Manila Standard - 2023 November 9 - Thursday

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NO RIFT IN UNITEAM DESPITE RODY ALLIES LOSING POSTS, SAYS DALIPE THERE is no rift in the administration’s “UniTeam” despite the alleged fallout of two of its members, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said Wednesday.

This comes after the House ousted two allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte from their deputy speakerships on Tuesday in former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab.

House Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe

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VOL. XXXVII • NO. 267 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

More ‘Yolanda’ homes ordered

PBBM eyes faster rollout to Tacloban residents in 10th year since storm

By Maricel V. Cruz, Vince Lopez, and Rio Araja

T

ACLOBAN CITY— President Marcos on Wednesday ordered the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and the National Housing Authority to hasten the distribution of land titles and housing units to residents of Tacloban City as the country marked the 10th anniversary of super typhoon Yolanda.

Mayor Alfred Romualdez said about 18,000 houses were built to relocate the homeless, but up to 5,000 units need to be repaired.

“Almost half of the houses that were built in 2013, 2014, up to 2016 – most of them, actually – were incomplete and substandard. When I say substandard, for example, the pipes were substandard. So, we cannot put utilities there, like water, because we’ll lose it because they’re full of holes,” the mayor said in television interview.

He said they are still working to move the remaining residents to safer areas.

To date, Romualdez said, they have cleared about 70 percent of the residents Next page

HOMES FOR TACLOBAN. President Marcos (second from right) distributes land titles to Pabahay housing beneficiaries rendered homeless by super typhoon Yolanda during the

10th anniversary commemoration of the deadly storm at the Tacloban Convention Center on Wednesday. Assisting the President are (from right) Housing Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, and Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez. Seated is Environment Secretary Toni Yulo-Loyzaga. Ver Noveno

Taclobanons recount growth in decade since disaster Lawmakers see Senate upholding CIF realignments in 2024 budget

By Ronald O. Reyes

TACLOBAN CITY -- Joanna SustentoBacsa, 32, has already made peace with Yolanda (Haiyan), the world’s most powerful typhoon to hit land in recorded history on Nov. 8, 2013.

Ten years after losing most of her

family members, Susteno-Bacsa said that there is “so much growth” happening to her today as a Yolanda survivor and a full-time mother to her first-born son. “[My son] is a very symbolic person in our family. Him coming into our lives 10 years after Yolanda really says

a lot of how much love grows in me, how much love grows in our family,” Sustento-Bacsa said.

“So much have changed, but we are still here doing the work for climate justice,” she added, referring to her “climate warriors” group.

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By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LAWMAKERS in the House of Representatives expressed optimism that the Senate will uphold their decision to realign P1.23 billion in confidential funds from civilian agencies to those directly involved in security.

Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co said this was the sentiment of legislators amid a news report that there was a consen-

sus among the majority of senators to remove confidential and intelligence funds from civilian agencies.

“This jibes with or is a vindication of the decision of the House of Representatives to realign those appropriations. With such consensus, we foresee a smooth bicameral conference on the 2024 budget,” said Co, chairperson of the House committee on appropriations.

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40 Pinoys leave Gaza for Egypt, Marcos thanks ally nations for aid

By Rey E. Requejo and Vince Lopez AT LEAST 40 Filipinos were able to exit Gaza through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt, President Marcos announced Wednesday.

In a video message uploaded on his official Facebook page, Marcos

thanked the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the embassies of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt for the safe passage of the Filipinos from the strife-torn Gaza Strip.

He also recognized Qatar’s efforts to mediate between Israel and Hamas that led to the reopening of the border.

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PRESIDENT-VISITOR. Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta (center) arrives in Manila on Wednesday, greeted by an honor guard from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, for his official visit aimed at strengthening the bilateral relations of the Pacific island-nation with the Philippines. NAIA Photo

Split Meralco ‘mega-franchise’ into 3—Laguna solon

By Maricel V. Cruz and Alena Mae S. Flores A LAWMAKER on Tuesday urged Congress to split the mega-franchise of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) into three, accusing the utility of

monopolistic behavior and failing to serve the interest of 7.6 million subscribers and overcharging them in the last nine years.

In response to the speech, Meralco on Wednesday said it complies with all government regulations and said Fernandez’s

speech contained factual errors and was “riddled with inconsistencies.”

It also denied behaving as a monopoly.

In a privileged speech on Tuesday, Rep. Dan Fernandez of Sta. Rosa City in Laguna said since Meralco has Next page

SAFELY IN EGYPT. The Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday released this photo of some of the 40 Filipinos who have left war-torn Gaza and arrived in Cairo, Egypt before another flight to take them home to Manila. DFA Photo

NEWS

A2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH, US Marines in ‘Kamandag’ drills S

By Vince Lopez

OME 2,600 Philippine and US Marines will join this year’s edition of the “Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat” (Kamandag) exercises that aim to enhance the interoperability of both forces.

Asia survey commissioned by international think tank Stratbase ADR Institute showed that majority of Filipinos want the administration to strengthen its economic relations with the United States and Japan.

The polling firm released the survey results on Wednesday during a forum entitled “Advancing the Philippine Manufacturing Sector for National Prosperity organized by Stratbase. The forum was part of the Philippine Economic Society’s 61st Annual Meeting and Conference.

The survey conducted from Sept. 10 to 14 asked 1,200 respondents all over the country to identify three countries

they believe the current administration should strengthen its economic relations with.

Results showed that 74% of Filipinos want Philippines to have stronger economic ties with the United States while 55% chose Japan. Forty-six percent (46%) of Filipinos want stronger economic ties with Australia, 40% with Canada, and 26% with the European Union.

The same survey also showed that 70% of Filipinos agree that the private sector plays an instrumental role in ensuring economic security, in which individuals enjoy a stable source of income and are consistently able to meet their basic needs.

Philippine Marine Corps deputy commandant and “Kamandag” exercise director Brig. Gen. Jimmy Larida said about 1,732 Filipino Marines and some 902 US troops would participate in the exercises from Nov. 9 to 17.

Also taking part in the exercises are 57 personnel of the South Korea Marine

Corps and 50 personnel of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force.

South Korean and Japanese troops only joined as observers in the 2022 iteration of “Kamandag.” Eight personnel from the United Kingdom will observe the annual exercise for the first time.

As this developed, a recent Pulse

Taclobanons...

From A1

Napoles wins cases at Sandigan, Ombudsman

In 2017, she became the face of Yolanda survivors in Tacloban City, Yolanda’s ground-zero, when she joined Greenpeace’s expedition in the Arctic to protest on oil drilling, which her group blamed for climate impacts.

For Alren Beronio, a young photographer in Borongan City, Eastern Samar, he recalled how he volunteered his skills for the Catholic Church’s diocesan media office.

His documentation of the typhoon devastation eventually led him to land a job in a local newspaper.

“I ventured into the affected areas of our province, as well as Samar and Leyte, to document the situation through my photos and share these on social media in an effort to seek help,” he said.

After documenting the different stories of losses and survival in the devastated areas, Beronio said he “was fortunate to witness numerous opportunities for assistance, realization about the strength of human spirit, and countless acts of kindness.”

“It was a time when we witnessed both the depths of human suffering and the heights of human compassion,” Beronio wrote.

In 2016, the United Nations Office for Coordination reported that total aid for Yolanda survivors reached $865,151,866 (at least P41.8 billion), with the United Kingdom as the top donor.

While Borongan City Bishop Crispin Varquez recalled the “lives lost, the families shattered and the communities uprooted,” he also pointed out the “countless acts of heroism and selflessness that emerged in the midst of the chaos.”

“We acknowledge the pain and grief that still linger in the hearts of those who survived and continue to rebuild their lives. And we recognize the hand of God guiding us through the darkest of moments,” the prelate said.

Split...

From A1 grown too big and dominant in the power industry, it is timely to review its franchise to pave the way for splitting it into three.

“It’s high time we renew its franchise to pave the way for the split of the mega-franchise we granted Meralco,” said Fernandez in the speech.

“If possible, we can split it into three franchises since Meralco actually operates in three sectors in Luzon— NCR (National Capital Region), South Luzon (Calabarzon), and North Luzon sector of Pampanga and Bulacan,” he added.

In his speech, the Laguna lawmaker also said Meralco now controls at least 70 percent of Luzon’s electricity output, giving it the leverage to manipulate the operations of power producers and sellers.

“They control the whole of Metro Manila, NCR, they control the whole of Calabarzon, including my province, Laguna,” said Fernandez.

Because the franchise is too big, Fernandez said Meralco has already, in effect, divided it up to be able to manage it.

“They control Pampanga and Bulacan,” Fernandez said.

“They are so huge and enormous that they have subdivided the whole franchise. They have subdivided (it) into the central, southern, and northern sectors,” said the lawmaker.

The company can even operate the Bohol franchise in the Visayas if it wanted to, he said.

ERRATUM In the early edition of Manila Standard on Nov. 8, 2023, we inadvertently identified Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Adiong as the new Deputy Speaker. Lanao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Yasser Balindong (pictured) is the new Deputy Speaker. We apologize to the two gentlemen.

IN TWO separate rulings, cases against Janet Lim Napoles, known as the “pork barrel queen,” related to the misuse of Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) in agricultural projects in the Caraga region have been dismissed.

The Sandiganbayan Fourth Division on Wednesday granted Napoles’ motion to dismiss graft and malversation charges against her and six other accused due to the violation of their right to a speedy disposition of cases.

The charges were related to alleged irregularities in the procurement of fertilizers for a project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte.

The anti-graft court cited a significant delay in filing the charges, which they deemed unjustified, vexatious, and oppressive. As a result, the complaint was abated and dismissed, and hold departure orders against Napoles and other accused were lifted.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman dismissed multiple criminal charges

against Napoles and 13 other respondents, including former Agusan del Sur congressman Rodolfo Plaza, in connection with the release of PDAF funds from various government agencies.

The Ombudsman found insufficient evidence to indict the accused for graft, bribery, and corruption of public officials. They also absolved government officials responsible for accrediting and transferring funds to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) despite claims of non-existent projects.

More...

From A1

ever recorded, whipped up tsunami-like waves that devastated the Visayas on Nov. 8, 2013. Ten years later, more than a thousand people are still missing.

Tacloban, the capital of Leyte province, bore the brunt of the storm’s fury and was almost destroyed by five-meter-high storm surges that crashed over poor coastal communities.

Mr. Marcos said it was important to make climate change a vital component of national policies, as he called on people to join the government in bolstering the country’s disaster preparedness, recovery and resiliency.

“We must make sure that we apply our knowledge on climate change to every plan, to every decision, and initiative so we can build stronger and more resilient communities,” Marcos said.

“To the survivors, who continue to move forward, we salute your spirit and character,” Marcos said as he thanked those who helped in Tacloban’s recovery.

Mr. Marcos recognized the efforts of local and international non-government organizations (NGO’s) that helped in rebuilding Tacloban City, which was left devastated by Yolanda.

“I know that everyone here had a part to play in the recovery but we cannot overstate... the international NGOs, the local NGOs that came and your help with the rebuilding and the rehabilitation and the recovery,” the President said in his message.

Mr. Marcos recalled that NGO’s and private companies were among the first responders after the tragedy, along with

government agencies that extended help to survivors.

“It is impossible to overstate how important it is to us what you did for us after Yolanda and in the years subsequent to Yolanda where you never left us,” the President said.

“The aid that came from all directions, the volunteerism, the heroism that overflowed in the affected areas, specifically in the rehabilitation of Tacloban,” Mr. Marcos said.

“Indeed, what we saw back then was the spirit of bayanihan in its truest form — moving without prompting, without hindrance, and without ceasing,” he added.

The President said it was crucial for the government to push measures to address climate change—including setting up disaster-resilient evacuation centers, early warning systems and incident command systems.

Marcos urged the Yolanda response cluster to work closely with the national government agencies to address lingering issues and provide the residents with necessary assistance so they can rebuild their lives.

Speaker Romualdez recalled that during that fateful day, he “witnessed firsthand the sorrow and loss that overwhelmed our community.”

“Yet, amid the rubble and tears, I also saw the indomitable spirit of our people. I witnessed neighbors helping neighbors, strangers becoming family, and a nation rallying together to rise again. Our guest of honor today, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., joined us in sympathizing with those who lost loved ones,” he said. With AFP

to cross with their families.

On Tuesday, the DFA said 46 Filipinos were permitted to exit Gaza through the Rafah border.

The 46 are the combined number of the second batch and the first one that was supposed to leave Gaza on Sunday but was delayed due to “attacks

by Hamas.”

According to DFA data, 135 Filipinos are still in the Gaza Strip, six of whom have also requested repatriation.

The DFA said the 40 Filipinos evacuated from Gaza are expected

to arrive in the Philippines on Friday or Saturday.

Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the DFA expects more Filipinos in Gaza to cross the border.

“There is a good chance that more of them will cross because we now have news that Palestinian spouses are gradually being approved to cross. So that’s good news,” De Vega said.

He urged all Filipinos to take the opportunity once they are given the gosignal to leave the war-torn Gaza Strip.

He said this would expedite the approval of next year’s spending program.

The House earlier realigned CIFs of civilian offices, including P650 million from the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education to agencies that deal with national security and protection of the country’s interests in the West Philippine Sea. Deputy Majority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Franz Pumaren said the reported consensus in the Upper House was consistent with the dominant public opinion expressed in the recent OCTA Research survey.

The OCTA poll showed that 57 percent of adult Filipinos “agreed” with the House’s decision to reallocate CIFs. Only 14 percent “disagreed” with the decision of the House leadership.

“The OCTA survey results are an affirmation that we did the right thing,” Pumaren said.

Occidental Mindoro Rep. Leody Tarriela said the OCTA survey results strengthened the belief that the House of Representatives was right when it decided to realign confidential funds under the proposed P5.768trillion national budget for 2024.

“As lawmakers, we serve the people and are answerable to the people.

With 57 percent of adult Filipinos agreeing with our move, it tells that we echoed the pulse of the majority.

And that’s what matters in the end, not rhetoric or propaganda,” he said.

As this developed, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday proposed to amend the special provision on the contingent fund in the national budget.

She said the provision provides for the augmentation of CIF from contingent funds “like what was done by the Office of the Vice President last year.”

“With respect to augmentation of the CIF from the contingent fund as was done last year for the OVP, we wish to propose an amendment to the current special provision of a contingency fund. Again, as a matter of fiscal prudence, we’d like to include the augmentation of the CIF as a prohibition under the contingent fund,” Hontiveros said.

The current text of the proposed budget earmarked P13 billion to cover the funding requirements of new or urgent activities or projects of national government agencies, GOCCs, and LGUs that need to be implemented or paid during the year.

Senate Finance committee chairperson Senator Sonny Angara said if the amendment being pushed is too broad, it may hamper the sum capital of security agencies.

trying to pass this legislation that would really help our country. So we’re not thinking about 2028,” Dalipe explained.

In a separate statement, Arroyo on Wednesday committed to continue supporting the leadership of Romualdez despite her removal as one of the deputy speakers in the House.

“Even as an ordinary congressman, I will remain true to my word to President Marcos Jr. -- I will continue to support his preferred man for House Speaker, and that is Speaker Martin Romualdez,” the Pampanga solon said in a statement.

Arroyo said the developments at the lower chamber must prompt everyone to “move on.”

“Having made myself clear, I think

we should now move on to more pressing national concerns,” she added.

The House removed Arroyo as deputy speaker just six months after she was stripped of her senior deputy speaker title, which is held by only one person in the lower chamber.

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa also vowed to remain with Duterte’s Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDPLaban) amid the resignation of the party’s treasurer, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales -- who was sworn in Tuesday night under Romualdez’s Lakas-CMD party with two other lawmakers.

“We can’t do anything if they no longer want us,” said Dela Rosa while alluding to Gonzales Jr., whose move

the elder Duterte welcomed.

Gonzales of Pampanga and Reps.

Carmelo Lazatin II of Pampanga and Zaldy Villa of Siquijor – also erstwhile PDP-Laban members -- joined LakasCMD, which now has 77 members in the House of Representatives.

“We are very honored to welcome Senior Deputy Speaker Dong, Cong. Jon and Cong. Zaldy to our party. They are a great addition to the strength and diversity of Lakas-CMD, which is a coalition of hard-working public servants who share a common goal of serving the Filipino people with integrity and dedication under President Marcos’ administration,” Romualdez said in a statement. Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

from danger zones and moved about 40,000 families to the north of the city.

On Wednesday, Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez distributed land titles to Pabahay housing beneficiaries rendered homeless by Yolanda 10 years ago.

“Ten years have gone by and yet the memory of this tragedy remains indelible in our hearts and our thoughts,” Marcos said in his speech at the Tacloban City Convention Center.

“To this day, we still do not know the true scope of our loss. Because we grieve and we mourn those of our dead.

But we must always keep a special place in our hearts for those who we lost who are unaccounted [for], unrecorded... Up to now, we say 6,000 casualties, [but] we do not know that for sure,” he added.

For the housing grants, Speaker Romualdez said: “This is not merely a piece of paper. It represents our commitment to providing a stable and secure future for our people. It symbolizes hope, permanence, and the dream of every resident of Tacloban to have a place they can genuinely call home.”

“This is a gift to us from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Every title you hold is a symbol of our unity to ensure that our beloved Tacloban has an orderly, peaceful and prosperous community,” he added in Filipino.

“A decade has passed, but the memories of that fateful day remain etched in our hearts and minds,” Romualdez said.

Yolanda, one of the strongest storms

40 Pinoys...

From A1 “I am happy to announce that 40 of our countrymen have safely and successfully crossed the Rafah crossing in Egypt. They are now on their way to Cairo and from there they will return to our country in the next few days,” the President said in Filipino.

He expressed optimism that the remaining Filipinos waiting for the signal to exit the Rafah border would be able

No rift...

From A1 “We still have the UniTeam. In fact, we are focused on trying to accomplish even more of what is needed from the House of Representatives so we can even transmit it earlier to the Senate so they can also pass important legislations,” Dalipe told ABS-CBN last night.

The majority leader also denied that the supposed rivalry of Vice President Sara Duterte and Speaker Martin Romualdez has something to do with the 2028 presidential elections.

“As far as the House of Representatives is concerned, we are focused on

Spirit of bayanihan

Lawmakers...

From A1

NEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Farm output dips 0.3% in Q3 due to drops in crops, fisheries

By Othel V. Campos

BUMPER TO BUMPER. Motorists and commuters experience bumper-to-bumper traffic along Roxas Boulevard near the EDSA

flyover in Pasay due to the rehabilitation of the southbound and northbound lanes on Wednesday. The repair works will last until Nov. 12, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. Norman Cruz

Sked for expired driver’s licenses release out this week, says LTO

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) is set to release this week a new renewal schedule for expired driver’s licenses.

“We will make that formal announcement within the week and we are just getting the numbers,” LTO head Vigor Mendoza II told reporters.

“We are no longer able to cater for the day-to-day consumption because we have a backlog of about 800,000 from May to June and we only have 1.1 million or 1.2 million cards left,” he added.

THE country’s farm output decreased by 0.3 percent in the third quarter of 2023 to P412.41 billion from P427.94 billion in the same period in 2022, owing to decreases in output in crops and fisheries sub-sectors.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that the value of the crops sub-sector declined by 0.4 percent in values ending the third quarter with P222.69 billion from P223.5 billion in the third quarter of 2022. Crops accounted for 54 percent of total agricultural production in the third quarter.

Despite a decline in values, the PSA report noted a slight increase in palay production by 0.2 percent to 3.79 million metric tons (MT) from 3.78 million MT, year-on-year. Corn production also im-

proved by 5 percent to 2.46 million MT from 1.48 million MT. Significant drops in output, however, are noted in cash crops like abaca, coconut, rubber, and sugarcane.

Livestock, which contributed 16 percent to total agricultural values in the third quarter posted 2.5 percent increase in values to P P66.11 billion, year-onyear, from P64.51 billion in 2022.

Hog production registered a 3.3 percent incremental output to 450,900 MT from 454,300 MT. Year-to-date, hogs production increased by 3.1 percent to 1.31 million MT from 1.27 million MT. Government efforts to contain and eradicate the African Swine Fever (ASF) is seen as bearing fruits, as more hogproducing regions are, reportedly, recovering from the hogs pandemic.

Unemployment rate rose to 4.5% driven by inflation, interest rates

By Julito G. Rada

T

he country’s unemployment rate in September 2023 slightly increased to 4.5 percent from 4.4 percent a month ago, partly driven by elevated inflation and higher interest rates, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

“Inflation really impacted some sectors but not all sectors,” national statistician and civil registrar general Dennis Mapa said in an online briefing.

In particular, he cited the 722,000 drop in the wholesale and retail trade sector. It could be noted that inflation in September picked up to 6.1 percent, the fastest in four months since the 6.1% in May 2023.

PSA data showed that the September jobless rate was still lower compared to the five percent a year ago. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 234,000 unemployed individuals.

The PSA said the employment rate in September 2023 was estimated at 95.5%, higher than the recorded employment rate in September 2022 at 95% but slightly lower than the 95.6% estimate in August 2023.

In terms of magnitude, the number of employed persons 15 years old and over was recorded at 47.67 million in September 2023 from 47.58 million in the same month last year. In August 2023, the number of employed persons was 48.07 million.

The labor force participation rate (LFPR) in September 2023 was posted at

64.1%, which was lower than the 65.2% LFPR in September 2022 and the 64.7 percent LFPR in August 2023.

Similarly, the underemployment rate saw a significant decrease to 10.7% in September 2023, down from the 15.4% posted in September 2022. This decrease is equivalent to 2.2 million fewer underemployed individuals.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan reiterated the government’s objective of pursuing high-quality job generation for Filipinos as labor market indicators continue to improve.

“The government is committed to improving the investment climate of the country to attract businesses that generate high-quality employment. We will continue to pursue enhancements to existing policies to address concerns in investments, particularly in infrastructure development in ar-

eas outside the National Capital Region,” Balisacan said.

Employment losses were observed in the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and agriculture and forestry. The manufacturing sector lost an estimated 888,000 jobs, the wholesale and retail trade sector lost 722,000 jobs, while the agriculture and forestry sector lost 649,000 jobs.

Balisacan said adverse weather conditions, along with increased input and borrowing costs, resulted in job losses in the wholesale and retail trade and agriculture sectors.

In addition, the PSA noted a drop in the labor force participation rate (LFPR) among women. The agency reported a female LFPR of 53.4 percent in September 2023, which is lower than the 54.8 percent recorded during the same period last year. Household duties were among the main causes for this decrease.

DILG orders transfer of 10 EMBO barangays to jurisdiction of Taguig LTO head Vigor Mendoza II

Mendoza said the agency will focus on the current backlog and the expired license for November will be catered by May next year.

Driver’s licenses that expired from May 1 to May 31, 2023, are eligible for renewal from November 1 to November 30, 2023, while licenses that expired from June 1 to June 30, 2023, can be renewed from December 1 to December 31, 2023.

Expired licenses from July 1 and July 31, 2023, will be renewed from January 1 to January 31, 2024, and licenses that expired in August 2023 can be renewed from February 1 to February 29, 2024.

For driver’s licenses that expired on September 1 and September 30, 2023, the schedule is from March 1 to March 31, 2024.

Earlier, a Quezon City court issued a writ of preliminary injunction against LTO’s delivery of plastic driver’s licenses.

AllCard Inc. earlier filed a complaint against Banner Plastic Card Inc., which submitted a bid of P219 million inclusive of taxes for procuring the license cards, higher than the former’s bid of P177 million.

Out of the 5.2 million plastic driver’s license cards, the supplier already delivered 1.9 million cards. To address the backlog, Mendoza said the agency is planning to bid 4.6 million of plastic driver’s license cards under the 2024 national budget.

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the transfer of the 10 EMBO (enlisted men’s barrio) barangays—formerly under Makati City—to the jurisdiction of its Taguig City field office.

In a three-page memorandum circular dated Oct. 26 and made public Wednesday, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the order is in line with the succeeding activities to be implemented following the assumption of the new sets of village and youth officials who won in the Oct. 30 polls.

Abalos said this also follows the move of other government agencies that had earlier transferred their operations in the 10 barangays from the city of Makati to Taguig, including the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Department

of Budget and Management (DBM).

This is in compliance with the Supreme Court’s (SC) final ruling stating that the entire Fort Bonifacio and 10 barangays of Makati City—Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo—are part of Taguig City.

Aside from transferring all DILG programs, projects and activities of these barangays, Abalos also ordered the DILG National Capital Region (NCR) to furnish DILG Taguig the reports of the 10 barangays on the conduct of line inventory and turnover of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan properties, financial records, documents and money accountabilities.

TREE LIGHTING. San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and wife Keri, local city council officials and executives of Rockwell Land lead the Christmas tree lighting at the Santolan Town Plaza in San Juan on Monday night. Manny Palmero

Supreme Court says oath-taking of new lawyers set Dec. 22 MMDA signs pact

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court (SC) has scheduled the oath-taking of those who passed the Bar examinations on December 22 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The date of the release of those who passed the 2023 online Bar examinations has not yet been announced.

A total of 10,387 out of 10,791 registered examinees took and completed the three-day 2023 Bar examinations administered by the SC last Sept. 17, 20, and 24 in 14 local testing centers nationwide.

The 2023 Bar examinations marked the first time that successful examinees will be admitted into the practice of their profession in the same year they took the examinations.

Results of the previous years’ examinations were released during the first quarter of the following year after they took the tests.

The SC, through Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando who is the chairperson of the examinations, had earlier announced that the results will be released in early December and the oath-taking and signing of the Roll of Attorneys will be held before Christmas.

Hernando had also said that the examinations will be sorted and checked by four examiners per subject and not through artificial intelligence (AI) as earlier claimed in at least two social media accounts.

Six core subjects were covered during the three-day 2023 examinations— Political and Public International Law, 15 percent; Commercial and Taxation Laws, 20 percent; Labor Law and Social Legislation, 10 percent; Criminal Law, 10 percent; and Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises, 25 percent.

The Bar admission fee per successful examinee is P5,000.

DoTr commends aviation authority for good work during Undas, BSKE

AID FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS. Senator Imee Marcos (third from right) speaks during the ceremonial distribution of educational assistance to 2,000 college students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela held at the Valenzuela Amphitheater.

Andrew Rabulan

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) commended the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for its good performance in making air travel safe, secure, and comfortable during the long holiday break.

All commercial airports under CAAP supervision maintained heightened alert status and reinforced security measures in anticipation of passenger influx before, during, and after the observance of Undas and Barangay and the recent Barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan Elections.

The management of 42 commercial CAAP airports and 12 area centers confirmed that operations ran smoothly with no untoward incidents reported.

Most flights were on time, and no security breaches were reported, while Malasakit Help Kits and Desks were distributed and activated for passengers.

“We are glad to have been of service to our passengers during the holidays.

It has always been our goal to provide a safe, secure, and comfortable travel experience to all patrons of our airports.

CAAP will ensure to keep up on its good work at all times,” said CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo.

The agency saw a 42 percent increase in passenger volume from January to August 2022, serving a total of 12,979,945 passengers. Joel E. Zurbano

with Coast Guard on Pasig ferry safety

By Joel E. Zurbano

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) signed an agreement with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to enhance maritime safety and security in the Pasig River Ferry System operation.

Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and MMDA acting chairman Don Artes presided over the signing ceremony in Pasig City last Tuesday.

Under the agreement, the PCG will inspect merchant ships and vessels, conduct emergency readiness, evaluations, coordinate aids to navigation, vessel traffic systems, maritime communications, and search and rescue facilities, provide aid to distressed persons and vessels, enforce laws for marine environment protection, and grant requests for assistance from other government agencies.

The MMDA, on the other hand, will continue to operate and maintain the Pasig River Ferry Service between Pinagbuhatan in Pasig City and Escolta in Manila, and use its rescue boats for disaster-related activities under its public safety mandate for Metro Manila commuters.

The ferry system, which covers terminals in Pinagbuhatan, and San Joaquin in Pasig City; Guadalupe and Valenzuela in Makati City; Hulo in Mandaluyong City; PUP Sta. Mesa, Sta. Ana, Lambingan, Lawton, Escolta, all in Manila, operates from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

NEWS

A4 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

ART ALSO THRIVES IN JAILS. Bureau of Corrections chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. leads other BuCor officials at the opening of the arts works on exhibit inside the National Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. The artwork, dubbed ‘Farms Not Arms’ was fashioned by visual artist Pete Jimenez out of tools of death such as improvised knives and other bladed weapons confiscated from the inmates. Joseph Muego

Comelec defers Dec. 9 polls in Negros Oriental 3rd district T The Comelec law department adopted HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has House Resolution 154 one day before cancelled the Dec. 9 special election in the third Pryde Henry Teves filed his certificate of district of Negros Oriental supposedly to fill the seat candidacy (COC) for his brother’s previous post, the GMA News reported. vacated by expelled Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. Arnie Teves was expelled from the The the poll body adopted a recommendation of its law department based on a House resolution seeking to postpone the special polls.

“This afternoon, the Comelec en banc adopted the recommendation of our law department, which is the House Resolution 136 calling for the conduct of special elections in the Third Legislative District of the province of Negros Oriental is deemed recalled and abandoned upon the passage of

House Resolution 154,” Comelec chairman GeorgeGarcia told reporters.

“Therefore, in recognition of the legislative power of Congress, the Law Department and the [Comelec] en banc decided to cancel the conduct of special elections in the Third Legislative District of the province of Negros Oriental and for the Commission to discontinue its ongoing preparation for the said special election,” Garcia said.

House of Representatives due to disorderly behavior and his continuing absence in the House proceedings despite an expired travel authority.

Arnie Teves was also facing murder, frustrated murder, and attempted murder charges arising from the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo.

Both Arnie and Henry have been tagged as “terrorists” by the Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) in relation to the killings and harassments in Negros Oriental.

Pryde Henry, meanwhile, said he will appeal his designation as terrorist.

Meanwhile, a retired Philippine Navy officer and an ally of slain Gov. Degamo on Tuesday filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the Comelec) provincial office in Negros Oriental.

Rey Lopez submitted his COC and other documentary requirements with no issues before noon, said Eliseo Labaria, acting provincial election supervisor of Negros Oriental.

Lopez, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1992 who hails from Siaton, Negros Oriental, is running as an independent but is a close ally of the slain governor and his widow, Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo.

Fire razes two silos near NLEX

By Orlan Mauricio MEYCAUAYAN CITY—A fire of still unknown origin razed two warehouses in Barangay Libtong near the NLEX Toll Plaza here, causing a monstrous traffic jam for north-bound motorists.

The fire, according to responding members of the North Valenzuela Fire Volunteers, started at around 7 p.m, Tuesday night, and continued until 7 a.m. the following day.

Initial report by the Bulacan Provincial Fire Protection (BPFP) said the warehouses, located in the boundaries of Barangays Langka and Libtong, were full of general

merchandise and school supplies.

The fire reportedly started from the mezzanine of one of the establishments of South Star General Merchandise owned

by Bomir Ortiz, Mic Lao, and Jackie Lao. The location of the warehouses and the scarcity of water sources and available fire hydrant in the area were gave the firefighters a hard time putting out the blaze.

Barangay officials said the fire reached the fourth alarm by midnight.

Bulacan firefighters declared the fire under control at around 7:15 a.m.

Arson probers are still looking at the cause of the fire.

By Rio N. Araja

PRISON ESCAPE. Nine inmates, also called persons deprived, bolted their cells at the Manila Police District’s Station One in Raxabago, Tondo, Manila, but four of them were recaptured shortly. Photo shows a worker welding additional steel at the gate of the detention facility in what may be a classic case of locking the stable after the horse was gone. Norman Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has welcomed UN Special Rapporteur for climate change Ian Fry as the latter embarked on a 10-day trip to the Philippines.

The country’s top diplomat tackled the country’s climate actions under President Marcos during his meeting with UN Special Rapporteur.

Manalo cited the importance of the rapporteur’s role in promoting informed global discussions and driving consensus on issues such as climate finance, including loss-anddamage financing mechanism, which he said the Philippines has been pushing with other developing countries for some time now.

“Assured UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry of PH’s full support for his mandate and a successful country visit. True to the Philippines’ climate action advocacies, we will work with Dr.

Fry in pressing for urgent and meaningful COP28 (Conference of Parties) outcomes,” Manalo said.

Fry discussed with Manalo his mandate that was established by the Human Rights Council in 2021 following climate change and human rights talks in the Council, which had been shepherded by the Philippines, Vietnam and Bangladesh since 2009.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the Philippines is the third country to be visited

by Fry after his appointment in 2022 after Bangladesh and Honduras.

Manalo also emphasized the country’s efforts in championing climate justice, disaster risk resilience and climate adaptation, including through its participation in the advisory opinion proceedings by the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and hosting of the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference in 2024, DFA said.

Solon asks PhilHealth to widen public health benefits

By Maricel V. Cruz AGRI Party-list Rep. Wilbert Lee on Wednesday reiterated the need for the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

(PhilHealth) to increase the coverage it offers its members as he stressed that the agency had the funds to cover much-needed increases in members’ benefits.

According to the Bicolano lawmaker, “PhilHealth is in a position to provide a 20 percent to 30 percent across-the-board

TWO witnesses have surfaced saying they saw missing beauty queen Catherine Camilon bloodied while being transferred from her car to another vehicle.

The witnesses claimed they also saw on Oct. 12 one of the persons identified by the authorities as a “person of interest” who even pointed a gun at them.

“Umiihi du’n sa lugar, nakita n’ung suspect natin, lumapit sa kanila, at tinutukan sila ng baril (The suspect peed, approached them and pointed a gun at them),” Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr. told GMA News.

Caramat quoted the witnesses as saying that before they saw the suspect, they saw the bloodied woman being transferred by three men from her car to another vehicle.

The gunman was said to be the personal driver of another person of interest.

“Through the rogue’s gallery of the CIDG, they positively identified and they were very certain about it,” Caramat said as regards the gunman, whom he said was tagged because of his tattoo and physical features.

The CIDG is now looking at a crime of passion as a possible motive for the crime.

Caramat said they are gathering more evidence to build a stronger case against the person of interest.

Police National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. earlier said their investigation into the disappearance of Camilon in Lemery, Batangas has produced significant progress. .

Acorda also called on the perpetrators to surrender to mitigate their offense.

“There is significant progress in the investigation.

And that’s why I am appealing now to those who are involved to give themselves up,”Acroda said in a press briefing.

Batangas Vice Gov. Mark Leveste and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission have offered a P250,000 reward for information on Camilon’s whereabouts.

The police earlier said that they are looking into two suspects in the case, including a policeman and a former owner of Camilon’s vehicle.

PAGASA says El Nino to last until Q2 2024

DFA cites visit of UN envoy on climate change

ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE. Former Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, former Department of Finance Undersecretary Professor Cielo Magno, and lawyer Barry Gutierrez lead the launch of “Wag Kang KuCorrupt“, a public movement that advocates fighting corruption in the bureaucracy, as well as the abolition of the highly controversial confidential intelligence funds. Manny Palmero

Two witnesses claim they saw suspects move beauty queen

increase of its offered health benefits.”

In a letter addressed to PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. dated 23 October 2023, Lee said that “given the enormous funds that are still in PhilHealth’s investment platforms and its partner banks, I would like to formally request in writing and recommend to the PhilHealth management a 20 percent-30percent increase in all benefit packages and coverage provided by the Corporation.”

Lee explained in the letter that “PhilHealth’s case rate must be updated as it is no longer responsive to the hospitalization cost of the beneficiaries.”

“As I previously pointed out, while we recognize the mandate of the PhilHealth to invest its income for its corporate survival, a more responsive and impactful health insurance program and the welfare of its contributors and beneficiaries are far more important and must be prioritized by PhilHealth,” added the legislator in his letter.

THE El Niño phenomenon is likely to continue until the second quarter of 2024, the weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said moderate-to-strong El Niño is already present in the tropical Pacific, showing signs of further intensification in the coming months as sea surface temperature anomalies reach more than 1.5 degrees Centigrade.

El Niño increases the likelihood of below-normal rainfall conditions, which could bring negative impacts, such as dry spells and droughts, in several areas of the country to likely be manifested during the last quarter of 2023 and unto the first quarter of 2024. PAGASA said.

Such may adversely affect the different climate-sensitive sectors, such as the water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety and other key sectors of the country.

The weather bureau has also projected that most parts of the country will face reduced rainfall starting in October due to the current moderate El Niño in the tropical Pacific.

According to the agency, the weather phenomenon will become strong by the end of 2023, and likely to lead to below-normal rainfall conditions persisting until next year.

“From January to March 2024, we anticipate the most severe effects of El Niño, with a high probability of belownormal rainfall conditions in most parts of the country. Generally, during the forecast period, we expect the intensity of El Niño to escalate starting this November,” said Ana Liza Solis, assistant weather services chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section (CLIMPS). With AFP

Cops nab one of two suspects in slay of elected village official in Pasay City

By Joel E. Zurbano POLICE have arrested one of the suspects in the killing of a newly-elected barangay councilwoman in Pasay City last Monday.

Police identified the suspect as Vladimir del Valle Catubay, one of the riding-in-tandem who gunned down Kagawad Lina Censon Camacho inside the headquarters of Barangay 37 along San Juan Street, “Through maximized patrolling operations, the Pasay City Police Station nabbed one of the

suspects while patrolling 300 meters away from the crime scene,” said Metro Manila police chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. CCTV footage from Barangay Hall showed the suspects arrived on a motorcycle. One of the riders, armed with a gun, alighted and fired two shots hitting the victim’s neck.

The National Capital Region Police Office is now reviewing the CCTV footage in the neighboring barangays to identify the other suspect in the incident.

OPINION

Demography: Key to unlocking sustainable future for Asia-Pacific

By Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and Natalia Kanem THE Asia-Pacific region is an economic powerhouse, fueled by its vibrant and diverse population.

Comprising 60 per cent of the world’s population, this region is bursting with a wealth of experience and untapped potential.

Exciting advancements have been made here: in education; health care, including sexual and reproductive health; jobs, and sustainable development.

Yet there is a catch: this progress has not been evenly distributed. Inequity pervades the region, especially within individual countries.

Women still lose their lives during childbirth at alarming rates, and in many countries we have seen limited progress in reducing maternal mortality in the past decade.

In several countries, less than 30 per cent of women of reproductive age use contraception. Unemployment rates among young women remain high, reaching up to 25 per cent in some places. Women are still struggling for a seat at the political table, with less than a quarter of national parliamentary seats being occupied by women in 35 countries across the region.

We can protect people and the planet and ensure prosperity for all, now and in the future Progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment has been sluggish, creating a roadblock to sustainable development.

The region is particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation, with disasters claiming two million lives since 1970.

Financial losses from these calamities add up to $924 billion every year, eating up nearly three per cent of the region’s GDP. Humanity’s environmental footprint has expanded dramatically.

The region’s greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 54 per cent since 1990, largely caused by the energy and agricultural sectors.

Population aging is another mega-trend affecting this part of the world.

More people are enjoying longer and healthier lives, and in this new reality we need policies that adapt to these shifts and invest in every stage of life.

Rather than perceiving older persons as a drain on resources, we should recognize them as individuals with human rights who make important contributions to society in various ways all the time.

The same applies to persons with disabilities, migrants and other groups who have much to contribute, yet too often face stigma

EvEryman and discrimination. Let us build societies for people of all abilities and ages.

Over 60 per cent of the population in the Asia-Pacific has access to the internet, and this has turbocharged development across many sectors.

Nevertheless, these technological advances bring new challenges, from the digital divide between the haves and the have-nots, to privacy violations and a disturbing rise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

While it is important that we celebrate the region’s many achievements, we must simultaneously confront its population and development challenges.

We have a unique opportunity to do so as we mark 60 years since the first Asian and Pacific Population Conference and 30 years since the International Conference on Population and Development – two important milestones on the path towards sustainable progress.

At the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as countries seek to accelerate action towards our global goals, we urgently need comprehensive, forwardthinking, intergenerational approaches to harness the opportunities of population dynamics for sustainable development.

To be effective, such approaches must be based on individual human rights and rooted in evidence and data.

Innovative solutions, financing and political commitment through inclusive partnerships are our path forward. Let us ensure young and older persons have a voice in decision-making and in designing solutions. Let us tap into the goldmine of shared knowledge and proven methods we have built over the past few decades.

Investing in people, through improved health, education and training, while providing social protection for all to retain development gains, lays the foundation for inclusive, just and sustainable societies. It is also our route to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Seventh Asian and Pacific Population Conference next week in Bangkok is the perfect launchpad for collective action.

Governments, civil society, young people and others can come together and make a real difference, building on their collective investments and successes to date.

Together, we can protect people and the planet and ensure prosperity for all, now and in the future.

Let us refocus our actions to ensure human rights and choices for everyone, driving us closer to peace and a sustainable future for this generation and those that follow.

(The authors: Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana is Undersecretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific; and Natalia Kanem is Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund)

‘He died so I could live’: Israeli couple torn apart in Hamas attack BITZARON, Israël – When young Israeli Irene Shavit spoke to her mother after her first date with Netta Epstein, she said she was “already in love” but feared it could “end badly.”

Shavit, 22, imagined the romance, like so many others, might end in heartbreak.

Instead, it ended on October 7, when Epstein dived onto a Hamas grenade to save her life.

He was among the 1,400 people killed in the shock Hamas attack and its aftermath, according to Israeli authorities, most of them civilians who died on the first day.

“He died so I could live, so I must live,” said Shavit about her fiance, who was also 22.

But starting life again poses a wrenching dilemma for her.

“If I don’t do it, it’s a betrayal. But if I do it, I also feel like I’m betraying him,” she said, crying.

“I miss his kisses, his embrace, his love.”

The pair had been due to marry in April and Shavit had already bought the wedding dress.

She was speaking as the deadliest ever Gaza war raged on, now staying at her parents’ home in the town of Bitzaron south of Tel Aviv.

In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has launched a withering air, ground and sea attack on Gaza to destroy Hamas, which has so far claimed more than 10,300 lives, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, in a month of gruelling conflict.

‘Paradise’ on red alert Shavit and Epstein met at a bar in April 2022 and shared an “immediate attraction”, she remembered.

They finished their mandatory army service — she in military intelligence, he as a parachute regiment officer — before moving in together in the Kfar Aza kibbutz.

From the edge of the commune, described

by Shavit as a “paradise of trees and flowers”, they could see the buildings of Gaza City, the biggest urban centre in the long blockaded territory.

On Saturday October 7, the younger residents of the kibbutz were planning a group breakfast before a kite festival with a political take on the long-running dispute.

“We wanted to fly them with messages of peace towards the Gaza border,” Shavit said.

Irene Shavit, now a widow, is left with ‘lots of what-ifs, lots of guilt, and lots of solitude But at 6:30 am they were awoken by the words “red alert” blaring over the kibbutz loudspeakers.

The alarm was routine in the border town, which has often been targeted by rocket fire from the Palestinian territory.

The couple took a selfie and sent it to their families to reassure them.

Then they went back to sleep in each other’s arms, thinking they were safe in a bedroom nested in a missile-proof cocoon.

But at 8:00 am they received a mass text message: “Enter lockdown, suspicion of infiltration, hide.”

The message sent a shockwave of fear

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

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

EDITORIAL

I

Our own defense industry

T IS said “no army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.”

That proverb may have arisen under different circumstances, but it is appropriate now when the country faces China’s increasingly aggressive activities in the West Philippine Sea. And certainly an idea whose time has come is the proposal of seven senators to earmark P1 billion in seed money to finance the development of the country’s own defense industry.

The lawmakers have jointly filed Senate Bill 2455, or the Self-Reliant Defense Posture Revitalization Act, to encourage businesses to invest in the local manufacture of defense equipment.

The proposed measure emphasizes the need to “revitalize the country’s self-reliance defense posture program and to fully harness the potential of the defense industry at a time when security threats are imminent and continue to evolve.”

The bill wants the government to undertake the development of the defense industry and ensure its ca-

pability to locally produce advanced weaponry and equipment for its armed forces through technology transfer, partnerships with and incentives for the private sector.

We already have experience, for instance, in shipbuilding that we can rely on to build our own naval vessels to patrol our extensive coastline.

The time to start is now, with the proposed P1 billion in seed money to get the ball rolling

The senators also suggest the creation of a new unit within the Department of National Defense to oversee the implementation of the program and all related projects promoting the domestic production of military supplies.

The Office of the Undersecretary for Defense Technology Research and Industry Development will be responsible for conducting research and development studies and in crafting policies.

It will also be tasked with spearheading the collaboration between the relevant state agencies with private entities in ensuring the success of the country’s SRDP program.

The SRDP program will cover all military equipment “essential to and designed to effectively counter and address chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and cyberattacks or incidents.”

To entice foreign defense companies to set up factories in the Philippines, the bill provides for several incentives, such as exemption from paying import duties.

State-owned financial institutions will be encouraged to support the industry by formulating and extending financial products that would benefit its hastened development.”

At present, our military relies mainly on foreign sources for its armaments, aircraft and naval vessels among other requirements to build a credible defense posture.

But we need to significantly expand the domestic defense industry, perhaps through joint ventures with other foreign firms, so we can be self-reliant in our defense requirements.

The time to start is now, with the proposed P1 billion in seed money to get the ball rolling.

Sleeper cells IN THE past couple of weeks, social media had been awash with postings about the presence of Chinese sleeper cells in the country.

This was partly due to the arrest of a couple of Chinese nationals with two Filipinos working for them in an exclusive subdivision in the Metro Manila area.

Confiscated during the search of the rented house were documents and some high powered firearms, suggesting the group might be up to something harmful to the interest of the country.

Given what has been happening between us and China since PBBM assumed office, it would be surprising if there are no Chinese spy cells already operating in the country.

As they say in the intelligence community, even friends spy on each other.

So, we should assume there are Chinese intelligence operations going on here.

The question is, are our government agencies charged to counter and monitor such activities up to the job? Have these groups been pinpointed and are they being monitored?

The Chinese embassy, of course, issued its obligatory denial but such denials should only be taken with a grain of salt.

This is because all over the world today, intelligence information gathering is a fact of life.

For instance, shouldn’t our Retirement Authority consider it unusual that many Chinese nationals of military age are availing themselves of our Special Resident Retiree’s Visa program?

Knowing very well that Chinese people of working age are very indus-

Fortunately, there were quick thinking officials from the government who issued warnings that basically blocked all these attempts.

All we have to do is read a page on what happened to the country preceding the Second World War. Japan in the late 1930s sent many so-called fifth columns masquerading as immigrants to the country but were members of the Japanese military to gather vital information both military and socio-political. When war did come, all that these spies had to do was put on their Japanese military uniforms and easily joined the invading forces.

But before we start overreacting, let us bear in mind that espionage activities are going on in almost all countries of consequence like the United States, China, Australia or Canada

but does not necessarily mean that the country collecting intelligence is already preparing for war.

The trick is to be vigilant and be on top of the situation so that we are not caught flatfooted when something happens.

We should also assume there will be some Filipinos who will be willing to sell their country for 30 pieces of silver.

This is sometimes manifested by those corrupt government officials providing escort and protection services to aliens.

The unfortunate thing is there will always be traitors in our midst and this is why we should not only be vigilant about foreigners wanting to do our country harm but also about our own people who are partnering with them.

As social media have been trying to point out, there are already some of us who are willing and able to parrot the side of China on the West Philippines Sea issue in the guise of discussing objectively the WPS but actually propagating the side of China.

Vigilance takes many forms.

In the intelligence arena, there is such a thing as counter intelligence efforts wherein our intelligence agencies can mount activities to negate what the other side is doing.

This includes recruiting so-called assets to also work for us.

We just have to be smart, capable and resourceful.

We often read about cases like this in the media.

The latest that I came across was about a Canadian citizen arrested in Canada for selling prohibited items to a sanctioned country.

There was also the arrest of former military pilots from the US and UK for teaching Chinese pilots how to land planes on aircraft carriers. Read full article on manilastandard.net.

through the kibbutz, where everyone was used to leaving their doors unlocked.

They turned off the light and stayed still.

The first shots sounded “in the distance” and quickly the news of the first victims arrived via a text message.

First Epstein’s grandmother was killed and then a cousin.

In the darkness of the shelter, the couple muffled their sobs, holding tight to their phones, their only means of contact with the world outside.

Savit recalled the terror and uncertainty they felt at the time: “No one understands what is going on outside. The shots are getting closer.”

Sudden solitude At 11:30 am they heard glass break in the living room.

The couple pressed their backs up against

the bedroom wall, hoping not to be seen.

Shavit remembered the “indescribable fear”.

Their bedroom door opened and, as Shavit recoiled, Epstein stepped forward.

Two grenades were tossed and a Hamas militant shouted in Hebrew “Leave! Where are you?”

As a third grenade was thrown into the room, Shavit saw her fiance throw himself on it.

“It’s what he learned in the army,” she said. “If there’s a grenade in an enclosed space you jump on it to protect others.”

After the blast, the gunman fired a burst of bullets to finish Epstein off, before setting the room on fire and leaving.

Shavit, resigned to death, pulled her pyjamas over her mouth to block out the fumes.

But when she heard the attackers with-

draw, she crept out to the bathroom and put out the fire.

She then slid under the bed, hidden by a backpack and Netta’s body.

At 4:00 pm, Shavit heard Israeli troops shouting in Hebrew if there were any survivors.

She hesitated before answering. When she did, the soldiers extracted her while a battle to retake the kibbutz still raged.

Shavit is left with “lots of what-ifs, lots of guilt, and lots of solitude.” she said.

At Epstein’s funeral there were “thousands” paying homage, she said.

But Shavit has few memories of the day of the burial. She was grieving a lifetime of companionship lost.

“I told myself, what am I doing here?” she said. “Wasn’t this supposed to happen 70 years from now?” AFP

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

trious and all want to become rich, it is somewhat mystifying that they have retired at a very early age and are just enjoying themselves here.

There was also the aggressive effort to acquire that vacated Korean shipyard in Subic which is close to a naval facility of ours.

Then there is that area in Clark which is also close to our Air Force Base that a Chinese company wanted to lease.

There seems to be an unusual interest by Chinese companies to acquire real estate near our military bases and facilities.

There was also the arrest of former military pilots from the US and UK for teaching Chinese pilots how to land planes on aircraft carriers

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

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

B2 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WORLD

Absent Trump once again to loom over party debate MIAMI—Third debate, third snub: Republican candidates will gather in Miami Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) as they vie to become their party’s nominee for the 2024 presidential election—once again without frontrunner Donald Trump.

The ex-president, who leads the race by leaps and bounds, will skip the affair entirely and instead hold a rally nearby for supporters.

As with the last two debates, the real estate mogul says he has no need for the publicity given his large lead among his fellow Republicans.

Polling suggests he would receive a whopping 58 percent of the Republican primary vote, crushing opponents thanks to a large and loyal base which has stuck by his side through two impeachments, multiple indictments and a variety of other scandals.

Primary races begin on January 15, with the eventual winner to face off against the Democratic candidate—almost certainly President Joe Biden —in next November’s presidential election.

The 77-year-old Trump’s alternate event, a major campaign rally, will be held just outside Miami, 11 miles (18 kilometers) from the NBC set where the debate will be broadcast.

The five debating Republicans have been forced to grapple with a now alltoo-familiar question: how to make a splash while Trump sucks up all the oxygen—and media attention— out of the room?

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was once seen as the next generation of the Republican Party, but his ratings have plummeted.

The 45-year-old, whose positions on abortion, LGBTQ rights and immigration catapulted him into the spotlight, now lags behind Trump by nearly 45 percentage points, according to polling aggregator RealClearPolitics.

Former UN ambassador Nikki Haley stands in third place for the moment, hovering at around nine percent in polls. The 51-year-old’s diplomatic experience and more centrist stance on abortion garnered attention in previous debates. AFP

CELEBRATING A WIN. Abortion rights supporters celebrate winning the referendum on the so-called Issue 1, a measure to enshrine a right to abortion in Ohio’s Constitution, in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday. Residents voted to enshrine the right to an abortion in the Republican-run US state’s constitution, US media projected, in what could be a bellwether for an issue which is likely to dominate next year’s presidential race. AFP

Biden boosted by Ohio abortion rights vote ahead of 2024 polls C OLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio voted Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s Constitution, while the Democratic governor of Kentucky won reelection, in results that boosted President Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 White House race.

The “yes” vote victory in Ohio’s referendum, known as Issue 1, inserts the right in the Republican-run state’s constitution for residents to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including on abortion.

A watch party of “yes” campaigners exploded with joy

as the projected results were announced in the midwestern state’s capital of Columbus, with many erupting into tears, screams and hugs.

“Winning was our only option and we did it together,” one organizer shouted to applause, as others broke into cries of “Abortion is health care,” “Abortion is a winning issue” and “Your body, your rights.”

Reproductive rights were also in the spotlight in the Kentucky governor’s race as the conservative-leaning southern state was projected to re-elect incumbent Democratic Governor Andy Beshear, who made abortion rights a key issue in his battle against Republican Daniel Cameron.

Biden celebrated the Ohio result, saying that voters “rejected attempts by MAGA Republican elected officials to impose extreme abortion bans that put the health and lives of women in jeopardy,” referring to his likely 2024 opponent Donald Trump’s slogan

“Make America Great Again.”

The president, who faces grim polling numbers and harsh criticism over his handling of Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, pointed to Tuesday’s election outcomes as a galvanizing moment for his own re-election campaign.

“Voters vote. Polls don’t. Now let’s go win next year,” he posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Before the polls closed in Ohio, Vivek Ramaswamy, a fringe Republican presidential candidate, told AFP he was against the measure to explicitly guarantee abortion rights in the state charter.

“The reason I’m voting no... is that I’m pro-life,” Ramaswamy said. If the amendment were adopted, “I don’t think that’s a good move for the country,” he added.

By contrast, Jill, 43, who preferred not to give her last name, said she voted “yes”—“as a woman, to protect my reproductive rights.” AFP

House censures Rashida Tlaib over Israel-Hamas comments WASHINGTON, DC—The US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to censure Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian-American in Congress, over her comments on the Israel-Hamas war, US media reported.

The Democrat was censured by Republicans and some members of her own party in a resolution that passed by 234 votes to 188.

The resolution said Tlaib was “promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel.”

The censure identified a series of statements made by Tlaib, including a video posted on social media in which she accuses President Joe Biden of supporting what she described as the “genocide” of Palestinians and calling on him to back a ceasefire,

according to the text of the motion.

The video also shows a crowd chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” which the motion said “is widely recognized as a genocidal call to violence to destroy the state of Israel.”

Tlaib had said on X, formerly known as Twitter: “From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate”.

She defended herself in an emotional address after the vote, US media reported.

“It is important to separate people and governments,” Tlaib said.

“No government is beyond criticism.

The idea that criticizing the government of Israel is anti-Semitic sets a very dangerous precedent, and it’s been used to silence diverse voices speaking up for human rights across our nation,” she said. AFP

Danish court to rule on jihadist’s agent claim

NOT INTIMIDATED. Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Queen Camilla travel in

the Diamond Jubilee State Coach past protesters holding ‘Not My King‘ placards, from the anti-monarchy group Republic as they demonstrate ahead of the State Opening of Parliament, opposite the Houses of Parliament in London. AFP

G7 backs ‘humanitarian pauses’ in Gaza, continues aid for Ukraine TOKYO, Japan—G7 foreign ministers said Wednesday they supported “humanitarian pauses and corridors” in the Hamas-Israel war but refrained from calling for a ceasefire.

The group also said after talks in Japan that their support for Ukraine in its war with Russia “will never waver” while calling on China not to support Moscow in the conflict.

“We stress the need for urgent action

FURIOUS FLOODS. French

firefighters walk in a flooded street during a rescue operation in Isques, near Boulogne-surMer, northern France on Tuesday. Dozens of communes were hit by flooding in the Pas-de-Calais northern region, where the Liane and Aa rivers reached exceptional levels around Boulogne-sur-Mer and Saint-Omer. AFP

to address the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza... We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement, and the release of hostages,” a joint statement said.

The ministers also “emphasize Israel’s right to defend itself and its people in accordance with international law as it seeks to prevent a recurrence” of the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7.

It added: “We call on Iran to refrain from providing support for Hamas and taking further actions that destabilize the Middle East, including support for Lebanese Hezbollah and other non-state actors, and to use its influence with those groups to de-escalate regional tensions.”

The Israeli military has relentlessly bombarded Gaza since October 7, when Hamas militants launched an

attack that left 1,400 dead in Israel, most of them civilians, according to Israeli authorities.

The Hamas-run health ministry says the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 10,300 people.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday there would be no fuel delivered to Gaza and no ceasefire unless more than 240 hostages seized by Hamas were freed. AFP

‘Exceptional’ floods hit northern France BLENDECQUES, France—Flooding has hit dozens of towns in northern France, leaving roads sometimes only passable in boats and dozens of schools closed, authorities said Tuesday.

Two rivers—the Aa and the Liane -were placed on red alert for flooding in the northern Pas-de-Calais department after heavy showers overnight from Monday to Tuesday.

Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said on X (formerly Twitter) that seven people were injured but did not provide further details. He said that more than

1,500 firefighters were mobilised in the region.

Coming on the heels of Storm Ciaran which battered Western Europe last week, the floods “impacted” around 60 municipalities, causing “significant” damage, said the prefecture, adding that dozens of schools have been closed.

Vigicrues, the official river flooding watchdog, described Tuesday’s floods as “exceptional”.

In the town of Blendecques, which was already hit by a flood last year, locals assessed the damage. AFP

COPENHAGEN, Denmark—A Copenhagen court is to rule Wednesday in the case of a man jailed for joining Islamic State who wants Danish intelligence agencies to admit he was an undercover agent.

Ahmed Samsam, a 34-year-old Danish national of Syrian origin, has captivated the Scandinavian nation with his attempt to force the PET secret services and FE military intelligence to state that he provided information on foreign jihadist fighters when in Syria in 2013 and 2014.

Samsam is already serving an eight year jail term imposed by a Spanish court for being an IS member. A victory would help fight that conviction.

Danish media investigations, based on anonymous sources and evidence of bank transfers, have backed Samsam’s case.

But the intelligence agencies have insisted they cannot confirm the identities of their informants.

“It’s a question of national security,” Peter Biering, a lawyer for the PET and FE told proceedings held in August.

The agencies have to protect sources and “prevent terrorism,” Biering added.

Samsam said he went to Spain in 2017 following gangland threats not related to Syria.

He was arrested by Spanish police who had found pictures of him on Facebook posing with the IS flag.

Samsam has never denied travelling to his home country during the civil war that erupted in 2011 but insisted throughout his trial that he had been an informer rather than a jihadist.

Samsam’s case is that he left Denmark in 2012 to fight Bashar alAssad’s government. On his return, he was investigated by Danish authorities but the case was closed. AFP

BUSINESS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

B3

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks extend gains ahead of GDP report T

By Jenniffer B. Austria

HE local stock market extended its winning streak Wednesday on expectation of higher third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth.

The 30-company Philippine Stock Exchange index added 23.71 points, or 0.39 percent, to close at 6,155.03, while the broader all-shares index rose 7.17 points, or 0.22 percent, to settle at 3,317.51.

Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said the PSEi extended its winning streak to six days “on the back of cooler-than-expected October inflation rate and anticipated third quarter GDP [growth], fueling optimism that BSP [Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas] will keep benchmark rate unchanged on its Nov. 16 policy-setting meeting.”

Limlingan said the market expected the third-quarter GDP to rebound strongly from 4.3 percent expansion in the previous quarter.

The Philippines Statistics Authority will release the data Thursday.

Meanwhile, Asian equity markets struggled Wednesday as investors tried to figure out the Federal Reserve’s interest rate plans, while demand concerns saw oil prices struggling to recover from the previous day’s plunge.

While Wall Street enjoyed another advance, there were few catalysts to drive business and, with geopolitical tensions relatively subdued, US monetary policy is in focus after the central bank hinted last week at no more tightening.

However, officials refuse to commit one way or the other for now, instead saying they want to see more evidence that inflation is on a true downward slope and the labor market has softened enough.

Data on Friday that showed jobs creation was slowing -- but not too much to cause worry about the economy -- instilled confidence the Fed was on course to deliver a soft landing for the economy and avoid a recession.

Chicago Fed boss Austan Goolsbee gave little away Tuesday, saying he was lasering in on getting control of prices.

“We’ve got to get inflation down -- that’s the number-one thing,” he told CNBC. “I’m absolutely hammering that’s what we should be watching.”

He added that it was looking possible to do that without hurting the economy.

“To get inflation down as much as we’re getting it down without a big recession, that’s basically never happened,” he said.

“But because of some of the strangeness of this moment, there is the possibility of the golden path, that we got inflation down without a recession.”

All three main indexes in New York enjoyed more gains, with the S&P 500 up for a seventh straight day, having last month tipped into correction territory with a 10 percent drop from recent highs.

But Asian investors were more circumspect, with some markets drifting in and out of positive territory.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Seoul, Wellington and Jakarta all dropped, though Sydney, Taipei, Manila, Mumbai and Bangkok edged up. With AFP

Unsurprising October inflation; Meralco hikes efficiency rating THE lower inflation rate in October is very much predictable. Rice prices as well as those of other food items cooled off during the month after climbing in September, thanks partly to a good weather.

Base effect, or the much higher inflation rate of 7.7 percent in the comparative month last year, likewise led to a deceleration in prices in October.

The inflation on food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped, pulling down the overall prices in October.

The October inflation rate declined significantly to a three-month low of 4.9 percent from 6.1 percent a month ago.

The prices of heavily-weighted food and non-alcoholic beverages fell to 7.0 percent in October 2023 from 9.7 percent in September.

As I’ve written in my last week’s column, the yellowing rice fields along major expressways in the north were part of the telltale signs that the nation’s rice stocks had been boosted. The rice inflation shrank to 13.2 percent in October from 17.9 percent in September.

National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan says rice inflation slowed down following the onset of peak harvest and import arrivals.

“The stable supply of vegetables as harvest season comes likewise resulted in a slower inflation rate of the commodity,” says Balisacan.

Meanwhile, food inflation at the national level, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority, decreased to 7.1 percent in October from 10.0 percent in the previous month and 9.8 percent year-on-year. The PSA noted that prices of other food items such as vegetables, tubers, plantains, cooking bananas and pulses, or beans, sharply dropped to to 11.9 percent in October from 29.6 percent in September.

The inflation rate may have already peaked this year, given the ample rice harvest during the wet season. The Department of Agriculture has already assured sufficient rice supply in early 2024 following the harvesting of palay, or unhusked rice, in the current wet season. Rice imports that arrived in the third quarter of 2023 will also help the country’s stock.

DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said the country’s national rice stock inventory was at a comfortable level of 77 days of supply in October. Once the wet season harvest ends this month, the national stock inventory is expected to last for 94 days.

The dry spell, however, may pose a problem and restrict crop production. A moderate El Niño is expected to strengthen until the second quarter of 2024. A belownormal rainfall across the country may adversely impact agriculture production and energy generation.

Positive Meralco rating Improving operations at the least possible cost is the objective of any utility company. And increasing the bottom line is perhaps the most relevant measurement of this quarterly or yearly performance.

Manila Electric Co., or Meralco, the biggest retailer of electricity, is one utility that has to continuously upgrade

its service to customers in a challenging regulatory environment. But first, it has to be profitable to meet its customer mandate efficiently and invest for the future.

Latest statistics show that Meralco is fulfilling its objectives, justifying it credit rating upgrade from S&P Global Ratings.

Consolidated core net income in the nine months ending September 2023 jumped 53 percent to P30 billion from P19.6 billion during the same period last year.

Higher distributed energy volumes, the robust performance of the power generation business and the expanding contribution of its retail electricity business have powered the company’s operations in the nine-month period.

These improved financial results are underpinned by remarkable strides in operational efficiencies, as exemplified by the company’s 12-month moving average system loss, which showed a significant improvement of 0.07 percentage points from 5.88 percent to 5.81 percent.

Meralco made significant improvements in its service quality metrics. The System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI), which measures how often customers experience sustained power interruptions, improved five percent to 1.004 times from the 1.053 times reported in the same period the previous year.

The System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI), which reflects the average duration of interruptions per customer, meanwhile, saw a three-percent enhancement, with a reduction to 99.583 minutes, compared with 102.590 minutes during the same period in 2022.

Meralco’s positive numbers followed the decision of S&P Global Ratings to revise its outlook for utility it from “stable” to “positive.” The upgrade reflects Meralco’s robust cash flow and strengthened financial position.

“Strong dividends from Meralco’s associate/joint-venture companies in the power generation business, mainly PacificLight Energy Pte. Ltd. and San Buenaventura Power Ltd. Co., will also support stronger cash flow over the next two years. In addition, contribution from its three commissioned renewable plants (mostly solar projects) will add to the earnings over the next two years,” says S&P. The credit rating agency has conveyed its confidence in Meralco’s business strategy decisions.

“We believe Meralco has an adequate governance framework that is in line with that of domestic peers. This reflects management’s experience and expertise in power distribution. In our view, the two strategic shareholder groups also exercise sufficient checks and balances, despite a lower proportion of independent directors on the board,” adds S&P. E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com

WATER BILL DISCOUNT. West zone concessionaire Maynilad Water Services Inc. announces the launch of the

Enhanced Lifeline Program (ELP) that will give a higher discount on the water bills of qualified low-income and lowconsuming residential customers. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, regular lifeline customers who are also marginalized such as beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or customers living below the poverty line, as determined by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, can apply and qualify for higher discounts.

Cebu Pacific relaunches ‘piso fare’ to boost travel

By Joel E. Zurbano CEBU Pacific (CEB) relaunched its piso fare promotion for domestic and international flights this month.

The low-cost carrier said travelers could book their flights from Nov. 8 to 11 for local and international destinations for as low as P1 one-way base fare, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period is from April 1 to Oct. 31, 2024.

The CEB management said the promotion is a perfect gift for travelers this holiday season.

Cebu Pacific offers flights to various top tourist destinations in the country, including Boracay, Laoag, Dumaguete, Ozamiz, Davao and Tacloban.

The airline also has direct flights from Manila, Cebu, or Clark for international travel.

The airline recently received its Manila 13th aircraft delivery this Standard year, a new Airbus A320neo, TODAY

to meet growing air travel demand and enhance operational resilience.

CEB expects 19 more aircraft deliveries, with six deliveries before the end of the year. It currently operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with a

diversified fleet mix of 74 aircraft, enabling the widest network coverage in the Philippines.

The airline flies to 35 domestic and 25 international destinations across Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

STEEL INVESTMENT. Real Steel Corp. receives a certificate of endorsement from the Bureau of Investments (BOI) for its P10.3-billion rolling mills project which is critical for the production of reinforced bars. Shown are (from left) One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSAC-SI) director Ernesto Delos Reyes Jr.; OSAC-SI legal and compliance service division chief Ronaldo Buluran, Real Steel chief finance officer William Chen, OSAC-SI governor Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego, OSAC-SI executive director Bobby Fondevilla and OSAC-SI division chief Lubin De Vera Jr.

METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION NOTICE OF SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS’ MEETING Please be advised that a Special Meeting of the Shareholders of METRO PACIFIC INVESTMENTS CORPORATION (the “Company”) will be held on December 04, 2023 at 1:30 p.m.

The venue of the meeting is at the Multipurpose Hall, Meralco Compound, Ortigas Avenue, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City. Shareholders may also opt to attend the meeting virtually through a link that will be provided by the Company.

Shareholders who wish to attend the meeting, whether physically or virtually, must inform the Company’s Corporate Secretary by email to corsec@mpic. com.ph no later than November 28, 2023.

The following is the agenda of the Special Meeting of the Shareholders: I. Call to Order II. Certification of Notice and Quorum III. Amendment of the Seventh Article of the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Company IV. Other Matters V. Adjournment The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on October 31, 2023 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Shareholders’ Meeting.

Duly accomplished proxies shall be submitted on or before November 28, 2023 to the Office of the Corporate Secretary at 9th Floor, Tower 1, Rockwell Business Center, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City and/or by email to corsec@mpic.com.ph.

Validation of proxies is set on November 29, 2023.

Shareholders may vote electronically, subject to validation procedures.

The rules and procedures participating in the meeting physically and virtually and for casting their votes in absentia are set forth in the Information Statement.

Very truly yours, RICARDO M. PILARES III Corporate Secretary Pasig City (MS-NOV. 9 & 10, 2023)

B4 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 Roderick T. dela Cruz Cruz, Editor Alena Mae S. Flores, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

MANUFACTURING COOPERATION.

BUSINESS

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alredo Pascual (third from left) signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Unilab Foundation and the Makati Business Club (MBC) to strengthen the Philippine workforce to respond to the needs of the industry. With Pascual during the signing the MOU at the Board of Investments building in Makati City are (from left) Advanced Manufacturing Skills Council (AMSC) director Patricia Siriban, DTI Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Unilab Foundation executive director Lilibeth Aristorenas, Advanced Manufacturing Development Workforce Alliance (AMDev) chief of party Danilo Lachica,and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines Mission director Ryan Washburn.

October GIR rose to 6-month high of $101.1b

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE gross international reserves of the Philippines climbed to a six-month high of $101.1 billion in October from $98.1 billion in September, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

It was the highest level of the GIR, which serves as the country’s buffer against external financial volatilities, since it reached $101.6 billion in April 2023. It was also higher than $94 billion registered a year ago.

“The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected mainly the national government’s net foreign currency deposits with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, which include proceeds from its issuance of Retail Onshore Dollar

Bonds 2 [RDB 2],” the BSP said in a statement.

The government raised $1.26 billion from the issuance of the RDB 2 amid strong demand last month. The RDB 2 has a tenor of 5.5 years and a gross interest rate of 5.750 percent per annum, payable every quarter until its maturity in 2029.

The BSP said other factors that contributed to the GIR’s increase in October were the upward valuation adjustments

in the BSP’s gold holdings on increased prices of the metal in the international market and the BSP’s net foreign exchange operations and net income from its investments abroad, it said.

The BSP’s gold holdings climbed to $10.57 billion in October from $9.79 billion in September and $8.27 billion a year ago.

“The latest GIR level represents a more than adequate external liquidity buffer equivalent to 7.5 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income,” the BSP said.

It was also about 5.9 times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 3.7 times based on residual maturity.

The net international reserves, or the difference between the BSP’s reserve

assets and reserve liabilities (short-term foreign debt and credit and loans from the International Monetary Fund), increased $2.3 billion to $100.4 billion as of end-October from $98.1 billion a month earlier.

Foreign exchange reserves help stabilize the value of the local currency. The peso closed stronger at 56.045 against the US dollar Wednesday from 56.11 Tuesday.

Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.

(SMBC) head of macro strategy for Asia Jeff Ng said he was expecting the peso-dollar exchange rate to be somewhat more stable over the coming 12 months.

He said the local currency was expected to remain below 57.00 in the near-term, moving lower to 55.75 by end-2024.

ICTSI’s net income rose to $484.5m in three quarters

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. of businessman Enrique Razon Jr. said Wednesday its net income grew 4 percent in the first three quarters of the year on the back of higher revenues from port operations.

The port operator said it recorded a net income of $484.54 million from January to September, higher than $465.13 million it earned in the first nine months of 2022.

It said revenue from port operations increased 3 percent to $594.88 million from $576.70 million.

“Looking ahead, while we continue to expect a challenging macroeconomic and geo-political environment, we remain confident in the resilience of ICTSI’s diverse portfolio,” said Razon, chairman and president of ICTSI. “Our strategy as an independent port operator supported by our cost and operational discipline means we are wellpositioned for the rest of the year, as well as over the longer term,” he said.

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 9,451,912 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first nine months of 2023, or 7 percent more compared to the 8,856,303 TEUs it handled in the same period in 2022.

Consolidated cash operating expenses in the first nine months went up 12 percent to $489.14 million from $438.13 million a year earlier.

Capital expenditures, excluding capitalized borrowing costs, amounted to $233.58 million in the nine-month period. The group’s estimated capital expenditure for 2023 is about $400 million, including $233.58 million spent in the first nine months.

SUPER TAXI. JoyRide Philippines rolls out a ‘super taxi’ metered service to elevate passenger experience. An inspiration from Japan’s JPN Taxi, the new service features onboard amenities to enhance passenger comfort, convenience and safety at the regular metered taxi fare. It enables commuters to hail a super taxi on the street or book a ride through the JoyRide app.

DOE lifts suspension on big energy project licensing

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Department of Energy (DOE) lifted the suspension on the issuance of the Certificate of Energy Project of National Significance (CEPNS) as it prepares to release new guidelines within 60 days.

Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said in an advisory dated Oct. 31, 2023 the move would rationalize and streamline the process of permitting and licensing of energy projects.

“Within 60 days from the effectivity of this advisory, the DOE shall promulgate the guidelines for the issuance of CEPNS by the department,” Lotilla said.

The CEPNS to be issued by the DOE pursuant to the prospective guidelines will apply to energy projects, particularly with processes that are not integrated in the Energy

Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System.

Former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi suspended the issuance of the CEPNS in 2020 to give way to a thorough evaluation of its effectiveness with respect to securing regulatory permits and licenses, endorsements and other requirements relevant to the timely development and completion of energy projects.

The DOE already granted an EPNS status to 149 projects with investment cost of P795.52 billion. With the suspension, CEPNS were migrated to the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop (EVOSS) System.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Executive Order 30 in 2017 creating the Energy Investment Coordinating Council (EICC) to streamline the regulatory procedures affecting energy projects of national importance.

The EO defined EPNS as major energy projects for power generation, transmission and/or ancillary services including those required to maintain grid stability and security, identified and endorsed by the DOE as “projects of national significance” that are in consonance with the policy thrusts and specific goals of the Philippine Energy Plan.

Projects can be awarded an EPNS status if it complies with several criteria, including significant capital investment of P3.5 billion; significant contribution to the country’s economic development; significant potential contribution to the country’s balance of payment; significant impact on the environment, significant complex technical processes and/or engineering designs; and significant infrastructure requirement.

SM Investments logged 30% profit growth to P55.9b in nine months

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM Investments Corp. (SMIC) said Wednesday its consolidated net income reached P55.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2023, up 30 percent from P42.9 billion in the same period last year on strong contribution from core businesses.

Nine-month consolidated revenues increased 15 percent to P440.4 billion from P382 billion a year ago, the company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

“Our ongoing healthy growth reflects buoyant consumer activity in malls and sustained spending in discretionary retail categories,” SM Investments president and chief executive Frederic DyBuncio said.

“We look forward to the fourth quarter, while continuing to monitor the impact of food prices and interest rates on consumer wallets,” he said.

The company said of the total net earnings, banking accounted for the largest share at 47 percent, while property contributed 26 percent. Retail added 18 percent, while portfolio investments delivered 9 percent.

SM Retail, the retail subsidiary of SMIC, reported a net income of P13.7 billion, up by 19 percent yearon-year as revenues rose 12 percent to P290.6 billion.

Same-store sales for the department store and specialty retail businesses grew 18 percent and 9 percent respectively, reflective of strong consumer spending in key categories, while store expansion also buoyed growth.

Food retail performance remained positive, supported by volume growth and expansion.

Banking unit BDO Unibank Inc. (BDO) reported higher net income of P53.9 billion in the first three quarters of the year, compared to P40 billion in the same period last year backed by broad-based growth across its core businesses.

Property arm SM Prime Holdings Inc. chalked up a net income of P30.1 billion in the first nine months, up 37 percent from P22 billion in the same period last year on higher leasing and residential sales.

Resilient housing market boosted Ayala Land’s net profit by 33% in Q3 GOGORO HUB.

Executives of Gogoro Philippines open their first experience center in Makati City on Nov. 7 ahead of the commercial launch in the Philippines. The hub at Greenbelt 4 offers an immersive experience, giving visitors a taste of what it is like to use Gogoro Smartscooters and battery-swapping.

PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) said Wednesday its third-quarter net income grew 33 percent to P7 billion from P5.26 billion in the same period last year despite the flat revenue growth.

ALI said in a statement the third-quarter consolidated revenues stood at P32.28 billion on steady real estate sales of P30.8 billion.

The company’s nine-month profit reached P18.4 billion, up 38 percent yearon-year as consolidated revenues grew 15 percent to P98.9 billion.

“The strong performance of our various business lines in the first nine months of 2023 is a testament to the continuing resilience of the residential market and vibrant consumer activity despite ongoing

macroeconomic challenges. This positive trend, guided by our new focus on quality, people, sustainability, and growth, will enable us to strengthen our diversified portfolio and further enhance earnings,” said ALI president and chief executive Anna Ma. Margarita Bautista-Dy. “We will continue to focus on high-value market opportunities and meeting our operating targets to sustain our momentum for the year,” she said.

Property development revenues rose 4 percent to P57.2 billion on higher residential completion, stable bookings and office unit sales.

Residential revenues increased 4 percent to P47.5 billion, while office-for-sale revenues registered a 31-percent growth to P2.8 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

SPORTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

C1

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor

Lady Maroons make Final 4 for 1st time in 15 years Games Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 9 a.m. – UP vs DLSU (Women) 11 a.m. – NU vs UE (Women) 2 p.m. – UP vs FEU (Men) 4 p.m. – NU vs UST (Men)

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines’ 15-year Final Four drought in UAAP Women’s Basketball is over.

For the first time since Season 71, the Fighting Maroons secured a ticket to the postseason after stomping the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws, 7055, in the third game of Wednesday’s Season 86 quadruple-header at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

UP rose to 9-2, maintaining its second-place position, while holding a one-and-a-half-game lead over the thirdrunning University of Santo Tomas, which is currently playing against the University of the East, as of the time of this publication.

“Process goal lang talaga namin this year (‘yung makapasok ng Final Four).

My happiness is short-lived kasi after today, we’re already targeting our next game,” said Fighting Maroons’ head coach Paul Ramos.

“I feel that with the belief of all the players and the community, we’re really going to try to get the most out of this season, and I feel we will be underperforming if we’re only aiming for the Final Four,” he continued.

The Fighting Maroons established a substantial advantage heading into the final period after a third quarter that turned their 34-25 halftime lead into an even bigger 55-38 cushion.

Kaye Pesquera led UP’s balanced attack with 17 points, along with seven rebounds and three steals, while the trio of Christie Bariquit, Achrissa Maw, and Rizza Lozada each contributed 11 points in the win.

Louna Ozar and Justine Domingo both produced seven points, with the rookie also dishing out six assists.

On the other hand, FEU suffered its third straight loss, slipping to 3-8 and falling out of contention for the Final Four.

Congolese sweet-shooting big Josee Kaputu led the Lady Tamaraws with 20 points, nine rebounds, and three steals.

With FEU’s defeat combined with De La Salle University’s loss to National University earlier, Ateneo de Manila University has secured at least a playoff spot for a Final Four berth.

The UP Lady Maroons huddle to map out their strategy.

Veterans to reinforce Azkals in FIFA World Cup qualifiers

By Peter Atencio

T

HE veterans are back and will be with the Philippine Azkals National Men’s Team in the first two matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026/Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers Round 2.

Fil-British goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will be around when the Azkals meet Vietnam on Nov. 16 and Indonesia on Nov. 21 at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium in Manila.

Joining Etheridge in the 26-man lineup that coach Hans Michael Weiss has assembled are Manny Ott, Patrick Reichelt, Mike Ott, Kenshiro Daniels, OJ Porteria, and Daisuke Sato.

“It’s a good mixture of

Neil Etheridge

SSC Stags keep fading semis hopes alive THE steady hands of senior cagers Rafael Are, Rommel Calahat and Alex Desoyo kept the San Sebastian College-Recoletos Stags’ fading Final Four semifinal hopes alive in the 99th National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

Are, Calahat and Desoyo, fixtures in the Stags’ big battles since they were in high school, scored in double digits with Tristan Felebrico to lead San Sebastian College to a 94-75 demolishing of the dethroned champion Letran Knights on Wednesday at the FilOil-EcoOil Center in San Juan.

Desoyo and Are went to work early, with the former knocking in 12 of his career-high 23 points in the second period, as the Stags bounced back from their loss to the Mapua Cardinals last Sunday.

Desoyo, who shot 13 points with newbie Reggz Gabat, unloaded 10 also in the second period for the Stags, who went on to take a 13-point, 51-38 halftime edge.

Calahat, who banged in 21 points, had his turn in the third canto, shooting seven points to help hand the Stags a 21-point, 6544 lead in the 4:05 mark.

“One game at a time, kung may

experienced mainstays for a long time and young well-developing talents brought on by the recent performances of Philippine clubs in AFC competitions,” said Weiss.

The Azkals’ mentor said he chose his players based availability as well as their performance in the last five FIFA International Friendly matches against Nepal, Chinese Taipei, Afghanistan, and Bahrain from June

Rafael Are

chance pa kami, we’ll do our best in each and every game and to learn from it, ‘yun lang naman goal namin,” said SSC-R coach John Kallos.

The Stags stayed in contention for the Final Four after picking up their fourth triumph in 13 outings.

Jay Garupil banged in 16 points for the undermanned Knights, who missed team captain Kurt Reyson and Niel Guarino due to injuries.

The Knights with Kobe Monje and Rafael Go adding 13 points, took their sixth straight loss, dropping behind with their 1-13 win-loss card. Peter Atencio

PGJC Navy sinks Plaridel Quezon in Challenge Cup SEASONED squad PGJC Navy drubbed Plaridel, Quezon, 25-18, 25-23, 25-20, for a roaring start in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Challenge Cup on Wednesday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila.

The Sea Lions f launted their experience and poise over the gritty Plaridel unit in each set of the tightrope duel to score the win in 72 minutes for a 1-0 record in Pool C of the 20-team men’s division.

Earlier, Jose Rizal University smothered Angatleta-Orion, Bataan with a convincing 25-11, 2515, 25-12 win in 67 minutes for a 1-0 slate in Pool C of the PNVF Challenge Cup supported by the Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Rebisco, Akari, Foton and CBPI. In the other game, the University of the East Cherrylume thwarted Arellano in four sets, 25-18, 22-25, 25-22, 25-23, for a winning start in Pool B. Title favorites Cignal and National University were the first teams to crack the winning column in the opener late Monday night with easy wins over Savouge Aesthetics and JRU, respectively.

Cignal, the defending Spikers’ Turf champion, thumped Savouge Aesthetics, 25-21, 25-16, 25-22,

Games Thursday (Rizal Memorial Coliseum) 8 a.m. – UP Volleyball Club vs CSB (women’s) 10 a.m. – UP vs La Salle-Dasma (women’s) 12 noon – Volida Volleyball Club vs University of Batangas (men’s) 2 p.m. – VSN Asereht vs UE Cherrylume (men’s) 4 p.m. – EAC vs UST (men’s) 6 p.m. – Plaridel, Quezon vs Angatleta-Orion, Bataan (men’s)

John Paul Mangahas of UE-Cherrylume attempts to score against Arellano’s defenders on Wednesday in PNVF Challenge Cup at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

for a 1-0 card in Pool A. Three-time reigning UAAP champion NU followed suit, needing only 66 minutes to dispatch

JRU, 25-15, 25-17, 25-19, and gain a piece of Pool B lead with UE. UAAP runner-up UST was not the be left behind in posting a big debut with a 25-14, 25-20, 25-17 win over Sta. Rosa City in Pool D. For the third straight day before plunging back to action next week, action continues today with another six-game bill for the stacked Challenge Cup, formerly known as the Champions League of the PNVF headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

NCAA champion College of St. Benilde tests the mettle of UP Volleyball Club at 10 a.m., UP and La Salle-Dasma collide at 12 p.m. for the women’s play.

to October 2023.

Among the other players chosen were Kevin Hansen, Patrick Deyto, Simone Rota, Carlos de Murga, Jefferson Tabinas, Christian Rontini, Jesse Thomas Curran, Daisuke Sato and Santiago Publico.

Philippine Football Federation secretary general Coco Torre hopes that the Azkals’ coming campaign will bring back the crowd at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, with their #StandYourGround campaign.

“We hope that this will encourage a lot of supports for the team, said Torre.

Weiss said that with a big support coming from the fans, this will give the squad reason to be optimistic for “our first World Cup qualifier matches against Vietnam and Indonesia.”

IM 70.3 Puerto Princesa offers world tilt slots LOCAL triathletes get set for a duel of strength, speed and staying power not only in quest of top podium finishes in their respective age categories in the IRONMAN 70.3 Puerto Princesa, but also in chase of coveted berths to this year’s world championship in New Zealand.

The 1.9km (1.2-mile) swim, 90km (56-mile) and 21.1km (13.1mile) run event, which reels off Sunday (Nov. 12), is offering 40 age-group qualifying slots plus an additional 15 spots for women to the 2024 VinFast IRONMAN World Championship on Dec. 14-15 in Taupo, a town near the center of New Zealand’s North Island.

Bidders from 39 countries are all primed for battle in various age group divisions on a world-class, challenging course in a one-of-akind racing experience in Puerto Princesa, which is pulling out all the stops to guarantee a successful hosting of the event for the second straight year.

“We cheered you on in 2023 and this year, we are again rooting for all participating triathletes, who are out to prove their stamina in a display of great physical as well as mental endurance,” said Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron.

A number of Filipino triathletes have competed in past World Championships and with more chances to earn a crack at racing against the world’s best, a highlycharged battle looms in the event organized by The IRONMAN Group/Sunrise Events, Inc.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

ENTERTAINMENT

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023

C3

Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva , Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Filipino-American R&B singer Jay R

Jay R celebrates career milestone with California concert THE year FilipinoAmerican act Jay R came out with his debut album Gameface yielded his signature song “Bakit Pa Ba,” basketball superstar Lebron James was also just in his first season in the NBA. That was 2003.

The christened R&B Prince has been in the music scene for quite a while. King James is by now the NBA’s top scorer of all time. Jay R had likewise been elevated to be “king” of his genre.

The singer-songwriter’s household name status makes his upcoming Twenty Up milestone spectacle worth the watch, given the fact that the artist himself knows he has to give his fans more than they expect him to do.

“Naturally, I’ll be performing my greatest hits, but I’m also eager to incorporate the music that shaped me into the artist I am today,” said the California-born star who lived in the Philippines for 18 years before relocating back to Los Angeles, USA. For his 20th anniversary concert, Jay R is collaborating with mural artist Dee Jae Paeste who will be seen painting on a large canvas as he delivers his set, which for him is bound to create “a truly immersive experience for my audience.”

Last September, Jay R came out with the song “Blessed” which he said serves as the first single off his 20th anniversary album.

He has a nice take on the big title given to him by the showbiz industry, pointing out, “I take great pride in being recognized as the King of R&B in the Philippines. While there’s a certain pressure to stay current with the evolving times, it’s a challenge that comes with being a great artist.

I relish this pressure—it keeps me motivated to constantly create new music and innovative ideas for its promotion, keeping me on my toes.”

Jay R is dropping another track come December 1, something called “Guiding Star” which he dedicates to his late father Gaudencio Sillona Jr. Jay R was born Gaudencio III. The multi-talented celebrity who also works as record producer, actor, and model decided to fly back to California at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic to attend to his father who was battling a severe illness at the time.

He recalled his father’s “unwavering strength” that defied the initial six-months-to-live prognosis and gave them “an additional two years together.”

He shared, “Each day with him felt like an extraordinary gift from above. I have vivid memories of my upbringing, watching my father return from work and head straight to his piano. He’d immerse himself in music, sometimes for hours.

When my mother had free time, she’d join him, harmonizing with the tunes he played. I’d often sit in quiet observation, listening to their impromptu performances.”

Asked to elaborate on how he values the b-penned “Bakit Pa Ba” which introduced him to Filipinos worldwide, he said, “I adore performing it and never tire of its melody.

The moment I heard it, I instinctively knew it was the one.

I immediately recorded the song, recognizing its exceptional resonance.”

The Fil-Am community has always been proud of Jay R’s achievements. Co-artists and supporters, especially those with Filipino lineage, look up to him. He related, “To all aspiring artists out there, continual practice is paramount.

Talent is a fantastic start, but refining and advancing your craft are essential.”

He added, “In a world filled with countless artists pursuing similar paths, honing your skills is what sets you apart. Study and master the techniques of your admired artists, using these foundations to innovate and craft your own unique style.”

Jay R’s Twenty Up will be held on November 18 (Saturday), with the show to start at 7:00 p.m. at the Garden Grove Amphitheatre (12762 Main Street, Garden Grove, California, 92840). He recently performed at TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) held at Zipper Hall in downtown L.A. (MS-NOV. 9/16/23, 2023)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LIFE

C4 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2023 Nickie Wang, Editor Angelica Villanueva , Writer E-mail: lifeandshow.manilastandard@gmail.com

Going the extra mile for a smile

W

By Angelica Villanueva

ATSONS has become the go-to store for most of us—from health and wellness products to our favorite Korean beauty skincare and makeup brands.

And that’s what Watsons wants to be, a place where people can find everything they need regarding health, wellness, and beauty essentials. It has always been its mission to smile at customers after they leave a Watsons store.

To intensify its purpose, in 2018, AS Watsons teamed up with Operation Smile to help children with cleft lip and palate conditions bring back smiles to their faces.

“In 2018 I came across Operation Smile. In the company, we have a purpose and that is to put a smile on our customers’ faces today [and] tomorrow,” shared Malina Ngai, CEO of AS Watson (Asia & Europe).

“After I met Operation Smile, I realized there were kids out there with cleft and lip palate conditions and they don’t have a choice whether they will smile and not smile, and I talked to Hanks Lee and said why don’t we come up with a global program,” she added.

As AS Watsons began its “Give a Smile” program, Ngai shared that the

brand believed that it would be great to have its colleagues and customers to become involved in the initiative for a greater impact.

“From the year 2018, we already have 17,000 of our colleagues participated as volunteers and all the markets we operate including the Philippines, of course,” she continued.

Being dedicated to elevating the health and wellbeing of Filipino children, Watsons continued its mission this year as it conducted free surgeries for children born with cleft conditions.

“This week is a special volunteer team that we have. So, there are 21 of them from 16 different markets in Asia and Europe. We promote internally to all our colleagues if you really have the passion for sustainability,” stated Ngai.

On the other hand, Watsons Philippines Managing Director Danilo Chiong expressed his gratitude to Operation Smile for allowing them to reach out to children with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions, especially in underserved communities.

“It has been a decade of transforming lives, and we are on track to achieve, or even surpass, our goal of 3,300 surgeries in the Philippines alone by 2030. Beyond the surgeries, it’s heartwarming to see beneficiaries uplift their lives and be given a newfound hope to live a normal life,” Chiong added.

“For the Philippines, what we do is when we have a mission in a certain place, normally, we ask for volunteers in the nearest store in that particular area and based on my experience, a lot of our Watsons Philippines colleagues would

normally volunteer and they would happily do that,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Benedetta Spinola, SVP Strategy and Global Development of Operation Smile described their partnership with AS Watsons as the cornerstone of their mission’s success.

“We are proud to be working together with AS Watsons and this global collaboration. Actually, with their onetime commitment and continued support, AS Watsons is not only giving new smiles, AS Watsons is [also] changing the lives of our patients, of their families, and transforming, making an impact on the entire community. So, putting a smile on people’s faces, customers’ faces, those in need’s face, that’s one means our collaboration,” Spinola told the Manila Standard Lifestyle.

“And together, we get stronger, and we promote a more equitable access to surgical comprehensive care and one smile at a time,” she added.

Ngai also shared that since their partnership started with Operation Smile in 2018, Watsons had already sponsored 6,500 surgeries.

Through a 45-minute surgery,

Malina Ngai extends her hands in ‘Give a Smile’ program for children with cleft lip and palate conditions

Watsons gathers volunteers who can help in operating children with cleft lip and palate conditions

Watsons and Operation Smile had already transformed and changed the lives of the children, their families, and their future.

“So every day, every life could affect other lives, This is what the whole project is transforming because once they had the surgery, that

45-minute surgery, they started to gain back the confidence and they want to be able to help others as well, they will be able to pursue their dreams and bring the positivity to also people around them, so this is what I believe as a very powerful impact of this partnership,” said Ngai.

ALL SMILES. Watsons and Operation Smile volunteers join forces to bring smiles to the faces of children in Pampanga during the 'Give a Smile' program

Safe and conducive learning environments beyond the classroom Coast Guard's Rear Admiral Armand Balilo inspires World Vision kids to pursue their dreams

Inspiring kids to pursue big dreams HAVING a good role model to look up to is an important factor in a child’s development. A role model can provide motivation, inspiration, and support and kids may even pick up positive habits and values that they can carry with them for a lifetime.

That was the inspiration behind the recently concluded Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Vessel Tour in the Port Area of Manila City where the sponsored kids of World Vision Philippines had the opportunity to meet one of its highranking officers, Rear Admiral Armand Balilo.

Once a sponsored child of World Vision Philippines, Rear Admiral Balilo currently stands as the PCG’s spokesman and was responsible for organizing the vessel tour of BRP (Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas) Teresa Magbanua with a goal of “inspiring patriotism and civic action” among the youth.

But getting to the position he is in now wasn’t always easy, as he admitted that he also experienced poverty when he was growing up. “Ako rin dumaan doon,” he recounted. “Pero ang kahirapan naging motivation ko. Sabi ko magsisikap ako and hopefully pagdating ng panahon, I will succeed and maitataas ko level ng buhay ko.”

As a teen, he had dreams of becoming part of the Philippine military. When an opportunity presented itself, he eventually entered the Navy where he managed to move up, eventually earning the rank of a Rear Admiral.

From his experience, he advised the World Vision youth to study hard and never give up in order to achieve their dreams: “Meron kayong opportunity para mag-aral at merong konting tulong na binibigay sa inyo na kahit papaano ay makakaraos kayo sa pag-aaral. Basta magsipag lang, wag magsawang mangarap at samahan ng hard work at darating din ang panahon na makakamit din ang mga pangarap n’yo.”

He also added, “We should continue to inspire young people, lalong lalo na sa love of country. And also, bigyan natin sila ng chance makita yung mga example katulad ko na pwedeng mangarap, and eventually merong inabot na position sa Coast Guard.”

Likewise, he also encouraged people who are sponsoring kids through World Vision to continue sponsoring: “Wag kayong magsasawang tumulong sapagkat ako yung isang example at marami pang iba na yung mga tulong niyo ay hindi masasayang pagdating ng panahon. You’re giving these kids a chance na makatapos at mabago yung buhay nila.”

Anyone can become a child sponsor through World Vision Philippines for as low as Php25 a day or P750 per month. Through this amount, the sponsor can help provide life-changing essentials for kids such as education, health and nutrition, values formation, and child protection.

To sponsor a child, visit https://www.worldvision.org.ph/sponsor-child/ and for more updates, visit the World Vision website at https://www.worldvision. org.ph and follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @ worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter, and @worldvisionphl on Instagram.

MOBILE services provider Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) once again teamed up with McDonald’s Philippines to offer safe and conducive learning environments beyond the classroom with the relaunch of McDonald’s Night Classroom, which runs from September 25 to November 26.

Under this innovative project

by McDonald’s Philippines, used party rooms in selected branches nationwide have been transformed into conducive study spaces offering students and teachers a haven to study in the evening, complete their homework, prepare their lessons, and research online.

As McDonald’s Philippines’ longtime partner for the project, Smart ensures these Night Classrooms are equipped with free WiFi from Smart Bro, enabling students and teachers to connect to the Philippines’ fastest and best mobile network as recognized by

Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence.

“We are honored to be part of this noble initiative to create new learning environments for Filipino teachers and students, emphasizing the significance of education among communities,” said Anton V. Agustin, AVP and Head of Smart Consumer WiFi & Mobile Advertising.

“High-speed internet access is a game-changer when it comes to learning and exchanging information, and we’re glad to provide the participants with access to our awardwinning mobile network so they can make the most of their study sessions.”

Apart from free WiFi, the McDonald’s Night Classroom project includes more expansive table setups, charging ports for gadgets, and extended operating hours from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. The well-lit facade and interiors foster a comfortable

and productive atmosphere for dedicated all-night learners. With this transformation, McDonald’s goes beyond its role as a popular dining and birthday party destination and is now a go-to venue for meetings and focused study sessions.

As an additional treat, participants may enjoy a free Coke McFloat with every purchase of Night Classroom deals on the McDo App. The Night Classroom concept was first introduced in 2020 to provide a space for virtual classes and support the online learning requirements of students and teachers. It reopened earlier this year, running from March 28 to May 31, and benefited over 20,000 participants across 60 participating stores nationwide.

To learn more about McDonald’s Night Classroom, visit https:// m c d o n a l d s . c o m . p h / p re s s - c e n t e r / mcdonalds-night-classroom-wave-2.

McDonald's Philippines introduces Night Classroom to provide a space for virtual classes and support the online learning requirements of students and teachers

Smart is offering its high-speed internet access to McDonald's Night Classroom project for students and teachers to make the most of their study sessions