2 dead as missing Cessna found

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE search team found and retrieved the missing Cessna 152 aircraft in Luna, Apayao on Thursday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines reported.

“After two days of Search and Rescue efforts, the wreckage of the aircraft has been located at Sitio Matad Barangay Salvacion, Luna, Apayao,” said CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio. The authorities also found two bodies believed to be the occupants of the train-

Inflation...

From A1 rice inflation in the coming months despite the downtrend in food inflation.

“Rice inflation in July 2023 stood at 4.2 percent from 3.6 percent in June 2023. Rice inflation has been increasing since February 2022. The weight of rice in the CPI (consumer price index) basket is around 9 percent,” he said.

“We will closely monitor this because it might be the main source of higher inflation in the future,” Mapa said.

The July 2023 inflation was also slower than the 6.4 percent a year ago, bringing the average inflation in the first seven months to 6.8 percent, still higher than the target range of 2 to 4 percent.

Inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages stood at 6.1 percent in July 2023, down from 6.9 percent in the previous month.

Inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels was 3 percent, down from 4.8 percent in June 2023.

Inflation for transport also declined to -3 percent, down from -1.2 percent in June.

Core inflation, which excludes selected food and energy items, also decelerated to 6.7 percent in July 2023 from 7.4 percent in June 2023.

Based on PSA data, Mapa said the price of regular rice in July 2023 increased to P41.50 per kilo from P41.20 a month ago.

PH-US...

From A1 with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing last month.

NSC Assistant Director-General Jonathan Malaya said that among the country's key strategies in the West Philippine Sea is strengthening partnerships with other countries and allies while supporting a rules-based international order.

"Recently, [National Security Adviser Eduardo] Año met with the national security advisers of Japan and the US in a trilateral meeting. I think in the very near future we will have joint patrols, or joint sailing, the Philippines and the US. Let's wait and see,” he added.

“That is why the President went to the US, met with the President of the US, President Joe Biden, and reinvigorated our mutual defensetreaty. We also have good relations with Australia, we have a visiting forces agreement with Australia," Malaya said at a West Philippine Summit conference on Friday.

DPWH...

From A1 traversing the provinces of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija.

In a radio interview, the DPWH chief said that water from rivers overflowed during heavy rains because river embankments burst due to the absence of trees that hold the soil.

Bonoan announced his department’s plans as another municipality, Lingayen in Pangasinan, declared a state of calamity due to the flooding caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon and Typhoons Egay and Falcon.

As of Aug. 4, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the death toll from the bad weather rose to 29.

Only two have been confirmed, while the remaining 27 are still for validation.

At least 11 people are still missing while 140 to 165 sustained injuries.

The number of total affected people breached 3,028,040 or 805,621, of which, a total of 57,226 people or 15,473 families are staying in 648 evacuation centers while 229,831 individuals or 57,000 families are taking shelter in other places, the NDRRMC said.

About 232 cities and municipalities have declared a state of calamity.

DPWH Region III Director Roseller

A. Tolentino said they already deployed dredging equipment and backhoes in Digmala River because it is heavily silted.

“We need additional equipment as we aim to desilt at least 4.4 kilometers of the 10-kilometer stretch of Digmala River,” he said.

The DPWH official said desilting is being undertaken to prevent the recurrence of river overflow that causes ing plane owned and operated by Echo Air International Aviation Academy, Inc. Apolonio said the crash site is near the last known position presented by Philippine Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Center during the emergency briefing conducted by Cagayan Valley Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council last Tuesday.

Well-milled rice also increased to P45.50 in July from P45.20, while the price of special rice stood at P54.60 per kilo from P54.40 a month ago.

PSA data also showed that compared with their previous month’s inflation rates, higher annual increments were noted in the indices of corn at 5.0 percent from 4.6 percent; and vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas, and pulses at 17.3 percent from 12.8 percent.

Prices of vegetables could rise further in the coming months due to the impact of typhoons.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the current disinflation trend could be slowed down by higher minimum wages in Metro Manila, which could lead to higher prices of other affected goods and services.

“The recent increase in local rice prices, which account for nearly 10percent of the inflation/CPI basket, would also slow down the easing trend of inflation... at the very least,” Ricafort said.

He said some storm damage recently, especially in Northern Luzon, which is a major producer of rice, corn, and other food agriculturalproducts, would lead to reduced output that would lead to some pick up in agricultural prices.

Global crude oil prices which are hitting 3.5-month highs could drive up pump prices and overall inflation, he added.

The July 2023 inflation of 4.7 percent

During his weeklong visit to China, Duterte reportedly told Xi that China should "look kindly on the Philippines" on the WPS.

China claims most of the strategic waters as part of its territory.

The Philippines, Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, and Malaysia also have overlapping claims.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri shared this with the media on Thursday, quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who hosted Duterte at Malacanang on Wednesday night before meeting 22 senators for dinner shortly afterward.

Malaya said the joint patrol with the US would not necessarily aggravate the situation in the general South China Sea region—which China claims in its entirety under its so-called nine-dash line -- if international law is strictly followed.

The purpose of the joint patrol is simply to ensure freedom of navigation by keeping sea lanes open, he added.

"It's clear under international law what international seas are. Forus, we adhere flooding in low-lying areas in the town of Bongabon and its surrounding areas.

“With the help of DPWH Bureau of Equipment, we can also create a natural dam or dike with three meters in depth and 20 meters in width that can temporarily hold the flood water and give ample time for the flood waters to subside,” he added.

Silt deposits washed down from the mountainous sections of Aurora and Nueva Ecija to Digmala River led to a decrease in water depth, thereby increasing the risk of overflow and flooding.

When completed, the desilting of Digmala River will protect the low-lying villages not just of Bongabon, but also other flood-prone areas near the Pampanga River. The Digmala River is one of the allied rivers and tributaries of the 260-kilometer Pampanga River.

Bonoan said that DPWH also needs help from local governments and the environment department to strengthen reforestation because soil erosion contributes to flooding.

“Soil in the mountain slopes in Bulacan is very loose. Eroded soil goes down to the rivers and makes the riverbeds shallower,” Bonoan added.

The lack of comprehensive drainage programs in some subdivisions and towns is making the situation worse, Bonoan said.

"Of course, water from the rivers will remain in their area if they have no drainage plans. Again, I think the land use program is also very important so we could see the drainage system and where developments should be located so that we can prevent flooding. We already know which areas are flooded easily and yet, sometimes, we still allow subdivisions to be built," Bonoan said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) was within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ forecast range of 4.1 to 4.9 percent for the month, consistent with the overall assessment that inflation would gradually decelerate back to the target range by the fourth quarter in the absence of further supply shocks.

The aircraft, with registration number RP-C8958, left the Laoag International Airport at 12:16 p.m. and was supposed to arrive at Tuguegarao Airport at 3:16 p.m. It was bound for Cauayan Airport for a touch-and-go activity then to its final destination at Tuguegarao Airport.

“The aircraft transmitted its last position report approximately 32 nautical miles northwest of Alcala, Cagayan at around 1 p.m.,” said Apolonio.

The latest case involving a Cessna plane happened more than five months following the same incident in Isabela province, and the other one was found near Albay.

“The balance of risks to the inflation outlook continues to lean towards the upside owing to the potential impact of additional transport fare increases, higher-than-expected minimum wage adjustments in other regions, persistent supply constraints of key food items, El Niño weather conditions, and possible knockon effects of higher toll rates on prices of key agricultural items.

“Meanwhile, the impact of a weakerthan-expected global economic recovery remains the primary downside risk to the outlook,” BSP said in a statement.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the latest inflation number supported the likelihood that inflation “might be within the 2 to 4 percent target range by the fourth quarter.”

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary ArsenioBalisacan said despite the continued downtrend in inflation, there must be vigilance amid the increasingly volatile weather disturbances as oil price increases and trade restrictions on food.

The Department of Budget and Management welcomed the lower July inflation rate.

"We interpret this as a highly encour- with the UNCLOS. Whatever UNCLOS says where the international law allows us to sail, that's where we will sail,” hesaid.

When asked about the prospect of having a joint military exercise with China, Malaya said there is no legal basis at the moment. The NSC has also yet to receive any proposal on this.

“Well, for us to have joint military exercises. we must have a Visiting Forces Agreement with China. That is the really big problem,” the official said.

On Duterte representing the country, Senator JV Ejercito said: "That would be a good suggestion, making him a superenvoy to China."

He said it is important that "lines are open with regards to our maritime dispute with China."

"Personally, I don’t like what China is doing, but (diplomatic) ties are important," said Ejercito.

Keeping lines open between the two countries is included in the recently-approved Senate Resolution 178, which condemns China's incursions on PH territory and harassment of Filipino fishermen, the

‘Join...

From A1 luncheon on Wednesday for the Supreme Court’s 44 officials and employees who are the 2023 recipients of the Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE).

In his message, Gesmundo cited his 38 years of service as a public servant. He was appointed Chief Justice by then-President Rodrigo Duterte on April 5, 2021.

“What kept me working in government, despite the pay, despite those long hours, and perhaps despite an occasional disenchantment or two, was, more than the lure of learning, the sense of purpose it immediately gave me. Instantly, all my hard work found direction in that solitary goal of public service,” the top magistrate shared.

“Even when I was just starting, I knew that, in my own little way, I was doing something big, not for myself, but for others—for the greater good, for the benefit of the public, and for a purpose higher than pecuniary recompense,” he said.

“Our remuneration is in the fulfillment that comes with the knowledge that by having done our work efficiently, we have made the system work, for the public good. Indeed, public service is demanding but it is rewarding if done with utmost dedication and integrity,” he added.

“Your legacy is in leaving behind an office better than you found it, in working and giving your best for the public good, and in making yourselves examples of selfless and dedicated service to those who continue the work,” Gesmundo said.

The PRAISE awards, which started in 2002, were given to those who retired in 2022 and those retir- aging development. Our economic team is anticipating a sustained decline in our national inflation rate. We assure our fellow citizens that we remain unwavering in executing strategies to maintain the inflation rate well within our target range," Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said.

In March, a Cessna 206 plane with six people on board went missing in Isabela province on Jan. 24 and was found with no survivors.

Four people also died after the Cessna 340 plane they were in crashed into Mayon Volcano in February.

Aside from these, CAAP listed three other air accidents this year, including the case of two helicopters last month and in March.

CAAP commended the successful search operations conducted by the composite team from the Armed Forces, national police, local government units, and other civilian volunteers.

Pangandaman attributed the continued decline in the inflation rate to the effectiveness of the current administration's economic strategies.

She said the whole-of-government approach being implemented is “indeed demonstrating efficacy.”

Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda welcomed the July 2023 inflation rate, saying the country's economy is on track.

"At my last economic briefing for investors last July 26, I projected that inflation will be at this level, and will continue to decline to below 3 percent by the end of the year," Salceda, who chairs the House ways and means committee, said.

"Clearly, that projection holds, and we are on track to meet the BSP's 2-4 percent target band as early as October," he added.

Salceda said one positive sign is that apart from slower inflation,"we are actually seeing disinflation or negative price growth in certain areas, including livestock—which means we should also see promising numbers in agriculture and food output for the Q2 GDP."

He noted that transport costs are also cheaper this year than last year.

Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Navy.

It is "an open book" that Duterte is very close to China, Ejercito said.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go, Duterte's longtime assistant, said he agreed with Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano that Duterte has a good relationship with China's president.

"They are friends, they understand each other, and they can easily talk to each other," Go added.

Cayetano, who was Foreign Affairs Secretary under Duterte, said there's no doubt the former President "is one of the best representatives of the country when talking to the Chinese government because of his relationship with Xi."

"If ever we know someone who can go to the highest levels of theChinese government that the Chinese government trusts and the Filipino trusts, it's President Duterte. But then we have to come out with a strategy that is both comprehensive and that will work in the short and long term," he said. Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net) ing this year.

The award “gives recognition, motivates the pursuit of excellence, promotes awareness, and enhances the productivity of Supreme Court personnel.”

The SC’s Public Information Office said that all SC justices, officials, and employees, as well as officials and employees of the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Philippine Judicial Academy, Judicial and Bar Council, and Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office—whether under optional or compulsory retirement schemes— are qualified to receive the service award.

To be eligible for the award, the retiree must have rendered at least 15 years of service in the government and is at least 60 years old at the time of retirement.

The awardees were given cash incentives and a plaque of appreciation.

The awardees are Atty. Jesusa Jean D. Reyes, Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office; Atty. Carissa

C. Parel, Office of Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting; Dean Sedfrey M. Candelaria, Philippine Judicial Academy; Atty. Librada C. Buena, Office of the Division Clerk of Court, First Division; Gislaine C. Juan, Medical and Dental Services; Florence J. Bautista, Office of the Court Administrator—Financial Management Office; Paulino Ruben

D. Doringo—Office of Administrative Services; Marissa A. Garrovillas

– Fiscal Management and Budget Office; Loida Y. Zapanta – Judicial and Bar Council; Maria Sara M. Marquez

– Office of the Court Administrator

– Legal Office; Minerva C. Briones –Philippine Judicial Academy; Marissa

P. Mariano - Philippine Judicial Academy. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)