Manila Standard - 2023 September 30 - Saturday

‘China spending billions to spread disinformation’

WASHINGTON—China is spending billions of dollars globally to spread disinformation and threatening to cause a "sharp contraction" in freedom of speech around the world, warned a US State Department report published Thursday.

China's "global information manipulation is not simply a matter of public diplomacy—but a challenge to the integrity of the global information space," the report said.

"Unchecked, Beijing's efforts could

PH not backing down over maritime rights

Marcos vows to defend fishing areas for Pinoys

By Charles Dantes, Rey E. Requejo, Maricel V. Cruz, and Vince Lopez

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Friday said the government will not back down and will continue to defend the country’s maritime territory and the rights of Filipino fisherfolk.

“These are operational issues that I really cannot talk about. But in terms of taking down the barrier, I don’t see what else we could do because [it involved] our fishermen," said Mr. Marcos, speaking to journalists in Siargao. The President said the Philippines was not looking to provoke anything in the area, but he said his administration will continue to defend the country's sovereign rights.

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FIGHTING HUNGER. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. speaks at the launch of the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program (FSP) on Friday in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte, where he handed out rice sacks and electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards worth P3,000 to local beneficiaries (inset).

Joey Razon

PBBM orders collection of unauthorized ‘pass-through fees’ suspended

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the unauthorized collection of "pass-through fees" on vehicles transporting goods, Malacañang said on Friday.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin

program to fight drugs needed’

By Joel E. Zurbano and Maricel V. Cruz

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said a whole-of-nation approach is

All regions to see wage hikes before year ends—DOLE

By Vito Barcelo

ALL regions will see an increase in daily minimum wages before the year ends, the Department of Labor and Employment said Friday.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said the increases are being carefully reviewed and considered by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards (RTWPBs).

signed Executive Order No. 41 which prohibited all local government units (LGUs) from charging fees on vehicles transporting goods through any national roads and other roads not constructed and funded by them.

“In the interest of public welfare, all LGUs are further strongly urged to sus-

pend or discontinue the collection of fees such as, but not limited to, sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees, or Mayor’s Permit fees, that are imposed upon all motor vehicles transporting goods and passing through any local public roads constructed and funded by said LGUs,” the EO read.

"In order to uphold the welfare and advance the best interest of the Filipino people, it is the overarching policy of the administration to consolidate all essential components within the value and supply chain, and reduce the costs of food logistics, which play a pivotal role in

‘No Hunger’ push starts in Siargao

By Charles Dantes and Rey E. Requejo

THE government officially kicked off its Food Stamp Program (FSP) on Friday as part of its “No Hunger” campaign, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. distributing electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to beneficiaries in Siargao Island.

“We are pushing the Food Stamps Program to ensure that the beneficiaries are not only well-fed, but also healthy, energetic, and strong enough to carry out their daily activities,” the President said in Filipino. “That's why I am happy that we are able to officially start the Food Stamp Program here in CARAGA.”

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NOT CHIPS OR COOKIES. Authorities display potato chip and cookie cans that contain packs of cocaine, part of a stash of 14.36 kilos of the illegal narcotic worth P76.1 million, seized from two Singaporeans who arrived from Doha, Qatar at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE website and member's portal of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) went back online yesterday after eight days of being offline after a ransomware attack. Philhealth's e-Claims system also re-

sumed online operations yesterday. The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) earlier advised Philhealth to shut down its public-facing application systems to isolate key services and ensure

will

‘Whole-of-nation

This is after he ordered the removal of the floating barrier that China set up in the West

Philippine Sea to block local fishermen from entering Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal.

Pinoys dissatisfied with K-12 tack

By Vito Barcelo

AT LEAST half of Filipinos are dissatisfied with the K to 12 basic education program, while 89 percent prefer the previous June-to-March academic calendar, a survey by the Social Weather Station (SWS) said.

The 50% rate was a combination of respondents who said they were “very dissatisfied” and “somewhat dissatisfied” at 37% and 13%, respectively, the

PH...

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“We are not looking for trouble [but]… we will continue to defend the Philippines, the maritime territory of the Philippines, and the rights of our fishermen to fish in the areas where they have been fishing for hundreds of years,” he said.

Once the barrier was removed, Filipino fishermen reeled in 164 tons of fish on their first day, he said.

“That is what our fishermen are missing. So it is not possible to put up such a barrier and it is clear that it is within the Philippines' territory,” the President added.

On Monday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced the removal of the barrier near the entrance of the Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Panatag or Scarborough Shoal.

The 300-meter barrier was set up by Chinese boats to block Filipino fishermen going into Bajo de Masinloc.

Meanwhile, officials of the Biden administration have told lawmakers in the US House of Representatives that Washington is ready to back the Philippines in case its assets, including those of the Philippine Coast Guard, are attacked in the South China Sea.

Appearing before the congressional hearing of the US House of Representatives

‘China...

From A1 result in a future in which technology exported by the PRC (People's Republic of China), co-opted local governments, and fear of Beijing's direct retaliation produce a sharp contraction of global freedom of expression."

The report, released by the State Department's Global Engagement Center, said Beijing spends billions of dollars annually on "foreign information manipulation" through the use of propaganda, disinformation and censorship, while promoting positive news about

PBBM...

From A1 effectively tempering the inflation rate in the country,” it added.

The EO covers sticker fees, discharging fees, delivery fees, market fees, toll fees, entry fees, and Mayor's Permit fees.

According to EO 41, reducing transport and logistics costs is one of the pillars of the Marcos administration’s eightpoint socioeconomic agenda.

The EO said the unauthorized impo-

All...

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“From what I see on the direction of their process, maybe all regions will have minimum wage adjustments before the year ends,” he said.

Laguesma said the wage boards are conducting public hearings in three regions, which will be followed by wage deliberations and the issuance of wage orders.

Recently, the National Capital Region wage board granted a P40 increase for minimum workers in Metro Manila.

This brought the daily minimum wage in the region from P57 to P610 for the nonagriculture sector and from P533 to P573 for the agriculture sector, service and retail establishments employing 15 or less workers, and manufacturing establishments reg-

‘Whole-of-nation...

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“This also entails the cooperation of the government and private sector through early intervention and education in schools, awareness campaigns, and community-based solutions and initiatives,” he said.

The DOH-Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, which is part of the anti-drugs effort, continues to be a vital component of the program, the President said.

“Amid the harsh realities of drug abuse, this treatment center remains a sanctuary where individuals can find healing, compassion, and recovery,” he said.

“In our pursuit of helping individuals

on Friday, US Defense Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary Lindsey Ford said Washington will certainly invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty with Manila in the event of armed attacks against Philippine assets is amid China’s continued aggression in the disputed waters, including the incidents of laser pointing and water cannon attacks against Philippine personnel.

"The [Defense] department has been incredibly clear when it comes to our treaty commitments to the Philippines," Ford told members of the House of Representatives sub-committee on Indo-Pacific of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Rep. Yong Kim of California.

"We have said repeatedly and will continue to say that we stand by those commitments," Ford said.

Ford's assurance came as Kim raised others' criticisms of the US commitment to the Philippines.

"Is the US prepared to back up its Mutual Defense Treaty with military force? And what message would it send to other countries in the region if the US doesn't respond forcefully enough to an event that triggers that treaty?" Kim asked Ford.

To prove Washington’s commitment, Ford cited the "credibility" of its military partnership with Manila, which she said is "a bedrock part" of the US security in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

Apart from securing a foothold in the

China and its ruling Communist Party.

At the same time, it said, China suppresses critical information that contradicts its narratives on contentious issues such as Taiwan, human rights and its flagging domestic economy.

"When you look at the pieces of the puzzle and you put it together, you see a breathtaking ambition on the part of the PRC to seek information dominance in key regions of the world," James Rubin, GEC special envoy and coordinator, told reporters.

"If we don't allow this information manipulation to be stopped, there's going to be a slow, steady destruction of democratic values," he said. "We don't want to see an Orwellian mix of fact and

sition of toll fees has a "significant impact" on transportation and logistics costs which consumers often shoulder.

According to Malacañang, the EO will take effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation

Moreover, the Department of Interior and Local Government was tasked to secure copies of existing local ordinances on the collection of toll fees.

Various concerned government agencies were also directed to craft and issue guidelines for the implementation of the EO.

ularly employing less than 10 workers.

The National Wages and Productivity Commission also approved the wage increase orders submitted by the RTWPBs in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Soccsksargen.

The petitions were granted amid the continuing rise in the price of basic goods and commodities.

Meanwhile, the DOLE expressed full support to the recently-signed “Trabaho Para sa Bayan" Act, which aims to address labor market challenges through the creation of a master plan for employment generation and recovery.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the act into law on Thursday.

Laguesma expressed optimism that the initiative will further generate employment and livelihood opportunities for workers and their families.

rebuild their lives, we need a supportive environment, like what we have here, to facilitate our patients’ transformation,” he added.

He enjoined the public to be part of the efforts to fight the proliferation of illegal drugs in communities.

“Be vigilant, report drug-related activities, and support rehabilitation efforts,” he said.

“Together, we will be the champions of hope for those who are on the path to recovery so that they may contribute positively to society as well,” he added.

Also on Friday, Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio on Friday commended the Port of Subic and the Intelligence Group for the seizure of a P3.8 billion shipment of smuggled drugs from Thailand. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

SWS survey said. It also showed that only 39% of the 1,500 adult respondents said they were satisfied with the curriculum. The survey said only 16% were “very satisfied” and 23% “somewhat satisfied” with the basic education program. Nine percent of respondents said they were “undecided,” SWS added. Only 10% said they preferred the current September to June class sched -

Philippines through the nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the country, Ford said Washington is also helping an American company operating in Subic operate a shipyard it sees as a "critical strategic infrastructure."

"The fact that US companies are cooperating and helping to build jobs and make sure that that strategic area stays in friendly hands, I think, is incredibly important," Ford said.

US Coast Guard Pacific Area Commander Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson said the agency is responding to its Philippine counterpart's requests.

His remark came as Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr raised the Philippine Coast Guard's concern about the lack of available assets to defend itself.

"[With] the Philippine Coast Guard, we have our largest security sector assistance program with them. In fact, when you talk about assets, we, through the inter-agency partnerships, built an entire training center to help them with operations as well as maintenance of the vessels that they do have," Tiongson told US lawmakers.

“We have helped them grow their coast guard from 5,000 to their goal of about 35,000. They're still working on that, but they're well into that right now. And we have assigned a maritime adviser to them to help along that growth projection," he added.

fiction in our world."

The report said China's approach to information manipulation includes promoting "digital authoritarianism," exploiting international organizations and exercising control of Chinese-language media. Beijing, it added, had also acquired stakes in foreign media, sponsored online influencers and sought to co-opt foreign political elites and journalists.

In East Africa, for example, it alleged that China "paid for favorable coverage" in a local newspaper while concealing its sponsorship of content, and had sought to gain "significant control over Pakistani media."

These efforts could enable Beijing to "reshape the global information envi-

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The FSP is the flagship program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) that aims to alleviate hunger in the country through the accessibility of nutritious food for the poor. Under the program, beneficiaries will receive cash-based assistance in the form of EBT cards, which will receive P3,000 worth of monthly aid that can be used to buy food supplies. The government started the program's pilot run in Tondo, Manila in July, where 50 families were selected as beneficiaries.

Mr. Marcos reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring the FSP will be "anomaly-free," asking various agencies to implement the program properly.

The President also thanked international partners for making the project possible as part of the government's continuing engagement with private stakeholders to create programs to aid Filipinos.

“Rest assured that your investments in the Filipino people will bring about the progress and prosperity that we all aspire for,” Mr. Marcos said.

“With your support, I am certain that we can empower even more disadvantaged Filipinos to rise up and make a dif-

PhilHealth...

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It also assured the public that its databases are intact, safe and secure.

"Members are assured that their benefit entitlement will not be hampered due to this incident. Interim arrangements while systems are offline have been instituted to ensure that members continually avail of their PhilHealth benefits anytime and anywhere in the country," it said.

"PhilHealth continues to work closely with the DICT and National Privacy Commission (NPC) to address the situation. It also coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) toward this end."

PhilHealth also appealed to the public to refrain from concocting false and misleading information to avoid creating panic and distrust among members and

ule, while 1% said they had no specific preference.

The survey was conducted through face-to-face interviews from June 28 to July 1 nationwide.

The Department of Education earlier said it was studying calls to bring back the June to March academic calendar, which several groups sought due to the harsh heat in classrooms during the dry season. The review for the Grade 11 to 12 curriculum is still pending.

The State Department's Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Jung Pak also said the State Department is coordinating with allied countries in the region to address the PCG's concern.

"Part of the State Department's goals there is to make sure that we're consulting frequently and in-depth to talk about exactly what the Philippines needs," Pak said.

In other developments:

• House Deputy Minority leader France Castro on Friday denounced the Chinese Foreign Ministry for accusing the Philippines of intruding in Scarborough Shoal "without their permission,” saying it was China that was intruding on Filipino territory. Castro emphasized that China should recognize the reality that other countries exist in Asia and have their own territories. "China should wake up from its delusion and face reality. The Philippines has every right to protect its territorial integrity and ensure the welfare of its people. China has no right to dictate our actions within our own territory," she added.

• A group of fishermen asked the government for equipment and security so that they can assist the government in documenting the aggressive behavior of the Chinese in the West Philippine Sea. The group, Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation held meetings with key government agencies to offer their help in documenting the movement of Chinese vessels in the waters of Bajo de Masinloc and other areas where China conducts illegal activities.

ronment," the report said.

The report accused China of exploiting social media site WeChat to disseminate disinformation targeting "Chinese-language speakers residing in democracies," and Chinese technology giant ByteDance, the owner of TikTok, of seeking to "block potential critics of Beijing from using its platforms."

There was no immediate response to the report from Beijing.

The report comes after Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday said China was seeking to surpass the United States as the "dominant power in the world -- militarily, economically, diplomatically." AFP

ferent course for their future – a future without hunger,” he added.

Asian Development Bank Country Director Pavit Ramachandran, French Ambassador to the Philippines Marie Fontanel, and United Nations Resident Coordinator for the Philippines Gustavo González were present during the distribution of the EBT Cards.

France has assured the Philippines that it will continue its cooperation to improve food security in the country.

While launching the DSWD’s Walang Gutom (No Hunger) program, Fontanel lauded the Philippines' effort to wage its battle against hunger.

"France stands shoulder to shoulder with the Philippines in a number of areas," Fontanel said.

"Here in Siargao, precisely, I cannot but think of the work we did together after typhoon Odette/Rai when the French authorities provided emergency aid so that life could quickly return to normal on this magnificent island," the French ambassador said.

Fontanel noted that Russia's invasion of Ukraine "profoundly destabilized commodity markets" that worsened people's situation, especially the most vulnerable. “So France expressed its willingness to work alongside the Philippines to improve food security,” she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

stakeholders.

"The entire state health insurance agency takes this incident seriously, seizing the opportunity that this incident brings to further strengthen its information security infrastructure in order to prevent this from happening again," PhilHealth said.

The DICT said the Medusa ransomware attacks began globally in 2019.

International syndicates usually acquire data from websites and encrypt them. For the data to be decrypted and used again, these groups demand a ransom payment from owners of compromised device/s.

"Once inside the network, the Medusa ransomware will then move laterally on the network to infect other machines via Server Message Block or by exploiting the Windows Management Instrumentation," the DICT said. (See full story online at manilastandard. net)

Mixed movement seen for prices of fuels next week

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OIL prices may have a mixed movement next week, with a possible rollback in gasoline of up to P1.90 per liter, while diesel prices may increase by up to P0.20 per liter or remain the same.

On the other hand, kerosene prices are also expected to go down by about P0.60 per liter.

This is based on the four-day trading of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS), the pricing benchmark used by oil importers.

"We are expecting a mixed movement on the prices of petroleum products: gasoline - (P1.60 to P1.90) rollback, diesel - no movement or increase of P0.10 to P0.20 per liter and kerosene - (P0.40 to P0.60) rollback," a source told Manila Standard.

The Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed the expected oil price movement next week. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Bato convinced Socorro a cult, Agila ‘figurehead’

SENATOR Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Friday said he is convinced that Socorro Bayanihan Services, Inc. (SBSI) is a “cult” and its leader, Jey Rence Quilario, is just a figurehead.

The Senate recently conducted a hearing on SBSI, which is allegedly involved in forced child marriages and other questionable practices.

Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Comittee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, presided over the hearing spread over two days.

Quilario, known as “Senior Agila,” to followers, admitted he is the leader of SBSI, but insisted that he did not know why he was appointed by Rosalina Taruc, the founder of the group.

Despite being young and finishing only second year in high school, Quilario, 22, said he was elected president by the group members.

SBSI is based in Bgy. Kapihan town, Surigao del Norte Macon Ramos-Araneta (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IN BRIEF

Rice price cap seen to last until end-Oct.

PRICES of rice are falling in markets across Metro Manila, but the price cap imposed by the government may remain until end-October, a Department of Agriculture official said Friday.

The falling prices are not enough to remove the P41 to P45 price cap on regular and well-milled rice, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo Panganiban said in a TV Patrol interview.

“Prices have fallen by about P5 per kilo, but that’s not enough. But according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the price ceiling may be lifted soon.

“I think even the President is aware of the dangers of a long and unnecessary price cap. It is expected to be short-term and temporary,” Balisacan told ANC. Jimbo Gulle

‘Jenny’ enters PAR, to bring more rain

A LOW-PRESSURE area (LPA) east of Central Luzon developed into a tropical depression on Friday at 2 p.m.

The weather disturbance named “Jenny” is the 10th tropical cyclone for 2023, PAGASA said.

In an update, the state weather bureau said as of 3 p.m. yesterday, “Jenny” was estimated at 1,410 kilometers east of Central Luzon.

State weather forecaster Rhea Torres earlier said the trough of the LPA would bring rains in parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. Rio N. Araja

Pacquiao confirms Teves in Timor Leste

THE Department of Justice on Friday confirmed that expelled Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr. is still in Timor Leste.

Justice Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano revealed that the DOJ received a statement from former Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao’s camp, which confirmed that the retired boxing icon met Teves in Timor Leste or East Timor.

“We always knew that (Teves) is in Timor Leste. Now, it's without a doubt," Clavano said.

“Teves went to the airport to meet Pacquiao and even went to the events attended by the former senator,” he added.

According to Clavano, Pacquiao was invited to go to Timor Leste by its government, assuring that the meeting between Pacquiao and Teves was only by chance and never arranged. Rey E. Requejo

Fallen soldiers, cops’ families sure to get benefits – PBBM

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand

Marcos Jr. on Friday ordered concerned government agencies to ensure that the social benefits of uniformed personnel in the country are distributed.

In a ceremony, Mr. Marcos also assured that military and uniformed personnel will receive their benefits as part of the Comprehensive Social Benefits Program (CSBP).

“The medical, financial, educational, employment, housing, and other social welfare assistance attached to the CSBP are only appropriate for bereaved fami-

lies left behind by our brave soldiers in the middle of the conflict,” the President, speaking in during the assembly and thanksgiving event of CSBP beneficiaries in Davao City, said.

The CSBP, which was established in November 2016, aimed to provide aid to fallen members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.

It was institutionalized on April 7, 2020, through Executive Order No. 110 by the previous administration.

Established in November 2016 to assist fallen and injured Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, CSBP was later institutionalized on April 7, 2020, through Executive Order No. 110.

The program also includes beneficia-

Solon seeks probe on seasonal workers deployed to South Korea

By Maricel V. Cruz

REP. Marissa Magsino of the OFW party-list has sought an inquiry into the recruitment and deployment of seasonal Filipino workers to South Korea due to reported labor violations.

The workers have been deployed under a “Local Government Unit to Local Government Unit (LGU to LGU)” arrangement between the Philippines and South Korea.

In filing House Resolution 1343, Magsino explained that under the existing partnership between LGUs in the Philippines and LGUs in the Republic of Korea, the “Foreign Seasonal Workers Dispatch Program” selects seasonal agricultural workers from Philippine LGUs for deployment in partner LGUs in Korea.

However, concerns have arisen regarding the working conditions and treatment of these Filipino seasonal workers in Korea.

Magsino said there have been reports

of occasional provision of decent meals, undesirable lodging facilities that violate contractual terms, excessive work hours, and allegations of inhumane treatment.

She said foreign seasonal workers are allowed to work in fruit, vegetable and fishing farms for 3 to 5 months, provided they are under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between local government units.

The program includes provisions for housing and basic needs, as well as the supposed guarantee of labor and human rights for the workers during their employment.

“During our town hall meeting with leaders of the Filipino Communities in South Korea last June 2023, we were informed of labor standard violations against seasonal workers. And since the program stems mainly from LGU-toLGU agreements, the implementation system does not go through the stringent screening of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW),” Magsino said.

ries from uniformed personnel of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), members of the Citizen Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), and CAFGU Active Auxiliary (CAA) Units of the AFP.

Through the CSBP, beneficiaries received special financial assistance, social welfare assistance, shelter assistance, health and medical care assistance, educational assistance, and employment assistance.

Since its establishment, the government has shelled out P777.20 million worth of financial and shelter assistance to the beneficiaries of uniformed personnel who were killed in action or operation.

CLIMATE PROTEST. Members of the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development (APMDD) and other protest groups rally from Plaza Miranda to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Friday, calling on the government to deliver climate finance justice. They noted that US President Joe Biden recently said he heard the pleas of Pacific Island leaders and that his administration would help the region combat climate change. Norman Cruz

Chiz urges PH, China firms to enhance cooperation

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR

Chiz Escudero has called on Filipino and Chinese businessmen to work together to enhance economic cooperation between the Philippines and China.

In his keynote address at the Philippine Investors’ Roadshow held at the St. Regis Hotel in Beijing, Escudero also stressed the need for business leaders to set aside political issues hounding Manila and Beijing. He cited the need to focus on trade, which he said was a vital aspect of the PhilippineChina bilateral ties.

“Today, we find ourselves in a unique situation, as our nations currently have territorial differences,” Escudero said. “At

this forum, we have an opportunity to transcend political differences and focus on the economic potential that exists between our two nations. It is crucial to recognize that economic cooperation can play a vital role in bridging gaps and moving toward a more harmonious future.”

While the Philippines and China are currently dealing with territorial issues involving the West Philippine Sea, Escudero emphasized that both countries have to further strengthen their trade and investment relations.

“While this issue has its complexities and challenges, I firmly believe that dialogue and cooperation are essential to finding a common ground and fostering mutually

beneficial relations,” Escudero said.

“By choosing economic collaboration, we demonstrate a commitment to resolving differences and disputes peacefully through diplomacy.”

Escudero said the two countries should continue engaging in constructive dialogue, the groundwork is paved for resolving territorial differences “in a manner that benefits our nations and encourages a spirit of peaceful coexistence.”

The Philippine Investors’ Roadshow in Beijing was organized by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Philippine Embassy in China, together with the Office of the Special Envoys of the President to China Maynard Ngu and Benito Techico.

Committee OKs bill to exempt OFWs from income tax filing

By MaricelV. Cruz

THE legislative bicameral conference committee has approved the bill exempting overseas workers from filing their income tax returns. This as KABAYAN Rep. Ron Salo, principal author of the measure at the House of Rep-

resentatives, welcomed the bicam approval of the bill. The measure proposes to amends the National Internal Revenue Code to exempt Filipino migrant workers who derive their income solely from employment abroad from filing income tax returns.

“This will bring significant relief to our migrant workers. This bill, once enacted into law, will exempt Filipino migrant workers from the obligation of filing income tax returns, marking a significant step towards easing their financial and emotional burdens,” Salo said in a statement.

How the US cheated the world through currency manipulation

SINCE 1973, when the US opted to abandon the gold to measure the value of its currency, the world saw the practice of one country unilaterally adopting the dollar as a system of currency.

In the case of the US, it opted to choose gross domestic products (GDP) to measure its economy.

Nobody questioned that policy although many had their doubts the US would remain the world’s top GDP producer.

Many doubted the US would be able to maintain that position.

Like many traditional Marxist economists, they said to produce wealth, a country must produce added wealth to every commodity to add value to it.

The function of currency is to involve oneself in production, meaning one has to produce or manufacture certain products but must make sure the producer has to add value to the commodity to every system of exchange.

To every added value in selling the commodity, he earns additional wealth.

The value added to the commodity or product is what determines the value to the customers or consumers. A continued repetition of this system of exchange or sale accumulates more surplus or profit.

This explains why GDP used to measure the economic strength of a nation has been touted relative or temporary.

When the US used GDP to measure its economy, it made sure the system of measuring one’s economy would favor it, not to mention that it almost had a monopoly in the purchase of gold at a price set by the World Bank at $32 dollars per ounce. Fortunately, the US dollar no sooner fluctuated in value. The use of gold in measuring the value of the US currency was visibly affected in numerous wars beginning with its involvement in the Vietnam War.

We were offered products by China which we could not possibly locally replicate

For the first time, the US incurred a huge budget deficit although the US military industrial complex continued to rake in much profit because of arms sale.

First, the US resorted to the sale of arms to its allies to supplement the burgeoning budget deficit. This particularly put pressure to its former enemies like Germany and Japan by licensing them to manufacture weapons.

Second, the grant to the US to use its own GNP allowed it to freely engage in printing the US dollar, having considered the US currency as flexible relative to its value based on GDP.

Thus, if the US GDP is low relative to its exports, the US can easily make adjustments to avoid inflation to its economy.

Third, the grant to the US to use GDP to measure its economic strength gave it the license to engage in “quantitative easing” to ward off inflation. Thus, every time it runs short of funds, it simply issues treasury bonds to countries willing to purchase them.

The problem is treasury bonds are redeemable anytime, and the US cannot refuse for fear of being declared in default.

Japan and China redeemed at list 30 percent of its US treasury bonds. Redemption has caused a snow ball in the demand to de-dollarize the US currency.

Fourth, the licensing of heavy weapons to Germany, United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, and Australia heightened the formation of regional blocs such as the formation of an Asian counterpart of NATO with membercountries willing to participate in a US-sponsored proxy war in Asia.

Fifth, the rapid expansion of trade by China is attributed to the ability of China to maintain at relatively low value of their currency.

They know that increasing the value of the renminbi would result in increased profit but could result in decreased exports.

China can compete with any of the Westernmade products. They already mastered the trick of the trade which is to sell quality products at cheaper prices and producing them in volume which no Western

Making PH climate-smart

ALARMING, to say the least.

market could compete. This explains why the US could hardly compete with China in the export of its products.

The US lost to China in its imposition of tariff much that US-imposed tariff is actually a tax on US imports from China.

This alone has reached a staggering amount of more than $200 billion.

There is no way the US can stop its importation because they are mostly consumer items which American consumers badly need and for which they could not produce at a competitive price.

The same reasoning can be said when American lackeys in this country started imposing restriction on the importation of Chinese agricultural products.

Just the same, we miserably lost because the average price of our commodity remains high compared to the price offered by other Asian countries.

Some suspect the price of our goods is based on the peso valued to the US dollar which should not be the case.

The misplaced basis in our currency is the fact that US GDP then registered the highest in the world since it was untouched by the ravages of the Second World War.

The consequences of war have not logically affected them to make the US leading manufacturing country in the world, more than 70 percent of which are for exports.

That alone made the US the leading exporter of manufactured goods.

Instead of following China’s footsteps in lowering the cost of importation, the US chose to increase the cost of imports, importation being the surest income they could earn.

The US followed China’s Belt and Road Initiative of wanting to have an assured and ready market for its exports. This is how China opened to the world market for its exports. No sooner other Asian countries developed their own industries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea.

Other defeated states like Germany, Italy and former allies like Great Britian and The Netherlands soon rose to develop their own industries and cultivated the same marketing strategy.

Some Asian countries have even perfected their own industries to such high level of development.

Many attained the production to maintain the same high value products.

In the case of the Philippines, we attempted by purchasing agricultural products from China but offered nothing in return. Foremost, we privatized our local fertilizer plant. The buyers that bought it later on conceived that it is better to consign to foreign manufacturing the local production of fertilizers would cost less to the government.

Thus, after the fertilizer plant was disposed, the whole idea of having our own fertilizers plant was shelved for good. We were offered products by China which we could not possibly locally replicate.

Many of our economists have failed to analyze this discrepancy but instead opted to resolve our position as a colony of the US.

A classic example is how we adopted the currency valuation of our peso to the US dollar.

How the US dollar fluctuates in the market does not make sense.

Even interest rate is patterned after the dollar.

Many economists could not explain why many of our products are costly with those made in the US yet they continue to peg the value of our peso.

Many of them could not decipher the market nuances are different from those abroad.

The Philippines was even compelled to change its currency to dollars, which strictly speaking constitute our savings such that bringing the currency out of the country is considered punishable and would constitute dollar salting.

The owner of the currency can either be punished by fine or confiscation if he did not make such declaration.

The funny thing about this arbitrary law is that whatever amount of money they manage to confiscate as fine, the penalty goes directly into the coffers of the US treasury, a legalized form of extortion perpetrated by the US government. This is why US made rules that have to be followed by the people they consider as subjects.

This amplifies the term US unilateralism in international relations.

(rpkapunan@gmail.com)

But the United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, has warned the world’s climate is breaking down – following a bulletin from the European Union’s monitoring body which said 2023 is likely to be the hottest year in human history. Global temperatures during the Northern Hemisphere summer have been the warmest on record, with heatwaves, droughts and wildfires whipping Asia, including the Philippines, Africa, Europe and North America in the past three months with what climatologists say is a dramatic impact on economies, ecosystems and human health.

The average global temperature in June, July and August was 16.77 degrees Celsius, smashing the previous 2019 record of 16.48C.

The European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service said in a report “The three months that we’ve just had are the warmest in approximately 120,000 years, so effectively human history.” Back home, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has encouraged the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states to motivate developing countries to firm up their climate action commitments. In his intervention at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, the 65-year-

old President noted “the most urgent threat to our progress is the impact of climate change” and added “It is a looming reminder of the injustice of disproportionate impact on our people.”

The average global temperature in June, July and August was 16.77 degrees Celsius, smashing the previous 2019 record of 16.48oC

He said ASEAN, during the upcoming COP28 “must call on developed countries to heighten the implementation of their commitment.”

He was referring tp the United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as COP28, which will be the 28th United Nations Climate Change conference, from November 30 until December 12, 2023, at the Expo City, Dubai. Among these pledges are climate finance, technology development and transfer,

and capacity building, all of which “drive ASEAN’s capabilities to prevent, mitigate, manage and adapt to the impacts of climate change.”

Mr. Marcos said the Philippines, being one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, will carry on with international tie-ups aimed at making the region climatesmart and disaster-ready.

“In achieving food security, we must build on cooperation that will harness the transformative potential of our agricultural sector to ensure that food production is responsible and will be of benefit for future generations,” Mr. Marcos said.

The echoes of Guterres warning are reverberating throughout the continents.

“Scientists have long warned what our fossil fuel addiction will unleash...”our climate is imploding faster than we can cope, with extreme weather events hitting every corner of the planet.”

Record-high global sea surface temperatures played a major role in stoking heat throughout the summer, with marine heatwaves hitting the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea.

Climatologists have said, as they look at the additional heat in the surface ocean, the probability is that 2023 will end up “being the warmest year on record.”

The average global temperature through the first eight months of 2023 is the secondwarmest on record: only 0.01C below the benchmark 2016 level.

Visionary Ramon Magsaysay Awardees

IN MY previous column, we celebrated two Ramon Magsaysay Awardees who made social services more accessible to their communities. Specifically, Korvi Rakshand makes quality education accessible to poor and remote communities in Bangladesh, while Dr. Ravi Kannan R. makes cancer care more reachable for daily wage workers. There are two remaining Ramon Magsaysay Awardees this year that deserve to be acknowledged and recognized.

Both of them have been fighting really hard for the inclusivity of those in the margins. They both encourage strong community participation because they believe this is how impactful action and meaningful change come about. They are both visionaries.

First of the two is Eugenio Lemos, an environmental activist who has been fighting for independent food supply in Timor-Leste for years. According to Inquirer, Lemos experienced extreme hunger as a child since they had to flee to the mountains because of the civil war and Indonesian invasion.

They had to survive off of the forest but his father, sister, and brother all succumbed to death. Because of this, he promised to dedicate his life to food security for the future generations. When he was introduced to permaculture many years ago by an Australian practitioner, he realized that this could be the way to food sufficiency.

This is because, at its core, permaculture is about sustainable agriculture and natural ecosystems integrated into people’s lives. He found that traditional Timorese culture already embraces parts of permaculture. With this, he established Permakultura TimorLorosa’e (Permatil) that has programs providing tools for permaculture. More importantly, Lemos, with the organization, promotes community engagement. He is a big advocate of community-based organic farming which directly puts food on families’ tables.

He has been fighting, not only for food security, but for the involvement and engagement of local communities. He shows that if we want to create a great impact on communities, we must involve them in the process of producing that impact.

According to the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation board, Eugenio Lemos is both “a man of and his people,” and “a man

for the world.”

If Lemos promotes the engagement of local Timorese communities for food security, our last awardee, Miriam Coronel-Ferrer, fights for the inclusion of women in the peace-making processes in the Philippines. Disclosure:

Professor Coronel-Ferrer, or Iye as we call her, has been a friend and colleague for decades.

I have been a big admirer of her brilliant work for decades, even as she was my student in UP Law when she was exploring joining the profession where her father was a giant.

I tell myself that those who have their hearts in the right place have also already done so much

According to the Rmon Magsaysay Awards page, Coronel-Ferrer initiated drafting the Philippines’ first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security which was adopted by the administration in 2010 as a part of the government’s commitment to the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.

In 2012, she also led the Peace Panel of the Philippine government which negotiated with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. Through these negotiations, the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro was also signed by both the government and the MILF.

While the CAB is a big milestone, CoronelFerrer chooses to bring light to her advocacy to include women in peace-making processes.

She says, “There is no perfect agreement, but we make it more imperfect by leaving women out of the process.”

She has not stopped pushing for this inclusivity since then. She co-founded the Southeast Asian Network of Women Peace Negotiators and Mediators (SEANWPNM) in 2020.

Their goal is to increase the role of women in peace processes, to provide space for women at the peace table.

Redefining video production with AI

—a trial-and-error look to see how far they can push this, what they’ve called a “[redefinition] of the landscape of modern video production?”

Netizens were quick to respond to the new development.

GMA Network stunned folks with its introduction of its latest innovations—two AI sportscasters named Maia and Marco, who started ‘covering’ the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) Season 99 last Sunday.

In their announcement dated Sept. 23, the network called this a “bold step,” the “future of sports broadcasting,” “a groundbreaking initiative,” and other superlatives meant to make us think this is A Good Thing.

It probably is a good thing for GMA.

For one, this is a cost-efficient move – apart from the initial outlay to develop the AI, this saves the network from having to pay, train, and care for human sportscasters.

AI workers are reliable—they never go on vacation or call in sick, they always look good, they never age, and with integrated data feeds, they have all the game scores and players’ statistics instantly on hand.

But how about the human component?

What does this mean for the other network’s human talking heads for news and talk shows— will they get replaced down the line too?

Is this a grand experiment on the network’s part

Some were all praises, which the network played up in another article the same day.

Their headline was about the AI “[sparking]

a discussion” on the use of this technology in the media. But the URL of that article reads, “netizens-praise-gma-network-s-first-artificialintelligence-generated-sportcasters.” Hmm.

There were praises, sure.

On a Sept. 25 post of the network about the AI sportscasters: “Ang galing, this is the future;”

“We shouldn’t be scared of change, this is great.”

But there were also brickbats hurled. “See, the delivery is so wooden because there’s no human touch. You can’t even sync the mouth to the voice! It’s a no for me.”

“Ok…I’m not excited… I need anchors or hosts that the emotion goes with the game…

good luck!”

“What a big insult from the journalism industry.”

“Nice but scary, AI will take over jobs in the future.”

And this humorous one: “Pati players at fans AI na din soon.”

If GMA is making an experiment, they probably thought introducing a change in sportscasting would make the least waves. People might have had more of a reaction if they had introduced an AI newscaster. But AI is limited in its ability to convey human emotions and authenticity, and sports are all about passion, emotion, and thrills.

AI also has limited contextual understanding. While human commentators can draw upon their knowledge of the sport’s history, rivalries, and

cultural significance to provide a more meaningful narrative, AI relies only on available data, which does not capture the full essence of the event.

Monotony is also a drawback for AI, as they lack the capacity to adapt to evolving game dynamics or inject humor and wit into their commentary.

This predictability could lead to viewer disengagement and a less enjoyable viewing experience.

On Sept. 24, the University of the Philippines Broadcasting Association released an official statement, saying the group “firmly believes that this move does very little to serve the people as it only sets an alarming precedent that would profoundly impact the future of broadcasting and those who aspire to be in this industry.

“While it is inevitable to adapt these kinds of emerging technologies in the practice of broadcasting, we should not forget that these technologies are mere tools to assist us and improve our work. They should not, in any way, replace and displace the people who have spent years in the study and practice of broadcasting.

“Before we welcome innovation and technological advancements, we must first address the realities faced by media workers –contractualization, unfair labor practices, low compensation and lack of benefits.

She has also been open about their network’s struggles, still, about sexism. She says, “Sometimes when you package your group as a women’s group, you get stuck with women’s issues when what you want to do is really deal with the ‘hard stuff’ which was a field dominated by men.”

As a Filipino like Coronel-Ferrer, I can confirm first-hand how badly needed peacemaking processes are in our country. As a Filipino man who has been a negotiator, I can also confirm that we need more women at the peace processes table. These last two Ramon Magsaysay Laureates have been such a privilege to write about. As someone who is both seen as an environmental activist and a previous negotiator, I respect and admire their drive in pushing for the engagement and inclusion of those who are in the margins, of local communities and women. While I always keep in mind that there is still so much work to do, I also try to tell myself that those who have their hearts in the right place have also already done so much.

As they say, malayo pa pero malayo na.

Website: tonylavina.com.

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

MORE OPINION ONLINE

(www.manilastandard.net)

Nobel Prizes to illuminate bleak year for world peace

“If GMA truly aims to promote inclusivity in their reporting, they should instead focus their efforts and resources on hiring and properly compensating talented journalists and media workers. They should provide more opportunities to people who aspire to be part of the media industry and are working hard to do so.

“Technologies that do not put humans in the center are no innovation at all.”

The use of AI sportscasters could lead to concerns about job displacement in the broadcast industry. If AI commentary becomes the norm, human sportscasters, even newscasters, could find their roles diminished or replaced entirely.

This could result in job losses and a negative impact on the livelihoods of many professionals in the field. The rise of AI seems all but unstoppable right now.

But we must remember this development is the result of many human decisions made along the way. Humans made AI, and humans are deciding to put AI front and center.

Humans can also decide to adopt humanist practices and do what’s best for people, rather than for the bottom line.

* * * FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO / Email: writerjennyo@gmail.com

But AI is limited in its ability to convey human emotions and authenticity, and sports are all about passion, emotion, and thrills

IN BRIEF

Solon to PCSO: Provide anti-psoriasis funds

A LEGISLATOR on Friday urged the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to provide funds for Filipinos suffering from psoriasis.

“We are urging PCSO to focus on charity and help people with medical needs such as psoriasis,” AnaKalusugan party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes, vice chair of the House committee on health, said. He cited a survey conducted by Psoriasis Philippines (PsorPhil) which showed the heavy burden and treatment challenges of people with psoriasis.

“The survey showed that over a third (37.1 percent) of respondents are unemployed while a little over half of the respondents (52.3 percent) earn less than PHP20,000 a month. Because most of them cannot afford the cost of sustaining their treatments, patients had to take out loans or ask for aid from government agencies,” Reyes said. Maricel V. Cruz

New law boosts PH’s heritage mapping

A RECENTLY enacted law requires the National Commission on Culture and the Arts to assist local government in cultural mapping for the purpose of identifying and documenting all heritage resources.

President Marcos recently signed Republic Act 11961 titled “An Act

Strengthening the Conservation and Protection of Philippine Cultural Heritage Through Cultural Mapping and Enhanced Cultural Heritage Education Program” that directed cultural agencies led by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to extend financial and technical support to local governments for the nationwide cultural mapping program.

RA 11961 amended RA 10066, the “National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009,” which provided for the identification and documentation of all heritage resources all over the country. Maricel V. Cruz

Sulu waters off-limits to commercial fishing

SULU Gov. Abdusakur Tan on Friday said he has banned commercial fishing in the territorial waters of the province within the Sulu Sea in favour of the small fishermen.

“People here are already complaining (against commercial fishing,” Tan said in a radio interview.

“Una, hindi sila makalapit diyan sa mga malalaking fishing company vessels at nauubos din iyong isda namin. Hindi nakakakuha iyong maliliit na mangingisda,” he added.

The governor said some big vessels were scaring away small fishermen from the area.

Tan said the Sulu government does not benefit from the operations of commercial fishing vessels.

He also pointed out that the canning factories of the big fishing vessels were located in Zamboanga areas so they pay their taxes and other fees there.

20 cops sacked for Jemboy’s death

By Vince Lopez

THE Philippine National Police - Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Friday recommended the suspension for up to 59 days of more than 20 policemen in connection with the death of teenager Jemboy Baltazar.

PNP-IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said the suspension covered some personnel who failed to preserve the crime scene and conduct ballistic and paraffin tests on the cops involved in the actual operation.

Triambulo said those suspended were for the second batch of administrative

cases filed against certain police officers. The suspension also includes the eight policemen already found guilty of grave irregularity in the performance of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

They were earlier recommended for dismissal from service by the PNP-IAS, which

was eventually approved by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

Two policemen who served as investigators in the case were recommended for a 30-day suspension due to the lapses in their probe.

Baltazar was shot dead last August 2 while on his way to go fishing by Navotas City policemen who were allegedly chasing a shooting suspect in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.

A companion of Baltazar said they were preparing their boat when a policeman ordered them to get off and they reportedly tried to give themselves up, but the police officers allegedly kept on shooting, prompting Baltazar to dive into the water.

Energy chief says powerless homes increased from 800k to 1.8m

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE government’s rural energization program has been plagued by multiple problems, resulting in more households having no electricity, according to Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla.

Unenergized households in the Phil-

ippines went up to 1.8 million from 800,000, Lotilla said during a Senate finance committee hearing on Friday.

Lotilla told the senators that the household electrification percentage based on the 2015 census was at 98 percent, but under the updated 2020 census, this went down to 96 percent.

Lotilla said that because the electrification matrix was updated “this has actually in effect worsened the overall (electrification) based on the 2020 census.” “The targets. When I was here [in the DOE] in 2005, 2006, if there is just one (electric) post in a barangay, it is considered energized,” Lotilla said.

“We are improving the metrics, such as how many are connected to the main center of the barangay, and we included the sitios down to the households [having access to electricity],” he added.

Lotilla said “population growth is a major factor” in the increase in unenergized households.

The police later claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.

Some of the six cops who were initially reported to be involved in the incident said in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and that they did not intend to hit Baltazar.

Northern Police District (NPD) chief Brig. Gen. Rizalito Gapas earlier said the investigation conducted by Navotas City police on Baltazar’s death was “not exhaustive.”

Forensic pathologist, Dr. Raquel Fortun said autopsy results showed that Baltazar also had a gunshot wound in his right hand, indicating that he tried to defend himself.

DILG chief cites community-based peace education

INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. has vowed to bring peace education to the barangays and its inclusion as one of the criteria to the Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) Awards.

Meanwhile, in commemoration of the 2023 National Peace Consciousness Month, a peace symposium was facilitated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines Peace and Development Office (AFPPDO) on September 28. Abalos said he was discussing with the Office of the Presidential Adviser of Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), to make peace education mandatory in all barangays in three years’ time through a training program to be spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through the Local Government Academy (LGA).

“We will win this war! After this seminar, I will go to the LGA with OPAPRU to conduct a seminar for all of our Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) officials after the election so that this program on peace education will be on the grassroots,” Abalos said during Tuesday’s second National Peace Education Summit in Quezon City. Vince Lopez

NCIPR seizes P22.5-b pirated, fake products in ‘23

By Rio N. Araja

THE National Council on Intellectual Property Rights (NCIPR) has seized some P22.5 billion worth of pirated and counterfeit products from January to August this year.

At a weekly forum organized by the Philippine Information Agency, Intellec-

tual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) director general Rowel

Barba said the NCIPR made the seizure with help from 15 member-agencies including the National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police, Food and Drug Administration, Bureau of Customs, Optical Media Bureau, Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigra-

tion and Bureau of Internal Revenue. Barba stressed that the copyright infringement is penalized based on the gravity of the offense.

Republic Act No. 829 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippine paved the way for the creation of the IPOPHIL, an attached agency of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Win eyes hike in state subsidy for upgraded PUVs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday called for government subsidy increase for the modernization program for public utility vehicles (PUVs). Gatchalian issued the call during a Sen-

ate hearing on the 2024 proposed budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Under the PUV modernization program, all jeepney engines should at least be Euro-4 and Philippine National Standards (PNS)-compliant.

“From the briefers that I read, the

compliance rate right now is only at 60 percent and the allocation for the modernization for 2024 is zero. In other words, we compel them to modernize, but we don’t have any support to give them in the next few years,” Gatchalian told Transportation officials.

LAGUNA SOLON JOINS LAKAS-CMD. Laguna Rep. Ma. Rene Ann Matibag poses for posterity with Speaker Martin Romualdez after taking her oath as a member of the ruling Lakas-CMD party. Other Laguna political leaders, namely 3rd District Rep. Loreto “Amben” Amante, Liliw Mayor Ildefonso Monleon, and Calauan Mayor Roseller Caratihan (right photo) earlier joined Lakas-CMD. Ver Noveno and Roy Tomandao

SILVER EAGLE AWARD. Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas confers the Silver Eagle Award to Batangas police chief Col. Samson Belmonte for the institutionalized evaluation process conducted by the regional police office 4A. Also in photo Vice Governor Mark Leviste, chief of staff of the regional police command police Col. Mariano Rodriguez, Mrs. Teresita Leabres, and provincial advisory group chairman Dr. Rolando Tumambing. Roy Tomandao

CAREFUL WITH THOSE EGGS. A worker exercises extreme caution while handling table eggs at a store in Blumentritt Market in Manila. Just like other consumer goods, traders jack up the egg prices by 10 pesos per tray, citing high demand, extra production cost and low supply. Norman Cruz

Trump, in campaign mode, backs off abortion

WASHINGTON, DC—Donald Trump never misses a chance to remind voters that he was the one to appoint three justices to the US Supreme Court who voted to ditch the federal right to an abortion.

But ask the 77-year-old what he thinks personally about abortion, and his position starts to shift, the self-declared “most pro-life president in American history” well aware of what a hardline stance might cost him at the polls.

Trump was evasive when asked repeatedly this month about introducing nationwide bans or limits on abortion -as some of his Republican challengers have proposed.

“It could be state or it could be federal, I don’t frankly care,” the former president and current Republican frontrunner said.

A few days later, he firmed up his position, saying he believed in exceptions for abortion bans including in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life was in danger.

After all, he said, “without exceptions, it is very difficult to win elections.”

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022 was the culmination of decades of Republican strategy, the gutting of federal abortion rights also kicked off a national backlash -- even among conservative voters who still wish for some access to abortion.

The Democratic Party has not only enjoyed the Republican infighting, but also made abortion a central part of its campaigns.

In conservative Kentucky, where the governorship is up for grabs this year, a striking ad puts pressure on Trump.

In it, a woman raped by her stepfather as a child blasts the state’s abortion restrictions, saying that telling “a 12-year-old girl she must have the baby of her stepfather, who raped her, is unthinkable.”

Kevin Munoz, a spokesman for Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, is betting the Supreme Court decision will still be

fresh in voters’ minds.

“Since Roe was overturned, Americans have rejected MAGA Republicans’ anti-abortion extremism,” he said in a statement. “And they’ll do it again in 2024.”

Two months after the Supreme Court decision, voters in Republican-dominated Kansas rejected a referendum that would have paved the way to ban the procedure in the state.

Republicans have seen further electoral disappointments in New York, Wisconsin and Ohio.

And while Republicans won the House of Representatives in the 2022 midterms, their slim victory was blunted in part by women and young voters mobilized to protect abortion.

“I think Trump understands that the (Supreme Court) decision is not popular, nor is the mainstream Republican position on abortion,” political scientist

Kyle Kondik told AFP.

“So Trump is looking ahead to the general election and trying to give himself some room to maneuver on the issue... But it’s not going to be hard for Democrats to tie him to the unpopular (court) decision.”

It wouldn’t be the first time Trump held—or at least professed—a softer opinion on abortion.

In a 1999 interview, the real-estate magnate declared “I’m very prochoice.”

But he now needs to win over the country’s evangelical electorate, who delivered him to office in 2016 and remain a key part of his base, according to public opinion polling.

While the end of Roe means that abortion regulation has returned to the state-level, most of Trump’s Republican opponents have been pushing for federal restrictions. AFP

China’s gateway to North Korea waits for border opening

DANDONG, China—Stranded North Korean workers and merchants who rely on cross-border trade see scant signs that the frontier with China will reopen soon, despite recent trips abroad by leader Kim Jong Un and the country’s athletes.

The bustling northeastern Chinese city of Dandong has long offered a rare window into isolated North Korea and its trade with Beijing, its largest economic partner and benefactor.

But commerce ground to a halt in January 2020 when North Korea slammed its borders shut to insulate it from COVID-19—marooning thou-

sands of its citizens overseas.

Three years on, many have still not returned home.

In Dandong in September, diners at North Korean restaurants tucked into fresh seafood and nodded along to schmaltzy song-and-dance performances.

The entertainers—young women sent to work as waitresses before the pandemic—said they missed home but had not been told when they could return.

“Do you happen to know?” smiled a waitress at an eatery specializing in North Korean craft ale.

Two servers told AFP they had come

Ex-Prigozhin aide to oversee Ukraine volunteer fighters, says Kremlin

MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin has tasked a former aide of late Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin to oversee volunteer fighter units in Ukraine, according to a Kremlin statement on Friday.

“At the last meeting we talked about you overseeing the formation of volunteer units that can carry out various tasks, first and foremost of course in the zone of the special military operation,” Putin was quoted as saying to Andrei Troshev, using Moscow’s name for its offensive in Ukraine.

The meeting, also attended by Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov, underlined the integration of fighters from the mercenary Wagner Group into Russia’s regular military in the wake of Prigozhin’s aborted mutiny in June.

Prigozhin, the head of the Wagner mercenary group, died with nine other people when a plane flying from Moscow to Saint Petersburg crashed on August 23.

Exactly two months earlier, Prigozhin had openly challenged Russia’s military high command by leading a short-lived mutiny with his fighters that threatened to spiral into civil conflict.

Observers have said this was the most significant challenge to Putin’s rule.

Meanwhile, Russia claimed on Friday it had destroyed 11 Ukrainian drones overnight, though one UAV dropped explosives on a substation, cutting the local power supply, a regional governor said.

“Eleven Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed by air defense systems on duty, one of them over the territory of Kaluga region and 10 over Kursk region,” Russia’s defense ministry said on the messaging platform Telegram.

Kursk governor Roman Starovoyt said that the region bordering eastern Ukraine was “massively attacked” by Ukrainian UAVs.

In Belaya village, less than 25 kilometers from the border, “a Ukrainian drone dropped two explosive devices on a substation”, he said on Telegram.

“One of the transformers caught fire. Five settlements and a hospital were cut off from power supply. Fire crews rushed to the scene,” he added.

“Power will be restored as soon as it is safe to do so.” AFP

Yangoon junta angry at Beijing over crime megahit ‘tarnishing’

YANGOON—Myanmar’s junta has lashed out at close ally China over a blockbuster film on human trafficking and scam compounds that has “tarnished” its reputation, state media reported on Friday.

Chinese thriller “No More Bets” tells the story of a computer programmer who is trafficked to an unnamed Southeast Asian country and forced to work as an online scammer for a syndicate.

It does not mention Myanmar by name but its setting resembles the country’s lawless northern reaches, where Beijing says its citizens are regularly lured or trafficked and forced to work scamming their compatriots online.

The scams anger Beijing—a major ally and arms supplier for the internationally isolated junta.

The junta’s consul-general in southwest China’s Nanning raised the “tarnishing of Myanmar’s image in the film... which was shot by China and released in China and around the world,” according to state newspaper the Global New Light of Myanmar.

“The storylines are related to Myanmar, and there are reports that Chinese nationals are worried about visiting Myanmar,” he told government officials in Guangxi region earlier this week.

Despite only being released in August, “No More Bets” has become the third-most-popular film in China this year, raking in 3.8 billion yuan ($521 million) and super-charging online discussion about the dangers of visiting Southeast Asia.

The month before the film’s release, China told Myanmar’s junta to “root out” online scam centres in its lawless borderlands that target Chinese citizens.

The film has not been shown in Myanmar cinemas. AFP

ANXIOUS WAIT.

A kettle rests atop a cooker as Armenians fleeing NagornoKarabakh sit in a long traffic jam of vehicles along the Lachin corridor on September 28, 2023. Azerbaijan on September 28, 2023 said it wanted ethnic Armenians to remain in Nagorno-Karabakh after its lightning offensive crushed the rebel region’s independence bid.  AFP

on “internships”.

United Nations sanctions prohibit North Korean laborers from working overseas on the grounds that they generate funds for Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program.

But AFP journalists have identified at least 10 restaurants and hotels in three Chinese cities staffed by North Koreans since the start of the year.

Western experts say such workers have virtually no control over their postings, endure miserable living and labour conditions, and have much of their wages confiscated by the North Korean state. AFP

Hong Kong police boost surveillance to ‘tame’ activists

HONG KONG—Hong Kong unionist

Joe Wong had applied for permission to hold a Labor Day march, but canceled his request to police in an abrupt U-turn after he briefly went missing.

He cannot reveal what led to the change of heart, a result of a confidentiality clause in a sweeping national security law Beijing imposed on Hong Kong in 2020 to quell dissent.

Three years after the law’s enactment, activists say Hong Kong’s police have stepped up surveillance —pre-emptively discouraging rallies before applications are filed, paying home visits in the lead-up to days seen as politically sensitive and summoning organisers for warning chats.

“It’s impossible to organize any large-scale rally and march now,” fellow labour unionist Denny To told AFP. “It’s certainly a process of taming.”

The clampdown on perceived dissent in Hong Kong appears to extend well beyond traditional opposition parties like the League of Social Democrats.

It has hit groups like a women’s association and even a Cantonese language preservation association whose founder’s home was searched last month, with police demanding the removal of a fictional essay depicting a dystopian future Hong Kong.

“It appears the striking range has expanded,” said Chan Po-ying, leader of the League of Social Democrats.

For some, police visits have become regular occurrences, according to seven activists who spoke with AFP.

But details of police conversations cannot be shared due to the law’s confidentiality clause. AFP

Karabakh separatists to disband after surrender to Azerbaijan

“To date, a total of 170 remains ... have been found in the same area and handed over to the forensic medical examination bureau,” separatist authorities said in a statement on social media.

The

they would disarm and integrate with Azerbaijan, spurring an exodus of thousands of ethnic Armenians.

The report coincided with news that ethnic Armenian separatists in Nagorno-Karabakh on Thursday agreed to dissolve their government by the end of the year and become a full part of Azerbaijan in the wake of Baku’s lightning offensive.

The dramatic announcement came moments after it became clear that more than half of the rebel region’s population had fled the advancing Azerbaijani forces. It drew the curtain on one of the world’s longest and seemingly most irreconcilable “frozen conflicts”—one that successive administrations in Washington and leaders across Europe had failed to resolve in ceaseless rounds of talks. AFP

YEREVAN, Armenia—The toll from an explosion at a fuel depot in Nagorno-Karabakh that was thronged with Armenians fleeing an Azerbaijani military offensive has jumped to 170 people, authorities in the region announced Friday.

blast occurred days after the breakaway region’s separatist fighters announced

POLITICAL GEAR. (from left) North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, former Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie, former Governor from South Carolina and UN ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, US Senator from South Carolina Tim Scott and former US Vice President Mike Pence attend the second Republican presidential primary debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, the other day.  AFP

FEARLESSNESS. A woman waits in a minivan, provided by the Ukrainian Red Cross and heading to Kharkiv, in the city of Kupiansk, in Kharkiv region, on September 28, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kupiansk is less than 10 kilometers from the frontline in Ukraine’s north-eastern Kharkiv region, where Moscow has made some gains in recent months.  AFP

Banks’ FCDU loans reached $15b as of June

OUTSTANDING loans granted by foreign currency deposit units (FCDU) of banks reached $15.4 billion in the second quarter, down $66 million or 0.4 percent from $15.5 billion in the first quarter, as principal repayments exceeded disbursements, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

“The decline in FCDU loans may be attributed to rising borrowing costs, lender banks’ tightened credit standards due to reduced tolerance for risk and less desirable borrowers’ profile, foreign exchange volatility and availability of other sources of funding,” the BSP said in a statement.

Outstanding FCDU loans decreased year-on-year by about $317 million or 2 percent from the end-June 2022 level of $15.7 billion.

Data showed that as of end-June 2023, the maturity profile of the FCDU loan portfolio remained predominantly medium- to long-term, or those payable over a term of more than one year, which comprised 78.3 percent of total. This was lower than 78.4 percent from the previous quarter.

FCDU loans granted to residents comprised 61.3 percent or $9.4 billion of total outstanding FCDU loans, of which majority went to power generation companies ($2.4 billion or 25.9 percent); merchandise and service exporters ($2.3 billion or 24.4 percent); and towing, tanker, trucking, forwarding, personal and other industries ($1.3 billion or 13.7 percent).

Gross disbursements in the second quarter of 2023 reached $14.4 billion, 15.6 percent lower than the previous quarter’s $17 billion mainly due to the decrease in funding requirements of a foreign bank branch affiliate. Similarly, loan repayments in the reference quarter of $14.4 billion were 16.8 percent lower than previous quarter’s $17.4 billion. These resulted in overall net principal repayment.

Meanwhile, FCDU deposit liabilities reached an all-time high of $49 billion as of end-June 2023, higher by about $260 million (or by 0.5 percent) from the end-March 2023 level of $48.7 billion.

The bulk of these deposits ($47.7 billion or 97.4 percent) continued to be owned by residents, essentially constituting an additional buffer to the country’s gross international reserves.

FCDU deposit liabilities went up by $2.4 billion year-on-year, or by 5.1 percent, from the end-June 2022 level of $46.6 billion.

Bloombery plans to raise P5.6b from share offering

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp.,

the operator of Solaire Resorts & Casino, is raising up to P5.6 billion from its share sale.

Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday its board approved the placement of up to 559 million secondary shares owned by one of its controlling shareholders, Quasar Holdings Inc.

The shares will be sold at P10 apiece, which represents a 7-percent discount to the stock’s closing price Thursday.

The casino operator said the share sale would enable it to raise funds in a most expeditious and efficient manner, with the least cost to the company.

“The transaction is also intended to strengthen and broaden the capital base of Bloomberry as well as to promote a wider dispersion of the shares to a broad spectrum of institutional investors,” the company said.

After the placement of shares, Quasar Holdings will also subscribe to the same number of shares at the same offer price of P10 per share.

Share price of Bloomberry has been on the upward trend since the start of the year as the company managed to register strong rebound in earnings from the pandemic-induced slump.

Bloomberry’s net income surged 160 percent in the first half of 2023 to P6.42 billion from P2.5 billion a year ago on strong domestic and international demand.

After removing the impact of a P356.6-million one-time gain on sale from the disposition of an asset, consolidated net income would have increased by 145 percent.

IN BRIEF

Stocks end six-day gains on profit-taking

PHILIPINES stocks succumbed to profittaking Friday after six consecutive days of gains.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined by 64.28 points, or 1.01 percent, to close at 6,321.24, while the broader all-shares index slipped 18.38 points, or 0.54 percent, to settle at 3,400.83.

China Bank Capital managing director Juan Paolo Colet said the selling was driven by reports that Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) would be removed from the PSEi and the overnight placement of shares by Bloomberry Resorts Corp.

The Philippine Stock Exchange reported that UBP would be taken out from the main composite index starting Oct. 4, while Bloomberry said it would sell up 559 million shares at P10 apiece. Jenniffer B. Austria

Vietnam’s GDP grew 5.3% in third quarter

HANOI—Vietnam’s economy grew 5.3 percent on-year in the third quarter, official data showed Friday, though experts warned it was on course to miss an ambitious year-end target. Loan interest rate reductions, an extension of tax payments and increased public investment had a positive impact, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said.

But analysts warn it will be an uphill battle for the clothing, shoes and electronics manufacturing hub to reach a year-end target of 6.5 percent expansion for 2023.

“Vietnam would only reach a year-end economic growth of between 4.5 percent and 4.7 percent, much lower than the government’s set target,” Rong Viet Stocks Company chief economist Tran Thi Ha My told AFP.

“Growth for the fourth quarter is expected to be at around six percent... largely thanks to improved industrial production and exports.”

According to GSO, a slump in demand hit the country’s exports.

One of Vietnam’s largest shoemakers for brands such as Nike, Adidas and Reebok announced in August it would cut jobs for the third time this year. AFP

Indonesia to build Bali light rail to ease traffic

JAKARTA—Indonesia plans to start building a light rail transit system on the popular resort island of Bali next year to ease roadway congestion from the airport, a senior minister has said.

Tourist-dependent Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors annually and the beach-dotted island’s narrow roads have been clogged with traffic jams since its reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan said Thursday the light rail transit (LRT) system would be built underground and connect the island’s international airport to popular tourist areas Canggu and Seminyak.

First-half consolidated gross gaming revenues climbed 41 percent to P31.2 billion from P22 billion in the same period in 2022.

The casino operator is developing Solaire North, its second integrated hotel and casino in Quezon City. The new development is slated to open in the first quarter of 2024. Bloomberry, owned by businessman Enrique Razon Jr., was recently included in the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index, replacing Aboitiz Power Corp.

NEA taps Cisco technology to monitor electric coops’ operations

By Alena Mae S. Flores

STATE-RUN National Electrification

Administration (NEA) and Cisco, a leader in enterprise networking and security, agreed to collaborate on NEA’s Digital Dashboard Command Center (DDCC) Project to improve the availability, reliability and efficiency of the power distribution systems.

The collaboration is aimed at accelerating NEA’s vision of 100-percent total electrification nationwide by 2028.

The NEA developed an accelerated electrification plan involving various on and off-grid solutions.

It intends to connect its Command

Center dashboard and its new cloudbased platform, the NEA Business Intelligence Technology (BIT), to the supervisory control and data acquisition systems of electric cooperatives (ECs).

NEA administrator Antonio Mariano Almeda said that since its creation in 1969, the agency has been at the forefront of implementing the government’s rural electrification program in partnership with the 121 electric cooperatives around the country.

“We are committed to not only electrify homes, but to also transform lives, empower communities, and enable progress across our nation,” Almeda said.

The DDCC will collect and integrate

multiple performance data sources from different ECs and other internal system applications across agencies.

It will map key metrics such as energy consumption, average power interruption frequency and duration on a single geographic information system for analysis and actionable insights.

The dashboard will also enable NEA to respond to any incidents or variance in energy performance and develop plans for more reliable power distribution service.

Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) will be the pilot project of DDCC under Phase 1.

Phase 2, which is slated for the second quarter of 2024, will connect 60

ECs to the dashboard. Phase 3 will commence in 2025, connecting the 60 remaining ECs, with a primary focus on island ECs.

The initiative is part of Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration program in the Philippines, UGNAYAN 2030, and is targeted at enabling timely and data-driven assessments of the performance of electric cooperatives across the country’s power grid in rural areas of the Philippines.

“With the Philippines’ growing population and industrialization, electricity will continue to be in high demand and how we allocate it becomes very important,” said Cisco Philippines country managing director Zaza Soriano-Nicart.

ARTA issues guidelines to implement EO that streamlines telecom permits

By Othel V. Campos

THE Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) issued the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order No. 32 series of 2023 which streamlines the permitting process for the construction of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure on Sept. 25, 2023.

As an agency mandated to oversee the ease of doing business in the country, ARTA’s role in the IRR focuses on the delays in the processing of the application for governmentissued licenses, clearances, permits, certifications or authorizations.

ARTA said it would also monitor unresponsive government institutions and report public officials or representatives who illegally and without valid cause shall prevent, stop, refuse, threaten, or intimidate any telecommunication companies.

“Our goal is a nation where every Filipino, regardless of their location or circumstance, enjoys equal access to the opportunities and advantages that modern communication technology brings,” said ARTA Secretary Ernesto

Perez.

He said the government is creating an ecosystem “where digitalization is not a luxury but a necessity, where connectivity is not a privilege but a right.”

The IRR provides for the proper implementation of EO 32 as it formalizes and standardizes the new regulation’s guidelines.

The Technical Working Group (TWG), headed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with members from ARTA, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) converged together to craft the IRR.

Among the provisions of the IRR are the delineated requirements as well as standardized processing period and assessment of fees.

Along with investment opportunities, the effectiveness of EO 32 unlocks economic possibilities through opening jobs to the public, as well as improving the competitiveness of each telecommunications company.

“LRT (in Bali) will be underground so traffic at Bali’s airport... in 2025-2026 can be managed,” he said in the capital Jakarta, according to local media reports. He said the airport is expected to receive 24 million visitors annually by that time.

“If it’s not being done, then in 2026 we can be stuck three hours at the airport,” he told reporters. AFP

Producer price index grew faster in August—PSA

By Julito G. Rada

THE producer price index (PPI), which measures the average change over time in selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services, grew by 0.5 percent in August 2023 from a year ago.

This was faster than the 0.05 percent increase in July, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

“[The] manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division was the primary driver to the higher annual increase of producer price for manufactured goods,” the PSA said in a statement.

The growth in August 2023 PPI was slower than 7.4 percent a year ago, the PSA said.

It said the manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products industry division grew by 2.5 percent in August 2023, up from 1.2 percent in July.

“The manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products contributed 36.8 percent to the higher annual growth rate of the PPI for manufacturing in August 2023,” the PSA said.

Among the 22 industry divisions for manufacturing, manufacture of computer, electronic and optical products had the second highest weight in the computation of PPI.

Other main contributors to the higher annual growth of PPI in August were the manufacture of food products with a higher annual growth rate of 2.6 percent, compared to 2.0 percent in the previous month.

The PSA noted the slower annual decline in the PPI of manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products at -5.9 percent from -7.0 percent in the previous month.

MSERV CONTRACT. Meralco Energy Inc. (MSERV) wins a contract to supply highly efficient and oil-free Smardt magnetic chillers and chiller management system for ePLDT Inc.’s Vitro Sta. Rosa Hyperscale Data Center in Laguna. Signing the contract are (from left) ePLDT head of service delivery and operations for data center Dave Simon, ePLDT chief data center officer Gary Ignacio, MSERV president and chief executive Ronaldo Torres and Smardt general manager for greater Asia Ken Lim.

Enrique K. Razon Jr. Bloomberry, chairman and chief executive officer

BSP expects faster inflation in September

By Julito G. Rada

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday inflation in September likely picked up to as high as 6.1 percent from 5.3 percent in August on the back of higher costs of fuel and power.

It said in a statement the September inflation would likely settle within a range of 5.3 percent to 6.1 percent.

“Higher prices of fuel, electricity and key agricultural commodities as well as the peso depreciation are the primary sources of upward price pressures in September,” it said.

Meanwhile, lower rice and meat pric

es could contribute to downward price pressures for the month, the BSP said.

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to monitor developments affecting the outlook for inflation and growth in line with its data dependent approach to monetary policy formulation,” it said.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of Bangko Sentral ng

Pilipinas, in its last meeting decided to keep the benchmark interest rate steady at 6.25 percent amid the persistent elevated inflation.

It was the fourth pause for the year by local monetary authorities, but BSP Governor and MB chairman Eli Remolona said a rate hike “remained on the table in November.”

The BSP started to call the monetary policy rate the “Target RRP [reverse repurchase] rate”, after a shift on Sept. 8, 2023 to a variable-rate format with a predetermined offer volume in the auction for the overnight RRP facility.

The interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities were re-

tained at 5.75 percent and 6.75 percent, respectively.

The BSP said its baseline projections showed a slightly higher inflation path.

It said inflation was still projected to revert to the 2 percent to 4 percent target range by the fourth quarter of 2023 in the absence of further supply-side shocks.

It said while food and transport prices continued to drive headline inflation, core inflation moderated further, implying an easing in underlying pressures. Inflation expectations remain anchored to the target range over the policy horizon.

Average inflation is now seen to reach

5.8 percent in 2023, up from the previous estimate of 5.6 percent, while the forecast for 2024 was adjusted to 3.5 percent from 3.3 percent. For 2025, the forecast is unchanged at 3.4 percent.

Remolona said the upward adjustments in the 2023 and 2024 inflation projections reflected the spillovers from weather disturbances, rising global crude oil prices and the recent depreciation of the peso.

The Monetary Board noted that recent indicators of domestic economic activity pointed to waning pent-up demand, even as the impact of prior monetary policy tightening continues to weigh on credit.

Middle Eastern firms keen on exploring Sulu Sea for oil, gas

By Alena Mae S. Flores

MIDDLE Eastern companies are keen

on exploring the Sulu Sea for oil and gas, reflecting the increased interest of investors in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Department of Energy (DOE) said Friday.

Under the agreement, GCash will assist and cooperate with the SEC in investigating financial fraud crimes by providing relevant information and data in accordance with prevailing laws, rules and regulations.

By Julito G. Rada

FOREIGN portfolio investments or hot money posted net inflows of $153 million in August, smaller compared to $962 million in July, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

This was a result of the $1.4-billion gross inflows and $1.3-billion gross outflows for the month, data showed.

Portfolio investments are called hot money because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the financial markets.

Majority of registered investments were in Philippine Stock Exchangelisted securities representing $1.1 billion or 74.2 percent. They were mostly invested in banks, property, holding firms, food, beverage and tobacco and transportation services.

Smart expands 5G data roaming services in 81 areas through tie-ups

By Darwin G. Amojelar

SMART Communications Inc. said Friday said it expanded its 5G data roaming services in 81 destinations through partnerships with 140 key operators around the world.

“As we expand our 5G roaming coverage through strong partnerships with key telco partners around the world, we hope to empower our global customers with fast 5G data roaming speeds from islands to cities, allowing them access to technology when it matters the most,” said PLDT and Smart first vice president and head of enterprise and international business groups Mitch Locsin.

Customers with Smart 5G SIMs and 5G-capable devices can enjoy live 5G roaming services in Aland Island, Albania, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bru -

nei, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israe, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau and Malaysia.

The services are also available in Maldives, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Northern Marianas, Norway, Oman, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, the United States of America, US Virgin Islands, Uzbekistan, the Vatican, Vietnam and Wales.

About $372 million or 25.8 percent were parked in peso government securities while the rest were placed in other instruments. Investments in August mostly came from Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Luxembourg and Singapore with combined share of 88.9 percent.

The BSP said that year-on-year, registered investments in August were higher than $792 million in August 2022 by $649 million or 82.0 percent, while gross outflows increased $409 million or 46.6 percent from $878 million.

The $153-million net inflows in August 2023 were a reversal of the $86-million net outflows recorded a year ago. Meanwhile, transactions from Janu-

ary to August yielded net inflows of $311 million in 2023, down from $589 million in the same period last year.

Registration of inward foreign investments delegated to authorized agent banks by the BSP is optional under the rules on foreign exchange transactions.

It is required only if the investor or its representative will purchase foreign exchange from banks and/or their subsidiary/affiliate foreign exchange corporations for repatriation of capital and remittance of earnings that accrue on the registered investment.

The BSP said without such registration, the foreign investor could still repatriate capital and remit earnings on investment but the FX would have to be sourced outside the banking system.

“The areas in the Sulu Sea are relatively underexplored...Now, because of their [Middle Eastern companies] greater confidence that the administration is welcoming foreign investments, they have expressed interest... in doing exploration activities in the Sulu Sea area,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

Lotilla said the DOE and the BARMM Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources and Energy signed in July the intergovernmental energy board (IEB) circular on the joint award of petroleum service contracts and coal operating contracts in the BARMM.

The circular operationalizes the provision of Section 10, Article XIII of Republic Act No. 11054 or the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to jointly grant rights, privileges and concessions for the exploration, development and utilization of uranium and fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas and coal within the jurisdiction of the Bangsamoro.

“We already have a number who have discussed with us, and [we are] not yet at liberty to tell you which company, but definitely it is a major company that is looking at opportunities again in the end especially in the offshore areas between Sulu and Mindanao, that area,” Lotilla said.

SM Investments named one of Asia’s outstanding firms

SM INVESTMENTS Corp., one of the leading conglomerates in the Philippines, was named one of Asia’s Outstanding Companies for ESG (environmental, social and governance) in August 2023 by Hong Kong financial magazine Asiamoney. The company earned the highest number of votes for the Philippines in the category.

BDO Unibank, SM Investments’ banking arm, was also awarded by Asiamoney for the banking category in the Philippines.

“We are honored by this award from Asiamoney and the trust our stakeholders put in our efforts to uphold the best ESG practices across the group. We

have a strong commitment towards pursuing sustainable growth. In time for SM’s 65th anniversary, we are guided by our founder Henry Sy’s principle that business and social development go hand in hand,” said SM Investments president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio.

More than 1,200 fund managers, analysts, bankers and ratings agencies were surveyed and 7,653 votes in total were garnered for the selection of the outstanding companies for publicly listed companies across 12 markets in Asia.

SM Investments is a leading Philippine company that is invested in marketleading businesses in retail, banking,

and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM’s retail operations are the country’s largest and most diversified with its food, non-food and specialty retail stores.

SM’s property arm, SM Prime Holdings Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments.

SM’s interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, the country’s largest bank, and China Banking Corp., the fourth largest by total assets among private banks.

Hot money posted net inflows of $311m in eight months—BSP

ANTI-SCAM AGREEMENT. Officials of the Security and Exchange Commission and finance super app GCash sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to join forces in going after perpetrators involved in online fraud, e-scams and other cybercrimes.

WASTE MANAGEMENT. Consumer goods company Universal Robina Corp. (URC) and building solutions provider Holcim Philippines teaming up on a pilot program to strengthen community waste management in line with their sustainability commitments. Signing the agreement are (from left) URC sustainability officer Anthony Sierra, URC vice president for corporate quality, environment health and safety Shirlyn Reyes, Holcim Philippines Geocycle head Samuel Manlosa Jr. and Geocycle New Revenue Streams manager Dia Cruz.

NEW STORE. The Marketplace is opening its 38th store on Oct. 4, 2023 at Parqal, the latest go-to destination that combines a lifestyle shopping experience with impressive architecture and urban street life connectivity among developments inside the sprawling seaside complex in the heart of the Entertainment City in Paranaque City. To celebrate its grand opening, The Marketplace Parql will have a one day only flash sale offering discounts with 99-peso deals, Buy 1 Take 1 offers, and 50-percent off on great finds for shoppers.

Gilas, Jordan face off for quarterfinal

Asiad berth

HANGZHOU—Call it the lull before the storm, Jordan’s Rondae HollisJefferson hugging Gilas Pilipinas head coach Tim Cone, Justin Brownlee and TNT Tropang Giga teammate Calvin Oftana when they ran across each other at a training facility in the 19th Asian Games last Wednesday.

Even the TNT utility guy doubling for the national team got a warm embrace from the inherently friendly Hollis-Jefferson, whose Jordanian squad will face Gilas Pilipinas on Saturday, September 30, for an outright berth in the quarterfinals.

Game time is at 5:30 p.m. at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, with the encounter expected to be anything but cordial.

The Philippine team had just concluded a one and a half hour practice for the game against Thailand on Thursday and was on its way to the third floor elevator when Jordan’s top player showed up smiling broadly and started throwing high fives all around.

Apparently, the Jordanians were also having team practice at an adjacent playing court in preparation for their game against Bahrain the next day, and Hollis-Jefferson seized the chance to catch up with familiar faces.

There wouldn’t be much of that pleasantry in their next meeting, though, with both teams looking to sweep Group C of the preliminaries and move on, avoiding any disastrous detours in the event of a loss.

The Philippines and Jordan arranged the all-important clash between two unbeaten teams after they each dispatched their first two opponents, Bahrain and Thailand.

Nobody from Gilas, least of all Cone, is under any illusion, however, that Jordan will be a walk in the park.

“They’re gonna be tough,” said Cone after Gilas survived Thailand and a barrage of three-point shots from Tyler Lamb and Frederick Lish, 87-72.

How high will Obiena fly?

By Riera U. Mallari

With the gold medal—which would be the Philippines’ first here—a virtual lock by Asia’s best pole vaulter, Ernest John Obiena tries to formali ze his coronation as the 19th Asian Games’ champion on Saturday in 7:05 p.m. hostilities slated at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

To say that Obiena is the overwhelming favorite to win the pole vault gold in the Asiad is an understatement.

The 27-year-old Obiena holds the Asian record of 6 meters, he twice achieved in Budapest last August

and Norway last June. In the Asian Games, expect Obiena to try to match, or even surpass his record. Only two weeks ago, he leaped 5.82 meters in the 2023 Diamond League in Eugene, Oregon, where the only pole vaulter better than him was world champion Armand Duplantis.

The feat catapulted the Filipino superstar back to the no. 2 rank in the world.

“With good vibes, it’s sure for gold,” said Philippine Olympic Committee president Rep. Abraham Tolentino. “His competitions this year have prepared him well for the Asian Games, especially his 6.0 meters, which he cleared twice. Knowing EJ, and because he has yet to win an Asian Games gold medal, he’ll go for it.”

In the Asian Games, Obiena has an unfinished business that needs to be settled, especially against reigning champion Japanese Seito Yamamoto, who leaped to a height of 5.75 meters for the gold in the

Carr all set to claim Tour de Langkawi title

By Randy Caluag

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia— Barring

any major mishap, Simon Carr of EF Education Pro Cycling Team is all set to claim the PETRONAS Le Tour de Langkawi 2023 throne on Saturday.

Carr cruised to the finish of stage 7 trouble-free and retained the individual overall leadership on Friday.

As expected, the mostly flat 126-km stage posed no significant challenges to the British climber as he joined the peloton in another mass finish at Seremban, preserving a comfortable 49-second lead against second-placed, teammate Alexander Cepeda Ortiz with a cumulative time of 26 hours, 5 minutes and 14 seconds.

Most of the battle happened between Ortiz and third-running Equipo Kerm Pharma’s Pablo Castrillo, who is now

just seven seconds adrift.

Carr admitted that the tight battle for the second and third helped remove the pressure away from him.

“I had the opportunity to settle down and just keep an eye on things—to stay

safe and continue the efforts,” said Carr who is looking forward to a hassle-free ride to the finish of Saturday’s Stage 8 and the overall winner’s trophy of this annual cycling spectacle. Also gaining from the skirmish

2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games.

The Filipino pole vaulter, who was recovering from an ACL injury at that time, placed only 7th in that edition as he struggled to find any rhythm of sorts. He went on to jump just 5.45 meters.

Obiena will be aiming for payback against the 31-year-old Yamamoto, who according to Japan Running News, will be having another tour of duty for Japan in the Asiad. Yamamoto’s best showing this season, however, is just 5.60 he did in the L’Anneau-Halle d’athlétisme de Metz in France last February. Yamamoto plus three Chinese pole vaulters will be in the field.

Obiena will also have a chance to end a threedecade medal drought by the country in the Asiad, where the last medal from athletics was won by Elma Muros, who bagged the bronze in the women’s long jump of the 1994 Hiroshima games.

Petecio bows

among tour leaders was Human Powered Health’s Sasha Weemaes, who took the stage with a time of 2:31.45.

The final stage is a 156.5-km race from Setia Alam to Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, with two short King of the Mountain and three Sprint portions.

Arvid De Kleijn of Tudor continues to lord it over in the Sprint honor, although he has always been wary of Asian riders always trying to break away from the peloton and making the race faster.

This includes the remaining four Filipino riders from the 7-ElevenCliqq-Air21-RoadbikePhilippines— Nichol Pareja, Ryan Tugawin, Ismael Gorospe, and Rench Michael Bondoc—who vowed to get at least one honor in the Sprint category or Asian classification in the final stage.

Ababa pulls off 5-shot romp as Bibat misfires

CLARK Freeport Zone—Jhonnel Ababa

came out on top of a gut-wrenching battle of wits and nerves that was nothing but seething, fashioning out a five-stroke triumph on a late but decisive three-shot swing on No. 16 that stymied Michael Bibat’s stab at ICTSI Mimosa Plus Championship glory here on Friday.

But it was more of Ababa’s day-long brilliance that set him apart from the rest and netted him a second championship at the close of the 10-leg Philippine Golf Tour season as he reset the course mark with an unblemished eight-under 64 for a whopping 22-under 266 total over four rounds of intense duel of shotmaking, iron play and putting at Acacia course.

He beat Bibat, who played in a group ahead, and flightmate Dino Villanueva by five after both carded 69s for 271s while three-day leader Guido van der Valk squandered a three-under card with a double-bogey, bogey finish on a course whose closing holes not only tested the chief contenders’ skills but

also their mental toughness despite yielding a run of under-par scores in all four days.

The Dutchman wound up with a 72 and fell to fourth at 272 while Nilo Salahog and Keanu Jahns tied for fifth at 274 after a 70 and 71, respectively, and Tony Lascuña carded a 69 for joint seventh at 276 with Elmer Salvador, who also faded with three bogeys in the last eight holes after an eagle-spiked frontside 33 for a 72.

Marvin Dumandan, who lost in a four-hole playoff to Justin Quiban in the last PGT leg at South Pacific in Davao, charged back with a 68 to tie Elee Bisera, who shot a 69, Sean Ramos and Iloilo leg runaway winner Rupert Zaragosa, who matched 71s, at ninth at 277.

“I just wanted to go for the green (on par-5 No. 16) after driving into the fairway bunker. But I hit my third shot to within birdie distance and made it,” said Ababa in Filipino, who spiked his title romp on a pair of four-birdie feats on both

to Taiwanese, misses seat to quarterfinals

HANGZHOU—Olympic silver medalist Nesthy Petecio failed to repeat against rival Lin Yu Ting of Chinese Taipei and made an early exit in the 19th Asian Games Friday at the Hangzhou gymnasium.

Lin used her height and reach advantage to keep at bay her Filipina adversary on the way to a 4-1 decision and a place in the quarterfinals of the women’s 57 kg class.

Two years ago, Petecio, 31, took the measure out of the 5’9” Chinese Taipei fighter by beating her, 3-2, in the Round of 16 of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where the native of Davao Del Sur won a silver medal.

This time, it wasn’t meant to be.

“Nag-unahan kami kung sino ang ang makakakuha ng saktong style. At naunahan niya talaga ako,” said Petecio, who was humble in defeat.

nines to turn what had been a wild, wooly stretch run chase into a runaway triumph worth P450,000. He earlier saw Bibat misfire on the 16th and told himself: “I have a chance (to win).”

The Davaoeño ace didn’t only seize the moment. He also made the most of it, holing out with his eighth birdie for a pair of 32s that capped a four-day display of stellar play that included rounds of 68-65-69.

“This win is a big blessing. There was so much pressure at the start but I told myself to stay focused and enjoy the game,” said Ababa, who thanked his family and friends for their all-out support throughout his campaign, including Borough Lasik Center, Ping Philippines and Calatagan Golf Club.

The margin of victory didn’t reflect the manner by which the final 18 holes were fought as Ababa still trailed Bibat by one heading to the par-5 16th, which the latter had birdied in the first three days of the P2 million event put up by ICTSI.

The loss denied Petecio her first shot at clinching a return ticket to the Olympics set in Paris next year as the quadrennial showcase serves as a qualifier to the Olympiad.

Now, she has to go through and compete in the World Championship in the hopes of making it in the Paris Games and complete what had been an unfinished business for her.

“Hindi pa tayo tapos,” Petecio vowed.

Petecio’s exit also ended the women’s team campaign in the Asiad, leaving the men’s team—now down to just three fighters—John Marvin, Eumir Marcial and Carlo Paalam to carry the fight in a bid to win Philippine boxing’s first gold medal since the 2010 edition of the quadrennial meet in Guangzhou, China.

Other than Petecio, those who failed to advance include her fellow Olympian Irish Magno, Aira Villegas, Aaron Jude Bado, Mark Ashley Fajardo, and Marjon Pianar.

HANGZHOU—I guess the only question left now is, how high will EJ fly?

A sprint to the nish line at Stage 7 Randy Caluag

Jhonnel Ababa shows o his trophy.

Ernest John Obiena holds the Asian record of 6 meters, he twice achieved in Budapest last August and Norway last June. In the Asian Games, expect Obiena to try to match, or even surpass his record. AFP

HOME/DESIGN

Robinsons Land wins big at 11th

PropertyGuru

PH Awards

Federal Land, Cebu Landmasters, Inc., bag Best Developer plums; CLI CEO Jose Soberano III is Real Estate Personality of the Year

ROBINSONS Land

was judged the Best Developer in the Philippines for the second consecutive year, at the 11th PropertyGuru Property Awards held recently.

The annual black-tie gala dinner and presentation ceremony, held at the Shangri La The Fort, Manila, also saw the titles of Best Developer (Luzon) and Best Mixed Use Developer bestowed on Federal Land, Inc.; the Best Developer (Mindanao) trophy to Cebu Landmasters, Inc.; and the Philippines Real Estate Personality of the Year plum to Jose R. Soberano III, chairman, president, and CEO of Cebu Landmasters, Inc. (CLI).

Impressive sweep

Robinson Land also won the title of Best Developer (Visayas), in addition to a Special Recognition in ESG, while

RLC Residences was named Best Lifestyle Developer. Robinsons Hotels and Resorts garnered the Best Operational Hospitality Portfolio award, supported by multiple wins for Fili Hotel Cebu.

Robinsons Offices was honoured for its office developments GBF Centers 1 & 2 and Cybergate Iloilo Towers 1 & 2.

Aurelia Residences, a project of Shang Robinsons Properties, Inc., won the prestigious Best Condo Development (Philippines) award. The titles of Best Developer (Luzon) and Best Mixed Use Developer were presented to Federal Land, Inc., which also won for its development The Grand Midori Ortigas. Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corporation and North Bonifacio Landmark Realty and Development Inc., both subsidiaries of Federal Land, Inc., clinched winning titles for their developments Mitsukoshi BGC and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South

Tower, respectively.

Cebu Landmasters, Inc. was hailed Best Developer (Mindanao), supported by various wins for its projects Casa Mira Towers Bacolod; Casa Mira Homes Danao; Casa Mira Iloilo; Costa Mira Beachtown Panglao; and DGT City Center.

Soberano was recognized by the team of Property Report by PropertyGuru, the official magazine, for achievements that include leading the expansion of the homegrown Metro Cebu developer to more markets throughout the archipelago. Soberano joined the elite ranks of past winners Henry Sy, Sr. and Family (SM Investments Corporation), Ramon S. Ang (San Miguel Corporation), Manny Villar (Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc), and last year’s winner Lourdes Josephine Gotianun Yap (Filinvest Land Inc).

Rising stars

The new Rising Star award was presented to brothers Kyle Tan, president and chief executive officer of Eton

Properties, and Lucio Tan III, director of LT Group, Inc, for their notable arrival in the real estate scene.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Economic Estates gained the Best Industrial Developer award, in addition to Special Recognitions in ESG and Sustainable Design and Construction, plus winning titles for the projects LIMA Central Business District, LIMA Estate, and West Cebu Estate.

Aboitiz Land, Inc. won the prestigious Best Housing Development (Philippines) award for Seafront Residences, plus winning titles for the projects Ajoya Cabanatuan and The Villages at Lipa.

Honored for the project Royal Oceancrest Mactan, Primary Homes, Inc. won the Best Sustainable Developer title and received a Special Recognition in Sustainable Design and Construction.

Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation, cited for the projects 3Torre Lorenzo and lyf Malate Manila, was named Best Boutique Developer. SM Development Corporation

(SMDC), another recipient of the Special Recognition in ESG, bagged titles for its projects Bloom Residences, Glam Residences, Light 2 Residences, and Sands Residences.

On to Bangkok

Main country winners of the PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards will be eligible to advance to the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final on December 8 in Bangkok, Thailand. They will compete for honors against their peers from other nations across Southeast Asia and including China, Japan, India, and Australia.

The 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards was supported by platinum sponsor Kohler; gold sponsor Boysen Paints; silver sponsor Dongpeng Ceramic; and the official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru. For the complete list of wnners, visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards. com.

FILINVEST LAND TOPS OFF FUTURA EAST. Filinvest Land, Inc. recently topped off Building B of Futura East, a mid-rise community under the Futura by Filinvest brand, which creates smart-value and family-friendly developments across the country. The event signifies the progress achieved in this green mid-rise community, bringing more buyers and investors, this time in Cainta, Rizal, closer to experiencing the advantages of Futura East. Situated along main thoroughfare Felix Avenue in Cainta, Rizal, Futura East boasts an exceptional location that offers residents the best of both worlds – the benefits of the metro and the wonders of Rizal. Futura East is part of the Filinvest Land mixed-used township East Town. Futura East Building B is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025. For more information about Futura East and its investment opportunities, please visit https://futurabyfilinvest.com/project/futura-east.

Transforming Communities

FILINVEST City was developed by Filinvest Alabang Inc. in early 1990s, a groundbreaking sustainable township in a sprawling 244-hectare prime property in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

Today, it is a fully integrated, selfcontained development divided into districts with a balanced mix of developments such as residences, leisure hubs, top educational institutions,

and medical and wellness facilities, all within close proximity for easy walkability and safety. For motorists, the city offers its ecological parking facility, featuring two slots of e-vehicle charging stations for public use. For Filinvest City’s parks, many improvements are also set to happen to provide ease and better wellness for people and nature.

Flexible workspace hub

DAMOSA Land, recently launched its first flexible office workspace in Northern Mindanao.

The new Regus CDO Downtown Tower, located in Cagayan De Oro City, is a partnership with workspace solutions provider International Workspace Group (IWG).

Solar powered streetlights will soon cover the walkways of Filinvest City Central Park. Smart benches will also be provided where people can use wireless phone chargers.

To know more about Filinvest City, visit its website at https:// filinvestcity.com/ and Facebook account at https://www.facebook. com/FilinvestCityOFFICIAL/.

IT-BPO HUB RISING IN BACOLOD. Property giant Megaworld recently started construction on the four-story No. 5 Upper East Avenue, the company’s second office development inside its 34-hectare The Upper East township in Bacolod City. Rising along Upper East Avenue, the state-of-the-art and LEED-certified office development will offer close to 9,000 square meters of office space, particularly for the information technology and business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) sector. Leading the ceremonial groundbreaking for No. 5 Upper East Avenue was Roland J. Tiongson, first vice president, Megaworld Premier Offices (center). He was joined by (from left t right) : Engr. Reymar L. Castronuevo, project in-charge for construction; Engr. Omar A. Singh, construction manager; Marbin Espina, senior leasing associate; and Engr. Mark John Hachero, projectin-charge from the general contractor, CT Consigna Construction Corp.

SM Prime’s tallest skyscraper opens in Ortigas

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) recently opened its tallest structure—the 50-storey Mega Tower located in the SM Megamall Complex. SM Offices, SM Prime’s commercial real estate arm, collaborated with Miamibased Arquitectonica, architect-onrecord W.V. Coscolluela & Associates, and LEED consultant C.A. Tatlonghari, for the structure’s innovative design and curvilinear and sculptural form.

Under the franchise partnership agreement, Damosa Land Inc. is granted the exclusivity to develop and operate IWG centers across Mindanao. Regus, an IWG brand and an expert at providing professional workspaces that can be customized to the needs of any business, helped design 1,136 square meters of office space, co-working areas, meeting rooms, and business lounges that can accommodate 249 work seating capacity.

“Our partnership with IWG enables business owners to maximize efficiencies using the hybrid work model,” said Damosa Land President Ricardo “Cary” Lagdameo. “We hope to encourage more businesses to follow suit in the city of Cagayan De Oro as we invite more potential investors to focus on the region.” To know more about Damosa Land’s projects, visit https://damosaland.com/.

The Mega Tower is built for efficient density planning, with a core workspace of 92,055 sqm. and a minimum 2,000 sqm of typical leasable space per floor to cater to various business requirements in the Ortigas CBD. Mega Tower is designed to utilize 14% less energy, built with a double-glazed facade that keeps heat out while its office spaces use energy-efficient air-conditioning equipment, lighting fixtures, lifts, and

escalators. The building also consumes 30% less water through the use of water efficient fixtures and non-potable water for its landscape irrigation system. With state-of-the art features, the Mega Tower lives up to its image of being a premium office building—serving as a model of how future commercial developments should address social and environmental challenges.

Winners all. Recipients of the 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards whoop it up with the organizers and other guests after the gala celebration at Shangri-La The Fort, Manila.

Encouraging the youth to venture into farming

By Patricia Taculao

RECENT studies show that the average age of Filipino farmers is between 57 and 59 years old, raising concerns about the country’s food security.

This information has lit a fuse among local government agencies and other stakeholders in the agriculture industry to motivate the youth to begin their farming journey and explore its various opportunities.

Among these initiatives is the Young Farmers Challenge, which launched its third year last September 28 at the Coconut Palace in Pasay City.

The Young Farmers Challenge is a competitive financial grant assistance program of the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service (AMAS), in collaboration with the office of Senator Imee R. Marcos and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), directed to the youth who will engage in new agri-fishery enterprises. The said grant will serve as a startup capital for their planned venture. “May pera sa agrikultura. Kung marunong ka, pwede pa ring maging hanapbuhay ang pagtatanim at pagsasaka,” said Marcos, who was present during the launch.

Other notable attendees during the YFC launch include DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, Oishi Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs Heinrich Cochien, San Miguel Corporation Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs Group Tatish Palabyab, and Universal Robina Corporation Technical Director of Agro-Industrial Group Dante J. Palabrica.

Besides assisting young farmers to jumpstart their agri-fishery initiatives, the YFC 2023 is also open to all previous YFC awardees aspiring to scale

up their current agribusiness operations by investing in new technologies, including product development, improving marketing platforms, and generating employment, among other innovations.

The YFC Upscale is a head-to-head business pitch competition with a financial grant of P300,000 for each regional winner and P500,000 for each national winner.

Since its first run in 2021, the YFC has produced winners among young Filipino farmers who have since established themselves in the industry through their products, with some already available for export.

Moreover, the YFC also opened its doors to a new component, the YFC Intercollegiate Competition, which will engage students taking agriculture and related courses in the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs).

According to Senator Marcos, a vital part of the criteria in choosing the winners for the program includes bringing new ideas to the table, like products, value-added or not, proper implementation of digital assets, and tapping into a new market, among other standards.

She added that there will also be an added focus on female and indigenous participants and those who will direct their efforts on fisheries and dairy production.

Senator Marcos added that they will announce the winners of the YFC 2023 late in November.

The YFC hopes to encourage a new breed of local farmers to begin their journey in the agriculture industry and eventually contribute to the country’s food security in the years to come.

Cultivating change and prosperity through GAP farming

Leonie Agri Corp. opens its doors to int’l market

LEONIE Agri Corp. (LAC) steps into the international market via the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB) - Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 2023 ASEAN Conference on Medicinal Forest Trees tour held last September 7. LAC, the first and largest organic-certified farm and plant in the Philippines, is also a subsidiary of one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the Philippines, PascualLab.

The organic-certified farm recently welcomed 80 delegates of the ERDB from Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nepal at its 42-hectare home in Nueva Ecija. As part of their three-day itinerary, the delegates from the business, the academe, and public sectors went on a tour of the newly refurbished LAC.

According to ERDB OIC-Assistant Director Forester Conrado B. Marquez, “We have carefully chosen LAC as the ideal location for the conference tour. LAC is a renowned agriceutical company, and the tour provided invaluable insights to every individual regarding the importance and utilization of medicinal plants and the various forest tree species. This immersive experience further enhanced the understanding and appreciation of the potential benefits that these natural resources hold for society.”

LAC recently renovated its farm and manufacturing plant to further its parent company’s mission of providing quality health and wellness products and services, highlighting its combination of organic-based farming methods and produce and its pharmaceuticalgrade processes and products. Along with its farm and plant improvements comes the widening of its product and service portfolio.

Home of Ascof Lagundi and WellGreens plus C-Lium Fibre

Home of the first Lagundi cough relief in the market, Ascof Lagundi, and the first commercially available Sinta food supplements, WellGreens Sinta, LAC is also home to premium and organic-certified raw materials, including Sambong(Blumea Camphor) and Banaba (Lagerstroemia speciosa). It also manufactures C-Lium Fibre, the leading psyllium fiber brand in the Philippines, while another food supplement, PureGreens Malunggay, is in the pipeline.

Government-recognized

LAC is certified by the Department of Agriculture for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and by the Islamic Da’WahCouncil of the Philippines for Halal. It produces premium organic raw materials to meet the various toll needs of clients.

Also certified by the Department of Health’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), LAC offers reliable toll manufacturing services such as sachet filling, blistering, dehydration, milling, encapsulation, packaging, spray drying, extraction, essential oil extraction, and sterilization.

“We share with DENR the same passion for sustainability and their vision of a nation enjoying and sustaining its natural resources and a clean and healthy environment. LAC, for one, adheres to these sustainable practices and quality standards,” affirms LAC President and CEO Antonio C. Causing.

Initially servicing clients in Southeast Asia, LAC is gearing up to explore more markets in Asia and the rest of the world in the coming years. Read the full story on manilastandard.net

By Leny D. Mendoza

IN THE peaceful highlands of Aguid, Sagada, Mountain Province, a remarkable transformation unfolds on the green fields of Khemston Lino’s Farm. Here, the winds whisper stories of change, resilience, and the firm spirit of a man dedicated to transforming traditional farming practices. Meet Khemston S. Lino, whose name is synonymous with progress, innovation, and agricultural transformation.

As the owner of Khemston Lino’s Farm, a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified farm, and the chairman of the Aguid Gardeners Organization, a Civil Society Organization (CSO) accredited farmers’ group, Lino is an excellent role model for other farmers.

His farming journey began in 2019 when he realized that the soil beneath his feet held more promise than the carpenter’s bench he had previously occupied. Initially treading the path of conventional farming, he soon transitioned to GAP farming, thanks to the invaluable support of the Sagada Local Government Unit through

the Municipal Agriculture Office. His one-hectare farm showcases Chinese cabbage, petchay, bell pepper, potato, eggplant, and beans. Crop rotation, a practice he learned through training sessions, is a cornerstone of his agricultural approach.

Yet, the benefits of becoming a GAPcertified farm extend far beyond the confines of

his fertile land. His market thrives, with direct buyers to purchase his produce at farm gate prices. Moreover, buyers eagerly visit his farm, shouldering the responsibility of transportation.

“Comparing GAP-certified farming to conventional farming, you can profit more from it. If you sum up all of your expenses, at least there will be surplus cash that you can allocate for your upcoming cropping,” Lino asserted.

The greenhouse he acquired through GAP certification has been his saving grace against extreme weather conditions. It has provided a sanctuary where new beginnings can take root, even in adversity.

Lino’s greenhouse is part of the provisions from the DA’s

Crops Development Program

The interventions their organization received from the Department of Agriculture-Cordillera through the High-Value Crops Development Program, include, crates, seeds, fertilizers, plastic sheets, micro tillers, and storage facilities, which have been extended to all its members. These tools served as the inspiration to strengthen their commitment to producing safe and quality food and for a more sustainable future for all.

DA rolls out permanent KADIWA stores in BPI centers

By Pamela Ruth

Arciaga, DA-AFID

AFTER assessing the market value of agribusiness hubs in government premises with direct access to the public, the Department of Agriculture kicked off the rollout of permanent KADIWA stores in various DABureau of Plant Industry (DA-BPI) research centers in the country.

KADIWA is a flagship project of the DA through its Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, in partnership with DA bureaus, attached agencies, and local farmers.

This project aims to support the Marcos administration’s thrust to develop the country’s agriculture sector by supporting local agricultural production, augmenting the income of local farmers.

The pilot launch was conducted in DA-BPI Guimaras National Crop Research Development and Production Support Center (NCRDPSC) on September 4 and 5, while the second store was launched in DA-BPINCRDPSC in Los Banos, Laguna last September 15. Succeeding launches will be

conducted in Davao, La Granja in Negros Occidental, and Baguio City on September 18, 22, and 28, respectively.

During the launch at the DA-BPINCRDPSC in Los Baños on September 15, DA-BPI Assistant Director for Research, Development, and Production Support Services Hermenegilda A. Gabertan said that, “Kung titignan natin ang whole agri-value chain, ito ay mayroong credit, inputs—kung saan pumapasok ang BPI para sa quality seeds, andiyan din ang ating production management, at itong marketing para matulugan ang mga magsasaka natin

na mai-market ang kanilang produkto sa mababang presyo.” For her part, DA-BPI Los Baños NCRDPSC Center Chief Flora A. Jarilla said that the KADIWA activity will serve as an avenue for affordable and accessible agricultural products. She hopes the BPI Kadiwa will contribute to the June 2023 data of 926 identified farmer associations and organizations supporting almost 500 Kadiwa centers. The BPI Los Baños KADIWA is expected to cater fresh produce to consumers every second Friday of the month.

The ASEAN delegates eagerly watch the Lagundi leaves being washed at LAC’s Non-Dry Area

LAC natural products on display at the DENR delegates’ tour of the agriceutical company

Senator Imee R. Marcos giving her speech during the Young Farmers Challenge 2023 Launch

Khemston S. Lino is the chairman of the Aguid Gardeners Organization and an excellent example to his fellow farmers

From left: Oishi Assistant Vice President for Corporate Affairs Heinrich Cochien, San Miguel Corporation Senior Vice President and Head of Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs Group Tatish Palabyab, Senator Imee Marcos, Universal Robina Corporation Technical Director of AgroIndustrial Group Dante J. Palabrica, DA Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban, and DA Director Junibert De Sagun

Some of the leafy greens, among other crops, growing on Lino’s farm

Man on mission: Lee champions fintech in PH and beyond

“IF it sounds too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.”

Commissioner Kelvin Lee of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Lee strongly warns the general public to be very wary of financial offers, whether through online apps or offline transactions, that make unbelievable promises and have incredibly easy requirements and terms. “The general idea is, if an app makes glowing promises about benefits that seem too good to be true, then it probably is too good to be true,” he said at a recent media huddle.

“For example, if a lending app asks for little to no background checks and documentation, promises 0% interest and other unrealistic benefits, then you should pause and do more due diligence. Check if the app provider is registered with the SEC and do other relevant research on it first.”

Thanks to advances in technology, checking with the SEC about companies and other businesses entities is now easy with the SEC CheckApp

2.0. “The app and our website, www. sec.gov.ph, gives users access to the SEC’s company database,” Lee noted.

Concurrently sitting as Supervising Commissioner of the Markets and Securities Regulation Department and as head of the Information & Communications Technology Department, Lee is one of the champions of financial technology or fintech in the country, spearheading groundbreaking initiatives here and abroad. His noteworthy accomplishments include his involvement as a pioneer cohort of the University of Cambridge’s Fintech and Regulatory Innovation Programme, which significantly influenced his drive for a meticulous and balanced policy approach to fintech regulation.

One of Lee’s most notable recognitions came from this year’s Asia Pacific Stevies Awards, one of the most prestigious business awards in the world, where he won the Gold Prize in the “Thought Leader of the Year” category. He triumphed over other awardees from the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, and India.

According to the Stevies jurors, Lee’s accomplishments stand as a testament to his dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to advancing fintech and promoting a secure and investor-friendly environment.

Lee played a pivotal role in the establishment of the SEC’s PhiliFintech Innovation Office in 2021. This office, working under the Commission En Banc’s guidance, focuses on fintech regulation and policy recommendations, positioning the Philippines as a frontrunner in embracing technological advancements while prioritizing investor protection. He also crafted the SEC’s “delicate balancing act” policy, which enables the Commission to foster an environment conducive to fintech growth while upholding its responsibility as a financial regulator to safeguard the interests of investors.

One area of fintech Lee is most supportive of is its role in the growth and development of the sector of micro small & medium enterprises or MSMEs. “Fintech is a faster and more convenient source of capital for MSMEs,” he says. “Thanks to fintech, MSMEs can now access funding that would have been difficult to secure through traditional banking methods. Online lending platforms and crowdfunding portals provide alternative sources of capital for small business and entrepreneurs alike.”

OPPO A98 5G: Reliable, sound smartphone with no downsides

By Riera U. Mallari

Worry no more. OPPO has your back with its OPPO A98 5G.

Over the years, OPPO has made huge strides with its smartphones, whatever a consumers’ inclinations may be.

It has the A series, which is for the value-seeking buyers, who want their devices to be reliable, while delivering a little bit of everything. OPPO’s other series, the Find, is for customers, who don’t mind shelling out a couple of hundred bucks more for the added top-notch features.

OPPO’s latest A series, the A98 5G, doesn’t disappoint with comprehensive upgrades in design, performance, imaging, and more.

Beautiful design

The A98 5G is expected to turn heads with its fresh new 3D Micro-Curved Design and two fantastic color finishesDreamy Blue and Cool Black both built on the exclusive OPPO Glow.

Unlike other phones that are sharp, curvy and slippery, there is a nice feel to the A98 5G, which also boasts of a Panda 2 front glass (like GG3) and a tough PMMA back.

Camera

The A98 5G’s High-Res Imaging System is composed of a 64MP AI Camera, a 32MP Selfie Camera, a 2MP Depth Camera, and a 40x Microlens, offering a series of advanced imaging features that help capture clear and creative photos and videos. Let’s face it. An OPPO phone is always an awesome selfie phone. Selfies taken using the 32MP (bins to 8MP) produce shots with natural skin tones, details, and a range of filters to enhance any image, while videos at 1080p@30fps with some Qualcomm EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation crops the image to the horizon) net reasonably stable images.

The standard Dark <40 lumens takes great shots with good color

and some detail, while night mode improves the detail and saturates the color even further, without adding much noise.

Had fun using the micro lens, too. Just hold the camera between one and three millimeters away from objects that you want captured.

Flagship-level battery/charging

Getting through the day is a breeze with the OPPO A98 5G, without you worrying whether your smartphone will die on you, what with the huge 5,000mAh battery and 67W SUPER-

VOOC charging. Our unit got juiced up from zero to a hundred in just 46 minutes! Furthermore, OPPO’s exclusive Battery Health Engine helps extend the lifespan of the battery to keep it working closer to maximum capacity for longer, whatever the tasks maybe.

Performance

With its Qualcomm SD695 5G System on a Chip (SoC), the OPPO A98 provides plenty of power for typical smartphone use. Light and moderate gamers will be pleased with its performance as it plays PUBG and browser-

based games at 40-60fps on medium settings with relative ease.

OPPO’s RAM expansion technology borrows up to 8GB of SSD for virtual memory, thereby helping smooth out multi-user Apps.

It also looks really good on a big display, nice bright colors, with that 120 hertz refresh rate. It was actually doing more than you would normally get at that price point.

Operating system

Software is Android 13 and ColorOS 13.1. Hopefully we get some good consistent updates there. It has all the Google Apps and OPPO substitutes (as OPPO cannot use Google Apps or services in China). OPPO has also drastically reduced bloatware, removing pre-installed Facebook, TikTok, etc.

If OPPO stays true to its policy of 2+2+3 with two years warranty, two OS upgrades and three years of quarterly security patches, then this is extremely good for a P19,000 phone.

Conclusion

The OPPO A98 is a good, reliable phone with no glaring handicaps. It does a little bit of everything well, won’t break the bank and can give users a peace of mind knowing they have

a phone that can deliver their needs, when they need them.

Grab one now! The OPPO A98 5G is now available for purchase in its retail price of P18,999 at any OPPO stores nationwide. You may also get your OPPO A98 5G through the official OPPO online platforms: Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. You can also avail the OPPO A98 5G at 6 or 12 months 0% interest installment for all credit cards or via Home Credit for as low as P762 with 0% interest up to 18 months.

HONOR 90 5G’S capable sibling is here

By P.Y. Deligero

IF YOU think that HONOR is finished coming up with reliable, topnotch smartphones following the raving success of the launch of Honor 90 last month, then think again.

Today, the leading global provider of smart devices unveiled the HONOR 90 Lite, which provides consumers with another affordable smartphone in the market equipped with flagship-level features and specs.

As the “light” version of the HONOR 90, the new smartphone isn’t far behind from following in its predecessor’s footsteps. However, it does have a significant price disparity that does make it light on the wallet.

The main highlight of the new phone? Its 100MP primary camerawhich is perfect for users who want exceptional image quality while keeping on budget. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Upon first glance, the new HONOR 90 Lite is on par with the minimalistic phone models that are taking the world by storm. It comes in two color options: Cyan Lake and Midnight Black. Although the colors are limited in the Philippines, the HONOR 90 Lite’s sleek and portable design makes it easy to bring anywhere.

On the other hand, one of the main features of the new phone that will surely catch anyone’s attention is its 6.7-inch Edgeless FHD+ Display, further enriched by a fluid 90Hz refresh rate and a sharp 1080x2388 resolution.

90 LITE

Now, that’s what we call a smooth and seamless experience. Further enhancing the user experience is a Dimensity 6020 chip that operates the MagicOS 7.1 based on Android 13.

Another outstanding feature of the new Honor 90 Lite is its 256GB stor-

90 Lite photos

age. The brand introduced the HONOR RAM Turbo (8GB+5GB), which reallocated parts of flash memory to RAM to expand it to 13GB.

The unit also boasts a mid-range leap standard with a 4500mAh Super Battery with a 22.5W SuperCharge Wall charger

to further its battery life during use and shorten the charging time significantly.

Going back to one of the phone’s top highlights, the camera, the lite version features the new standard triple-camera setup prevalent in mid-range smartphones. It consists of a 100MP main camera, a 5MP Wide & Depth camera, and a 2MP camera. Photography enthusiasts, or even everyday users who want to capture the world’s beauty through their phone lens’, will love the 100MP Ultra Camera’s f/1.9, which results in high-definition photos that boast intricate details, whether zoomed in or otherwise.

Meanwhile, the 5MP Wide & Depth camera offers an expansive field of view with a wide f/2.2 aperture to increase light intake and enhance picture quality while creating a shallow depth field of effect.

As for its selfie camera, which has become a crucial part of smartphone usage nowadays, the HONOR 90 Lite has a 16MP selfie shooter that showcases vivid and enhanced colors, thanks to its f/2.45 aperture, in every shot.

Through the new HONOR 90 Lite, HONOR continues to prove that it’s a serious player in the smartphone industry–and it’s one to look out for. Get your HONOR 90 Lite via online retailers like Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

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