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A 44-PAGE SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT ON FEB. 12, 2024 (MONDAY) MARKS

MANILA STANDARD’S 37TH ANNIVERSARY

VOL. XXXVII • NO. 360 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024 •

Day of miracles: Infant, girl rescued in Masara But 110 still missing after landslide as death toll up to 15

two-month-old infant and a threeyear-old child were rescued on Friday, nearly 60 hours after a landslide hit a gold-mining village in Davao de Oro, sparking hope among searchers looking for at least 110 persons still missing in Masara town.

"It's a miracle," provincial disaster agency official Edward Macapili said. "This gives hope to the rescuers. A child's resilience is usually less than that of adults, yet the (female) child survived.” A video of a rescuer carrying the crying, mud-caked threeyear-old child in his arms went

DILIGENT SEARCH. Teams from the Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao through the PCG Station Davao de Oro join other rescuers in searching for survivors of the landslide in Brgy. Masara, Maco town on Friday. They brought along a K9 Search and Rescue Working Dog named ‘Appa’ (inset), who helped find a twomonth-old baby alive, aside from a threeyear-old girl found by other rescuers earlier (also inset). PCG and AFP photos

Rody, Alvarez insist nothing illegal with Mindanao secession campaign FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte insisted there was nothing illegal with his proposal for Mindanao to secede from the Philippines, adding that to secede doesn't mean going to war. "[My proposal] is a legal process that will be brought to the United Nations [akin to that of] Timor Leste," Duterte

said in an interview with lawyer Salvador Panelo, the former presidential legal counsel and Justice secretary, aired late Thursday over DZRJ TV. "They thought if you want to secede, it's going to be a war. No. We are going to do it the legal way," the former Chief Executive added. Next page

viral on Facebook as the Philippine Red Cross later in the day also confirmed the rescue of the two-month-old boy. PRC Rescue Team leader Van Solinap said the two children were immediately taken to the Doctors Community Hospital in Mawab. The girl's father, Orlando

Malacaste, said his wife and eldest daughter remain missing, but he remains optimistic they will be found alive. “My neighbors informed me that Senang was found, and I saw it on social media. Her sister was able to identify Senang,” he said in an interview with Newsline Philippines. Next page

List of rockslides, mudslides worse than Davao ruin LANDSLIDES are a frequent hazard across much of the Philippine archipelago nation due to its mountainous terrain, heavy rainfall, and widespread deforestation from mining, slash-and-burn farming and illegal logging. Here are some of the worst landslides in the country’s history: 2006 Guinsaugon landslide The February 11 massive landslide that buried an entire village in Saint Bernard, Southern Leyte resulted in the death of 1,221 people. Some 19,000 residents were displaced. 2006 Mayon Volcano mudslide Typhoon Reming triggered a mudslide along Mayon Volcano, leaving at least 1,200 residents dead or missing. 2003 Panaon Island rockslide A rockslide hit several communities on Panaon Island in Southern Leyte amid non-stop rains brought about by a low pressure area, with the death toll Next page close to 200.

House lauds PBBM’s Cha-cha support, Zubiri sees ‘PI’ dead By Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta LEGISLATORS led by Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez on Friday welcomed the declaration by President Marcos of his full support for the House advocacy of

amending the Constitution’s “restrictive” economic provisions. “I think our push for economic reform in the Charter, which the Senate has always ignored and sent to the graveyard, is at last now alive and kicking with the President’s pronouncement,” he said. Next page

2-year ban on scholars going abroad for work mulled By Charles Dantes PRESIDENT Marcos said the government will study a proposal to require state scholars in the fields of healthcare and information technology to work in

the country first for at least two years before they are allowed to seek employment abroad. “If they find jobs abroad, that’s good for them. But the problem is here, we lose the talent that we trained,” Mr. Marcos said.

"We have to come up with some kind of strategy wherein, let’s say, you provide scholarships and then the scholarship agreement includes that you stay three years. After that, then they’re free to go,” he added. Next page

Manila to draw massive crowds for Chinese New Year feast By Randy Caluag

PACKED CHINATOWN. People swarm Ongpin Street in Manila, the heart of Chinatown, on the eve of the Chinese New Year on Friday. Dragon dances, shops for lucky charms, and food drew visitors to the district ahead of the celebrations today. Norman Cruz

A MASSIVE turnout of visitors is expected to flood the bustling streets of Manila Chinatown to watch a grand Solidarity Parade that will highlight the celebration of the Chinese New Year today. The celebration kicked off last night with a colorful 12-minute fireworks display at the Fil-Chinese Friendship bridge. The 680-meter tiedarch bridge that links Intramuros and Binondo across the Pasig River was closed to traffic to give way to the technical preparation for the fireworks display. Next page

EX-UN ENVOY BAJA PASSES AWAY AT 86 NEWS / A2

RUSTAN’S MATRIARCH ‘NEDY’ TANTOCO, 77 BUSINESS/ B4

Marcos to PH: Take care of your hearts PRESIDENT Marcos on Friday advised the public to celebrate Valentine’s Day next week by taking care of their heart. In an Instagram post, Mr. Marcos said Filipinos should focus on their health as they observe the love month. “The new Filipino is more careful about his health, so this

month of hearts, let's celebrate by loving ourselves,” he said. “Let's take care of our hearts because no one else will take care of your heart but you, especially if you're single,” Mr. Marcos added. The President, 66, was also seen exercising in a video uploaded on his official Instagram account. Next page

NEWS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DA: Rice imports may hit 3.9m tons we may import what the USDA has projected,” said Department of Agriculture spokesperson Arnel de Mesa. With interventions in place, El Niño may not cause extensive damage to farms and crops and the likelihood to import less rice is a possibility, he added. The DA said the dry spell has started to affect farms in El Niño-prone provinces, but the damages are within expectations and not as large-scale as predicted. The government is targeting to maintain at least the same output as last year

since the DA is prepared to battle El Niño in terms of increasing crops production equipped with all the farm inputs needed to support food security. On Feb. 8, the USDA released its February issue of the Grain: World Markets and Trade report, citing the Philippines as the world’s biggest importer of rice with an estimated 3.9 million MT importation in 2024. The grains report revealed a 100,000 MT increase from the previous forecast of 3.8 million MT rice imports for the year.

in the thick mud as rain fell over the area on Friday. Sniffer dogs were also being used to detect those buried in the mud and rubble. The area hit by the landslide had been declared a "no build zone" after previous landslides in 2007 and 2008, Macapili said. "People were asked to leave that place and they were given a resettlement area, but the people are so hard-headed and they returned," he said. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense on Friday appealed to people to stop searching for gold in the rubble of the landslide. “We are appealing to you, don’t do that now because we have something more important to accomplish. Time is of the essence,” OCD spokesperson Edgar Posadas said, noting that the search and retrieval operation is more important than the search for gold. “Let's support the personnel who are putting their lives on the lineto rescue survivors or recover the remains of the

victims so they can be returned to their families,” he added. The offices of Speaker Martin Romualdez and Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre continued to facilitate the flow of relief goods and financial aid to flood and landslide victims in the Davao region. “Our Speaker has not stopped in sending help. Since the floods in Mindanao, until now,” said House committee on appropriations chairman and Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co. Co said the Speaker's aid came from his own pockets as he lamented that representatives of Romualdez and the Tingog party-list were beingprevented in Davao City from distributing help under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. He said people should not suffer even if there are political differences between the Speaker and the local officials of Davao City. AFP with Vince Lopez and Maricel Cruz

the hearings on the proposed changes in the economic provisions of the 1987 charter, however expressed doubts if Mr. Marcos’s declaration would be “strong enough” to stop the people’s initiative. Angara has said the Senate aims to submit the proposed charter changes by October. Reps. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte and David Suarez of Quezon said with President Marcos supporting the removal of restrictive economic provisions, it is time for the Senate to work with the House to begin the grand debates on Charter Change. “The President has broken his silence and finally endorsedconstitutional economic reforms. Senators should at the very least listen. They have been calling on the President to settle the issue. They now got what they are asking for. The prolonged word war between the Senate and the House of Representatives should now hopefully come to an end and start working,” Barbers added. “This should clear the doubts of some Senators, especially from a former partylist colleague, that the House wants more than economic reforms to the 37-yearold charter. The President’s remarks are

the endorsement we all need to assure the Senate that there is no basis in their accusations against alleged House plans to abolish it or take it out of the equation,” Barbers said. Suarez, a deputy speaker, echoed a similar appeal, saying that the Senate must prioritize the urgent need for economic constitutional reform and heed the call of the President to enact the necessary amendments to its economic provisions. “The successful passage of RBH No. 6 will not only validate the efforts of the administration to promote economic development but also vindicate the aspirations of millions of Filipinos for a better and brighter future,” Suarez added. Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. also lauded the President’s full support for the House of Representatives’ push for economic reform in the Constitution. “Changing the language of the Charter’s restrictive economic provisions to enable the country to attract more foreign investments can be the legacy of PBBM (President Bongbong Marcos) and the 19th Congress,” he said.

Former House speaker Pantaleon Alvarez also said the Mindanao independence campaign advocacy will be pursued in a “peaceful and orderly” manner. Alvarez, who represents Davao del Norte’s first district in the House of Representatives, made the statement to debunk allegations that the movement is seditious and contrary to law. Told that secession was against the 1987 Constitution, Duterte said: "It is not against the Constitution. It is outside the Constitution.

Mag-secede ka nga e. It is based on the right of a free will of determination of the people." He also said he was not calling for the ouster of Mr. Marcos, indicating that his only issue with the President was his moves towards Charter change. On Thursday, Mr. Marcos said the call to separate Mindanao was "doomedto fail, for it is anchored on false premise not to mention a sheer constitutional travesty." “I strongly appeal to all concerned to stop this call for a separate Mindanao. This is a grave violation of the constitution,” the President said at the observation of Constitution Day 2024 in Makati

City. Meanwhile, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri opposed the plan of the former President and Alvarez. "With due respect to the former President, the last thing that we want is for the country to be divided,” said Zubiri, a native of Mindanao himself. Another Mindanaoan, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said the insistence of Duterte and Alvarez to push for the separation of the island region from the Philippines “needs more study.” Pimentel admitted that he is against any suggestion of secession or separation of part of the Philippine territory. Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel Cruz

lenge of retaining skilled workers locally amid the allure of better compensation packages abroad. Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corp, representing the PSAC Jobs sector, proposed sustained efforts in skill development (see related story on A4 – Editors). She emphasized the need for certificate programs and continuous skills

training to empower the local workforce. “I think what we can do is to continue to offer certificate programs and train their skills. I think we can do that. There’s no way for us to retain them,” she said. "Even in the digital world, if we train them in cybersecurity or any in whatever advanced technology, they'll still leave.

If we can just keep them for two years, that's good enough," Sy-Coson added. PSAC likewise endorsed the President's directive urging the Department of Health, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Foreign Affairs to negotiate with foreign governments on favorable terms for Filipino workers.

AMBASSADOR Lauro L. Baja Jr., the country’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, has died, his nephew and Philippine Ambassador to Morocco Leslie Baja confirmed on his Facebook account on Friday. The elder Baja was 86. Leslie Baja posted a photo of him being held as a baby by his uncle,who in another photo was seen presiding over the UN Security Council beside then-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, on his social media page. The images followed the words “Ambassador Lauro L. Baja, Jr., Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, Ambassador to Brazil & Italy, 1937-2024.” Other sources confirmed to the Standard the passing of Baja without giving any details. The Department of Foreign Affairs had yet to issue a statement on his death as of press time. Born May 2, 1937, Baja presented his credentials to the UN SecretaryGeneral on May 21, 2003, replacing former Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco. Baja was replaced by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide in 2006. At the UN, Baja led the Philippine delegation in a two-year membership in the Security Council. He was president of the Security Council, first in June 2004 and again in September 2005. Between 2003 and 2004, Baja was Chairman of the United Nations General Assembly Sixth Committee (Legal). In 2003, Baja was conferred by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu, the highest award a member of the Philippine Foreign Service could receive. In 1999, he received the Gawad Mabini Award with the rank of Dakilang Kamanong. The Philippine Jaycees Senate named Ambassador Baja the Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Awardee for his outstanding work in the field of bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Jimbo Gulle

Nicolas, Binondo, and culminating at the Lucky Chinatown Mall in Divisoria. “We expect about one million visitors to celebrate with us,” said Manila City Administrator Bernardito Ang, referring to both local and foreign tourists eager to participate in the parade, embark on a culinary tour, or indulge in some shopping. Ang said last year, they registered 500,000 foot traffic at LuckyChinatown Mall alone during the whole day of festivities, and he expects to topple that number tomorrow. The celebration promises an all-day extravaganza, featuring street perfor-

mances such as lion and dragon dances, a delectable food tour along Ongpin Street, diverse activities at Plaza San Lorenzo, and entertainment by movie celebrities at Lucky Chinatown. Ang said Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has expressed her gratitude to the Chinese-Filipino community for generously funding the festivities which coincides with the 430th anniversary of the oldest and largest Chinatown in the world. Lacuna recognized the Chinoys’ pivotal role in shaping the rich history and progress of Manila over the years through their significant contributions to

the city's various programs. She also thanked them for their continued business in Manila, emphasizing that their taxes help fund the city’s programs aimed at providing basic services for the Manilenos. International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ICCP) chairman and former Philippine Stocks Exchange president Francis Chua, on Friday, underscored the good relations between the Philippines and China, marking the start of an auspicious lunar year for many Chinese businessmen in the country. He noted many Chinese businesses

have thrived in the country and many Filipino business moguls are of Chinese descent. Federation of Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCIII) president Cecilio Pedro said enterprises and all businesses in Chinatown especially in Ongpin and Binondo were encouraged to participate in the solidarity parade. “All of these are to commemorate the wonderful friendship of Chinese and Filipinos over so many years. And I think the bond is still very, very strong,” Pedro said. With Vince Lopez, Othel Campos, and Rio Araja

By Othel V. Campos

he Philippines may import as much as 3.9 million metric tons (MT) of rice in 2024, like the projection of the February 2024 grains report published by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), but it can also be lower, the government said Friday.

“Last year, the USDA estimated a 3.8 million MT. There are factors affecting million MT importation by the Philip- rice dynamics and given that we have a pines, but total importation was about 3.6 strong El Niño episode, it is likely that

President wishes full recovery for UK King Charles PRESIDENT Marcos wished King Charles III of the United Kingdom a swift and full recovery after the latter was diagnosed with cancer earlier this week. In a short message on his X (formerly Twitter), President Marcos expressed solidarity with the UK in praying for the hasty recuperation of their king. "Sending my heartfelt best wishes to King Charles and Queen Camilla,” President Marcos said. “The Philippines is with the United Kingdom in praying for the King’s swift and full recovery,” he added. Buckingham Palace on Monday announced King Charles' diagnosis with cancer. "During The King’s recent hospital procedure for benign prostate enlargement, a separate issue of concern was noted," Buckingham Palace said in a statement. "Subsequent diagnostic tests have identified a form of cancer," the statement read. Charles Dantes

List... From A1

2009 Cordillera landslides More than 160 people were killed in landslides in Benguet and Mountain Province amid fresh floods brought about by Tropical Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng. 2012 New Bataan, Compostela Valley debris flow A debris flow buried Barangay Andap and resulted in the death of at least 128 residents as Typhoon Pablo made landfall in Mindanao. Joyce Pangco Pañares

Marcos...

Day... From A1

Malacaste, who works as a security guard for Apex Mining Co., and his middle child, an eight-year-old daughter, made it out alive when the landslide struck Tuesday night. The two children brought the total number of individuals to be rescued during the three-day search, rescue, and retrieval operations to 33. Four more bodies were recovered Friday, bringing the total deaths to15 as of noontime, while at least 1,166 families are currently sheltered in various evacuation centers in Maco and Mawab towns. The children were found as rescuers used their bare hands and shovels to look for survivors after the landslide destroyed houses and engulfed three buses and a jeepney waiting to pick up workers from the gold mine. It remained, however, a race against time and weather to find anyoneelse alive

House... From A1

“That of course will depend on how senators respond to President Marcos’ statements. And I hope that they respond positively by treating Charter reform with a sense of urgency,” he said. Rodriguez, who chairs the House committee on constitutionalamendments, reiterated the assurance of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez that the House would quickly adopt Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 6 as soon as it is sent by the Senate. “We are just waiting for senators to send us their own resolution, and as the Speaker has declared, we will promptly adopt it. There is hope that we could soon finish what we failed to complete for more than three decades since the 8th Congress,” he said. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, on the other hand, interpretedthe President’s pronouncements as the death of the “fake people’s initiative.” “At this point in time I believe that the fake people’s initiative is dead in the water,” Zubiri said. Senator Sonny Angara, who chairs

From A1

Mr. Marcos also shared an Instagram story on Thursday, posting a Valentine-themed photo of him kissing First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos on the forehead. The Instagram story with the caption “Ask Us Anything,” also encouraged the public to ask questions they might answer in his next vlog. Mr. Marcos usually posts a weekly vlog on his official accounts on YouTube and Facebook. Most of his vlogs are a recap of his activities in the past week. Charles Dantes

2-year... From A1

The mandatory return service scheme was brought up during the 5th meeting of the Private Sector Advisory Council-Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-Jobs) at Malacañang on Thursday. PSAC officials recognized the chal-

Manila... From A1

The adjacent Jones Bridge served as the crowd’s viewing area, while others watched from the newly built Pasig River promenade. Commencing at 4 p.m. on Saturday in front of the Post Office in Plaza Lawton, the procession will feature about 30 floats from various Filipino-Chinese organizations and businesses. The vibrant parade will wind its way through the decorated streets ofChinatown, covering barangays Sta. Cruz, San

Rollback to break 5 straight weeks of oil price hikes

Rody,... From A1

By Alena Mae S. Flores PUMP prices are expected to go down next week by as much as P1.20 per liter after five weeks of consecutive oil price hikes, the Department of Energy said on Friday. Industry sources estimate the price rollback at P1 to P1.20 per liter for gasoline, P0.40 to P0.60 per liter for diesel, and P0.45 to P0.65 per liter for kerosene, based on the four-day trading of the Mean of Platts Singapore, the benchmark pricing used by oil importers. Rodela Romero, DOE director for the Oil Industry Management Bureau, confirmed the forecasted price rollback but said Friday's trading movement might change these estimates. "Reasons for rollback are the buildup of US crude inventories and the increase of US oil production and the slowing oil demand growth. Though the following reasons make the oil market in a bullish mode, namely the Israel-Hamas tensions, the production cut of OPEC member countries, and India's oil demand growth," Romero said. On Feb. 6, local oil companies implemented a per liter increase in the price of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene by P0.75, P1.50 and P0.80 per liter, respectively. Year-to-date price adjustments of gasoline, diesel, and kerosene standat a net increase of P5.15 per liter, P4.40 per liter and P0.85 per liter, respectively.

Ex-UN envoy Baja passes away, says nephew

NEWS

A3 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

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RTC directs revocation of Teves’ passport

CHINATOWN BANAWE, QUEZON CITY. Officials of the Quezon City Tourism Department toured Chinese landmarks in the Chinatown in Banawe in Quezon City, reputedly the largest of its kind worldwide. The tour was in conjunction with the celebration of the three3-day Chinese New Year and the local tourism department’s efforts to promote Banawe street as a tourist destination. Among the landmarks they visited were the Sheng Lian Temple, the Buddhist Humanitarian Organization headquarters of the Tzu Chi Foundation Temple, and selected Chinese restaurants. Manny Palmero

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday revealed that it received an order from the Manila City Regional Trial Court, Branch 51, dated February 8, 2024, for the immediate cancellation of the passport of former congressman Arnulfo Teves, Jr. The DOJ said the court’s decision comes as part of the on-going legal proceedings against Teves who is facing multiple murder charges and has been declared a fugitive from justice. The RTC ruling cited that while the Constitution of the Philippines guarantees the right to travel, this right is not absolute and may be subject to restrictions as dictated by law. “The court’s order highlighted the severity of the charges against Mr. Teves and his designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council, thereby justifying the cancellation of his travel documents,” the DOJ said in a statement. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated the government’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and ensure that all individuals, regardless of their status, are held accountable for their actions.

Customs-NAIA reiterates alert vs. online scam

Modern bus system for Mindanao By Darwin Amojelar

HE Department of Transportation (DOTr) has awarded a multibillion-peso contract to Chinese firms to build a stateof-the-art bus system in Davao City, marking a major step towards modernizing public transportation in Mindanao. The DOTr awarded contract packages 1, 2 and 3 to China International Water and Electrical Corp. (CWE), while contract package 4 was given to the Joint Venture of China Wu Yi Co. Ltd. - Fujian Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd. - Vicente T. Lao Construction for the Public Transport Modernization

Program (DPTMP) in Davao City. The four DPTMP contract packages include the design and construction of the Calinan Depot, Buhangin Depot, and Driving School; design and construction of the Toril Depot, Toril Intermodal Terminal, Bunawan Terminal, and Calinan Terminal; civil works

along bus routes, including bus stops, bus lanes and other pedestrian improvement works; and design and build contract for Sasa and Sto. Niño Depot. Worth P73.4 billion, the Davao Bus will likewise complement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), using modern buses compliant with PUVMP standards. The DPTMP will also utilize 386 electric buses, 531 regular and 188 mini-buses. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista signed four civil works contracts for the construction of depots, terminals, bus stops, bus lanes, pedestrian lanes, and a driving school

LTO discloses digitalization 97% complete

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reiterated its public warning r about a money-making scam involving fake social media accounts created using the names and photos of Bureau of BOC employees. According to the BOC. the bogus accounts charge fees to their victims to be paid online either through money remittance or personal bank transfer to those pretending to be Customs workers. The Port of NAIA clarified that the payment of Customs fees can only be done at the BOC cashier or in accredited banks. “If you have experienced this kind of fraud, you can call the BOC hotline number (02) 8705-6000 or report to the following official BOC social media accounts: Facebook: @ BureauOfCustomsPH, Instagram: @ customs.ph, X (Twitter): @customs. ph, Viber: @Bureau of Customs PH, and Email: boc.cares@customs.gov. ph,” the BOC said.

By Rio N. Araja

SENATOR REVISITS HIS ROOTS. After 50 years or so, Senator Manuel ‘Lito’ Lapid (fourth from left) revisits the humble community in Barangay Damayan, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City where he spent a good part of his life, playing big brother to siblings Rey Lapid and Salud Calalay. Coincidentally, it is also in this area that the late Fernando Poe, Jr. established his studios. Lino Santos

BFAR stages unhampered resupply mission to WPS fishermen By Othel V. Campos

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has conducted a resupply mission to Filipino fishermen in the area of the Iroqouis (Rozul) Reef in the West Philippine Sea using its marine vessel BRP Datu Sanday,

under the DPTMP. “We begin today the metamorphosis of public transport in the whole of Mindanao starting here in Davao City,” Bautista said. Bautista said the agency was targeting the partial operations of the DPTMP by the fourth quarter of 2025. The Davao Bus Project will “serve as benchmark for other urban road projects that aim to radically transform public transport,” he said. Tagged by President Marcos as a “game changing project,” the DPTMP will move commuters efficiently and spur economic growth in Davao City and its adjacent areas.

The BFAR team delivered food, fuel, and other provisions to 16 Filipino fishing boats moored around the reef last Feb. 5. No Chinese vessels were seen in the area during the mission, the team said. On previous occasions, an average of 30 Chinese vessels, including maritime

militia vessels, were monitored around Iroqouis Reef. The BFAR aircraft that provided air cover for the BRP Datu Sanday did not receive any radio challenge during the mission. The resupply run involved distributing a total of 13 tons of diesel, along

with gasoline for the fishermen’s pump boats, as well as medicines, drinking water, and ready-to-eat snacks. During the mission, the BFAR team noted there were eight mother boats in the area, with an approximate total fish catch of 12 tons by all fishermen at the Iroqouis Reef.

THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Friday said its full digitalization program meant to ensure less human interventions in all transactions is almost complete. LTO chief Vigor Mendoza II expressed gratitude to the Anti-Red Tape Authority for appreciating the agency’s ease of doing business efforts. “The first step in problem-solving is to identify and acknowledge that there are problems. This is the reason why I made it a point to expedite the full digitalization efforts in the LTO and initiated moves to partner with other law enforcement agencies in weeding out fixers and their cohorts in our ranks,” Mendoza said. The full digitalization efforts does not only focus on facilitating a fast and comfortable transaction in the LTO but also ensure lesser human interventions in all transactions, he added. “Less human interventions mean almost zero opportunity for corruption activities. Right now, we are at 97 percent usage of the new information technology system and we are now working to address the remaining 3% which would pave the way to 100 percent full digitalization efforts,” Mendoza said.

Czech Republic eyes ‘more interactions’ with DND THE Czech Republic eyes more interactions with the Department of National Defense (DND), saying it supports the ongoing modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong, in a statement Thursday night, said this was the highlight of a meeting between a Czech delegation headed by

Ambassador to Manila Karel Hejč and DND Undersecretary Irineo Espino at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. “The Czech delegation’s courtesy call served as a follow-up to Ambassador Hejč’s introductory call on Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. in December 2023,” Andolong said. Andolong said both countries dis-

cussed common security challenges, upholding international law, especially focusing on international maritime law, and prospects for long-term defense cooperation under the 2017 agreement on defense cooperation and 2021 memorandum of understanding concerning cooperation in the area of defense industry and logistics between the DND and the Czech Defense Ministry.

Chinese yields P165-m Bugatti Chiron to BOC By Joel Zurbano and Vito Barcelo

CUSTOMS BAGS P165-M CAR. The owner of this red Bugatti Chiron sports car with

a price tag of P165 million voluntarily surrendered it on Friday to the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Manila International Container Port amid reports that it is on the Bureau of Customs’ watchlist on suspicions that the luxury car was smuggled. BOC Photo

A CHINESE national has voluntarily surrendered to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) a P165-million red Bugatti Chiron sports car that the authorities have been searching for on suspicions that it was smuggled. Still on the BOC watchlist is a blue lux-

ury car, color blue with plate number NIM 5448 reportedly registered to a certain Thu Thrang Nguyen, The Red Bugatti was registered to a certain Menguin Zhu, according to a Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. The turnover came a week after the BOC aired a public appeal for more information about two suspected smuggled

luxury cars running around the cities of Pasay, Pasig, Muntinlupa, and Cavite. Rubio commended the operatives of the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service - Manila International Container Port (CIIS-MICP).for the immediate result of the hot pursuit operation that led to the surrender of one of the two cars that had no import documents.

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ICC has no jurisdiction over PH, DOJ stresses T By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

HE Department of Justice on Friday declared that the International Criminal Court has no jurisdiction over the Philippines since the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute treaty that established the tribunal.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, in a statement, implied that the DOJ won’t allow the enforcement of any warrant of arrest against former President Rodrigo Duterte that may be issued by the ICC in connection with its probe of the bloody drug war by the previous administration. This developed as more than half of Filipinos support the ongoing ICC investigation into the Duterte government’s campaign against illegal drugs, according to a survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS). The survey, conducted from Dec. 8 to 11, found that 53 percent of the respondents agree with the statement that the ICC “should investigate drugrelated killings during the Duterte administration.” Senator Christopher Go, Duterte’s longtime aide, also dismissed rumors of an ICC-issued warrant for alleged crimes against humanity. Go emphasized Friday that he had not heard or seen any official confirmation of the warrant and, asserted that the ICC had no jurisdiction over the Philippines,

which withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019. He stressed that President Marcos had already declared numerous times that the government would not cooperate with the ICC, which meant that local law enforcement agencies would not recognize nor assist ICC in their investigations. “How can they arrest him if there’s no coordination with local authorities,” Go said. Remulla said: “As the Secretary of Justice, I firmly assert that the International Criminal Court (ICC) holds no jurisdiction over the Philippines. Our nation, as a sovereign entity, possesses the inherent right to determine our own legal framework and address internal matters without any interference from external bodies.” He stressed that the country’s withdrawal from the ICC clearly showcases the Philippine government’s unwavering commitment to upholding national sovereignty and preserving the integrity of our justice system.

STRONG BOY. A young boy happily lifts a giant squash harvested by his farmer mother in Sarangani province on Thursday. The province – best known for producing boxing legend and former senator Manny Pacquiao – has numerous farms planted to vegetables aside from coconut, corn, rice, banana, mango, durian, rubber, and sugarcane. Revoli Cortez

SM-led PSAC Jobs Sector Group commits to boost local employment THE Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Jobs Sector Group led by SM Investments Corp. will continue working to boost local employment amid the improving employment situation in the country. This was the commitment the group made during the sector’s meeting with President Marcos on

Wednesday in Malacañang. “We all know that there [are] employment challenges: underemployment and unemployment. Although, unemployment today has become 3.1 percent na lang. So, while this is improving, we continue our work,” PSAC Jobs Sector representative Teresita Sy-Coson, Vice Chairperson of SM Investments Corp.

told the President. “Which is looking into the limited job opportunities for a growing population, job and skills mismatch, and also job distribution imbalance due to geographic and economic factors. We are looking to reducing unemployment through job matching and enhancing employability through job

Jinggoy re-files bill to nix jail for libel cases INSTEAD of a jail term, Senator Jinggoy Estrada wants just a fine to be imposed on any journalist found guilty of libel, thus removing the penalty of imprisonment. Saying civil damages are enough, Estrada filed Senate Bill No 2521, or an Act Abolishing the Penalty of Imprisonment in Libel cases Against Community Journalists, Publications or Broadcasters. “The Philippines is perceived as one of the most dangerous pieces in the world for journalists, with numerous cases of killings against media practitioners in recent years” Estrada said on Friday. Estrada first filed a similar bill during his first term in 2004 in the 13th Congress and refiled the same in 14th, 15th and 16th Congress but, in all instances, failed to pass. Based on the 2022 Global Impunity Index, which calculates the number of unsolved journalist murders as a percentage of each country’s population, the Philippines ranked seventh in the world with 14 unsolved killings. According to the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, which evaluates the environment for journalism, the Philippines ranked 132nd among 180 countries, an improvement from last year’s 147th standing. Macon Ramos-Araneta

upskilling and bridging the job distribution,” she said. The goal is to connect Filipinos and companies and align their skills with available jobs, Sy-Coson said, adding the PSAC-Jobs group is putting the discussion points into an action plan and looking into weekly job fairs, which they plan to continue. With Charles Dantes

FUNCTIONAL BOUQUETS. A vendor known as ‘Mama Babes’ display her exotic bouquets for sale at Dangwa district in Manila. The bouquets contains ladles, cups, spoons, or anything customers want as practical gifts for Valentine’s Day, as the price of flowers in Dangwa usually rises as Feb. 14 approaches. Norman Cruz

Biggest flying NASA lab in PH on air pollution mission CLARK, Pampanga—The US National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) has kicked off a series of marathon flights in Asia with the world’s biggest flying laboratory, in an ambitious mission to improve the models that help to forecast and fight air pollution. Millions of deaths each year are

linked to air pollution, and improving the ability to identify its sources and behaviour can lead to more accurate warning systems for the public. Starting this week in the Philippines, the US agency’s DC-8 is f lying for up to eight hours at a time -- sometimes just 15 meters (50 feet) from the ground -- to swoop up air

particles for study. “We can provide direct measurements of how much pollution is coming from different sources. And that’s one of the primary inputs to the air quality forecasting models,” NASA’s Barry Lefer told reporters Thursday at Clark International Airport, around 80 km north of Manila. AFP

Resolve charges vs. film director in jeep burning, prosecutor told

LANTERN PAINTING. Mall-goers get to paint Chinese lanterns during a Lunar New

Year activity at the SM City East Ortigas in Pasig City on Friday, part of the mall’s Year of the Wood Dragon celebrations. Norman Cruz

THE Department of Justice on Friday ordered the Quezon Provincial Prosecutor’s Office to resolve expeditiously the charges filed against a film director and his companions who were accused of burning a modern jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon. DOJ Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla himself gave the directive to prosecutor handling the charges against film director Jade Castro and his companions Noel Mariano, Ernesto Orcine, and Dominic Ramos. Castro and his companions have

been detained at the Catanauan municipal police station since Feb. 1. “The Secretary has instructed the Provincial Prosecutor of Quezon, through the National Prosecution Service, to make sure that justice is dispensed with appropriately and expeditiously,” Clavano said, in a statement. “The respondents (Castro and his group) have already waived their rights under Article 125 of the RPC (Revised Penal Code) in order to submit a counter affidavit where the prosecutor will evaluate their defenses,” the DOJ official added. Rey Requejo

400 more OFWs to get checks via Saudi employers By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Migrant Workers announced that another batch of overseas Filipino workers will receive payment for their unpaid wages and other benefits from Saudi Arabian construction companies that went bankrupt between 2015 and 2016. Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo J. Cacdac made the disclosure after President Marcos earlier announced that some 1,104 OFWs who were displaced by the closure of construction companies in the Middle Eastern kingdom started in late January. According to the President in a video posted on his Facebook account, around 843 OFWs who received checks from Saudi-based Alinma Bank some 843 have been able to encash these. The DMW said they are expecting another tranche of 400 checks to be distributed within the next month. This will bring the number of Saudi OFW claimants’ checks distributed for payout and encashment to about 1,500. The claimants were assisted by the Overseas Filipino Bank and Land Bank of the Philippines by allowing them to open accounts where they could deposit the claims checks and receive their cash payouts.

Bicol solons press House probe on PCSO STL agents By Maricel V. Cruz CONGRESSMEN from the Bicol region on Friday pressed their call for the House of Representatives to investigate the alleged failure of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to get rid of authorized agent corporations (AACs) or operators of its Small Town Lottery (STL) that have been violating provisions of their franchises. In House Resolution 1566, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte and three fellow Bicolanos cited major violations committed by errant AACs -- being grounds for a call for a congressional inquiry on the PCSO’s inaction are these franchisees acting as mere fronts for the illegal numbers game jueteng. Villafuerte’s resolution was adopted by CamSur Reps. Miguel Luis Villafuerte and Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, along with Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Brian Raymund Yamsuan.

OPINION

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com HONOR BLANCO CABIE, Editor

Citizen Barok

Louis ‘Barok’ Biraogo

Romualdez: True general of the masses IN THE corridors of power, where shadows dance with ambition and whispers echo with the weight of destiny, House Speaker Martin Romualdez emerges as a figure of unparalleled resolve and unwavering commitment. Recent accolades bestowed upon Romualdez by the Filipino people stand as a testament to his exceptional leadership. With satisfaction and trust ratings soaring to new heights in a survey conducted from Dec. 10 to 14, 2023, Romualdez’s popularity reverberates across the nation, casting a long shadow over the landscape of Philippine politics.

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As Romualdez leads the charge towards a better tomorrow, the Filipino people are called upon to rally behind his banner

Romualdez’s pledge to intensify efforts and elevate living standards through legislation resonates deeply with his unwavering commitment to the nation’s welfare. Much like a wartime strategist akin to General Douglas MacArthur, who made landfall on the shores of Leyte in 1944, fulfilling his vow to liberate the Filipinos from Japanese occupation during World War II, Romualdez leads his forces into the

fray of governance. His leadership evokes reverence and awe, echoing triumphantly across the archipelago. From the bustling thoroughfares of the National Capital Region to the lush expanses of Luzon, Romualdez’s influence transcends boundaries, permeating every corner of the land. In partnership with the Marcos administration, Romualdez’s laudable efforts have yielded tangible results, easing inflation and providing relief to the Filipino people burdened by the rising cost of living. With inflation rates plummeting and economic stability on the rise, Romualdez emerges as a champion of progress, a guardian of prosperity in turbulent times. Yet, amidst the accolades and accomplishments, Romualdez remains humble, cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead. His call to bolster efforts to temper inflation and address global economic headwinds and climate change reflects his visionary leadership, his unwavering commitment to securing a brighter future for generations to come. As Romualdez leads the charge towards a better tomorrow, the Filipino people are called upon to rally behind his banner, to heed the call of progress and embrace the path of prosperity. In Romualdez, they find not only a leader, but a symbol of hope, a beacon of light in the darkness of uncertainty. In the battlefield of governance, where shadows lurk and whispers echo, Romualdez stands as a stalwart defender of progress, a true general of the masses. And as the nation marches forward into the unknown, it is his steady hand and unwavering resolve that will guide us towards a future filled with promise and possibility.

‘One-sided war’: Indonesians join forces to bust election disinformation JAKARTA – On a typical workday, Vinanda Febriani starts her morning in Indonesia scrolling on her phone. But her goal is slightly different than most Gen Zers -- she is scanning for disinformation posts. By 6:00 am the Central Java resident has found five pieces of misinformation on a WhatsApp group, forwarding them with evidence to a group of factcheckers who debunk false electionrelated information. Small armies of grassroots factcheckers like Febriani and her fellow volunteers are battling a wave of election misinformation in the world’s third-largest democracy, dedicating spare time to debunk posts before next week’s presidential vote. “Many people will be fanatics about their chosen candidate pairs. So usually they don’t care whether information is true or not,” the 23-year-old graduate said. “I’m worried about that.” One of the posts Febriani found claimed police openly declared support for presidential front-runner Prabowo Subianto. “I checked the video and found it was... unrelated to the election,” she said. The freelance administrative assistant discussed the post with her friends and wrote a debunk for a site created by Mafindo, one of the country’s largest grassroots fact-checking networks. The site’s reports are used by thousands of volunteers in more than 40 cities across the Southeast Asian archipelago nation to debunk posts. Weeks before the vote, the number of fake posts was lower than found in the 2019 election, which experts say is due to greater knowledge about misinformation, a less divisive race than previous votes and better monitoring by authorities. There were 714 misinformation issues then compared to 204 before this year’s vote, Idham Holik, a commissioner of the General Elections Commission told AFP, citing government data. But the numbers still present a chal-

lenge, with new technology and platforms emerging such as TikTok and SnackVideo. “It is a completely unbalanced and one-sided war,” Mafindo founder Harry Sufehmi told AFP. Social media monitoring has become harder too with platforms such as X, formerly known as Twitter, now allowing users to verify themselves in return for a fee. “We cannot monitor hundreds of thousands of new posts every day, only machines can,” said Sufehmi. Volunteers often face hurdles when sharing information with the public too.

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Many of the false posts handled by the factcheckers target state bodies such as the police, anti-graft and election commissions

In 2019, Roesda Leikawa, 37, was labelled pro-government in her community after she responded to a fake WhatsApp post about President Joko Widodo with a Mafindo report. “I told them we’re not only debunking hoaxes about Jokowi, we also debunk hoaxes about Prabowo. I shared the debunk links. They went quiet after that,” she said, using the president’s nickname. A new trend has emerged making their job even harder -- footage created using artificial intelligence. While Subianto has used a cartoon of himself for his campaign created with generative AI, the technology is being used online to spread misinformation harmful and helpful to the candidates. A video emerged online last year of candidate Anies Baswedan giving

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EDITORIAL

Rising to the challenge

HE Manila Standard, round the clock redefined and redesigned, is different nowadays, rustling both in print and online, but modestly much the same. Tomorrow, the erstwhile tallboy edition, which has morphed to a broadsheet carrier of important issues at home and abroad, will mark its 37th anniversary, rolling off stone on Feb 11, 1987, fresh on the heels of what is now described as the Mendiola massacre – a confrontation between farmers rallying for and reform and in protest against President Corazon Aquino which ended in a shooting: 13 killed and 74 more injured. Readers had a first glimpse of the tall-man size newspaper – loosely, if immodestly, translated as “great in vertical dimension and high in stature” – nine days after a newly ratified Constitution was promulgated. As in that initial year when the Manila Standard, beyond defining the news, underscored the future of competition in the discerning, if tasteful, print industry followed by an opinionated and well-informed public, the broadsheet continues to compete for the news and information as well as advertising pies.

Eagle Eyes Tony La Viña

The Manila Standard, for its part, has struggled – and has survived three backbreaking decades, despite numerous challenges, including the onslaught of technology, and some changes in ownership and names – like Manila Standard Today and The Standard.

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They remain committed to the newspaper’s mission ‘to be a vital link in the struggle for change… evolve into a truly unfettered, intelligent – and therefore responsible – press’

Through the years, thanks in large part to the people who literally manned the fort 24/7, the Manila Standard earned credit for its Xcellence, Xperience, and Xcitement – attributes that have defined and continue to define the newspaper alongside its redesigned pages as well as up-to-the-minute and

Announcement of Lent

ON WEDNESDAY next week, the season of Lent begins. The Gospel of John uses the metaphor of the grain of wheat to depict the transforming process of growth for us to understand all about Jesus’ death and resurrection. The seed falls to the ground and the warmth of the sun and moisture help the seed grow until the life secreted within it bursts its hull. A sprout pushes above ground into sunlight and roots spread out underground in search of nourishment. In time, the wheat grows taller and bigger as grain of wheat grows a stalk that heads out with a hundredfold new seed. It takes a while to flourish, but unless the seed falls to the ground, it cannot produce new grain of seeds. The Gospel not only tells us about the fruits that Jesus death and resurrection will generate but also teaches us some invaluable lessons about humility, the fleeting nature of man, love of God for his creatures and the importance of obedience to the Father. It is a source of inscrutable mystery that God for what he truly is, all powerful and all knowing, would come down from his throne in heaven and become one like us and allow himself to suffer in the hands of man. This tells us the depth of God’s love for man—his beloved creature. By his death and resurrection, he exalted the Father and raised man, a pitiable creature enslaved by sin, to partake of the divine. By becoming man, he has shown to us the greatness of his love. God is humble and meek.

Unless a grain of wheat falls and dies—words which exhorts us to be meek and humble for in truth we are abject creatures in contrast to greatness, majesty and holiness. It is ridiculous to think that man, despite his insignificance in the scheme of things, would often think and act as if he is greater than God.

a speech in Arabic, earning him praise in the Muslim-majority nation and more than two million views. Users called him “really smart” and “very intelligent” but the former governor of Jakarta does not speak the language. Deepfakes showing Subianto and Widodo speaking other languages have also emerged. AFP Fact Check found this year’s election was Indonesia’s first to feature deepfakes. “We did not see deepfake disinformation in early 2023,” said Aribowo Sas-

mito, Mafindo co-founder. AFP, along with more than 100 other fact-checking organisations, is paid by TikTok and Facebook parent Meta to verify videos that potentially contain false information. Indonesian deepfakes on TikTok have been viewed more than seven million times since October, AFP Fact Check found. They have also been shared on Facebook, Instagram and X. A TikTok spokesperson said it takes “robust action against synthetically manipulated content that misleads viewers”. Meta did not respond to a request

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

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

essential content. The founders of the Manila Standard created the publication in the belief there was room for a newspaper “that seeks to present facts…to serve as an intellectual forum for ideas, whether clashing or complimentary, to test the limits of investigative reporting.” Its maiden editorial was precise in the newspaper’s mission: “To stand firm in the face of sly machinations of power brokers; to offer nuggets from the arts, which are necessary if we are to live as sensitive human beings; to tell the stories of the little day-to-day heroisms that, minus the benefits of publicity mills, go sadly unnoticed and unmarked.” That has not been lost on the present staff – the editorial, the administration, the circulation, the human resources division, the advertising, finance and accounting, and the printing – who continue unrelenting in waving their passion for the competitive product. |And the staff, rising to the challenge of the next decade, remain grateful to their elders who blazed a trail in column inches for them in the newsroom in an earlier punishing clime. But they remain committed to the newspaper’s mission “to be a vital link in the struggle for change…evolve into a truly unfettered, intelligent – and therefore responsible – press, cognizant of and vigilant against the pitfalls that litter the road toward freedom and justice.”

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Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important opportunity for growth

ship with God and fellowmen. Seeking the pleasures of life as if there is no tomorrow is foolishness. The world is all a carcass and vanity, as a renowned essayist once said. It is by seeking God that life assumes an eternal and divine dimension. To help us to be faithful, according to Pope Francis, the Church in this Lenten season brings to us the “soothing” remedy of prayer, almsgiving and fasting: “By devoting more time to prayer, we enable our hearts to root out our secret lies and forms of self-deception, and then to find the consolation God offers. He is our Father and he wants us to live life well.” “Almsgiving sets us free from greed and helps us to regard our neighbor as a brother or sister. When we give alms, we share in God’s providential care for each of His children. If through me God helps someone today, will He not tomorrow provide for my own needs? For no one is more generous than God. Fasting weakens our tendency to violence; it disarms us and becomes an important opportunity for growth. On the one hand, it allows us to experience what the destitute and the starving have to endure. On the other hand, it expresses our own spiritual hunger and thirst for life in God. Fasting wakes us up. It makes us more attentive to God and our neighbor. It revives our desire to obey God, who alone is capable of satisfying our hunger.”

In the words of Christ, we learn about the fleeting and temporal nature of life and the importance of following God. Jesus said: Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there also will my servant be. Indeed, we are all faced with the reality that life is brief and temporary; that wealth, fame and power are but empty expressions of vanity. It is a pity that many of us devote most of our time seeking recognition, praise, accumulating wealth and pursuWebsite: tonylavina.com Facebook: ing beauty but neglecting the most important thing—cultivating our relation- deantonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

for comment. Many of the false posts handled by the fact-checkers target state bodies such as the police, anti-graft and election commissions. A viral fake post debunked by AFP Fact Check claimed Jakarta had issued more than 13,000 ID cards to Chinese citizens so they could vote. Sasmito said he still finds misinformation he has debunked being reshared, but refuses to give in to the deluge. “I keep telling myself the most important thing is I’ve done my part in this battle,” he said. AFP

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

WORLD

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Presidential candidates battle for Gen-Z votes

TIPPED TO WIN. Workers

are pictured at the central election monitoring cell of Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf at the party office in Islamabad on Thursday. Millions of Pakistanis began voting in an election marred by allegations of poll rigging, with the country’s most popular politician in jail and a militaryfavored candidate tipped to win. Unofficial tallies on local TV stations had independents in the lead for many of the remaining seats up for grabs in the 266-member assembly. AFP

JAKARTA—Indonesia’s presidential candidates are posting light content on social media in a push to appeal to young voters, dressing up like Tom Cruise in “Top Gun”, organizing dance contests or forgetting to turn off a livestream. In a country where millennials and Gen-Zers make up more than half the electorate, candidates Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto and former provincial governors Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo’s ages range from 54 to 72. With the power to swing Indonesia’s youth vote, TikTok, Instagram and other platforms have become crucial tools in the arsenal of those vying to replace President Joko Widodo. Indonesia is home to 278 million people, and 125 million are on TikTok alone. “Today, the battlezone is on TikTok,” said Angga Putra Fidrian of Baswedan’s presidential team. Facebook and Twitter were the dominant platforms in the 2019 election but this time around the Chinese-owned app has become dominant. After the first vice presidential debate last month, clips from the broadcast were viewed 300 million times in 12 hours on TikTok, with three-quarters video statement released to media. uploaded by candidate-linked users, according to analyst Hokky Situngkir The PML-N had been expected to of social research institute Bandung Fe. win the most seats following Thursday’s Videos of 72-year-old frontrunner vote, with analysts saying its 74-year-old Subianto dancing have flooded founder Nawaz Sharif had the blessing of Indonesian social media accounts, the military-led establishment. transforming his image from retired Party spokeswoman Marriyum general accused by NGOS of ordering Aurangzeb said they were still hopeful the abduction of democracy activists in of taking the largest province of Punjab, the late 1990s to “cute grandpa”. crucial to forming a government. His campaign for the presidency has The PPP, meanwhile, appeared to be held dance competitions to mimic him, doing better than expected, with leader offering a prize of hundreds of millions Bilawal Bhutto sayingYELLOW early CYANZardari MAGENTA BLACK of rupiah (thousands of dollars). results were “very encouraging”. “I see this phenomenon as a natural The election commission had earlier one,” said Subianto’s digital campaign blamed “internet problems” for a delay coordinator Anthony Leong, adding that in results, but said they would now “be around 15,000 people are supporting flowing in continuously”. AFP his online campaign. AFP

Jailed Khan’s allies running close race vs. Shariff in Pakistan poll I SLAMABAD, Pakistan—Candidates linked to jailed former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan were running a close race with the party of threetime premier Nawaz Sharif on Friday as election results trickled in after a long delay that added to accusations of poll rigging.

Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) was barred from contesting Thursday’s election as a bloc, but ofﬁcial results showed independent candidates linked to his party winning 12 seats so far—two less than the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). Unofﬁcial tallies on local TV stations had independents in the lead for many

of the remaining seats up for grabs in the 266-member assembly. By 10:30 am—nearly 18 hours after polling stations closed—the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) had announced just 37 National Assembly seat results. “Independents spring surprise, PTIbacked candidates defy odds,” said

the headline of the English-language Express Tribune newspaper on Friday. “There was a sense of certainty about the outcome,” Sarah Khan, an assistant professor of political science at Yale University, told AFP. “That sense of certainty got upset very early on,” she added. “It’s definitely not the foregone conclusion that anybody thought it might be.” Before the first results were officially announced, PTI chief organiser Omar Ayub Khan said he was confident the party had done enough. “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-backed independent candidates have the ability to form the next federal government with a two-thirds majority,” he said in a

Gazans fear Israeli advance Standard on Rafah city

Trump bumps delegate count with easy victory in Nevada caucus

Manila

TODAY

RAFAH, Palestinian Territories—Adel al-Hajj fears Israeli forces could at any moment launch an “invasion” of southern Gaza’s Rafah city, where he and more than a million other Palestinians have fled for safety. Teeming with displaced Gazans huddled in makeshift camps, Rafah has swelled to about five times its pre-war size since fighting between Israel and Gaza rulers Hamas erupted in October. The city is one of the few areas spared an Israeli ground offensive, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said this week he had ordered troops to “prepare to operate” there. Hajj, from Al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, now lives in a tent in Rafah. “There is not enough room in Rafah to accommodate everyone who has been displaced, and there is no safe place,” he said. An Israeli military push into the city could “end in massacres” of the hundreds of thousands trapped on the besieged territory’s border with Egypt, said Hajj. Tens of thousands of tents, some no more than sheets of tarpaulin held up by metal poles or tree branches, stretch as far as the eye can see. Umm Ahmed al-Burai, a 59-year-old woman also from Al-Shati, is ERRATUM camping with her In the petition for Change of First four daughters Name of GLORIA DETABLAN GARRA filed by JONELNICK L. and three of her LAGARTO published in MANILA STANDARD last April 28, & g r a n d c h i ldren May 5, 2023. In the Petition close to an for Change of First Name the petitioner should be GLORIA unfinished Qatari DETABLAN GARRA and NOT MYRNA DETABLAN GARRA as hospital in the west published. of Rafah. AFP

In compliance with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) requirements, please be informed that CIRRUS GLOBAL, INC. with DMW License No. DWM-245-LB01242024-R will be transferring from Rooms 109, 225 & 228 Universal Motors Corporation, 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City to its new office located at Room 232 Universal Motors Corporation, 2232 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

WAR ZONE. A woman walks among debris of a residential building partially destroyed by a missile attack in the town of Selydove, Donetsk region, on Thursday, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In the almost two years since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine has recaptured 54 percent of occupied territory, while Russia still occupies 18 percent of the country. Ukraine’s 2023 offensive has achieved minor territorial gains, but the frontlines have remained stable for almost a year. AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK LAS VEGAS, Nevada—Donald held on Tuesday in which Nikki Haley Trump strolled to victory in the Nevada was beaten into second place on the caucus on Thursday (Friday in Manila), Republican ballot by “None of these adding more delegates in his seemingly candidates”—widely seen as a proxy unstoppable march to the Republican vote for Trump. Party’s presidential nomination. That result, however, was meaningless, Trump was the only major candidate with Nevada’s GOP declaring months on the ballot when party members ago it would award its delegates from gathered in public buildings across the Thursday’s rival caucus, a format that southwestern US state to cast their in- strongly favors Trump. person votes. Haley badly trails Trump in the overall Early results showed the former president race for the nomination, and is on course had massively out-polled his long-shot for another drubbing in her home state of challenger, a businessman from Texas, South Carolina later this month. and major US networks said Trump would The former UN ambassador insisted scoop the state’s available delegates. Wednesday that she was not dropping out. It was the second go around in “I’m in this for the long haul,” she presidential preference voting for told supporters at a campaign event in Nevada this week. California on Wednesday night, according State-organized primary polls were to The New York Times. AFP

Putin, interviewed, tells West: Russia cannot be defeated in Ukraine WASHINGTON, DC—President Vladimir Putin said in an interview released Thursday with controversial right-wing US talk show host Tucker Carlson that the West should understand it is “impossible” to defeat Russia in Ukraine. In a two-hour interview with the former Fox News host—coming just ahead of the two-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—Putin also said a deal “can be reached” on imprisoned Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich.

“There are certain terms being discussed via special services channels,” he said, while insisting the reporter is a spy—something the Journal and US government vehemently deny. It was the ﬁrst one-on-one interview of Putin by someone from the Western media since 2019. However Carlson, who is close to White House candidate and former president Donald Trump, asked few tough questions and largely listened while the Kremlin leader lectured

him on his views of Russian history, portraying the country as a victim of Western betrayals. Putin defended his decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022. And he said the West now realizes that Russia will not be defeated, despite US, European and NATO help to Ukraine. “Up until now, there has been the uproar and screaming about inﬂicting a strategic defeat to Russia on the battleﬁeld. But now they are apparently coming to

realize that it is difficult to achieve, if possible, at all. In my opinion, it is impossible by definition,” he said. He also aimed a message at the US Congress, where Trump-dominated Republicans are increasingly reluctant to keep backing Ukraine with weapons and other military aid. “I will tell you what we are saying on this matter and what we are conveying to the US leadership. If you really want to stop fighting, you need to stop supplying weapons,” he said. AFP

Kim to ‘put an end’ to South if force used SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed Pyongyang would not hesitate to “put an end” to South Korea if attacked, state media said Friday, as relations between the neighbors hit new lows. The nuclear-armed North this year declared South Korea its “principal enemy,” closed agencies dedicated to reuniﬁcation and outreach, and threatened war over “even 0.001 millimeters” of territorial infringement. “If the enemy dared to use force against our country, we will make a bold decision that will change history and will not hesitate to mobilize all the superpowers to put an end to them,” Kim said, according to Pyongyang’s ofﬁcial Korean Central News Agency. “Peace is not something to beg for or ex-

change through negotiations,” he added. Kim made the comments during a defence ministry event marking the anniversary of the founding of the country’s military, KCNA said. His statement echoed earlier remarks in which Kim said his military should “annihilate” the enemy if provoked, referring to South Korea and its ally the United States, state media reported last month. Images released by KCNA on Friday showed Kim holding hands with his young daughter, Ju Ae, who some analysts say is being groomed as the next leader of the isolated country. The images also showed the pair receiving enthusiastic cheers from uniformed military soldiers, as well as posing for photographs with army commanders. AFP

ELDERLY CHIROPTEROLOGIST. Barbara Gorecka caresses a bat at her apartment in Szczecin the other day. Poland’s Szczecin may be no Gotham City, but this is where 69-year-old pensioner Barbara Gorecka, nicknamed Polish ‘Bat-mum,’ keeps her watchful eye on ailing bats, the only flying mammals that struggle increasingly with the effect of climate change. AFP

BUSINESS

B3 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Ogura starts operations at Lima Estate LANDBANK’S AWARDS. Land Bank of the Philippines bags five recognitions at the 2024 Philippine Quill Awards for its exemplary communication campaigns and initiatives. LandBank corporate services sector head and executive vice president Alex Lorayes (center) receives the awards for the bank, joined by senior vice president Catherine Rowena Villanueva (third from left), first vice president Vivian Cañonero (fifth from left), assistant vice presidents Gaudioso Carlos Garcia (sixth from left) and Melissa Calimag (second from left) and unit heads Joselito Ramos (left) and Kurt Dale Tordesillas (right).

Rustan’s Group mourns passing of matriarch Nedy Tantoco LUXURY retailer Rustan’s Group on Friday announced the death of Rustan’s Commercial Corp. chairwoman Zenaida “Nedy” Tantoco on Feb. 8 at age 77. “Although known in the industry for her astute professionalism, Nedy will always be better remembered as a nurturing force in fostering family empowerment and unity,” the company said in a statement. “These, she believed, were key for their family’s future generations to

thrive,” it said. Tantoco’s wake will be held at 25B Tamarind Ave., Forbes Park, Makati City starting Feb. 10 to 12 at 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The wake will then be moved to the Heritage Park from Feb. 13 to 14 at 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The funeral mass will be on Feb. 15, 9 a.m. at the Santuario de San Antonio Parish. Tantoco, a philanthropist and a patron of the arts, is survived by her partner

Patrick Jacinto and her three children - Anton and wife Nina with daughters Nikki and Isabelle; Michael and wife Kathy and children Kenzie and Kameron; and Catherine and husband David Endriga; and her dogs Sabrina, Tricia, Tessa, Katlinka, Skippy, Bocelli and Tequila. Tantoco’s parents Ambassador Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. and Gliceria RustiaTantoco, founded the Rustan’s Group in 1952.

Zenaida ‘Nedy Tantoco

Miescor, partner install hybrid power project By Alena Mae S. Flores MERALCO Industrial Engineering Services Corp. (Miescor) said Friday it teamed up with South Korea’s SeoChang Electric Communication Co. Ltd. to launch an innovative and sustainable on-grid hybrid power solution for a Gawad Kalinga community in Cavite province. The recently-inaugurated project in Barangay Hugo Perez, Trece Martires City features a 50-kilowatt peak solar photovoltaic (PV) system, a 300-kilowatt-hour energy storage system (ESS) and three electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Miescor president and chief executive Richard Ochava said in a statement the project offers a unique approach to sustainable power service. The company is a subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country’s biggest power retailer. “Our one-of-a-kind facility creatively promotes the sustainable use of power to bring light to our communities,” Ochava said. SeoChang specializes in innovative products such as Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and ESS construction. Miescor spearheaded the engineering, procurement and construction services for the landmark and groundbreaking facility. The collaboration underscores Meralco’s commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, driven by its sustainability agenda called “Powering the Good Life”.

FUTURE ENERGY LEADERS. Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC) launches the Future Ready Academy (FRA), a groundbreaking initiative aimed at cultivating the next generation of energy leaders. The inauguration ceremony took place at the PNOC Corporate Center on Jan. 27, 2024, with 30 Grade 12 students from leading science high schools participating in the program.

Enchanted Kingdom features ‘Dinner in the Sky’ this month By Roy Tomandao SANTA Rosa City, Laguna—Enchanted Kingdom, the first world class theme park in the Philippines, announced its Chinese New Year and Valentine’s offerings for the month of February. EK welcomes back “Enchanting Dinner in the Sky” featuring a Japanese-themed dinner for couples and groups while riding the Wheel of Fate. Visitors can enjoy magical views, bring home photo souvenirs and red string bracelets as they create en-

Helios launches Asia’s first solar mortgage program for homeowners CLIMATE financial-technology firm Helios launched Asia’s first solar mortgage program to make solar power accessible to all homeowners. Helios, the first residential solar fintech platform in Asia, announced its partnership with Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) to integrate solar energy solutions into residential properties acquired through home loans. “Solar mortgage is the first of its kind. It is a bonafide Filipino innovation. The idea is the green loan with BPI is cash flow positive, meaning the savings you unlock from adding solar to your home will be larger than any payment capacity. We help our consumers who are servicing home loans make their home more affordable,” said Helios co-

founder Alex Aronson. Ranging from P400,000 to more than P10 million options, the solar mortgage is available not only for new home purchases but also for existing homes that wish to have a solar upgrade. The solar home mortgage introduced by Helios offers flexibility depending on one’s needs and budget, making solar energy more accessible and tailored to the diverse needs of homeowners. About 100 new homeowners have already benefited from the solar mortgage’s introductory offering, which rolled out in the last quarter of 2023. BPI aims to be a thought leader and market innovator in financing products and services like Helios.

chanted story. The Enchanting Dinner in the Sky also includes regular day pass tickets and will run on all weekends of February and on Valentine’s Day. EK also announced its Chinese New Year Promo where family and friends will feel the magic of prosperity as they savor an EKsclusive Chinese lauriat set meal good for four persons, inclusive of four regular day pass tickets from Feb. 9 to 29. This promo can be booked through the EK Online Store. Meanwhile, Asia’s Got Talent grand finalist Power Duo will head-

line EK’s Chinese New Year celebration on Feb. 10. They will be joined by IOX Dancers and EK’s own Victoria’s Way and Kingsmen. Park guests will witness the traditional Chinese Dragon and Lion Dance around the park to welcome the year of the dragon. EK said it is also continuing with the Hug-A-Palooza, now in its sixth year, as a celebration of the season of love filled with warm hugs shared among family, loved ones and friends. Sparkle GMA Artist Ken Chan will serenade park goers on Feb. 17. Climate finance technology firm Helios launches Asia’s first solar mortgage program, integrating solar energy solutions into residential properties acquired through home loans. Helios teams up with Bank of Philippine Islands to offer 7-percent interest rate, with a seven-year fixing period. Shown are Helios co-founder Alex Aronson (center), Helios solar mortgage client Mark Zambrano and Hyman Lu of Longi Green Energy Technology Co. Ltd.

By Othel V. Campos

LOBAL clutch manufacturer Ogura Clutch Philippines Inc. relocated its operations to LIMA Estate, an 826-hectare industrial park in Lipa and Malvar, Batangas owned by Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) Economic Estates.

The company invested P710 million in its new 16,144-square-meter facility within the estate’s 200-hectare industrial expansion zone. “We strategically chose to relocate our operations to LIMA Estate due to its comprehensive infrastructure development solutions. The distinctive support provided by AIC for Japanese manufacturing companies, notably demonstrated through organizations like the Japanese Locator Association, distinguishes the estate from other industrial parks,” said Ogura Clutch Philippines president Toshio Takahashi. He said the relocation provided the company with renewed confidence to continue its manufacturing operations in the Philippines. The facility will serve both distribution and manufacturing functions, catering to renowned automobile brands like Toyota, Mercedes-Benz and Ford. Founded in Japan in 1938, Ogura is the world’s largest producer of electromagnetic clutches and brakes. The relocation is expected to yield substantial economic benefits by creating approximately 1,500 job opportunities for residents of Lipa and Malvar, Batangas. Their new facility in LIMA Estate will enable increased efficiency in distribution and manufacturing functions, enhancing Ogura’s position as the leading clutch manufacturer in the world. “Here at LIMA Estate, we are eager to collaborate closely with our partners to foster an environment where both businesses and local residents can thrive,” said LIMA Land vice president Clifford Academia. As the infrastructure arm of the Aboitiz Group, Aboitiz InfraCapital plays a pivotal role in bolstering the Philippines’ stature as a preferred investment destination for Japanese companies. AIC generates significant economic opportunities in the country by spearheading the development of smart and sustainable economic estates, aligning with their commitment to fostering long-term growth and collaboration.

Japanese firm Tokai hiking stake in REDC JAPANESE conglomerate Tokai Corp. plans to increase its stake in listed Repower Energy Development Corp. by at least 15 percent through a block sale. REDC said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that it received communication from Tokai, notifying its intention to acquire at least 15 percent of the corporation’s equity securities. Tokai initially subscribed to 65 million common shares in REDC, equivalent to 9.99 percent of its total outstanding capital stock in July 2023. “As a strategic investment, Tokai now intends to further acquire from Pure Energy Holdings Corp. an additional 65,100,000 common shares in REDC, which will be implemented by way of a block sale through the facilities of the PSE. Once implemented, such acquisition will result to Tokai’s ownership of 20.01 percent of the total outstanding capital stock of REDC,” Tokai said in a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tokai is wholly-owned by Tokai Holdings Corp., a listed company in the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The principal business of the company is energy, including the manufacture and sale of liquefied petroleum gas, liquefied natural gas, high pressure gas and gas equipment. REDC earlier said Tokai would participate in its planned initial public offering as an anchor investor. “We are pleased on Tokai’s commitment to participate in our IPO as this is a testament to the market’s growing interest in our company,” REDC president and chief executive Eric Peter Roxas said. Alena Mae S. Flores

BUSINESS

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 10, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com RODERICK T. DELA CRUZ, Editor ALENA MAE S. FLORES, Asst. Editor

PLDT Inc. chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan lauds overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as modern-day heroes and figures of resilience who are among the most important constituents of the economy. A former OFW himself, Pangilinan spent 22 years working in Hong Kong. Pangilinan underscores the value of the partnership between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and PLDT Global Corp. to uplift the lives of Filipinos living overseas. PLDT Global launched a new service that enables OFWs to access the OWWA Helpline 1348 for free via TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing), the one-stop online marketplace for global Filipinos.

Money supply, loans rise despite high interest rates By Darwin G. Amojelar

ANK loans and money supply continued to grow in December 2023, despite higher interest rates, according to preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

Outstanding loans of universal and commercial banks (U/KBs), net of reverse repurchase (RRP) placements with the BSP, grew 7 percent year-on-year in December, unchanged from November’s increase. The BSP said that on a monthon-month seasonally-adjusted basis, loans rose 0.3 percent. Loans to residents, net of RRPs, climbed 7.3 percent in December, compared to 7.4 percent the previous month. Lending to non-residents declined 2.8 percent after a 5-percent drop in November. Production activity loans rose 5.5 percent in December from 5.7 percent in November, driven by real estate (10.9 percent), wholesale and retail trade (7.2 percent) and electricity, gas and airconditioning supply (6.2 percent). Consumer loans to residents grew 23.5 percent in December, nearly matching the 23.6 percent

DICT signs deal with JICA on cybersecurity THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) signed a two-year agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to improve cybersecurity in the Philippines. The DICT said the technical cooperation is timely, imperative and aligned with National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2024-28 approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Feb. 6 which sets the direction of the Philippine government in responding to cyber threats and network intrusions. It is crucial in the age of digitization as it will help enhance security of the Philippines’ critical information structures, the agency said. Based on statistics, the Philippines is the fourth most-attacked country in the world, with over 50 million web threat attempts in 2021. The Philippines also ranked 61st of 194 countries worldwide (13th of 38 countries in Asia Pacific) in the 2020 Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI), placing below major ASEAN countries. The DICT underscored the need to beef up the country’s cybersecurity position to enhance the protection of government agencies, critical information infrastructures, businesses and supply chains and every Filipino in cyberspace. Darwin G. Amojelar

increase in November on higher credit card, motor vehicle and salary-based general purpose loans. Meanwhile, domestic liquidity (M3) or money supply grew 5.9 percent year-on-year to P7.4 trillion in December, compared to 7 percent in November. On a monthon-month seasonally-adjusted basis, M3 increased 0.4 percent. Domestic claims expanded 9.0 percent year-on-year in December, down from 9.7 percent in November. Claims on the private sector grew 8.5 percent from 8.3 percent, while net claims on the central government increased 14.2 percent from 17.3 percent. Net foreign assets (NFA) in peso terms rose 4.3 percent yearon-year in December, compared to 3.2 percent in November. The BSP’s NFA grew 7.4 percent, while banks’ NFA contracted on lower interbank loans receivable.

Pangilinan lauds OFWs contribution to PH economy PLDT Inc. chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan identified overseas Filipino workers among the most important constituents of the Philippine economy. A former OFW himself, Pangilinan spent 22 years working in Hong Kong. “OFWs work hard because that’s the only way to cope with homesickness,” he said. “I called my mom every Sunday without fail when I was in Hong Kong. I missed speaking in Tagalog, I missed my adobo and pork chops,” said Pangilinan. Knowing the plight of OFWs and how important it is for them to have both a line to the Philippine government in case of emergencies, and a strong connection back home to their families, Pangilinan underscored the value of the partnership between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and PLDT Global Corp. to uplift the lives of Filipinos living overseas.

PLDT Global launched a new service that enables OFWs to access the OWWA Helpline 1348 for free via TINBO (Tindahan ni Bossing), the one-stop online marketplace for global Filipinos, to help boost awareness and bridge the gap between Filipinos abroad and OWWA. TINBO integrated a helpline button that enables OFWs to connect to the OWWA through online or web-based calls swiftly and securely. TINBO users simply need to log on to their TINBO account and click on their registered Smart Virtual Number to access the OWWA Helpline. “The government’s digitalization agenda will be a big step forward towards the welfare of our OFWs, to which we have pledged our full support. So, this partnership between OWWA and PLDT Global is a tangible manifestation of that support to help build our nation,” said Pangilinan. PLDT Global and OWWA are roll-

ing out more initiatives to support OFWs during their stay overseas. PLDT Global said it would also introduce more programs to support OFWs and their immediate families and dependents to help them reintegrate into the community through various re-skilling and upskilling trainings with partner agencies. Powered by PLDT Global, TINBO is the one-stop marketplace that enables Filipinos living overseas to buy load, send food vouchers, e-gifts, healthcare PINs from mWell and gaming PINs for their families in the Philippines. They can also acquire a Smart virtual number (SVN) through TINBO, enabling them to receive OTPs from their e-wallets and e-banks in the Philippines like Maya. TINBO enables overseas Filipinos access to a convenient and secure online bills payment platform for their Philippine utilities and other digital services while outside the Philippines.

DOT launches HOHO bus tours at SM Mall of Asia to spur domestic tourism By Othel V. Campos

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (center) leads the ribbon cutting at the inaugural ceremony of the Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off Entertainment Hub. Joining Garcia are SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, Rep. Antonio Calixto, acting Mayor Mark Anthony Calixto representing Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano of Pasay, Tourism Promotions Board Philippines COO Marga Nograles, DOT-NCR regional director Sharlene Batin and Marinel Lee of Positive Exposure.

TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on Thursday unveiled the third and latest stop of the Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO) Bus Tours - the Entertainment Hub. “As we launch the Hop-On-Hop-Off tours in the Pasay-Paranaque circuit, we will be reinforcing this area’s position as a leading destination for visitors,” Frasco said at the inauguration at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City. The latest project broadens the National Capital Region’s and the country’s diverse tourism offerings, according to Frasco. “The Hop-On-Hop-Off Tours have successfully promoted our heritage sites, museums and lifestyle centers in the metropolis and the entertainment spots, heralding our stories as a

Elizaldes rebrand Manila Broadcasting Co. as MBC Media Group THE Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC), the company behind radio station DZRH, unveiled its new identity as MBC Media Group to keep up with the fast-changing media landscape in the Philippines. MBC Media assistant vice president for digital media Sasha ElizaldeDel Rosario said the rebrand is not “merely a superficial change, but a calculated move towards the future.” “The transformation we are about to make is more than just a name change. It is a strategic evolution, a reimagining of who we are and the great potential we hold,” she said.

The new identity is anchored by six strategic business units including radio, TV, promotions, talents, events and digital. These units, represented by six ellipses in the modern logo, symbolize not just MBC’s diverse offerings but also its commitment to growth. MBC senior vice president for operations Juan Elizalde outlined the company’s vision. “Bigger audience, better services and more platforms to reach them. Fully integrated campaigns. More ways to serve Filipinos, everywhere,” he said. MBC Media president Jun Nicdao

said the transition would benefit everyone. “For partners, this means stronger integrated platforms to grow your business. For audiences, it’s more information, entertainment and community service. As our audiences grow, together we grow,” he said. The launch campaign, “Samasama Tayo, Pilipino!” (Together, Filipinos!), embodies MBC Media Group’s call for unity. The rebrand marks a new chapter for MBC Media Group, one that resonates with Filipinos and propels the company towards a brighter future, it said. Darwin G. Amojelar

CALAX operator to start collecting toll at Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange section

REFORESTATION PROGRAM. Manulife Philippines expands its collaboration with nature conservation organization Haribon Foundation through the Forests for Life movement as part of the former’s global impact agenda, a long-term commitment to deliver meaningful programs that empower sustained health and well-being, drive inclusive economic opportunity and accelerate a sustainable future to preserve the planet.

MPCALA Holdings Inc., operator of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX), said it will start collecting toll at the Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange on Feb. 10, 2024. “The implementation of these toll rates aids in the continuous maintenance and enhancement of our toll road while ensuring efficient and safe travel for our users,” said MPCALA president and general manager Raul Ignacio. “The Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange has become a vital part of our network, significantly enhancing the connectivity and economic landscape of the region,” he said.

The Toll Regulatory Board approved provisional toll for the Subsection 4 of Calax of P17 for class 1 vehicles, P35 for class 2 and P52 for class 3. The new subsection is a four-lane expressway with a length of 3.9 kilometers from Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Silang East Interchange in Cavite. The Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange, a critical section of CALAX, connects directly to Aguinaldo Highway, facilitating smoother and faster travel to key tourism destination areas in Cavite, including Tagaytay and Silang. It opened to motorists on Nov. 8 with free toll. Darwin G. Amojelar

people,” she said. She said the initiative forms part of the strategies under the National Tourism Development Plan. The HOHO bus takes tourists on a journey through Pasay and Paranaque, visiting prominent entertainment hotspots, modern complexes and historical landmarks. This caters to the area’s growing popularity among locals and tourists alike, who are drawn to its dynamic attractions. The Entertainment Hub boasts of 13 designated bus stops, offering convenient access to various destinations including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Newport World Resorts, City of Dreams, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Parqal, Okada Manila, Solaire Resort, Luxe Duty Free, MOA Main Stop, SMX Convention Center and the MOA Seaside.

SEC warns public vs. Robinsons Co., America Mall-Ph By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission advised the public against dealing with America Mall-Ph and Robinsons Company over their alleged unauthorized solicitation of investments without the necessary license. The SEC said in an investor alert these entities reportedly enticed the public to put their money in their investment schemes known as “Tasking and Recharging,” where the public is offered online jobs by performing certain tasks with the promise of receiving monetary rewards or commissions. It said that once a certain task is completed, the investor would be given another task to perform for the same promise of receiving higher commissions and where additional funding or recharging from the victim is necessary to withdraw their earnings. It said these entities also use fake certificate of incorporation to make it appear that they are legitimate. The “Tasking and Recharging” scheme also indicates a possible pyramid/Ponzi scheme, where investors earn through recruitment fees instead of the sale of actual products/services, and investors are paid using the contribution of new members, according to the SEC.

SPORTS

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

Reig chases 2nd crown in 5150 CamSur triathlon tilt IRIENOLD Reig Jr. faces a challenging task as he sets his sights on a second triathlon crown in the men’s division of the 5150 Triathlon CamSur slated Sunday in Camarines Sur. The highly-anticipated event promises a stellar cast of triathletes ready to tackle the challenging 1.5km-swim, 40km-bike and 10km-run race with the 22-year-old Reig heralding his presence on the local triathlon scene with a spectacular victory in the talent-packed field in the 5150 Subic in 2022. Buoyed by his previous success, the rising Quezon City star exudes confidence as the sport returns to its historic birthplace. His impressive runner-up finish to John Alcala in the demanding 70.3 IRONMAN, also in Subic, last year serves as a clear indicator of Reig’s preparedness to face seasoned campaigners in the Olympic-distance race, especially on the relatively unfamiliar terrain of Camarines Sur. O r g a nized by The I RON M A N G roup/Su nrise Events, Inc., the event caters to enthusiasts of shortdistance but challenging Irienold Reig races within a world-class setup, with the ultimate goal of reaching the prestigious IRONMAN level. The race will start at the Lago del Rey and culminate in front of the CamSur Convention Center, both situated within the renowned CamSur Water Sports Complex. While the seasoned Jonathan Pagaura looms as a top contender, Reig is positioned not only to vie for the overall championship but also to dominate his age-group category (2024), which includes Emil Lorbes, Rafael Sawali, Enrico Burgos, Aldrin Pesebre, Denz Velasquez, Ian Consunji, Nicolo Magadia and Christian Vasquez. Pagaura, on the other hand, banners the 25-29 age class, accompanied by formidable athletes such as Jaime Rivera, Paul Adriano, Jefferson Tabernilla, Nikolai Kian and Mark Novallasca. The women’s division adds another layer of excitement, featuring a clash between Erika Burgos and Bea Quiambao, with Sophia Capistrano and Heart Quiambao eager to disrupt the expected title showdown. Adding spice to the event is the Go for Gold Sunrise Sprint, a shorter distance event comprising a 400m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.

Tickets for 11th Asian Age-Group swim tourney now on sale TICKETS are now on sale for the 11th Asian Age Group Championships scheduled from February 26 to March 9 at the New Clark City Aquatics Center in Capas, Tarlac. The tournament features four disciplines, namely swimming (Feb. 2629), diving (Feb. 26-March 1), artistic swimming (March 2 to 6) and water polo (March 3 to 9). Tickets can be purchased at: URL:https://www.ticketmax.ph/ events/11th-asian-age-group-swimming-championship/ The price of a Daily Pass is P200.00 (plus transaction fees) while multi-day passes are also available as follows: Swimming (4 days @ P800.00), Diving (5 days @ P1,000.00), Artistic Swimming (5 days @ P1,000.00), Water Polo (7 Days @ P1,400.00), Championship (All 13 days @ P2,600.00). Payments can be made through GCash, Maya, GrabPay, Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer and Paypal. More than 1,000 athletes from 25 countries are expected to join the tournament. The Philippines has 44 entries. The world-class New Clark City Aquatics Center was also the venue of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

KOBE STATUE UNVEILED. The

Los Angeles Lakers unveiled a statue of beloved Lakers’ legend and fivetime champion Kobe Bryant at the center of Star Plaza outside Crypto.com Arena. Representing one of Bryant’s most iconic moments in his storied career, the 19-foot-high, 4,000-pound bronze statue, sculpted by Julie Rotblatt Amrany, captures Bryant’s career-high and franchise-best 81-point game against the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 22, 2006, when he led the Lakers to a 122104 win. AFP

Young guns train in Japan under Yulo’s former coach By Peter Atencio

ARLOS Yulo’s younger brother Karl Eldrew has been in Japan over the last two weeks with Southeast Asian Games gold medallist John Ivan Cruz and are in a training camp with Japanese coach Munehiro Kugimiya.

The 15-year-old Yulo is now in the same facility that his elder brother Caloy trained at in the past. The younger Yulo has been under evaluation and has starting to step out of the shadow of his older brother Carlos, having swept six gold medals at stake in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa, and later snatching seven gold medals in the Batang Pinoy. Shown here are (from left) Jericho Jay Lucero, Jonel Carcueva and Ronald Lomotos

Karl Eldrew Yulo

“They are now in a training camp with Kugimiya is also focusing his attention coach Mune,” said Gymnastics Associa- on Cruz, who claimed the floor exercise tion of the Philippines president Cynthia gold and later joined Carlos Yulo in bringCarrion Norton. ing home the team all-around silver during

the Cambodia SEA Games. Another young standout in Miguel Besana will soon get training assistance from Kugimiya after he finished with a gold medal in the vault exercise event of the Cambodia SEAG, according to Carrion Norton. The gymnastics’ chief does not count out the inclusion of Jan Timbang, who was part of Team Philippines’ silver winners in the all-around. The GAP said the coaches of the national team are deciding on the composition of the national squad which will be sent to the World Cup this year. Cruz, Besana and Timbang, along with Eldrew Yulo are set to join Carlos Yulo in training camps in Spain, the United Kingdom and Australia The training plan has been mapped out for Carlos Yulo before he goes to Paris with fellow Olympic qualifier Aleah Finnegan. The 23-year-old Carlos Yulo is currently in a monthlong training camp in South Korea to help keep him in shape for his stint in 2024 Paris Olympics.

Carcueva scores 3-peat in road race JONEL Carcueva was a monster on the Sampaloc climb to capture his a third straight Men Elite road race crown in the PhilCycling National Championships for Road 2024 on Friday. Just like what he did in the last two years, Carcueva, riding out of Cebu City, made his dominant move in the climb back to Tagaytay City to clock 4 hours, 23 minutes and 23.40 seconds to win the gold medal in the premiere event of the championships presented by Standard Insurance and MVP Sports Foundation and organized by PhilCyling headed by Tagaytay City

Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, also president of the Philippine Olympic Committee. Jericho Jay Lucero made it a 1-2 finish for continental team Go-forGold finishing a minute after his team captain in the 178.30-km race that started and finished at the Praying Hands along Isaac Tolentino Avenue. Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance’s Ronald Lomotos was nine seconds behind Lucero for the bronze medal in the event also supported by Tagaytay City, Chooks-To-Go, Excellent Noodles, CCN and Fitbar and backed by the local government

units in Batangas and Cavite and PNP commands in Batangas and Cavite and the Bureau of Fire. The top finishers in the five-day, three-discipline national championships will be seeded to the national road team that will be harnessed for the Asian championships this year and the Southeast Asian Games that returns to its pre-pandemic schedule of December in 2025 in Thailand. A total of 69 riders answered the gun for the Men Elite race that traversed Nasugbu, Lian, Balayan, Tuy, Calaca, Lemery, Agoncillo and Talisay in Batangas.

Javier invests in PH Jockey Club HAPI Jockey Club, Inc. is thrilled to announce a modest investment from multiawarded horseman and incumbent Vice Governor of the Province of Leyte, Leonardo “Sandy” Javier, Jr. Beyond his distinguished reputation in the horseracing industry in the Philippines, Javier is also renowned as the proud owner and founder of Andok’s Litson Corp., the ubiquitous roasted chicken chain that has gained popularity throughout the country. Javier has been a stalwart in the horseracing and breeding industry for the past 35 years, having bred numerous champions including Strong Material, Wind Blown, Empire King, Magna Carta and more. His investment will further hasten the development of a new thoroughbred racetrack in Padre Garcia, Batangas, owned and operated by HAPI Jockey Club, Inc. and to be known as the “Philippine Jockey Club.” Known fondly as “Sandy,” his investment signifies more than just financial support. His extensive experience and

deep understanding of the industry will be invaluable in addressing the various concerns of horse owners and breeders. The new racetrack is a testament to Javier’s commitment to providing local horsemen with a place they can rightfully call their own. His involvement ensures the facility will be designed and operated with the needs of the horse racing community in mind. Under Republic Act No. 11649, HAPI Jockey Club, Inc. (“HJCI”) was granted a 25-year franchise to construct, operate, and maintain racetracks for horse racing in the provinces of Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite. This legislative franchise was formally approved and signed into law on March 8, 2022. Among those who welcomed Vice Governor Sandy Javier to this momentous occasion were HJCI Chairman Oliver “Jojo” Velasquez, HJCI Vice Chairman – Treasurer, Engr. Elmer de Leon, HJCI President Raymond Puyat and HJCI Corporate Secretary/Director Manny Viray. Accompanying Sandy Javier was his spouse, Leyte 2nd District

HAPI Jockey Club, Inc. welcomes multi-awarded horseman and Leyte Vice Governor Leonardo ‘Sandy’ Javier, Jr. (center) as its newest investor to the development of a new thoroughbred racetrack in Padre Garcia, Batangas. Joining him are (from left) HJCI Vice Chairman – Treasurer Engr. Elmer de Leon, Leyte 2nd District Representative, Congresswoman Lolita Karen T. Javier, HJCI President Raymond Puyat and HJCI Corporate Secretary/Director Manny Viray.

Representative, Congresswoman Lolita stering the horseracing and breeding Karen T. Javier. industry in the Philippines and making Together, they look forward to bol- a positive impact on the local economy.

PROPERTY

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

extrastory2000@gmail.com JOEL D. LACSAMANA, Editor

City di Mare hosts Sinulog Festival C ITY Di Mare, the 58-hectare premier coastal township along South Road Properties (SRP), recently celebrated for the second time the Sinulog Festival at its events grounds.

The Sinulog Festival features colorful costumes, fluvial parades, and endless music to honor the image of the Child Jesus – Sto. Niño de Cebu. CDM has been the best go-to destination for various outdoor events – from concerts such as the Aurora Festival and Summer Pop Up featuring popular OPM and homegrown artists; sporting competitions like runs, endurance races and dragon boat competitions to festivities, including the Sinulog Festival. CDM is only 21km away from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, 7km away from the newly opened Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway, and 6.6km from Cebu City. Various real estate investment opportunities are opening in the district with Filinvest Land Inc. continuously developing CDM, touted as the largest master-planned, integrated city in the district. Shown here are participants at the Sinulog grand parade from Tribu San Roque.

AREIT snags edge-zero carbon nod AYALA Land’s REIT subsidiary, AREIT, Inc. (AREIT) received EDGE Zero Carbon Certification for eight office buildings comprising 354,000 square meters, making Ayala Land and AREIT’s offices the largest EDGE Zero Carbon certified portfolio in the Philippines. Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) is an international green building certification. EDGE Zero Carbon is the highest level of EDGE certification granted to properties that have neutralized their carbon emissions through renewable energy use. The eight AREIT buildings awarded with EDGE Zero Carbon Certification were Glorietta 1 and 2 Corporate Center, Solaris One, McKinley Exchange Corporate Center in Makati, Vertis North Corporate Centers 1, 2, and 3 in Quezon City, and the 30th Corporate Center in Pasig on account of a 45.33% improvement in energy efficiency, 49.07% in water, and 61.88% in embodied carbon material reduction.

BPI unveils ‘green solutions’ for housing, auto loans

Two wheels move the soul in San Mateo TIMBERLAND Highlands Resort launches today its Mountain Bike Park, developed in collaboration with Trail Solutions, Inc.. Nestled in the picturesque terrain of San Mateo, Rizal, Timberland Mountain Bike Park offers a variety of purpose-built mountain bike trails that take advantage of the area’s topography. From flowy singletrack that weaves through the forest to demanding technical descents, the Park offers a full day of adrenalinefueled riding —making for a post-ride meal at Timberland Highlands Resort a truly welldeserved one. The Bike Park will be open every Tuesday to Sunday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (last entry at 1 p.m.). The Bike Park Day Pass is at P550 net per rider. An annual pass is also available for use of the swimming pool, Equinox Fitness Center and other resort amenities. Learn more through the Sports & Leisure department of Timberland Highlands Resort at +63 999 889 2663 , or email timberlandslm@timberlandresort.com.

NEXT-GEN LIVING IN PASIG CITY. Freedom and mobility are a must as today’s young professionals begin to redefine their concept of home. It’s not just about proximity to the workplace, but also about enjoying a serene escape with seamless access to vibrant retail hubs and essential services. Enter Laya by Shang Properties in Barangay Oranbo, Pasig City. Laya is a 10-minute walk to shopping malls and dining options, with access to the country’s most prestigious schools and major commercial centers. Anticipated for completion in 2028, Laya is not just a place to live; it is your canvas for self-expression, offering a connected community where you can effortlessly balance work, fun, and relaxation. To learn more about LAYA by Shang Properties, visit https://layabyshang.com, email hello@layabyshang.com, or book a visit at the LAYA Showsuite at Mid-level 2/3, East Wing, Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.

Flexible work set up in Cebu A RECENT survey by Mynimo. com found that while only five percent of Cebu-based employees currently prefer remote work options, the demand for flexibility is rising, mirroring a national trend. In Cebu, a city brimming with entrepreneurial spirit and techsavvy talent, KMC Solutions is providing the flexibility and focus of fully serviced office spaces. Acknowledging the burden of fixed leases and expensive buildouts, KMC is opting for the convenience and efficiency of fully serviced spaces like KMC Solutions’ HM Tower, Skyrise 4A and 4B

in Cebu IT Park, and Lexmark in Cebu Business Park. These spaces offer Cebu businesses the ability to scale effortlessly, optimize costs, and create employee-centric environments. “At KMC, we understand the importance of fostering creativity and collaboration,” said Gregory Kittelson, founder of KMC Solutions. “That is why our spaces are designed to inspire - think stylish furniture, breakout areas, and even nap pods! We want it to feel like a hotel for work, where teams can focus, connect, and thrive.”

THE Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) last week launched Green Solutions, offering financing options for eco-friendly Housing and Auto choices, and strengthening its commitment to sustainable finance. “BPI Green Solutions offer customized solutions for housing and auto Loans to make sustainable homes and e-vehicles more accessible and affordable to the market,” said Dexter Lloyd Cuajotor, head of BPI retail lending and bancassurance. He rolled out the financing options for Auto and Housing, including Solar Mortgage for those aspiring to power their homes with solar energy, Eco-Build Financing for those looking to build sustainable spaces, and EV Financing, making electric vehicles a more viable choice. Cuajotor pointed out that while the initial costs of acquiring solar panels and the higher unit prices of electric vehicles pose challenges, the program helps Filipinos gain better access to sustainable products and services through flexible payment options and discounts under BPI’s All Out Promo, which is available until March 31.

AGRICULTURE OFW cultivates lush gardens DA chief vows support through hydroponics for local dairy industry

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

agriculture.manilastandard@gmail.com PATRICIA TACULAO-DELIGERO, Editor

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

ARMING can go beyond the premises of growing food for income. To some, it connects them to their roots and jumpstarts their journey toward self-sufficiency. It’s why RJ Z. Seradoy, 44, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Qatar, enjoys farming.

Kangkong plants thriving in Seradoy’s hydroponics garden

The NFT system is ideal for growing leafy vegetables like bokchoy

chili, and eggplant. I chose these varieties based on their adaptability to hydroponic systems and nutritional value,” the OFW said. of the most common systems, the Nutrient Film He began his farming journey in 2020 amid the Another advantage of growing produce Technique (NFT). In this system, the nutrient pandemic. He realized the relevance of having through hydroponics is securing an solution is pumped into channels that can hold a reliable food source and being self-sustaining abundant harvest. Although Seradoy has yet several plants. These channels are slightly sloped during uncertain times. Eventually, he turned the to weigh how much he harvests annually, he to allow the nutrient solution to flow through the free space in their villa into a vegetable garden. always shares the fruits of his labor with his channel, over the exposed plant roots, and back Since Qatar has a desert climate, Seradoy had to friends and churchmates. into the system’s reservoir. find the ideal farming method that could allow “The most enjoyable aspect of farming NFT systems work best for plants with a him to grow fruits and vegetables in tight spaces overseas is that it helps alleviate stress small root system, like leafy greens. Seradoy and at any time of the year. and provides a sense of reward and utilized this setup to grow leafy greens and other “I chose hydroponics farming because we have excitement, especially during the harvest. produce. space on our villa’s rooftop, and soil is scarce The satisfaction of seeing the fruits of your “I usually grow kangkong during summer; and expensive in Qatar. Hydroponics allows me labor is truly gratifying,” Seradoy said. pechay, bokchoy, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, to grow vegetables efficiently in a small space, While some may find it difficult, Seradoy even indoors, and ensures encourages others to pesticide-free produce,” he told start small and gradually Manila Standard Agriculture. expand their operations Besides being suitable for as they learn how to small spaces and being soilless, grow plants using hydroponics can also help hydroponics. Once they preserve water and create a gain enough knowledge, curated growing environment he believes they can for plants so farmers or growers scale their operations can grow specific varieties yearand try growing other round without having to worry varieties to diversify about the weather or pests. their production. Moreover, hydroponics He also shares his ensures that the plants receive progress through his the nutrients directly in their Facebook page, The roots, which helps cut costs Ambitious OFW Farmer, usually intended for pesticides to encourage others to and fertilizers. start growing their own Several types of hydroponics food and unlock the systems cater to diverse JR Seradoy (upper left) is a Qatar-based OFW who enjoys growing food on his available freedom that comes with preferences. Seradoy uses one space (Photo from JR Seradoy/The Ambitious OFW Farmer) being self-sustaining.

The distributed fingerlings are projected to produce 4.8 metric tons of tilapia

Recipients of the tilapia fingerlings from DA-BFAR 6

DA-BFAR 6 boosts upland aquaculture with tilapia fingerling distribution SUSTAINING the thriving inland aquaculture of upland barangays, the Department of Agriculture Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources 6 (DA-BFAR 6), through its Provincial Fisheries Office (PFO) – Negros Occidental, turned over 46,000 tilapia fingerlings to the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) of Himamaylan City in the province of Negros Occidental on Jan. 31, 2024. The fingerlings were distributed to 15 fishpond operators in the barangays of Carabalan,

Cabanbanan, and Nabalian, supporting the operation of their respective fish farms. CFARMC Chairman and the current Provincial Fisherfolk Representative of Negros Occidental, Jovito G. Gatilogo, received the fingerlings at the PFO Negros Occidental Office in Brgy 39, Bacolod City. By adhering to good aquaculture practices and proper feeding, the distributed fingerlings are projected to produce 4.8 metric tons of tilapia and generate an accumulated income of P700,000.00

after four months of culture. In the previous year, Himamaylan CFARMC assisted in providing a total of 12,000 tilapia fingerlings to four fish growers. Their production report indicates a harvest of 1.4 metric tons, resulting in a total gross income of P146,900.00. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of DA-BFAR 6, aiming to boost inland aquaculture production by strengthening its established hatcheries to provide technical assistance and agricultural inputs, including tilapia fingerlings.

The DA believes supporting the NDA and local dairy farmers can help boost production and solve malnutrition

NATIONAL Dairy Authority (NDA) officials recently met with Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. to discuss strategies and proposals to increase milk production in the country. The NDA provided the DA chief with an overview of the country’s current dairy situation, including a status report on project implementation, number of animals distributed in 2023, and growth figures, among other information. NDA Administrator Gabriel L. Lagamayo said NDA aims to boost the country’s milk output to 80 million liters by 2028, a small portion of the projected demand of 2.143 million metric tons by that time. Increasing milk output 2.5 times over the next five years, he said, requires a dramatic increase in the number of animals in the milking line, enhancing dairy productivity, expanding distribution networks, constructing additional dairy-related infrastructures, and promoting the consumption of local milk and dairy products. Tiu Laurel welcomed NDA’s suggestions and expressed full support for the dairy agency’s plans. He cited the positive impact of developments in the dairy industry, describing it as “a lowhanging fruit” in the government’s goal of boosting agriculture’s contribution to the broader economy and in improving the lives of millions who depend on the sector. “If we increase the number of cattle in the milking-line, then we can increase production. Immediate effects will be felt. Developments in this sector will not only benefit our farmers but also help address malnutrition in the provinces,” the agriculture chief said. Lagamayo stressed the crucial role of the DA Secretary’s support in advancing the industry. “We appreciate Secretary Tiu Laurel’s suggestions and sound insights. Given his extensive experience in industry development, we believe he can successfully apply similar concepts to enhance our local dairy sector,” he added. Pending the release of the national data for milk production from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), NDA records show that cattle production in 2023 reached 17,850 metric tons, accounting for approximately 0.8 percent of total milk consumption of 1.937 million metric tons. This consumption figure represents an increase of 1,372 metric tons compared to the previous year (2022). The NDA projects a further rise in demand for milk consumption to reach 1.978 million metric tons this year. “Based on these figures, we should advocate for greater investment in dairy cows which are the primary milk producers”, said Lagamayo. On the other hand, the herd experienced a 45 percent growth to 75,798 in 2023 from 52,188 in 2018.

Isabela seed growers ensure enough certified seeds Certified seeds from the RCEF has a higher yield than other variants

SEED growers in Burgos, Isabela, have been supplying enough certified seeds to the municipality through the assistance of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) Seed Program. Fenora G. Martinez, Burgos OIC-municipal agriculturist, said that unlike before, the town no longer worries about farmers’ access to certified inbred seeds, which studies show can increase yield by 10 percent or more.

Certified seeds are relatively pure, have fewer weed seeds, free from visible seed-borne diseases, full and uniform in size, and have at least 85 percent germination rate. In Burgos, all of the rice farmers plant inbred rice during the wet season, while 90 percent during the dry season. The 32 seed growers who cultivate 904ha also supply the neighboring towns. Gallardo C. Reglos, one of

the seed growers, shares that he plants NSIC Rc 222, Rc 436, Rc 508, and Rc 512 in his 15ha as these are high-yielding and farmers’ preferred varieties. “I’m grateful for the RCEF Program as I’m able to harvest five to six hectares through the program’s knowledge and support,” he said. As program partners, RCEF guarantees that their seeds pass the standards of the National Seed Quality Control Services.

TECH

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2024

rumallari@thestandard.com.ph rieramallari@yahoo.com RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

AFER Internet Day 2024 comes amid data fears about limited access imposed on various popular apps, causing users to circumvent the new rules by downloading replacements.

In an era where vast amounts of data is constantly being collected and analyzed, the risks of data breaches, identity theft, and invasions of privacy are more pronounced than ever. On February 6 – the day recognized annually as a vital reminder of the importance of safeguarding personal information in our digitized world – Kaspersky’s experts are emphasizing the critical need for users to be proactive about their data security. In 2023, debates were sparked in several countries regarding the restriction of certain popular apps in Brazil, Ireland and Japan. In the USA deliberations on restricting access to TikTok resulted in limitations of the Chinese app on government-issued devices in more than half of the states. But customers are not always willing to give up their favorite apps when it comes to popular services. Facing prohibitions, users resorted to alternative means of accessing content, such as installing replacement apps or bootlegged copies. The imitation downloads used by those trying to evade the restrictions are often poorly developed, with nebulous privacy policies or they violate users’ rights altogether. Additionally, many of these applications tend to disappear after a

Your data, your rights: Proactive steps for personal data protection

The risks of data breaches, identity theft, and invasions of privacy are more pronounced than ever.

while for various reasons such as insufficient numbers of users, which means sensitive data might end up in the hands of third parties. To avoid such unpleasant scenarios, Kaspersky experts are sharing several tips: 1. There is no need to rush when it comes to installing anything on your devices Discussions regarding any limitations on an app do not necessarily lead to its prohibition. Rushing to find an alternative may mean you

Globe At Home celebrates New Year, Valentine’s Day with exclusive connectivity offers GLOBE At Home is welcoming the Year of the Wood Dragon with exclusive connectivity and entertainment solutions that promise to bring 2024 to a whole new level. “Join us in celebrating Chinese New Year with exclusive Globe At Home promos crafted just for you. Revel in the festive spirit, enjoy special vouchers and unli streaming, and savor the flavors of the season. Let’s make this Chinese New Year unforgettable together,” said Abigail Cardino, Vice President and Head of Brand Management at Globe. Those on the lookout for reliable connectivity can now apply for fiber internet via globegfiber.com, and get free installation. They will also get to enjoy affordable, fast, and reliable connectivity in as quick as 24 hours. With GFiber 1799, customers will get connectivity at speeds of up to 200 Mbps via a WiFi 6 modem, plus 12 months of free subscription to Disney+ Mobile for screen enthusiasts, 12 months of free KonsultaMD subscription for easily accessible quality healthcare, and for gamers, there’s, PHP1,000

Razer Gold Credits. Meanwhile, customers applying for GFiber Prepaid via ht t ps://g f ib e r pre paid.globe.com.ph/ will enjoy these exclusive benefits: ● Free Viu Premium 3-Month Voucher, offering unlimited access to a vast library of Chinese drama-series until March 31, 2024 ● Complimentary BlastTV Subscription, ensuring UNLI entertainment without the need for voucher redemption. GFiber Prepaid users can simply connect to their modem, visit the BlastTV website, and enjoy unlimited streaming ● Unlimited fiber internet for an entire year via GFiberSURF UNLI 9999, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity at an affordable price. This Valentine’s Day, Globe At Home Prepaid WiFi customers are also in for a treat with exclusive online shopping offers from February 13 to 15. At the Globe Shopee official store, every purchase of Home Prepaid WiFi comes with a PHP50 discount. Customers can also get their Home Prepaid WiFi for only PHP159 per month over 12 months when opting for Shopee SPaylater.

are putting your information at risk, as these types of apps or pirated copies of services may not care enough about the safety of users’ personal data. Before installing anything unverified on any devices, it’s always worth to weigh out the pros and cons. Official app stores always remain the best and safest option. 2. It’s always a good idea to learn about your privacy rights A good place to start is to learn more about your country’s legislation governing customer rights

and the processing of personal data. For instance, in Great Britain it’s called The Data Protection Act, which can also be found as a summary for quick familiarization. Then, when reading the privacy policy of the app, it’s important to check if they are respecting users’ rights and whether they are collecting only the data that they are entitled to. Also make sure it’s possible to contact customer services and ask them to delete personal information.

3. Data oversharing is not a safe option It’s always better to minimize the amount of data an app collects about you as there’s a risk of inadvertent disclosure or misuse of personal data due to insufficient data security measures. Moreover, once personal data is shared, it’s often difficult to control its distribution and use, potentially leading to longterm privacy issues. To prevent such issues, consider limiting the access to the photo feed, contacts, and location to the apps that can function without it. This also applies to the microphone: limited access will ensure applications don’t collect personal data while overhearing what you say. 4. Modern security solutions can keep personal data safe online Modern security solutions can block apps from accessing personal information, alert users if their phone numbers and other data have been leaked and warn them if a malicious file has been downloaded. There are also services that help to improve the security of personal data by following simple instructions. “Restricting popular apps has become a more frequent practice than it used to be. Users looking for a replacement do not always get a quality app with a transparent privacy policy. Knowing users’ rights and paying attention to who and how the app collects data can help prevent personal information from falling into the wrong hands,” comments Anna Larkina, web content analysis expert.

Alibaba Cloud unveils serverless solution to harness Gen-AI capabilities for Enterprises SINGAPORE—Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, unveiled a serverless version of its Platform for AI (PAI)-Elastic Algorithm Service (EAS), designed to offer a cost-efficient solution for model deployment and inference to individuals and enterprises. It also announced the latest integration of its vector engine technology into more product offerings, including its data warehouse Hologres, search services Elasticsearch and OpenSearch, during its inaugural AI & Big Data Summit in Singapore. The integration is designed to make it easier for enterprises to access various large language models (LLMs) and build customized generative AI applications. The PAI-EAS platform allows users to tap into computing resources as needed, eliminating the need to oversee the management and upkeep of physical or virtual servers. Furthermore, users will be billed only for the computing resources they employ, resulting in a 50% reduction in inference costs when compared with the traditional pricing model. The serverless offering, which is currently undergoing beta testing, is accessible for image generation model deployment. In March 2024, the serverless version is scheduled to expand its capabilities to support the deployment of prominent opensource LLMs and models from Alibaba’s AI model community, ModelScope. This includes models tailored for tasks such as image segmentation, summary generation, and voice recognition. With LLMs serving, training services

Zhou Jingren, Chief Technology Officer, Alibaba Cloud

and the vector engine technology, Alibaba Cloud is able to support a RetrievalAugmented Generation (RAG) process, enabling enterprises to enhance LLMs with their knowledge bases for improved outcomes. This translates to improved accuracy, accelerated retrieval of relevant information, and more nuanced insights for enterprises, contributing to heightened efficiency and decision-making capabilities across a wide range of applications. “Alibaba Cloud continues to remain at the forefront of AI and cloud technology innovation. Our technology updates underscore our commitment to empowering enterprises with the latest Intelligencedriven solutions for heightened efficiency

and performance. This marks a significant stride in our mission to provide innovative solutions that redefine the possibilities of artificial intelligence in diverse applications,” Zhou Jingren, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Alibaba Cloud, commented during the summit. Make model training more easily Alibaba Cloud also announced an upgrade on its big data service, called MaxCompute MaxFrame, a distributed Python data processing framework, to tap into growing demand for data preprocessing and data offline/online analysis in AIrelated computing tasks. It allows users to process massive amounts of data more efficiently and flexibly with launching AI task such as LLM training. To foster enhanced creativity among designers, Alibaba Cloud has introduced PAI-Artlab, a comprehensive platform for model training and image generation. This solution empowers designers to quickly produce professional-grade designs and unlock greater creative potential. Designers can leverage the platform to generate design images for a variety of applications, including interior home design, product promotional posters, gaming character creation, and gaming scene development. The platform also provides a rich ecosystem of ready-to-use tools to enable designers with no coding background to develop and train custom models that generate images tailored to their specific requirements. Currently, the platform is operational within mainland China and is slated for operation in the Singapore region in the upcoming months.

Win trip to Boracay for 2 when you capture ‘Portraits of Love’ with new OPPO Reno11 Series 5G OPPO welcomed the month of February on a high note as it introduced the all-new OPPO Reno11 Series 5G, the latest addition to its renowned Reno Series, which will take mobile portrait photography to the next level. The two new Portrait Experts, the OPPO Reno11 5G and OPPO Reno11 Pro 5G, feature an enhanced Ultra-Clear Portrait Camera System with an industry-leading 32MP Telephoto Portrait Camera which empowers Filipinos to take portraits that capture the real essence of love and connection. The new devices also bring forth a new Natural Aesthetic Design, a redesigned and user-friendly ColorOS 14, and an all-around strong smartphone performance. The OPPO Reno11 5G and OPPO Reno11 Pro 5G are priced at Php 24,999 and Php 31,999, respectively are now available in all OPPO’s official Shopee, Lazada and TikTok Shop channels and authorized stores nationwide. It can also be availed through postpaid plans from Globe and Smart as well as installment via Home Credit and Credit Card in 6- or 12-month plans at 0% interest. Starting February 9, OPPO Reno11 Series 5G users are invited to join “Portraits of Love” and post heartwarming and authentic portrait shots of their loved ones, objects, pets, or advocacies and explain why they love them. Users are encouraged to participate by taking candid photos of their chosen subjects using the OPPO Reno11 Series 5G’s Portrait Mode and post it with the hashtags #OPPOReno11Series5G #ThePortraitExpert and #StandOutInLove. Whether it’s a stolen glance or anything raw and natural, everyone is invited to submit their photos until March 6. OPPO encourages participants to celebrate love and create lasting

Take a snapshot of your candid moments of love with the new OPPO Reno11 Series 5G.

memories by unleashing their creativity and showcasing the genuine emotion and beauty that the OPPO Reno11 Series 5G’s Portrait Mode can capture for a chance to win one of the two grand prizes which includes a 3 days/2 nights accommodation and roundtrip tickets for two to Boracay. Aside from being eligible to join the “Portraits of Love” contest, all OPPO Reno11 Series 5G users can also avail exciting promos and freebies. Get your OPPO Reno11 Series 5G Now!

OPPO Reno11 Series 5G users who will register their devices in the My OPPO app can redeem these wonderful perks until stocks last: ● 4,500 Mabuhay Miles from Philippine Airlines ● 100 PICKUP Points from PICKUP COFFEE ● Billow Minis from BASH ● P200 voucher from Bistro Group ● P100 gift code from Zalora ● P100 gift code from Sodexo ● Exclusive to new My OPPO users - P200 gift code from Zalora ● Exclusive to old My OPPO users - P500 gift card from Sodexo Celebrate the Valentine’s Season Exciting collaborations and and #StandOutInLove with the benefits await as OPPO joins forces new OPPO Reno11 Series 5G. with stand out industry experts: DJI, MAC Cosmetics, and Mabuhay miles to bring OPPO Reno11 users extraordinary technology, beauty, and travel experiences. Stay tuned to OPPO’s social media pages for the grand collaboration between OPPO and these industry experts, and get a chance to win amazing prizes.