the increasing demand for power generation, the number of applications for

SIS surged.

It said that historically, majority of the applicants did not push through with their initial plans, with only around 28 percent of completed SIS resulting in the establishment of actual power plants.

“Although seven out of 10 SIS applicants will not actually pursue their power investments, we are obliged to fully evaluate each application when they are passed on to us by the Department of Energy,” said NGCP president and chief executive Anthony Almeda.

“Accordingly, we have taken the necessary steps to expedite the process and improve its efficiency,” he said.

The DOE asked NGCP and SIS providers to complete the study within a 60-day period.

NGCP said one of the key initiatives is the expansion of the SIS team by hiring additional manpower. It expects to boost the capacity of the organization and conduct more SIS studies simultaneously.

The company said it is also adopting a clustering approach for SIS, grouping together power plants with a common connection point or study area.

“This clustering strategy aims to streamline the process and accelerate the evaluation of multiple projects, enhancing the overall efficiency and

reducing the waiting time for potential power plant developers,” NGCP said.

NGCP said it is also in the process of outsourcing some aspects of the SIS process, pending the issuance of the accreditation process by the Energy Regulatory Commission. The outsourcing initiative is anticipated to further augment the organization’s capabilities and expedite the completion of SIS for various power plant proposals.

Almeda said that in more developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, the completion of grid impact studies typically takes more than three years.

Union Bank of the Philippines also delivered P3.2 billion in income contribution, higher by 4 percent year-onyear. Real estate unit Aboitiz Land Inc. reported a 19-percent decline in consolidated net income to P389 million on lower sales and construction-related delays.

Standard Chartered predicts softer PH growth in 2nd half

STANDARD Chartered Bank said Friday it expects a softer growth for the Philippines in the second half of the 2023, but said the country would remain one of the fastest-growing in the region.

Jonathan Koh, Standard Chartered economist for Asia, maintained his gross domestic product growth forecast of 5.3 percent in 2023 despite a strong 6.4-percent expansion in the first quarter.

“The first-quarter GDP is strong, but growth has been slowing sequentially. Growth in the second half will be soft,” Koh said in an online briefing.

Koh said the labor market was quite strong, although the pent-up demand would continue to normalize for the rest of the year. “The pace of consumption will remain on the softer side going forward,” he said.

Koh said two of the bright spots for the Philippine economy are the continuous recovery of the tourism sector that was hit hard by the global pandemic and the sustained inflows of remittances from overseas Filipino workers.

“In terms of support to GDP, tourism is one,” he said, adding that a post-COVID recovery for the sector was fast, which would be good for the current account.

“Remittances will remain stable and will continue growing by 3 percent that will support consumption,” he said.

The International Monetary Fund earlier raised its 2023 growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.2 from 6.0. The projection was within the 6 percent to 7 percent growth forecast announced by the interagency Development Budget Coordinating Committee. Julito G. Rada

Aboitiz Group’s income fell 18% to P6.5b in Q2

Roderick T. dela Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS MEETING. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) meets with executives of Australian shipbuilding company Austal Limited, while in Cebu City for the 3rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council Meeting.

SPORTS

Masbate out to duplicate Batang Pinoy feat in Palaro

MEMBERS of the Masbate team that dominated the athletics’ meet of the recent Batang Pinoy National Championship vow to make their presence felt in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa when it gets going on Monday in Marikina and Pasig.

Masbate collected 11 golds, six silvers and seven bronzes to claim the no. 1 position and dominate track and field competitions when the games were held in Vigan, Ilocos Sur last December.

Fifteen-year-old Leonalyn Compuesto, Masbate Sports Academy’s fastest runner, who swept all her five events in the Batang Pinoy, is entered in the secondary girls’ 400-meter run, and will be among Region V’s best bets in the country’s annual interscholastic sports meet.

Her teammates, Realyn Lanuza, Jesalyn Materdan and Alessandra Capellan, took the 4x400m relay gold and are entered in separate events, with Lanuza taking part in the 100-meter sprints.

Materdan is entered in the 800-meter run and Capellan is expected to make a splash in the 110-and 400-meter hurdles.

Their coach Regine Batoy-Librando said the girls have been giving their best performances since December and are expected to be at their best again, following their arrival in Manila on Friday.

Also expected to make an impression in the secondary girls’ side are Nicol de Lara (2000-meter walk), Erica Magallanes (triple jump), Courtney Trangia (discus throw), and France Rapsing (3000-meter steeplechase).

More than 9,000 student-athletes and officials from 17 regions are taking part in the Department of Education-organized event which is making a comeback after three years of hiatus due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Marikina City mayor Marcy Teodoro, in a statement said, the city government worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the Palarong Pambansa, which carries the theme “Batang Malakas, Batang Matatag”.

“The DepEd entrusted us with such huge tasks and the city government of Marikina accepted to take on this enormous challenge and responsibility of hosting this prestigious national sporting event. Despite the limited capacity of the city, we still have the ability to host the Palaro,” he added. Peter Atencio

Pampanga, Letran clash in ‘Battle of Champs’ finals

PAMPANGA—Pradera Theme Park

forged a finals clash with Farm FreshLetran in the 2023 Manila Bankers

Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Battle of the Champions after eliminating Max Ballers with an emphatic 87-72 victory on Thursday at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The Delta ended their nationals campaign with a 3-1 record—16-1 overall— to take the other slot in the best-of-three finale which begins on Friday.

It was a dominant outing for Pampanga-Pradera, a team raring to get back the 92-87 loss it received at the hands of Farm Fresh-Letran last Wednesday, highlighted by a dominant third quarter that saw them turn a 52-45 halftime lead into a 76-55 cushion heading into the last 10 minutes of the game.

Incoming De La Salle University

freshman Rhyle Melencio led the way for the Delta with 20 points and 11 rebounds while Veejay Pre bullied his way to a line of 17 points and 18 rebounds.

Debuting Joseph Pangilinan also shone for the Kapampangans, chipping in 13 points off the bench.

Meanwhile, Farm Fresh-Letran will enter the final stage of this tournament co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge with a clean 4-0 slate after taking a dominant 100-79 win over Cagayan de Oro Higalas.

Norway scrambling to find right lineup vs Philippines

By Peter Atencio

INJURED or not, star striker Ada Hederberg may still play in Norway’s final Group A match against the Philippines in Auckland on Sunday.

The medical staff of the Norwegian side gave this assurance ahead of their final group stage encounter with the Filipinas in 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“The first examination by a physiotherapist and doctor shows that it was absolutely right not to play the match (vs Switzerland). We will set up a plan throughout the week to optimize the opportunities for Ada to play on Sunday,” said team doctor Trygve Hunemo of the 28-year-old Hederberg to news outlets in Norway.

One of her replacements, Graham Hansen will also have chance to contribute big to the Norway’s cause.

Norwegian coach Hege Riise said this as she accepted the Graham’s apol-

ogy following an outburst, which came out when Norway played Switzerland to a scoreless draw.

“She is genuinely sorry for her emotional outbursts, not only now, but also a bit back in time. There is no reason why this cannot be a success story. We had a crash, now it has to be reset and then we will continue working forward,” said Riise as winless Norway tries to get back on its feet against the Philippines this weekend.

Norway is struggling with its game after it lost former Ballon d’Or winner Hegerberg to a groin injury just before kickoff.

With Norway battling internal issues and its situation at the bottom of

the standings, the Philippines has gone deep into its own preparations and now has an equal chance with Norway, Switzerland and New Zealand to get out of the group stage.

With Hegerberg leaving before the start of their game against the Swiss side, the Norwegians badly need a win against the Filipinas in their final game of Group A on Sunday.

Switzerland and Norway played to a scoreless draw at the Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Tuesday, moments after the Filipinas turned back the New Zealand Ferns, 1-0, at the Wellington Regional Stadium in Wellington.

Hegerberg was in the starting lineup, but sustained a groin injury during the warmups, with the coaching staff only finding out of the situation when the team entered the pitch to play against the Swiss side.

The 28-year-old Hegerberg, Norway’s top striker, has made 42 goals for the team, since making her first senior team appearance in 2011. She left the stadium

at the end of the singing of the national anthem.

With the Philippines’ upset of New Zealand, Norway fell to the bottom of the standings in Group A.

A loss by Norway on Sunday, coupled by Switzerland beating the Ferns will give the Filipinas a big chance to advance to the knockout stage.

Filipinas’ coach Allen Stajcic said the girls have refocused and gotten back to work in their practice sessions over the last couple of days since their win against the hosts.

“Practice is good. Team is in good spirits, and they’re doing really well and are focused,” said Stajcic, some three days before their game with the Norwegians at the Forsythe Barr Stadium in Dunedin.

Stajcic said the girls have to quickly adjust to the situation after being together in five tournaments.

“It’s really one of the strengths of the team. That we are able to refocus quickly and with a sense of maturity,” added Stajcic.

Brooks wants rematch with Pacio

ONE Strawweight World Champion Jarred “The Monkey God” Brooks wants to meet his old rival Joshua “The Passion” Pacio once more in an MMA fight when his incursion to submission grappling is all said and done. Brooks takes on BJJ wizard Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci for the latter’s ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title at ONE Fight Night 13: Allazov vs. Grigorian inside Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on August 5.

While the wrestler has been focused on claiming his second World Title in a different sport, he’s not taking his eyes off his division. In fact, he wishes to dance with his Filipino rival once more after this.

“I think that [Joshua Pacio] needs to either go against me or he needs to

go against Gustavo Balart. I think that would be a good fight. Either way, it will show where Gustavo lies in the whole division,” he said.

“But yeah, I think Josh is still ranked number one. I didn’t beat him crazy bad, so I could see how they would want to rematch. But besides that, I think that Josh needs to fight again before he fights me.” While the buildup to their fight was highly heated, the two have grown a mutual respect for each other since.

There really isn’t any doubt that Brooks won the first match, but the American still wants Pacio, knowing he will only get better after every match.

While Brooks was able to take Pacio down quickly in the first round of that encounter, the Filipino adjusted in the ensuing rounds, effectively stopping most of the American’s takedowns for the rest of the contest.

For “The Monkey God,” it’s him and Pacio leading the strawweight division.

“Pacio was the best in the division.

I think that he’s got his wrestling down pat, his striking has always been good, he’s always knocked people out,” he said.

“I think that me and Pacio, at the end of the day, would be a better look for the strawweight division.”

As for the rest of the division? They better keep up as Brooks believes him and Pacio are only going to get better and better.

“A huge message to every strawweight out there in my division. Work hard, man, I want to fight every one of you guys,” he said.

”If you guys are f—-- around, it isn’t fair to me. It isn’t fair to my family, and it isn’t fair to ONE Championship and the fans. Quit f—--- around.”

Former PH team fencer Esteban climbs to world no. 39

FORMER Philippine team standout Maxine Esteban rose in the world rankings again. The 22-year-old Esteban climbed to world no. 39 after going as far as the round of 64 in the women’s foil matches of International Fencing Federation Fencing World Championships in Milan, Italy.

Esteban, who earlier pulled off a 15-9 win over Marta Caride of Portugal in the Round of 128, suffered an 8-12 setback to Eleanor Harvey of Canada in her first outing in the world senior level.

Last month, Esteban reached a new career high of world no. 46, a big 16-point jump from no. 62.

Her good fortunes came months after she switched nationalities, from the Philippines to Côte d’Ivoire, joining the Ivorian national team in an effort to continue her

“The year ahead

certainly be

the

pic qualifying events. However, I am confident of God’s continuous grace and faithfulness, I am hoping for a qualification in Paris 2024,” said Esteban in a Facebook message.

During the world meet, world no. 2 Alice Volpi went on to claim the crown after turning back a fellow Italian, 1510, in the finals.

Esteban is on her third tournament since bagging a bronze medal in the recent African Championships.

“Winning a bronze medal in the African Championship, qualifying once again in the T64 on the world stage, and ending the season with a career-high world ranking of 39, I can finally smile and say that I have survived the biggest and steepest drop in my life,” added Esteban.

In the men’s foil, Peter Files of Croatia eased out Filipino bet Sam Tranquillan, 15-8, in the round of 128. Peter Atencio

Norway’s forward Ada Hegerberg, who is shown here heading the ball during her team’s 2023 Women’s World Cup Group A football match with New Zealand, may still play against the Philippines after missing the Switzerland game due to injury. AFP

Maxine Esteban (right) in action during one of her earlier campaigns. dreams to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was earlier dropped from the Philippine team bound for

the Cambodia SEA Games.

will

tough with the continuation of

Olym-

Joshua Pacio

HOME/DESIGN

HEAD SOUTH WHERE THE LIVING IS EASY

1001 Parkway Residences soon to rise in Filinvest City

UPSCALE real estate developer Filigree

unveiled this week its newest residential project, 1001 Parkway Residences in Filinvest City, Alabang.

The high-rise residential building is the latest addition to Filigree’s collection of properties which include The Beaufort in BGC, The Enclave Alabang in Daang Hari, Bristol, Botanika Nature Residences Tower 1, and Two Botanika in Filinvest City, and Golf Ridge Private Estate in Filinvest Mimosa+ in Clark, Pampanga.

Well-crafted, innovative design “1001 Parkway Residences in Alabang not only bears the Filigree brand, but it also embodies our unwavering dedication to craftsmanship and innovative functional design that many of our clients have come to love and trust,” declared Daphne Sanchez, Filigree’s business unit head.

“At Filigree, we believe that luxury is really in the details. Every project feature is well thought out to bring utmost comfort and ease to our residents,” she added. “What makes a Filigree home special is not just its luxurious features, first and foremost, is the choice of location and 1001 Parkway Residences is no different.”

Soon to rise along Millionaire’s Row at Spectrum, which is touted as the most premium district of Filinvest City, 1001 Parkway offers residents a sophisticated cosmopolitan lifestyle. With the garden city’s well-connected living environment being a LEED Gold certified neighborhood by the US Green Building

LAUNCHING AN ICONIC GARDEN TOWERS CONCEPT.

Council, residents will have immediate access to essential amenities such as medical facilities, business centers, and educational institutions as well as a variety of commercial centers, dining hotspots, entertainment venues, and of course green open spaces.

But aside from its strategic location, 1001 Parkway’s distinctive architecture, which seamlessly blends beauty and functionality, further adds to its appeal. Soon to be the tallest residential building

ART AT HIGH NOON. Green developer Arthaland recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to hold an exhibition, ‘Udtong tutok: art at high noon’ at the Cebu Exchange from September 14 to October 12, 2023. “Udtong tutok,” derives from the Cebuano idiom, symbolizing the exact point at high noon. This is the second joint endeavor between Arthaland and CCP, and demonstrates their commitment to sustainable development and using art to foster youth engagement, and cultural consciousness. At the MOA signing were (from left to right): Kris’na Samantha S. Pobre, Head of Sustainability, Arthaland; Marivic S. Victoria, Vice President and CFO, Arthaland; Jaime C. González,Vice Chairman and President, Arthaland; Maria Margarita Moran Floirendo, CCP President, Ma. Angelina B. Magsanoc Vice President, Arthaland.

AI-POWERED HOMEBUILDING PLATFORM LAUNCHED.

Jose Paolo ‘JP’ Calma, (Shown in photo) former CEO of the Multi-Development and Construction Corporation (MDCC), recently launched Homeqube, a blockchain and AI-powered homebuilding platform that enables users to design their dream homes through its built-in network of architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, and manufacturers. The blockchain and AI-powered homebuilding platform features user-centric controls or “knobs” based on a deconstruction philosophy where various combinations of designs can be created from basic system parts. Users can explore cost, lifestyle, and mobility metrics by adjusting these knobs, helping them to make informed home design and building decisions. ‘Homeqube is designed to solve persistent problems within the industry, such as long lead times, staggering inefficiencies in the design process, the overreliance on human labor, unsustainable raw materials, and not to mention the huge gap between e-commerce and the sector,’ said Calma.

in Filinvest City once completed, it cultivates an indoor-outdoor experience on the ground floor and provides expansive views from the Sky Lounge. Close to nature

The design also maximizes the engagement of the residential units to the surrounding parks. 1001 Parkway’s amenities also further enhance the livework-play concept that residents can enjoy within the development. They can take leisurely laps at the 50-meter adult pool while kids can safely swim at the

FASTER SURFING, WORKING, GAMING AT

HENANN BORA. Philippine telecommunications company, Eastern Communications, recently sealed a partnership with resort group, Henann Group of Resorts, to help boost tourism and provide connectivity to its offices in Boracay Island. Eastern Communications now serves three of the hotel offices in the Henann Group of Resorts, specifically Henann Prime Beach Resort, Henann Park Resort, and Henann Regency Resort & Spa. The partnership delivers strong connections not only for the business’ day-to-day operations but also for the hotel guests to enjoy. Henann Group of Resorts is one of the largest hospitality companies in the Philippines with a number of hotels spread across Boracay Island, Bohol, and soon in Palawan.

‘BE MY NEIGHBOR.’ Actor Piolo Pascual works the crowd—notably the boisterous female persuasion—at the 1001 Parkway Residences launch, boosting opening day sales of the soon to be tallest residential tower in Filinvest City.

kiddie pool area and play at the outdoor and indoor kids play areas. Residents can also work on their fitness at the gym and yoga studio. Meanwhile, fur parents can go for a daily stroll with their pets at the dog park. The Pavilion is also free for use where family and friends can gather or simply take one’s daily meditations outdoors. Other amenities found within the property include the main lobby, lobby lounge, and drop-off.

“1001 Parkway by Filigree is a symbol of elevated status where residents can embrace modern luxe lifestyle,” Sanchez told the Manila Standard. “Imagine, your home address is a mix of two worlds, the urgent pace of your urban life and sensibility, and the slower, more meditative and meaningful moment that you cannot simply count with time. It is a quiet meshing of outdoor and indoor, of the wildness of nature and the beauty of structure.”

To know more, visit https://filigree.com.ph/properties/1001parkway/.

DRIVEN BY INNOVATION.

PH1 World Developers Inc. (PH1WD) recently joined infrastructure innovator Megawide Construction, in a strategic bid to unlock more possibilities in the areas of design, engineering, and technological advances in the construction industry. Both companies are driven by innovation. Megawide’s engineering excellence and innovation DNA are seen to complement PH1WD’s passion to deliver projects that disrupt current real estate conventions and address gaps aspired by end-users. For Megawide, the move towards real estate is part of the company’s progressive evolution.    “The move is a natural progression of our construction and engineering unit into higher value-generating businesses, and gives more momentum to our forward integration initiatives within the Group,” said Edgar Saavedra, Megawide Chairman and CEO. Megawide is currently undertaking the construction of two vertical developments for PH1WD: My Enso Lofts in Timog, Quezon City, and Modan Loft Ortigas Hills (Shown in photo), in Taytay Rizal, as well as one horizontal development: Northscapes SJDM in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan.

(From left to right): Muntinlupa Vice Mayor Temy Simundac; Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon; Filinvest Alabang, Inc first vice president for townships Don Ubaldo; Filigree brand ambassador/actor Piolo Pascual.

The perfect environment for ‘happy pigs’

By Patricia Taculao

PORK is vital in Filipinos’ diets because of its accessibility and versatility in nearly every dish. Yet despite these benefits, too much pork consumption can lead to health problems and a longing desire to expand one’s flavor palate. And that’s what self-made businessman and racehorse breeeder Herminio “Hermie” Esguerra hopes to address with the unique pork breed he raises on his farm.

Located in Lipa, Batangas, Esguerra Farms & Stud Inc. provides the ideal environment to raise Kurobuta pigs, the Japanese name for the heritage breed, which means “black pig” and has the distinct white on its snout, lower legs, and the tip of its tail.

In other parts of the globe, people know Kurobuta as the rare Berkshire breed from the United Kingdom that produces meat worthy of the moniker “wagyu of pork.”

But in Esguerra Farms, they are known as “happy pigs.”

Meat fit for royalty

The Berkshire pig can grow double in size than other pig breeds across the globe. Yet people revere it for its tender meat, packed with intensely tasty, creamy fat, which earned it the name “lard pig.”

According to the American Berkshire Association, the British Royal Family kept Berkshires at Windsor Palace for hundreds

of years, making its meat a staple in royal banquets and other gatherings.

By 1823, the first Berkshire pigs made their way to the USA, where it was rapidly absorbed into the general hog population for the improvement they created when crossed with early American stock.

In the 18th century, the Japanese brought some pigs back to raise as well, al lowing themselves to indulge in the succu lent meat from the breed.

Developing a natural, stress-free environment

Esguerra Farm began in 2000 as a family refuge from city life. It later became the birthplace of some of the country’s premier racehorses before transitioning to producing quality fruits and vegetables while providing a nurturing environment for farm animals.

A friend introduced Esguerra and his family to Kurobuta pork, which drew the businessman’s interest. He set out to develop his farm and its components to accommodate the pigs in the Philippines and raise them under stress-free conditions to ensure their meat quality.

Since Kurobuta pigs aren’t native to the Philippines, Esguerra Farms breeds imported Berkshire pigs with local variants with desirable qualities until they get an offspring that’s well-acclimatized to the country’s environment.

Esguerra is hands-on in managing and maintaining the farm–all 55 hectares. But when it comes to the Kurobuta pigs, he’s very strict about biosecurity. The farm owner limits entry to the allotted premises to en-

sure the pigs don’t contract any disease. As an added prevention measure, all workers residing on the farm must take a bath and change clothes and footwear before entering the livestock

section. They also can’t consume other pork not from the farm to avoid picking up any diseases, like African Swine Fever (ASF), which impacted the local industry for years since it entered the Philippines.

Berkshire pigs, or Kurobuta, are known for their tender and juicy meat

PCAARRD promotes coconut hybridization

By Butch Guino

CROSSING two coconut varieties with different and desirable traits produces coconut hybrids with higher and better coconut oil content, copra yield, size, and resiliency.

The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PCAARRD) stated that, with their superior qualities [compared] to regular coconut, hybrids can boost coconut production and revitalize the sector.

However, PCAARRD said research is needed to unlock the full potential of these hybrids and develop new ones that can further withstand climate, diseases, and insect pests.

To encourage more researchers and scientists to submit proposals focusing on coconut hybridization, PCAARRD recently held an initial regional information caravan and proposal writing workshop in Los Baños, Laguna.

It was attended by 26 coconut researchers and representatives from Research and Development Institutions and State Universities and Colleges.

PCAARRD Executive Director Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, during the caravan, urged participa nts to conduct research not only to advance knowledge but improve both the livelihood of farmers and the coconut industry.

He also said they could get potential implementing partners for Coconut Hybridization Program (CHP) and other related projects from participants and research proponents. Information on the program, PCAARRD proposal submission guidelines, and identifying region-specific industry gaps as a springboard for the proposed research initiatives were disseminated as part of the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan (CFIDP) CHP Research Component.

Industry Strategic S&T Program Manager for Coconut Alissa Carol M. Ibarra explained the rationale of the activity and introduced the participants to the CFIDP programs specifically for CHP.

Philippine Coconut Authority Region IV Focal Person for CFIDP Kristal L. Lanceta presented the situation of the coconut industry in Region IV. Meanwhile, PCA Operations Branch Senior Science Research Specialist Marianita Eroy gave some research recommendations.

PCAARRD Crops Research Division personnel guided the participants to CHP priority R&D areas and PCAARRD forms and guidelines.

In the meantime, he developed various parts of the farm to allow the pigs to roam freely and experience the natural elements, like sun, wind, and rain.

The farm also refrains from raising the pigs using hormones and chemicals, keeping a strict regimen similar to raising cows that produce wagyu beef. Speaking of hormones, Esguerra Farms maintains their pigs’ happiness until slaughter to prevent cortisol, the flight-or-flee stress hormone, from seeping into the meat and affecting product quality.

It takes complete coordination and adherence to the protocols to secure the quality of Kurobuta pork Esguerra Farms prides itself in.

Compared to commercial pork, Kurobuta pork has marbled fats within its meat,

similar to beef to the untrained eye. The farm produces cuts like tomahawk, coppa, and ribeye for the market, while also accepting requests for specific portions, revolutionizing how Filipinos eat pork. Other products include cured meat, like hams, and household cuts, which can be used in making traditional Filipino dishes.

They also have a special cochinillo. Suckling pigs, just a month from birth, are fed mostly milk and harvested after they are weaned, then roasted for hours using a special oven that regulates even cooking and crisping.

Kurobuta pork from Esguerra Farms is available in various retailers, hotels, and restaurants in the Philippines. Although a bit pricey, the farm ensures that every succulent bite is worth it because of the meticulous methods used in raising the pigs. Read the full story on manilastandard.net.

Coconut hybrids have higher and better coconut oil content, copra yield, size, and resiliency than most varieties

Yarn production center to revitalize Northern Luzon textile industry

By Reina Rose B. Realino Technology Transfer Information and Promotion Staff

THE local textile industry in Northern Luzon is poised to take a big leap towards development as the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI), Isabela State University - Ilagan Campus (ISU), DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST PCIEERD), DOST Region II, City of Ilagan, and the Province of Isabela, joined hands and launched the first Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center or RYPIC in Luzon at the ISU Ilagan Campus in Ilagan, Isabela.

The inauguration, held last June 23, signals a new hope to revitalize its local textile industry.

The RYPIC Isabela is a micro-scale yarnspinning facility that will aid in developing the textile industry in Northern Luzon. The facility can produce 50 kgs of yarns per day (8h), translating to 270m of handloom woven (with 1m width). One RYPIC can manufacture 13,200 kgs of yarn annually, making 36,000 m of 60inch width fabrics for 24,000 pieces of a female blouse or 18,000 office Barong.

The RYPIC was established through the “DOST Inclusive Innovation Textiles Empowering Lives Anew or i2TELA Program” under the DOST-GIA. The establishment of the first RYPIC in ISAT-U Campus in Miagao, Iloilo in Western Visayas in 2019 paved the way for the regional perspective to textile production true to the concept of the i2TELA Program, with the enabling technology in the conversion of natural textile fibers available in Region VI into spinnable fibers and spun yarns aimed to provide material requirements of handloom weaving communities.

The Philippines boasts of its abundance of abaca, pineapple, banana, and bamboo, which are tex-

tile fibers as sources of raw materials. Abaca and pineapple leaf fibers in the country are the most readily available for succeeding conversion into textiles. In Cagayan Valley/Region II, bamboo, banana, and pineapple are accessible for textile production. Similarly, nearby regions such as CAR and Region I are viable sources of natural textile fibers.

The RYPIC Isabela will focus on the spun yarn production of cotton-bamboo and other Natural Textile Fiber (NTF) blended yarns. Unlike the RYPIC Iloilo, which has integrated fiber treatment and yarn

spinning facilities, the treatment of bamboo textile fiber and other NTFs will be handled by the Natural Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (NTFIH) Apayao and Bamboo Textile Fiber Innovation Hub (BTFIH) Isabela, which for this purpose will supply the fiber requirements of RYPIC Isabela. These textile fiber innovation hubs are strategically located as they are closer to the raw material source for transport ease and cost-efficiency. The model aims to expand the circle of stakeholders to the textile supply chain, promote geographic specialization, and decentral-

ize production.

The DOST-PTRI purchased a complete line of spinning machines producing 50 kg of spun yarns daily. The project also allowed the development and enhancement of the capability of project staff and partner institutions.

During the RYPIC Isabela launch, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said, “I encourage everyone here to support RYPIC and its products. Let us continue to work together to push for a more sustainable economy. We hope our work will inspire us to build more yarn innovation centers in other locations across our country, and this will only be possible if we have the strong support of our fellow Filipinos. It will begin with everyone joining us today.”

On the other hand, Senate President Pro Tempore Hon. Sen Loren B. Legarda, the author of Republic Act 9242 or the Philippine Tropical Fabrics law, expressed her full support during the RYPIC Isabela launch. She mentioned, “This Yarn Production and Innovation Center’s commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness makes it a significant step forward for the textile industry and a testament to the power of collaboration and innovation. It can help to reduce waste and encourage the development of circular economies, which I faithfully advocate. It promises to be a game changer in the industry, providing a platform for local and global partners to collaborate and innovate.”

DOST-PTRI Officer-in-Charge and Director Dr. Julius L. Leaño Jr. expressed gratitude to all the partners who made the RYPIC Isabela possible. Dr. Leaño, in his closing remarks, mentioned, “What we have in Ilagan, Isabela is maybe one of the best, if not the best permutation of the yarn production system yet so far, but you know what they say, as also with our natural resources, it’s not a matter of what you have, it’s what you do with what you have.”

The Kurobuta pigs on Esguerra Farms & Stud Inc. lead a stress-free life

Lenovo among 1st to achieve net-zero targets

IN A world where corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability are becoming increasingly critical, technology giant Lenovo has emerged as a trailblazer, demonstrating its unwavering commitment to creating a better and more sustainable planet.

Today, the company published its 17th annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, showcasing its remarkable progress in various areas, from renewable energy adoption to empowering global communities and bridging the digital divide.

“As a global company, we have seen the impact of climate change on our stakeholders and feel the urgency to combat it together,” said Yuanqing Yang, Lenovo’s CEO and Chairman. “In the last fiscal year, we were proud to affirm our commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 with net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and their first-of-its-kind Net-Zero Standard.”

Lenovo’s leadership in sustainability was bolstered this year when it became one of the first group of companies to have net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative. The company is on-track to meet its near-term emissions reduction targets for 2030, including reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and Scope 3 emissions intensities by 66.5% from purchased goods and services, 35% from sold products, and 25% from upstream transportation and distribution. Lenovo is collaborating with suppliers to reduce its scope 3 (value chain) emissions, traditionally the largest category of emissions and the most difficult to track in a complex, global supply chain.

Lenovo is committed to sustainability through holistic innovations. In the fiscal year 2022/23, it accelerated their transition to a circular economy by increasing the number of products with ‘closed loop’ recycled content from endof-life IT and electronics. Impressively, the global service provider incorporated recycled plastic into nearly 300 products, with the ThinkPad X1 laptops launched at CES 2023 being a prime example.

These laptops boast up to 97% Post Consumer Content (PCC) plastic in the battery enclosure and up to 95% PCC plastic in the speaker enclosures and AC adapter.

Lenovo believes in collaborating across its entire value chain to make a sustainable impact. That’s why Lenovo created “Lenovo 360 Circle”, a sustainability community that supports and empowers Lenovo’s downstream ecosystem. By uniting people, programs, and tools, Lenovo 360 Circle unlocks the full breadth & depth of Lenovo’s sustainability strategy for channel partners. The community facilitates collaboration to tackle sustainability issues as a united front and accelerate decarbonization within the IT industry.

KonsultaMD, Etiqa PH make digital health more accessible to Filipinos

KONSULTAMD and Etiqa Philippines have embarked on a partnership to enhance digital health access for Filipinos. This initiative enables Etiqa members and their dependents to avail of free consultations from KonsultaMD.

The alliance was formally unveiled at a recent contract signing event attended by key executives from both companies, led by Cholo Tagaysay, CEO of KonsultaMD, and Rico Bautista, President and CEO of Etiqa.

With this collaboration, KonsultaMD becomes a key health partner in Etiqa’s extensive network of over 1,500 hospitals and clinics across the country. Augmented by KonsultaMD’s large network of over 1,000 healthcare professionals on their platform, Etiqa members can now access a broad array of doctors and specialists through the app.

The synergy of these two ecosystems seeks to foster a more comprehensive approach to healthcare and provide a more affordable, accessible, and robust health solution for Filipinos. KonsultaMD and Etiqa Philippines, leaders in telehealth and health insurance, respectively, look forward to introducing additional services in the coming months.

“As we develop more services in the KonsultaMD ecosystem, we would still need partners who can help amplify the reach of our services. We are in the business of democratizing healthcare, and Etiqa is the perfect partner to help reach that goal,” said Tagaysay.

Dr. Fe De Leon, Senior Assistant Vice President of the Medical Operations De-

partment of Etiqa Philippines, noted how the partnership seeks to address limited access to fundamental healthcare facilities and services in the Philippines.

“The biggest challenge for the Philippine healthcare sector is the lack of access to even the most basic healthcare facilities and services including teleconsultation, particularly in the provincial areas. We hope that this partnership will provide accessibility and quality healthcare services while being a cost-effective and efficient practice of preventive medicine,” she said.

Etiqa members can avail of free online

doctor consultations from KonsultaMD through a simple three-step process.

First, they must call the KonsultaMD Hotline at 02-7798-8000 (press 0) or email @wellness@konsulta.md, and provide the Wellness Representative their policy number and mobile number, a one-time requirement for initial consultation. Following this, members should download the KonsultaMD app and register using the same mobile number given to the hotline. The Etiqa health plan will be activated within the app in about thirty minutes upon successful registration.

A portfolio company of Globe’s 917Ventures, KonsultaMD is helping democratize healthcare through comprehensive, reliable telehealth services including 24/7 doctor access, medical certificates, same-day pharmacy deliveries, at-home diagnostics, and nursing care for newborns and the elderly. It also advocates for mental health consultations, leading efforts to destigmatize such services among Filipinos. For more information about KonsultaMD, visit https://konsulta.md or download the app on the App Store or Google Play.

Smart goes all out on subscriber assistance during SIM registration grace period

PLDT mobile services unit Smart Communications, Inc. continues its efforts to assist subscribers nationwide with registering and reactivating their SIM within the five-day grace period from the SIM Registration deadline last July 25.

Following the SIM Registration Law, Smart deactivated all outgoing calls and messages of unregistered SIMs on its network last July 26.

Affected users are given a five-day grace period to apply for reactivation until July 30. All unregistered SIMs by July 31 will be deactivated permanently.

Smart, along with its value brand TNT, has reached out to all affected subscribers via text advisories, providing a link to the SIM Registration portal at smart.com.ph/simreg. Smart and TNT also continue to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths at Smart Stores nationwide and strategic areas across the country to help subscribers to register and reactivate their SIM.

Smart and TNT have also extended their customer assistance via their offi-

cial Facebook Messenger account and the hotline (02) 8888-1111.

Moreover, they have boosted their public service reminders across multimedia platforms under their ‘Mag-SIM Reg para hindi SIM Dead’ campaign, informing subscribers about the hassles of failing to register their SIM.

Since the launch of the SIM Registration drive last Dec. 26, 2022, Smart has been working closely with national agencies including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), local government units, and private organizations to encourage and assist mobile users across the country to register their SIM. By registering their SIM, Smart and TNT subscribers may continue enjoying data, call, and text services powered by the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network as recognized by Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

LG’s auto ice maker, water dispenser in all-new Smart Inverter Top Mount Freezer Refrigerator

ensures you have an endless supply of ice at your command, ready to cool your drinks and add a touch of luxury to your life. And that’s not all - the built-in Water Dispenser offers refreshment with a simple press, granting you instant access to chilled water, no more fumbling with bottles or jugs.

Sealing in Farm Freshness Longer with LinearCooling™

experience for your taste buds.

Control Your Appliance

Remotely with LG ThinQ™

Welcome to the era of smart living!

With LG ThinQ™, you can control your refrigerator from anywhere using your smartphone or any other WiFi-enabled device. Adjust settings, monitor energy usage, and receive alerts, all with the touch of a button. It’s a smarter way to manage your home appliances.

cereus, and Klebsiella pneumonia. Enjoy peace of mind knowing that your food is stored in a hygienic environment.

Experience Smart Fresh Air for Optimal Cooling

Maximizing freshness and minimizing bacteria with Hygiene Fresh

LG Electronics unveils its latest innovation in refrigeration technology with the launch of the all-new LG Top Mount Freezer.

This cutting-edge appliance combines style, convenience, and advanced features to transform your kitchen into a hub of modern living. With the RVT-L149BS

Say goodbye to food waste! The LinearCooling™ technology in our new LG Top Mount Freezer reduces temperature fluctuations, preserving the flavor of your fresh produce for up to 7 days*. Enjoy the taste of farm-fresh ingredients, as our refrigerator keeps them at the optimal temperature.

Delivering Freshness Evenly & Faster with Door Cooling+™

No more worrying about uneven cooling! Our Door Cooling+™ feature ensures that every shelf in your refrigerator receives even and faster cooling. Whether it’s your favorite snacks or a refreshing drink, this technology keeps your food and beverages fresh and ice-cold, providing a delightful

Save Defrosting Time with Fresh 0 Zone

We understand the importance of convenience in your busy lifestyle. The Fresh 0 Zone drawer allows you to preserve meats and fish without the need for frequent defrosting. It maintains a lower temperature compared to other compartments, ensuring that your food stays fresh and delicious for longer.

Maximizing Freshness and Minimizing

Bacteria with Hygiene Fresh

Keep your refrigerator clean and odorfree with Hygiene Fresh. This innovative feature deodorizes your fridge and removes up to 99.99% of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus

Our Smart Fresh Air feature learns your usage patterns to optimize cooling performance, even during peak usage times. It analyzes your habits over a 3-week period and adjusts cooling 2 hours before periods of high usage. With Smart Fresh Air, your food stays fresh, regardless of how often you open the door.

Energy Efficient & Durable with Smart Inverter Compressor™

Save more on your energy bills while enjoying peace of mind. The LG Smart Inverter Compressor™ takes energy efficiency to the next level, ensuring efficient operation and longevity. With a 10-year warranty on the Smart Inverter Compressor, you can trust in its durability and reliability. The LG Top Mount Freezer with its 14.9 cu. ft. capacity is designed to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Its sleek dimensions of 700 x 1760 x 680 mm make it the perfect addition to any modern kitchen.

Cholo Tagaysay (left), CEO of KonsultaMD, and Rico Bautista, CEO and President of Etiqa (right), seal the deal with a handshake.

Smart and TNT also continue to deploy assisted SIM Registration booths at Smart Stores nationwide and strategic areas across the country