Manila Standard - 2024 May 7 - Tuesday

DEPED ORDERED TO HASTEN RETURN TO OLD SCHOOL CALENDAR BY 2025

By Charles Dantes and Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Marcos ordered the Department of Education to craft a concrete plan for the proposed shift to the old June-to-March school calendar by next year.

“I asked that from DepEd and I asked Inday Sara to give me a concrete plan already because it seems like we don’t need to wait anymore. And it looks like

it’s needed already and I don’t see any objections really from anyone,” Mr. Marcos said in an interview in Pasay City yesterday. “Hopefully by next year (2025). Yes. By next year it’s done,” he added. The President highlighted the need to revert to the old academic calendar following the continued disruption of face-to-face classes due to the impact of El Niño and the sweltering heat.

House, DA eye P30 rice price

By Charles Dantes

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos on Monday said he had no intention of ordering the placing of water cannons on Philippine-owned vessels in the West

Philippine Sea (WPS).

In a media interview, President Marcos stressed the Philippines will not follow the footsteps of the Chinese Coast Guard and Chinese vessels in escalating the tension in the maritime region.

“No. We are just defending our rights and sovereignty in the WPS. We have no plans to attack anyone with water cannons or any other offensive weapons because they can cause damage. So, that’s not part of the plan,”

the President explained.

“The last thing we want is to escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea. That’s the last thing. And that would do that, so we won’t do it,” he added.

Oil firms roll back prices anew

By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE government is eyeing to bring down rice prices to below P30 per kilogram starting July as President Marcos said he will certify as urgent proposed amendments to the rice tariffication law to address soaring prices of the staple grain.

“Yes, I think it justifies the urgent certification,” Mr. Marcos said in a media interview in Pasay City. “The problem is that rice prices are increasing because traders are competing. They are bidding higher prices for [rice], and we have no control over that,” he added.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority released last week showed at the national level, a kilogram of regular milled rice had an average retail price of P51.41 during the second phase of April (15 to 17 April 2024). This was higher than its average retail price in the first phase of April (01 to 05 April 2024) at P51.38 per kilogram and from the second phase of March (15 to 17 March 2024) at P51.21 per kilogram.

The rice tariffication law, which is set to expire next year, has to be renewed. It also created the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund with an annual appropriation of P10 billion. Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday said the House of Representatives and the Department of

estimate of P0.20 to P0.45

Lapid gunman gets 16-year jail term

By Rey E. Requejo

A LAS Piñas Regional Trial Court (RTC) has sentenced the self-confessed gunman in the October 2022 killing of broadcaster Percival “Percy Lapid” Mabasa to as long as 16 years in prison. Roy Mabasa, the younger brother of the slain broadcaster, revealed that

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) yesterday placed the Luzon grid on

By Maricel V. Cruz

the Institute for Climate and

Cities (ICSC) in a report said Luzon’s

January and March 2024, and 9 since April 2024, while one other is running on derated capacity, for a total of 1406.8MW unavailable to the grid,” the NGCP said. A yellow alert is issued when the operating margin is insufficient to meet the transmission grid’s contingency requirement. Meanwhile, energy think

MEETING OF THE MINDS. Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, accompanied by other House leaders, met with officials of the Department of Agriculture led by Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. yesterday afternoon to discuss joint efforts aimed at bringing down the price of rice and

Artillery Regiment (AAR), and two (2) Philippine Marine Corps 105mm howitzers.(PAOAFP)

Agriculture are working together to reduce the price of rice to below P30 per kilo in certain parts of the country by the second semester.

“We are confident that it is possible to offer rice below P30 per kilo as early as July this year. The DA is currently identifying the areas where affordable, well-milled rice will be made available to the public,” Romualdez said.

“Although we cannot yet achieve this throughout the entire country, we can start in selected areas identified by the DA. We hope that this initiative will soon reach all parts of the country, especially after the amendment of the Rice Tariffication Law,” he added.

President Marcos said amending the rice tariffication law could enable the government to influence or regulate

rice prices, especially in the procurement of palay (unhusked rice) and the distribution of rice to the public.

Romualdez earlier estimated that rice prices could potentially decrease by P10 to P15, nearing the P30 per kilogram mark, with the amendment of the law which permits the unrestricted importation of rice into the country.

The measure, however, restricts the NFA from both purchasing and selling rice, limiting the agency’s role in the management of buffer rice stocks.

“The certification of this bill as urgent by President Marcos is a critical step forward in our concerted efforts to improve the livelihood of our local farmers and ensure food security for all Filipinos. This amendment will allow us to address the challenges and limitations of the current law, ensuring that it serves the best interest of the agricultural sector and the consumers,” Romualdez said.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said pending the amended rice tariffication law, the NFA may be authorized to sell affordable rice through KADIWA centers, which can be established nationwide with the support of local government units.

“Starting in July, some of these KADIWA centers will be operational in specific regions and will offer affordable, well-milled rice five days a week. The operation of these centers will depend on the rice supply available to the NFA,” Tiu Laurel said.

“Gradually, we aim to increase the number of KADIWA centers across the country with assistance from local government officials. Many have volunteered to provide public spaces for these centers,” he added.

Senator Cynthia Villar, for her part, also called for the immediate passage of Anti Agricultural Economic Sabotage Law to control the middlemen and traders.

The measure, which has been certified as urgent by the President, states that there shall be severe sanctions on the nefarious acts of smuggling, hoarding, profiteering, and cartel of agricultural and fishery products as a measure against the manipulative scheme of economic saboteurs.

Villar earlier said she has not heard of any clamor to scrap the rice tariffication law, noting that only importers and middlemen are veering themselves away from the measure.

At the House, Deputy Speaker and Quezon District Rep. David Suarez underscored the urgent need to address the rising costs of goods, especially rice.

“We feel that one of the main challenges facing our countrymen is the constant increase in commodity prices, and amending the rice tariffication law is one sure step that we can do to have more competitive prices for Filipinos,” he said.

Las Piñas RTC Branch 254 Judge Cesar Huliganga found Joel Escorial guilty for his role in the killing.

“He was sentenced from eight years and eight months up to 16 years or reclusion temporal,” Roy said.

According to him, his family will not rest until all those involved in the killing are brought to justice.

“We just leave it to God, being the brother to the slain journalist. But we won’t quit until we uncover all the masterminds,” he said.

Roy said as part of the plea deal, Escorial will temporarily remain at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame since he will still serve as prosecution witness against Christopher Bacoto, another suspect in the case.

“He will stay in the custody of the PNP Custodial Center until the trial of Christopher Bacoto, another alleged accomplice, concludes. Bacoto is implicated in the crime as well,” the younger Mabasa added.

“It’s really important now. So, yes. That’s part of the plan that we are trying to do to bring it back already to the old schedule. I think it will be better for the kids,” Mr. Marcos said.

DepEd earlier said it submitted a more “aggressive” option for the shift in the academic calendar.

“In response to the recent clamor for a more immediate reversion to the April-May school break, the department has already submitted a letter to the Office of the President presenting other options including a more aggressive alternative of ending SY 2024-2025 in March 2025,” the department said.

DepEd Assistant Secretary Francis Bringas said the “most aggressive option” to revert to the old school calendar would be ending the school year 20242025 on March 31, 2025, which would only accumulate around 165 school days.

For his part, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, chairperson of the Senate Basic Education committee, thanked Mr. Marcos for calling for an expedited return to the old school calendar by next year.

“We also have to keep in mind that the extreme heat poses a threat to the health, safety, and well-being of our learners and teachers. The heat is indeed unbearable at this time,” he said.

Thousands of schools have been suspending in-person as parts of the tropical country endured dangerously high temperatures.

The months of March, April and May are typically the hottest and driest in the Philippines, but conditions this year have been exacerbated by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

Many schools have no air-conditioning, leaving students to swelter in crowded, poorly ventilated classrooms.

“Even my smartest student is not in the mood to answer questions because it’s very hot,” said Mayette Paulino, who teaches a grade two class of around 27 children near Manila.

She said “students feel tired and seem sleepy” as the heat intensified in the afternoon.

Bheapril Balbin, 37, whose two children attend a primary school near Manila, supported the decision for students to stay home during the hot weather.

ply situation has already deteriorated,” it said.

tightest period will be within the last two weeks of May (from May 13 to 26).

“Considering the duration of hydroelectric plants, sufficient reserve levels will largely depend on committed capacities being delivered on time and/ or preventing forced outages of power plants outside GOMP (Grid Operating Management Protocol)," the ICSC, in its Reviewing the Adequacy of Power Supply for April to June 2024 report, said.

“Restricting the high voltage direct current (HVDC) export to Visayas could contribute to maintaining the operating reserve levels in the Luzon grid,” ICSC said.

It said the Interruptible Load Program (ILP) could augment the power supply in the Luzon grid during yellow or red alerts.

“However, utilizing this option would indicate that the power sup -

ICSC said consumers can contribute to demand-side management through energy efficiency and conservation such as shifting the use of energy-intensive activities to non-peak hours, and upgrading to more efficient technologies at home and at work.

“The recurring issue of power supply deficiency highlights the vulnerability of the current grid system, that it is centralized and baseload-centric,” ICSC said.

“Thus, there is an urgent need for an energy transition towards flexible and distributed energy sources that would enable a greater integration of renewable energy into the grid and ensure a resilient and sustainable electricity supply for consumers,” it said.

ICSC said that while this transition will take time, it is crucial to prioritize flexibility and decentralization in system planning and policy-making to facilitate this necessary transition.

day, days after their governments objected to China’s “dangerous” actions in regional waters.

President Marcos vowed the administration would continue to file protests against China’s aggressive behavior in the WPS.

for gasoline,P0.50 to P0.70 per liter for diesel and P0.60 to P0.70 per liter for kerosene.

DOE director Rodela Romero said last week that several factors contributed to the downward pressures on the global oil market.

These include expectations of an Israel - Gaza ceasefire; uncertainties about the US interest rate reduction and the rising oil stocks/inventory of the US. On April 30, the oil companies implemented a per liter decrease in gasoline by P0.25, diesel by P0.45 and P0.90 for kerosene.

“Whenever something happens, they use water cannons on our ships, we send a demarche, we send a letter to China and other stakeholders,’ the President said.

On April 30, the Philippine Coast Guard reported CCG’s use of water cannons and aggressive maneuvers against the country’s vessels conducting patrol in the region.

China, however, defended its actions, citing they are just protecting their “territory” from intruders as Beijing continues to assert ownership of the majority of the South China Sea.

Meanwhile, US and Filipino troops fired missiles and artillery at an imaginary “invasion” force during war games on the Philippines’ northern coast Mon-

Thousands of troops are conducting land, sea, and air maneuvers against a backdrop of increased confrontations between Chinese and Filipino vessels around shoals in the South China Sea claimed by Manila, as well as steppedup Chinese air and naval activity around nearby self-ruled Taiwan.

US troops massed at a strip of sand dunes at the northwest coast of Luzon, around 400 kilometers south of Taiwan, and fired more than 50 live 155mm howitzer rounds at floating targets five kilometers off the coast.

Filipino troops, on the other hand, fired rockets aimed at wearing down the attackers, before the two forces finished the job with machine guns, Javelin missiles, and more artillery rounds.

Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm, commander of the US First Marine Expeditionary Force, said the exercise was “to prepare for the worst” by “securing key maritime terrain.”

at a news conference.

The congressman from Ako Bicol partylist also revealed in the chamber’s weekly briefing that the Espares panel has decided during their “initial consideration” meeting held last May 2 that a “committee hearing” will be scheduled and held “after the lapse of 10 days.”

Already, Bongalon, a neophyte lawmaker, said the office of Davao del Norte first district congressman (Alvarez) has received the order via registered mail, as well as e-mail, which was coursed through his chief of staff.

“During our initial consideration, we found that the Uy complaint was sufficient both in form and in content as well,” the lawyer-legislator explained further, adding the suit also included Alvarez’s “habitual absences in Congress” which was incorporated to his “seditious” remarks against Marcos.

“It’s designed to repel an invasion,” Cederholm told reporters at the exercise site.

“Our northwestern side is more exposed,” Major General Marvin Licudine, exercise director for the Filipinos, told reporters ahead of the live firing at the La Paz sand dunes near Laoag City.

“Because of the regional problems that we have...we have to already practice and orient ourselves in our own land in these parts,” he added.

Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

It deploys hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarize the waters.

Just last week, Manila said the China Coast Guard damaged a Philippine Coast Guard ship and another government vessel in water cannon attacks around the disputed China-controlled Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on April 30.

More than 16,700 Filipino and American troops are taking part in

Escorial surfaced in October 2022, confessing he had shot Lapid dead together with his cohorts, brothers Israel and Edmon Dimaculangan, and one alias Orly. They were indicted before the Las Pinas RTC as “principals by direct participation” in the killing of Lapid while former Bureau of Corrections chief Gerald Bantag and his deputy, Ricardo Zulueta, were charged as “principals by inducement.”

Bantag remained at large, with a P2-million reward on his head, while Zulueta died in March. The PNP said he succumbed to cerebrovascular disease intracranial hemorrhage.”

Several prisoners in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa were also accused as “principals by indispensable cooperation” in the killing of Lapid.

Escorial said Bilibid inmate Cristito Palana Villamor alias Jun Villamor acted as the middleman and contacted him to do the hit on Lapid. Villamor was later killed inside the national penitentiary in what Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said was meant to prevent him from spilling the beans on the mastermind behind Lapid’s murder.

“His (Alvarez’s) remarks were dangerous, libelous and seditious, both in appearances and statements,” Bongalon said of the close buddy of former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who served as his Speaker during the first two years of his reign, or until July 2018, when Alvarez was ousted.

Bongalon said Alvarez is currently facing three violations before the House ethics panel – Code of Conduct of the House of Representatives, disorderly behavior, and several laws, which included libel, in the Revised Penal Code.

Last week, Bongalon told journalists the House ethics probe on Alvarez for disorderly conduct is devoid of politics.

“I just want to clarify that this complaint started because a case was filed against him. So, the committee on ethics has to act on the complaint filed,” he said.

He said it just so happened that the subject of the complaint is a member of the House, so the committee “has to act on it.”

the annual military drills — dubbed Balikatan, or “shoulder to shoulder” in Tagalog — in multiple locations across the Asian archipelago. Maritime confrontations between China and the Philippines have raised fears of a wider conflict that could involve the United States and other allies.

Monday’s exercise came days after the defense ministers of the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia met in Hawaii and issued a joint statement on their strong objections to the “dangerous and destabilizing conduct” of China in the South China Sea.

The ministers “discussed opportunities to further advance defense cooperation” and to “work together to support states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea.”

Last week, US forces taking part in the Balikatan exercises fired HIMARS precision rockets into the South China Sea from the western island of Palawan, the nearest major Philippine landmass to the hotly disputed Spratly Islands.

REVENUE EARNERS. President Marcos Jr. joins officials of Government-owned and -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs) in yesterday’s celebration of the 2024 GOCCs Day. The Department of Finance has raised the remittance of selected GOCCs to 75% from the minimum of 50% to fund the government’s priority programs and infrastructure.

A TRIBUTE TO THE EU. The Rizal Monument is lit in blue and yellow in celebration of the founding of the European Union (EU). European Union Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Luc Véron said the illumination of iconic spots in Rizal Park was also an opportunity to highlight the partnership and friendship between the EU and the Philippines.

Lakas joins forces with Marcos party

By Maricel V. Cruz

LAKAS-CMD, one of the largest political parties in the country today, is set to forge an alliance with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) this coming Wednesday for the 2025 midterm elections.

This was disclosed by Deputy Speaker and Quezon Province Rep. David Suarez, the spokesperson of Lakas, who added that the coalition is open to all parties as long as a party is willing to help in accomplishing the goals of the Marcos administration.

“As the spokesperson of LakasCMD, we will be forging our alliance with Partido Federal on Wednesday,” Suarez told reporters.

IN BRIEF

Retired cop can’t stay in Taguig house

The Court of Appeals (CA) has denied the appeal of a retired police officer seeking to overturn a ruling of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court that dismissed his and his family’s bid to stay in a compound in Taguig which the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) claims ownership. In a 13-page decision dated April 25, 2024, the CA’s Fifth Division junked the petition of retired Police Senior Master Sergeant Arnel Delos Santos and his wife, Josephine Delos Santos, assailing the Nov. 15, 2022 ruling of the Taguig RTC Branch 271 dismissing their bid to stay in the parcel of land located at the Old RDSU Compound, Lawton Avenue, Fort Bonifacio, Brgy. Western Bicutan, Taguig.

The NCRPO has asserted that the compound is government owned and that Delos Santos and his family were allowed to live there only until his retirement in 2019 as the logistic officer for the Philippine National Police (PNP). Rey E. Requejo

PCG rescues boat in Calatagan, Batangas

THE Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has assisted the Motorized Tugboat JCPCI Sofia after the vessel encountered engine trouble in the waters off Maricaban Island, in Calatagan, Batangas

The PCG said its response team was mobilized to respond to Pablito Solibaga-the vessel’s captain—who request for towing assistance.

Based on the investigation, the MTug JCPCI Sofia departed from a dry dock in Lucena, Quezon, going to Navotas. At around 6:15 am, while passing through Calatagan, the distressed motor tugboat ran aground, which damaged its rudder post and caused steering issues.

The Coast Guard response team confirmed all MTug JCPCI Sofia’s on board documents were complete and valid. Vince Lopez QC gov’t extends business hours

THE Quezon City government has extended its business hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. after implementing a modified work schedule to help ease traffic congestion in Metro Manila. According to Mayor Joy Belmonte, the city government is abiding by Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution 24-08, mandating local government units to adopt a 7 a.m. to 4 p.m work schedule. The modified working hours will help ease road congestion as government workers adjust their travel time. They are also expected to be on the road ahead of private sector employees during morning and afternoon rush hours. However, Belmonte ordered all departments, offices, and units to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of government services, programs, and projects between the transaction hours of 7 a.m to 5 p.m. Rio N. Araja

“And we look forward to establishing and building on this alliance because, number one, we share common values, we share a lot of commonalities when it comes to ideology, and, of course, we carry the Presidents banner, calling for unity, development and progress,” he added.

He stressed that other political parties are welcome to join the coalition as long as they also support the advoca-

cies and programs of President Marcos and his administration.

“You know forming an alliance is an easy task but carrying the burden and the responsibility of it has to be followed as well. So hindi ka puwede na alliance out of comfort. Dapat alliance ka because of progress at kung progress at development ang pag-uusapan natin dapat sumasang-ayon ka (So you can’t alliance out of comfort. You should be in an alliance because of progress and if we are talking about progress and development, you should agree),” Suarez said.

“Dapat nanduon ka sa posisyon ng Pangulo dahil iyon ang ka-alyansa mo. Saan ka naman nakakita ng kaalyansa mo na hindi kayo nagkakasundo at hindi kayo nagkaka-ugnay sa mga polisiya?” he asked. (You should be there in the position of the President

because that is your alliance. Where did you find your alliance that you don’t get along and you don’t coordinate on policies?)

Suarez said that there should also be a synergy of objectives among members of the parties in the coalition.

“I think this should be the basis of unity for all the other political parties that want to align with the PFP. It is also vital for us na makita din po natin itong (to see these) alliances not only on the national level, but also on the provincial and local levels as well,” he said.

“As we have seen when it comes to the implementations of programs and projects, we need to see alignment also when it comes to support and when it comes to proper implementation and execution. We do look forward to this alliance and I do hope that the other political parties will follow soon,” he added.

SCUBA COURSE. Members of the Coast Guard Special Operations Force (CGSOF) conducted a basic scuba diving course in line with the coast guard’s mission to support the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and Youth Development.

DICT warns of tra ic scam on social media

AUTHORITIES on Monday warned the public against the misinformation about the government’s Non-Contact Apprehension Program (NCAP) circulating on social media.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) alerted the public against the cyber attack, which claims that victims violated the NCAP and directs them to settle the alleged violation through a website link.

“The public should disregard the said text message, as NCAP enforcement has been suspended since 2022 per the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA),” the DICT stated in its advisory.

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order against the NCAP in August 2022 based on a consolidated case arising from separate petitions filed by four transport groups who said its implementation had been sloppy along with system glitches.

The MMDA also cautioned the public

MONDAY CEREMONY. Lawmakers and other o cials join the ag-raising ceremony at the House of Representatives to pay tribute to the resilience of Filipinos in the face of rising prices of goods and hot weather. Monday’s ag-raising ceremony was hosted by the Administrative Department and the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department.

after netizens informed the agency about the text messages circulating in the National Capital Region about the so-called No-Touch Arrest Penalty.

“There is no such policy implemented or notice sent by MMDA saying that you have to pay it through a website link,” the MMDA stated.

The link in the text message will direct the victim to a fake website that uses the name of the Land Transportation Office and claims that by entering the registration plate number, he or she will know the traffic violation committed and the amount of the penalty.

MMDA Chairman Don Artes said the MMDA in coordination with the LTO continues to work with law enforcement agencies to find out and catch those behind these scams on motorists.

“Do not click on a link with a suspicious text message to avoid giving out personal and sensitive information,” he said.

“If you receive a suspicious message

Agents seize P85m ‘ecstasy’ in Pasay City drug bust

By Joel E. Zurbano

BUREAU of Customs (BOC) agents assigned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and members of the NAIA - Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG) arrested four individuals who claimed a shipment of the party drug ‘ecstasy’ worth P85 million at the Central Mail Exchange Center (CMEC) in Pasay City on Monday. The shipment from The Netherlands consists of eight large packages that arrived on March 19 and were misdeclared as “dog food.” It was consigned to a resident of Cabanatuan City.

Authorities said ecstasy is a Class-A drug, which is an artificial stimulant, popular among clubbers. They added those who take the drug can have a rush of energy which makes them alert, excited and happy.

Those taking the drug can feel anxious or get panic attacks, and develop confused episodes, paranoia, or even psychosis.

The Bureau of Customs - Port of NAIA turned over the seized parcels to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for proper disposition and the filing of criminal charges against the owners for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in relation to the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

The series of drug smuggling prompted the Port of NAIA to intensify its campaign by subjecting more parcels to rigid document profilings, x-ray scanning, and physical examinations. Authorities said criminal syndicates still dared to smuggle prohibited drugs using the Philippine postal system.

Customs personnel have been apprehending illegal drug shipments in compliance with Commissioner Bien Rubio’s directive to secure the borders and the anti-drug campaign of President Marcos. Shabu, marijuana, and ecstasy are the top three narcotics distributed on the streets and these prohibited substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese, and Mexican drug syndicates, according to PDEA.

Advocates bat for improved nutrition program

HEALTH advocates across public and private sectors are pushing for improved implementation of the government’s Nutrition Care Process (NCP). The NCP is a standardized approach used by registered nutritionist-dietitians (RNDs) and healthcare professionals to thoroughly evaluate, diagnose, treat, and monitor patients.

or post on social media, you can call the MMDA Hotline 136 or send a message to the MMDA official accounts,” he added. The DICT, meanwhile, urged the people to undertake the following measures:

1. Ignore suspicious and malicious text messages.

2. Check the sender of the text message and verify the information received by referring to the official social media accounts and websites of the government.

3. Do not click the website links from suspicious text messages as this will prevent you from sending sensitive information.

4. Enable multi-factor authentication to provide an additional layer of security for your accounts.

To report cyber attacks and other online scams, the public is encouraged to call 1326, the Inter-Agency Response Center hotline being handled by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center, an attached agency of the DICT. Joel E. Zurbano

Health advocates recently gathered in a forum organized by international think tank Stratbase Institute and Universal Health Care (UHC) Watch at the Asian Institute of Management Conference Center on April 25. The forum, titled “Strengthening Nutrition Integration in the Health System: Evaluating the Nutrition Care Process in the Philippines,” gathered representatives from the Department of Health, the Board of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Professional Regulation Commission, as well as professionals from both public and private hospitals. Patients and advocates against malnutrition also participated in the event.

The experts underscored the pivotal role of nutritional care in expediting a patient’s recovery and discharge from hospitals, emphasizing the adage “food is medicine.”

“NCP has been shown to be an effective method for treating various medical conditions,” said Dr. Aguedo “Troy” Gepte IV, a nutrition consultant and author of a policy paper commissioned by the Stratbase Institute to assess the integration of NCP within the Philippine healthcare framework.

“There is a high level of awareness and positive attitudes toward the NCP and NCP terminology. However, actual implementation varies and is influenced by several factors, both individual and contextual,” Gepte said.

In 2019, the Department of Health issued Administrative Order No. 20190033, outlining the protocols for NCP. It mandates that upon admission, patients should undergo nutrition screening by registered nurses. Patients identified as requiring medical nutrition therapy are then referred by the physician to the RND for assessment.

IN BRIEF

intensified clearing operations every day on Mabuhay Lanes and other identified alternate routes to ensure seamless flow of traffic in these areas.

The southbound lane of the EDSAKamuning flyover was closed to vehicular traffic from May 1 to October 25 for much-needed retrofitting and rehabilitation. Joel E. Zurbano

POLICE have arrested a 42-year-old man for dishing out a bomb joke at Davao International Airport over the weekend. Investigation showed that the man was queued at an airline check-in counter prior to boarding his Singapore-bound flight when he joked about a bomb.

“Wala ni mabuak diri Ma’am, bomba lang, ay joke lang ma’am, sorry ma’am” (There are no fragile items inside Ma’am, only a bomb, joke only Ma’am, sorry Ma’am”), he said.

The customer service agent then checked the baggage of the man traveling with three others, but the passenger insisted it was just a joke.

“Subsequently, the concerning information prompted the customer service representative to alert airport security.

The Davao International Airport Police Station intervened and arrested the passenger for violating Presidential Decree 1727, also known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law,” the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said in a statement.

The passenger was brought to the Southern Philippines Medical Center for a medical examination and subsequently transferred to the Sasa Police Station for temporary detention.

Presidential Decree No. 1727 imposes a penalty of imprisonment for not more than five years, or a fine of not more than P40,000.00 for bomb jokes.

Joel E. Zurbano

SAMAL town in Bataan marked last April 29 its 383rd anniversary with a beauty pageant, fireworks display, and live bands.

Mayor Alexander Acuzar led the town folks in the festivities which also involved a night of music and dancing.

Monique Angelika Santos of Barangay West Calaguiman was crowned as Miss Samal, while Michelle Geresa of Barangay Sapa was first runner-up, followed by Nicey Kaixin Nanasca of Barangay San Roque as second runner-up.

Banda Katorse of Bulacan and Banda San Lorenzo Ruiz from Bacoor City played during the Serenata. Various local religious leaders gathered around to sing and dance as a gesture of unity during the Interfaith Night.

The Gabi Ng Saya on April 29 was bannered by popular band Parokya ni Edgar with other performers.

Samal Tourism chief by Mayora Arlene Forbes-Acuzar was credited for the activities. Butch Gunio

Reinforce PH cybersecurity—experts

By Manolo del Rio

CYBERSECURITY experts are urging the Marcos administration to strengthen the country’s defenses against cyberattacks amid escalating territorial tensions that have made a conflict involving the

Solon eyes strict implementation of EPR Law

CAMARINES Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte on Monday asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to strictly implement the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Law that requires manufacturers or producers, along with their distributors and retailers, to find ways of getting rid of their products in a more responsible and proper manner after these goods have been bought and used by the public.

At the same time, Villafuerte said the department must link up with international institutions in checking pervasive plastic pollution.

Villafuerte lauded the Marcos administration’s recent partnership with the World Economic Forum (WEF) on mobilizing communities behind the protection of the blue carbon ecosystem and the reduction of plastic pollution.

“The EPR Law will mean nothing in our country’s green quest for a circular economy unless the DENR implements it in a more stringent manner in order to increase compliance by big companies with its mandate for them to sign up and commit to the sustainable way of disposing of their wastes, especially of single-use plastics,” Villafuerte said.

Both agreements on environmental protection were signed by DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, on behalf of the Philippines, and WEF Center for Nature and Climate managing director Neo Gim Huay, for the Geneva-based organization, on the sidelines of last year’s 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

FISHERMEN’S PROTEST. The militant Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas stages a protest demonstration at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources headquarters in Quezon City citing the adverse impacts on their livelihood of the dredging and reclamation activites at the Manila Bay. The group asserts that the volume of their daily catch of fish has dramatically declined while their villages have been inundated by salt water as a result of the reclamation projects. Manny Palmero

Philippines less improbable

They said the recent hackings on the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) websites showed faults in government agencies’ readiness to repel sophisticated cyberattacks, and provided a glimpse of what can happen should a hostile nation orchestrate a digital assault.

In an interview, Lito Averia, president of the Philippine Computer Emergency Response Team (PHCERT), noted that these apparently successful data breach-

es indicated that the government’s cybersecurity capabilities leave much to be desired.

The government, he added, should double down on protecting the country’s critical information infrastructure (CII), encompassing power generation and transmission facilities, water distribution facilities, telecommunications networks, cable landing stations, air and sea ports, the financial system, and healthcare system, among others.

Averia said his group is presently

advising several senators and congressmen on crafting of the Senate and House versions of the Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Act, a bill that is expected to allocate more manpower and financial resources on protecting government data. Averia admitted however, that the envisioned CII protection law may come too late because legislation moves at a snail’s pace, and so a “quick fix” is necessary as a stop-gap measure amid looming cyber threats from advanced adversaries.

Presence of China vessels at PH eastern seaboard hit

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSE deputy majority leader Erwin Tulfo on Monday assailed the unauthorized presence of Chinese vessels, this time on the eastern seaboard of the Philippines, not in the West Philippine Sea.

This developed as Tulfo and his colleague from the ACT-CIS partylist Rep. Edvic Yap; Benguet Rep. Eric Yap ,and Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Ralph Wendel Tulfo, filed a resolution “urging the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to station appropriate personnel and conduct enhanced routine patrols and maritime surveillance in the eastern seaboard of the Philippines.”

“It seems that the ships of China can freely move around in our territory. You would think that it is here on the eastern side of the our country is now China’s target like Benham Rise and Catanduanes area,” Tulfo said in his privilege speech on Monday.

“Ito po ay hudyat na naghahanda na rin silang sakupin ang silangang bahagi ng Pilipinas tulad ng pananakop nila ng buong West Philippine Sea. We have to act now to prevent another Chinese aggression on our territory (This is a sign that they are also preparing to occupy the eastern part of Philippines as they conquered the entire West Philippine Sea. We have to act now to prevent another Chinese aggression on our territory), ” Tulfo added.

Graft raps filed vs. Bulacan governor, other officials

By Rio N. Araja

BULACAN Gov. Daniel Fernando and other provincial officers are facing graft and corruption charges before the Office of the Ombudsman in the implementation of a massive flood control project as a long-term solution to the province’s decadesold problem of inundation.

A self- confessed whistleblower from the provincial government, Francisco Balagtas, on Mon. Alexander Castro and several others “in conspiracy with TCSC Corp. owners and corporate officers Dionesio

Toreja and Bernie Pacheco.”

“It has come to my attention through thorough scrutiny and documentation that Governor Fernando in concert with individuals purportedly affiliated with TCSC Corp. has orchestrated a series of actions that appear to contravene numerous legal statutes and regulations. These actions have cast a shadow over the integrity and transparency of the public procurement processes associated with the aforementioned project,” the three-page sworn complaint-affidavit read. The complaint alleged that the respondents could have violated Re-

public Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for granting “warranted benefits or advantages to TCSC without adhering to the requisite fair and competitive selection processes and procedures mandated by law.” He claimed there was no publication to invite participants to the project bidding process. “There was a compelling evidence indicating possible violation of Department of Public Works and Highways Administrative Order No. 139, Joint Memorandum Circular No. 1 of 2019, and Department of Environment and Natural Resources AO 2020-07,” he cited.

BOUNTY FROM THE SEA. A fisherman in Sumnanga, Batanes hangs for solar drying his catch of Dorado fish which are bountiful during March to May, to the delight of the Ivatan natives inhabiting the Batanes archipelago. Dave Leprozo

WEATHER MONITOR. A technician installs an automated weather station at the rooftop of a building in Makati City for a more accessible monitoring of the weather conditions.

OPINION

Return to old academic calendar year

FOLLOWING the clamor of people, especially from parents of students of public schools due to the searing heat wave that caused the suspension of face-toface classes nationwide, the Department of Education has submitted to the President a letter proposing among other options to return to the old academic calendar year of June to March for the coming school year 2024-2025.

I can understand the concern of the DepEd in the wake of the continuous suspension of classes in so many LGUs (Local Government Units) because faceto-face classes became impossible due to the unbearable heat and students had to continue with the old online classes.

The new calendar year would avoid the summer months of April and May, the hottest time of the year.

On this occasion, I am proud to greet the Ad Standards Council on its Golden Anniversary

Even now, PAGASA predicts the climate will be much hotter this month of May.

I can believe that forecast because I know that it is always much hotter come May. Even now being an elderly, I cannot bear the heat outside of my house.

The concern of the DepEd is the law that prescribes the number of learning days in schools. With the suspended days in public schools, it would be next to impossible to come up with the required number of learning days in compliance with the law with all the forecasts of the heat reaching to as high as 54 degrees Celsius.

I am certain there will be no objection to the return to the old calendar academic year of June to March.

The only objection as far as I know is that parents of students in public schools claim it is in the harvest time months of the old calendar academic year that they need the manual help from their children still in school.

The DepEd did not reveal what other options were given to the President.

As far as I am concerned, the option to return to the old calendar academic year is the best option so far following the forthcoming hotter days ahead.

If you think the heat is unbearable now, I hate to imagine how it will be this May.

Review of minimum wage

On Labor day last week, while there was an order from President Marcos Jr.

on wage hikes, so long sought by the labor sector, BBM has directed the regional boards nationwide to review the pay rates in their respective areas.

The President also urged Congress to pass a number of measures which did not include bills on increased wages.

The directive of the President is certainly good news for the labor sector since it is regional wage boards that know how much regional workers need instead of relying on Congress to enact legislative wages.

Following inflation with food prices going sky high it is the labor sector, especially the poor, who are hurt the most.

As I said, if there may not have been legislative measures urging an increase of the minimum wage, the labor sector would certainly welcome this directive of the President.

Those receiving wages nationwide have been crying for some help from the administration. The President’s directive is the answer to their plea, my gulay!

Golden anniversary Today, May 7, 2024, the Ad Standards Council will mark its Golden Anniversary, 50 years in the forefront of keeping advertising within the Code of Standards for the benefit of the public.

I have been invited as one of the honorees of the ASC’s Golden Jubilee for my contribution to the industry in working with the Broadcast Code to uplift the standards and ethics of the broadcast sector as a member of the Media Advisory Council and the first President of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

My contribution is being recognized as being valuable in pioneering self-regulation in marketing communications in the Philippines.

I am honored and truly proud of being one of the honorees since at my age of almost 97 years, any honor given to me is precious.

I can only recall that when Martial Law was proclaimed, I was appointed as one of the three members of the Media Advisory Council to oversee media.

As an MAC member in charge of broadcast and foreign news, I had an idea of how to get media out of the ambit of Martial Law. Santa Banana, I thought of a self-regulating body of broadcasters.

I then formed and organized the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas .

Being a founder of the KBP, I was its first President.

Our first order of business was a Code of Standards in Advertising, which was then taken up by the advertising industry. That gave birth to the Ad Standards Council.

On this occasion, I am proud to greet the Ad Standards Council on its Golden Anniversary.

Festivals: Mirror of cultural identity

FESTIVALS – abundant in this multilingual and multi-cultural nation of 114 million – often reflect a community’s cultural identity, showcasing its history, traditions, and heritage. They may involve traditional music, dance, clothing, and rituals that have been passed down through generations.

Observers note festivals provide socio-cultural benefits to communities by fostering community cohesion, social exchange, and a sense of pride since they offer opportunities for socialization, interaction, and sharing ideas, which contribute to the social fabric of society.

Are we referring to town fiestas which are plenty during summer? Or are these different from the annual town fiestas when municipalities across the archipelago celebrate perhaps good harvest and pay tribute to their respective patron saints?

It is during this time when the locals get to celebrate their culture and traditions passed on to the next generation. Fiestas reflect Filipino religion and faith, which are the most essential part of society.

Cultural festivals, which serve as a way to celebrate and honor traditions, values and beliefs, are events that celebrate the diversity and traditions of a community or ethnic group.

These festivals often include music, dance, art exhibitions, religious ceremonies and activities that reflect the cultural identity of the region.

Cultural festivals celebrate a commu-

nity’s unique cultural identity. They often reflect the history, beliefs, and practices of a particular group, allowing individuals to connect with their roots.

Usually held annually or biannually, they are important for the celebration of culture and heritage.

Some of the elements of a cultural festival are the customs, myths, and oral traditions, cuisine, costumes, and music of the communities that participate.

Festivals provide a platform for the transmission of cultural values, rituals, and traditions from one generation to the next.

Many agree the festivals have positive effects like promoting the cultural heritage of the local people, promoting the city, increasing the number of tourists, creating additional cultural entertainment opportunities for the local people and increasing the quality of life of the local people.

These festivals are often a time of great celebration and help believers to remember important beliefs in their religion.

Verily, festival events in the Philippines hold great cultural and religious significance since they showcase the country’s heritage, foster a sense of community, and provide an opportunity for Filipinos to express gratitude and celebrate their traditions.

Festivals can enhance the social image and entertainment opportunities of a destination, attracting more tourists and improving the overall perception of the community . They also contribute to the economic

Addressing deforestation

DEFORESTATION, a nagging problem in many countries including the Philippines, has been for years a headache for many governments.

Imagine one football field of forest gone every second, if we must believe forest experts. That’s 5,350 square meters.

Since 2016, 28 million hectares of forest have been cut down every year on average, according to guardians of the world’s forests.

From 2001 to 2018, a forest area larger than India was lost worldwide (3,610,000 square kilometers). The loss is equivalent to a 9 percent reduction in global tree cover since 2000.

The main drivers for the loss of forests are production of timber and the clearing of land for cattle, soy, and palm oil production, and other globally traded commodities, according to Frances Seymour of the World Resources Institute.

Due to massive deforestation, about 50 to 100 species of animals are being lost each day. This leads to the extinction of animals and plants on a massive scale. The animals not only lose their habitat and protective cover, but they are also pushed to extinction.

We are glad the Philippine government has implemented various programs and policies to promote reforestation, sustainable forest management, and biodiversity conservation. One such program

—“—

The program successfully reduced deforestation rates in some areas and promoted sustainable forest management practices

is the National Greening Program, which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees across 1.5 million hectares of land by 2028. As in other Southeast Asian countries, deforestation in the Philippines is a major environmental issue. Over the course of the 20th century, the forest cover of the country dropped from 70 percent down to 20 percent. Over the decade since 2010, the net loss in forests globally was 4.7 million hectares per year. The Rome-headquartered UN Food and Agriculture Organization,

IN THE dimly lit Malcolm Theater of the University of the Philippines College of Law, amidst a gathering of esteemed guests, Andres took the stage, his presence commanding attention like a solitary figure emerging from the mist.

As he began to speak, his words hung heavy in the air, laden with the weight of impending change.

The atmosphere crackled with anticipation as Andres painted a picture of a transformative journey – one shrouded in uncertainty yet brimming with hope.

His voice, a beacon cutting through the darkness, spoke of a redefinition of the drug policy landscape in the Philippines, a vision of compassion and dignity guiding the way.

With each word, Andres wove a narrative of unity and purpose, invoking the recent eclipse as a metaphor for temporary setbacks, now giving way to a convergence of stars – a cosmic alignment heralding a new dawn of possibility.

Drawing from President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr.’s vision of a paradigm shift in drug-related issues, Andres spoke of community-based approaches rooted in humanity and human rights.

It was a path illuminated by the flickering flames of compassion, a path that promised hope, healing, and restoration for every individual affected by drug dependency.

But it was not just Andres standing alone in this journey.

He spoke of Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla, a figure whose

commitment to justice sector reforms echoed through the halls of power. Together, they stood poised to enact meaningful change – a change rooted in justice, equity, and respect for human rights. As Andres delved deeper into the complexities of the drug problem, his words took on a chilling resonance.

Andres spoke of the voiceless – the drug dependents, the victims – whose silent cries echoed through the corridors of power

He spoke of the voiceless – the drug dependents, the victims – whose silent cries echoed through the corridors of power. It was a call to action – a call to amplify their voices, to advocate policies that prioritized their well-being and dignity. But amidst the promise of change lay the shadow of uncertainty. Andres spoke of an ambitious summit agenda, fraught with second thoughts and hesitation. Yet, undaunted by the magnitude of the task at hand, he rallied the troops, urging them to seize the opportunity to

local economies and sustains the tourism industry. Festivals are celebrated around the world, bridging all the gaps.

Festivals bring people together, creating a sense of community and belonging.

One such festival in the country is the Tan-ok (eminence) of Ilocos Norte, first organized in 2011 by then Gov. Imee Marcos as part of the campaign to revive cultural pride and Ilocano identity by focusing on narrative-driven presentations produced by local creatives.

has estimated that 10 million hectares of forest were cut down each year.

Deforestation in the Philippines, among severely deforested nations, has several negative effects on the environment. It leads to water contamination as the lack of tree roots causes soil to wash off into water supply systems and deprives the soil of essential nutrients needed for new vegetation to grow.

Estimates place forest cover in the Philippines in the year 1900 at 21 million hectares, covering 70 percent of the total land area.

Between 2000 and 2005, the rate of forest change decreased by 20.2 percent to 1.98 percent per annum. In total, between 1990 and 2005, the Philippines lost 32.3 percent of its forest cover, or around 3,412,000 hectares, according to official figures..

Direct causes of deforestation are agricultural expansion, wood extraction (e.g., logging or wood harvest for domestic fuel or charcoal), and infrastructure expansion such as road building and urbanization. Rarely is there a single direct cause for deforestation.

We are happy the government has added to its National Greening Program laws and policies to protect its forests, like Forest Management Bureau’s Community-Based Forest Management Program, which aims to involve local communities in forest management and conservation efforts.

The program successfully reduced deforestation rates in some areas and promoted sustainable forest management practices.

development of a region by generating revenue from tourism-related activities. Festivals provide us with the time to spend with ourselves and the ones we truly love and care about, a period for deeper introspection, allowing us to know ourselves better and find peace within.

They can drive the growth of tourismdependent businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and souvenir shops. The revenue generated from festival-related tourism helps diversify

The festival was last staged in February 2019 before the pandemic swept the country but was re-launched in December 2020 to continue celebrating the province’s cultural heritage amid pandemic restrictions. It has since become a part of the program for Ilocos Norte’s foundation anniversary in February.

In the recent edition of Tan-ok Festival in Ilocos norte, the 23 towns and cities of the province came together to perform cultural presentations that highlighted the “distinct tradition,

shape the future of drug policy and law reform in the country. As the summit unfolded, Andres’s words lingered in the air like a haunting melody – a reminder of the stakes at hand. From sectoral dialogues to plenary sessions, from policy recommendations to partnership building, participants navigated a labyrinth of challenges, each step fraught with peril and promise.

But amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of hope – a flicker of light cutting through the shadows. Andres spoke of Mahatma Gandhi’s words, a guiding principle for those seeking the light in the darkness. It was a call to service, a reminder of the transformative power of collective effort in the face of adversity.

And as the summit drew to a close, Andres stood once more before the gathered crowd, his words a rallying cry for unity and purpose.

It was a call to action – a call to write a new chapter in the history of drug policy in the Philippines, a chapter defined by compassion and courage. In the end, as the curtain fell on the summit, Andres’s words lingered in the air – a whispered promise of change, echoing through the corridors of power and beyond.

For in the shadows of uncertainty, there lies the promise of a brighter future – a future shaped by the collective will of those who dare to dream of something better.

In that dream, there lies the hope of a nation reborn.

folklore, livelihood, and history of their (towns).

The contingent from Batac City emerged as the champion for a performance which celebrated the city’s Empanada Festival, and how this famous delicacy could “transcend borders” and “unite” people. Coming in 2nd place was the performance from Pinili, where warriors walked during the Philippine-American War and during the second world war, that showcased the Abel Festival which gave a glimpse into the “enchanting world of Magdalena Gamayo, a master weaver now 99 years old, and her timeless craft.” Gamayo is the first of two National Living Treasures from Ilocos Region, the second, also from Ilocos Norte, is Adelita Romualdo Bagcal, 77, a dallotera (chanter) since she was 15. The festival which returned in 2024 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic is the highlight of the 205th foundation anniversary of Ilocos Norte.

IN BRIEF

Russia strikes cut power for 500k Ukraine homes

RUSSIAN shelling of energy infrastructures led to power outages overnight in the Ukrainian regions of Sumy and Kharkiv that border Russia, Ukraine’s Energy Ministry said on Monday.

Moscow has intensified strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities in recent months, knocking out a significant chunk of production, and triggering blackouts and energy rationing across the country.

“At night, the enemy shelled the energy infrastructure in the Sumy region. More than 400,000 households in Sumy and other towns and villages of the region were cut off from electricity supply,” the ministry said.

Energy supplies had been “partially restored” in the morning, it added.

The Sumy region borders Russia and has been targeted throughout Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year, but is far from fighting hotspots that lie further south.

It has however faced an increase in strikes, as has the neighboring region of Kharkiv.

“Consumers in the Kharkiv region were also cut off,” the ministry said.

Kyiv says Moscow is escalating attacks from the air and on land ahead of nationwide celebrations on May 9, when Russia marks victory in World War II, and while Ukraine awaits the arrival of crucial weapons supplies from the United States. AFP

3 more suspects known in German MEP attack

THREE further suspects have been identified in relation to an attack in Germany on a European parliament lawmaker (MEP), authorities said on Monday, after a teenager turned himself in over the assault.

Matthias Ecke, 41, from Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), was set upon by four attackers as he put up European election posters in the eastern city of Dresden on Friday night, according to police.

He needed an operation for injuries sustained in the attack, which was denounced by Scholz as a threat to democracy. On Sunday, a 17-year-old turned himself in to police in Dresden and told them he was “the perpetrator who had knocked down the SPD politician,” according to officers.

Following further investigations, three other suspects were identified on Sunday, their homes were searched and evidence seized, according to a joint statement from the police and prosecutors in Dresden.

The suspects are German men aged 17 and 18, the statement said.

“The investigation is ongoing and will

Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel base

UCLA resumes in-person classes after Gaza protest

IN-PERSON classes will resume Monday at the University of California, Los Angeles, college officials said, after they were moved online following clashes on campus between pro-Palestinian protesters and police. Demonstrations against Israel’s

“The campus will return to regular operations (on Monday)... and plans to remain this way through the rest of the week,” read a statement posted Sunday on the university’s website.

“A law enforcement presence continues to be stationed around campus to

Sacramento Police Department, was named to lead the office.

More than 2,000 arrests have been made in the past two weeks across the United States, some during violent confrontations with police, giving rise to accusations of use of excessive force.

BEIRUT – The Iranbacked Hezbollah group said it fired “dozens of Katyusha rockets” at an Israeli base in the occupied Golan Heights on Monday in retaliation for a strike in Lebanon’s east

Earlier, Lebanese official media said three people had been wounded in an Israeli strike early Monday in the country’s east, with the Israeli army saying it had struck a Hezbollah “military compound.”

Hezbollah fighters launched “dozens of Katyusha rockets” targeting “the headquarters of the Golan Division... at Nafah base,” the group said in a statement, saying it was “in response to the enemy’s attack targeting the Bekaa region.” Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah have exchanged regular cross-border fire since Palestinian militant group Hamas’s unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel sparked war in the Gaza Strip.

In recent weeks Hamas-ally Hezbollah has stepped up its attacks on northern Israel, and the Israeli military has struck deeper into Lebanese territory.

“Enemy warplanes launched a strike at around 1:30 am this morning on a factory in Sifri, wounding three civilians and destroying the building,” Lebanon’s official National News Agency said. Sifri is located in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, near the city of Baalbek, around 80 kilometers from the IsraelLebanon frontier. AFP

Ukraine drones kill six, wound 35 in Belgrod

A UKRAINIAN drone attack hit vehicles carrying workers in Russia’s frontier Belgorod region, killing six people and injuring 35, the governor said Monday.

Belgorod has come under an increasing number of fatal Ukrainian drone and missile attacks in recent months and Monday’s bombardment is the deadliest in weeks.

“Unfortunately, as a result of an explosion, six people died at the scene

“We know many of our customers were affected

Qantas will also fork out $13 million in compen

AFTER THE ATTACK. A Palestinian man lifts a blood-soaked shoe from the debris of a container at an UNRWA school used to shelter displaced people, after it was hit in Israeli bombardment on Nusseirat in the central Gaza Strip on May 6, 2024, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. AFP

Visa partners with GCash for 2024 Paris Paralympics

VISA, a global leader in digital payments, in its continuous efforts to empower athletes and build a more inclusive world through sport, has been a partner of the Olympic Movement since 1986 and was the first global partner of the International Paralympic Committee in 2002.

For the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, Visa has facilitated GCash, the number one finance app in the Philippines, to offer their GCash Visa Card customers the opportunity to win a trip for 2 to France to watch the Paralympic Games live.

The campaign, running from 9 March to 31 May 2024, allows GCash Visa cardholders to enter into the raffle upon meeting the program’s requirements, where 3 winners will ultimately be announced on June 30, 2024 as the lucky cardholders who will be flown to Paris and get premium access to Paralympic Games events and branded merchandise, courtesy of Visa.

Martha Sazon, President and Chief Executive Officer of GCash, stated, “As a champion of inclusion, GCash is dedicated to empowering all Filipinos, especially those underserved like Persons with Disabilities (PWD). Every Filipino, regardless of their circumstances, can access GCash—paving the way for financial progress.” Martha continued, “Thanks to Visa, we are able to support the 2024 Paralympics Games in Paris as the only partner from the Asia Pacific region. We will be sponsoring 3 of our GCash Visa Card customers to fly to Paris and enjoy the games live. We are proud to advocate for the rights and recognition of persons with disabilities on a global platform.”.

Jeff Navarro, Country Manager for Visa Philippines, said, “We are proud to facilitate GCash in this exclusive campaign for their cardholders that spotlights how important it is for all stakeholders to work hand in hand to support financial inclusion for everyone, everywhere. By promoting dialogue, raising awareness of existing Visa services, developing new technologies for individuals with impairments such as voice-activated and Braille ATMs, extending issuance, and connecting with Visa’s global network of financial institutions, Visa provides this global community of PWDs with greater access and choice.” Jeff further stated, “The GCash Visa Card winning customers will enjoy the exciting Paralympic sporting events in Paris as a once in a lifetime experience that we hope they will cherish forever.”

PSA Forum to tackle basketball, weightlifting

THE Tuesday session (May 7) of the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum is going to be as hot as the summer as top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas (SWP), together with the three lifters who qualified to the Paris Olympics serve as special guests at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

SBP Executive Director Erika Dy is set to tackle the plans and programs of the country’s governing body for basketball for the remainder of the year, headlined by the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia this July and window 2 of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in the country in November.

SWP President Monico Puentevella meanwhile, will bring along Paris Olympic entries Elreen Ando, John Ceniza, and Rosegie Ramos with him as they talk about their plans and preparations in this year’s edition of the Summer Games.

The public sports program starts at 10:30 a.m. and is presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Smart/PLDT, MILO, and the 24/7 sports app in the country ArenaPlus.

PSA President Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine Star, enjoins members and officials to join the lively discussion. Livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page fb.com/PhilippineSportswritersAssociation, the session is also aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2 and shared on its official Facebook page Radyo Pilipinas 2 sports.

Creamline, Choco Mucho brace for epic showdown

IN the crescendo of an enthralling Premier Volleyball League season, Creamline and Choco Mucho fi nd themselves locked in a compelling rivalry, fueled by their own fervent desires with the impending clash promising to be more than just a battle for volley supremacy.

It’s a clash of dreams, aspirations and the relentless pursuit of glory. As they gear up for the grudge match that transcends mere sport, one element stands out as pivotal. After splitting their two encounters in the conference, both teams are driven by a burning desire to etch their names in PVL history.

For the Cool Smashers, it’s about extending their dynasty, aiming for a third straight All-Filipino crown and an eighth overall championship. Conversely, the Flying Titans are hungry for redemption, yearning for

MIAMI GARDENS—Formula One has built much of its recent success in the United States on the Netflix reality doc series ‘Drive to Survive’ but with Max Verstappen utterly dominating there was an acute need for a plot twist.

That arrived in Miami on Sunday, when Lando Norris, the 24-year-old McLaren driver, pulled off a surprise win over the Dutchman.

Verstappen has won four of the six races so far this season and it would be unwise for anyone to see Norris’s win as the sign of an imminent change in fortunes for the three-times world champion, but to maintain interest, F1 needed some rotation on the top of the podium.

It was certainly a feel-good story, Norris came into Miami having had a record 15 podium finishes without a win—with eight of those second-place finishes.

Near-misses, such as at Sochi in 2021 when he led late but paid the price for failing to switch tyres in time during heavy rain, led to some taunting of Norris including the online nickname ‘Lando NoWins’ While he was all smiles after his

their first-ever league title after falling short in their previous attempt against their arch-rivals.

Fueling the anticipation is the memory of their last finals encounter – a record-breaking five-setter which drew a crowd of 24,459, making expectations for the upcoming finals soar, kindled by their passion for the sport and dedication to their fans.

Leading the charge for Choco Mucho is the electrifying Sisi Rondina, whose dynamic play has endeared her team to legion of fans. Supported by a formidable roster,

including Royse Tubino, Isa Molde, Maddie Madayag, Cherry Nunag, Mars Alba, Maika Ortiz and the charismatic Deanna Wong, the Flying Titans have bucked the continued absence of Kat Tolentino, Des Cheng and Aduka Ogunsanya, exuding a sense of purpose and determination that’s impossible to ignore. On the other side of the net, the Cool Smashers boast their own myriad of stars and a dedicated fan base. With Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez at the helm, backed by a lineup of seasoned players and rising talents, including Pangs Panaga, Michele Gumabao, Bea de Leon, Bernadette Pons, Risa Sato, Kyle Negrito, Mafe Galanza, Kyla Atienza and Denden Revilla, Creamline oozes with confidence and composure, even in the face of adversity.

But beyond their individual talents, it’s the collective spirit and resilience of each team that truly sets them

Nissan PH Tri Team nishes strong at IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu

CEBU CITY—IRONMAN 70.3 LapuLapu, known as one of the most grueling endurance challenges in the AsiaPacific region, witnessed the Nissan tri-team pushing their limits across a demanding course. The challenge comprised a 1.9-kilometer swim, a 90-kilometer bike ride against strong headwinds that spanned the CebuCordova Link Expressway (CCLEX), and a grueling 21-kilometer run in scorching 33°C heat.

The Nissan tri team was represented by three distinct groups: the Nissan Brand Ambassador group led by Nissan ambassadors Matteo Guidicelli and Bubbles Paraiso, the Nissan Employee group, and the Nissan Dealer Principals group. Each group played a part in Nissan’s success, braving the scorching

heat and strong winds during the race. Despite these challenges, the team showed grit, navigating the course with precision and resilience.

“We are proud of the performance of our Nissan team at the 2024 IRONMAN 70.3 Lapu-Lapu,” said Nissan Philippines. “Their remarkable dedication and perseverance reflect the core values of Nissan, embodying the brand’s DNA of “Daring to do what others don’t” as they challenged their capabilities all throughout the race, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements.”

In addition to their collective efforts, each group within the Nissan team showcased remarkable individual performances, contributing to the brand’s overall success at the 2024 Ironman 70.3 Lapu-Lapu. The Nissan Brand

apart. For Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, it’s a journey marked by unity and the ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most.

For Choco Mucho, it’s a testament to coach Dante Alinsunurin’s motivational prowess, crafting a championship-caliber system and transforming his players into one cohesive unit driven by a shared goal.

As the countdown to the finals begins, anticipation reaches fever pitch with the honor to emerge victorious serving as the culmination of months of hard work, sacrifice and an unwavering dedication for both teams.

prove those people wrong and prove (to) the people who didn’t think I could go out and do it, it’s going to be an even bigger smile on my face today, so I thank all of them,” he said. McLaren had been without a Grand Prix win since Monza in 2021 and team principal Andrea Stella said they had finally given Norris the chance to win.

“The victory for Lando, he deserved it so much and we always said as soon as we give him the right material he’s going to make it and he made it.

“I know what kind of work is behind it, it’s so deserved for the McLaren team, I hope everyone enjoys this moment,” he said.

Norris insisted that he had always had faith in his ability to win a Grand Prix and asked if it was a weight of his shoulders to finally clinch one, couldn’t deny the reality. AFP

successful event,” said

Amid the anticipation, the spotlight will undoubtedly be

McLaren’s British driver Lando Norris is tossed in the air as his team celebrates his vic-

in the 2024 Miami Formula One Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida. AFP victory, he

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

Ubas adds bronze to PH’s medal haul in HK

JANRY Ubas added a bronze medal to the Philippines’ medal haul at the close of the 2024 Hong Kong Athletics Championships over the weekend at the Tseung Kuan O Sports Ground.

The 30-year-old Ubas, who is gearing up to see action in the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships 2024 this week, stayed within range of his personal best this year, leaping to a height of 7.61 meters.

Ubas, a guest athlete in the Hong Kong meet, was behind Hua Yu Wen of Taipei as he claimed the gold at 7.81 meters.

Ming Tai Chan took the silver medal in 7.75 meters.

Ubas’ efforts was within the 7.58-meter performance, which he did in the Singapore Championships last April 18. So far, three Filipino tracksters grabbed three golds and set course records during the weekend meet.

On Saturday, Filipino-American bets Lauren Hoffman and Robyn Brown broke the current meet record with their 1-2 finish in the women’s open 400-meter hurdles.

The 25-year-old Hoffman sprinted to a 57.15-second finish for her third gold medal in the outdoor season, shattering the 14-year-old mark of 58.47 seconds belonging to Chen Mei Li. Hoffman said the win served as her preparation for the ICTSI Philippine Athletics Championships 2024, which begins on Wednesday at the Philsports oval.

Brownlee and

Gilas Pilipinas faces tough test vs. host Latvia, Georgia

By Peter Atencio

THE odds are stacked against the Philippines as it fi ghts for one of four remaining places in the men’s basketball tournament of the Paris Olympics this July in.

Matches against world no. 6 Latvia and world no. 23 Georgia will test the resolve of the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team in Group A of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

set from July 2 to 7. Matches have been finalized and the games have been scheduled at the Arena Riga in the capital Riga on July 3, with the host squad Latvia taking on the Philippines. The following day, the Filipinos will go up against world no. 23 Georgia.

Team Philippines seeks to be one of the qualifiers from the four stages, to join the seven directly qualified teams for the 2024 Paris Olympics, namely Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Serbia, South Sudan and USA.

France is automatically qualified as the hosts of the event.

Seven-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and naturalized player Justin Brownlee are expect-

Defending champ Jr Altas book 7th straight semis seat

By Dennis Abrina

DEFENDING champion Perpetual

Help won its seventh game in eight outings at the expense of La Salle Greenhills, 25-14, 25-16, on Monday in the single-round eliminations to grab the no. 2 spot and twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Season 99 Junior Volleyball Tournament at the Arellano Gym in Pasay City. The No. 2 Junior Altas of coach Sandy Rieta will face No. 3 Malayan School (Mapua), while the No. 1 Arellano Braves take on the No. 4 Lyceum of the Philippines University Junior Pirates in the semifinals scheduled on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the No. 1 Arellano Girls Braves battle No. 4 Emilio Aguinaldo College Girl Brigadiers, while the No. 2 Junior Altas Girls go up against No. 3 Lyceum GenTri.

Arellano and Perpetual hold the twice-to-beat advantages.

Game 2 of the semifinals is scheduled on Friday.

Perpetual coaches Rieta and Jason Sapin want to steer their respective teams to the finals for the seventh consecutive year.

At the end of the single-round elimination in the Boys’ Division, Arellano and Perpetual finished with identical 7-1 records, while Malayan School had a 6-2 slate.

The rest of the elimination round ranking is as follows -- LPU (5-3), Letran Squires (5-3), EAC (3-5), SBU (2-6), JRU (1-7) and La Salle Greenhills (0-8).

Arellano got the top spot because of the win-over-the-other rule as the former beat the latter in the elims, while LPU entered the semis at fourth spot due to the quotient ratio scores of 1.667 for the Junior Pirates and 1.429 for the Letran Squires.

ed to report for Gilas Pilipinas duty once again, and so are veteran big man Japeth Aguilar and Mason Amos. The 6’10” Fajardo, who is from San Miguel Beer, will reinforce the middle with the 7’3” Kai Sotto, along with the 6’7” Amos. Also listed for the Latvia sortie are Scottie Thompson, Dwight Ramos, Calvin Oftana and AJ Edu.

CJ Perez, Chris Newsome, Carl Tamayo, Kevin Quiambao and Jaime Malonzo make up the rest of the Gilas lineup.

The top two squads will advance to a crossover preliminary round match with their rivals from Group B, which is made up of Brazil, Cameroon and Montenegro.

Oranza leads star-studded cast in Lumba Tamo Zambales 2024

CAMBODIA Southeast Asian Games double bronze medalist Ronald Oranza leads a star-studded Elite cast that Governor Hermogenes Ebdane will flag off for the second edition of the Lumba Tamo Zambales 2024 today (Tuesday, May 7) in front of Maloma’s Barangay Hall in San Felipe town.

The race—covering 150 kms and finishing at the Zambales Sports Complex in Iba—features 85 Eriders representing the national team and top clubs Philippine Navy-Standard Insurance, 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines, Excellent, Army, Go For Gold, Victoria Sports Pro Cycling Team aand D’Reyna in the Elite category that will race starting at 6 a.m.

Ebdane will also also award the winners of the multi-category race sanctioned

by the PhilCycling headed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and a major sports component of the province’s world-class celebration of the Dinamulag Mango Festival 2024.

A total of 245 riders are competing in the Junior category, while 221 cyclists are seeing action in the Youth class of the race that also serves as a prelude to Ebdane and Zambales’s hosting of the PhilCycling National Road Team Training Camp starting Monday.

Zambales’s pride Jan Michael Pulidu will be leading D’Reyna’s bid in the race that also features notable riders Efren Reyes Jr., Jude Gabriel Francisco, Mark Julius Bordeos, Ian Valeriano Timbang, Mervin Corpuz, Rustom Lim and Ismael Gorospe Jr.

UNIVERSITY of the East is preparing a hero’s welcome for Samantha Catantan after she earned a seat in the Paris Olympics.

School officials, student-athletes and members of the UE alumni will pay tribute to the 27-year-old Catantan after she won the women’s foil gold medal in the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates two weeks ago and clinched a berth in the quadrennial meet in process.

“We have a tribute for Samantha Catantan. It’s not only her, but her family also,” said UE Sports Director and University Athletic Association of the Philippines board representative Rodrigo Roque. Catanta is headed back to the Philippines to be with her family after Catantan took her tests during the finals exam week at Penn State University. A fourth year student-athlete taking up accounting, Catantan said she will also get her final clearance from doctors and to be able to compete in quadrennial meet.

Catantan competed in the Olympic qualifiers, while wearing brace on her left knee, which underwent surgery 10 months ago, following an injury she sustained during the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in the women’s foil semifinals.

From there, she will prepare to go the Metz’ training camp, which is will be a monthlong activity before she and longtime coach Rolando “Amatov” Canlas head to the Olympics by the end of July.

Roque said school officials were elated over Catantan’s accomplishments, adding they will hand her a certificate of appreciation during a lunch celebration at the UE campus on May 20. Peter Atencio

Justine

Junemar Fajardo are expected to report for Gilas Pilipinas duty again in the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia. FIBA

Ronald Oranza

Janry Ubas

Perpetual Help’s Nathan Ciriaco smashes one in. Dennis Abrina

BSP sees robust GDP growth moderating in second semester

5.5% 6% to 7% 4%

Revised GDP growth in 2023

GDP growth target for 2024

Risk-adjusted inflation forecast for 2024

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts strong economic growth in the first half of 2024, followed by a potential slowdown in the second half due to the impact of higher interest rates on demand.

BSP staff estimates, presented during the April 8 Monetary Board meeting, indicate continued domestic growth prospects for 2024 and 2025.

“Gross domestic product [GDP] growth is projected to remain robust in the first half of 2024, decelerate in the second half due to positive real interest rates following the BSP’s tightening cycle, and subsequently pick up in 2025,” the Monetary Board said in a statement.

The outlook aligns with an expected shift towards a slightly negative output gap in 2024-2025, suggesting sustained economic growth momentum and a

low likelihood of a sharp economic decline. The government is looking at a GDP growth range of 6 percent and 7 percent, following a revised 5.5-percent expansion in 2023.

Meanwhile, the BSP attributed the recent depreciation of the Philippine peso against the U.S. dollar primarily to the general strength of the greenback. The peso closed at 57.22 against the greenback Monday.

“The peso weakened due to broad US dollar strength following the release of positive key U.S. economic indicators, dampening market expectations of a policy easing by the

U.S. Federal Reserve in June,” the BSP explained.

Inflationary pressures are forecast to remain elevated over the policy horizon due to potential factors such as increased transportation costs, supply constraints on food commodities, rising electricity rates, higher global oil prices, and potential minimum wage hikes.

“The latest risk-adjusted inflation forecast is estimated at 4.0 percent in 2024 and 3.5 percent in 2025,” the BSP said. “These figures are higher than previous forecasts due to upward revisions in the baseline projections. The increased projections also correspond to a higher probability of inflation exceeding the target range of 2 to 4 percent in 2024, with a likelihood of 56.5 percent compared to 51.0 percent in the previous forecast.”

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Finance (DOF)

said Monday it collected P88.6 billion from government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs) as of May 6, 2024, up by eleven times from roughly P8 billion recorded in the same period in 2023.

“These dividends form a major source of non-tax revenues for the government, making possible our goal of raising funds without the need

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) said Monday it collected P80.822 billion in April 2024 and exceeded its revenue target for the month by P3.192 billion.

This brought the agency’s total collection in the first four months to P299.674 billion, overshooting its goal by P11.148 billion. It also represented a 6.5-percent increase over the same period in 2023.

The BOC cited several factors for the feats, including more accurate assessments of import duties.

The revenue collected by the agency plays a crucial role in fueling social and economic development initiatives across the country.

It said that under the leadership of Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio, the BOC achieved significant mile-

to impose additional taxes on our people,” Finance Secretary Ralph Recto said.

“They help us hold down deficits and continue funding the President’s priority programs for the welfare of all Filipinos without having to borrow more,” he said.

Recto said he expects total dividend remittances to reach P100 billion by end-2024. He said as a result of these dividend contributions, non-tax revenues have

stones in meeting its revenue goals and implementing digital Customs procedures.

The BOC also carried out trade facilitation initiatives through workshops, conferences and international engagements. It said the intensified efforts against smuggling led to significant seizures in the first quarter of 2024.

“By diligently executing our duties, we aim to not only meet revenue targets but also to catalyze socioeconomic development initiatives that positively impact the lives of our countrymen,” Rubio said.

“We strive to create a brighter future for all Filipinos, ensuring that the benefits of our efforts are felt across communities,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

By Jenniffer B. Austria

been on the rise, reaching P206.4 billion as of end-April, demonstrating an 85-percent increase from the same period in 2023.

Recto said they continued to grow alongside the government’s tax collections.

Data showed that as of endApril, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) collected P912.9 billion, a 16.3-percent increase from a year ago, while Bureau of Customs (BOC) collections grew 6.3

percent to P15.8 billion, while other revenues which include cinema and event ticket sales totaled P2.5 billion in the first quarter.

The property firm plans to open four new malls, which would add 400,000 square meters of gross floor area to its portfolio this year.

SM Prime’s residential business group reported P8.5 billion revenues in the first three months of 2024, up by 10 percent from last year’s P7.7 billion. Reservation sales reached P26.5 billion in the first quarter.

percent to P295.2 billion in the same period.

“We expect both our tax and nontax revenues to dramatically increase over the coming months as we intensify our revenue mobilization efforts,” Recto said.

Recto lauded the GOCCs for not just remitting their contributions on time, but for also increasing their dividend payments to the national government from the minimum of 50 percent to 75 percent.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto (right) reports to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (left) that the government collected

or controlled corporations (GOCCs) as of May 6, 2024 during the GOCC Day.

NEW JOBS. Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma (standing, second from right) congratulates three of the 78 hired-on-the-spot applicants

AboitizPower’s first-quarter income rose 4% to P7.9b

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ABOITIZ Power Corp. said Monday it posted a 4-percent net income growth in the first quarter to P7.9 billion from P7.5 billion in the same period last year on higher power generation.

Aboitiz Power said in a statement that stripping non-recurring items, core net income in the three-month period increased 3 percent to P7.8 billion from P7.6 billion a year earlier.

“AboitizPower continued its strong performance in the first quarter of 2024, building on its successful 2023. This momentum reflects the effectiveness of our investments and growth strategies, which further reinforces our dedication to providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable power while driving the nation’s development,” said AboitizPower president and chief executive Emmanuel Rubio.

It said energy sold by the generation and retail electricity supplier segments rose 1 percent to 8,812 gigawatt hours (GWh) from 8,725 GWh the previous year.

The segments had earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of P13.8 billion in the first quarter, higher than P13.1 billion in the same period last year.

Its distribution business increased its energy sales by 9 percent to 1,526 GWh from 1,404 GWh on higher demand driven by the effect of the El Niño phenomenon.

The distribution business posted an 11-percent decrease in EBITDA to P2.6 billion on account of favorable timing in pass-through charges that were recognized in 2023 resulting from declining fuel prices.

“Looking ahead, we’re excited about the new growth drivers emerging this quarter. By leveraging these opportunities, we remain confident in our ability to unlock shared success for all our stakeholders,” Rubio said.

AboitizPower had a full-year net income of P33.1 billion in 2023, or 27 percent higher than P26.0 billion recorded the previous year.

Higher

costs dragged Wilcon’s Q1 net earnings

WILCON Depot Inc., a leading home improvement and finishing construction supply retailer, said Monday its first-quarter net income fell 23.1 percent from a year ago, on lower sales and higher expenses. Net income reached P740 million from January to March this year, down from P962 million it earned in the same period last year, Wilcon said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. First-quarter net sales declined 2.5 percent year-on-year to P8.31 billion from P8.53 billion a year ago on lower net sales in March as the long Easter holidays shifted from April to March this year.

“Our earnings for the first quarter may have declined 23 percent yearon-year, but it’s still higher than any quarter’s earnings prior to 2022. We are looking forward to better results in the future as we work towards improving our performance to reach or even beat our 2022 results,” said Wilcon president Lorraine Belo-Cincochan.

Belo-Cincochan said the year-onyear drop in March sales was due to the Easter holidays falling in March this year, and exacerbated by the high-base effect since the group registered its highest grossing month in March last year.

Belo-Cincochan expressed hope sales would bounce back in the succeeding quarters.

“We are still on track to reach our 100-store target by the end of the year. We have opened three new stores during the quarter, two Do It Wilcon [DIW] format branches and one depot,” Belo-Cincochan said. Jenniffer B. Austria

Stocks climb on positive US cues ahead of April inflation

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Regina Capital Development Corp. Luis Limlingan said investors bought back shares as the index approached the support level of 6,600 after three consecutive days of decline.

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. (SMPC) said Monday its net income fell 28 percent in the first quarter of 2024 to P6.5 billion from P9 billion a year earlier due to weaker market prices which muted the impact of higher coal shipments and energy sales volume.

“While we faced some pricing challenges this quarter, our robust export sales and improved plant performance demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of our operations,” said SMPC president and chief operating officer Maria Cristina Gotianun in a disclosure

to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

SMPC said coal indices declined on weak demand from developed countries, driven by changes in energy policies, a shift toward renewable sources and slowing economic activities.

The Newcastle index plunged 49 percent from an average of $247.8 to $126, while the Indonesian Coal Index 4 (ICI4) retreated 25 percent from an average of $76.5 to $57.2.

Average spot prices in the LuzonVisayas electricity market fell 27 percent from P6.28 to P4.61 on lower

REDC vows to expand RE portfolio in 2024 as part of long-term strategy

REPOWER Energy Development Corp. (REDC). said Monday its net income reached P172.8 million in 2023, up nearly 3 percent from P168 million in 2022 following the commissioning of two new power plants in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the steady generation from its portfolio of run-of-the-river hydropower plants.

Revenues grew 19.5 percent on a year-on-year to P456.6 million from P382 million, primarily due to the completion and commissioning of its 5.8-megawatt Tibag hydropower plant.

REDC’s expenses increased in 2023 compared to 2022 due to nonrecurring expenses incurred for its initial public offering (IPO) listing,

retirement fund and accounting for the feed-in-tariff (FIT) differentials for the years 2022 and 2023.

“Our consistently strong financial performances give us a strong base to continue growing our potential for the development and acquisition of other hydropower plants. This is so we can grow our portfolio to further increase shareholder value,” REDC president and chief executive Eric Peter Roxas.

REDC said that starting 2024, its long-term expansion strategy would be anchored towards expanding its portfolio, with the ongoing construction of its 15-MW Cabanglasan hydropower plant and 4.5-MW Piapi hydropower plant. Alena Mae S. Flores

fuel costs and increased supply.

“Overall, we expect 2024 to be a pivotal period for our company. As market prices and demand stabilize, our focus shifts towards boosting coal exports and plant availability, while implementing novel cost-management strategies,” Gotianun said during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting.

She said SMPC expects Sem Calaca Power Corp. unit 2 to operate at full capacity of 300 megawatts in the second half, assuming a successful and timely generator swap.

The plant was operating at an average capacity of 175 MW in 2023.

“We anticipate strong performance from the power segment, potentially offsetting anticipated weakness in the coal business due to unfavorable market conditions,” Gotianun said. She said a 12-MW wind farm on Semirara Island would commence operation in the first quarter of 2025, and SMPC anticipates annual savings of P200 million by sourcing energy from this facility, which would also help reduce emissions.

Alena Mae S. Flores

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp.

said Monday it obtained issue credit rating of PRS Aa, with a stable outlook from Philippine Rating Services Corp. (PhilRatings) on its planned P5-billion retail bond offering.

Megawide plans to sell fixed-rate peso bonds with a base offer of P4 billion, with oversubscription offer of up to P1 billion.

The company said it would use the net proceeds from the capital-raising activity to refinance the company’s debt obligations and for other general corporate purposes. The oversubscription allotment will used to invest in business development opportunities, it said.

Obligations rated PRS Aa are of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk. The obligor’s capac-

ity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong. A stable outlook indicates that the assigned rating is likely to be maintained or to remain unchanged in the next 12 months.

PhilRatings said it took into account Megawide’s solid experience in the construction industry, along with vertically integrated operations, that are seen to complement the government’s infrastructure projects well as its notable expansion projects in recent years, with the aim of diversifying into less cyclical sources of revenues.

PhilRatings said it factored in the favorable outlook for the construction industry as the government focused on improving the country’s infrastructure. Jenniffer B. Austria

HEALTHCARE AWARDS. I.E. Medica Inc. and MedEthix Inc. co-founder, president and chief executive Monaliza Balnig Salian and chief operating officer Ma. Victoria Sugapong accept three major healthcare awards at the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards 2024 at

BUSINESS

PH garments industry suffering from US customs law

THE Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP) said Monday it may take a longer time for the garments and apparel industry to rebound from the downturn of the global apparel market due to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) enforced by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

CONWEP executive director Maritess Agoncillo said major garment suppliers in the Philippines, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Indonesia were hurt by the UFLPA, with several shipments flagged for detention by the CBP, affecting the supply chain of major US and European apparel brands.

“This is an industry-scale problem. Next to Nicaragua, the Philippines has the most shipments detained by the CBP. While some have been released just a week and a half ago, there remain several shipments on hold,” Agoncillo said in a briefing.

The Department of Trade and In-

dustry (DTI) has been instrumental for the release of the detained shipments, she said.

The Uyghur law prohibits the use of cotton sourced from Uyghur, China over labor issues, causing business interruption and order losses of about $5 million to $6 million to Philippine suppliers in the 2023 Christmas season until February 2024.

Buyers whose shipments arrived in late April were forced to sell at a discount in US and European outlets to recoup their investments.

The group said that aside from the 2,000 workers retrenched by Luen Thai Clark, several smaller brand manufacturers placed about 80 to 200 workers on forced leave.

L&T International Group Philippines Inc., the retail apparel arm of the Luen Thai Group, failed to optimize the capacity of its facility in Clark, running at 25-percent capacity due to low demand as a result of the retrenchment.

The Luen Thai workforce was cut

to half from 7,000 to 3,500 and further to 1,500 after the latest company retrenchment.

L&T said the termination of some 2,000 workers was done with utmost respect to ethical business standards, following the continued softening of global apparel market.

“This action was closely coordinated with the Department of Labor and Employment [DOLE] to ensure transparency, fairness, and adherence to legal standards, underlining our dedication to ethical business processes. All affected employees received the comprehensive severance package that meet legal standards,” Agoncillo said.

The affected employees received retrenchment packages of P70,000 to P75,000 each and might be called back once the industry shows recovery.

Luen Thai serves the demand of different US and European brands on apparels, bags and accessories. US and European buyers for apparel look for 14 different brands.

Othel V. Campos

from 2023. About 74 percent of those surveyed listen to comedy podcasts like The KoolPals, followed by personal development (64% percent), culture (55 percent) and politics (49 percent).

“HOW ready is your department for your retirement?” I asked the senior leaders of a global firm during a workshop. Their collective response was a resounding “not ready.” They expressed concerns about the future of their organization once they leave.

Data from the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific indicate there are 3.87 million Filipinos between the ages of 60 and 65 in 2024. As these remaining Baby Boomers will formally leave the workforce in the next few years, a leadership vacuum is expected to emerge.

This void threatens to drain valuable knowledge and experience as successors may lack the knowledge and skills of previous leaders, chipping away at competitive advantage. Additionally, other external factors such as inflation, political concerns, the advent of technology such as generative AI, sustainability issues on climate change, diversity, equity and inclusion, transparency and, accountability leave organizations in a limbo of unpredictability and uncertainty.

Organizations need to be ready with their human capital in an unstable environment. Unfortunately, all else being equal, top performers have a higher tendency to leave companies because of their confidence in finding a new and better-paying job. These external and internal factors squeeze the necks of organizations as they struggle to compete and survive in the market.

Establishing succession plans is imperative for organizations to avoid another scramble for Band-Aid solutions and managerial fads once Baby Boomers fully leave the workforce.

Succession planning means having the right leaders at the right place and time. It involves recognizing reliable and ethical employees, choosing individuals who can advance beyond their current positions, and assessing their suitability for promotion and job alignment. It also means anchoring these steps with the business’s culture, values, competencies, and strategic intent.

Leadership experts Garman and Glawe pointed to it as a structured process for identifying and preparing potential successors.

While business strategy drives growth and management secures profitability, succession planning plays a crucial role in ensuring an organization’s long-term sustainability. It helps bridge the expected gap between retirees and employees who left the organization. It increases company profitability, job security, and a positive career attitude. Unfortunately, research suggests that succession planning efforts fail within one to two years. Ben Dattner and Tomas ChamorroPremuzic found that a lack of top management support may drive this failure, the absence of an actual succession plan and criteria, high turnover rates, or discrediting the identified successor. Furthermore, organizations opt to hire external leaders. However, the study by Rakesh Khurana and Nitin Nohria, experts from MIT and Harvard Business School, discovered that while external leaders may succeed in a struggling organization, mature organizations may benefit more from hiring internally, as the latter can have a better understanding of the company’s dynamics and operations. Apart from obtaining top management approval and formalizing the succession planning process in alignment with strategic goals, organizations can take the following steps to strengthen their succession planning efforts.

1. Reassess your competencies. Given an era of digital transformation, do your existing competencies reflect the ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments? How about leadership soft skills of agility, resilience, and emotional intelligence?

Contact center industry eyes $32-b revenues

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippine contact center and business process sector expects revenues to rise 9 percent to a record $32.16 billion in 2024 from $29.5 billion it generated in 2023.

The sector contributes 83 percent to the information technology-business process management (IT-BPM) industry’s revenues which are expected to reach $39 billion this year.

“The contact center and business process sector, along with the IT-BPM industry, has remained optimistic and positive in terms of revenue growth through the years,” said Contact Center Association of the Philippines (CCAP) president Mickey Ocampo.

CCAP also expects the contact center sector to generate $49 billion in revenues by 2028, leveraging on the projected growth under the IT-BPM roadmap that sets an industry-wide target of $59 billion.

CCAP said concerns regarding job displacement due to AI were already addressed, believing that technology would drive further growth by boosting agent productivity and creating new AI-related job opportunities.

“Our contact centers have been actively upskilling our people to equip them in handling their tasks more effectively. What does not kill us only makes us better and we have proven many times how constantly upgrad-

2. Identify high potentials with exceptional curiosity, insight, determination, and engagement. Claudio Fernández-Aráoz and colleagues, who are global experts on talent and leadership, highlighted in their research and Harvard article that aside from identifying key business competencies, the four traits of curiosity, insight, determination, and engagement can indicate the potential of leaders. While successors will often not rank highly on all expected competencies, these traits can signify if they will develop these gaps. Searching for employees’ potential requires conversations with the pool of successors, their employees, peers, and bosses, as well as reviewing their work experiences.

3. Integrate leadership development and succession planning practices. A study by Kevin Groves of the best practices of top organizations indicated that CEOs and HR executives combined leadership development and succession planning by creating a mentor network, identifying high potential employees, immersing them in project learning experiences, and conducting leadership development workshops. Given our culture of close family ties and a sense of community, these activities can expose high potentials to multiple stakeholders and provide them with a supportive organizational culture. Filipino work relationships often transcend the demands of the job, and retired leaders may even make themselves available to their mentees for consultations in the future.

4. Identify ways to retain high potentials. You also need to identify retention tactics to increase the probability of your high potentials staying in your organization. You may empower them with external coaching, higher decision-making authority, autonomy, recognition, stretch assignments, and special learning activities. While you want to have a retention strategy for your overall workforce, these tactics can help the present and future of the business while signaling to top talent that you value their contributions.

5. Make succession planning an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. This ensures that organizations are not caught off guard when key people leave. Michael Kerlin and colleagues from McKinsey reiterated the importance of having a regular cadence of succession planning meetings. This helps ensure that critical processes and value-adding

ing skills can help call center firms and our industry, not just overcome the challenges of the times but also perform better in what we do,” Ocampo said.

CCAP’s commitment to upskilling is reflected in the sector’s strong job creation with current employment at 1.51 million Filipinos nationwide, representing a 9.4-percent increase from 2022 figures.

The contact center workforce accounts for 89 percent of the total ITBPM industry’s full-time employees.

The group said the rise of AI had not led to job losses, as evidenced by the sector’s outperformance compared to the overall IT-BPM industry in terms of employment growth.

CCAP said more member companies expressed plans to establish new facilities in Cavite, San Fernando, Pampanga and other key locations across the country.

The robust growth paints a positive picture for the Philippine contact center and business process sector, highlighting its significant contribution to the nation’s economy and its commitment to continuous workforce development, it said.

activities remain ongoing. Anticipate the need for succession planning before it becomes urgent, ensuring a smooth and effective transition process.

Overall, take proactive steps now by implementing a robust succession plan, mitigating disruptions in leadership, and ensuring organizational stability. This requires reviewing capabilities that can adapt to rapid changes in the environment, identifying high potentials with specific traits, integrating leadership development and succession planning, and iterating several rounds of succession planning.

Hannibal George Marchan is a learning and development consultant and executive coach for Lee Hecht Harrison, Quintegral, and Kaizen Leadership Asia. He is a PhD student and faculty at De La Salle University. You can reach him at hannibal. marchan@dlsu.edu.ph.

The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

US solutions provider expands in PH, offers 250 jobs

By Othel V. Campos

IT By Design (ITBD), an American company registered with the Board of Investments (BOI), is expanding its presence in the Philippines with the creation of 250 new jobs for Filipinos in the IT space.

“Each additional job created through foreign direct investment [FDI] is crucial and significantly enhances the quality of life for Filipino families. It represents not only economic advancement but also the realization of dreams and the potential for a brighter future. We deeply appreciate the contributions of investors like IT

China Bank’s Q1 profit rose 18% to P5.9b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

CHINA Banking Corp. said Monday

its net income grew 18 percent in the first quarter of 2024 to P5.9 billion from a year ago on the robust growth of its core businesses.

Net interest income rose 18 percent in the three-month period to P15 billion, driven by higher asset yields and loan volume. Net interest margin improved by 22 basis points to 4.4 percent.

“We are focused on sustaining our growth trajectory. Our good first quarter results provide the momentum to achieving our ambitious goals and targets,” Chinabank president and chief executive Romeo Uyan Jr. said. Return on equity and return on assets stood at 15.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

The bank said it reduced its provisions for loan losses to P302 million as economic conditions continued to improve.

The country’s fourth-largest private lender recently launched a brand refresh campaign to make its brand and image more resonant and engaging to a new generation of customers.

“From compelling product innovations to reimagined customerfacing solutions, to the adoption of a new bank logo, exciting things are happening in Chinabank,” Uyan said. Chinabank’s total assets went up by 11 percent to P1.5 trillion. Its gross loans increased 11 percent to P805 billion on strong loan demand from businesses and consumers.

By Design, who fuel our economic growth and provide opportunities for our talented workforce to thrive.” said BOI managing head Ceferino Rodolfo.

ITBD, a unit of US firm IT By Design Inc., specializes in custom business solutions for managed service providers (MSPs). It offers a comprehensive range of services, including technology and infrastructure design, cybersecurity, cloud services and AI-powered talent management solutions.

“Our customers in the US are asking for Filipino talents, which is why we’ve decided to expand our

operations in the Philippines. We started here with 15 jobs and are now scaling up to 250. Filipinos possess a high level of technical expertise and adaptability, and the potential talent pool is unlimited. We’re also bringing in our AI experts from the US to build the capability of Filipino cloud engineers and make them even more competitive as demands for IT jobs continue to grow because of AI,” said ITBD chief executive Sunny Kaila. The company will initially operate with a 100-percent on-site work model, potentially transitioning to a hybrid setup in the future.

assets grew 9.2% to P25.2t in 2023

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Philippine banking sector’s total assets expanded 9.2 percent to P25.2 trillion in the second semester of 2023 from the same period in 2022, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

The BSP said in a report the banking sector’s assets represented about 83.3 percent of the total resources of the Philippine financial system.

Banks continued to report robust balance sheets and profitable operations in 2023. Capital and liquidity buffers remained sufficient against unforeseen shocks and market volatility, with capital adequacy and liquidity ratios well above the BSP regulatory and international thresholds.

“The continued health and stability of the Philippine financial system is a cornerstone to inclusive and sustainable growth of the Philippine economy,” BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said.

The non-bank financial institutions also posted solid performance in 2023. The non-bank sector serves as an able conduit for the delivery of crucial financial products and services to underserved and unserved market segments through their extensive physical network nationwide.

PHILIPPINE Savings Bank (PSBank), the thrift banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said Monday it registered a P1.20-billion net income in the first quarter of 2024, up 23 percent from P976.88 million in the same period last year.

“Despite prevailing economic challenges, we continue to see steady growth in our core business following our record-breaking performance in 2023. PSBank remains dedicated to offering simple and effortless banking solutions to meet the rapidly evolving needs of consumers,” PSBank president Jose Vicente Alde said. Core revenues, comprising of net

BillEase integrates QRPh

CONSUMER finance app BillEase said Monday it launched its integration with QRPh, the national QR code standard.

The new feature, through a strategic partnership with Asia United Bank (AUB), will enable BillEase users to have a seamless checkout experience. It said that with the QRPh feature, BillEase users can seamlessly scan any P2M QR code and utilize their credit limit to pay for online and offline purchases. This expands the payment options for customers, allowing them to transact at any QRPh-accepting merchant while enjoying the benefits of BillEase’s flexible installment plans, whether choosing the convenience of

pay later or the increased spending power of BillEase’s Limit Boost.

“We’re thrilled to finally bring QRPh to our customers, unlocking more opportunities for them to conveniently scan and pay wherever QRPh is accepted,” said Kurt Molina, BillEase’s head of merchant products.

“By offering QRPh, both for instore purchases and online transactions, we’re delivering on our promise to provide Filipinos with flexible payment options through our pay later and installment products. Now, our users can enjoy a seamless checkout experience anywhere they shop, whether it’s at a physical store or an e-commerce site,” said Molina.

interest income and net services fees and commissions, rose 2 percent year-on-year to P3.49 billion, while operating expenses grew 5 percent to P2.30 billion.

The bank’s total gross loan portfolio expanded 10 percent year-on-year to P128 billion as of March 31, 2024.

This was driven by the solid demand for motor vehicles which led to a 20-percent growth in auto loans. Gross non-performing loans (NPL) ratio remained at 3.4 percent, resulting in lower provisions in the first quarter.

Total assets reached P234 billion as total deposits and capital were recorded at P185 billion and P41

billion, respectively.

Total capital adequacy ratio stood at 24.6 percent, while common equity tier 1 ratio was at 23.5 percent. Both ratios were above the regulatory minimum set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and among the highest in the industry.

PSBank received Quill awards from International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines for its outstanding use of corporate communications through online videos and annual report.

The bank’s multimedia and public relations materials garnered Silver Anvils from the Public Relations Society of the Philippines.

The report presents the overall performance of foreign bank branches and subsidiaries, foreign currency deposit units of banks and trust entities as well as thematic box articles featuring the key developments and BSP policy reforms implemented by the BSP in 2023 toward a safe, sound and resilient financial system.

The BSP said it remains fully committed to pursuing progressive financial sector reforms to fully align the Philippine financial system with the ongoing rapid digital transformation and sophistication of the global financial services industry.

The BSP reaffirms its collaborative stance to work closely with relevant stakeholders in implementing meaningful and broad-based financial sector reforms dedicated to the sustained dynamism, resilience, inclusiveness and sustainability of the financial system, which contributes to equitable economic prosperity for more Filipinos.

IN BRIEF

ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY

San Miguel hauls 6m tons of waste from major

SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) has achieved a new milestone in its cleanup advocacy after removing a total of 6 million metric tons of silt and solid waste from various river systems in and around Metro Manila. The total includes more than 3 million tons recently extracted from over 50 kms of rivers across the flood-prone Bulacan province, as part of a major expansion of the conglomerate’s cleanup initiative. These rivers traverse the cities and towns of Meycauayan, Obando, Bulakan, Bocaue, Marilao, Balagtas and Guiguinto in Bulacan.

This is by far the largest and most extensive river cleanup initiative undertaken by SMC under a longterm, comprehensive effort it started in 2020 to clean up heavily-polluted river systems including the Pasig River, Tullahan River and San Juan River. It has successfully removed nearly 1.2 million metric tons of waste from

rivers

26 kilometers of the Pasig River; 1.1 million tons from 11 kms. of the Tullahan River, and almost 320,000 tons from the San Juan river, from 2020 to date.

In October last year, SMC announced that it was expanding its river cleanup initiative in Bulacan and to other provinces and cities, including Pampanga, Navotas, Laguna and Cavite, in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and local government units. Its efforts to desilt the San Isidro River in San Pedro, Laguna has since yielded 343,836 tons of silt and wastes, to date.

SMC is also gearing up to clean 26 kms. of the heavily silted Pampanga River, which also flows down to Bulacan, and has been identified as a major cause of flooding in both provinces and other nearby areas.

Gov’t takes steps to protect PH mangroves

THE government is stepping up efforts to stop a decline in mangrove resources and safeguard the country’s ecosystems.

“Amid the climate emergency and destruction of mangroves, everyone has the ability to make a difference by tracking and protecting our natural resources,” DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo Loyzaga said last week. Earlier, the DENR ordered an im-

Future

mediate assessment of abandoned, undeveloped and underutilized fishponds with the aim of restoring mangroves, which are vital in the defense against flooding and extreme weather events.

The order calls for rehabilitating

of e-vehicles in PH is bright

THOSE of us who grew up in the ‘80s—don’t be shy, raise your hand, it was an awesome decade!—might remember a hit song back then whose lines went something like, ‘I’m doin’ all right, gettin’ good grades, the future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades!’. You can Spotify the song anytime, it’s a pop relic amazingly well-preserved and still enjoyable. And yet as this sunshine-y song pops in my head as I ponder the bright prospects of electric vehicles in the Philippines, it’s also tinged with legitimate concern that only serves to confirm my belief in the inevitability of the widespread use of EVs in the not-too-far future: we are experiencing a heat wave right now and it’s gotten far too dangerous.

In the past couple of weeks, The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had issued warnings that the heat index in some places in the country could reach danger levels—that means the possibility of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and even heat stroke with prolonged exposure.

Many areas all over the country, including Metro Manila, have registered a searing 42°C. It feels like a switch in the planet’s internal oven has been set to high. I wish I was exaggerating, but I’m not.

The heat we’re experiencing has gotten to such an extreme that on-site classes in many LGUs have had to be suspended. It used to be that classes would be canceled because of heavy rain; now we cancel classes because of extreme heat. That is just not right.

the damaged parts of the mangrove forest through replanting, enrichment planting and assisted regeneration.

A DENR team will gather relevant data such as topographic maps, fishpond maps, and mangrove maps from the DENR-National Mapping Resources Information Authority and other agencies.

Mangroves are productive salttolerant ecosystems that play a critical role in coastal protection, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, poverty alleviation and food

BIODIVERSITY 101 Owen Camayo

electric and conventional fuel combustion engine; the EV runs on pure electricity. As you may correctly conclude, the former will still have CO2 emissions; the latter has zero.

I say the prospects are bright for EVs in the Philippines because the market says we are ready for them. You can already see e-scooters and e-trikes steadily filling up our streets, their general utility already present in the public’s consciousness. But more than that, the car market has gotten in on the action as well. It’s a big boost that the government has led the adoption of EVs in the country by exempting EVs from paying excise taxes and the number coding scheme. Now new car manufacturers are selling a whole range of models that are smarter, more sustainable, and I should say exciting, too. One manufacturer even offers a cute car named after a frozen treat, priced just a little over half a million pesos. I’ve seen quite a few in the streets, and it only shows that electric cars are now within the budget and aspirations of every Pinoy. Of course, there are practical considerations to owning an electric car.

I say the prospects are bright for EVs in the Philippines because the market says we are ready for them.

The cause of all this should be obvious enough: Climate change. If anyone still thinks of climate change as an abstraction (believe me, many denialists still do), then it shouldn’t be now—the effects are much too palpable.

According to global experts, a major contributor to climate change is CO2 emissions. Our country’s Climate Change Commission says that 36 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions come from transport—fumes coming out of our vehicles currently using non-renewable fossil fuel.

The Philippines is committed to the Paris Agreement, a UNled global pact to tackle climate change and its negative impacts. One of the goals of the Agreement: to substantially reduce global gas emissions to hold global temperature increase. Therefore, as we face the possibility of more heat waves in the future—which, in fact, will almost always be followed by a season of torrential (we pray not catastrophic) rains, as is the nature of the El Niño/La Niña phenomena—it only makes sense for us to pursue efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. In the transportation industry, that means embracing technologies where the net effect is zero emissions. Enter the electric vehicle or simply EV. These days we now know the difference between EVs and another transportation technology designed for sustainability: The hybrid. Simply put, the hybrid is a vehicle that runs on both

Here’s one: say, you live on the higher floors of a condo. How do you plug your car to charge its batteries if there are no provisions for electrical outlets in your parking space? You can’t possibly dangle an extension cord down from the window of your 15th floor unit, can you?

I recently joined the SM Group and am delighted that we have been synergizing and integrating sustainability into the very core of our businesses. An example is how we are providing customers charging stations in 50 participating SM malls nationwide (as of this writing).

Range anxiety and where to charge the EV are exactly the kind of problems that customer face and worry about. And because the malls are the go-to places of the Pinoy family, we thought of providing a convenient solution.

We’ve placed them strategically that even a trip, say, to Baguio and back is possible because you can make stops at SM malls along the way to charge. As a bonus, various dining and shopping options are at the customer’s disposal while charging their EVs.

If and when I get my own EV, I’ll drive up to one of these stations, plug in, pop some music and wear my shades—because we’re all doing our part to make the future bright.

The author is the vice president and head of corporate communications for SM Investment Corp.

Manila Standard’s Biodiversity 101 column is open to contributors who share the advocacies of protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices that are being pushed by the United Nations. Such contributions are subject to the availability of space and the paper’s editorial policies. The contributions should not exceed 600 words or 4,000 characters.

security. They face a decline and are continually threatened due to human activities and natural disturbances.

Loyzaga also called for a collaborative effort and urged everyone to take an active role in the mangrove initiative and the safeguarding of the country’s ecosystems. She urged the public to take an active role in the rehabilitation and conservation of the country’s mangrove forests by helping validate on the ground the mangrove map created through satellite data.

The National Mangrove Map 2023,

Pilmico Tarlac obtains 3 awards

for environment

PILMICO Tarlac Feedmill’s Solar Panel Project, which started in 2019, was recognized by the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PCAPI).

Pilmico Animal Nutrition Corp.

(Pilmico) received three awards during the Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc.’s (PCAPI) 44th National Annual Convention and General Assembly held at Boracay Newcoast Convention Center, Aklan from April 17 to 19, 2024.

Among the accolades was the Environmental Success Story recognition for Pilmico’s Tarlac Feedmill Solar Panel Project, led by Pilmico Feedmill supervisor engineer Hayvis Atienza and Pilmico engineering manager Michael Cayabyab.

The Outstanding Pollution Control Officer award was conferred to Pilmico environment specialist Jielaine del Rosario, while the Outstanding Managing Head award was given to safety and environment supervisor Brian Funte and assistant vice president for Tarlac Feeds Operation engineer Anthony Jason Mugot. The honors highlight Pilmico’s dedication to sustainability and its efforts to mitigate pollution within the community.

the satellite-derived map developed by the DENR and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), will serve as the basis for making informed decisions and developing policies aimed at restoring and protecting Philippine mangroves.

Citing the need “to measure what we treasure” through the power of citizen science, Loyzaga called for a collaborative effort and urged everyone to take an active role in the mangrove initiative and the safeguarding of the country’s ecosystems. DENR News

Jielaine del Rosario,

environment specialist, receives the awards of Pilmico during the 44th National Annual Convention and General Assembly of Pollution Control Association of the Philippines Inc.

“At Pilmico, we’re fully committed to protecting and preserving the environment. We implement projects geared towards eco-friendliness and comply with all the government’s regulatory requirements. It brings us great joy and pride to receive an award recognizing our dedication to positively impacting the environment. This motivates us further to continue creating more impactful and relevant

Soil doctors teach remedies to recharge lands, boost farm production

San Miguel Corp. continues to clear rivers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces of silt and solid waste. It has extracted debris and waste on over 50 kilometers of rivers in Bulacan province.

Pilmico

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024

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NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Shticks

Joseph Peter Gonzales

Fans want Vilma Santos to become National Artist

WHILE fans clamor for her nomination as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Vilma SantosRecto believes that if she truly deserves it, she’ll get it eventually.

“I’m thankful to my fans for speaking up about it,” says the Star for all Seasons. “To me, I already feel like a winner in that aspect. I’ve always believed that if something isn’t meant for me, then it won’t happen.”

She appreciates her loyal fans, called Vilmanians, and says her gratitude goes beyond winning awards. She compares it to going to an awards show: if you deserve to win, you’ll win, no matter what.

For the knowledge of those who don’t know yet, the prestigious recognition is being given to deserving nominees every three years. For this year, the deadline for the submission of nominations is until June 30.

Among the recipients of the highest entertainment industry award are late director Marilou DiazAbaya, character and theater actor Tony Mabesa, renowned scriptwriter Ricky Lee, and Superstar Nora Aunor who happens to be Ate Vi’s long-time rival.

Speaking of Ate Guy, until now, many of their fans clamored for another movie that will star the two legendary actresses.

“Well, a script was already pitched to me which will reunite my ‘Kumare’ and me on the big screen. It should be carefully studied first. It’s hard to just go on with it.

“The project should be something grand and epic in scope. It should not be something that is just one of those. As I’ve said, it should be special, something that will be worth the fans’ waiting that when it gets shown, they’ll say, ‘Wow!’ Just like T-Bird at Ako when it was shown in 1982.

ACTOR and singer VJ Mendoza has impressed people with his debut single, “Mahal Kita.” The song, released by Insight Music, will now delight fans with its music video. It promises to give viewers a great visual experience along with its lovely lyrics and catchy tune.

“It should be a challenging material. Especially that we’ll headline the project, it should be a boom. So, as long as we’ll be given the right script, something that we can be proud of, then, I can say I’m game to shoot the film!” ends Vilma. * * *

In a recent TV interview, GMA hunk Yasser Marta admitted that he got developed with Claudine Barretto when they did the hit soap opera Lovers/Liars a few months back.

“In a scale of 1 to 10, I can say that our closeness is a 10,” he states. “When we were doing the drama series, we really got close and I became friends even with her children.”

When asked if he had feelings for the popular actress during that time, the appealing lad disclosed:

“I’m going to be honest. During that period, I felt something for Ms. Clau. Who won’t fall for her charms? Apart from being kind, she is caring and has a good heart. I know we’re both single so I really got developed.”

SHOWBIZ

VJ Mendoza croons his way into listeners’ hearts

behind “Mahal Kita,” Mendoza pays tribute to his friend and collaborator Macky Alca, whose untimely passing imbued the project with profound significance.

“The biggest struggle was the weight of carrying on his musical legacy and making it a success,” Mendoza reveals. “When the track won Best Song at the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, it took all of my restraint not to cry on stage because I wanted to honor my friend’s memory.”

Available on all streaming platforms, “Mahal Kita” was composed by the late Macky Alca , and has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the prestigious title of “Best Song” at the first Puregold CinePanalo Awards this 2024.

A versatile talent known for his remarkable performances on both the silver screen and the stage, Mendoza is excited to transition into music, bringing his unique flair and passion to the forefront. Known for his acting roles in Road to Happy (2024), where he was nominated as Best Actor in the Puregold CinePanalo Awards; Can’t Buy Me Love (2023); Love vs Stars (2021); and Last Fool Show (2019), Mendoza is ready to add another dimension to his artistic journey with the heartfelt melodies of “Mahal Kita.”

Mendoza shares insights into the inspiration behind his debut single and the profound impact of music on his life. “Music has saved me so many times! I cannot live without it,” he confesses. “I actually have a playlist for every place I go to.” Discussing the creative process

A YEAR after its original premiere, the live-action adaptation Voltes V: Legacy makes its much-anticipated return to Philippine television this summer.

The show features iconic characters played by Miguel Tanfelix as Steve Armstrong, Radson Flores as Mark Gordon, Matt Lozano as Robert ‘Big Bert’ Armstrong, Raphael Landicho as Little Jon Armstrong, and Ysabel Ortega as Jamie Robinson.

The series is a collaboration between GMA Network, Toei Company, Ltd., and Telesuccess Productions Inc. Filipino animation powerhouses, GMA’s Post Video Graphics and Audio team, and Riot Inc., are behind the show’s impressive CGI and visual effects.

With “Mahal Kita,” Mendoza wants to bring happiness and memories to people’s lives. He crafted a melody that’s perfect for remembering special moments.

“You don’t have to be in love to enjoy this song, but you can definitely fall in love with it,” he says.

Mendoza feels grateful for the huge support he’s received from fans and others in the industry.

“I’m just thankful to Insight 360, led by director Chris Cahilig, for believing in this song,” he says. “It’s like a dream come true for me.” Mendoza has exciting projects ahead, including another music video and Lem Llorca’s Paquil with JM de Guzman and Beauty Gonzales . With his recent music video release, he invites fans to join him on a journey of love and creativity. As his star rises, he hopes to continue touching hearts nationwide.

The music video for “Mahal Kita” was crafted under the guidance of director John Llever Sucaldito, composer/arranger Macky Alca, executive producer Christopher Cahilig, production manager Harley Vincent Santos, director of photography Robert Pareja assistant Lance Lascano, production designer Claudette Francesca Bayabay , and editor Earl Justimbaste

Catch the official music video of “Mahal Kita” on Insight 360 Films’ YouTube channel or via this link: https://youtu.be/8hKq9tuy7Iw.

Volting in anew:

‘Voltes V: Legacy’ returns to small screen

Helmed by the award-winning director Mark Reyes , Voltes V: Legacy promises to deliver action-packed episodes filled with nostalgia. The rerun of the show started yesterday, May 6th on GMA Afternoon Prime. It airs weekdays at 4:00 p.m. Voltes V: Legacy is produced by the award-winning GMA Entertainment Group headed by Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable , Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy , Assistant Vice President for Drama Helen Rose

Sese , and Executive Producer Darling Pulido-Torres The creative team behind this worldclass live-action adaptation is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan, content development consultant Ricky Lee, senior creative consultant RJ Nuevas creative consultant Denoy NavarroPunio, head writer Suzette Doctolero, and writers/brainstormers Liberty TrinidadVillaroman, Jake Somera, and Loi Argel Nova.

Veteran actress and politician Vilma SantosRecto is known for her iconic roles in several hit films and shows throughout her career

Yasser Marta opens up about his feelings for seasoned actress Claudine Barretto

Director Mark Reyes’ ‘Voltes V: Legacy’ is part of the GMA Afternoon Prime lineup

From left: ‘Voltes V: Legacy’ stars Radson Flores, Ysabel Ortega, Miguel Tanfelix, Raphael Landicho, and Matt Lozano

Actor and singer VJ Mendoza’s debut single won ‘Best Song’ at the first Puregold CinePanalo Awards

‘Mahal Kita’ serves as the singer’s tribute to his late friend and collaborator Macky Alca

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Pocket-sized festival celebrates on-the-go treats

PLANT-BASED milk brand Oatside brings irresistible flavors and on-thego convenience to Filipinos with the launch of their Pocket Pack Series. The launch was celebrated with the vibrant Oatside Pocket Festival, filled with fun activities and celebrity guests.

The Pocket Pack Series offers 200ml portions of Oatside’s popular oat milk in Original, Chocolate, and the brand new Coffee flavor. These convenient packs are perfect for busy mornings, afternoon pick-me-ups, and anyone new to Oatside. “Oatside Pocket Packs are a very convenient way to enjoy oat milk in the morning before going to work or as a snack during the day. It’s also a good way for those who have never tried Oatside to finally get a taste of it,” said Mario Dagdag, country manager of Oatside Philippines.

Previously available only in 1L cartons, Oatside’s oat milk is now even more accessible. Made with 100 percent roasted Australian oats, sustainably sourced cacao, and expertly roasted coffee, Oatside offers a delicious and sustainable alternative to dairy milk.

The Oatside Pocket Festival, held at Bonifacio High Street, was a lively celebration of the launch. Hosted by Sam YG, the event featured appearances by social media stars Nico Bolzico, David Guison, and Dani Barretto

When asked which Oatside flavor was his favorite, Bolzico replied, “It’s the new one [Coffee]. I just tried today. Definitely, that would be my flavor of choice.”

He shared that his wife, celebrity Solenn Heussaff, and their daughter, Tili, are Oatside lovers too.

“Tili drinks the original. I put it in her baon. Solenn uses it

for her latte. She’s a latte lover.”

Oatside CEO Benedict Lim said they launched the Pocket Packs to offer consumers more convenience.

“We realized that people were drinking the milk straight from the pack, not just with coffee. It’s very difficult to bring one liter with you. We first launched the Pocket Packs in Indonesia and realized that people loved it. It makes it easier to drink the flavor variants so having a small pack is much easier.”

For more information on Oatside and the Pocket Pack Series, visit their website ( oatside.com ) or follow them on social media ( @oatside ).

Radio personality

Sam YG serves as the host of the Oatside Pocket Festival

Attendees partake in fun activities like an Oatside version of Jenga

The haircare ad featuring actress Maja Salvador has caught fire online for its meme-worthy content

Have you seen

THE latest Maja Salvador hair commercial is making its rounds online as netizens can’t get enough of how simple and funny it is. In “dogshow humor,” Maja is seen confidently combing her hand through her long and shiny hair, talking about Keratin Plus, the brand she’s now endorsing.

Known for repeating herself in gay tonality and lingo, it’s apparent that Maja is the ultimate peg of this commercial before they even filmed it.

From her interviews and vlogs, Maja is known to repeat herself whenever she deems fit, but it’s usually when words are grandiose in nature, and it’s caught on in day-to-day Filipino conversations. We tend to repeat words in a high tone when we suddenly say something in English, in light-hearted humor.

In the now-viral ad, Maja repeats herself with happy exaggerated facial expressions, and even though it’s just 15 seconds, it definitely sticks. Some netizens already made memes, saying it’s the official meme for 2024. It’s even a hot topic on Reddit, a social news website and forum where content is socially curated and promoted by site members through voting.

Moviegoers fall for Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt in ‘The Fall Guy’

UNIVERSAL’S new action film The Fall Guy opened atop the North American box office this weekend, taking in an estimated $28.5 million at a time moviegoing has hit a slump, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported Sunday.

Based on a 1980s TV series, the film from stuntmanturned-director David Leitch features stunning action sequences, including one already Guinness-certified record stunt. It also benefits from the star power of recent Oscar nominees Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt Analysts called the film’s opening disappointing given its $130 million production cost, but David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research said he viewed it as “the potential start of an action comedy series.”

In second was Disney and Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Phantom Menace , scoring $8.1 million, a surprising amount for the re-release of a 25-year-old film, one available for viewing at home and which was hardly the most popular in the Star Wars franchise.

Liam Neeson, Ewan McGregor, and Natalie Portman star. Last weekend’s list-topper, MGM’s tennis-based romance Challengers , slipped to third at $7.6 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period.

Singer/actor Zendaya plays a tennis star who retires after an injury, then later helps her husband ( Mike Faist ) prepare for a key match against her former lover and his erstwhile friend (Josh O’Connor ). Fourth place went to a new horror film, Tarot from Sony and Screen Gems, at $6.5 million. While critics’ reviews have been poor – the film “leaves no horror cliche unturned,” Variety said – the film cost just $8 million to make, so producers shouldn’t be having nightmares.

And in fifth was Warner Bros.’ Godzilla x Kong:

Social media personality Nico Bolzico graces the Oatside Pocket Festival

TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2024

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NICKIE WANG, Editor

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

Travel platform introduces movie-inspired

Hong Kong day tour

Very Wang Nickie Wang

HONG KONG has long been a popular destination for Filipinos, according to Klook’s 2024 Travel Pulse survey. Tourists flock to the city for its stunning scenery, world-class shopping, and delicious cuisine.

But for fans of the hit film Under Parallel Skies, starring Janella Salvador and Win Metawin, Hong Kong might just become even more enticing.

The movie follows the story of Parin (Win Metawin), a Thai bachelor searching for his missing mother in Hong Kong. There, he meets Iris (Janella Salvador), a Filipino hotel employee. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of both popular tourist destinations and hidden gems in Asia’s World City.

Capitalizing on the film’s popularity, Klook, Asia’s leading travel and experiences platform, launched an exclusive “Under Parallel Skies” Day Tour.

The tour, which became available on the platform on May 3, offers two exciting options: the Lantau Island Day Tour and the City-Guided Tour.

Lantau Island Day Tour takes travelers on a cable car ride to Ngong Ping Village, Po Lin Monastery, and the Tian Tan Buddha. They will also explore the charming Tai O floating village and enjoy a thrilling dolphin-watching session.

City-Guided Tour, on the other hand, allows travelers to Immerse themselves in the vibrant Thai community of Little Thailand. Visit the Tin Hau Temple, a historical monument, and

Top PH stakeholders hold realty confab

THE National Real Estate Association, Inc. (NREA), jointly with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), will convene the country’s top real estate advocates and stakeholders for a two-day national convention.

Aimed at forging a comprehensive multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary initiative to boost housing and real estate development in the country, the convention will be held on May 16 and 17 at the Ayala Hall of Makati Sports Club, L.P. Leviste Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City.

Top billing the array of expert guest speakers are DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar, who will be the guest of honor and keynote speaker Day 1; Senator Joseph Victor G. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement, as guest speaker afternoon of Day 1; Asst. Secretary Marvin Jason N. Bayang of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economics, as guest speaker on the morning of Day 2 (May 17); and Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, as guest speaker on the afternoon sessions on Day 2.

Ma. Loren B. Sales, NREA executive vice president, and convention chairlady, said that the convention is focused on the theme: “NREA: Realizing the Dream of a Thriving Real Estate Industry”.

Red J. Rosales, NREA national president, announced that NREA, DHSUD, and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to sign during the convention a joint memorandum circular strengthening

the three institutions’ partnership and operational cooperation behind the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.

To encourage the participation of the executives and representatives of local government units (LGUs) in the convention, the DILG has issued a memorandum circular to enable LGU leaders’ participation, on official time. LGUs serve as the main housing project proponents and implementors under 4PH, Rosales pointed out. Consultant Imelda C. Magtoto, NREA Chairperson, informed that participants will gain 12.5 credits in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to comply with the license renewal of real estate brokers, appraisers, and consultants while architect-participants will gain 3.5 CPD credits.

Magtoto also announced the convention topics and the invited speakers. These are: “Pasig River Rehabilitation and Other Updates”, by DHSUD Usec., Attorney Avelino Tolentino III; “Planado Project Program”, DHSUD Usec. Henry Yap; “Vertical Housing Program and Policy Initiatives for 4PH”, DHSUD Usec. Garry De Guzman; “Regional Development and LGU Process”, DILG Sec. Benjamin Abalos, Jr.; “Affordable Housing for OFWs”, Congresswoman Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino; “Future of Communities: Smart Cities and Beyond” Architect Felino Palafox, Jr.; “Towards Sustainable Communities”, DHSUD Dir. Ma. Lorina Rigor; “Innovations in Housing Technology”, Engineer Christian Camacho, DOSTFPRDI; “Trends and Opportunities

in Township Development”, Andrew Tan, Chairman and President, Megaworld Corporation; “Investment Prospects and Incentives for Mass Housing”, BOIDTI Dir. Mary Ann Raganit; “PagIBIG: Digitalizing Home Financing and Other Program Updates”, PagIBIG President and CEO Marilene Acosta; “Evolution and Future of Affordable Housing”, Attorney Christopher Ryan Tan, OSHDP Legal Counsel, Past President & President and current CEO, Hausland

Pamela Quizon; “Professionalizing Real Estate”, PRBRES Chairperson Ofelia Binag; “Digitizing Land Registry and Updates”, LRA Administrator Gerardo Sirios; “Ease of Paying Taxes and Other Updates”, BIR Commissioner Romeo Lumaqui, Jr.; “ARTA: Business-Friendly PH and Other Anti-Red Tape Updates”, ARTA Dir. Gen. Ernesto Perez; and “Land Access for Housing Through Conversion and Other Updates”, DAR Usec., Attorney Luis Meinrado Pangulayan

Sec. Gen. Loudette B. Carlos, convention vice chair, said that invited panel discussion moderators are: Leonardo Dayao, SHDA Chairman; Engineer Marcelino Mendoza, NREA Adviser & OSHDP Chairman; DILG Dir. Anna Liza Bonagua; Ricky Celis, NREA Adviser and Past President; Alejandro Manalac, NREA Adviser and Past President/

Chairman; Proptech Exec. Dir. AJ Rocero; SHDA Pres., Attorney Joy Manaog, Benigno Cabrieto, NREA Adviser and Past President/Chairman; and Paolo Giovanni Olivares, OSHDP President.

Immediately preceding the convention, NREA will hold its annual Chairperson’s Golf Cup on May 15, at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. For registration and other particulars, you may contact the NREA Secretariat at mobile/viber nos. 0927-9231113 (Exec. Asst. & Event Officer Lhane Sta. Juana); 0965-5392012 (Aileen Garlitos); 0917-6374961 (Iya Angeles) or email us at nrea_org@ gyahoo.com

The national convention

The Sheraton Hong Kong Tung Chung Hotel is a seafront hotel found near some of the popular attractions in Hong Kong

The historic fishing village also features a dolphin-watching activity

The Peng Chau beach is one of the featured Hong Kong tourist spots in ‘Under Parallel Skies’