NEWS
THURS, AUGUST 10, 2023
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Group seeks passage of pending Senate bill on anti-online piracy AN ADVOCACY group calls on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify as urgent the passage of antionline piracy legislation now pending at the Senate to address online piracy, saying that these are critical to the socio-economic wellbeing of the people. Lawyer Tim Abejo, co-convenor of CitizenWatch Philippines, said the 26-year-old Intellectual Property Code needs to be amended to respond to new challenges in digital online platforms. “We need to boost the creative economy, prevent opportunity loss, protect the interest of the Philippines’ rich and diverse talent pool, and even shield our citizens, especially the vulnerable, from online predators,” Abejo stressed. “Online piracy harms the viability of the creative sector and undermines the values and creative spirit
SPRUCING UP FOR FIBA WORLD CUP. Unmindful of a passing airplane overhead, workers attend to their jobs setting up a new design at the globe in the Mall Of Asia ahead of the country’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on August 25 to September 10. Danny Pata
PH unemployment rate in June ‘23 slightly lower than last year—PSA By Julito G. Rada
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HE country’s unemployment rate in June 2023 declined to 4.5 percent from 6 percent a year ago as the number of unemployed individuals went down from 2.99 million to 2.33 million, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Wednesday. But the June unemployment rate was slightly higher than the 4.3 percent a month ago due to lost jobs in agriculture, manufacturing and other sectors. “Not all of those in the labor force were able to find a job. So that contributed to the unemployed in June,” national statistician and civil registrar general Dennis Mapa said
in an online briefing. Mapa said the country’s employment rate in June 2023 was estimated at 95.5 percent. This was higher than the reported 94.0 percent employment rate in the same month last year, but slightly lower than the 95.7 percent estimate in May 2023. “In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons was posted at
48.84 million in June 2023, while 46.59 million in June 2022. In May 2023, the number of employed persons was 48.26 million,” Mapa said. The number of unemployed workers in June 2023 decreased to 2.33 million from 2.99 million in June 2022, posting a yearon-year decline of 663,000 unemployed persons. Ho ever, the number of unemployed persons in June 2023 was higher by 159,000 compared with the number of unemployed persons in May 2023. The sub-sectors that had the highest drop in the number of employed persons from June 2022 to June 2023 are fishing and aquaculture (233,000); manufacturing (99,000); professional, scientific andtechnical activities (65,000); mining and quarrying (62,000); and information and communication (45,000).
of our people,” he added. “It also unduly incentivizes those whose only contribution is to find ways to profit from what is not theirs to begin with,” he noted. Electronic and online content are currently not included in the IP Code’s definition of pirated goods. House Bill 7600, which amends the IP Code, most notably in allowing authorities to block sites that provide pirated content, was approved last May by the House of Representatives. The measure gives authority to the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) to block websites that violate the IP Code and expands its enforcement functions to investigate, gather intelligence, and develop countermeasures to piracy. It also establishes guidelines for internet service providers in blocking websites hosting pirated material.
PATIS TESORO CREATIONS ON DISPLAY. In celebration of the Month of Filipino Heritage, an exhibit of Philippine ternos and regional costumes designed by Patis Tesoro comes off the wraps at the Museo ng Makati, with ambassadors and guests from the diplomatic community in attendance. The exhibits, consisting of over two dozens of ternos, embroideries, and weaves will be open until September 30, 2023. In photo are (from left) Museo ng Makati administrator Itchi Yabut; Filipino Heritage Foundation president Armita Rufino, , Patis Tesoro, Makati Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo, and exhibit curator fashion designer Albert Figueras. Diana B. Noche
IN BRIEF SMC says Bulacan floods long-time problem, not caused by airport project
Congress urged to continue pilot study on MC taxis
THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has urged Congress to continue the pilot study for motorcycle taxis as it needs to address some issues. Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Vigor Mendoza who is also vice chair of the DOTR technical working group (TWG) opposed the termination of the MC taxi pilot study by the DOTr. Mendoza said gaps that must be addressed included issues like multi-homing and liabilities. He also emphasized the importance of a transition period to ensure the proper implementation of the study. The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) earlier asked the TWG to consider the pro-competitive effects of multihoming in its study.Darwin G. Amojelar
BOC-NAIA earns second ISO for management, surveillance THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has announced it has received its second International Organization for Standardization (ISO) - quality management system surveillance audit approval. This, according to Port of NAIA district collector Yasmin Mapa, was part of the BOC’s commitment to promote efficiency and transformation within government service. With 21 ISO certified processes last 2021, the Port of NAIA now has 22 enrolled ISO certified processes and 11 ISO support processes - the most number of certified processes among all ports. Joel E. Zurbano
DILG chief cites multi-sector cooperation vs. illegal drugs SECRETARY Benjamin Abalos Jr. of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among government agencies and multisectoral participation to advance the national anti-illegal drugs advocacy program, known as “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan,” or BIDA. Commending the Southern Leyte’s exceptional strides in curbing insurgency and maintaining a strong stance against illegal drugs, Abalos cited the province’s performance against anti-illegal drugs advocacy during an Interfacing session last Tuesday. The session primarily aimed to discuss governance concerns raised by local chief executives within the province of Southern Leyte. Vince Lopez
By Darwin G. Amojelar SAN Miguel Corp. on Wednesday dismissed allegations that its Bulacan Airport Project is the cause of flooding in the province. SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon S. Ang asserted that flooding in Bulacan had already been a major problem, long before government approved the airport’s construction in the province, just north of Metro Manila. “There are many contributing factors to flooding. Bulacan has many low-lying areas. Another is land subsidence caused by over-extraction and the depletion of ground wa-
ter. In fact, that is one of the reasons why we invested in putting up the Bulacan Bulk Water System Project some years back—to provide potable water to residents without having to resort to unsustainable use of ground water,” Ang explained. “Degradation, siltation, and pollution of our rivers are of course major causes of flooding. Because of these, rivers become shallow and their flood carrying capacity is severely diminished, resulting in river overflow and floods. The pr liferation of fish ponds in coastal areas has also contributed to s vere flooding in the province,” he added. The SMC has started cleaning up
rivers around the airport project site as part of the overall design and long-term maintenance of the country’s largest international gateway. These flood mitigation efforts are seen to also benefit towns near the airport. “We are deeply invested in the future as well as the well-being of Bulacan and its residents. We would not pour in billions in resources if we didn’t consider all possible risks, including f looding in the province. As with any major undertaking of this magnitude, extensive studies were done even before construction started. And even now, we
continue to work with experts and to consistently ensure we adhere to the highest environmental and social standards and regulations,” Ang said. He also pointed out that heavilyf looded areas during the last typhoon, particularly Calumpit and Hagonoy towns, located far from the airport project, were affected by overflow from the heavily-silted Pampanga River aggravated by the release of water from some dams. The SMC is already looking to extend its river desilting and cleanup initiative beyond Bulacan’s rivers, to other critical tributaries throughout Central Luzon. “With our experience in clean-
Ex-Candaba mayor supports floodwater diversion plan to curb inundation problem By Maricel V. Cruz A FORMER three-term mayor of Candaba, Pampanga, on Wednesday expressed support for the administration’s plan to divert flood waters from the province and Bulacan to an impounding area in a portion of the town’s 2,000-hectare swamp. Ex-Candaba Mayor Jerry Limjoco Pelayo in a statement said the water impounding area will be a long-term solution to the perennial Jerry Pelayo Manila flooding that besets his Standard town as well as several other localities TODAY in Pampanga and neighboring Bulacan province. “When I was a mayor, I already suggested in a regional development council meeting that a ring dike is needed GROUNDBREAKING. Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco, Department to collect the rainwater. I’m with of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) Secretary Jose Rizalino the President on this matter. Acuzar, and National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Joeben Tai lead the This could also be beneficial for groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Navotas Homes 3 - Tanza. at Brgy. aquaculture, irrigation for farmers, and Tanza 1, Navotas City. Andrew Rabulan
tourism as well,” he said. Pelayo, known for his hands-on leadership during his tenure as Candaba mayor, firmly believes that the proposed water impounding project will not only alleviate the perennial flooding issue, but also provide a boost to local industries and tourism. He expressed disappointment over Pampanga Rep. Ana York Bondoc’s reaction to the proposed solution. In a meeting of Pampanga officials with the President recently, York expressed strong opposition to the construction of the water impounding area, saying that it will result in loss of livelihood for residents who plant cash crops in the swamp, when it dries up during the dry season. A Cabinet member present at the meeting however said only 200 hectares of the 2,000-hectare swamp will be affected.
DENR eyes multipurpose infra to optimize water usage By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is eyeing a multipurpose water infrastructure to optimize the utilization of the country’s water resources that could enable multitasked usage of the national resource. Meanwhile, the water level at Angat Dam, Metro Manila’s main water source, is “enough” for now although it would need to go up in preparation for the El Niño phenomenon, according to the
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS). DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said the agency will refocus government’s water security strategy, look to tap other water sources and recycle wastewater as the need for stable and steady water supply increases on the back of growing demand and the threat from the El Niño episode. The DENR will work closely with other concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the
National Economic and Development Authority, the Local Water Utilities Administration, and the MWSS on the possibility of building public water supply facilities for multiple usage, including irrigation, power generation, industrial and commercial and domestic purposes, she said. “We are looking at our respective budgets and our programs to see how we can design multipurpose infrastructure to actually serve the different needs of agriculture, power, water for domestic use, and for industry,” she added.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS
ANNOUNCEMENT President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (CA), for its consent to the nominations of the following Senior Officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP): 1. JOSE JESUS C. LUNTOK 2. RAMON P. FLORES 3. PETER JEMPSUN V. DE GUZMAN 4. BENEDICT D. BALABA 5. ISAGANI O. CRISTE
to the rank of Brigadier General to the rank of Brigadier General to the rank of Commodore to the rank of Brigadier General to the rank of Brigadier General
The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions to the above nominations in seven (7) copies to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila. For the schedule of the public hearings, the CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone numbers 8834-2713, 8831-1824, 8831-0527, 8832-9830, 88342706 and 8551-1989. 8 August 2023.
(MS-AUG. 10, 2023)
MYRA MARIE D. VILLARICA Secretary
