Manila Standard - 2023 September 21 - Thursday

PBBM certifies proposed 2024 national budget bill as urgent

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has certified as urgent the passage of the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

In a letter addressed to Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday, Mr. Marcos said the immediate enactment of the

General Appropriations Bill (GAB) was needed to maintain continuous government operations following the end of the fiscal year 2023 and to expedite the funding for various programs. Certifying the bill as urgent would

PH eyes new case vs. China

Remulla says WPS coral damage ‘sin against humanity’

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Philippines is considering filing a new complaint against China before the United Nations-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration following reports of damage to the corals in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), supposedly by Chinese vessels that swamped the area.

“The OSG (Office of the Solicitor General) is in the midst of a full-blown study on our legal options regarding the West Philippine Sea, including the filing of a new complaint with the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra said.

Guevarra did not specify the concerns that would be raised in a new complaint, saying state lawyers were still gathering relevant information from all available sources.

The Philippines first filed a complaint against China in 2013 for its massive claims in the South China Sea under its nine-dash line claim.

Speaker assures fishers displaced by oil spill of P200m cash aid

By Maricel V. Cruz and Othel Campos

THE House of Representatives will help secure P200 million in direct cash

ADB lowers growth forecast for PH to 5.7%

By Julito Rada

THE Asian Development Bank lowered on Wednesday its growth forecast for the Philippines this year to 5.7 percent from the 6 percent it made in April 2023, mainly taking into account the risks posed by higher inflation and global headwinds.

The bank, however, kept the GDP forecast for 2024 at 6.2 percent, with household consumption and public spending on infrastructure and social services seen contributing to the economy’s expansion.

The latest GDP assumptions were contained in its Asian Development Outlook for September 2023.

“[The] Philippine economic growth

assistance for some 8,000 fishermen who lost all sources of livelihood as a result of the oil spill in Oriental Mindoro, Speaker Martin Romualdez said on Wednesday.

Romualdez met with the leaders of the fishermen’s group in his office where they expressed their desire to seek remuneration from the owners of the ill-fated motor tanker M/V Princess

Comelec exempts fuel subsidy from poll spending ban

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has exempted the fuel subsidy program for public utility vehicles (PUVs) from the spending ban in relation to the

2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Comelec Chairman George Garcia signed and approved the recommendation of the Comelec Law Department to exempt the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Franchis-

ing and Regulatory Board’s Fuel Subsidy Program, PUV Service Contracting Program and PUV Modernization Program.

The move will allow the government to provide assistance to PUV drivers even

Environmental activists may face perjury raps—solon

By

Rio N. Araja and Vince Lopez

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines plans to file perjury raps against two environmental activists for recanting

their sworn statement that they surrendered and insisting instead thay they were abducted.

During the plenary debates on the proposed budget of the Department of

National Defense, Negros Occidental Rep. Mercedes Alvarez revealed the military would file perjury raps against Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro.

Empress.

The tanker, which was carrying 800,000 liters of fuel oil, sank in the waters off Naujan, Oriental Mindoro on

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On July 12, 2016, the arbitral tribunal ruled overwhelmingly in favor of the Philippines, determining that major elements of China’s claim—including its nine-dash line, recent land reclamation activities, and other activities in Philippine waters—were unlawful.

China rejected the PCA ruling.

Lawmakers urge Customs to charge rice smugglers

By Maricel V. Cruz and Julito G. Rada

LAWMAKERS on Wednesday urged the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to file charges against rice smugglers, including those behind the illegal entry of the staple through ports in Mindanao.

Speaker Martin Romualdez made the appeal as he supported the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to distribute confiscated smuggled rice to thousands of residents of the Zamboanga peninsula. The President, accompanied by officials, distributed the rice on Tuesday.

“This significant gesture demonstrates more than just an act of gen-

FISHERFOLK DIALOGUE. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez

AI both a risk, opportunity for journalism, study shows

AI IS both a threat and an opportunity for journalism, with more than half of those surveyed for a new report saying they had concerns about its ethical implications on their work.

While 85 percent of respondents had experimented with generative AI such as ChatGPT or Google Bard for tasks including writing summaries and generating headlines, 60 percent said they also had reservations.

The study, carried out by the London School of Economics Journalism AI initiative, surveyed over 100 news organizations from 46 countries about their use of AI and associated technologies

Lawmakers...

erosity; it underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing the needs of our people, especially during challenging times,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez and Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan of the Bicol Saro party-list group, also commended the BOC for a series of warehouse inspections.

“I congratulate the Bureau of Customs and other concerned agencies for a job well done. But they should not stop at confiscating rice and other products smuggled into the country. These offices should file charges against the smugglers immediately,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said unless the culprits are jailed or otherwise punished, they would continue doing their illegal activities, even if some of their smuggled products end up being seized.

“Furthermore, this initiative solidifies our collective stance against the activities of hoarders, smugglers, and those who unscrupulously manipulate the prices of rice and other essential commodities,” Romualdez said.

Yamsuan shared Romualdez’s views, saying the President has outsmarted smugglers and taught them an expensive lesson with his recent move to distribute smuggled rice stocks to poor families in Zamboanga.

Yamsuan commended the President for sending a strong message to smugglers and hoarders that they have nothing to gain from their unfair trade practices, while at the same time, extending assistance to poor households that have suffered the most from these illegal acts.

“The President has given smugglers and hoarders a bitter, expensive lesson where it would hurt them the most— their pockets. Their seized rice stocks mean their investments can never be recovered,” said Yamsuan, whose partylist organization represents the people of Bicol, including the region’s more than 700,000 small farmers and fishers.

“By his single strong-minded act, the President has helped farmers and poor families and punished those that have made life difficult for them,” Yamsuan added.

between April and July.

“More than 60 percent of respondents noted their concern about the ethical implications of AI on journalistic values including accuracy, fairness and transparency and other aspects of journalism,” the researchers said in a statement.

“Journalism around the world is going through another period of exciting and scary technological change,” added report co-author and project director

PH... From A1

The Department of Justice (DOJ), meanwhile, said it will recommend the filing of cases against China for instances of extensive coral harvesting in the WPS.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he would discuss the matter with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin “as soon as possible.”

“We believe it can be done. We will pursue these cases against China because it’s no longer acceptable. We have a lot of evidence,” he said.

Remulla said even without a territorial dispute, “the destruction of the environment is a sin against humanity.”

Remulla noted that sufficient evidence has been gathered over the years to support the filing of a case against China.

“It’s a very ripe case for adjudication.

I think we can go on and tap the best legal experts in the country to help us. We have access to the best environmental lawyers. We will pursue these cases against China because we have a lot of evidence,” Remulla said.

“This has been happening for many years but the documentation started a few years ago. The last few months we were able to get more documentation on this matter,” the DOJ chief added.

The Philippines, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), has repeatedly and consistently raised concerns over ecologically harmful activities conducted by foreign entities in the West Philippine Sea.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command on Saturday said that there were cases of massive coral harvesting in the Rozul Reef.

AFP-Western Command Commander Vice Admiral Albert Carlos said the military sent out divers after Chinese

Charlie Beckett.

He said the study showed that the new generative AI tools were both a “potential threat to the integrity of information and the news media” but also an “incredible opportunity to make journalism more efficient, effective and trustworthy.”

Journalists recognised the time-saving benefits of AI with tasks such as interview transcription.

But they also noted the need for AI generated content to be checked by a human “to mitigate potential harms like bias and inaccuracy,” the authors said. Challenges surrounding AI integration were “more pronounced for news-

military militia vessels left the swarmed area “to do an underwater survey.”

“And we saw that there were no more corals. The corals were damaged, and there was debris,” Carlos said.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard confirmed “severe damage” to the marine environment and coral reef in the seabed not only at the Rozul Reef (Iroquois) but also at the Escoda (Sabina) Shoal.

BRP Sindangan and BRP Cabra patrolled the two locations after 33 Chinese maritime militia vessels were spotted at the Rozul Reef and 15 at the Escoda Shoal from Aug. 9 to Sept. 11.

“The surveys conducted in Escoda Shoal revealed visible discoloration of its seabed, strongly indicating that deliberate activities may have been undertaken to modify the natural topography of its underwater terrain,” PCG spokesperson Jay Tarriela said.

Tarriela said the corals were possibly harvested, processed, and returned to the seabed.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday said the reported destruction of coral at the Rozul Reef and Escoda Shoal in the WPS was still being validated.

Senator Risa Hontiveros renewed her call for China to pay billions in environmental damages in the WPS as she filed a resolution for the Senate to investigate the matter.

“We should seek payment for damages caused by China in the WPS. We can get up to billions if we will oblige China to pay,” Hontiveros said.

“They had already stolen our fishermen’s jobs and still, they ravaged our natural resources,” she said.

The senator filed a resolution condemning the massive coral harvesting and urging the appropriate Senate committee to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

Authority (MARINA) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

rooms in the global south” they added.

“AI technologies developed have been predominantly available in English, but not in many Asian languages. We have to catch up doubly to create AI systems, and AI systems that work with our local languages,” the report quoted one respondent in the Philippines as saying.

Co-author Mira Yaseen said the economic and social benefits of AI were concentrated in the global north and its harms disproportionately were affecting the global south.

She said this was “exacerbating global inequality,” adding that a “powerconscious framing of global AI development and adoption was needed. AFP

Meanwhile, National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said on Wednesday that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered them to ‘’civilianize’’ the approach to the Ayungin Shoal.

Malaya was asked if the Philippines should respond through the Philippine Navy, considering the China Coast Guard and maritime militias that are blocking the area are under the Chinese military commission.

“That is a decision that has to be made by higher authorities because we want to keep the tension low in the WPS,” Malaya said in an interview with ANC.

“And there is an instruction from the President to civilianize the approach to Ayungin. So it’s going to be Coast Guard against Coast Guard, and the Navy is only in support,” he added.

The CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels have been conducting dangerous maneuvers and using water cannons against Philippine ships during resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin.

The PCG earlier said it was ready to deploy more vessels to escort boats for resupply missions at Ayungin Shoal.

At least 43 diplomatic protests have been filed by the Philippines against China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea this year as of Sept.12, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The Philippine vessels were escorting ‘’indigenous boats’’ to deliver food, water, fuel, and other supplies to troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre at Ayungin Shoal. On Aug. 22, the PCG invoked international law and the country’s exclusive economic zone when it answered the radio challenges transmitted by its Chinese counterparts during the successful resupply mission to the BRP Sierra Madre.

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel asked Alvarez, who was sponsoring the DND budget, if the military admits to abducting the two activists.

“No, Mr. Speaker, and the AFP plans to file perjury cases or charges against the two,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez added there were witnesses such as lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office who saw that the two activists voluntarily signed their affidavits.

“There are witnesses who were there during the signing of said affidavit, not only (during the) voluntary surrender as well as the signing of the said affidavit. The PAO lawyers were there, the stepfather of one of the ladies was there, and they were even asked if they were coerced into signing by her stepfather, and she denied being coerced, Mr. Speaker,” Alvarez replied.

The Public Attorney’s Office on Wednesday maintained they did not coerce the two activists.

PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said Tamano and Castro sought the help of the PAO-Norzagaray, Bulacan office, bringing with them two lengthy handwritten statements about their ordeal and intention to surrender.

“Before we encode their statements, there must be a handwritten one. We need to be extra careful,” she said.

“PAO lawyer Jopher Bagay even thoroughly interviewed the two if they have wholeheartedly written their statements,” she added.

during the election campaign period.

Garcia said the exemption would not influence the conduct of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 30 but would help alleviate the plight of many Filipinos who are in dire need of help, particularly those affected by the recent natural calamities and the continuing increase of fuel prices.

Comelec Resolution 10944 prohibits the release, disbursement or expenditure of public funds for social services and development due to the scheduled BSK elections on Oct. 30.

Garcia said that while the Comelec resolution only covers aid distribution given by the barangays, it would be better to issue an explicit resolution covering the fuel subsidy to avoid legal questions.

Around 1.36 million beneficiaries are expected to receive fuel subsidies, including PUV operators, tricycle drivers and delivery service riders.

Earlier, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) asked the Comelec to exempt the nationwide distribution of financial aid to micro rice retailers from the election-related ban on the release of public funds.

The DSWD asked to be allowed to release P15,000 in cash assistance to each small-scale rice retailer.

Feb. 28, affecting nearby municipalities and provinces.

The massive oil spill that resulted affected as many as 193,436 individuals from Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas regions.

The National Bureau of Investigation earlier recommended the filing of charges against the owners and crew members of M/V Princess Empress as well as officials and personnel of the Maritime Industry

Romualdez told the leaders of the fishermen’s group that his office will work to secure funds from the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged / Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment for the distribution of P24,000 each for the 8,000 Oriental Mindoro fishermen affected by the oil spill.

Aside from natural and man-made disasters, overfishing has also impacted on the country’s fish supply, prompting

President Ferdinand Marcos to declare he is considering seasonal fishing bans in breeding areas.

Fish farmers are likewise pushing for stronger aquaculture support from the government and local government units (LGUs) to sustain the growth of the fisheries sub-sector and continue to increase its share in the country’s food security pie. Food sector stakeholder Philip Ong said the country’s fish farming industry has already surpassed the contribution of both capture fishing and municipal fishing in 2021.

Also on Wednesday, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte expressed dismay over the Department of Energy’s alleged inaction on its two-year-old circular establishing a strategic petroleum reserve program (SPRP) to ease the impact of global oil shocks on the public.

Villafuerte urged DOE Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla and other energy officials to “act on the SPRP with a much greater sense of urgency, more so at this time when the latest global oil price shock has raised the retail costs of diesel and gasoline for the 10th time in the same number of weeks.”

is expected to moderate this year due to inflation and global headwinds before picking up in 2024 as price pressures ease,” the report said.

ADB country director Pavit Ramachandran said the Philippines’ growth story remained strong despite an expected moderation in 2023.

He said public investment and private spending fueled by low unemployment rate, sustained increase in remittances from Filipinos overseas, and buoyant services including tourism will support growth.

“The government’s large infrastructure projects should further stimulate consumption, boost jobs, and spur more investment,” Ramachandran said.

ensure budgetary preparedness, which will enable the government to perform its constitutional mandate, Mr. Marcos added.

This certification from the President allows the approval of a bill on the second and third reading on the same day.

The proposed 2024 national budget is 9.5% higher compared to this year’s P5.268 trillion.

Meanwhile, the Marcos administration wants to allocate P38.75 billion for its digitalization efforts in 2024, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Wednesday.

The proposed budget to digitalize government processes marks a 60.6-percent increase from the P24.93billion funding for it in 2023, Budget

Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said, as she stressed the need to boost public service.

“Technological advancement has given rise to a growing digital economy which continues to create new forms of work, transforming the employment landscape. Hence, investing in the digitalization of the bureaucracy is crucial not only in enhancing its efficiency but also in generating quality jobs for Filipinos,” Pangandaman said.

The bulk of the proposed budget would be divided among 10 government agencies, she added.

These include the Department of Education (P9.43 billion); Department of Justice (P5.55 billion); Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) (P5.34 billion); Department of Finance (P3.15 billion); Department of the Interior and Local Government (P2.60 billion);

National Economic and Development Authority (P2.08 billion); the Judiciary (P1.44 billion); Department of National Defense (P1.12 billion); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (P913 million) and Other Executive Offices (P890 million).

The DBM chief said a total of P990.631 million would be allocated to the information and communications technology (ICT) Systems and Infostructure Development, Management, and Advisory Program of the DICT.

It said the National Government Data Center Infrastructure (NGDCI) Program, which would get P1.67 billion, aims to reduce government spending by providing resources to government agencies either through colocation or cloud services.

She noted that the DICT’s National Government Portal (NGP) would also receive an allocation of P302.86 million

to further streamline public service by connecting all government departments to a single website.

Another DICT program, the National Broadband Plan (NBP), will get a budget of P1.50 billion to improve internet speed and allow affordability across the country, the DBM said.

A separate P2.5 billion will fund the Free WiFi Connectivity in Public Places and State Universities and Colleges Program, with a target of 50 broadband sites in 82 provinces.

Pangandaman said keeping updated on technology and maximizing its uses were in line with the Marcos administration’s whole-of-government approach to digitally connect the entire bureaucracy.

The initiative, she said, would not only cut red tape but would likewise generate employment in the expanding digital economy.

Sandigan clears former Postmaster General in unlawful appointment case

By Maricel V. Cruz

FORMER Postmaster General Maria Josefina Mendoza dela Cruz has been acquitted by the Sandiganbayan in one of her two graft and two unlawful appointment charges involving the same employee of the Philippine Postal Corporation (PhilPost) in 2011 and 2013.

Dela Cruz was charged in connection with the appointment of Esther V. Cabigao as a director in 2011. Cabigao was reappointed by dela Cruz in 2013 although she did not have a master’s degree, which was a prerequisite for the position.

In her defense, de la Cruz filed a demurrer to evidence which alleged that the weakness of the evidence of the prosecution to warrant a conviction.

The antigraft court found that the evidence submitted by the prosecution was not enough to convict de la Cruz.

The anti-graft court said it “found weakness” in the evidence presented to prove that de la Cruz was aware of the deficiencies in the appointee’s qualifications for the position of Director III at the time of the appointment.

In the 2011 appointment, the Sandiganbayan said the prosecution “failed to establish manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence.”

However, the anti-graft court found sufficient evidence to establish prima facie evidence of guilty in the other graft and unlawful appointment charges in the 2013 appointment of Cabigao.

“Accordingly, the trial for those cases should proceed and, consistent allow the accused to present countervailing evidence,” the court’s resolution said.

Associate Justice Maryann E. Corpus-Mañalac wrote the 22-page resolution. The Fifth Division chairman, Associate Justice Rafael R. Lagos, and Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega concurred.

Tingog exhibit features Pinoy modern masters

THE Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI), chaired by Tingog Party List Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez launched “SINING SA KONGRESO: An Art Exhibit of Masters, Modern Masters and Contemporary Filipino Artists” at the House of Representatives on Monday.

Organized in partnership with Mira Art Gallery and Project Hulmahan, the back-to-back exhibit features works by revered masters like Ramon Orlina, Luis “Junyee” Yee, Jr., Cesar Arro, Mauro Malang Santos, Lydia Velasco, among others.

The exhibit also presents the fascinating transformations of condemned shoe lasts or “hulmahan” from Marikina factories into sculptures by renowned and emerging artists, including volunteer celebrities Dolly de Leon, Alessandra de Rossi, and Janine Gutierrez.

“The celebration of Filipino artistry is made even more meaningful as we commemorate Philippine Creative Industries Month,” House Committee on Welfare of Children and BHW Party List Representative Angelica Natasha Co, said. She mentioned it was just a few months ago that Republic Act No. 11904 or the Philippine Creative Industries Development Act was signed into law, finally recognizing the immense contribution of creative sectors to nation-building, through the support of House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

Senators back panel report pushing POGOs expulsion

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

MEMBERS of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means affixed their signatures to a committee report recommending, among others, to kick out Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the country.

Among those who signed the report are Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Ronald Dela Rosa, Risa Hontiveros, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, Raffy Tulfo, JV Ejercito, Loren Legarda, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda, and Majority Leader Joel Villanueva.

Those who did not sign the committee report include Senators Cynthia and Mark Villar, Christopher Go, Francis Tolentino, Sonny Angata, Jinggoy Es-

trada, Francis Escudero, and Lito Lapid. Specifically, the committee report calls for the adoption of a resolution urging the executive department to cease the operations of POGOs within three months from the approval of the committee report. Gatchalian said he is eyeing to present the plenary committee report by next week.

He said he expects that the timeframe or time allocated to stop POGO opera-

IN BRIEF

Shari’a digital access bill passes 3rd reading

tions from the country will be a subject of debate.

Gatchalian admitted that many will be rendered jobless once POGOs are shut down abruptly.

Aside from jobs, Gatchalian also said lawmakers need to consider the tax and local government rules and regulations; the lease contract on commercial and residential buildings; the cancellation of the working visa and the deportation of foreigners working in the industry.

Ejercito meanwhile clarified that he signed the POGO committee report but said he would seek an amendment.

Ejercito noted he is for a two to three-year phaseout, so as not to put the perception that the lawmakers made POGOs legal only to abruptly withdraw support after a few years.

Coastal 500 named Earthshot Prize finalist

NEW YORK CITY—The Coastal 500, a global network of mayors and local leaders committed to healthy, prosperous, and thriving coastal communities, was named one of the 15 finalists for the 2023 EarthShot Prize.

The Earthshot Prize is a global environmental award that celebrates and champions innovators focused on solving global climate challenges.

The Coastal 500, launched in 2021, is among three finalists in the Revive Our Oceans category. The winners will be announced in Singapore on

November 7.

The Coastal 500, along with the 14 other Earthshot finalists, were chosen from more than 1,100 nominees. Each of the finalists will be in the running to receive one of five £1 million prizes awarded at the third-annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in Singapore later this year.

Currently, the Coastal 500 consists of more than 160 mayors or their equivalent from communities in Brazil, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Micronesia, Mozambique, Palau,

and the Philippines. These leaders represent communities adjacent to coastal waters, which are high in biodiversity and critical habitats, but are under enormous pressure from climate change, overfishing, pollution, and other human activity. The Coastal 500 leaders commit to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems to safeguard ocean biodiversity, which improves the livelihoods and food security for half a billion people worldwide, while curbing climate change.

PH 2nd globally in online child exploitation

By Gabriellea Pariño

A STUDY by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) said the Philippines is second worldwide—behind India--when it comes to online sexual abuse and the exploitation of children (OSAEC).

The CICC is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

CICC Deputy Executive Director Mary Rose Magsaysay, in a budget hearing, further said the Philippines is also perceived as “unethical” when it comes to the internet.

“The parents themselves, as well as the neighbors, even the siblings use children and expose them online to earn money,” Magsaysay further said.

DICT Chief Ivan Uy identified poverty as the root cause of the problem and admitted that the department lacks the technical equipment to counter OSAEC.

Uy said many countries now have tools to identify malicious content and be able to conduct preemptive measures.

The agency is proposing a P8.729-billion budget for next year but also asked for an additional P5.6 billion.

During the budget hearing, senators expressed shock over the lagging digital literacy of Filipinos, especially when it comes to sexual orientation.

“It’s disappointing to see sexual exploitation soaring in the country. We are being attacked because we are number one among the most digitally illiterate,” Senator Loren Legarda said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE House of Representatives approved on third and final reading the bill giving Muslim Filipinos better digital access to Shari’a courts.

The bill amended several provisions of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009 (Republic Act 9997).

House Bill (HB) 9045 or An Act

Providing Muslim Filipinos better access to Shari’a courts received an overwhelming 251 affirmative votes from legislators, which paves the way for the “digital transformation” of court services by the Muslim tribunals.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said the commission was tasked to “coordinate” with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Supreme Court in creating a “digital platform that allows paperless filing of routine documents.”

He said these include marriage certificate, birth certificate, death certificate, among many others. Maricel V. Cruz

Retired SC Justice Romeo J. Callejo Sr., 86

THE Supreme Court (SC) announced the passing on Tuesday of retired Associate Justice and chairperson of the Judicial Integrity Board Romeo J. Callejo Sr. He was 86.

“We offer our sincerest condolences and prayers. Justice Callejo Sr. will always be remembered as one of the members of the Court who, for close to four decades, tirelessly and selflessly devoted his life in the service of the Judiciary,” Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said.

The remains of Callejo lie in state at Loyola Memorial Chapels along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. Public viewing started at 3 p.m. on Sept. 20 and will be held until noon of Sept. 23, the SC said. Rey E. Requejo

Authorities report another theft at NAIA AIRPORT authorities reported that another theft involving a security screening officer (SSO) happened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The incident is currently under investigation, and airport authorities are looking into all those involved in the incident.

Based on the CCTV footage at NAIA Terminal 1, a female security screening officer (SSO) apparently swallowed $300 bills taken from a departing Chinese passenger in an attempt to remove evidence.

The incident occurred when the passenger complained about losing his money after his bag passed through the security check area.

The female employee of the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) involved in the incident, along with her supervisor and an X-ray operator, have been identified by the airport authorities.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) expressed dismay over the recent incident. MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said airport frontliners whose actions completely negate MIAA’s efforts to improve the service levels in our airport, have no place in NAIA. Joel E. Zurbano

SWISS ENVOY. Ambassador Nicolas Brühl of the Swiss Confederation arrives in Malacanan Palace to meet with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. on September 20.

CLIMATE PROTECTION. Photo shows Rocky Sanchez Tirona, managing director of Rare, a global environmentalist group advocating the protection of coastal resources, such as mangroves (inset). Rare helped launch Coastal 500 which was recently named a finalist in the Earthshot Prize.

ROADSIDE CLASSROOM. Homeless children watch and follow an exercise routine on a monitor mounted to a vehicle. The vehicle serves as a roadside classroom in Lawton, Manila, organized by a non-governmental organization. Danny Pata

DSWD chief asks 20 execs to file their resignations

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ALL 20 undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development were asked by DSWD chief Rex Gatchalian to submit their courtesy resignations as part of the government’s rightsizing and streamlining program.

During the deliberations of proposed DSWD budget for 2024, Gatchalian said the officials will be subject to evaluation.

Aside from turning in their courtesty resignations, the DSWD chief said the officials must also give justification for their fitness and the need to revert to their previous position.

Gatchalian disclosed the move after Senator Christopher Go raised the issue of too many undersecretaries and assistant secretaries in the department.

For her part, Senator Imee Marcos said she was surprised to learn that less than 10 percent of the positions in the DSWD are permanent.

“Are you serioues, less than 10% are permanent?” the senator said.

“Yes, this deparment is growing bigger and bigger every year. Over theyears, the department kept on growing. It’s like Lego, which was being attached without without really adjusting,” Gatchalian said.

However, the DSWD chief said his office is already coordinating with the Department of Budget and Management for the rightsizing in their agency.

Senator Raffy Tulfo also expressed dismay that until now, job order and contract-of-service positions exist at the DSWD.

He noted that some DSWD employees have been working there for 15 years at the minimum yet have not yet been given a regular position.

Marcos said based on the data of the agency, 53.4 percent of its employees are contractual and JO positions.

PRIORITY

LEDAC priority bills set to be passed; Speaker sees them done by yearend

By Maricel V. Cruz and Charles Dantes

MALACAÑANG on Wednesday said that the Marcos administration’s priority bills are on track for passage in Congress by December following the Third LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) Meeting.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez reported that the House of Representatives has approved on third and final reading 18 out of the 20 priority measures that the LEDAC targeted for approval by the yearend.

At the same time, Romualdez expressed confidence in having all 20 bills approved

Solon: P75-b Maharlika fund still with Treasury sans board meeting

THE P75-billion contribution of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) is still with the Bureau of Treasury, as the Maharlika Investment Corporation Board has yet to convene and nominate a bank account.

The board is expected to convene before the year ends, according to the Department of Finance’s budget sponsor at the House of Representatives, Sultan Kudarat 2nd District Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr. Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman asked during the House plenary debates on DOF’s proposed 2024 budget how long will the funds be kept in the Treasury “and not remitted to the Maharlika Investment Corporation?”

“This depends upon the timeline or when the Maharlika Investment Corporation Board will be convened and which by that time will nominate a bank account,” Suansing replied.

“What is the timeframe for all of this?” Lagman asked further.

“The timeline is before the year ends,” Suansing said.

The MIF law requires Land Bank and the national government to contribute P50 billion each to the fund. The Development Bank of the Philippines is also mandated to put in P25 billion.

Meanwhile, Speaker Martin Romualdez has maintained that changes made in the MIF bill before it was signed into law were constitutional. Maricel V. Cruz

Australia, France, Israel militaries eye expanded defense ties with PH

AUSTRALIA, France, and Israel are looking to expand their defense ties with the Philippines, their delegates told government and military officials in recent meetings.

The Australian Defense College is looking to expand its relationship with its Filipino counterparts, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Wednesday. This developed after a delegation from the Australian Defense College headed by Wing Commander Nicholas Pausina paid a courtesy call to AFP deputy chief of staff for education, training, and doctrine Maj. Gen. Noel Beleran at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Tuesday.

France has reiterated its support to the

ongoing AFP Modernization Program including the development of the country’s submarine force, the Department of National Defense (DND) said Wednesday.

This came following French Ambassador-designate Marie Fontanel-Lassalle’s introductory call to Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. on Sept. 14.

DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said this referred to the French Naval Group’s commitment to help the Philippine Navy (PN) develop Subic Bay in Zambales into a modern base capable of handling submarine operations, should it win the contract for the construction and delivery of the warship capable of submersible operations. Vince Lopez

before the end of September, or three months ahead of the commitment date set by the Senate and the House of Representatives in the previous LEDAC meeting held last July 5, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked for their passage.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said the upper chamber has finished half

of the priority bills requested by the President.

“The priority measures are nearing passage and those that are pending will become laws within the next few weeks, and hopefully the President will be able to sign it,” Zubiri said.

Romualdez, who heads the 311-member House of Representatives, presented the report during the full council meeting convened Wednesday morning by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Malacanang Palace.

“We are on track to approve the two remaining measures before the October recess,” the House leader said.

From the 20 measures LEDAC slated

for approval by the end of the year, the House has already approved the following:

1) Amendment to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT)/Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act; 2) National Disease Prevention Management Authority or Center for Disease Control and Prevention;

3) Internet Transaction Act/ E-Commerce Law;

4) Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team (HEART) Act; 5) Virology Institute of the Philippines; 6) Instituting a National Citizens Service Training (NCST) Program; 7) Valuation Reform Bill (Package 3); 8) E-Governance Act/ E-Government Act; 9) Ease of Paying Taxes;

Socorro denies being a cult, hits ‘fabricated’ case

THE organization accused of abusing minors in Socorro, Surigao del Norte on Wednesday denied a senator’s allegations that it was a cult, saying the eight children involved were taught to “fabricate” their accusations.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) immediately refuted the statement of Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc., with a regional director saying they had the minors’ handwritten sworn statements on the alleged abuse.

Earlier, Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers said the Socorro members started living in the province’s mountains after an earthquake in 2019.

The Department of Justice is also planning to take over the filing of charges against the group so it can start hearings on it, spokesman Mico Clavano said.

Lawyer Lito Magno, assistant director of the NBI’s Regional Operations Service, said the minors had their handwritten statements before giving their sworn testimony with their affidavits.

The NBI investigation also showed that the minors were grouped into clusters and were forced to work or to act as security for the Socorro compound, Magno told ABSCBN in a television interview.

Jimbo Gulle and Rey Requejo

5 PCG officers in line to replace Abu

FIVE senior officers have been nominated to be the next commandant of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) replacing Admiral Artemio Abu, who will retire from the service on October 19 after being the service’s chief for 18 months.

The nominated senior officers are Vice Admiral Rolando Lizor Punzalan, Vice Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, Vice Admiral Joseph Coyme, Vice Admiral Allan Victor Dela Vega, and Vice Admiral Roy Echeverria, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said in a statement.

“The five candidates will undergo series of interviews and will face the senior leadership of the Department of Transportation before endorsing their names to the Office of the President,” Balilo said.

“But the President [Ferdinand Marcos Jr.] who will appoint the commandant, aside from the five nominees, can still choose from the qualified flag rank officers of the PCG,” he added.

Punzalan is the current PCG Deputy Commandant for Operations and a member of PMA Tanglaw Diwa Class of 1992, according to the Coast Guard.

Gavan of PMA Maalab Class of 1993 is the PCG Deputy Commandant for Administration.

Coyme is serving as the Commander of Maritime Services Command and a member of PMA Bantay Laya Class of 1994.

Dela Vega of PMA Class of 1993 is the Commander of Weapons, Electronics and Information Systems.

Also from PMA Class of 1993, Echeverria is currently serving as the Commander of Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command.

Before becoming the Coast Guard Commandant, Abu was the commander of the PCG’s Task Force Kaligtasan sa Karagatan, which helps patrol the seas and protect life and property in the country’s waters. Vince Lopez

COTABATO CITY—The Bangsamoro Government is engaging mothers widowed by the wars in the ‘70s and more recent conflicts in livelihood and policy-based support programs to improve their lot.

Zokria Abas, one of the widowed mother-beneficiaries in SGA-Carmen Cluster, said she is being thankful that the regional government provides the tool for them to win the next level of the struggle—to combat poverty through livelihood programs and fight for good governance and the right to education.

“SGA” stands for Special Geographic Area, referring to clusters of 63 barangays in Cotabato Province that voted in February 2019 to join the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

“The Bangsamoro Government is aware of our struggles. This is only the beginning of the many more help we were promised,” Abas said. Nash B. Maulana

MEASURES. Congress commits to pass 20 priority bills identified during the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Palace on September 20, 2023.

ROSH HASHANAH. Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss holds up a piece of bread that the people of Israel normally partake during the celebration of Rosh Hashanah or the Jewish New Year during the Pandesal Forum Wednesday at the Kamuning Bakery Cafe in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Fingers

REMEMBER that story about the boy who saved Holland, by plugging a leak in the dike with his finger?

(Editor’s Note: Usually called Hans Brinker, the Dutch boy who saves his country by putting his finger in a leaking dike has no name in the American children’s book by Mary Mapes Dodge. It is just one of the stories about Holland told in the 1865 book Hans Brinker, or The Silver Skates: A Story of Life in Holland.)

The situation we find ourselves in, as a nation and as a people, reminds me of that story about the boy and the dike, except that now, when our leader, or whoever he listens to, plugs a leak in our dike, another leak appears, and then another.

The DA, of which our leader is the secretary, kept assuring us that we had enough rice. Early on, he launched the ill-fated Kadiwa which sold P25 per kilo of rice, with the promise that his aspired P20 was soon to come.

But the prices of all kinds of rice rose to levels that alarmed our consumers.

So as a threatening step, officials raided a bodega or two somewhere in Bulacan, and announced that the “hoard” will be seized unless the owners can prove that these were legally imported.

Why in heaven’s name should Comelec spend to automate barangay and that useless SK elections, when all the voter needs to write are a few names?

The deadline has passed, but no word from Customs or the raiders of the lost rice.

Then, because prices kept rising, a price ceiling of 41/45 was suddenly ordered. Another leak in the dike was plugged with a little finger, without consulting the engineers of the dike.

To assuage the rice retailers, our leader directed DSWD to roll out “ayuda” with a ceiling of P15,000 per retailer. Another finger on another hole.

When the engineers balked and said plugging one hole would cause the water pressure to bore a bigger hole, they said the solution would better be to temporarily reduce the 35% tariff to zero or 10% on imported rice so as to bring down cost, without ensuring that the importers will pass on the tax savings to the consumer.

The farmers balked, and rightly so, because harvests have started and the main bulk of it will commence this October.

Had the leader consulted the engineers earlier, when one of his foremen in the NFA sounded the alarm, the engineers might have advised him to open the floodgates for more imports earlier, when the summer harvests ended and before the lean months.

The leader tarried, and the prices rose further, threatening to breach the dam of public patience. His knee jerk solution, done without calling upon his engineers, was to order unrealistically low price ceilings.

The other day, he ordered the bodegueros at NFA to buy palay at competitive prices, to ensure that the farmers will be properly compensated for their back-breaking labors, and they will be more fingers to plug the holes in the dike.

Nothing is said about where the funds will come from, when NFA buys at P23 to P25 while the previous ceiling was P19. The P7 billion provided in the GAA can only buy 280,000 tons, where the total annual consumption is 14 million tons, a drop in the bucket.

But DA says they will spend P15 billion to buy enough palay to make a dent in the market. That’s two drops in the bucket.

But where to source the funds? Maybe from the combined intelligence and confidential funds of the palace and the princess-in-waiting?

Industry sectors and consumers are confused.

It would seem that our leader has been doing a trial and error method of decision-making, with even the doctors of engineering (economic managers) and the lowly peons (farmers and lowly consumers) as well as several foremen (the supply chain of palay traders, millers, rice traders and retailers) including the government’s warehouse foreman mismo, the NFA — all are utterly confused.

Like little boys, we are told to help government plug the leaks in the nation’s dike, about to burst with a myriad of problems from an

New deal for farmers

impending shortage of food staples and prices reaching historic highs, to a humongous debt wave that threatens to become a tsunami in the coming years, to huge fiscal deficits which the engineers blame on the soldiers who guard the dike with their MUP slice of the pie, but never, never on the pork barrel or constituency entitlements, or budget insertions, from where our legislators squeeze their juices of 30 to 40 percent in “tara.”

In my mind as I write, I recall that line from

“You Must Love Me,” a song from Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Evita, about the former first lady of far away Argentina where we now plan to buy whatever little rice their gauchos could spare — “Where do we go from here?”.

Or, as opposition senadora, the Lady Risa, exclaimed in bewilderment: “Ano ba talaga, Kuya?”

The president must have rued the day he listened to well-meaning advice to take over the agriculture department which is beset by so many problems.

Yet to his credit, because he was at its helm, agriculture got a bigger slice of the budget, thrice what the previous administration gave it.

How that has been spent in the last 447 days we still have to fathom, as prices of almost every kind of food has gone way up, even when most food crops are harvested in months unlike fruit trees such as durian which takes years.

We were assured the rice competitiveness enhancement fund which came from tariff proceeds on imported rice of which we have become the world’s largest importer, beating China with its 1.4 billion mouths to feed (not counting North Korea which it also feeds), would capacitate our farmers through better seeds and farm mechanization.

Who supplies the mechanical dryers and the small tractors funded by the RCEF we do not know, but some farmer-recipients are saying, “madaling masira.”

Since rice is a four month crop, “anyare?”

Now the Philippine Statistics Authority is predicting a drop in 3rd quarter palay production contrary to DA’s expectations of a bumper crop. Will it be any better in the 4th quarter? Don’t hold your breath.

Meanwhile, the price of oil in the world market keeps rising. Within the last week, the benchmark has gone up by more than $2.50, and even if Iran and the US has settled their frozen assets with prisoner exchange, do not think that will impact so soon on oil supply, as the volatility remains.

Our legislators are mulling the suspension of excise tax collection on oil. In 2021 when candidate Isko Moreno proposed the same, the DOF said “nyet” as it would cause a fall in government revenues.

Doing away with it now, or at least until the end of 2023 will entail around P30 billion in lost revenues at present prices, or so our economic managers bewail. Another P40 billion if the VAT on petrol is suspended.

Through this all, no one has suggested that government tighten its belt. Congress is bent on passing the P5.7 trillion budget proposal of the executive department through its railroad express.

Can’t anyone even discuss austerity on the part of government? Can we not trim the fat from government expenditures?

President Garcia did it way back when I was in grade school. President Ramos did it with a mandatory cut in government expenditures.

Why should Diokno immediately equate lost revenues from petrol with a 0.03 percent increase in the national debt?

Can’t confidential and intelligence funds be sacrificed for now?

What about junkets, whether abroad by top officials in all three branches, or those basically useless seminars and conventions of lower-level officials which cumulatively add up to much?

Why in heaven’s name should Comelec spend to automate barangay and that useless SK elections, when all the voter needs to write are a few names?

We could go on and on listing down unnecessary government expenditures which could be sacrificed temporarily to give transport drivers and the ordinary commuter some relief, but will Congress and the executive even listen? They keep trying to plug the dike with dirty little fingers but will that prevent public sentiment, now simmering, from eventually bursting?

WILL the lives of more than 610,000 farmerbeneficiaries of the government’s agrarian reform program improve significantly in the years ahead with the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act?

That would be the expected end-result of President Marcos Jr.’s recent order to the Department of Agrarian Reform to ensure the “smooth and immediate” enforcement of the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act.

What the new law does is to condone all loans, including interest, penalties, and surcharges incurred by over 610,000 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs).

The condonation would cover at least 1.173 million hectares of land and an estimated P57.55 billion in unpaid amortization.

It would also terminate P206.25 million in unpaid just compensation by 10,201 ARBs tilling 11,531 hectares of land acquired through voluntary land transfer or the direct payment scheme.

The President’s recent Executive Order extended for two years EO 4 which provides for a moratorium on the payment of the principal obligation and interest on amortization payable by ARBs.

on the debt of ARBs will no doubt contribute to a marked improvement in their daily lives as they will have more income to meet their daily needs.

ARB beneficiaries will be freed from the burden of onerous debts and instead reap the benefits from the land they cultivate.

Apart from contributing to their wellbeing and uplifting their quality of life, the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act will also re-energize the agricultural sector as a whole.

This will lead to greater farm productivity particularly at this time when weak harvests of palay and other agricultural crops have jacked up the retail prices of essential foodstuffs and contributed to galloping inflation.

At the same time, the administration should continue to facilitate the delivery of support services to all ARBs.

NEWLY-appointed Health Secretary Teodoro

Herbosa reminds many Filipinos of the time of his great-granduncle, Dr. Jose Rizal, the national hero.

Rizal’s time was one of extreme difficulty and challenge. Back then, medical instrumentation was manual and mechanical, a far cry from the electrical and computerized equipment used in today’s hospitals.

That notwithstanding, Rizal attended to the medical needs of those who sought him. Rizal managed, and he lived up to the public expectations of a physician of his stature during his time. Other than the Spanish colonial authorities who saw Rizal as a threat to the political status quo due mainly to Rizal’s writings, Rizal had his share of Filipino detractors.

Those critics did not approve of Rizal’s pioneering effort to make quality medical care accessible to poor Filipinos. What Rizal pursued did not sit well with the wealthy Filipino physicians back then who earned more in doctor’s fees if medical care remained expensive.

Thus, Rizal’s detractors continuously questioned Rizal’s practice of medicine. They even acquiesced in Rizal’s execution at by the Spanish oppressors at Bagumbayan in 1896.

The two-year extension of the agrarian debt moratorium will benefit some 129,059 ARBs whose land awards did not reach the cut-off on July 24, 2023 to qualify for the condonation of agrarian debt.

The extension of the moratorium on the payment of the amortization and principal

The farmers should be provided with adequate credit so they can gain access to modern farm equipment and afford basic farm inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides.

More on Metro Manila’s traffic problems (Part 2)

sued a TRO on the no contact apprehension program of the MMDA which until now has not been lifted.

Another feature of EDSA are the various Uturn slots which are unlike other U-turn slots that are found in other streets.

TWO weeks ago, an opinion writer in another paper lamented that traffic gridlock in the Metro area is forever. We can all relate to his frustration.

Due to the way the urban sprawl has developed in the National Capital Region, traffic congestion has become a fact of life and will be that way for many more years to come. The population density alone tells us that. About 13.6 million people are living in an area of 663 square kilometers making the NCR one of the most congested Metro areas in the world. Include the limited road system and the increasing motorization and the future of urban life in the NCR is indeed bleak.

But let us try to leave all of that in the meantime and go back to EDSA because that road has become the traffic laboratory in the NCR.

It is also in EDSA the public is witnessing the success or failure of the government’s ability to manage the traffic.

One peculiar feature of EDSA which is not found anywhere in the world are the fences that have been installed by the MMDA in the vain attempt to control traffic flow.

Unfortunately, the benefits derived from the fences are at best minimal and is even the cause of motorists forming additional lanes when entering underpasses causing traffic gridlock like the Shaw-EDSA and the Aurora BoulevardEDSA underpasses. It is as if the MMDA has given up on enforcement and education and have decided on road fences hoping that motorists will follow and comply.

The other are the cement and water filled plastic barriers placed on U-turn slots to discourage motorists from also forming additional lanes.

Trouble is, motorists continue to form additional lanes especially in the evening when there are fewer or no traffic enforcement personnel around. In both cases, aggressive and sustained enforcement is the obvious solution which could have been easily done by the use of CCTVs. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court has is-

When Bayani Fernando was MMDA Chairman, he created the U-turn slots along EDSA by diverting the entire traffic of roads that are crossing EDSA like the Congressional Avenue by requiring all vehicles to turn right and then make a U-turn on the designated EDSA U-turn slots.

As we know, many of these U-turn slots caused heavy traffic congestions along that road.

But due to the Bus Carousel, many of these U-turn slots have been closed.

Some, however, are still open like the Congressional Avenue-EDSA intersection.

All the traffic from that road must still turn right upon reaching EDSA to make a U-turn along EDSA. The problem however, is that the volume of traffic is such that motorists coming from Congressional Avenue are forced to form three or more lanes when they reach the U-turn slot.

By doing this, there are times when all the lanes are blocked making it difficult for the EDSA traffic to pass the area.

The original intention of Bayani Fernando with all the U-turn slot was to allow continuous movement of vehicles like a rotunda.

What was forgotten was that the entire traffic of a one lane road cannot be diverted to make a U-turn especially with the volume of traffic along EDSA.

It will only worsen the congestion.

Furthermore, the turning radius of the Uturn slots are not sufficient for the bigger vehicles and that is the reason why the barriers are necessary.

The barriers, however, will necessarily en-

Herbosa, his great-granduncle Rizal

Notwithstanding all the unfounded criticism thrown his way, Rizal was able to prove to the Spanish colonial authorities that a single Filipino physician who is determined to do what he believes is right, can make a difference.

The situation Secretary Herbosa faces in these current times is just as difficult and challenging like the time of Rizal.

Unlike Rizal’s era, the medical knowledge, instrumentation and hospital facilities used by today’s physicians are far advanced, which physicians of the nineteenth century could not have even possibly dreamed of.

Illustrative examples are today’s computerized hospital equipment, nuclear medicine, and artificial intelligence assisted healthcare.

Although medical knowledge, instrumentation and hospital facilities have improved by leaps and bounds during the more than a hundred years since Rizal’s execution, new diseases of greater potency have emerged in contemporary times.

Cancer remains a serious threat, diabetes is killing more people than before, and hitherto unknown or misunderstood mental illnesses have been identified, among others. In addition, Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) developed only in the 1980s.

After graduating with honors from the College of Medicine of the prestigious University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UPPGH); after passing the medical board examination with flying colors; and after completing his

specialized training in equally prestigious medical schools abroad, Herbosa chose to practice his profession here in the Philippines, at the UP-PGH. His reason is the Filipinos need all the medical care they can get, considering that many promising Filipino physicians prefer to go abroad where the grass seems greener in the financial sense of the phrase.

Herbosa also explains that since he owes his medical education to the Filipino taxpayers who pay for the upkeep of the UP-PGH, he cannot turn his back on them.

Thus, from the time he started his selfless practice of Medicine at the UP-PGH, Herbosa did what his great-granduncle Rizal did by contributing to the noble effort of making quality medical care accessible to the poorest Filipinos.

When COVID-19 threatened to eradicate the

whole world in early 2020, Herbosa was at the front of the country’s collective fight against the deadly corona virus.

Herbosa was among several Filipino physicians who helped the government-created interagency task force to contain COVID-19.

The task force made many daily announcements on television, which were periodically sought by a public desperate for even the faintest bit of light at the end of a long tunnel.

While many of the physicians in the task force provided the public with medical statistics and gave instructions on how to avoid contracting COVID-19, Herbosa was the face and the voice that meant the most to many.

Although Herbosa did not hide the disturbing daily statistics to the public, and even if he admitted the fight against COVID-19 is an uphill battle with the odds stacked against the world, Herbosa gave everyone hope, by emphasizing that like all deadly diseases, COVID-19 will eventually reach a plateau, when the deaths will substantially decrease. Herbosa also stressed the medical industry is fasttracking the preparation of badly needed vaccines, and that all the people need to do while waiting for the vaccines is to observe health protocols and avoid needless trips outside of one’s homes.

In the process, Herbosa saved the sanity of many of our countrymen by giving them hope, when hope was badly needed.

When his name was mentioned as a possible

croach on the other lanes causing more gridlock.

It would be a lot better to just reopen the Congressional Avenue-EDSA intersection and install a traffic light.

That way, even if vehicles on EDSA and Congressional Avenue will have to wait, traffic flow will become more orderly unlike what is happening in that area at the moment.

I do not know why MMDA has not done that already or whether they did a traffic study about the traffic situation in that area but decided to maintain the current situation.

Regardless, the congestion in that area cannot be left the way it is.

The MMDA needs to do something because the rotunda type solution introduced by Bayani Fernando years ago is not the proper engineering solution and is only worsening the traffic congestion.

The MMDA must be at its wits end trying to figure out what else it can do to improve travel time along EDSA.

Both the Skyway and the Bus Carousel projects should have improve travel time but apparently have not. Maybe another look at the Bus Carousel project is in order to see if its original intention is being fulfilled.

This is because the Bus Carousel is a merry go round ride.

It has no origin and destination. Most of the passengers originate from somewhere to take the Bus Carousel then get off to take another ride to proceed to their final destinations.

The Bus Carousel, therefore, in itself is a traffic generator.

It is possible that because of it, EDSA is attracting more vehicles than what the Bus Carousel dislodged. MMDA should examine whether it can be modified so that the buses can originate from somewhere then enter the Carousel to proceed to a destination and then back to the Carousel again to return from where it originated.

It might also be about time to install intelligent traffic lights along EDSA to better manage traffic flow. Even if motorists will have to wait in intersections, at least they know how long unlike what is happening now.

Lastly, MMDA should just stick on trying to improve travel time along EDSA that is after all its original mandate.

Then if successful, it can embark on nice projects like promenades.

Other vital support services, including post-harvest facilities and farm-to-market roads, will make the lives of agrarian reform beneficiaries a lot better after a long wait for deliverance from poverty. candidate for Secretary of Health, some sectors tried, just like in Rizal’s time, to discredit him. In the end, Herbosa’s record of unselfish service to the Filipino could not be ignored, and thus President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed him to the health portfolio just recently. Moving forward, we can safely say the ideals and aspirations of Dr. Jose Rizal, especially those that were for the Filipinos’ healthcare, did not die with him after all. Those ideals and aspirations now live in his great-grandnephew, Dr. Teodoro Herbosa.

the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act will also re-energize the agricultural sector as a whole

It might also be about time to install intelligent traffic lights along EDSA to better manage traffic flow

Chinese blockade on Taiwan would

be ‘monster risk,’

says Pentagon

WASHINGTON, DC—A Chinese blockade on the island democracy of Taiwan would be a “monster risk” for Beijing and likely to fail, while a military invasion would be extremely difficult, senior Pentagon officials told Congress Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Beijing claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, vowing to seize it one day, and officials in Washington—a key ally of Taipei—have cited 2027 as a possible timeline for an invasion.

The growing worries come as China has ramped up military pressures on Taiwan, holding large-scale war games simulating a blockade on the island, while conducting near-daily warplane incursions and sending Chinese vessels around its waters.

Ely Ratner, the Pentagon’s assistant defense secretary for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, said a blockade would be “a monster risk for the PRC (People’s Republic of China),” referring to China by its official name.

“It would likely not succeed, and it would be a huge risk of escalation for the PRC, where it would likely have to consider whether or not it was willing to ultimately start attacking commercial maritime vessels,” Ratner told the House Armed Services Committee.

“A blockade would devastating to the international community and would likely induce the broad-based wide deep response from the international community... that Beijing would likely be trying to avoid,” he said.

UN chief convenes ‘no nonsense’ summit without US or China

UNITED NATIONS, New York—UN

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is set Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) to host a climate meeting marred at its outset by the absence of speakers from the world’s top two emitters, China and the United States.

Despite increasing extreme weather events and record-shattering global temperatures, greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise and fossil fuel companies reap handsome profits.

Guterres has thus billed the “Climate Ambition Summit” as a “no nonsense” forum where leaders or cabinet ministers will announce specific actions that deliver on their commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The bar for making the podium was set high, with the UN chief making clear that only leaders who had made concrete plans to achieve net-zero greenhouse emissions would be allowed to speak.

After receiving more than 100 applications to take part, the UN finally released a list on Tuesday night of 41 speakers which did not include China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan or India.

“Tomorrow, I will welcome credible first movers and doers to our Climate Ambition Summit,” Guterres said Tuesday.

Manila Standard TODAY

Several major leaders didn’t bother making the trip to New York for this year’s UN General Assembly, including President Xi Jinping of China and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak from the United Kingdom, who said he was too busy. US President Joe Biden, who addressed the General Assembly on Tuesday, sent his climate envoy John Kerry to the meeting—though Kerry won’t be permitted to speak. AFP

He was echoed by Army Major General Joseph McGee, a vice director of the Joint Staff.

“It is an option but it is probably not a highly likely military option... It is much easier to talk about a blockade than actually do a blockade,” McGee said.

He also pointed to island’s mountainous terrain and the Taiwan Strait waterway separating it from mainland China, saying “there is absolutely nothing easy about a PLA (People’s Liberation Army) invasion of Taiwan.”

“They would have to mass tens of thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of troops on the eastern coast and that would be a clear signal,” McGee said, adding that combined amphibious and airborne air assault operations would be “an extremely complicated joint operation.”

“That would leave them in that (Taiwan Strait) gap, 90 to 100 miles—that would lead them susceptible to all the fire that could be brought to an invading force that was already telegraphing their intentions.”

China’s latest massive show of force came Monday when Beijing sent more than 100 warplanes in 24 hours around the island, prompting Taipei to decry the “destructive unilateral actions.” AFP

Kyiv: 17 of 24 Russian drones destroyed overnight

KYIV, Ukraine—Ukraine’s armed forces said Wednesday they had destroyed 17 out of 24 Russian drones launched overnight, while an oil refinery was hit, according to a regional governor.

During the night, Russia “attacked Ukraine with 24 kamikaze drones of the Shahed-136/131 type, 17 of which were destroyed by Ukrainian air defense,” the General Staff said in a daily update. Information regarding the consequences of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks was still being clarified, it added.

In the central Poltava region, an oil refinery was struck, according to the regional governor Dmytro Lunin.

“Tonight the Russians repeatedly attacked Poltava region. Our antiaircraft defence worked well against enemy anti-aircraft missiles,” he said on Telegram.

“Unfortunately, there is a hit at the oil refinery in Kremenchuk. A fire started. All relevant services are on site. The work of the plant is temporarily suspended.”

He said that so far, there were no known casualties.

Sergiy Lysak, governor of the east-

Russia seeks to erase border with occupied Ukraine

AVILO-USPENKA, Russia – To enter Russia from occupied Ukraine, all Tatiana has to do is arrive at the edge of the war-battered Donetsk region, show guards her Russian passport, say “thank you” and cross.

Moscow has controlled several key border points since 2014 but the frontier has become more porous since the Kremlin annexed four Ukrainian territories last year, encouraging residents to take up new citizenship.

“It’s become more comfortable because we’ve become Russians,” the 37-year-old from a Russian-occupied town near the frontline told AFP.

Tatiana used to have to go through a more arduous procedure to enter Russia —a check run by Moscowsponsored separatists, then through Russian customs.

“We had two borders to cross, which meant long, long traffic queues,” she

ERRATUM

In the two-page ad publication of DENR on September 20, 2023 in Manila Standard with: subject: GUIDELINES IN THE CONDUCT OF INVENTORY AND ASSESSMENT OF GRADUATED NATIONAL GREENING PROGRAM (NGP) PLANTATIONS BY THIRD-PARTY EVALUATORS, the important DENR Administrative Order No. 2023-09 and the date August 29, 2023 was unintentionally deleted thru the course of lay-outing. Thus, this erratum is made and we apologize for whatever inconvenience it may cause the DENR.

said near a motel on the frontier.

She was heading for Taganrog—a town in southern Russia once home to writer Anton Chekhov—to do some errands, including taking out insurance.

The smoother crossings are one of the most visible signs of change since the Kremlin annexed the industrial Donetsk region alongside three other regions of Ukraine at a lavish ceremony last year.

They illustrate how quickly Russian authorities are seeking to absorb occupied territories, even though the international community, including Russia’s allies, do not recognize Moscow’s authority there. Moscow last weekend hosted local government elections in the annexed Ukrainian territories and claimed proKremlin party United Russia had won easily in each region.

Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin

said in May that officials had handed out nearly two million Russian passports to Ukrainians in occupied regions.

But its military still does not fully control any of the four regions annexed last year, and Ukrainian forces are gaining ground in two of them—Zaporizhzhia in the south and Donetsk in the east.

Despite that, thousands of people travel to Russia by bus or car from occupied cities like Donetsk, Lugansk and Mariupol—a port city captured by Moscow after a brutal months-long siege.

Further away from the front, however, signs of the confl ict are visible everywhere.

AFP journalists on the road between Taganrog and the Avilo-Uspenka crossing point saw Russian military vehicles daubed with large Z and V tactical symbols. And two Russian attack helicopters flew overhead. AFP

central Dnipropetrovsk region, said the Nikopol district had come under attack for a second consecutive night, with Russian forces firing at Nikopol city and three other communities.

“Five private houses, two cars and power lines were damaged,” he said, with no injuries according to initial reports.

The Ukrainian armed forces “shot down two enemy UAVs over the area, turning them into scrap metal,” he said.

The General Staff update said that on Tuesday, Russia had attacked Ukraine with 31 Iranian-made Shahed drones, of which 28 were destroyed. AFP

Tokyo to Beijing: Remove buoy from Japan’s EEZ

TOKYO—Japan has told Beijing to remove a Chinese buoy floating in waters within its exclusive economic zone, an official said Wednesday, referring to an area located near islands claimed by both countries.

“We have been lodging protests in both Tokyo and Beijing since Japan’s coastguard in July found a buoy” in Japan’s EEZ in the East China Sea, a foreign ministry official told AFP. The buoy was spotted in waters near the a group of islands that Japan calls the Senkakus and China the Diaoyus.

“We have demanded the immediate removal of the buoy as it is against international laws” to build a structure in Japan’s EEZ without its consent, the official said, on condition of anonymity.

China had placed a buoy in Japan’s EEZ in the same area of the East China Sea in 2018, according to the offi cial.

Adding to decades of animosity between the two countries, ChineseJapanese ties have soured since Tokyo’s release from August 24 of treated waste water from the Fukushima nuclear plant.

Beijing responded with a blanket ban on all seafood imports from Japan.

Food exports from Japan to China plunged 41.2 percent in August to 14 billion yen ($95 million), according to finance ministry data released on Wednesday.

Tokyo in August demanded that China ensure the safety of Japanese citizens as it reported a brick being thrown at its embassy in Beijing.

It has also urged tens of thousands of its citizens in China to keep a low profi le and has increased security around schools and diplomatic missions. AFP

earth shook,’ survivors recount Libya flood horror

DERNA, Libya—It was long past midnight when Abdel Moneim Awad al-Sheikh awoke to desperate screams from outside his home in the Libyan city of Derna, only to find his building engulfed by surging flood waters.

“I took nothing but my glasses and cellphone and fled as the waters shook the iron

doors like an earthquake,” recounted the 73-year-old survivor of the deadly disaster.

He and his family manaAged to escape from the first floor and rush up the stairs of the multistorey building as the raging waters tore away the front door and swept it into the darkness.

From the top floor, they watched

in horror as the tsunami-sized tidal wave swept away entire buildings, cars and the people inside them, washing untold numbers into the Mediterranean Sea.

The enormous flood, fuelled by torrential rains on September 10, had broken through two upstream dams and sent a giant wave crashing down the

previously dry river bed, or wadi, that bisects the city of about 100,000 people.

A week on, thick mud cakes the devastated building where alSheikh and his wife lived, along with two of their sons and their families, in the city where the official death toll has climbed above 3,000. AFP

‘The

WARTIME TRIP. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in his trademark military fatigues, addresses the 78th United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on Wednesday and urges the world to stand rm against Russia’s “genocide,” as he tries to convince skeptical developing nations they share a stake in Kyiv’s victory. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Stocks decline as investors await Fed action

By Jenni er B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks fell for a fourth day, but the benchmark index managed to stay above the 6,000 level, as investors stayed on the sidelines while waiting for the results of the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index slipped 6.93 points, or 0.12 percent, to close at 6,041.04, while the broader allshares index lost 2.64 points, or 0.08 percent, to settle at 3,271.66.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said Philippine shares edged lower as Wall Street geared up for the latest interest rate decision and economic update from the Fed.

“The Fed is widely expected to hold rates steady, but investors will be pay-

TOP GAINERS

ing close attention to the summary of economic projections and the press conference of US Fed chair Jerome Powell for clues about that might happen in the months ahead,” Limlingan said. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economic Michael Ricafort said the Asian Development Bank’s downward revision of its Philippine gross domestic product growth estimate for 2023 to 5.7 percent from 6 percent also contributed to the market’s negative sentiment.

Meanwhile, concerns that the Federal Reserve will have to lift interest rates again or keep them at a 22-year high for an extended period weighed on Asian sentiment Wednesday as traders awaited the US central bank’s latest policy decision.

While inflation has dropped from the eye-watering levels seen in the middle of last year, thanks to a long-running campaign on monetary tightening, a fresh spike in oil prices has caused a headache for officials as they try to bring prices under control.

The optimism that the Fed will be able to cut borrowing costs next year has evaporated over the summer as the US economy shows few signs of weakness and the labor market remains robust.

That has weighed on risk assets as traders contemplate a drawn-out period of high rates with tech firms, which rely on borrowing to fuel growth, among the hardest hit.

The Fed is widely expected to keep rates on hold Wednesday, but focus will be on the bank’s statement and boss Jerome Powell’s post-meeting comments, with traders hoping for an idea about its plans for the next few months and into the new year.

Policymakers are aiming to keep the United States on what Chicago Fed chief Austan Goolsbee called the “golden path”, attempting to temper inflation while averting a surge in unemployment and a major economic slowdown.

But Kathryn Rooney Vera, of StoneX, told Bloomberg Television: “Going into 2024 to really get inflation back to that two percent target, the Fed is at least going to have to hold for an extended period of time rather than cut.”

She added that the dollar, which is already well up against its peers, including a 10-month high versus the yen, “probably has a bit more upside”.

TOP LOSERS

MOST ACTIVE

ADB: Developing Asian countries face ‘intensified’ risks

DEVELOPING Asia faces “intensified” risks from China’s troubled property sector and high interest rates around the world, the Asian Development Bank said Wednesday, as it trimmed its regional growth expectations.

Gross domestic product is forecast to expand by 4.7 percent this year, the Manila-based lender said, slightly lower than its April estimate of 4.8 percent.

It was faster than the 4.3 percent growth recorded last year.

Developing Asia refers to the multilateral lender’s 46 emerging member economies, stretching from Kazakhstan in Central Asia to the Cook Is-

NEW YORK, United States—US grocery delivery startup Instacart surged in its stock market debut Tuesday, gaining more than 30 percent in a sign of revived Wall Street appetite for IPOs.

Near 1730 GMT shares of the company, which trade on Nasdaq as “CART”, stood at $39.85, up around 33 percent, after earlier rising as much as 43 percent.

That equates to a market value of around $11 billion, well below the $39 billion in 2021 during a capital raise when sales were lifted by Covid-19 lockdowns.

“The markets have readjusted greatly between then and now,” said Instacart Chief Executive Fidji Simo in an interview on CNBC.

Instacart had announced on Monday night that it would be introduced to the market at a price of $30 a share, at the high end of a range disclosed previously by the company.]

The Instacart launch marked a second straight strong stock debut following last week’s arrival of Arm, a British semiconductor company.

Investors are also awaiting the Wednesday premier of Klaviyo, which specializes in automated marketing through emails and text messages.

Founded in 2012, Instacart partners with some 1,400 national and local retail businesses to facilitate online grocery orders, pickups and deliveries.

The venture capital backed-startup saw its business soar early in the coronavirus pandemic as people avoided grocery stores due to the risks from Covid-19.

The company’s business went on to cool, however, leading to a cut in its workforce of shoppers.

The company managed 263 million orders in the year ending June 30, 2023 accounting for $29.4 billion in gross transaction value, according to a securities filing.

That resulted in profits of $744 million on revenues of $2.2 billion. AFP

lands in the Pacifi c. “Risks to the outlook have intensified,” the bank said in its latest update of forecasts for this year and next, noting weaknesses in China’s property sector could “hold back regional growth”.

Other challenges included high interest rates and threats to food security from the El Nino weather phenomenon and export restrictions imposed by some countries.

Inflation is also expected to drop to 3.6 percent this year from 4.4 percent last year, the ADB said, pointing to the slowdown in China.

The bank slashed its China inflation estimate to 0.7 percent for this year, from its April forecast of 2.2 percent.

There was a burst of consumer exuberance after China, the world’s secondlargest economy, lifted its strict zeroCovid policies late last year.

But weak consumption, a crisis in the massive property sector and soft demand for China’s exports has complicated the recovery.

Official figures show China briefly slipped into deflation in July for the first time in over two years, with prices falling 0.3 percent, year on year. It rebounded the following month. AFP

Japan rate hint

All three main indexes on Wall Street were in the red, and Asia followed on Wednesday.

Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, Sydney, Mumbai, Singapore, Wellington, Manila, Taipei and Bangkok all dropped. However, London rose and sterling weakened as data showed UK inflation unexpectedly slowed to an 18-month low in August.

The reading gave the Bank of England “a bit of a gift ahead of its policy decision” Thursday, said markets.com’s Neil Wilson. Paris and Frankfurt joined the positive start to the day.

A key concern for investors is the latest bounce in oil prices, with both contracts heading towards $100 a barrel, largely because of output cuts by Russia and OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia, which will be in place until the end of the year at least. With AFP

Analysts expect Fed to pause rate hike, raise forecast

WASHINGTON, United States—Analysts expect the US Federal Reserve to pause interest rate hikes on Wednesday as the central bank looks to tame inflation while avoiding a recession, despite a recent energy-fueled rise in consumer prices.

After 11 interest rate hikes since March last year, infl ation has fallen sharply but remains stuck stubbornly above the Fed’s long-run target of two percent per year— keeping pressure on offi cials to consider further policy action.

Despite rising slightly due to increased energy costs, inflation remains well below last year’s peak, while economic growth remains robust and the unemployment rate sits close to record lows—raising hopes the Fed can slow price increases without triggering a downturn.

The decision by the interest rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) will be published at 2:00 pm (1800 GMT), along with updated economic forecasts.

The Fed’s rate decision will be followed half an hour later by a press conference with Fed Chair Jerome Powell, which will be closely watched for hints on the path of future rate decisions.

“We look for the FOMC to keep its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged,” Wells Fargo economists wrote in a recent note to clients, adding that “most market participants” expected the Fed to hold rates steady. Sitting tight

That would leave the Fed’s key lending rate at its current range between 5.25 and 5.50 percent—a 22year high.

Traders currently see it as 99 percent likely that the Fed will hold off on hiking interest rates on Wednesday, and a roughly 70 percent chance it will vote to do the same at the next FOMC meeting in November, according to data from CME Group. AFP

Google says AI tool predicts danger of genetic mutations

WASHINGTON, United States—

Researchers at Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s artificial intelligence arm, on Tuesday introduced a tool that predicts whether genetic mutations are likely to cause harm, a breakthrough that could help research into rare diseases.

The findings are “another step in recognizing the impact that AI is having in the natural sciences,” said Pushmeet Kohli, vice president for research at Google DeepMind.

The tool focuses on so-called “missense” mutations, where a single letter of the genetic code is affected.

A typical human has 9,000 such mutations throughout their genome; they can be harmless or cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis or cancer, or damage brain development.

To date, four million of these mutations have been observed in humans, but only two percent of them have been classifi ed, either as diseasecausing or benign.

In all, there are 71 million such possible mutations. The Google DeepMind tool, called AlphaMissense, reviewed these mutations and was able to predict 89 percent of them, with 90 percent accuracy.

A score was assigned to each mutation, indicating the risk of it causing disease

(otherwise referred to as pathogenic).

The result: 57 percent were classified as probably benign, and 32 percent as probably pathogenic—the remainder being uncertain. The database was made public and available to scientists, and an accompanying study was published on Tuesday in the journal Science.

AlphaMissense demonstrates “superior performance” than previously available tools, wrote experts Joseph Marsh and

Sarah Teichmann in an article also published in Science.

“We should emphasize that the predictions were never really trained or never really intended to be used for clinical diagnosis alone,” said Jun Cheng of Google DeepMind.

“However, we do think that our predictions can potentially be helpful to increase the diagnosed rate of rare disease, and also potentially to help us find new disease-causing genes,” Cheng added.

Indirectly, this could lead to the development of new treatments, the researchers said.

The tool was trained on the DNA of humans and closely-related primates, enabling it to recognize which genetic mutations are widespread.

Cheng said the training allowed the tool to input “millions of protein sequences and learns what a regular protein sequence looks like.”

It then could identify a mutation and its potential for harm.

Cheng compared the process to learning a language.

“If we substitute a word from an English sentence, a person that is familiar with English can immediately see whether this word substitution will change the meaning of the sentence or not.” AFP

Instacart up more than 30% after New York market debut

TURBINE FACTORY. A worker checks a rotor core used for wind turbines at a factory in Nantong, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province on September 20, 2023. AFP

Pushmeet Kohli

Vivant unit set to complete first desalination plant in PH

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ISLA Mactan-Cordova Corp. (IMCC) said Wednesday it expects to complete the country’s first utility-scale seawater desalination project in Mactan, Cebu at a cost of P2 billion in December.

IMCC, a subsidiary of Vivant Hydrocore Holdings Inc., will operate and manage the desalination plant in Cordova town, which can generate 20 million liters a day of potable water in the first phase.

IMCC was awarded a 25-year contract to supply desalinated water to the Metropolitan Cebu Water District (MCWD).

IMCC president and chief executive Jess Anthony Garcia said the plant’s generation capacity is equivalent to the average daily consumption of 20,000 Filipino households.

He said the plant, which would begin commercial operations next year after testing and commissioning, could be ex-

panded to 50 million liters a day.

The project is already 70-percent complete, with key components for the state-of-the-art seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) technology set to be installed.

Reverse osmosis is a globally utilized technology to remove salt from the seawater and produce drinking water.

The project aims to address the gap between water demand and supply while allowing severely extracted groundwater aquifers to replenish naturally.

Plant construction is being undertaken by Watermatic Philippines (WMP), a joint venture company of Vivant Corp. and WaterMatic International of Israel.

Israel is a world leader in water production, conservation and technology.

The site was provided through a partnership with the municipal government of Cordova.

Two senators said the desalination plant is a step towards a water-secure Philippines.

executive vice president and chief network transformation o cer Paulo Martin Santos and Timothy Charlton, editor-in-chief of the Asian Business Review.

Philex plans to venture into nickel mining

By Othel V. Campos

PHILEX Mining Corp.

is seeking a partner to venture into nickel mining, a top executive said Wednesday.

“This is our first time to go into nickel. We’ve been in the copper-gold production for a long time. That’s why it is imperative for us to get a partner who knows nickel mines,” Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr. said at the Mining Philippines International Conference and Exhibition at EDSA Shangri-La Manila in Mandaluyong City. He also disclosed that Philex was in

BOP posted smaller de cit of $57m in August

THE country’s balance of payments posted a lower deficit of $57 million in August 2023, compared to the $572-million shortfall a year ago, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday. This brought the BOP position in the first eight months to a surplus of $2.1 billion, a reversal from the $5.5-billion deficit in the same period last year.

“The BOP deficit in August 2023 reflected net outflows arising mainly from the national government’s payments of its foreign currency debt obligations,” the BSP said. This development reflected mainly the improvement in the balance of trade and the sustained net inflows from personal remittances, trade in services and foreign borrowings by the national government, according to the BSP.

Meanwhile, the gross international reserves decreased to $99.6 billion as of end-August 2023 $100 billion as of endJuly 2023. The latest GIR level represented a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income. Julito G. Rada

Megaworld launches fifth condo tower in Bacolod

PROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Wednesday it is launching its fifth residential condominium development within its 34-hectare The Upper East township in Bacolod City, which will generate as up to P5 billion in sales.

Megaworld said in a statement the 26-story Kensington Sky Garden would be a two-tower residential development offering 643 ‘smart home’ units.

The project, the tallest residential development among its Visayas townships, is envisioned to be an iconic landmark that would redefine Bacolod’s growing skyline. Kensington Sky Garden’s units range from studio and executive studio (up to 40 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 56 square meters), two-bedroom (up to 90 square meters) and three-bedroom (up to 110 square meters) units. All unit sizes have either a balcony or a lanai.

Each unit will be equipped with a wireless smart home system and devices with Wi-Fi routers that can be accessed remotely using a dedicated phone app for the comfort and convenience of the residents. Jenniffer B. Austria

PH falls 5 spots to 60th in digital quality of life

THE Philippines slipped five places to rank 60th in the world in Surfshark’s 5th annual Digital Quality of Life Index.

The index is an annual study that ranks 121 countries by their digital wellbeing based on five core pillars.

The Philippines performed best in internet quality, claiming 21st place, while facing challenges in internet affordability, at 104th. The nation ranks 45th in e-security, 54th in e-infrastructure and 64th in e-government.

It showed the Philippines surpassed Indonesia (67th), but lagged behind Malaysia (37th). In Asia, the Philippines took 17th place, with Singapore the leader in the region.

talks to acquire the old Dizon mines in Zambales province.

Austin said that on its $2-billion copper-gold project in Mindanao, the company expects to release an updated prefeasibility study (PFS) to present a solid offer for investors. He said the initial findings of the updated PFS might be released as early as the fourth quarter of 2023.

“Hopefully with that, we will be able to see the revised figures based on current prices, revenues and cost. We believe that the financials will definitely be a lot better than the 2013 PFS,” he said.

Austin said this year saw a marked increase in global gold prices which hit the $1,900-per-ounce mark, higher than $1,250/oz estimate in the 2013 PFS.

Copper prices are now at $380/oz, also higher than in the past decade.

Philex is looking for a strategic partner for Silangan mine as demand for copper increased three-fold, supported by electric vehicle (EV) and EV battery production.

Meanwhile, Philex chairman Manuel Pangilinan underscored the contribution of mining to the economy, saying it enables green technology to flourish, creates jobs, brings revenues and provides additional benefits that uplift the lives and promote the welfare of the people, particularly in far-flung areas.

“I would then argue that in many respects, sustainability rests on green technology, and by extension, reliance on mining would continue,” he said.

Pangilinan said the migration from fossil fuel to electric vehicles would be impossible without metals. “Beyond minerals, mining means jobs

and incomes for our people, especially since mines are typically located in rural areas, where poverty exists and jobs are scarce,” he said.

Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual also noted the significant contribution of the mining industry. “Mining is not just an extraction process that leaves behind a barren landscape. It is a means of converting our natural resources into valuable assets that can power the engines of our economy, create jobs and lay the foundation for infrastructural advancements that will benefit not just our generation but those to come,” Pascual said.

He said the DTI is aggressively promoting the development of the green metals sector as a major contributor to the economy.

PSE INDEX CLOSING

SKILLS TRAINING. Atimonan One Energy Inc., a subsidiary of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), holds a free leadership and communication skills training for members of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Atimonan, Quezon. The training, attended by 30 CSO leaders from the sectors of farming, shing, business, livelihood and cause-oriented groups, aims to hone their communication and leadership skills to become more e ective leaders of their respective organizations. CSO plays a signi cant role in the social, economic and democratic development of the communities because they perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions for their stakeholders.

By Jenni er B. Austria

INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) said Wednesday Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) will get a board seat after the government pension fund acquired a 12-percent stake in the company.

MPIC chairman and president Manuel Pangilinan said in an interview at the sidelines of the Mining Philippines 2023 International Exhibition and Conference GSIS would be entitled to a board seat which would happen after the MPIC’s delisting from the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Pangilinan said while GSIS has yet to name it representative to MPIC’s 15-man board, he expected it to be GSIS president and general manager Jose Arnulfo Veloso who is a veteran

By Darwin G. Amojelar

investment banker.

“I spoke to him [Veloso], and he is welcome to the board,” Pangilinan said.

GSIS earlier reported that it acquired 2.49 billion MPIC shares from the market from Aug. 23 to Sept. 4, 2023. This increased GSIS’ownership in MPIC to 3.43 billion shares equivalent to 11.98 percent of the total outstanding common shares of MPIC. Meanwhile, MPIC said in disclosure to the stock exchange it would be delisted from the Philippine Stock Exchange in October.

About 5.46 billion MPIC common shares, equivalent to 19.04 percent of the company’s total issued and outstanding listed shares owned by the minority investors, were tendered at the end of the tender offer period Tuesday.

MPIC said together with the excluded shares and the non-public shares, this

LIGHT Rail Manila Corp. said Wednesday its passengers may experience slight delays in the arrival of trains at LRT Line 1 from Sept. 20 to 24 as it is set to carry out rail replacement activities in the reversing or turnback area of Baclaran Station.

LRMC said to complete the necessary engineering works efficiently and safely, it would close a section of its Baclaran reversing tracks, resulting in constraints in train movements, train deployment

would reach 97.22 percent of MPIC’s total issued and outstanding listed shares. MPIC’s public float is expected to drop to 2.78 percent, below the 10 percent required for listed companies.

This will pave the way for MPIC’s voluntary delisting, in accordance with the procedures of the local bourse.

MPIC earlier extended the tender offer to allow more investors to participate in the offer.

A consortium, composed of Metro Pacific Holdings Inc., MIG Holdings Inc., GT Capital Holdings Inc. and MitPacific Infrastructure Holdings Corp., offered to acquire all outstanding MPIC common shares other than those they already own at P5.20 apiece.

Pangilinan said the shares tendered by the public would be proportionally divided among the members of the consortium.

and usage of station platforms for loading and unloading passengers. This arrangement is also expected to impact LRT-1’s train timetable and headway or the time interval between two successive trains, increasing it from the current four minutes to about five minutes.

“As the LRT-1 system continues to cater to our growing ridership, LRMC commits to providing a safe and reliable transportation system. We would like to ask for the kind understanding of our commuters and apologize in advance for the temporary in-

ABOITIZ Power Corp. will no longer be a part of the Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) effective Sept. 26, according to a new memorandum issued by the Philippine Stock Exchange.

Aboitiz Power’s public float fell to 19.9 percent following the conduct of a buyback program this month.

“Even with this stock buy-back program, there is no intention to delist from the PSE, but merely to reward our existing shareholders with a larger share of a brighter future,” the company said.

“The company is aware that the purchases may reduce the public ownership level of Aboitiz Power below the minimum required to remain a component of the Philippine Stock Exchange index,” it said.

A listed firm should be among the top companies in terms of liquidity and market capitalization and it should also have a free float level of at least 20 percent of its outstanding shares to qualify for PSEi.

Aboitiz Power said its fundamentals remain intact, and that “this program will create further shareholder value.”

Aboitiz Power purchased 11,407,500 of its own shares for P353.838 million as part of its buyback program as of Sept. 19.

The company initiated the buy-back program as an opportunity to repurchase shares “as Aboitiz Power believes that the current share price range does not reflect the intrinsic value of the company and its future business prospects.”

Alena Mae S. Flores

convenience as we conduct these rail renewal activities needed for improved LRT-1 experience,” LRMC chief operating officer Rolando Paulino III said.

“We also continue with the deployment of our new fourth-generation trains to carry more passengers, with five train sets already in commercial service,” he said.

LRMC expects its LRT-1 operations to normalize by Sept. 25.

LRMC advises passengers to plan their trips ahead, given the temporary adjustments in LRT-1 operations.

CONVERGE’S AWARD. Converge ICT Solutions Inc., the forerunner in the xed broadband industry in the Philippines, is recognized at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023. Its groundbreaking accomplishment in the Philippines Technology Excellence Award for AI - Broadband Telecommunication category resonates with its commitment to innovation and operational excellence to serve their nearly two million customers better. Its award-winning project, Network Intelligence and Automation Platform (NIAP), propelled Converge to the forefront of network management evolution. Attending the awarding ceremony are (from left) Converge assistant vice president and head of global network operations center Je erson Briones,

City North, Revenue Region No. 13 - Cebu City.

This Order is therefore issued to implement the revised schedule of zonal values of real properties for purposes of computation of any internal revenue tax due on sale/ transfer or any other disposition of real properties. The zonal values established herein shall apply provided the same is higher than (1) the fair market value as shown in the schedule of values of the City Assessor and (2) the gross selling price/consideration as shown in the duly notarized document of sale or transfer of real property. This Order shall take effect immediately.

BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO Secretary of Finance

RECOMMENDED BY:

ROMEO D. LUMAGUI, JR.

Commissioner of Internal Revenue

DEFINITION OF TERMS RESIDENTIAL LAND/CONDOMINIUM PRINCIPALLY DEVOTED TO HABITATION.

COMMERCIAL LAND DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND GENERALLY FOR THE OBJECT OF PROFIT.

INDUSTRIAL DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO INDUSTRY AS CAPITAL.

AGRICULTURAL DEVOTED PRINCIPALLY TO RAISING OF CROP SUCH AS RICE, CORN, SUGARCANE, TOBACCO, ETC. OR TO PASTURING, INLAND FISHING, SALT-MAKING, AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL USES INCLUDING TIMBERLAND AND FOREST LAND.

GENERAL PURPOSE RAWLAND, UNDEVELOPED AND UNDERDEVELOPED AREA WHICH HAS POTENTIAL FOR DEVELOPMENT INTO RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, INSTITUTIONAL, ETC. MUST NOT BE LESS THAN 5,000 SQUARE METERS.

VICINITY MEANS AN AREA, LOCALITY, NEIGHBORHOOD OR DISTRICT ABOUT, NEAR, ADJACENT PROXIMATE OR CONTIGUOUS TO A STREET BEING LOCATED.

REVISED ZONAL VALUATION – RDO NO. 81 – CEBU CITY NORTH 2

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

REVISED ZONAL VALUATION – RDO NO. 81 – CEBU CITY NORTH 4

REVISED ZONAL VALUATION – RDO NO. 81 – CEBU CITY NORTH 5

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2023

VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY WHEREIN THE APPROVED SCHEDULE OF ZONAL VALUES FOR A PARTICULAR BARANGAY -

a.) NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION IN A PARTICULAR STREET/SUBDIVISION IN A BARANGAY, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE SAME CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE OTHER STREET/SUBDIVISION WITHIN THE SAME BARANGAY OF SIMILAR CONDITIONS SHALL BE USED; AND

b.) NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR A PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY IN ONE BARANGAY, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE SAME CLASSIFICATION OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN AN ADJACENT BARANGAY OF SIMILAR CONDITIONS SHALL BE USED.

2. PREDOMINANT USE OF PROPERTY.

a.) ALL REAL PROPERTIES, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL USE, LOCATED IN A STREET/BARANGAY/ZONE, THE USE OF WHICH ARE PREDOMINANTLY COMMERCIAL SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS “COMMERCIAL” FOR PURPOSES OF ZONAL VALUATION

b.) THE PREDOMINANT USE OF OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTIES LOCATED IN A STREET/BARANGAY/ZONE, REGARDLESS OF ACTUAL USE SHALL BE CONSIDERED FOR PURPOSES OF ZONAL VALUATION.

3. ZONAL VALUES OF CONDOMINIUM UNIT/TOWNHOUSE:

IF THE TITLE OF A PARTICULAR CONDOMINIUM UNIT/TOWNHOUSE IS -

a.) A CONDOMINIUM CERTIFICATE OF TITLE (CCT), THE ZONAL VALUE OF THE LAND AND THE IMPROVEMENTS SHALL BE TREATED AS ONE; OR

b.) A TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE (TCT), THE LAND AND IMPROVEMENT SHALL BE GIVEN SEPARATE VALUES, i.e. ZONAL VALUE/GROSS SELLING PRICE/FAIR MARKET VALUE PER LATEST TAX DECLARATION WHICHEVER IS HIGHER AND, IN THE ABSENCE OF ZONAL VALUATION, PROPERTY SHALL BE VALUED PURSUANT TO RAMO 2-91. THE GROUND FLOOR OF THE RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM SHALL BE CLASSIFIED AS COMMERCIAL AND TWENTY PERCENT (20%) OF THE ESTABLISHED VALUE SHALL BE ADDED THERETO.

4. AREAS FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT(APD).

THESE ARE AREAS IDENTIFIED AS AREAS FOR PRIORITY DEVELOPMENT CERTIFIED TO AS SUCH BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (DHSUD). IF IT IS UTILIZED FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING, IT SHALL BE CERTIFIED TO AS SUCH BY THE PROPER GOVERNMENT AGENCY SUCH AS, PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION ON URBAN POOR (PCUP), NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY (NHA), ETC. SECOND SALE OF LOT IDENTIFIED AS LOCATED IN THE APD SHALL NO LONGER BE VALUED AS AN APD AND SHALL BE TREATED AS AN ORDINARY REAL PROPERTY.

5. DIVISION OF A BARANGAY IN THE EVENT THAT AN EXISTING BARANGAY IS DIVIDED INTO TWO OR MORE BARANGAYS, THE ZONAL VALUE PRESCRIBED FOR THE EXISTING BARANGAY SHALL BE USED FOR THE NEWLY CREATED BARANGAY

6. PARKING SLOT (PS) IF NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED FOR PARKING SLOTS, THE VALUE SHOULD BE 60% OF THE AMOUNT OF THE UNIT SOLD

7. INSTITUTION (X) THESE ARE AREAS FOR SCHOOL, HOSPITAL AND CHURCHES. IF NO ZONAL VALUE HAS BEEN PRESCRIBED, THE COMMERCIAL VALUE OF THE PROPERTY NEAREST TO THE INSTITUTION, WITHIN THE SAME BARANGAY AND STREET SHALL BE USED

8. ZONAL VALUE OR FMV ESTABLISHED IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF ASSESSORS. THE ZONAL VALUES ESTABLISHED HEREIN SHALL APPLY IN COMPUTING ALL INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES (i.e. CAPITAL GAINS, CREDITABLE WITHHOLDING, ESTATE, DONOR’S AND DOCUMENTARY STAMP TAXES) DUE ON SALES, EXCHANGES, OR OTHER DISPOSITIONS OF REAL PROPERTY. PROVIDED , THAT THE SAME IS HIGHER THAN (1) THE FAIR MARKET VALUES AS SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF THE PROVINCIAL AND CITY ASSESSORS (i.e. LATEST TAX DECLARATION) AND (2) THE GROSS SELLING PRICE AS SHOWN IN THE DULY NOTARIZED DOCUMENT OF SALE OR EXCHANGE AT THE TIME OF SALE OR EXCHANGE. PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT THE VALUE OF PROPERTY TO BE USED IN COMPUTING ESTATE AND DONOR’S TAXES SHALL BE (1) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE AS DETERMINED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF INTERNAL REVENUE (i.e. ZONAL VALUES) OR (2.) THE FAIR MARKET VALUE AS SHOWN IN THE SCHEDULE OF VALUES OF THE PROVINCIAL/CITY/ MUNICIPAL ASSESSOR, WHICHEVER IS HIGHER.

Mimosa Plus adds spice to PH Golf Tour, ladies golf test

THE Philippine Golf Tour and the Ladies PGT wrap up their 10-leg course-hopping season fittingly on a layout that favors no particular player as the Mimosa Plus Golf Course hosts the country’s premier circuit for the very first time for the ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship on Sept. 26-29 at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. could not have picked a better venue to mark a successful first full season in post-pandemic than Mimosa Plus, whose sprawling complex boasts of two championship courses, including the scenic Acacia Lakeview which will stage the upcoming two events featuring the country’s top pros and leading amateurs.

Now under the supervision of Filinvest Development Corp., Mimosa Plus, which also features the Mountain View course, can be as tough as any of the country’s top championship layouts for its sheer length but its undulating terrain, menacing bunkers and sloping greens are expected to add up to the challenge, thus making it an anybody’s race, particularly in the presence of the wind.

Lady Blazers take Game 1 of semis war with UE belles

COLLEGE of Saint Benilde flexed its defensive muscle to repel University of the East, 25-22, 25-13, 25-12, for the big head-start in their bestof-three semifinal series in the V-League Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena in Manila on Wednesday.

The Lady Blazers used a crippling 8-0 closing run to dispatch the Lady Warriors, spiked by a three straight-hit from Zam Nolasco, including back-to-back kill blocks.

“’Yung consistency and less errors lang talaga ‘yung nangyari in this game,” said CSB coach Jay Chua. “Sana gumana ‘yung blocking namin sa Game 2.”

Nolasco finished with six blocks to go with six attacks, while Jade Gentapa paced CSB with 15 markers on 12 attacks, two of which helped anchor their strong finishing kick. CSB, which struggled past the UE side, 2325, 25-22, 29-27, 25-18, in the elims last Sept. 10, held the league’s top gun, Caseiy Dongallo to nine points with Khy Cepeda and Riza Nogales dishing out six markers apiece for the Recto-based squad.

PH set to face New Zealand again in FIBA qualifying tilt

By Randy Caluag

THE Philippines will be paired against New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, and Hong Kong in Group B of the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.

Gilas legend Gabe Norwood and Iran’s cage icon Hamed Haddadi were special guests when the FIBA Asia Cup came up with the drawing of lots for the first window set to start on Feb. 22 next year.

Haddadi and Norwood reminisced about their heydays on the FIBA floor, especially in the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup when Iran beat the Philippines in the final at the Mall of Asia.

The old qualifiers’ format will again be followed as the 24 teams will be divided into six groups of four.

Each team plays the other three teams on a home-and-away basis over three windows, with two games per window.

The top two teams from each group will qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup 2025, making a total of 12 teams.

The six 3rd-place teams from each group will

be given another opportunity as they play in a final qualifying tournament.

The top 4 teams from this tilt will qualify for the quadrennial continental event.

With the newest development at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, however, it remains to be seen if Team Philippines will carry the Gilas Pilipinas brand. And other important questions that are yet to be answered.

Who will be the coach and team management? What will be the PBA’s extent of support? The Philippines had just hosted the FIBA World Cup topped by Germany and currently, Asian nations are again up for battle for supremacy in the coming basketball competition in the Hangzhou Asiad starting Sept. 23.

Marcial takes on bigger challenge in Asian Games

By Peter Atencio

FILIPINO boxer Eumir Marcial will have a new challenge in the coming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Fighting in a higher weight class will be Marcial’s new mission, and he is now making the necessary adjustments to make it possible for him to earn a gold medal, or a decent podium finish.

“Wala na akong problema dito. Last month pa kasi ako naghanda sa US,” said Marcial in an interview with the

Manila Standard during a sendoff for the Philippine delegation last Monday.

The gold-medal winners in boxing will get slots in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

From 75 kgs, Marcial is set to go into action in the 80-kg category this time.

The 27-year-old Marcial said the experience he gained from his sparring sessions while in the US and the training he had during the boxing camp of the na -

tional team in Australia got him ready.

The national boxing team held a training camp for two weeks in Canberra.

Marcial has also taken a break from his professional obligations to focus on the Asiad.

He has won his four pro fights, the last of which was when he turned back Ricardo Villalba of Argentina via a second-round knockout.

There was a scheduled pro fight last August, but Marcial’s camp sought for a new schedule.

PLDT, Smart support PH athletes in coming Asiad

FRESH from the successful hosting of FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 and as a staunch supporter of sports development in the Philippines, PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are rooting for the Filipino athletes who are competing in the 19th Asian Games happening in Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8, 2023.

“We are one with the nation in supporting our national athletes as they represent the country in this international event. They inspire generations of Filipinos by serving the country through sports. We are eager to see our athletes shine as we witness their hard work and discipline bear fruit in this competition,” said Jude H. Turcuato, Head of Sports at PLDT and Smart, and Executive Director at MVP Sports Foundation (MVPSF). Sports initiatives of PLDT, Smart,

and other companies chaired by business leader and PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan are centralized under MVPSF. From basketball to badminton, gymnastics, weightlifting, esports and many others, the organization has been empowering 17 National Sports Agencies, backing hundreds of athletes, and contributing to nation-building through sports advocacy since 2011. Through MVPSF, PLDT and Smart have also built several sports centers for training of Filipino athletes, particularly in gymnastics, badminton, and boxing. Smart has also been a sponsor of the Philippine Esports Organization (PESO), the national sports agency behind esports and SIBOL, since its establishment. The telco has also been a key figure in the development of the esports community in the country – from national athletes, professional and casual gamers, stakeholders, and fans.

Team Pilipinas is set to field its delegation to the Asian Games, led by flag bearers Olympians EJ Obiena (Pole Vault) and Margielyn Didal (Skateboarding), Hidilyn Diaz (Weightlifting), Carlo Paalam, Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio, Irish Magno (Boxing),

Filipinas (Women’s Football), SIBOL (Esports), and Gilas Pilipinas Men’s and Women’s teams (Basketball), along with other notable Filipino athletes who are set to compete in their respective sporting events. Fans can support the national team by downloading and watching the games live via the Smart LiveStream App.

Subscribers will only need to enter a valid Smart Prepaid or Postpaid or TNT mobile number to enjoy the service for free – no monthly subscription required. Upon registration, users will promptly receive an OTP code via SMS, which can be used to start enjoying the features of Smart LiveStream App on their smartphones. To enjoy the best experience watching the Asian Games online, customers can make the switch to Smart without changing their number via Mobile Number Portability. To switch to Smart, subscribers can visit x.smart/

switch, head to the nearest Smart Store, or log in to the Smart App.

For a much more immersive viewing experience, Smart users may also stream the Asian Games on their Google-certified Android TV on Android 8.0 version by downloading the Smart LiveStream TV app from the Android TV Google Play Store and linking their Android TV to the Smart LiveStream Mobile App. To do this, subscribers simply have to open the Smart LiveStream Mobile App, go to Menu, click Link Device, and enable the camera to scan the QR code displayed on the Android TV. Alternatively, Android TV users may go to smart.com.ph/livestream to sign into their account, then go to Menu, click Device Management to add their Android TV by entering the code displayed on the TV and activate their Smart LiveStream TV App.

The St. Benilde Lady Blazers celebrate after scoring a poinst against the UE Lady Warriors.

Gabe Norwood (FIBA)

Eumir Marcial

Virtual reality meets real world in Japanese horror ‘Immersion’

By Angelica Villanueva

TAKESHI Shimizu, the director behind the Japanese horror classic Ju-On: The Grudge, returns with a new spine-tingling film. This time, he explores a remote island cursed for centuries, where the boundaries between reality and the virtual world will blur in terrifying ways.

Entitled Immersion, the film stars one of Japan’s biggest stars, Daigo Nishihata, of the boy idol group

Naniwa Danshi Daigo portrays the role of Tomohiko

Kataoka, a genius brain scientist who is invited to Abominable Island by the chief of a virtual reality research team to enhance a virtual space project of the entire island.

Like many islands in Japan, Abominable is home to shamans, legends, and superstitions abound. One such legend is that of the “Imajo”, referring to a brutally murdered young woman who comes back as a vengeful spirit.

As Tomohiko gets on with business and puts on the VR goggles, darkness envelopes him in the virtual world, and an unidentifiable woman appears.

A soulful anthem of self-love

SINGER-SONGWRITER Moira

dela Torre made a stunning entrance at her latest event, captivating everyone with her presence. Draped in a sultry red dress, Moira’s appearance was far from ordinary.

But the 29-year-old recording star wasn’t merely there to bask in the spotlight, surrounded by cameras and flashing lights. Her purpose was to introduce her latest single, ‘Maria Clara,’ and cement her role as the ambassador for Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc.’s Maria Clara Virgin and its recently introduced non-alcoholic version.

According to Moira, ‘Maria Clara’ isn’t just a song; it’s a narrative that breathes life into the brand. She personified Maria Clara as a reliable companion, someone who stands by your side through every season of life.

“It essentially serves as a dependable friend throughout every season. Thus, ‘Maria Clara’ serves as a reflection of your past, your future, and your identity as a woman,” the singer-songwriter said.

“’Maria Clara,’ the song, is now available on Spotify, and this catchy tune is also the jingle for her new endorsement.

At the media launch held at Luxent Hotel on September 14, Moira couldn’t help but chuckle at the comments she received since the topic was about alcohol. Some thought she sounded a bit tipsy when singing the jingle. With a light-hearted smile, she assured everyone that she wasn’t drunk; that’s just her natural way of speaking.

“No, they think I’m always drunk. But I want to tell you that this is just how I speak,” Moira quipped. “When I was born, this is how I am. Even when I cry, I’m also like this. I’m sorry. Maybe my mother drank too much alcohol, that’s why when I came out, I’m like this.”

Beyond the humor, Moira is keen to emphasize the positive impact of “Maria Clara,” the drink, on people’s lives. She believes that this drink has functioned as a true friend, alleviating loneliness, aiding in coping with life’s challenges, and adding to celebratory moments. Before delivering a soulful performance that would resonate with her audience, Moira took a moment to discuss how the project materialized.

“When they approached me, I initially thought they wanted a different jingle. But after revisiting the campaign brief, I realized it was quite different from what I had in mind,” Moira noted.

“So, I created music to accompany the endorsement, offering relaxation and reassurance that you’re not alone. That’s how the ‘Maria Clara’ project came together,” she went on.

Asked about her personal life and how she’s been doing as a single woman, she said that she’s in a better place.

“I was taking my time, taking it one day at a time. I think it’s knowing how to acknowledge my weaknesses as well as my strengths, acknowledging what was good for me and what was bad, and knowing what to walk away from. And so... ang saya. That’s how I took care of myself,” Moira shared, leaving us with not only her melodious tunes but also her genuine insights into life and self-care.”

Suddenly, employees of the VR company who have traveled to work on the island project all turn up dead. All died the same way on the same day at the same time but at different places.

Two worlds—one real and the other, not, begin to intersect. Tomohiko begins to unravel the mystery between the virtual space and Imajo.

Daigo is joined by Mizuki Yamamoto and Rina Ikoma

Based on a secret local superstition of Amami Oshima island in Japan, Immersion is now showing in Philippine cinemas.

‘Nun’ sequel narrowly outscares ‘Haunting’ in theaters

WARNER Bros. thriller The Nun II kept a narrow lead on a mostly spiritless North American weekend with an estimated take of $14.7 million, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

This ninth chapter in The Conjuring series, a gothic tale of spiritual possessions featuring a demonic, red-eyed goat, stars Taissa Farmiga, Belgian actor Jonas Bloquet, and Storm Reid 20th Century’s A Haunting in Venice the latest Kenneth Branagh take on an Agatha Christie mystery, had an estimated $14.5 million in ticket sales. (Since it trailed Nun by only $200,000, the ultimate weekend winner may be decided only on Monday.)

With Branagh both directing and making his latest big-moustached role as Belgian flatfoot Hercules Poirot, the movie took in an estimated $14.5 million for the Fridaythrough-Sunday period.

The film has a skeptical Poirot being lured out of retirement to attend a seance where –not-much-of-a-spoiler alert – someone is murdered. Tina Fey and Michelle Yeoh also star.

The weekend’s third top moneymaker, at $7.2 million, was Sony’s The Equalizer 3 starring Denzel Washington in his latest portrayal of a retired US Marine and drugenforcement agent taking on an endless stream of bad guys.

In fourth spot was another sequel, My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, from Focus Features and Universal Pictures. It earned an estimated $4.7 million. Nia Vardalos, again playing the central character, directs.

And heroically hanging on in fifth spot in its ninth weekend out was Warner Bros.’ Barbie. The Greta Gerwig film had ticket sales of $3.9 million. AFP

Midnasty, Cookie$ collab single kicks off Spotify’s ‘Kalye X’ campaign

THE guys of Dumaguete-based rap trio Midnasty are at it again. Enlisting fellow Visayan rapper Cookie$, Midnasty is back with their collab single “Wa Na Wa”, released under Warner Music Philippines.

The track kick-starts Spotify’s “Kalye X” campaign, the streaming platform’s firstof-its-kind initiative that aims to showcase the depth of Pinoy hip-hop culture and allow a pair of emerging and established rappers from the three major islands of the Philippines to make music together.

Each Spotify single, starting with Midnasty’s “Wa Na Wa”, will be released from August to October. The spirited tandem of Midnasty and Cookie$ presents their song as an ode to the prolific Bisaya Rap scene.

Talking about the track, “’Wa Na Wa’, which means ‘di mawala / di nawawala’ in

Tagalog, is a song that celebrates the small and big wins – and ultimately enduring the process of one’s life journey triumphantly,” Midnasty explained.

“Working on ‘Wa Na Wa,’ we felt like the project was a breath of fresh air with its sound and message. The process of crafting this song was ignited by the concept of celebrating all the little and big wins we’ve experienced over the years. We were given three choices of artists to work with, and we chose Cookie$ because we think his energy is perfect for the track.”

Cookie$ first met Nik Kho of Midnasty in December 2019 at a common friend’s house where they instantly connected over their shared passion for music. When the pandemic hit, there were a lot of message exchanges, and Cookie$ who was in Atlanta at that time virtually wrote a track with Nik

called “Aygpadool” together with Ark Kho and Hero Tunguia. “Wa Na Wa” is their first face-to-face collaboration where the trio of Midnasty is complete.

Midnasty is an established name in the hip-hop scene that took more than 20 years to build. The rap trio was founded in 2001 by twins Fry and Murray Kho, and the goal was to put Dumaguete City and Visayan culture on everybody’s radar.

Job Mari Penalosa, also known as Cookie$, has been steadily building his own music catalog. He began his musical journey in high school as the drummer of a youth organization and Cebuano bands, Drop Decay and Shuffled. He then moved to Atlanta in 2013 where he got immersed in the international rap scene. Cookie$ then flew back to the Philippines to carve his name in the Filipino hip-hop industry.

Daigo Nishihata is Tomohiko Kataoka in the horror film ‘Immersion’

‘Immersion’ is helmed by Takeshi Shimizu, the man behind the Japanese classic horror film, ‘Ju-On: The Grudge’

OPM singer-songwriter Moira dela Torre

Allow food to bring out the beauty in you

being underweight. They believe that gaining even just to attain their ideal body would make them look ugly. Their obsession to remain thin resorts to fasting, excessive workouts, and taking laxatives or diuretics. Their mindset tells them that “slim is in”.

2. Bulimia Nervosa Believe it or not, you may not distinguish the looks of the one having this disorder. They look like anyone with just a regular physique. Similar to anorexia, they also have the fear of gaining weight but because of their uncontrollable appetite, they will definitely give in to their cravings.  But on one condition: they have to get rid of those calories through forced vomiting, purging, and excessive exercise.

3. Binge-eating Disorder

Better sleep, one night at a time

SAMSUNG has kicked off its  collaboration with Emma Sleep to help more Filipinos unlock the transformative power that a good night’s sleep can bring.

feature that will guide users to build better sleeping habits, with tailored instructions, tips, and reminders accessible on both their wrist and paired smartphone.

By Athena Trifonia Rueda-Tiglao, RND, MAEd

body comes with a healthy state of mind. The power of the brain depends on the kind and amount of food we take in daily. Ultimately, how we look at it will vary based on our psychological state of mind.

One of my favorite topics on weight management for discussion is Eating Disorders Due to Psychological Problems. Let me share my insights on three types of these eating disorders.

The issues may have started during puberty when one undergoes body changes. Some have good body shapes while others do not due to various physiological factors.

As we age, we become more conscious of our looks and physique. Peer pressure is one of the most common reasons to strive for a better appearance. Several have just gone through relationship break-ups, matrimonial divorces, or even the death of their loved ones. These conditions are experienced as we mature, leading to anxiety and depression. The hypothalamus, which controls the hormones, becomes greatly affected.

This results in the following eating disorders:

People with binge-eating disorder choose not to eat a large amount of food but feel unable to stop eating anytime, anywhere

A lot of people unconsciously do this whenever they eat. They have the mentality not to eat in bulk because it will make them gain weight. Instead, they will just eat finger foods or small snacks as often as they like anytime and anywhere – while watching TV, doing their homework, or just merely chatting with their friends. All three disorders call for diet counseling and psychotherapy. Medical and nutritional treatment might be of great help, too. But the best would be to extend a caring heart which will make them feel they belong and are loved. Serve them with appetizing meals that will brighten up their days. Be a support system that shares about having a positive perception in life. A variety of healthy food choices will certainly nourish their brains with hearty meals and beautiful thoughts. Remember the saying:  You  are what you eat. Stay fit  and healthy.

Athena Trifonia Rueda-Tiglao is a registered nutritionist-dietitian. She is a culinary nutritionist and associate professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM) of the De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde Manila (DLS-CSB). She specialized in the Weight Management Program in Slimmers’ World International as a Nutrition Consultant and has worked at Mead Johnson Philippines as a Nutrition Specialist. She likewise served as a board member of the Philippine Society of Nutritionists-Dietitians.

Samsung recently launched the new Galaxy Watch6, which comes with a variety of sleep monitoring and sleep coaching features. As the world’s leading direct-to-consumer sleep brand, Emma Sleep has continuously used extensive sleep research and German engineering to create mattresses like the Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress to help people awaken their best.

The Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress and the Samsung Galaxy Watch6 aim to encourage healthy sleep patterns that will enhance one’s everyday life and promote holistic wellness. At the core of this collaboration is the promise of helping Filipinos to unlock their best selves as a great night of sleep can make your waking life more joyful and productive.

The Galaxy Watch6 comes with enhanced sleep monitoring features and provides an in-depth Sleep Score for users to fully understand their sleep patterns as the feature monitors activities such as total sleep time, sleep cycle, and time awake.

The Galaxy Watch6 also offers Sleep

Consistency showing how consistent the user’s sleep and wake times are, and a designated Sleep Animal Symbol representing their sleep type. This is enhanced by the Sleep Coaching

Meanwhile, the Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress comes with a revolutionary Diamond Degree cooling technology, with foam that uses graphite particles to dissipate excess heat and motion isolation technology so users can reach ideal sleeping temperature in record time.

This mattress also has your back – literally – as it comes with dynamic support that molds perfectly to the user’s body with memory foam and seven-zone springs for a luxurious night’s sleep.

“At Samsung, the aim is to help make the lives of our users better, and promoting overall wellness is definitely  part of that. We believe that quality sleep is a key to overall wellness and we are excited to collaborate with partners and experts in the field who share the same  philosophy of helping everyone sleep better,” shared Blue Avelino, Head of Mobile Experience for Samsung Electronics Philippines. “With the Galaxy Watch6 and the Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress, more Filipinos can experience great quality sleep through comfort and innovation.”

For more information about the Samsung X Emma The Sleep Company collaboration, follow the Samsung Philippines Facebook page or visit www. samsung.com/galaxy.

Championing reproductive health and modern contraception awareness

DESPITE a decline in adolescent pregnancies in the Philippines, live births among girls aged 10 to 14 have increased in 2020 and 2021, with 17 percent being repeat pregnancies.

Limited access to reproductive health information and services is a contributing factor. This underscores the importance of promoting youth reproductive rights and informed decisionmaking, aligning with the ‘Your Life Your Choice’ theme for this year’s World Contraception Day, endorsed by numerous international organizations dedicated to advancing global youth sexual and reproductive health and rights.

“We’ve had a lot of progress over the years in increasing access to modern contraception,” says Angel-Michael Evangelista, Managing Director and Country Division Head of Pharmaceuticals, Bayer Philippines. “But we still need to continue providing young people with access to accurate, expert information on reproductive health and contraception.”

“CPD recognizes and upholds the inherent rights of every Filipino to make informed decisions with regard to family planning and contraception. This year’s WCD themes of ‘Your Life, Your Choice’ and locally: ‘Usap Tayo sa Family Planning,’ capture the essence of exercising those rights, which aim to ultimately benefit Filipino women and young girls into enjoying their full potential and capacities as contributors to the country’s human capital development,” emphasized Executive Director Dr. Lisa Grace S. Bersales, Ph.D., who likewise serves as country’s undersecretary for Population and Development (CPD).

Bersales stressed the importance of partnerships with allies like Bayer Philippines, the FORUM, and like-minded groups to support Filipino family planning and contraception rights.

“Alongside reproductive health rights and choices, the young people remain to be an area

of concern, we need to note that all adolescent pregnancies are high risk for complications and even dying,” said Dr. Corazon Raymundo the FORUM President. In the past seven years, while working with

different organizations, Bayer and CPD included, The Forum has been actively engaging with the education and health sectors to advance adolescent reproductive health and support the implementation of comprehensive sexuality education.

“Young people are an essential component of a sustainable future. However, without the necessary knowledge and the accompanying tools and services, their path toward a  healthy and fulfilled life can be hindered. We believe that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that young people have the means to exercise their rights and contribute to society on their own terms”, Dr. Raymundo added. Reducing the number of women who find themselves in this situation correlates with

elevating economic growth, socio-economic development, and promoting public health. It has therefore never been more important to enable women in LMICs to make informed contraceptive choices, by providing more development opportunities and aid schemes that can foster access to contraception.

Complementing the upcoming World Contraception Day, Bayer also launched Bayer For Her: Conversations of Care in the Philippines on August 30, opening an initial series of free pop-up consultation clinics over the next two months at selected partner drug stores to encourage more women to seek out expert advice on reproductive health. These pop-up clinics aim to help create safe spaces for women to speak up and normalize conversations about their reproductive health concerns, address common misconceptions and the barriers to why they do not consult with their doctors, and get the support they need.

Six medical reasons why you fainted

IN CLASSIC Hollywood films, fainting is usually portrayed with dramatic flair. Overcome with shock, an actress will put the

back of her hand to her forehead and fall limply into the arms of her leading man.

In real life, however, shock and stress aren’t the only triggers of fainting, or vasovagal syncope (pronounced vay-zho-vaygul sing-kuh-pee). While it is true that

extreme pain, intense emotion, the sight of blood, or even straining yourself during a bowel movement are common triggers of vasovagal syncope, fainting could also be caused by an underlying medical condition,” says Valerie Zarza-Geron, MD, from the Section of Cardiology of the top hospital in the Philippines, Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed). “Fainting per se is harmless and doesn’t require medical treatment. It becomes a cause for concern when it happens with no trigger, or when you faint often.”

Fainting happens when you are either seated or standing, explains Dr. Zarza-Geron. In these positions, blood pools in your legs lowering the blood going to the heart and lowering your blood pressure, thus reducing blood flow and oxygen to your brain. This makes you lose consciousness temporarily. Lightheadedness, pale skin, tunnel vision, nausea, clamminess, and blurred vision are other signs that you are about to pass out.

So why exactly do we faint? MakatiMed cites six reasons: You’re dehydrated. When you don’t drink enough water on a particularly hot day or during a rigorous workout, your blood pressure drops, and you could lose consciousness.

You’ve drunk too much alcohol. Someone who passes out from too much alcohol is experiencing what is known as alcohol poisoning.

Your blood sugar is low. Attention, diabetics: “Hypoglycemia can make you pass out. But it is easily addressed with sips of fruit juice or by sucking on a piece of candy,” states Dr. Zarza-Geron. You’re taking certain medications. From hypertension drugs to antidepressants, diuretics, and insulin, prescription medication can cause you to lose consciousness momentarily.

You’re having a seizure. Seizures are due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain, leading you to experience uncontrollable shaking,

convulsions, and temporary unconsciousness. You have a heart condition. Bradycardia (slow heart rate), tachycardia (fast heart rate), and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) can cause you to faint, as can an enlarged heart, a weak heart, or a disorder of your heart’s aortic valve. “Fainting can happen to anyone at any time,” declares Dr. Zarza-Geron. “If you feel you are about to faint, sit or lie down and elevate your legs to let the blood flow to your brain. If you can’t lie down, sit and put your head between your legs. When you feel better, drink some water, eat something, and make sure to get fresh air. If you think your fainting is caused by an underlying issue or if you frequently pass out without triggers, seek medical help as soon as possible.”

For more information, contact the Section of Cardiology through MakatiMed On-Call at +632.88888 999, email mmc@makatimed.net. ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph. Follow @ IamMakatiMed on Facebook and Twitter.

Commission on Population Development and Bayer sign MOU for World Contraception Day 2023

Emma Diamond Hybrid Mattress features a revolutionary Diamond Degree cooling technology

Samsung Galaxy Watch6 boasts the Sleep Consistency feature showing how consistent the user’s sleep and wake times are

AHEALTHY

The expert says that as people age, they become more conscious about their looks and physique