Maynilad water interruptions resume

SEVERAL barangays in Metro Manila will experience 16- to 23-hour water service interruptions from Aug. 16 to Aug. 17 due to Maynilad Water Services Inc.'s maintenance activities.

Maynilad announced on its website and its social media pages that it would schedule maintenance activities from Aug. 14 to 22, 2023.

"These activities are being done as part of the company’s continuous effort to improve water services in the West Zone," the concessionaire said in an advisory.

21 China...

From A1 defunct after the Philippines decided not to renew the mechanism.

"We're no longer using the PCG-CCG hotline…It no longer exists. It hasn't provided so much benefits for us. We didn't gain anything from this," said PCG West Philippine Sea spokesperson Jay Tarriela.

"The memorandum of understanding between CCG and PCG was no longer renewed when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. went to Beijing last January. This is one of the MOUs proposed by the Chinese Embassy but this time it was not renewed," Tarriela added.

The MOU was signed by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2016 in Beijing.

"I would say that for all maritime incidents that happened in the past six years, even in the past administration, this hotline was attempted to be used. Unfortunately, it never really gave a positive result to give us a chance to talk," he said.

Only the Department of Foreign Affairs' “hotline” with Beijing exists, but China “could not be reached for several hours” when the mechanism was used after the Aug. 5 water cannon incident. Social media warriors to combat WPS fake news

Tarriela also called on Filipino social media users to be active in sharing correct information on the WPS issue, and to counter false information spreading online.

"That is why I am urging every Filipino, if possible, I am calling out [to] all Filipinos who use Facebook, use social media, that if you see fake news on your feed, at least care to comment, share the right information,” he said.

"This is the only way that we can counter these fake news peddlers. Let us not allow this to proliferate. Otherwise, in our fight for the West Philippine Sea, we will lose," Tarriela added.

Tarriela said if disinformation is not countered, the false narratives that serve China's interests will be

Speaker...

From A1 time when El Niño remains a very serious threat to our daily convenience and food production," Romualdez said.

He said the ongoing deliberations on the 2024 budget were a perfect opportunity to explore solutions, including the rehabilitation of water supply systems and modernizing LWUA, Romualdez said.

In their meeting, Ong informed Romualdez that the water districts--which serve areas outside Metro Manila--yield an average non-revenue water (NRW) rate of 29.34 percent.

Ong said this translates to an annual water loss of around 488 million cubic meters, a quantity surpassing half the capacity of Angat Dam, which is the water lifeline for Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Romualdez recalled that President Marcos emphasized efforts to attain water security amid an impending El Niño event in his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 24.

The Chief Executive has also issued Memorandum Circular No. 22 in June, compelling government offices to enforce national water conservation measures.

Ong said the NRW problem has a "capital-intensive infrastructure" component to address physical losses.

He also said that water districts have inadequate budgets to digitalize or build their capacity to address the commercial or virtual water loss component due to meter inaccuracies, illegal connections, and billing errors.

Romualdez and Ong agreed that addressing NRW is the low-lying fruit or the first domino among all solutions in ensuring water security.

Ong emphasized that NRW is a pervasive issue or one that has been going on for decades simply because the water districts do not have the budget to install new pipes with better quality and ensure speedy maintenance and repairs as water systems deteriorate over time or are damaged during typhoons and road projects.

"We must address this now… A reduced NRW will actually mean more affordable water,” Ong said, because production costs would be lower and supply interruptions would become less frequent.

LWUA says there are at least 244

Maynilad said residents of Barangays 462 to 471 in Sampaloc and Barangays 315 to 325; 336 to 343; and 349 to 352 in Sta. Cruz would have no water service from 8 p.m. of Aug. 16 to 7 p.m. of Aug. 17 because of network maintenance.

Maynilad also announced five to eight hours of service interruption in successfully disseminated.

"Not countering the spread of lies online risks allowing propaganda operatives and pretend experts in the country to successfully disseminate false narratives that serve only PRC interests. If need be, expose these ‘fake news’ purveyors so the public may know," he said.

"Regardless of your politics – whether you support President Marcos, the Dutertes, or Leni Robredo, the fight in the West Philippine Sea is a fight of every Filipino," he added.

Survey: 70% of Pinoys want peaceful means

A majority of about 70 percent of adult Filipinos want the administration to assert the country’s territorial rights in the WPS through diplomacy and other peaceful methods, results of a survey conducted by OCTA Research showed.

Based on the Tugon ng Masa nationwide survey conducted from July 22 to July 26, Visayas had the highest percentage of Filipinos (84 percent) who believe that defending the country’s territorial rights in the WPS through peaceful means should be prioritized.

It was followed by Mindanao (70 percent) while the National Capital Region and Balance Luzon were statistically tied at 64 percent and 67 percent, respectively.

At least 65 percent of the respondents said military action, defined for survey respondents as expanded naval patrols and troop presence in the West Philippine Sea, is the best means to assert the country’s sovereignty.

At least 61 percent also want to modernize and strengthen the Philippine military’s capability first to protect the country’s territories.

About 41 percent said the government must expand diplomatic efforts with countries within and outside the region to reduce tension in the WPS, while 40 percent want joint maritime patrol and exercises with ally countries.

Only 19 percent were open to shelving the disputes for a joint economic development of the area.

Vince Lopez

water districts with NRW rates exceeding 21 percent, including at least 20 water districts that have NRW rates ranging from 48 percent to 71 percent.

"Solving the NRW will have an impact on food security as well, since reduced water system losses would mean that we won't have to spread our water resources too thinly to the detriment of farmers, livestock, and other food producing industries," Romualdez said.

LWUA is a government agency with technical expertise and a lending function on water supply projects, as well as regulatory power over 532 water districts in cities and provinces outside of Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Villafuerte on Sunday said Congress could help address such the matter by empowering local government units to compel commercial, institutional and residential-estate developers to install rainwater retention facilities within their projects.

He filed a bill to authorize LGUs to make the installation of rainwater retention facilities in all new commercial, institutional and residential infrastructure projects in Metro Manila and other major cities a prerequisite for the issuance of construction permits to property developers.

For ongoing commercial, residential and institutional projects whose approved designs have no rainwater retention facilities, Villafuerte’s proposal has a provision requiring the developers of these construction projects to build them within three years if and when this becomes law, or face penalties for every year of non-compliance.

“The primary goal of this proposed LGU requirement before property developers can start building their projects is to preserve, restore or mimic the natural hydrology of the soil,” House Bill 5640 reads.

“Rainwater is a free, abundant and regular natural resource that the Philippines is fortunate to receive year in and out. It is high time that we make use of it for the general advantage of our people,” it added.

“These would-be rainwater retention facilities shall capture the rainwater, purify the same, and store it for non-potable uses, thereby effectively reducing the amount of rainwater that submerges Metro Manila roads during the rainy season as well as partially feeding the demand for water in the cities,” Villafuerte said.

several barangays of Bacoor City and Imus City Cavite from Aug. 14 to 15; four hours in several barangays of Binondo, Manila from Aug. 14 to 15; five to 16 hours in some barangays of Caloocan City from Aug. 15 to 16, Aug. 17 to 18, Aug. 18 to 19 and Aug. 21 to 22; seven to nine hours in several barangays of Las Pinas from Aug. 16 to 17; and eight hours in Alabang, Muntinlupa City from Aug. 14 to 15.

Several barangays in Quezon City will experience eight to 16 hours of service interruption from Aug. 14 to 15, Aug. 15 to 16, Aug. 17 to 18, Aug. 18

Hundreds...

From A1 to 19, Aug. 19 to 20, and Aug. 20 to 21.

Maynilad advised affected customers to store enough water for the duration of the water service interruption. Maynilad said it would have water tankers on standby and would be ready to deliver water to affected areas as needed.

"Upon resumption of the water service, customers should let the water flow out for a few seconds until the water clears," it said in the advisory.

"We apologize for the inconvenience, and thank you for your support and understanding," it said.

People are still looking for friends and family, so it's pretty raw. I can give you the situation on the ground like that, but it's very bad and very depressing here," Furukaw said.

Hawaii Filipino-American Senator Gilbert Keith Agaran said many Filipino houses were among those burned in the massive wildfire in Lahaina.

Agaran said the Filipino population in Lahaina is significant, and many of them lost their homes.

"Filipinos are a significant number of Lahaina’s population. We lost quite a few people, and a lot of our fellow Filipinos lost everything or a considerable amount of their housing and possessions," Agaran said.

Hawaii Consul General Emilio Fernandez said authorities are currently focused on search and recovery efforts, which is why the consulate hasn't received official information about the burned houses of Filipino nationals.

“Given the significant number of Filipino-Americans residing in Hawaii, including Maui, we can expect to have several members of the Filipino American community whose homes have burnt down. Exact figures from local authorities on this matter are not yet available. The consulate continues to coordinate with local authorities to obtain the latest information," Fernandez said.

There is no electricity, and communication is difficult in Lahaina, which is severely affected by the wildfires.

More than 1,000 people have been reported missing, and around 1,700 structures have been burned, according to the latest report from Hawaii Governor Josh Green.

Padilla:...

From A1

Padilla said he hoped the island would become a fishing hub.

Fishers in Pag-asa Island were reportedly anxious about sailing farther out to sea as Chinese vessels could block their boats.

They said there was abundant fish around three sand bars near Pag-asa Island.

"Pag-asa is ours," Padilla later said on Facebook. “I believe Pag-asa Island will play a big role in the Philippines' history. This is ours. We should not allow others to take it.”

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, has filed a bill that seeks to establish the country’s archipelagic sea lanes.

The move was triggered by the latest incidents of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea, including the firing of water cannons at Filipino boats seeking to resupply the BRP Sierra Madre on Ayungin Shoal, which is within the country's exclusive economic zone.

“It is critical and imperative that we pass legislation that would designate the country’s archipelagic sea lanes to protect the country’s national security, and economic and environmental interests, particularly in the West Philippine Sea,” Gatchalian said.

The senator filed Senate Bill 2395 known as the Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act.

"We need to ensure the protection of the security and sovereignty of the country, including the welfare of our fishermen sailing off the West Philippine Sea,” he added.

He noted that existing laws already aligned the country’s archipelagic baseline

Miss...

From A1 of the women had their pictures taken.

"In light of what we have learned took place at Miss Universe Indonesia, it has become clear that this franchise has not lived up to our brand standards, ethics, or expectations," the US-based Miss Universe Organization posted Saturday night on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter.

It said that it had "decided to terminate the relationship with its current franchise in Indonesia, PT Capella Swastika Karya, and its National Director, Poppy Capella."

It thanked the contestants for their bravery in coming forward and added that "providing a safe place for women" was the organization's priority.

Jakarta police spokesman Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko said Tuesday that an investigation into the women's complaint has been launched. The Indonesia franchise also holds the license for Miss Universe Malaysia, where there will no longer be a competition this year, according to the New York-based parent organizer.

In a lengthy statement posted to Instagram, Indonesia franchise director

High-level...

From A1

Rockfall and pyroclastic density currents or PDCs generated by collapses of the lava flow margins as well as of the summit dome deposited debris still within four kilometers of the crater.

The Mayon Volcano Network recorded a total of 221 volcanic earthquakes, including 111 tremor events lasting one system with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to which the Philippines is a signatory. to 28 minutes. Some of these tremors were accompanied by rumbling sounds audible within the seven-km radius from the crater of Mayon.

Aside from the establishment of archipelagic sea lanes in Philippine archipelagic waters, the measure also seeks to protect the country’s ecological integrity by prohibiting fishing, marine bioprospecting, exploitation of marine resources, unauthorized research and survey statistics, and dumping of wastes and other noxious substances.

If enacted into law, the proposed measure will prohibit foreign ships or aircraft from conducting unauthorized research and survey activities as well as fishing, marine bioprospecting, loading, and unloading of persons, goods, or currency.

Gatchalian emphasized that the proposed measure supports UNCLOS, which recognizes the sovereignty of the archipelagic states over their archipelagic waters, the air space above them, the seabed and subsoil below them, and the resources contained therein. UNCLOS also affords all ships and aircraft archipelagic sea lanes. which may be designated by the archipelagic state.

The Senate recently adopted a resolution urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to bring to international attention China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine exclusive economic zone.

The 2016 arbitral ruling invalidated China's claims to historic rights and resources within its nine-dash line. It also confirmed China's violation of the Philippines' sovereign rights over the disputed area as well as its marine environmental protection obligations under the UNCLOS.

Capella denied involvement in any body checks.

"I, as the National Director and as the owner of the Miss Universe Indonesia license, was not involved at all and have never known, ordered, requested or allowed anyone who played a role and participated in the process of organizing Miss Universe Indonesia 2023 to commit violence or sexual harassment through body checking," she wrote.

She added that she is against "any form of violence or sexual harassment."

The Jakarta competition was held from July 29 to August 3 to choose Indonesia's representative to the 2023 Miss Universe contest, and was won by Fabienne Nicole Groeneveld.

Miss Universe said it would make arrangements for her to compete in the finale, scheduled for November in El Salvador.

This year's Indonesia pageant also came under fire for announcing a "significant change in this (year's) competition guidelines" with the elimination of its minimum height requirement after it had crowned a winner.

In its statement, the Miss Universe Organization said it wanted to "make it extremely clear that there are no measurements such as height, weight, or body dimensions required to join a Miss Universe pageant worldwide."

It detected 152 rockfall events, three PDCs and three lava front-collapses. Volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission averaged 799 tons/day on 12 August 2023.

Mayon Volcano is still generally inflated relative to baseline levels.

The Phivolcs meanwhile reported that a magnitude 5.4 earthquake was record-

Cadaver dogs from various parts of America have arrived in Lahaina to help search for the missing tourists and residents.

On Sunday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said there is still no report of Filipino deaths arising from the raging wildfires on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said at least 80 people have died, while a thousand more remain missing due to the wildfires, but none of them were confirmed as Filipinos.

“There is still no news. Eighty people died. We still don't have confirmation that there were Filipinos. Let's pray,” De Vega said in an interview with radio dzBB.

De Vega said there were 25,000 Filipino-Americans in Maui, which comprised 17 percent of the island’s population. In total, 200,000 FilipinoAmericans were staying or working in the state of Hawaii.

De Vega said it was possible that hundreds of Filipinos are missing, but authorities were still gathering data as the internet and communication lines to the island were still down.

“The Filipinos were not staying in the forest. They were not exactly where the fire was, but they were close to it. There are neighborhoods where houses have burned down. Filipinos who work in tourist resorts or hotels who went missing might have lost contact or were evacuated,” he added.

De Vega also said that there were no reports of Filipinos being evacuated to Hawaii's capital, Honolulu.

“No Filipinos were transferred to Honolulu… They are all still in Maui. The situation will be clearer within 24 to 48 hours,” De Vega said.

On Saturday, anger was growing over the official response to an inferno that leveled a Hawaiian town, killing at least 93 people in the deadliest wildfire in the United States for over 100 years.

More than 2,200 structures were damaged or destroyed as the fire tore through Lahaina, according to official estimates, wreaking $5.5 billion in damage and leaving thousands homeless.

Hawaiian authorities have begun a probe into the handling of the fire, with residents saying there had been no warning.

"The mountain behind us caught on fire and nobody told us jack," Vilma Reed said.

"You know when we found that there was a fire? When it was across the street from us."

Reed, whose house was destroyed by the blaze, said she was depending on handouts and the kindness of strangers.

"This is my home now," the 63-yearold said, gesturing to the car she has been sleeping in with her daughter, grandson and two cats. With AFP (See full story online at manilastandard. net) ed on Sunday morning in the waters off Sabtang in Batanes.

The quake occurred at 9:43 a.m. with an epicenter at 20.46°N, 121.49°E - 042 km N 71° west of the municipality of Sabtang.Of tectonic origin, it had a depth of 48 kilometers.

Intensity 5 was felt in Sabtang in Batanes; intensity 4 was experienced in Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, and Uyugan in Batanes; and intensity 3 was felt in Itbayat, Batanes.

In Brief

Lanao gov’t expands good governance program

A LANAO del Sur development team has expanded the province’s criteria on Building Opportunities for Meaningful Bangsamoro Inclusive Town (BOMBIT) Program for local government units (LGU) as models of good governance.

The provincial team focused on the BOMBIT Program is currently on an Assessment and Planning Workshop at the Go Hotel, Iligan City, said Salma Jayne Tamano, the provincial information director of Lanao del Sur.

Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Alonto Adiong, Jr. said the BOMBIT Program is his flagship program “to encourage and inspire the Barangay LGUs to continue performing their mandate, and bring development to their areas and their people.”

Tamano said the program’s acronym

BOMBIT is also Governor Adiong’s nickname. She said Adiong works on the province’s development programs in minute details, he being a civil engineer by profession. Nash Maulana

Bataan launches ‘trash to cash’ project

DINALUPIHAN, Bataan—Bataan

3rd District Rep. Gila Garcia on Friday launched the “Trash to Cashback” project to promote waste segregation and recycling.

Garcia said students will segregate trash in their houses and bring the recycled waste to their respective schools.

The project will be part of the Brigada Eskwela program in the district. Basic Environmental System Technology Inc. will get the gathered trash for recycling.

Garcia explained the trash collected will have corresponding environmental points.

Parents and barangay volunteers will assist schools in the implementation of the project.

The lawmakers said as a token of appreciation, the volunteers and parents will be given P2,000 food subsidy from DSWD. Butch Gunio