Manila Standard - 2023 October 27 - Friday

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(Story on A4) ARMY RESERVIST SHOOTS 22 DEAD IN MAINE, MASSIVE MANHUNT UNDERWAY LEWISTON, Maine—A massive manhunt was underway Thursday for a gunman who a local official said killed at least 22 people and wounded "many" more in mass shootings in the US state of Maine, the deadliest such incident this year.

Police said Robert Card—seen in surveillance footage pointing a semiautomatic weapon with an extended

clip as he walked into a bowling alley in the town of Lewiston—"should be considered armed and dangerous."

Card is a certified firearms instructor and a member of the US Army Reserve, CNN reported, citing law enforcement sources.

The Philippine Consulate General Office in New York is still establishing whether Filipinos were affected by

Wednesday's mass shootings.

In a message to GMA Integrated News, Consul General Senen Mangalile said they are in contact with Filipino community leaders in Maine regarding the situation.

"We are currently in touch with Filipino community leaders in Maine to ascertain if any Filipino was affected by Next page

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 254• 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

STILL AT LARGE. This handout image released on October 25 by the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office via Facebook shows a photo of Robert Card, the armed suspect in a shooting in Lewiston, Maine that claimed 22 lives and hurt over 50 others, the deadliest such incident in the US this year. AFP

Biden: US-PH pact ‘ironclad’

But Beijing rips Washington meddling in WPS dispute with Manila

U

S President Joe Biden said his country's defense commitment to the Philippines is “ironclad” after dangerous maneuvers by Chinese vessels caused collisions with Filipino boats in the West Philippine Sea on Oct. 22.

"Any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels, or armed forces will invoke our mutual defense treaty with the Philippines," Biden told reporters at a press conference in Washington.

“Just this past week, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) vessels acted

dangerously and unlawfully as our Philippine friends conducted a routine resupply mission within their own—their own exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea,” he said.

“I want to be clear—I want to be very Next page

Remulla: PH to file environmental raps vs. China early 2024

By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines is preparing to file an environmental case against China over the "destruction of marine habitat" at the West Philippine Sea early next year, the Department of Justice said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he hopes to file the case by January or in March at the latest.

Remulla said the decision to file a case was reached during his meeting with Filipino legal experts on the action the government should take over the "environmental destruction" being committed by China in the country’s exclusive economic zone, particularly in the WPS. “We were encouraged to pursue what we think is a good case on behalf not only of the Filipino people but also of the rest of humanity,” Remulla said.

“We believe it is ripe for the world to know the loss we are suffering because of what China is doing in our sea, and this action could benefit the entire world,” he added.

Remulla said part of the evidence gathered to back the case was the documentation and videos taken by the Philippine Coast Guard.

Remulla said among the legal experts he met were retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and former Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza and environmental lawyer and activist Antonio Oposa Jr., Next page

27k policemen put on full alert Election violence cases up to 23, but PNP vows peaceful polls for BSKE, Undas HAIL, PINOY ATHLETES. President Marcos (center) joins the nation in celebrating Filipino athletes have brought honor to the Philippines with victories in the 19th Asian Games during the 'Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat Para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino' at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Wednesday night. Alfred Frias

By Vince Lopez and Vito Barcelo THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said the country's security situation remains peaceful despite a rise in election-related violence four days ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang

Kabataan Elections (BKSE) on Oct. 30.

The PNP said the number of validated election-related incidents (ERIs) climbed to 23 as of Thursday, with 29 more undergoing validation. Some 77 incidents were deemed unrelated to the polls.

"We will not be complacent. We are not ignoring these so we are strengthening our checkpoint operations and fo-

cused police and military operations to make sure that confirmed ERIs won't increase," PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said in a radio interview.

Fajardo noted that the number of validated ERIs for this year's BSKE is still lower than the 40 recorded in 2018.

The PNP official also said that of the 22 confirmed ERI's, nine cases have been

filed before prosecutor's offices, one case has been filed in court while 12 are still undergoing investigation.

The latest incident involved the gunning down of two poll bets and a supporter in Barangay Rosary Heights 12, Cotabato City on Monday.

Fajardo said close to 800 police Next page

Israeli tanks, troops in overnight raid into Gaza before retreating ISRAEL said Thursday that a column of tanks and infantry had launched an overnight raid into Hamas-controlled Gaza, striking "numerous" targets before retreating to home soil.

The military announced the incursion into the north of the Palestinian territory hours after Prime Minister Ben-

jamin Netanyahu declared preparations for a ground war were underway.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) described the operation as a "targeted raid" that hit "numerous terrorist cells, infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch posts".

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By Vince Lopez, Vito Barcelo, Darwin Amojelar, and Othel Campos

The Philippine National Police will be on full alert status starting today (Friday) as it deployed some 27,000 police personnel across the country to ensure the peaceful observance of All Saints and All Souls' Days.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the full alert status will also cover the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Monday.

Some 20,000 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard were also tasked to secure the upcoming polls and the observance of Undas, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said.

"We can still augment this by as much as 10,000 personnel,” Balilo Next page said.

Cebu to sell P20/kilo NFA rice; millers rue lack of corn TANK RAID. This screen grab taken from handout footage released by the Israeli army on October 26 shows a "targeted raid" in northern Gaza through a gap in the border fence with tanks and infantry. AFP

Cebu province will be the first to sell rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) at P20 per kilo, Gov. Gwen Garcia said on Wednesday.

Saying the move fulfills the campaign promise of President Marcos to bring

down the price of the staple grain to P20 Meanwhile, supply and quality issues per kilo, Garcia said the subsidized rice on domestic corn may trigger spikes in will be offered first to indigent families. the price of meat, eggs, and fish, a group The Cebu provincial government al- of local feed millers said Thursday. located a budget of P100 million to buy Philippine Association of Feed Millers NFA rice.

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NEWS

A2 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DOE: Enough power for village polls The National Electrification Administration, along with 121 electric cooperatives across the country, also activated a 24-hour power situation monitoring system to help ensure the smooth conduct of the BSKE.

The Energy Department said measures are also in place to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may disrupt the voting as well as the counting process.

“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral

process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors in this endeavor,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said.

“Preparations have been undertaken to ensure that there would be enough power in days leading up to, during, and in the immediate conduct of the elections,” he added.

While there are two potential yellow alerts in Luzon this week and the week of the elections, the DOE Energy Task Force Election shall coordinate with the generating companies and the National

Biden:...

encourage the illegal claims of the Philippines," she said in a briefing.

In a joint statement, Biden and Albanese said the US and Australia are concerned about China’s “excessive maritime claims that are inconsistent with international law” as well as “unilateral actions” that may raise tensions in the region.

“We strongly oppose destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, such as unsafe encounters at sea and in the air, the militarization of disputed features, the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia, including interfering with routine Philippines maritime operations around Second Thomas Shoal, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation,” the statement read.

Both leaders reaffirmed support for the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Award, describing it as “final and legally binding” on both China and the Philippines.

“We resolve to work with partners to support regional maritime security and uphold international law,” the leaders said.

Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro took exception to China's claim that the Philippines is acting as a puppet of the United States by standing up for its rights in the WPS. "The favorite Chinese narrative is that this is all a play of the United States and that we are just marionettes or puppets or

lapdogs of the Americans following their playbook,” Teodoro said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He added that this Chinese allegation is "very insulting" to all Filipinos as it assumes that the country has no ability to think and stand up for its rights.

Earlier, the Defense chief said the Philippines is not looking for conflict with China but is merely protecting its maritime territories from continued Chinese encroachment.

He added that protecting the country's territory is accepted under international law.

Teodoro noted that China's expansive territorial claims that encroach on the West Philippine Sea and the country's other territories are contrary to the "norms ng international law".

He said the government is taking China's misinformation campaign seriously.

On Thursday, Danish Ambassador to Manila Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin paid a courtesy call to Teodoro to discuss possible cooperation on cyber defense and information technology.

A statement released by the Defense Department said the Philippines was interested in “countering disinformation and addressing threats in the information ecosystem.”

Teodoro thanked the Danish envoy for supporting Manila's stand on the Oct. 22

incidents.

Mellbin said defense cooperation with the Philippines is among his priorities, as he invited the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard for a study visit in Copenhagen, to exchange insights on the law of the sea and provide inputs on Denmark’s naval, coastal, and marine defenses, technologies, and doctrines.

On Wednesday, the US aircraft carrier Ronald Raegan conducted flight operations off eastern Luzon.

“The visit of the Reagan is a symbol of the partnership and the alliance that we have with the Philippines,” the US Embassy in the Philippines said.

Before heading to Philippine waters, the USS Ronald Reagan conducted flight operations in the South China Sea over the weekend, a move Beijing criticized as an infringement upon China's sovereignty.

Beijing also called the US a “troublemaker” in the region.

The USS Ronald Reagan is scheduled for a port visit in Manila in the coming days. Part of the visit is for rest and recreation of its troops, especially for many Filipino-Americans hoping to visit family and friends.

Some 5,000 sailors, including 150 with Filipino heritage, keep the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier running. AFP with Vince Lopez and Rey E. Requejo

dents in the WPS since the 2016 arbitral award to collect evidence to support a possible case against China.

"The OSG will gather information on all incidents at the WPS since the first arbitral award in 2016, including the most recent ones involving reef destruction and floating barriers. We need solid evidence that will stand up in any tribunal," Guevarra said.

Aside from the damage to the marine ecosystem, Remulla said the construction of “artificial islands” by China in the WPS

will also be raised in the case.

When asked of the possibility that China will just ignore any ruling on the case like in 2016, Remula said: “World opinion is very important. It’s something we’re addressing to the rest of the world, that these people cannot respect the environment, these people cannot respect rules, why should we respect them?”

“It’s like a shame campaign for the world to see. If they are doing this to us, then we will show to the world what they

are doing in the area,” he added.

Remulla also proposed the renaming of the WPS or the South China Sea as “Sea of Asia” in a bid to gather support from the international community.

He said the proposal was a “strategic” move that aims to broaden the appeal and relevance of the case to the international community, “emphasizing that this sea, irrespective of territorial disputes, stands as a shared treasure for all of Asia and the world beyond.”

Green areas are those that are generally peaceful and orderly and have no cause for concern while yellow areas have a history of election-related incidents in the last polls and had been previously declared under Comelec control.

Orange areas are those that have an immediate security concern due to a serious armed threat.

Since the start of the election period on Aug. 28, Fajardo said the PNP has conducted intensified checkpoint operations supervised by local Comelec officers. A total of 1,393 firearms were seized from 1,785 arrested gun ban violators as of Oct. 24.

The PNP has also accepted 1,590 sur-

rendered firearms and another 2,269 firearms deposited for safekeeping.

The election period for the BSKE started on Aug. 28 and will end on November 29.

The PNP is deploying 27,000 police personnel deployed across the country to secure the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day. Fajardo said the PNP will be on full alert starting Friday for the All Saints Day holiday and the BSKE on Monday.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it is also on "heightened alert" from Oct. 25, Wednesday, to Nov. 5.

PCG chief Admiral Ronnie Gavan said PCG districts, stations, and sub-sta-

tions are set to implement stricter security measures in all ports across the country amid the expected influx of passengers.

Metro Manila police director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged his men to remain non-partisan and arrest election code violators, particularly those involved in vote buying, in connection with the village and youth council elections.

“Arrest those who violate the Election code, charge them, and pursue their cases in court. That is my order to all our police officers,” Nartatez said in a statement. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Another video appeared to show an airstrike and later buildings being struck with munitions, sending debris flying high into the air, along with a thick plume of smoke.

Just hours earlier Netanyahu had delivered a nationally televised address to Israelis still grieving and furious after Hamas's bloody Oct. 7 attacks, telling them "we are in the midst of a campaign for our existence."

The shock attack saw throngs of Hamas gunmen pour from Gaza into Israel, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping 222 more, according to official tallies.

Israel has retaliated with heavy bombing that Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said has killed more than 6,500, with the toll expected to rise substantially if tens of thousands of Israeli troops massed near Gaza move in. AFP, Rey E. Requejo (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

27k...

Balilo said the PCG will concentrate on inter-island provinces where their personnel can respond easily with floating assets and help not only tourists but also poll workers and voters.

The Manila International Airport Authority on Thursday is also bracing for an influx of passengers -- by as much as a 10 percent increase compared to ordinary days -- in all its terminals starting today.

MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said he expects some 120,000 to 130,000 passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport per day during the Undas week.

In the 10-day period from October 27 to November 5, Co said they expect a total of 1.2 million passengers -- mostly in the first 3 days and in the last 3 days.

Meanwhile, starting Oct. 31, Tuesday, the following roads near Manila North Cemetery will be closed to vehicles: the stretch of Aurora Boulevard (from Dimasalang Road to Rizal Avenue), the stretch of Dimasalang Road (from Makiling Street to Blumentritt Road), the stretch of P. Guevarra Street (from Cavite Street to Aurora Boulevard), the stretch of Blumentritt Road (from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra Street), the stretch of Retiro Street (from Dimasalang Road to Blumentritt Road), and stretch of Maceda Street (from Makiling Street to Dimasalang Road) (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

ity’s (PSA) Summary Inflation Report and Consumer Price Index released this month showed that food inflation at the national level rose to 10 percent in September while the index for corn recorded an annual increase of nearly 2 percent.

The report noted that with the sustained increase in the prices of goods and services this year, the effects of decreased consumer purchasing power and overall economic stability will be felt throughout the next few months.

“We hope that with this in mind, the administration will continue to find ways to ensure accessibility, availability, and affordability of yellow corn as well as other produce, both in the interim and in the long term which will help manage food inflation in the country,” Mapanao said.

the active shooter situation," Mangalile said.

"We will be grateful if anyone with direct knowledge of the matter gets in touch with us the usual way. We will continue to monitor the situation," he added.

Lewiston city councilor Robert McCarthy told CNN that law enforcement had "confirmed 22 dead, many, many more injured", with local media reporting shootings had occurred at multiple locations.

Swathes of Lewiston were locked down, with businesses urged to shutter and people ordered to shelter in place, as the scourge of horrifying gun violence once again ripped through an American community.

Maine public safety official Mike Sauschuck said he was not prepared to give a death toll, calling it "a very fluid

By Alena Mae Flores, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

T

HE Department of Energy on Thursday assured the public of sufficient power supply during and after the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

From A1

clear: The United States’ defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad. The United States’ defense agreement to the Philippines is ironclad,” he added.

Later, Biden and visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called out China for its “dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia” in the South China Sea. Both leaders expressed concern over the Oct. 22 collision between a Chinese Coast Guard vessel and a Filipino boat heading to resupply troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal.

But China on Thursday flayed the United States for involving itself in the territorial dispute between Beijing and Manila, saying the US has no right to get involved in the problem between the two Asian countries.

"The US is not a party to the South China Sea issue, it has no right to get involved in a problem between China and the Philippines," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

"The US promise of defending the Philippines must not hurt China's sovereignty and maritime interests in the South China Sea, and it also must not enable and

Remulla:...

From A1

president of the Law of Nature Foundation.

“We sought advice from legal experts like them on how we can file a case before an international tribunal concerning our environmental problem,” he said.

Solicitor General Medardo Guevarra said his office is also reviewing all inci-

Election...

From A1

officers have been deployed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to augment security operations for the polls.

The total number includes 300 police officers to be assigned in Cotabato City following Monday's incident.

Under the Commission on Elections (Comelec) classification, places under the red category are considered to be on the watchlist and need to be carefully monitored due to the presence of threats.

Israeli...

From A1

It said the operation was "preparation for the next stages of combat" adding that "the soldiers have since exited the area and returned to Israeli territory."

In Manila, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said three Filipinos are still in Gaza City, the center of hostilities between the IDF and Hamas terrorist group. Some 133 have already fled to the south of Gaza and are waiting to leave through Egypt.

Black-and-white video footage posted by the military showed a column of armored vehicles and bulldozers winding toward what appeared to be a border fence and breaking through it.

Agence France-Presse verified the location as south of the Israeli city of Ashkelon but could not verify when the footage was recorded.

Cebu...

From A1

Inc. (PAFMI) president Edwin Mapanao underscored the significance of good quality corn as a vital ingredient in animal feeds, on top of its contribution to the human food chain as a raw material and food extender.

“Yellow corn comprises up to 60 percent of the formulation of animal feeds and is utilized in food and bioethanol production. As it plays a role in many industries, ensuring the country has access to affordable and good quality corn is an issue that not only affects the livelihood of farmers but also has broader implications on food security and economic stability for the rest of the community,” Mapanao said.

The Philippine Statistics Author-

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Army...

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Grid Corporation of the Philippines to ensure the availability of generating units to meet the demand and required reserves.

The DOE said the suspension of preventive maintenance and testing of generating units one week before and after the elections shall also be strictly enforced.

DOE said the demand forecast in Luzon next week is seen at 12,257 MW. Current demand is only 10,500 MW to 11,500 MW. This means Luzon will have a buffer of at least 700 MW, the Energy department said.(See full story online at manilastandard.net)

situation."

He told reporters police were flooding the streets as they sought the gunman.

"We have literally hundreds of police officers working around the state of Maine to investigate this case, to locate Mr. Card," he told reporters.

Rescue vehicles rushed in from around central Maine to tend to the wounded, city councilor McCarthy said, and the two Lewiston hospitals "have called in every off-duty staff member that they could to deal with this."

President Joe Biden made calls -stepping away from a state dinner honoring Australia's prime minister -- to Maine's governor, its two senators, and a local congressman to offer federal support, the White House said.

Early on Thursday, armed police were seen guarding the Central Maine Medical Center, where some of the wounded were being treated. AFP (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

Citing age, Enrile asks Sandigan to dismiss cases

By Maricel V. Cruz CITING his age, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile asked the Sandiganbayan to immediately resolve his motion to dismiss the plunder and graft cases against him that are still pending after nine years of litigation.

Enrile asked the court's Third Division to reconsider its earlier resolution that said his demurrer to evidence would be resolved simultaneously with the main decision after the presentation of evidence of his co-accused.

Enrile in effect asked the court to grant his demurrer to evidence without waiting for the other accused to finish their presentation.

“The subject ‘Resolution’ of the Honorable Court violates the Constitution. It does not promote a speedy disposition of cases and it diminishes Enrile’s substantive right to speedy trial,” said the motion, which was signed

by Enrile's lawyer Estelito Mendoza.

In the motion, Enrile cited Section 8, Rule VIII of the Sandiganbayan Internal Rules that states “a demurrer (to evidence) may be resolved or decided simultaneously or jointly with the main decision.” (See full story online at manilastandard.net)

IN BRIEF PCSO warns against online scammers PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairperson Junie E. Cua on Thursday urged the public to rely only on official channels for news regarding the agency amid repeated attempts by online scammers to use his name and that of other PCSO officials and the agency’s logo.

“I urge the public to remain vigilant against scammers who attempt to use the PCSO for their selfish and criminal objectives,” Cua said in a statement.

“If it does not come from the official social media account of the PCSO, or from my sole Junie Cua FB account, or from radio or television broadcasts, please don’t immediately believe it.”

He also urged the public to be mindful of “red flags” that could help them detect whether they are being scammed. He warned the public against clicking links sent through social media or text messages, adding that the PCSO does not send “urgent” messages and does not engage in scare tactics.

Zagala takes over AFP Civil Relations THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally installed Brig. Gen. Ramon Zagala as head of the Civil Relations Service in a change of command ceremony in Camp Aguinaldo.

Zagala replaced Brig. Gen. Arvin Lagamon, who was named as the new Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations.

Lagamon received high praise from the presiding officer, AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura, who lauded his accomplishments as an officer and former commander of the CRS. Prior to his appointment, Zagala was the commander of the Presidential Security Group, where he was able to lead the unit in securing nearly 500 residential events, including both domestic and international engagements. Vince Lopez

Major repairs on Roxas Blvd. flyover

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is conducting major repairs on both the southbound and northbound lanes of Roxas Boulevard EDSA Flyover in Pasay City to prepare for the installation of an expansion joint. The road works will last until 5 a.m. on November 12, the DPWH said.

According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), the project aims to address the deteriorating condition of the bridge's expansion joint, which is crucial for accommodating all bridge deck movements.

Motorists are advised to use alternate routes, such as the EDSA Flyover Service Road for Northbound vehicles and the Buendia Flyover Service Road for Southbound vehicles.

Traffic management will be handled manually by the Pasay City local government unit and MMDA. Joel Zurbano

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

Palace urges public to report false information on social media

By Charles Dantes

M

ALACAÑANG is urging the public to report false information on social media and refrain from sharing the said information.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Emerald Ridao, speaking at the “Maging Mapanuri” Conference on Media and Information Literacy at the New World Hotel in Makati City, said that the spread of misinformation and disinformation is “a collective responsibility to address.”

“When you do realize that you have come across false information, report it, don’t share it. The spread of misinformation and disinformation ends with you,” Ridao said.

She also issued a practical guide for the public to adopt the “Stop” and “Spot” approach to counter misinformation and disinformation: “Stop to spot the source. Ask yourself, who is sharing this information?

Are these posts and articles from random people on the internet, or are they from certified experts on the subject matter? Remember that the source matters. Credible, verified sources are more likely to provide accurate information,” she said.

“Stop to spot the purpose. Why is this information appearing on your feed? Is it trending because it’s sensationalizing certain angles, or is it genuinely sharing factual information? Understanding the purpose behind the content can help you separate fact from fiction,” Ridao said.

Ridao said that the PCO relies on the education sector to address the challenge of misinformation, rather than policing.

She stressed the vital role of teachers and educators in educating the future generation in battling against misinformation and disinformation.

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF

Phivolcs raises alert level in Mount Bulusan THE Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Wednesday raised Alert Level 1 over Mount Bulusan in Sorsogon after the volcano entered “a period of low-level unrest.”

Phivolcs said it had observed several volcanic earthquakes starting October 14.

A total of 121 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded since then, the agency said Deformation data gathered from electronic tilt and GPS monitoring “indicate inflation or swelling of the southern flank since February 2023 and of the northeastern flank since September 2023,” Phivolcs’ advisory read.

Phivolcs recorded a notable increase of volcanic carbon dioxide concentrations from June to August 2023.

“These parameters indicate that hydrothermal activity driven by deep-seated magma degassing may be occurring beneath the volcano and may lead to steam-driven eruptions at any of its summit vents,” it noted.

Entry to the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is prohibited.

The public should also be cautious in the two-kilometer extended danger zone.

Rio N. Araja

Quezon City gov’t recognizes outstanding citizens

PATIENTLY WAITING. Passengers wait to board a bus at the Dagupan Bus station in Manila to take them to the province for ‘Undas’ and to vote in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. Danny Pata

PBBM: Adopt eco-friendly tourism practices in Siargao PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said tourists and residents should adopt ecofriendly practices in Siargao Island, one of the country’s prime surfing destinations.

President Marcos was represented by his youngest son, William Vincent Marcos, as the Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker at the 27th Siargao International Surfing Cup held at Cloud 9, General Luna, Siargao Island on Wednesday.

“As we embark on this new chapter, I enjoin everyone to promote surfing and adopt eco-friendly practices that will help us protect and conserve our environment,” Mr. Marcos said in a speech.

The President also highlighted that the event reinforces the perseverance of the people of Siargao in building back and recovering from the devastating ef-

fects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Super Typhoon Odette in recent years.

The President also asked the locals to support responsible fishing practices, purchase sustainably sourced seafood, and opt for eco-friendly cleaning and personal care products.

Siargao is renowned as the surfing capital of the Philippines and is home to some of the best beaches in Asia. It is ranked 10th among the Top Islands in Asia for the Condé Nast 2023 Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

The President also encouraged Siargaonons to support government initiatives for the development of Siargao.

Among these programs is the Training on Homestay Pilipinas, which enlightens residential owners about the

formal and systematic procedures to accommodate tourists.

President Marcos said that the government continues to pursue developmental efforts such as the New Siargao Airport Development Project to support tourism and trade growth of the island.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources also initiated a program for typhoon-hit towns to strengthen their adaptive capacities and resilience to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

“I look forward to the continued growth and prosperity of this annual competition as well as the perpetuation of your rich legacy in the global surfing community,” Mr. Marcos said.

Charles Dantes

THE Quezon City government has recognized 15 outstanding citizens and institutions in the recent 21st Manuel Luis Quezon Award for their outstanding achievements, contribution to the community, and exemplary service to the people.

Mayor Joy Belmonte spearheaded the awarding of the 2023 citations to University of the Philippines-School of Urban and Regional Planning associate professor Ernesto Serote, Ateneo de Manila University- School of Social Sciences, Department of Sociology and Anthropology professor Dr. Emma Porio, UP Diliman - College of Science and Marine Science Institute director and Oceanography professor Dr. Laura David, Quezon City Metropolitan Trial CourtExecutive Judge Juvenal Noriega Bella, Justice Maria Filomena Singh,UP Diliman-Industrial Engineering and Operation professor Dr. Aura Matias, and Corazon Sanchez- Atayde Memorial Foundation executive director Margarita Romero-Atayde.

Institutions that bagged the award were Rex Education, Rural Rising PH, Mother Earth Foundation, Only Wealth Foundation Inc. and Human Nature Awardees for the Special Citation (Post-humous) were architect Federico Ilustre and Department of Social Welfare and Development secretary Corazon Victoria “Dinky” Soliman. Rio N. Araja

Top Leaders Forum bridges gap between private and public sectors in disaster risk reduction

Shaila Shahid from Bangladesh is an environmental lawyer working globally to reduce the disaster risks for the urban poor.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga “RESILIENCE is not just a word, it is a way of life. It is a commitment to ensure that we have the responsibilities to others and that no one is left behind,” said SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) Chairman of the Executive Committee and Chairperson of ARISE Philippines and the National Resilience Council (NRC), Hans Sy. In celebration of the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) last October 13, 2023, Mr. Sy underscored the collective action and commitment of the private and public sectors toward achieving a sustainable and resilient nation during the 10th Top Leaders Forum held at the SMX Convention Center in Manila.

Organized by ARISE Philippines, SMPHI, NRC, and its partner agencies, the Top Leaders Forum centered around the theme of “Transforming Victims to Victors: A Multi-Sectoral Approach to Inclusive Resilience” emphasizing collaborative efforts for disaster resilience.

Policies into action One of the event’s highlights was the panel sessions, which brought together experts and leaders to discuss critical topics related to resilience. These topics included Environmental, Social, and Governance; Food-WaterEnergy Nexus and DRR; Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Resilience Framework; Synergy for Inclusive Resilience; and Innovative Technologies and Resilience.

From left: Office of Civil Defense Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro IV, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SMPHI) Assistant Vice President Jessica Sy-Bell, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Marilou Erni, United Nations (UN) Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction Mami Mizutori, SMPHI Chairman of the Executive Committee Hans Sy, UN Disaster Risk Reduction Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific Chief Marco Toscano-Rivalta, and Department of the Interior and Local Government–Bureau of Fire Protection Fire Chief Superintendent Manuel Golino

From left: Xavier University Vice President for Social Development Engr. Dexter Lo, Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. President Maribeth Marasigan, Philippine Space Agency Director General Dr. Joel Joseph Marciano, Jr., and Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum

From left: Broadcast journalist Ces Oreña Drilon, Department of Energy Chief of Solar and Wind Energy Management Ferdinand Binondo, International Institute for Rural Reconstruction Country Director Emelita Monville Oro, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources Undersecretary Carlos Primo David

From left: Philippine Disaster Foundation President Rene ‘Butch’ Meily, former Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle ClimacoSalazar, and Unilever Chairman Benjie Yap

Abia Akram from Pakistan is a disability rights activist, known for founding the National Forum of Women with Disabilities in Pakistan.

Disaster risk reduction innovations The Marketplace showcased DRR solutions from various sectors, such as government, embassies, and local establishments. Each participant had a booth to showcase their diverse DRR tools.

The Ignite Stage allowed selected participants to present their DRR initiatives.

Sessions covered five themes: The Power of Resilience; Global Resilience Initiatives: Discussing Efforts and Strategies for Building Resilience on a Global Scale; Private Move,

Private Action: Private Sector Initiatives to Resilience; Local Moves, Local Action: Local Government Units Resilience; and Resilience 301: National Government Action to Resilience.

Recognizing women’s resilience The 2023 Women’s International Network (WIN) for DRR Leadership Awards acknowledged the remarkable women in the Asia-Pacific region for their achievements in DRR. This initiative is an integral part of the pioneering WIN DRR program, supported by the Australian government.

It encompasses two categories: the prestigious Excellence Award, sponsored

by SMPHI, and the promising Rising Star Award. SMPHI endorsed the 2023 WIN DRR Excellence Award, offering a substantial USD 10,000 prize to recognize an exceptional woman excelling in the realm of DRR. This year, Shaila Shahid from Bangladesh received the esteemed 2023 WIN DRR Excellence Award. Her exceptional contributions to DRR have

made a resounding impact across the AsiaPacific region.

Abia Akram from Pakistan, a dedicated advocate for women with disabilities for over 25 years, was honored with the prestigious 2023 WIN DRR Rising Star Award.

To know more about SM Supermalls’ disaster risk reduction programs, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @ SMSupermalls on social media.

A4

OPINION

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

Honor Blanco Cabie, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Gov’t mulling legal action vs. China on West PH Sea IT WAS bound to happen and it did happen when a Chinese Coast Guard ship collided with Unaiza, an Armed Forces of the Philippinescontracted indigenous resupply boat.

During the same resupply mission, a Chinese militia vessel “bumped” into the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel that was heading to Ayungin (Second Thomas ) Shoal for a resupply mission, Santa Banana.

The incident occurred about 13.5 nautical miles east northeast of the BRP Sierra Madre which was intentionally grounded by the Philippine Navy with a platoon of marine soldiers to assert the Philippine claim to Ayungin Shoal within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the country west of the nearest town west of Palawan at the Spratly Islands.

The Ayungin Shoal has become a bone of contention between China and the Philippines at the West Philippine Sea. China for its part claims Ayungin Shoal is part of its sovereignty and territory and in accordance with its Ten-Dash Line map the whole South Sea as part of its territory and sovereignty.

If and when Israel and Iran will ignite a widespread conflict in the Middle East, it will affect the global economy, including the Philippines Before this incident, there had been occasions when Chinese Coast Guard ships and Chinese militia vessels tried to block Philippine Coast Guard ships and other contracted ships from what is called “routine rotation and resupply missions” (RE-RO) to the grounded World War II-era vintage ship for the benefit of its platoon of marine soldiers on duty.

There had been past occasions when Chinese Coast Guard vessels also tried to block these missions with the use of a military laser and another one with water cannons to stop resupply missions.

But, somehow the Philippine Coast Guard ships were able to avoid the actions of the CCG’s attempts to block and prevent the RORE. This latest incident has been condemned by the United States, Canada and the European Union as a violation of international maritime laws and the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The South China Sea is where trillions of dollars in trade pass through.

We can protest as we had done in the past for the latest action by China, but will it comply?

My guess is that China will just ignore us.

Santa Banana, the Philippine government must have already filed hundreds of protests (I cannot count them) for all the incursions of China at the West Philippine Sea, but China simply chose to ignore us.

Some so-called WPS analysts and experts are now talking about our invoking the MDT or the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951 where it

was stated that in case of attack by any country Washington can come to our defense.

But, what has been happening at the Ayungin Shoal or even at Bajo de Masinloc are attacks on Philippine sovereignty.

China claims it was just protecting its territorial sovereignty and the Panatag Shoal at Bajo de Masinloc and the Ayungin Shoal at the Spratlys are within its territorial sovereignty.

Legal action After the filing of a diplomatic protest, the government is now thinking of filing a legal action on the latest incident of the Chinese Coast Guard vessel which involved a contracted Philippine boat in a near collision before the International Criminal Court or the UNCLOS, but initial reports about the incident are not enough.

The Office of the Solicitor General in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs will still have to complete its investigation.

In any case, it does seem the government is taking a step forward to assert sovereignty of the Philippines. This matter, however, is now up to BBM to pursue it or not. It’s a very sensitive matter.

Other countries, like Japan, Australia, South Korea, Canada and the European Union and of course, the United States all support the Philippines, since it appears that China is getting more aggressive against the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. The latest incident together with the past incidents committed by China in the WPS are creating tensions, endangering peace and stability in the region.

Just how far will the Philippines go in its latest attempt to file a legal action on China is a matter of speculation, which BBM has to tread softly .

The Israeli-Hamas war As expected, the Israeli-Hamas conflict is now spreading into southern Lebanon with the Israeli forces now attacking the well-known Iran Hezbollah.

Santa Banana, we also have a good number of OFWs in Lebanon, and now they are crying out to be repatriated.

I am no geopolitical expert but what I have been reading in the newspapers and seeing all over television are expansions of the Middle East conflict.

The Israeli–Hamas war could ignite a Middle East conflict with the long-standing war between Israel and Iran igniting the conflict.

I am not a doomsayer, but what I know about the Middle East, if and when Israel and Iran will ignite a widespread conflict in the Middle East, it will affect the global economy, including the Philippines.

Santa Banana, as if the Russia-Ukraine conflict is not enough to affect the prices of everything, which are soaring sky-high.

President Marcos Jr. will have another headache to deal with!

Torres, Gomez both young, promising candidates

THE barangay election is set for Monday, October 30, 2023. Veteran village officials as well as new but promising young personalities are seeking the nod of the electorate.

I have a lawyer friend and fraternity brother who resides in Barangay Kapitolyo in Pasig City, Metropolitan Manila. He’s been a resident of the barangay since 1965.

Whenever I am in the vicinity of Kapitolyo, I make it a point to visit my friend for a chat over a cup of coffee.

His home seems to be right smack in the National Capital Region that my visits take place regularly.

In one recent visit, my friend disclosed to me the problems about Kapitolyo which to me are serious enough not only to listen to but also to write about.

My friend said, from the 1960s to 2000, Kapitolyo was a tranquil, middle-class residential village.

Save for the nearby supermarket, as well as the neighborhood sari-sari stores, gasoline station, pharmacy, bakery, barber shop, eatery, barbecue stand and two banks, there were no other commercial establishments in the area⁷.

There was hardly any vehicular traffic along the main roads of the village, and, by about 11 pm, there was no substantial commerce taking place there.

By the new century, the situation drastically changed.

The old Rizal Provincial Capitol

compound across Shaw Boulevard just outside the main entrance to Kapitolyo was eventually torn down and replaced with the current Capitol Commons commercial center.

Soon, the Lawton-Santa Monica Bridge in the lower part of Kapitolyo was constructed to link the barangay to Bonifacio Global City. Inevitably, several skyrises, stores, bars and restaurants found their niche in Kapitolyo.

Today, the once tranquil village is now an urban jungle.

Despite being strictly no-parking zones, the commercial segments of East Capitol Drive and West Capitol Drive have attracted a vast clientele who use both roads as private parking lots.

This often narrows the available road space and thereby causes the volume of vehicular traffic to increase geometrically.

Worse, many vehicles on the village roads park outright on the sidewalks, thus forcing pedestrians to walk on the side of the streets and face the risk of getting sideswiped by passing vehicles.

Blocking sidewalks is a violation of many barangay ordinances.

Moreover, the Philippines is signatory to an international treaty which prohibits states-signatories from allowing obstacles on pedestrian sidewalks.

The tricycle drivers of Kapitolyo are notorious for their reckless driving.

At night, these noisy, smoke-belching road hazards traverse the village roads without any headlights.

As a consequence, the probability of four-wheeled vehicles colliding with these tricyles is very high.

Many residents of Kapitolyo have had enough of this tolerance, by the barangay authorities, of the wanton disrespect for the law.

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EDITORIAL

State colleges deserve more funds

H

OW to improve the quality of statefunded higher education in the country?

Give us a higher budget, asked faculty and student leaders of state universities and colleges (SUCs) recently, by realigning the billions of pesos in confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) budgeted for next year.

While the House of Representatives already approved the P100.882-billion appropriation for SUCs in the 2024 budget, this is lower by P6.155 billion, or 5.75 percent, than this year’s P107.0297-billion allocation.

Students, faculty and staff regents, student councils and publications, and faculty and employees’ unions of four SUCs, namely University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University and Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, signed a joint statement recently calling on the House and the Senate to restore the budget cut and even increase the higher education spending for next year.

This is a reasonable demand that Congress ought to consider, since their maintenance and other

We expect Gatchalian to move heaven and earth to give SUCs a higher budget for 2024 and subsequent years operating expenses decreased while the capital outlay, which covers long-term development of facilities, equipment and other institutional investments, had the largest cut.

“Excessive and unnecessary confidential and intelligence funds should be redirected to revamp our educational institutions and sustain efforts to recalibrate and provide longterm holistic learning to Filipino youth from all walks of life,” they said.

We agree completely.

Among the problems of SUCs is that teachers have no job security due to the lack of plantilla positions in the government.

The lack of permanent teaching positions results in heavier workload for instructors, professors, including teaching assistants and fellows, the

SUCs lamented.

The PUP, for instance, faces the dire prospect of a P3.9-billion budget cut from the P6.9-billion proposal of the university.

Among the challenges at the university are the shortages in classrooms and laboratories, the lack of spaces for learning and organizations, and frequent power outages.

While another SUC, the Philippine Normal University, is projected to receive a 5.8-percent increase in its total budget, 6.73-percent increase for personnel services and 1.8-percent increase for maintenance and operating expenses, these increases, however, are still not enough to address the lack of classrooms and facilities in the school that trains future teachers.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, has vowed to divert some of the intelligence funds allocated in the 2024 budget for several national government offices to cover the P4.1-billion shortfall in the free higher education program of SUCs. Can he do it?

We expect him to move heaven and earth to give SUCs a higher budget for 2024 and subsequent years.

If he succeeds, then he would really be paving the way for a better future for the Filipino youth.

BSKE polls THREE days from now, on October 30, we will hold the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections nationwide.

This is a crucial political exercise as it will allow Filipinos to choose the leaders of the barangay, the basic unit in our political system. There are more than 42,000 barangays throughout the archipelago.

On the other hand, the Sangguniang Kabataan polls will give the youth a platform for actual involvement in public affairs at the barangay level.

This is provided for in Section 13 of the State Policies of the 1987 Constitution: “The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.”

Ever wonder why so many have filed certificates of candidacy for positions at the local level from barangay chairman to the members of the barangay council or kagawads?

Here’s what you should know.

The barangay has many sources of income, much like the town/municipal to city and provincial levels of government.

One, the barangay has taxing powers.

They are authorized to generate income from taxes on stores or retailers with fixed business establishments and gross sales or receipts in the preceding year of P50,000 or less in cities and P30,000 or less in municipalities at the rate not exceeding one percent on such gross sales or receipts.

Two, the barangay also derives income from the exercise of other revenue-raising powers.

These can take the form of service fees or charges for the use of barangay property or facilities; barangay clearance fees; fees or charges for the commercial breeding of fighting cocks and on cockpits and cockfights; fees or charges on places of recreation with admission fees; fees or charges for billboards, signboards, neon signs and other outdoor advertisements; toll fees or charges for the use of any public road, pier or wharf, waterway, bridge, ferry, or telecommunications system funded and constructed by the barangay.

My friend disclosed to me the problems about Kapitolyo which to me are serious enough not only to listen to but also to write about

Sadly, there are not enough barangay guards to strictly enforce the ordinances against illegal parking, blocked sidewalks, and reckless driving.

My friend told me a marked improvement in law enforcement in Kapitolyo will soon be possible if a team of young leaders running in the barangay elections is elected.

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Three, the barangay can also derive revenues from the operation of public utilities and barangay enterprises (markets, slaughterhouses, etc.); fines (not exceeding P1,000) for the violation of barangay ordinances; and proceeds from the sale or lease of barangay property or from loans and grants secured by the barangay government.

Four, the barangay is entitled to its share from national/provincial/city or municipal revenues.

Our only message to those who will troop to the polling places on Monday to cast their votes is to vote wisely, that is, by closely examining the character, competence and integrity of those running for public office These include the real property tax collections of the province and city; community tax collections when collected by the barangay; internal revenue collections; the development and utilization of the national wealth; the proceeds of tax on sand, gravel, and other quarry sources; and tobacco excise tax pursuant to RA 7171.

And five, the barangay also receives funding support from provincial/city or municipal governments.

It is entitled to a mandatory financial aid of not less than P1,000.00 from the provincial and city/municipal governments where the barangay is located.

Likewise, a barangay is entitled to receive voluntary donations, grants or aids from any public or private entity.

However, the amount of donations, grants or aids received shall not be included in the budget.

Many of his neighborhood friends agree with his observation.

I was told by my friend that Alex Torres, the outgoing chairman of Kapitolyo’s Sangguniang Kabataan, is running for barangay captain.

Being a well-educated and promising young political leader, Torres envisions for the barangay a management style that is vibrant, effective, friendly and responsible.

The inspiration of Alex Torres is his father, the business genius behind the New Capitol Tire Trading Corporation-Goodyear Autocare outlet in the busiest corners of the barangay.

His dad is known for being honest, fair and reasonable both as a businessman and as an employer.

This tire mart has been in Kapitolyo since the 1980s, and longtime residents of the barangay attest the elder Torres is very industrious and gives the biggest possible discounts to his customers.

His many employees also attest to his

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Given all these sources of funds for the barangay amounting to possibly tens to hundreds of millions of pesos every year, officials should have sufficient funds for various projects, from infrastructure to livelihood opportunities and social services such as education and health, and to ensure peace and order in their area of jurisdiction on a daily basis.

But that assumes the elected officials are competent and truly work to serve their constituents first and foremost and want to improve the welfare of the poor and disadvantaged sectors in their barangay.

After all, they already enjoy such benefits as health insurance, scholarships, and automatic civil service eligibility, among others.

It’s quite another thing if the elected barangay leadership squanders the opportunity given to them to serve the community and instead help themselves to the funds allotted to them by law, like it was their personal ATMs, in which case they should be charged with graft before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Or booted out of office in the next election.

In the case of elected members of the Sangguniang Kabataan, they also have the opportunity to perform their duties as spelled out in the fundamental law, and serve as models of integrity and competence to the youth they represent.

If they are merely using SK positions as a stepping stone to higher office, whether elective or appointive, they should prove themselves worthy of the people’s trust.

Our only message to those who will troop to the polling places on Monday to cast their votes is to vote wisely, that is, by closely examining the character, competence and integrity of those running for public office.

In short, whether they are fit to serve and can adhere to the key components of good governance, which are transparency and accountability.

(Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)

fairness in his treatment of his workers.

My friend’s late mother was a good friend of the elder Torres.

Because his mother always got a substantial discount for every car tire she purchased from the tire mart over almost four decades, his mother often made it a point to send the elder Torres a homecooked platter of spaghetti, which the kind gentleman was fond of.

With such an inspiration, many hope Alex Torres will bring well-needed change to Kapitolyo.

Running with Alex Torres as barangay kagawad is Archie Gomez, whose family’s roots in the barangay date back to the 1960s.

Like Torres, Gomez wants to make law enforcement in the village a priority of the next barangay council.

From all available indications, they make a admirable team.

My friend believes if they are elected, Kapitolyo will make law enforcement a top priority.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Chin Wong Joyce Pangco Pañares Jimbo Owen Gulle

Associate Editor Managing Editor News Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Opinion Editor Lino M. Santos Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

NEWS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

USAID launches 5-year economic dev’t program based in 9 PH cities T HE United States government on Thursday rolled out an $11-million program meant to enable nine Philippine cities to create a viable economic environment that would attract more investments.

The nine cities are Batangas, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, and Zamboanga.

The program involves a five-year Urban Connect project through which the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will provide technical assistance and work with pertinent government agencies to develop egovernment solutions and improve local regulatory environment for pri-

vate investment in the nine cities.

The project will also help enhance the cities’ delivery of basic service notably in health and education by strengthening public financial management.

“The project was conceived with a clear understanding that our cities are not only key engines of progress, but also powerful levers for creating a better and more equitable future for all citizens within the context of sustainable development,” said USAID Urban

Connect Activity chief of party Alex Brillantes Jr. during the project launch in Quezon City.

Apart from helping the cities overcome institutional and regulatory constraints, Urban Connect will also instrumental in crafting strategies to attract new investments.

The initiative will likewise review how e-services and online platforms could be more accessible for the people, businesses, and other government agencies.

“Our approach is comprehensive, touching on various as pects of urban life from economic development to development of health and education, from improved public services to increased private sector engagement. USAID will align efforts across sectors to develop ho-

listic solutions that address the root causes of complex development challenges,” said USAID Philippine mission director Ryan Washburn.

The USAID began identifying its partners last August and will meet with representatives of the nine cities next month.

The program will be implemented from 2023 to 2028 and will work with numerous partners, including the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the National Economic and Development Authority, the Anti-Red Tape Authority, the Department of Finance, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Mindanao Development Authority, and various leagues of local government units, as well as civil society and nongovernment organizations.

DMW used 34% of P1.2b action fund for OFWs

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has used more than P414 million or about 34 percent of its P1.2-billion fund this year in assisting distressed Filipinos overseas, mostly coming from the Middle East countries.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said the beneficiaries received P10,000 each as start-up capital for their livelihood projects and is part of a broader effort to help Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who have been adversely affected by harsh circumstances abroad.

“The DMW has a balance of around P780 million. We have a catch-up plan for the last two months of the year, most of these funds will be rolled over to 2024,” Cacdac said.

Cacdac said the fund is meant for legal, medical or humanitarian assistance.

The beneficiary OFWs are those considered undocumented or those whose employment contracts were not processed by the DMW and those who overstayed despite expired visas and permits. Also covered by the DMW subsidy program are OFWs who were maltreated, victims of human trafficking, had no Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) membership payment, and inactive members of the OWWA. Most of the distressed OFWs came from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Malaysia, Bahrain, China, Cyprus and Dubai. When their work permits expired, some of them voluntarily returned home at their own expense, while others sought help from Philippine embassies to be able to come home.

At present, the DMW action fund has benefitted 5,325 Filipinos this year, including those affected by various challenges in the Middle East.

In Israel, Cacdac said some 700 OFW families have availed of helpline assistance.

A5

PRICE CHECK. Department of Trade and Industry Undersecretary Maria Blanca Lokim and Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau director Philip Sawali visit the flower shops in Manila to see to it that the blooms are not priced excessively during the traditional observance of Undas or All Saints’ Day. Norman Cruz

PH seals treaty on repatriation of convicts with Great Britain

By Rey E. Requejo THE Philippines and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday signed a treaty that would allow prisoners to serve the remaining years of their jail terms in their home country.

The bilateral Treaty on the Transfer of Sentenced Persons was signed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and British Ambassador to Manila Laure Beufils during a ceremony held at the Department of Justice.

“The Treaty, aligning with international standards, offers a framework where individuals sentenced in one Contracting State can opt to serve their sentences in their native country,” Remulla said in a statement.

“The underlying rationale is that being closer to family, friends, and familiar culture can better facilitate the rehabilitation of the sentenced individuals,” he added.

Under the accord, the DOJ chief said “Filipinos convicted in the UK can now choose to serve their remaining sentences in the Philippines, easing their reintegration into society upon completion.”

“This Treaty stands as testament to the shared dedication of both countries in enhancing their mutual relations and commitments,” he stressed.

The DOJ Secretary noted that the new treaty complements the already existing PH-UK Extradition Treaty and the PH-UK Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters which were signed in London in 2009.

Remulla recalled that prior to the signing the treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons, the DOJ hosted talks on the agreement last July 25 and 26 in Manila.

“By the Special Authority issued on 21 July 2023, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. assigned Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan to helm the Negotiating Panel,” the DOJ statement read.

Chan “was joined by Assistant Chief State Counsel Mildred Bernadette B. Alvor, State Counsels Florina C. Agtarap, and Jennelyn D. Bilocura. Key officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) also played a pivotal role in the discussions,” the DOJ said.

Rody son presses verbal attack on Castro

By Maricel V. Cruz

KEEP THE CEMETERIES CLEAN. Placard-bearing volunteers of the Eco Waste Coalition dressed as ‘Zombasuras’ (zombie basura or trash) gather at the gate of the Manila North Cemetery to remind the general public of an ‘eco-friendly and waste-free observance’ of Undas. This is in anticipation of multitudes of people visiting the graves of their departed and likely to leave behind piles of trash and other discarded materials. Norman Cruz

DAVAO City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Thursday criticized anew a progressive legislator who filed a grave threat complaint against his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

‘I just wish that your passion to sensationalize this further is the same as your passion to protect farmers, innocent victims killed by the NPA,” the younger Duterte said.

Rep. Duterte made the comment after Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list, responded to his earlier observation that “public servants should not be onion-skinned and should not make use of

this right as a tool to silence critics.”

Castro, who had filed a complaint for grave threats against the former President, hit back, saying being criticized is far from getting death threats.

Rep. Duterte justified his defense of his father, stressing that it is “imperative upon me to stand by my family and protect my family.

I think anybody would do that. .That’s where I’m coming from.”

Duterte also told Castro; “You filed a case, let the court look at the merits. Simple as that.

Like I said, it is your right. But I heard worse.”

Rep. Duterte earlier pointed out that his father has received “harsher and more humiliating criticisms in the past, but he never filed a case against anyone.”

Taguig City bags DOH service excellence award THE Department of Health (DOH) Center for Health Development has recognized Taguig City for its dedication to providing diverse exceptional medical support to its constituents.

The recognition was conferred during the DOH’s program implementation review conferences and Local Health System Recognition: 2022 LGU Health Scorecard Implementation.

The LGU Health Scorecard is a component of the FOURmula One (F1) Plus for Health Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) aimed at promoting equity and effectiveness. It also serves as a primary tool for assessing and monitoring the performance of local government units (LGUs) in meeting the national health targets based

on the priority programs of the DOH. Taguig was conferred an award for its remarkable and exceptional performance in implementing health reform strategies within the city-wide health system, providing high-quality healthcare services for Taguigueños and contributing to the achievement of Universal Health Care in Metro Manila.

Mayor Lani Cayetano, at the helm of a transformative, lively, and caring city, is committed to delivering quality and accessible healthcare services and programs for all Taguigueños, the city government said in a statement.

City Health Officer Dr. Norena Osano, Executive Assistant for Health Dr. Cecille Montales, City Health Technical Officer Dr. Olivia Andaya, Uni-

versal Healthcare Program Manager Dr. Sherry Ann Juta-Bergado, Health Education Promotion Office Program Manager Dr. Abdul Jalili Sanday and Disease Surveillance Officer FHSIS Nurse Coordinator Richelle Timog accepted the award on behalf of the city government and the people.

Taguig was one of only eight local government units in the National Capital Region (NCR) to receive this honor.

The city also received a plaque of appreciation for its significant contribution in strengthening the program implementation and a certificate of recognition for successfully documenting and sharing good practices in health strategy to address health issues within the community.

GEARING UP FOR UNDAS. San Juan City

Mayor Francis Zamora leads a tour of the San Juan City Cemetery ahead of the traditional Undas observance to ensure that the facility can handle the unusually large crowd of people who come to visit the graves of their departed.

Manny Palmero

M. Standard – Oct. 27, 2023

WORLD

A6 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chinese envoy starts US visit as Biden vows to defend allies

dard

TODAY

Manila

Standard

TODAY AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOPS INC.

Auction sale on October 05, 2023 A l a b a n g Town Center Stall 2074 U/L, 2:00 pm G/F Majalco Bldg. Benavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and Makati and 4:00 pm Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave. Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City All items Pawned May 131,2023.

MS-(OCT. 27, 2023)

ERRATUM RE: NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JESUS M. CONSUNJ and MINA C. CONSUNJI Notice is hereby given that the Notice of Extrajudicial Settlement of the Estate of Jesus M. Consunji and Mina C. Consunji has been extrajudicially settled among their heirs as per Extrajudicial Settlement dated; April 12, 2022, April 7, 2022, May 2, 2022 and April 29, 2022 which was published on June 24 July 1 & 8, 2022 in the Manila Standard for (3) consecutive weeks, contained an erratum as the name of JESUS ISIDRO M. CONSUNJI should be JESUS M. CONSUNJI. (MS-OCT. 20/27/NOV. 3, 2023)

WASHINGTON, DC – China’s top diplomat opens talks Thursday (Friday in Manila) in Washington as he readies a potential summit between Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden, who ahead of talks vowed to defend Asian allies.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi is paying a rare high-level to WashGROWING SPACE ington as the world’s two largest PROGRAM. (from left) economies seek to manage, if not Astronauts Jiang Xinlin, resolve, a host of disputes that reTang Shengjie and Tang peatedly sent tensions soaring in Hongbo wave before CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW boarding the Shenzhou-17 recentBLACK years. spacecraft on a Long Wang will begin his visit by March-2F carrier rocket meeting Secretary of State Antony at the Jiuquan Satellite Blinken, who traveled to Beijing in Launch Center in the Gobi June and will welcome his counterdesert, in northwest China part for a closed-door dinner. on Thursday, in a program Biden also issued a warning after that plans to send people the Philippines, a treaty-bound ally to the Moon by 2030. AFP and formerYELLOW colony ofBLACK the United CYAN MAGENTA States, said Chinese vessels deliberately hit Manila’s boats in dispute-rife waters — an account disputed by Beijing.

“Any attack on Filipino aircraft, vessels or armed forces will invoke our mutual defense treaty with the Philippines,” Biden said.

On Friday, he will meet at the White House with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. No meeting has been announced with Biden but an encounter is widely expected after Xi received Blinken in Beijing. zhou-16 crew — aboard Tiangong Biden has invited Xi to visit San for nearly five months now — are Francisco next month for a summit preparing to receive the trio beof the Asia-Pacific Economic Cofore returning to Earth next week. operation forum in what would be the leaders’ first meeting in a year.

Hundreds of spectators gathUS officials have repeatedly ered on Thursday morning near spoken of creating “guardrails” to the rocket site at the Jiuquan prevent worst-case scenarios and Satellite Launch Centre, in the have sought, without success, to Gobi Desert, some wearing the restore contact between the two blue uniforms of China’s space militaries, even as the powers disagency. agree strongly on issues from trade Excitement broke out among to Taiwan. the crowd as a loudspeaker blared “We’re going to compete with a countdown and the rocket lifted China (in) every way according to off, sending plumes of smoke the international rules — economiacross the launch pad and the dry, cally, politically, in other ways. flat desert expanse surrounding But I’m not looking for conflict,” the site, before the increasingly Biden said Wednesday as he welloud roar of the engines drowned comed Australian Prime Minister out the applause. AFP Anthony Albanese. AFP

China launches new mission to its Tiangong space station J

IUQUAN, China – Beijing sent a fresh crew to its Tiangong space station on Thursday, in the latest mission for a growing space program that plans to send people to the Moon by 2030.

The Shenzhou-17 blasted off from the Jiuquan launch site in northwest China at 11:14 am, carrying a three-astronaut team with the youngest average age since the space station’s construction.

At a farewell ceremony, hun-

dreds of supporters waving the Chinese national flag and clutching yellow flowers cheered on the three astronauts — wearing white and blue spacesuits — as they were introduced to the crowds.

The patriotic song “Ode to the Motherland” was sung as the space travellers walked slowly down a short pathway between the crowds, smiling and waving goodbye before boarding a bus to the launch site.

Captaining the crew is Tang Hongbo, who is on his first return mission to the space station.

Accompanying him are Tang Shengjie and Jiang Xinlin, both in their thirties and each making maiden space voyages.

The all-male crew is the youngest ever to man a mission to the space station, with an average age of 38.

They are set to “perform various in-orbit space science and application payload tests and experiments”, Lin Xiqiang, deputy director of the China Manned Space Agency, said on Wednesday.

They will also conduct some maintenance work on the station to fix some “minor damages” from space debris, he said.

“We have found that the solar wings of the space station had been hit by tiny space particles several times,” Lin explained.

Members of the previous Shen-

Mexico races to help battered Acapulco after hurricane leaves trail of destruction

TOPSHOT. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador looks out of the window as the vehicle transporting him is stuck in mud during a visit to the Kilometro 42 community, near Acapulco, Guerrero State, Mexico, after the passage of Hurricane Otis, on Thursday. Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid, restore communications and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco after Otis left a trail of destruction and tourists stranded. AFP

France’s ‘getaway king’ Faid given 14-year sentence PARIS – A career criminal and self-described “freedom addict” who escaped a French jail in a hijacked helicopter was sentenced to a further 14 years in prison on Thursday.

Redoine Faid, who had multiple convictions for armed robbery, was sprung from the jail in Reau, 50 kilometers southeast of Paris, in 2018.

The 51-year-old, arrested after three months on the run, went on trial last month.

Just after midnight on Thursday, the Assize Court in the capital was packed with more than 100 members of the public.

When he arrived in the dock, wearing a smile and a blue sweater, Faid joked with some of his 11 co-defendants, among them his 65-year-old brother Rachid, who he greeted with a kiss.

The 14-year sentence handed down by the judge was lighter than the 22 years that prosecutors had requested.

As his previous sentences for robbery and jailbreak were due to run to 2046, he could now be in prison until 2060.

Rachid Faid, who took a helicopter pilot hostage and forced him to land in front of the visiting rooms of Reau prison, got 10 years. AFP

Untested new leader of US House faces daunting honeymoon period WASHINGTON, DC – Inexperienced and untested, the new speaker of the US House of Representatives faces a baptism of fire as he contends with a pileup of deadlines, a razor-thin majority and a raucous right wing that is unlikely to allow him an extended honeymoon period.

Mike Johnson — a committed Donald Trump acolyte and an instinctive fiscal and social conservative to his core — almost certainly harbors ambitions to drastically rein in spending and government regulation.

But his first days as speaker are brimming with more immediate business, chiefly averting a government shutdown that will bite on November 17 unless he can find a compromise with the Democratic-controlled Senate.

President Joe Biden is also seeking rap-

id action on a $106 billion security package that couples additional aid for Ukraine and Israel with increased spending on US border security — the latter a key concern for congressional Republicans.

Johnson’s good friend and fellow Republican lawmaker Chris Smith described him as a man of “deep faith and principle who knows how to get things done.”

“Here in the House, Mike’s experience as vice chairman of the Republican conference shows that he has what it takes to unite House Republicans so we can continue our work,” he said.

But Johnson, 51, was far from anyone’s first choice for the job, having stumbled into his unlikely leadership role almost by default as the last credible Republican standing in a bruising three-week contest. AFP

ACAPULCO, Mexico – Mexican authorities rushed to send emergency aid, restore communications and assess damage in the Pacific beach resort of Acapulco on Wednesday (Thursday in Mnila) after a powerful hurricane left a trail of destruction and tourists stranded.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador personally joined an official convoy heading for the seaside city by road, despite landslides and other debris blocking the way.

“The army is bringing machinery and we’re going to try to reopen (the highway) as soon as possible,” he told journalists who were also trying to reach Acapulco.

Images emerging from the city showed significant damage after Hurricane Otis came ashore overnight as a “potentially catastrophic” Category 5 storm.

People recounted a terrifying ordeal as Otis ripped through a usually sun-kissed resort popular with foreign and Mexican visitors.

“The material damage is devastating.

We have no water or electricity,” said Citlali Portillo, a tourist accommodation manager.

“The building shook as if there was an earthquake,” Portillo told the television channel Televisa, adding that she had taken shelter in a bathtub.

Lopez Obrador said earlier that there were no initial reports of deaths but “there’s material damage and blocked roads.”

A convoy carrying humanitarian aid also set off to try to reach Acapulco — home to about 780,000 people — by land since the airport was closed, authorities said.

“The urgent thing is to attend to the affected population. We still don’t have the damage assessment because there’s no communication,” Civil Protection national coordinator Laura Velazquez said.

Even the navy and military were “seriously affected,” she added.

Otis was packing maximum sustained winds of 165 miles (265 kilometers) per hour when it hit the coast, but later dissipated over southern Mexico, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The storm had rapidly strengthened to the most powerful category of the fivestep Saffir-Simpson scale as it neared land, taking authorities by surprise. AFP

UNTESTED LEADER.

Newly elected US House Speaker Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference after his election at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Republicans made their fourth pick in just two weeks to replace the ousted speaker of the US House of Representatives, underlining the chaos engulfing the fragmented party after three previous nominees failed to win the gavel. AFP

South Korean academic acquitted of defaming World War II ‘comfort women’ SEOUL – A South Korean professor who challenged the consensus view of Japan’s wartime sex slaves was acquitted of defaming the victims on Thursday, overturning an earlier verdict.

Park Yu-ha, of Sejong University in Seoul, was found guilty in 2017 of defamation for questioning the popular narra-

tive that all euphemistically termed “comfort women” were forcibly dragged from their homes by Japanese soldiers during World War II. In her 2013 book “The Comfort Women of the Empire”, she suggested the reality was more complex, with some women volunteering — though without necessarily

knowing what their fate would be. Many were told that they would get factory jobs.

The book also suggested some women forged emotional bonds with the soldiers they served, sparking an angry response from surviving victims.

Six years ago, a Seoul court ordered the academic to pay a 10 million won

($7,357) fine for defaming victims, who remain highly sensitive historical figures in South Korea.

But the country’s Supreme Court acquitted Park on Thursday, stating it was reasonable to consider Park’s “expressions” in the book as her “academic arguments” and opinions. AFP

BUSINESS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks fall on new interest rate hike, Middle East worries

DBP CENTER. Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) inaugurates its Puerto Princesa Lending Center located at the third floor of the Puerto Princesa City Water District building along Rizal Ave. This is in line with the bank’s continuing efforts to expand its development lending activities especially in the countryside and assist in the government’s financial inclusion initiatives.

DBP president and chief executive Michael de Jesus (left) leads the ribbon cutting ceremony with Palawan Governor Victorino Dennis Socrates and guests from client-borrowers.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Housing prices rose faster in 2nd quarter—BSP survey Manila

Standard

TODAY

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE prices of various types of new housing units rose 14.1 percent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2023, faster than the 10.2-percent rise in the first quarter, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

It said home prices went up by 5.3 percent quarter-on-quarter in the April to June period.

Data showed that residential property prices in the National Capital Region and Areas Outside the NCR (AONCR) increased by 15.4 percent and 13.8 percent, respectively, on a year-on-year basis, as prices of single-detached/attached houses, townhouses and con-

A7

dominium units posted annual positive increases.

Residential property prices expanded by 7.7 percent in NCR and 4.4 percent in AONCR on a quarter-on-quarter basis.

“By housing type, prices of duplex housing units, single-detached/attached houses, townhouses and condominium units contributed positively to the YoY growth of the nationwide RREPI [resi-

dential real estate price index] as the indices increased by 24.6 percent, 18.3 percent, 14.7 percent, and 5 percent, respectively,” the BSP said.

“Moreover, the 5.3 percent quarteron-quarter growth in the RREPI was attributed to the higher prices of all housing units, i.e., single-detached/attached houses [by 6.7 percent], duplex housing units [by 4.8 percent], condominium units [by 3.8 percent], and townhouses [by 3.7 percent],” it said.

Meanwhile, the number of residential real estate loans (RRELs) granted for all types of new housing units in the Philippines declined by 1 percent yearon-year in the second quarter, as RRELs in the NCR contracted by 11.8 percent, outweighing the 5.3 percent growth in

Robinsons Retail’s 9-month income declined by 41.4% ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc (RRHI) said net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company declined by 41.4 percent in the first nine months of the year to P2.58 billion from P4.4 billion recorded in the same period last year.

RRHI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday the decline was due to equitized losses from minority start-up investments which continue to ramp up, the derecognition of Robinsons Bank’s net income under equitized earnings following the merger with the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and interest expense from the acquisition financing of the BPI shares that were purchased earlier this year.

Nine-month core net income, however, climbed 4 percent to P3.78 billion as net sales increased 8.7 percent to P138.2 billion on 5-percent growth in same-store sales and store expansion initiatives.

RRHI said net sales and core net earnings posted growth despite the impact of inflation on consumption and a challenging base last year, which benefitted from economic reopening and election-related spending.

RRHI said it remained positive on the long-term potential of the domestic retail industry, despite near-term macroeconomic challenges, particularly the impact of inflation on consumer sentiment.

“We will continue to invest with a longterm view and in a sustainable manner – core strategies that we firmly believe will translate to greater stakeholder value,” said RRHI president and chief executive Robina Gokongwei-Pe said.

The group’s supermarkets and drugstores were the main revenue growth drivers during the period as sales of these two segments accounted for almost 75 percent of RRHI’s revenues for the period.

The department store segment also delivered double-digit topline growth in the first nine months due to back-toschool and continued out-of-home activities.

RRHI had a total of 2,368 stores comprising of 341 supermarkets, 1,033 drugstores, 50 department stores, 230 DIY stores, 416 convenience stores and 298 specialty stores as of end-September. It also had more than 2,000 franchised stores of TGP. Jenniffer B. Austria

RRELs in the AONCR. The nationwide growth in housing loan availments fell 4.2 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis, following the 6.3 percent drop in RRELs in the AONCR. The average appraised value of new housing units in the country was P78,444 per square meter in the second quarter. The average appraised value per sqm in the NCR was at P127,884, higher than both the national average and the average appraised value in the AONCR at P54,496.

The weight of each type of housing unit in the RREPI is determined by dividing the total floor area (in sqm) of a specific type of housing unit over the total floor area of all housing types.

STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT. Manila Electric

Co. vice president and corporate communications head Joe R. Zaldarriaga, who also sits as trustee of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines (PRSP), shares his insights to communications professionals on how to effectively connect and resonate with stakeholders. Zaldarriaga, who has nearly four decades of professional experience in communications and the media, led the discussion on building and strengthening linkages during the third PRSP general membership meeting in Makati City.

STOCKS fell Thursday as investors anticipated another round of interest rate hikes which the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced after the trading hours.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped 36.01 points, or 0.60 percent, to close at 6.018.49, while the broader all-shares index slipped 22.81 points, or 0.69 percent, to settle at 3,266.02.

“Concerns over an off-cycle rate hike by the BSP, which eventually materialized this afternoon as the BSP decided to increase benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points weighed on the market,” Philstocks Financial Inc research analyst Mikhail Plopenio said.

Plopenio said worries over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East were also keeping investors on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, most Asian stocks also sank Thursday, tracking a retreat on Wall Street fueled by a surge in US Treasuries and worries over a possible escalation of the Middle East crisis, which also pushed oil prices higher.

Disappointing corporate reports from US tech titans added to the senseCYAN M of gloom among investors, while the burst of optimism that greeted China’s massive spending pledge this week began to fade.

A warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a ground invasion of Gaza was being prepared fanned a rush to safe-haven assets and sent crude up more than two percent Wednesday, with traders concerned about supplies from the crude-rich region. Both main contracts extended gains in early European trade.

The commodity had slipped recently on hopes Israel was recalibrating its plans as Palestinian militants Hamas released some hostages.

The spike sent 10-year treasury yields -- seen as a proxy for future interest rates -- surging back towards five percent, and putting pressure on the Federal Reserve as it tries to battle inflation while attempting to avoid tipping the economy into recession.

Data later in the day is expected to show US gross domestic product expanded heartily in the third quarter but there is a worry that with borrowing costs at two-decade highs and oil elevated, a contraction could follow in the new year.

That comes amid a corporate reporting season that saw Facebook parent Meta warn about the outlook next year, Google parent Alphabet post disappointing cloud figures and Texas Instruments issue bearish forecasts.

With AFP

CYAN M Manila

Standard

TODAY

CONCEPCION INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION (formerly Concepcion Airconditioning Corporation) NOTICE OF THE SPECIAL STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETING TO:

ALL STOCKHOLDERS

Notice is hereby given that CONCEPCION INDUSTRIAL CORPORATION (formerly Concepcion Airconditioning Corporation) (the “Corporation”) will conduct its Special Stockholders’ Meeting virtually via Zoom (https://us02web. zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqceyvqzIpHNbC3_5jlUjWRaAGlKZnTEyo) on November 21, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., at which meeting the following matters shall be taken up: 1.

Call to Order;

2.

Certification of Existence of Quorum;

3.

Approval of the Amendment of the By-Laws;

4

Approval of the Minutes of the Special Stockholders’ Meeting held on 26 October 2022;

5.

Other Matters; and

6.

Adjournment.

The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the said meeting is fixed at the close of business hours on October 5, 2023.

Stockholders may attend the meeting by remote communication and/or vote in absentia or through the Chairman of the meeting as proxy. Stockholders who wish to participate by remote communication or vote in absentia or by proxy should notify the Corporate Secretary by email to cic.secretary@romulo.com from October 26, 2023 to November 11, 2023.

Successful registrants will receive an electronic invitation via email with a complete guide on how to join the meeting.

For any registration concerns, please get in touch with the Corporation through cic.secretary@romulo.com.

All stockholders who wish to vote through a proxy or in absentia shall submit the duly signed proxies or ballots, as the case may be, to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the 21st Floor, Philamlife Tower, 8767 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City and/or by email to cic.secretary@romulo.com not later than November 11, 2023. The proxies and ballots submitted shall be validated on November 16, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. We are not soliciting proxies.

The Information Statement which contains a brief explanation of each item on the agenda and procedures for attending the meeting via remote communication and for casting votes in absentia and Quarterly Report for period ended June 30, 2023 on SEC Form 17-Q are posted on the Corporation’s website at https://cic.ph/investor-relations/#specialstockholders The meeting shall be recorded in audio and video format and copies thereof shall be retained by the Corporation.

(MS-OCT. 26 & 27, 2023)

A8 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 Roderick T. dela Cruz Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

BUSINESS

FRANCHISE MEETINGS. The Philippine Franchise Association hosts the twin meetings of the World Franchise Council (WFC) and the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) from Oct. 25 to 27, coinciding with the Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 International Expo on Oct. 27 to 29 at the SMX Convention Center Manila with the theme ‘Fun. Friendship.Franchising. Shown are PFA chairman Sherill Quintana, president Chris Lim, WFC secretary general Simon Bartholomew, Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 overall chair Joseph Tanbuntiong, Franchise Asia Philippines 2023 overall co-chair Richard Sanz, vice chair Ma. Alegria Sibal-Limjoco and chairman emeritus Samie Lim with international delegates from Brazil, Britain, China, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Hungary, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Taiwan and UAE. Also present are the three supranational associations—the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC), Europe Franchise Federation (EFF) and the Federation of Ibarro-American Federation (FIAF)

BSP raises borrowing rate to 6.5% to tame inflation

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Monetary Board, the policymaking body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), raised the overnight borrowing rate by 25 basis points to 6.5 percent in an off-cycle move to rein in inflation, Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said Thursday.

The tightening might not end there this year, as Remolona said in a briefing the BSP would weigh the gross domestic product growth in the third quarter and the inflation rate in October for a possible further policy action.

“Inflation and the Q3 GDP will come out [before the next meeting on Nov. 16]. So these are additional data to consider…. We are hoping that the data will be nicer to us. But if not, we will consider a further rate hike [in the November meeting],” said Remolona, who is also the chairman of the Monetary Board.

BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr.

Remolona said he was no longer expecting inflation to return to the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

“I think from March to July next year, inflation will be above 4 percent…That is what our model says. Beyond July [2024] it will be somewhere around 3 percent and stay there for the rest of 2024,” he said.

Remolona said despite the aggressive policy stance, the monetary tightening had not affected the economy’s growth prospects, as the slowdown in the past months was due to the waning of pent-up demand.

He said GDP growth in the third quarter might settle

around 4.5 percent which, could represent “some recovery from the second quarter [of 4.3 percent].”

The BSP also adjusted the interest rates on the overnight deposit and lending facilities to 6.0 percent and 7.0 percent, respectively.

The Monetary Board said it recognized the need for urgent monetary action to prevent supply-side price pressures from inducing additional second-round effects and further dislodging inflation expectations.

The latest baseline projections point to an elevated inflation path over the policy horizon as upside risks continue to manifest.

Inflation forecast for 2024 was raised to 4.7 percent from 4.3 percent, above the government’s target range.

Second-round effects also broadened, including transportation fare increases and minimum wage adjustments. Inflation expectations rose sharply, highlighting the risk of further second-round effects.

“The balance of risks to the inflation outlook still leans significantly toward the upside, due mainly to the potential impact of higher transport charges, electricity rates, international oil prices, and minimum wage adjustments in areas outside the National Capital Region,” the BSP said.

CDC, Bloomberry to develop P12-b medical hub in Clark

By Othel V. Campos

CLARK Development Corp. president and chief executive Agnes Devanadera unveiled Thursday a P12-billion masterplanned medical hub project in Clark Freeport.

Devanadera said Bloomberry Resorts Corp. through Bloomberry Cultural Foundation Inc. would fund the first building amounting to P1 billion.

“The first building costing P1 billion will be funded by Bloomberry Foundation, the foundation arm of Solaire casinos,” Devanadera said at the culmination of the 49th Philippine Business Conference at Manila Hotel.

The President already visited the site which will house basic and common facilities like pharmacy, emergency sections, finance and administration offices, among others, she said.

CDC is donating 5.72 hectares of land where several medical specialty buildings are expected to rise within the next few years.

BCFI will release the first P500 million this year to fund the initial construction phase of the first building and

BDO’S SUPPORT. BDO

Capital & Investment Corp. president Eduardo Francisco, one of the speakers at the British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ (BCCP) Economic Forum, discusses significant policies, reforms and economic opportunities in the country among corporate and business leaders, economists and investment companies. BDO Capital facilitated a landmark deal in relation to the P25-billion investment of Aboitiz Infracapital Inc. (AIC) in GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC), the developer and operator of the award- winning Mactan Cebu International Airport. The transaction is a notable milestone in the transport and mobility sector which signifies a strong vote of confidence in the Philippine air transport industry and aims to accelerate national economic growth.

another P500 million next year.

Devanadera said the first building will be funded from BCFI donation, while CDC is open for more contributions from interested funders.

Interested companies will have to follow the masterplan drafted and financed

by BCFI, she said.

“What is good about the masterplan is that as they build the first building, other specialty areas will be opened.

This is their CSR [corporate social responsibility],” she said.

The Philippine Amusement Gaming Corp. requires all casinos to create and implement individual CSRs using the profit generated from casino operations.

Devanadera said the project will be good for CDC as it would attract more investments while providing quality care to communities and people within the Clark periphery.

She said two more buildings are in the pipeline, including the Medical Arts building where private practitioners are encouraged to set up clinics and offices.

The Department of Health (DOH) is expected to contribute to the construction of the second building.

BDO posted P53.9-b profit in nine months BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO), the country’s largest lender, booked a net income of P53.9 billion in the first nine months of 2023, up from P40.0 billion a year earlier, on broad-based growth across core businesses.

This resulted in a return on common equity (ROCE) of 15.1 percent, compared to 12.4 percent in the same period last year.

Net interest income increased to P137.4 billion, with customer loans growing 7.5 percent year-on-year to P2.7 trillion and deposits expanding 12 percent to P3.4 trillion.

Non-interest income settled at P57.9 billion, supported by various fee-based and treasury/FX businesses.

Pre-provision operating profit amounted to P80.6 billion, with revenue growth continuing to outpace cost growth.

Non-performing loan (NPL) ratio remained stable at 1.99 percent despite the higher interest rate environment, while NPL coverage improved to 176 percent. The bank continues to set aside provisions in line with its conservative credit and provisioning policies.

Common equity increased to P494.3 billion, given the continued profitable operations. Book value per share (BVPS) increased 13 percent to P93.83.

Capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 (CET1) ratios strengthened to 15.6 percent and 14.5 percent, respectively, with ample capital buffers against regulatory minimum levels.

BDO said while macroeconomic challenges persisted, it remained cautiously optimistic and was well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities given its strong balance sheet and diversified business franchise.

Phoenix selling over P9b worth of assets to BDO

By Alena Mae S. Flores

EU PROGRAM. Finance Secretary Benajmin Diokno (left) and European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen show the signed 60-million-euro financing agreement for the Green Economy Program between the EU and the Philippines at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.

AboitizPower renews power supply deal with Max’s Group commissary ABOITIZ Power Corp. said Thursday it renewed its retail electricity supply partnership with NoBia Inc., the commissary of the Max’s Group for the supply of 1.2 megawatts for the next four years.

Max’s Group is the country’s largest casual dining restaurant company known for Max’s Restaurant, Pancake House, Yellow Cab Pizza Co. and Krispy Kreme.

AboitizPower agreed to supply power to NoBia’s food manufacturing and distribution center in Carmona, Cavite over a four-year period.

The facility produces nearly 2,000 metric tons of food each month, supporting over 300 retail partner stores and a local network of more than 600 stores in the country.

AboitizPower’s retail electricity services give its partners and customers affordable access to dependable power via tailor-fit energy solutions, power quality and efficiency audits and other value-added services in support of the open access and retail competition regime.

“Our partnership with AboitizPower mirrors our brand values [of being] genuine, thoughtful, and delightful.

Leveraging on AboitizPower’s renewable energy not only allows us to serve countless Filipino individuals with our culinary offerings but also adds significant value to the Max’s Group’s mission,” said NoBia president Cristina Garcia.

Nobai’s first contract with Aboitiz Power covered November 2021 to November 2023. It was renewed until December 2027.

AboitizPower retail head James Byron Yu said No Bia Inc.’s dedication to evolving their menu offerings and enhancing their capabilities illustrates their unwavering commitment to leading the way in service excellence in food manufacturing and distribution.

‘It is AboitizPower’s privilege to support that with the clean and reliable energy it can and will deliver,” said Yu. AboitizPower said it would continue to invest in renewables to reach at least 4,600 MW, or 50 percent of its generation portfolio by the next decade, in line with the government’s goal of having a 35-percent and 50-percent share of renewable energy in the country’s power generation mix by 2030 and 2050, respectively. Alena Mae S. Flores

PHOENIX Petroleum Philippines Inc. expects to raise over P9 billion from the proposed sale and lease back of its assets to BDO Unibank Inc., top executives said Thursday.

Phoenix disclosed the plan during the company’s annual stockholders meeting where the company said the planned sale and lease back is one of its steps to restructure its debts.

“One proposed step for the restructuring of its debt is to enter into a sale lease back agreement with BDO Unibank inc. involving some of the assets such as its terminals, depots and retail stations. The restructuring will allow the company to receive over P9 billion for the transfer of the assets which will be applied to its current obligations and reduce its debt,” Phoenix officer-in-charge chief finance officer Ignacia Braga said.

“BDO has at the same time agreed to lease back to the company the same set of assets in the process of ensuring the company is still able to use the terminals and the depots through a lease agreement,” she said.

Braga said Phoenix was in the process of streamlining its operations, restructuring its debts and identifying potential sources of liquidity to generate cash flow to settle its obligations or generate some liquidity for working capital.

“The key objective is to bring back the company to a healthy financial position and regain its stronger market position that it enjoyed pre-pandemic,” she said.

“In this regard, a major focus on its liability management exercise which involves negotiations with its creditor banks and suppliers for mutually acceptable debt servicing agreements and on a case a case basis divesting certain assets which has the effect of either raising capital for operations or reducing debt,” Braga said.

She said the proposed sale and lease back with BDO would also grant the company the exclusive right to repurchase the asset within three to five years from the time of sale when the company is in a better position to purchase the said assets either fully or partially at the company’s discretion.

Powering a Sustainable Future

B1

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022 www.manilastandard.net

SPECIAL ISSUE

Sustainable energy Skilled workforce: A critical component of PH energy transition brightens the Philippines’ future

By Peter Paul Duran

T

HE Philippine government has set its sights on a sustainable future, with an ambitious plan to increase the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix.

By 2030, the country aims to reach 35 percent and by 2040, an even more impressive 50 percent. This endeavor is underpinned by a comprehensive framework of policies and programs, including the Philippine Energy Plan 20202040, the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 and the Green Energy Auction Program.

As it stands, the Philippines boasts of a diverse mix of renewable energy sources, featuring hydropower, solar and wind.

Hydropower reigns supreme as the largest contributor, with an impressive capacity of 4.3 gigawatts (GW). Solar energy follows suit as the second-largest source, providing 896 MW of capacity, closely followed by wind energy at 427 MW. The government’s unwavering commitment to renewable energy offers a multitude of benefits for the nation. Notably, it lessens the Philippines’ dependence on fossil fuels, a vital step to fortify energy security in a country heavily reliant on fuel imports.

Renewable energy is a potent ally in the quest for cleaner air. The Philippines grapples with air pollution stemming from fossil fuel combustion, a situation that renewable energy can help rectify, thereby enhancing air quality and minimizing public health risks.

The renewable energy sector serves as a well of employment opportunities, aligning with the government’s pledge to create jobs through sustainable practices. This strategic push towards renewables is projected to generate thousands of jobs in the country.

But what specific measures is the Philippines taking to promote sustainable energy?

The Renewable Energy Act of 2008 led the way by offering financial incentives for renewable energy projects. These incentives encompass tax breaks, feed-in tariffs and renewable energy certificates. In parallel, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act of 2009 mandates energy consumers to adopt efficiency measures, incentivizing compliance.

The Green Building Code sets rigorous standards for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in new constructions. Meanwhile, the National Greening Program is tasked with planting

1.5 billion trees by 2028. These trees serve a dual purpose by curbing air pollution and providing a renewable energy source.

Further bolstering these policies and programs is the government’s resolute investment in renewable energy technology research and development. Simultaneously, the nation is laboring to establish a national energy grid capable of seamlessly integrating renewable energy.

Several government initiatives underscore this commitment such as the Department of Energy’s Green Energy Auction Program (GEAP). This competitive bidding system for renewable energy projects has been a resounding success. It has drawn investments and effectively lowered the cost of renewable energy in the Philippines.

The DOE’s Net Metering Program enables renewable energy generators to sell surplus electricity back to the grid. It renders renewable energy systems more accessible for households and businesses.

The Philippines is undeniably on the right track when it comes to boosting the share of renewable energy in its power generation mix. The government’s ambition to secure half of its energy from renewable sources by 2050 is both commendable and promising. Thanks to these proactive policies and initiatives, the nation is on a steadfast journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future.

Clean energy: The path toward a sustainable future THE past decade saw a remarkable progress in the development and adoption of renewable energy (RE) worldwide. The affordability, efficiency and reliability of RE technologies led to a global surge in the deployment of these projects.

A recent study conducted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) revealed that renewable energy accounted for an unprecedented 38 percent of the world’s electricity generation in 2021.

This achievement was accompanied by a record-breaking 295 gigawatts (GW) of RE capacity additions in 2022, marking a remarkable 20% increase compared to 2021.

The driving forces behind this remarkable growth were the expanding contributions of solar and wind energy.

As RE technologies continue to become more cost-effective, efficient and dependable, the renewable energy sector is witnessing an array of innovative trends and developments that are accelerating the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

RE trends Floating solar: An increasing number of countries are adopting floating solar panels on bodies of water, such as lakes and reservoirs.

This approach not only maximizes land use but also extends the reach of solar energy to regions with limited available land.

Wave and tidal energy: Although wave and tidal energy technologies are still in their early stages, they hold the potential to become significant sources of renewable energy. Multiple commercial-scale projects focused on wave and tidal energy are either in progress or in the planning phases across

the globe.

Microgrids: Microgrids, or localized power grids capable of operating independently from the main grid, are gaining popularity.

They offer a reliable source of power to remote areas and facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid.

Smart energy grids: Smart energy grids utilize digital technologies to enhance the efficiency and reliability of the electricity grid, making it more adaptable to increased renewable energy integration and reduced energy consumption.

Energy storage: The importance of energy storage technologies is on the rise to facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the grid. These technologies encompass various solutions, including batteries, pumped hydro storage and thermal storage.

The growth of renewable energy is set to continue in the years ahead. According to IRENA’s projections, renewable energy capacity is anticipated to double by 2030 and reach 6,000 GW by 2050.

This substantial expansion not only holds the promise of reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also serves as a critical mitigating factor in the battle against climate change. Furthermore, renewable energy plays a pivotal role in decreasing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels, mitigating climate change and opening up new avenues for job creation and economic development.

As these advancements unfold, they signal a brighter, cleaner and more sustainable future, one that will benefit not only our generation, but also of the next. Peter Paul Duran

AMIDST the Philippine energy transition, Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) recognized the growing scarcity of skilled power industry workers and, hence, the necessity of developing a workforce that can adapt and willingly carry the important task of ensuring energy security, affordability, and sustainability for today’s and tomorrow’s Filipinos.

“There has to be a workforce now and in the future that will keep our energy system functioning and serve the needs of our country,” said AboitizPower Chief People Officer MaLu Inofre. “However, among our most difficult challenges is building a skilled talent pipeline that can effectively adjust and work with the fast-paced transformation within the industry’s energy mix, digital systems, and regulations.”

“It has become exceedingly vital to ensure that workforce skills align with the changes of the times,” she further explained. “In the same way, attracting talent in a competitive global market is crucial to a sustainable, efficient, and innovative Philippine power sector that meets our country’s growing energy demands and sustainability objectives.”

Inofre made her remarks during the first Philippine Power Industry HR Forum at Shangri-La The Fort, Taguig City. The event was presented by the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, Inc. (AmCham) in partnership with AboitizPower.

In the Philippines, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that an estimated one million skilled workers in engineering, architecture, and construction are lacking. They cited “Power Plant Maintenance Engineer” and “Maintenance/Powerplant Engineers” as among the hard-to-fill occupations in the country. This can be due to a lack of qualified applicants or brain drain (or when better opportunities abroad are taken advantage of by skilled locals).

“Between 2016 and 2021, the employment in the power industry declined by 15,444 individuals,” said DOLE Bureau of Local Employment Director Patrick P. Patriwirawan Jr. during the same event. “The Philippines saw an increase in the employment in the renewable energy industry last year but could have employed more if not for the delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic on various project developments in the sector.”

Inofre added that a major factor influencing the labor shortage is the shift in the type of skills sought by employers, especially as the sector tries to balance the entry of renewable energy whilst maintaining traditional energy systems.

“Knowing this, upskilling will be key to facilitating a just transition for those who will be affected by the transition to a greener economy, as well as the new generation of workers.

It is imperative that we successfully cultivate both thermal and renewable energy, so that we can ensure reliable and affordable energy supply for the country,” she said.

Meralco Power Academy Program Management Director Engr. Marc Lester Malibiran explained that, on top of upskilling the workforce, the industry should also help develop interest for the sector, especially in the youth.

“The Philippines boasts a young and vibrant population, brimming with innovative potential. By investing in talent development, we tap into this dynamic workforce, harnessing their fresh ideas and energy,” he said. “Unfortunately, we are seeing a decline in both take-up and completion of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), averaging only a 21% completion [rate].”

Young academic and professional achievers were recruited and trained by AboitizPower to operate, monitor, and control the company’s National Operations Control Center, which oversees over 20 renewable energy facilities spread across the country all from one central location.

“Young Filipinos avoid STEM as it is seen to be an intimidating course of study. This is important to know as this signals us to develop programs that remove this preconceived notion,” he added.

The Philippine Power Industry HR Forum served as an avenue for human resources professionals in the Philippine power industry to connect, collaborate, and communicate ideas, knowledge, and best practices.

Sentiments from the breakout sessions revealed that skills and competency gaps or mismatch, a limited external talent pool, and difficulty in retaining talent due to global and local competition are the most cited challenges in the human resources field of the Philippine energy sector.

A panel discussion moderated by Atty. Jose Layug Jr. of Divina Law saw Michael Page Regional Director & Country Head Albert Perez, Meralco Chief HR Officer Edgardo “Egay” Carasig, Philippine Independent Power Producers Association, Inc. (PIPPA) President Atty. Anne Estorco Montelibano, and ACEN Chief HR Officer John Philip Orbeta discuss the need to calibrate existing government programs to be more in sync with the needs of the energy industry. This includes building competencies within communities to turn locals into more competitive applicants.

Meanwhile, another panel discussion moderated by AmCham Human Capital & Resources Committee CoChair Ernie Cecilia had Global Business Power Corporation VP - Human Resources Maria Luz Blanco-Uriarte, One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc. Founder & President Erel Narida, and AboitizPower’s Inofre talk about how retaining workers involves investing on their skills, ensuring talent mobility opportunities, and giving them a sense of purpose.

“The energy industry must create an acceptable, progressive plan to resolve the talent crisis. AboitizPower, for one, makes an effort to resolve the shortage of estimated skilled workers in our industry by maintaining academicindustry linkages with universities in the country, providing long-term scholarships, [and] establishing programs with TESDA that help promote electrical engineering skills at the grassroots level, among other initiatives,” Inofre said.

“Through similar initiatives, I believe we can successfully empower a community of like-minded individuals who work towards implementing human resource programs that strengthen the talent pipeline for the Philippine power industry,” she concluded.

SPORTS

B2 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023

Chessers bag 3 golds, 2 silvers, 2 bronzes in Asian Para Games H

By Randy Caluag

ANGZHOU, China—The Philippine para chess team lived up to expectations by delivering three gold, two silver and two bronze medals on Thursday in the 4th Asian Para Games here.

Veteran campaigner Menandro Redor emerged as the first double-gold medalist for Team Philippines by topping the Men’s Individual Standard VI-B2 and teaming up with NM Darry Bernardo and Arman Subaste in ruling the Men’s Standard VI-B2 of the chess competition held at Hangzhou Qi-Yuan (Zhili) here.

Redor’s fifth full point came after beating compatriot Arman Subaste in the 7th and last round.

Iran’s Rabbi Khorasgani Amir, who defeated Adji Hartono of Indonesia, took the silver, while Satrio Gayuh of Indonesia managed only a draw with Kishan Gangoli of India for the bronze medal.

The Pembo resident, who has less than 10 percent vision in both eyes, actually wound up tied for first with identical 5.5 points, with Khorasgani but took the gold through the tiebreak for having played stronger players through the seven-round series.

Armand Subaste was the next best local chesser with four points after drawing Tajikistan’s Suhrob Hamdamov as the PH squad, which includes Darry Bernardo, finished with 9.5 points in clinching the team gold in the stint supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Lawyer Cheyzer Mendoza gave the Philippines its third chess gold medal

by dominating the Women’s Individual Standard PI. Mendoza earned a total of 5.5 points after a win over Rachel Sharon Ave of India late Wednesday. It was enough to preserve her golden trip to the podium even after losing to Mongolia’s Khishigbayar Mijgee in the 7th round.

The polio-stricken Mendoza ended up tied with Yuni of Indonesia, who beat compatriot Lilis Herna Yulia in the other match.

Mendoza, however, took the mint with the winner-over-the-other rule after beating the top Indonesian in the previous rounds.

The chess team’s fruitful harvest for the day pushed Team Philippines from 20th to 12th place in the overall medal tally with a total harvest of 4 gold, 3 silver, and 4 bronze medals going into the final two days of this Asian multisports event for PWD athletes Their golden finish in this stint, supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, somewhat softened the set-

back suffered by the nationals in the men’s PI event, where they were dethroned in both the team and individual events by Indonesia following the setback of FIDE Master Sander Severino to veteran no. 1 Tirto in the final round.

Severino, who led the squad in sweeping both events in the 2018 Jakarta edition, was relegated to the individual bronze medal, while Henry Roger Lopez copped the silver behind Tirto following his final-round win over Mongolian Sundui Sonom.

“We were actually eyeing six golds entering today’s round, but the strategy and the breaks didn’t go our way yesterday,” said national para chess coach James Infiesto. “Luckily, we won half our goals today.”

“But we are still on target. Puwede pa siyang madagdagan,” stressed Infiesto with the first two rounds of the rapid event set to start Thursday afternoon, adding “the rapid game is one of our forte, since we play it often back in our country.”

Jiu-jitsu star Napolis wins title in World Combat Games

By Peter Atencio FILIPINO jiu-jitsu fighter Kaila Napolis once again brought honor to the Philippines on Thursday when she snared the country’s first gold medal in the World Combat Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Her golden moment came a day after Napolis, represented by her parents, got incentives reaching P800,000 from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commissioner chairman Richard Bachmann for bagging a bronze medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou.

The check was among many bonuses handed out during the “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino” at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Napolis bagged the gold medal when she got past France’s Annael Pannatier, 2-0, in the finals of the 52-kg ne-waza event.

It was the Philippines’ seventh medal in the World Combat Games.

Agatha Wong and Clemente Tabugara, Jr. bagged silver medals in wushu, while four bronze medals were taken in by wushu’s Jones Inso and Thornton Sayan, and wrestling bets Maria Ratcliff and Fierre Afan.

District Car Boot Sale Sports and Celebrity Edition set Oct. 27 to 29 Veteran campaigner Menandro Redor and Cheyzer Mendoza (inset) delivered for the Philippines with a combined three chess golds in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

Gilas Pilipinas receives P12m in Asiad incentives MEMBERS of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team received a total of P12 million in incentives, double the amount that they were supposed to get after winning the gold medal in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Malacañang doubled the cash bonuses of Team Philippines, which brought home four golds, two silvers and 12 bronze medals during the two-week meet from September 23 to October 8.

From a total of P19.1 million in incentives meant for gold silver and bronze medalists, additional checks amounting to P22.8 million came from the Office of the President.

President Marcos praised the athletes, saying: “Let us thank our athletes. They introduced the

Philippines to the world. How great Filipinos, in unity, are when they work together. And this is what can be achieved. And when they compete, the whole world will be able to see the country in its glory.”

Most of the players of Gilas showed for ceremony, filled with Pinoy rock music and with a big and young crowd of students welcoming and cheering for them at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum late Wednesday afternoon.

The ceremony was dubbed “Gabi ng Parangal at Pasasalamat para sa Bayaning Atletang Pilipino.”

Each of the members of the Gilas got P500,000, along with an added P500,000.

The grand heroes’ welcome featured video presenta-

The all-important first game

WITH three camps, five official friendlies and one exhibition game done, the Philippine Azkals are now looking to kick-start their campaign in the Olympic and Asian Cup qualifiers in a big way.

Based on The Designated Kit Man’s experience in following the team for more than a decade, a good result in the Azkals’ first game will set the tone and even the direction of their campaign in the tournament.

The all important first game will always be crucial as the window for mistakes and disappointments will be too small. Every point matters and even if the opening game on November 16 against powerhouse Vietnam will be tough, still a draw or even a win will be a great boost for the team seeking to redeem itself from years of unfulfilled promise and potential.

While the first game is no less than daunting to say the least, the Azkals’ next outing is equally formidable, going against Indonesia, five days later. The Azkals need to win these two games at all costs if they would entertain thoughts of going deep in the qualifiers and book a return, perhaps, in the Asian Cup. But this is, as always, more straightforward said and done.

“The first game is very important.

Every game is important. Just like what happened in the Bahrain game where

we only have 12 players. It was an opportunity to see how the team performed under adverse circumstances.

The game against Vietnam will be a massive game for the country, for the individual players and for the Azkals as a team. It will be a tough game, but also an exciting one for us because we want to show something. That we want to play advanced football and not just rely on defending and limiting opponents to score,” Michael Weiss, Head Coach of the men’s national football team, said.

There are some few good things, however, that favor the Azkals to have a good start in the tournament. The opening games against Vietnam and Indonesia will be held both at the Rizal Memorial Stadium. The advantage of playing at the familiar artificial turf in Taft is a plus for the team and if at least 10,000 strong fans will be present at the grandstand to cheer the team, then who knows what grand things might be in store for the lads. Maybe, just maybe, even the football gods might smile and look favorably at our team.

The desire to perform well playing before fans is another motivation for Wiess.

“We want to go head to head against Vietnam and Indonesia. And we will be able to that soon,” Weiss maintained.

In the call up list obtained by The Designated Kit Man, at least 26 names were present. The list includes familiar names, some elite Azkals playing overseas, some players plying their trade in the domestic league, members of the socalled youth brigade, a few surprises and of course some battle-tested Azkals are also in the mix. Of the 26 names, 23 will be chosen to attend the camp here in Manila that

tions and production numbers to highlight the stories and great service of our national athletes and their coaches.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann presented the checks to the athletes and their coaches.

Aside from Gilas, EJ Obiena also won the gold in pole vault, even as Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez reigned supreme in jiu-jitsu, Also honored were silver medalists Eumir Felix Marcial of boxing and Arnel Mandal of wushu, together with bronze medalists’ Patrick King Perez of taekwondo, Jones Inso, Gideon Padua and Clemente Tabugara Jr. of wushu.

will start on November 12.

The list is not yet final and some players have not confirmed their availability so it can’t be released yet. Coach Michael Weiss was realistic about the probability and possibility that the list might turn out to be more of a wish list, due to the perennial problem of injuries, unavailability due to some reasons and other concerns.

“I can write a lot (of names) on paper.

I can also dream of something, but I’m more realistic that the ones who will show up on the 12th or 13th in Manila will be the ones to carry the fight. And I will prepare a very good meal for the Filipino football fans and the Azkals Management,” Weiss cryptically explained.

But on the more obvious things, Weiss also said that the past few camps and several friendlies have given him the chance to see the players closer and not just rely on a “list”.

“I saw around 30 players and we have a core of 20. So I have a good overview, I have a good impression now of who is ready to play particularly in November, who needs a little bit more time and who will not play a dominant role in the team,” Weiss explained.

Weiss maintained that some players have surprised him with their performance in the international friendlies.

And he is keeping a watchful eye on these Azkals, who have so far shown great determination and passion during the camps and friendlies. One such player is Pocholo Bugas, who plays for the Angkor Tiger FC in the Cambodian Premier League.

“He was never really in the previous lists, but he made a very big impression on me so I will support this boy all the way because he has something that the others don’t have. Moreover, his presence will surely rejuvenate the team,” Weiss

said. “This is my work now, keeping the core and giving young players the chances they need in order to progress and perform on the bigger stage.”

On paper, this is possibly one of the strongest Azkals’ lineup ever. And if the stars and circumstances align, and these players show up and actually play in the games against Vietnam and Indonesia, then the Philippines might have a chance in pulling off an upset or two in November. Fans will be equally stoked to see elite players playing once more for flag and country and another one finally making his much-awaited debut at home no less.

The Azkals’ youth brigade is also back in the games that really matter, giving the team some added punch when the going gets tough. And unlike what happened in Bahrain, some extra legs, too.

Here is hoping that stars and the planets will finally align for our Azkals, because they simply need every boost, skill and luck that they can muster before the big games against bigger and highly favored opponents. And of course, we need the fans to fill up the Rizal Memorial Stadium, 10,000 is the minimum, keyboard warriors and trolls not included.

Please tune in this Sunday, October 29 from 2 to 3:30 p.m., to Larong Pilipino aired live over DZME 1530 Khz and streamed over the station’s official social media account. Interesting guests will be on hand to give us interesting stories and positive vibes.

Stay safe. Stay happy peeps!

For comments or questions, you can reach The Designated Kit Man at erel_ cabatbat@yahoo.com or follow his account at Twitter: @erelcabatbat

By Joel E. Zurbano THE District Car Boot Sale Sports and Celebrity Edition is set to take place from Oct. 27 to 29 at Mayflower Parking in Mandaluyong City, featuring sports, showbiz personalities, special finds, and gourmet delights.

Greenfield Development Corporation will host the event in a community with wide open green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The event is proof of GDC’s commitment to promoting health and wellness by featuring local athletes, who have excelled in their chosen sports and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

Greenfield District offers a mix of commercial establishments that encourage healthy living, including Play Padel, Gameville, Climb Central, The Studio, clinics, massage, and wellness centers.

The three-day event offers an array of goods, including vintage finds, clothing, accessories, collectibles, art, and more.

“We show our support by featuring some of our local athletes who have given honor and continuously strive to give honor to our country by exceling in their chosen sports and in the process also promote and encourage a healthy lifestyle,” said lawyer.

Duane A.X. Santos, Executive Vice President.

Families can enjoy quality time together while trying delicious food from 21 trendy food trucks at the Food Truck Fest, a popular outdoor dining destination in the metro.

All attendees are encouraged to bring eco-friendly bags to the event, as Greenfield District cares about the environment and wants to reduce its impact.

The District Car Boot Sale Sports and Celebrity Edition is a fun mix of entertainment, shopping, and great food, offering a chance to meet favorite stars and support sports.

Greenfield District has made it eco-friendly and enjoyable, and attendees are encouraged to mark their calendars, invite loved ones, and prepare for celebrity meetups, great discoveries, and delicious food.

LIFE

B3 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2023 Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva , Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Ushering in the holidays with a Filipino Christmas M SUPERMALLS began the first of 84 Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies to usher in the holiday season at SM Aura with “Ilaw at Ligaya” a modern Filipino spectacle featuring a Pinoy-themed fashion show set to Pinoy carols and beats by Pinoypela, ROFG, and Prestige Band.

S

President Hans Sy Jr. “Ngayong taon, inaanyayahan namin kayong lahat na mahal naming pamilyang Pilipino na ipagdiwang ang pagbibigayan at saya ng tunay na Pasko dito sa SM. Hihintayin namin kayo at ang mga mahal ninyo ngayong araw ng ilaw at liwanag!” Tan shared.

(This year, we invite all our beloved Filipino families to celebrate the true spirit of giving and joy this Christmas at SM. We look forward to having you and your loved ones on this day of light and brightness!)

From eco-friendly ornaments incorporating rattan, raffia, abaca, and buri that adorn the tree and mall décor, to the Leading the lighting ceremony of a giant Capiz parol and glittering curtain of LED lights that brighten the halls, this a bedecked 33-foot Christmas tree were Taguig City Mayor year’s holiday display at SM Aura is especially meaningful Lani Cayetano, SM Supermalls and unique.

President Steven Tan, and Taking center stage is the mall’s 33-foot Christmas tree SM Engineering Design and adorned with handmade ornaments using locally sourced Development materials such as Christmas balls wrapped in rattan and abaca, iridescent orchid blooms of capiz, and traditional bamboo KC parols. A stunning 3-foot capiz shell star to represent the Montero Star of Bethlehem sits atop the tree bringing light, hope, with wife and joy to mallgoers this festive season.

Stephanie The highlight of the night featured mall tenants Dods and Rhett Eala, Kultura, Dona Lim, Frankie General Store, son Wyatt Plains & Prints, and Zarah Juan in a fashion runway show directed by Runway Productions’ Joey Espino, which delighted the audience with its mix of Pinoy streetwear and formal pieces worn with whimsy and fun accessories.

SM Supermalls will continue to launch its muchawaited Christmas centerpieces all over the country, from this week towards the end of October and early November, with uniquely designed and themed trees and holiday installations that promise to delight kids of all ages in each of SM’s 84 malls.

To know more about SM Supermalls’ Christmas launches in your communities and the exciting events that await you and your families this Christmas, visit www.smsupermalls.com or visit @SMSupermalls on social media.

SM Supermalls began the first of 84 Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies to usher in the holiday season at SM Aura with “Ilaw at Ligaya” Leading the lighting ceremony of a giant Capiz parol and a bedecked 33-foot Christmas tree were Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano (center), SM Supermalls President Steven Tan (right) and SM Engineering Design and Development President Hans Sy Jr. (left)

The Filipiniana-themed fashion show, directed by Runway Productions’ Joey Espino, delighted the audience with its mix of fashion forward streetwear and formal pieces worn with whimsy and fun accessories

The highlight of the night featured SM Aura mall tenants Rhett Eala, Kultura, Dona Lim, Frankie General Store, Plains & Prints, and Zarah Juan

Let love haunt you in ‘The Dead Romantics’ ASIDE from skincare products, TikTok has recently proven to be a reliable source of book recommendations. Just in time for the Halloween season, I stumbled upon my yearold paperback copy of Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics.

This delightful and touching romantic comedy novel has a supernatural twist, making it the perfect read for this time of the year. The book seamlessly blends the paranormal with love and laughter. Poston’s debut novel is a breath of fresh air, weaving together themes of love, loss, and the afterlife in a charming narrative.

The story revolves around Florence Day, a talented ghostwriter for a famous romance author and someone with the unique ability to see and interact with ghosts, just like her father. Florence is a character with secrets—two, in fact.

One is kept for legal reasons, and the other for self-preservation. Her ability to write happily-ever-afters is suddenly derailed after a painful breakup and her request for yet another deadline extension is met with resistance by her handsome new editor, Benji Andor.

However, fate has other plans. Florence’s life takes an unexpected turn when her father passes away, leading her to return to her hometown after a decade. She expects to encounter her father’s ghost but is taken by surprise when she discovers that Benji, her editor, is now a ghost himself.

As Florence attempts to fulfill her father’s peculiar last wishes, her memories of him and their shared ability to see ghosts rekindle her creative spark. In this curious posthumous connection with Benji, she rediscovers love. How can one fall in love with a ghost? The story will keep you guessing.

Poston brilliantly manages to embrace and overthrow rom-com tropes. The witty dialogue brings the characters, even the dead ones, to life, making them relatable and endearing.

Florence’s journey from a writer struggling to find her voice to someone who regains her passion for storytelling is both heartwarming and inspiring.

The Dead Romantics is a hauntingly good read that is not just about romantic love. It’s a beautiful approach to handling loss and dealing with grief.

It reminds us that love, whether in the realm of the living or the dead, has the Ashley Poston's ‘The Dead Romantics’ power to give us happy endings.

OPM singer-songwriter Dingdong Avanzado headlines Winford Resort & Casino Manila’s music event this October at Hippodrome Bar & Lounge

Fun and music at Winford this October THE very best of original Pilipino music continued to play at Winford Resort & Casino Manila (WRCM) this October as the luxury hotel proudly brought back an OPM icon, plus exciting attractions and promotions.

On October 21, multi-platinum singer songwriter Dingdong Avanzado, aka the Prince of Pinoy Pop, took to the stage of the Hippodrome Bar & Lounge once again with his band The Doorbells.

Dingdong burst into the limelight in 1987 and instantly gained a huge following owing to his exceptional musical talent and highly infectious and energetic live performances.

His songs “Ikaw Lamang,” “Tatlong Beinte Singko,” “ Sa ‘Yo,” and “Basta’t Kasama Kita” became certified favorites on the airwaves and consistent chart-toppers leading him to earn multiple gold and platinum record awards.

In the ‘90s, his recognition as a legitimate songwriter was cemented when he garnered the Song of the Year and Best Ballad Recording of the Year awards for his composition

Paalam Na at the prestigious Awit Awards, and also bagging the Best Dance Recording award for “I Will Be There For You” the succeeding year.

Another significant milestone in his career was when he and his fellow OPM recording artist and wife, Jessa Zaragoza, released the album Laging Ikaw which earned the distinction of being the first all-duet album ever to be recorded and released by a Filipino married couple.

In 2019, Dingdong participated in the historic and much-celebrated Green and Go concert alongside other OPM icons Gary Valenciano, Randy Santiago, and Ogie Alcasid.

General admission to this concert experience is free. VIP seating near the stage is available for a cover charge of P1,250 inclusive of food and drink or by earning 150 points a day.

On October 29, 2:00 p.m., WRCM invites families to the Halloween AllStars event packed with fun activities, loot bags, games, snacks, and a Best in Costume contest where two winners will enjoy an overnight stay

in a deluxe room with breakfast for two. Guests are encouraged to come as their favorite trending character for a chance to win.

Package 1 is now available for P1,500 nett for one adult and one child which includes full access to the activity for the day, while Package 2 costs P6,500 nett for one adult and one child and includes full access to the activity plus an overnight stay in a deluxe room. Selling period is until October 29.

Members and guests are also invited to avail of two cocktails for the price of one with WRCM’s Happy Happy Hour Hour promo at Zabana Bar from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

WRCM is located in San Lazaro Tourism & Business Park, Santa Cruz, Manila. Visit www.winfordmanila. com for more information or call the hotline at +63 (2) 8528-3600 for inquiries. You may also follow Winford Resort & Casino Manila on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates on special events and promotions.

B4 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2022 www.manilastandard.net

SPECIAL ISSUE

Powering a Sustainable Future

PH takes great strides toward clean energy

By Patricia Taculao

E

NERGY has been a valuable resource among countries and societies because it powers nearly everything people need to navigate their daily schedules. But despite energy’s advantages, it also has harmful effects when used excessively.

Thanks to technology, researchers discovered more sustainable energy sources that could generate enough power to maintain cities without straining the environment.

Countries across the globe have since begun pledging to transition to renewable energy to promote sustainability within civilizations.

The Philippines is among those countries that switched to using sustainable energy to maintain the processes of various industries as demand continues to go up.

According to statistics, the primary energy consumption in the Philippines reached 2.11

exajoules in 2022, reflecting an increase from the previous year.

Where to harness renewable energy One of the most common sources of renewable energy is the sun. The Earth intercepts solar energy about 10,000 times more than how humankind consumes power. People harness this natural resource through solar panels and similar technology to convert sunlight into electrical energy.

Another typical renewable energy most countries use, even in the Philippines, is wind energy. It harnesses kinetic energy from moving air by using large wind turbines on land. Wind energy has been

Powering the good life through Meralco’s long-term sustainability strategy

POWERING THE GOOD LIFE. Meralco reaffirms its commitment to sustainability with a wide set of

initiatives to sustainably power cities and communities while preserving the planet, empowering people, and creating prosperity for all.

WITH the Philippines as among the most vulnerable to climate change, developing and implementing sustainability programs has become a must to ensure continuous economic growth and inclusive social development.

If left unaddressed, climate change will have a substantial economic impact in the Philippines— reducing the country’s gross domestic product by as much as 13.6% by 2040 according to the World Bank’s 2022 Philippines Country Climate and Development Report. This risk has prompted a recalibration of business practices across different industries with emphasis on sustainable growth.

Recognizing the vital role it plays as a major player in the Philippine energy industry, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) marks World Sustainability Day with a stronger commitment to powering the good life through a wide set of initiatives that aim to sustainably power cities and communities while preserving the planet, empowering people, and creating prosperity for all.

Charging toward a sustainable energy future At the center of Meralco’s sustainability thrust is its commitment to a just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy through decarbonization and sourcing a larger share of its supply portfolio from renewable energy (RE).

Recently, Meralco unveiled its plans to slash its direct emissions by over 20% through 2030 in line with the company’s goal to become coal-free by 2050.

This target covers Scope 1 emissions, which refer to greenhouse gas emissions directly generated by the company from its thermal power generation and from the use of fuel for vehicles and other equipment.

Meralco, through its power generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MGen), is accelerating its RE buildout to develop greener generating capacities to power the country with sustainable energy.

To further strengthen its decarbonization efforts, Meralco has contracted 1,880 megawatts (MW) of RE supply—exceeding its initial target of 1,500 MW in compliance with and in support of the Department of Energy’s Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS) policy.

Under the RPS, electricity suppliers are mandated to increasingly source a portion of their requirements from RE given the government’s goal to increase the share of RE in the country’s energy mix to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040. Currently, the RPS requirement is set at +2.52% per annum.

Through Meralco’s strategic sourcing initiatives, RE is expected to account for 22% of the distribution utility’s supply portfolio by 2030, and 18% of Meralco’s retail electricity supplier, MPower, by 2025.

This will eventually allow the company to reduce its total GHG emissions by 15% vis-à-vis its projected baseline 2030 emissions, in line with its energy transition commitment.

“Our just, orderly, and affordable transition to clean energy is at the core of our sustainability journey. And this commitment solidifies our drive to bring to life programs and initiatives that will help serve the country’s growing energy demand with greener power,” Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer and President/CEO of Movem Electric, Inc. Raymond B. Ravelo said.

Driving progress with electric mobility Embracing eco-friendly transportation is also one of the major initiatives of Meralco to drive sustainable progress.

For years, Meralco has been at the forefront of adopting alternative and sustainable transportation solutions through electric vehicles (EVs).

Meralco’s Green Mobility program aims to electrify at least a quarter of its entire fleet by 2030. Meralco currently has 156 EVs in its fleet— equivalent to a 7% vehicle electrification rate, which is higher than the 5% mandate of the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA).

The company has also installed EV charging stations in strategic locations across its franchise area. To continuously drive research on electric mobility, it also performs independent testing of EVs and chargers at the Meralco Power Lab—its testing facility for electricity consumption of various devices.

Meralco’s EV deployments are made possible by the company’s EV subsidiary, Movem, which offers integrated green mobility solutions. Movem aims to accelerate the transition to electric mobility by providing end-to-end solutions covering a broad range of EV options and charging infrastructure, tailor-fit to ensure a comprehensive and robust EV ecosystem.

One with the planet through ‘One For Trees’ Preservation and protection of the natural environment is likewise a key thrust of the distribution utility.

PROTECTING FORESTS. The One For Trees program emphasizes the importance of addressing environmental, social, and economic needs to make reforestation truly sustainable.

This year, Meralco marked an important sustainability milestone with two million trees planted through the One For Trees program of its social development arm One Meralco Foundation (OMF). Covering forest lands and critical watersheds across the country, the One For Trees program contributes to the preservation and protection of Philippine forests through reforestation and creates livelihood opportunities for communities through agroforestry.

Under the program, OMF has forged partnerships with various organizations, such as the Green Earth Heritage Foundation in San Miguel in Bulacan, the Fostering Education and Environmental Development organization for Siniloan in Laguna, and various local government units in the provinces of Bohol, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, among others.

Advancing diversity and inclusion with #Mbrace Beyond electricity distribution and generation, Meralco’s commitment to sustainability extends to people empowerment through its diversity and inclusion program #Mbrace. Through the program, Meralco significantly increased female

representation in its workforce to 22%, over and above the global energy sector’s average of 13%.

As part of its commitment to champion diversity and inclusion, Meralco pioneered the training and hiring of female linecrew in Southeast Asia in 2013.

At present, Meralco has 20 female linecrew in its roster, with seven (7) more undergoing training.

By nurturing a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace for its people, Meralco has become the first and only electric utility in the Philippines to be included in the Bloomberg Gender Equality Index— the only environmental, social, and governance (ESG) assessment in the world focused on gender equality in the workplace. Meralco was recognized for distinctive performance in anti-sexual harassment policies, gender pay parity, and building an inclusive culture.

Radiating brilliance with multiple international accolades Meralco once again emerged as a beacon of excellence on the global stage, garnering a remarkable array of accolades for its transformative programs centered on sustainability and corporate social responsibility at the recently concluded 2023 International Business Awards.

Meralco stood out as the sole recipient of the Gold Stevie under the “Sustainability Leadership Award in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand” category. This esteemed accolade acknowledged the company’s exceptional dedication to embedding sustainability at the core of its corporate strategy and operations.

BEACON OF EXCELLENCE. Meralco earned multiple international accolades at the 2023 International Business Awards. Seen in the photo are (from L-R) Meralco Vice President and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer Jeffrey O. Tarayao and Meralco First Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Raymond B. Ravelo.

Furthermore, Ravelo was awarded a Gold Stevie, conferring him as the “Sustainability Hero of the Year in Asia, Australia, and New Zealand” in recognition of his leadership of Meralco’s sustainability agenda.

Demonstrating his vision and passion through the company’s groundbreaking sustainability initiatives, Ravelo is the lone Gold Stevie winner and the firstever recipient of this award which followed his earlier distinction as the “Sustainability Thought Leader of the Year” by Environmental Finance.

Moreover, Meralco’s diversity and inclusion program, #Mbrace, was awarded a Bronze Stevie, in recognition of the program’s comprehensive approach in advancing gender balance and inclusivity within the workplace.

Likewise, Meralco was honored with a Gold Stevie for its compelling 3-minute video, “Meralco’s Spectrum on Solar Rooftop Installations: The Gift that Keeps on Giving,” which underscored the myriad benefits of investing in solar power.

One Meralco Foundation’s community development endeavors also came into the international spotlight, earning the company three (3) Bronze Stevies for its corporate social responsibility initiatives. These were the community energization project “Electrification for Development: Improving the Lives of Last-Mile Filipinos” that highlighted the transformative power of electricity in unserved and underserved communities across the archipelago; the “One for Trees: Empowering People and Communities to Nurture Our Forest, a practical approach to addressing climate change; and the “Powering-Up Communities During the Pandemic” proactive communications campaign that brave the challenges of community electrification during the global crisis.

Completing Meralco’s illustrious achievements is the Gold Stevie award presented to Meralco Vice President and Chief Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Jeffrey O. Tarayao, for “Thought Leader of the Year.” Tarayao, who also serves as President of OMF, was lauded for his exceptional ability to meld thought leadership with practical solutions.

Meralco, a recognized leader in the Philippine energy sector, has deeply rooted its sustainability agenda in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), with emphasis on clean energy, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

present for millennia and continuously evolved to maximize the electricity produced with taller turbines and larger rotor diameters.

There’s also hydropower, which harnesses the energy of moving water from higher to lower elevations. Reservoir hydropower plants rely on stored water in a reservoir, while run-of-river hydropower plants harness power from the available water flow.

A nationwide shift to sustainable energy Numerous initiatives for clean energy nationwide have been successfully implemented throughout the years. Various factors, like intent, partnership, and more, contributed to its success in providing sustainable energy for Filipinos.

Early this year, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its plans for renewable projects, with some in Western Visayas, to encourage almost every corner of the country to use sustainable energy. These projects include 68 potential projects, totaling 14,245 megawatts of capacity.

Yet there’s more to the Philippines’ sustainable energy efforts than that.

Reports claim that the Philippines will soon leapfrog Vietnam as the primary renewable producer in Southeast Asia, thanks to an aggressive project development pipeline that will result in a 15-fold boost in combined solar and wind power by 2030.

The Philippines ranks a distant second in the region in combined solar and wind power generation, with 1,766 megawatts of installed capacity.

Another way the Philippines encourages private sectors to switch to renewable energy is by incentivizing efforts toward embracing sustainability. For instance, the Philippine Board of Investments introduced additional incentives for registered projects to generate electricity through renewable energy facilities.

It sparked a more intensive approach and switched to sustainable energy among private companies, paving the way for private-public partnerships that benefited Filipinos.

One example of this partnership is the Olongapo solar power project, which aims to intensify further strategic cooperation between Energy China and AboitizPower Group to promote diversification of local power supply models in the Philippines.

This partnership can also reduce the Philippines’ dependence on fossil fuelderived energy while boosting sustainable development within the local society and economy.

Meanwhile, the Solar Tanauan Corporation, a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. (Prime Infra), made remarkable strides to develop solar power plants in Batangas and Cavite with cutting-edge project design and execution tools and strategies.

Prime Infra is developing infrastructure projects - water, sustainable energy, and waste management.

Its solar power plants in Tanauan and Maragondon have a combined installed capacity of up to 140 megawatts (MW), poised to generate electricity for over 84,000 households to reduce annual coal consumption by 100,000.

This collaborative effort underscores the commitment of Solar Tanauan, Prime Infra, and their partners to accelerate the adoption of clean and sustainable energy solutions in the Philippines.

Besides making meaningful partnerships to provide Filipinos with clean energy, some private institutions also made significant contributions or investments to ensure an effective proliferation of clean energy.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) made a similar pledge, with its power generation arm, Meralco PowerGen Corp (MGen), investing at least P18 billion to accelerate the growth of its renewable energy line to coincide with its long-term sustainability strategy.

In the meantime, MGen, through its renewable energy unit MGen Renewable Energy Inc (MGreen), said it is eying to ramp up its attributable renewable energy capacity to 1,500 MW with investments in more and larger green energy projects, including those with battery energy storage systems.

Health and safety benefits of clean energy Since fossil fuel has been the source of energy for centuries, it has taken a toll on the environment. On the other hand, clean energy can decrease human dependency on limited fossil fuel resources and bring about various benefits for human health and safety.

Burning fossil fuels adds more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than the planet can store and remove, being a significant cause of a rise in global temperatures.