Manila Standard - 2024 July 29 - Monday

Gov’t postpones siphoning of fuel

PCG says divers seal 9 leaking valves first as second tanker sinks nearby

By Vince Lopez and Butch Gunio

THE government postponed on Sunday the removal of fuel from a tanker that sank in Manila Bay, with fears of an environmental catastrophe growing as leaking oil reached shore for the first time.

The siphoning of the 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel oil from the ves

sel's hold was pushed back to Tuesday at the earliest so divers could seal nine leaking valves first, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said.

Meanwhile, another coast guard team was dispatched to the mouth of Manila Bay to join the search for an unspecified number of crew members who were aboard a second tanker that sank nearby, Balilo said. The motorized tanker "Jason Bradley" sank in the vicinity of Barangay Cabcaben in Mariveles, Bulacan. Coast Guard divers said the 39-meter motor tanker was loaded with “diesel cargo” of unknown quantity. Meanwhile, Balilo said leaking oil from MT Terra Nova had now reached a patch of shoreline in Hagonoy mu-

nicipality,

cargo were to leak, it would be an "environmental catastrophe."

It also called for a suspension of fishing in Manila Bay to prevent people "eating contaminated fish."

By Rex Espiritu and Rachelle Tonelada

THE United States and Japan jointly condemned Beijing's "destabilizing actions" in the South China Sea.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Defense Minister Minoru Kihara jointly expressed their “strong objections to the PRC’s unlawful maritime claims, militariza-

tion of reclaimed features, and threatening and provocative activities in the South China Sea." China's "destabilizing actions in this region include unsafe encounters at sea and in the air, efforts to disrupt other countries' offshore resources exploitation, as well as the dangerous use of Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels," the officials said in a joint communique.

The allies accused China of "intensifying attempts to unilaterally

By Alena Mae S. Flores

By Riera U. Mallari

By

MILESTONE WIN. Filipina rower Joanie Delgaco advances to the quarterfinals after beating her Vietnamese rival, Pham Thi Hue, by five seconds during the women's single sculls repêchages rowing competition at Vairessur-Marne Nautical Center during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on Sunday, July 28, 2024. AFP

Levi Jung-Ruivivar, Emma Malabuyo and Aleah Finnegan

Filipina fencer Samantha Catantan wins over Brazil's Mariana Pistoia before losing to topseeded Arianna Errigo of Italy. One Sports via Cignal TV/POC

17 Filipinos held by Houthis unhurt in Israeli airstrike

PRESIDENT Marcos said the 17 Filipinos still being held hostage by Houthi militants were unscathed by Israel's recent bombardment of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah.

“I am gratified to inform the nation that none of our 17 seafarers currently in the custody of the Houthis were affected by the recent Israeli attack on the port of

Delgaco...

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Delgaco, whose participation here was already a milestone as the first Filipina rower to qualify in the Olympics, set another achievement as she advanced to the quarterfinals of the women's single sculls on Sunday at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

In a thrilling repechage race, Delgaco engaged in a neck-and-neck battle with Vietnam's Pham Thi Hue, with the Filipina rower finding an extra gear midway through the 2,000-meter course, surging ahead to the finish with a time of 5:50.80, five seconds faster than her rival.

The 26-year-old Filipina ultimately clocked 7:55.00 to clinch the victory and advance to the next round.

Her achievement marked another milestone for Philippine rowing, following in the footsteps of Cris Nievares, who also reached the quarterfinals in the Tokyo Olympics.

Delgaco will compete in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, July 30.

Swimming...

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World record-holder Peaty is trying to match swimming legend Michael Phelps and win a third straight gold medal in the same event in a clash with Qin that is laced with intrigue.

Qin, the 200m world record-holder, was reportedly among the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for a banned drug from late 2020 to early 2021. He and Chinese swimming chiefs have denied wrongdoing.

France's great swimming hope Leon Marchand will chase glory in the men's 400m individual medley, while the women's 100m butterfly title will also be on offer.

Biles launched her Paris Olympics campaign with a stunning balance beam routine on Sunday as women's qualifying got underway in front of a star-studded crowd at Bercy Arena. Biles won four gold medals in a dazzling 2016 Rio Olympics campaign, but she withdrew from multiple events at the Tokyo Games as she battled the disorientating condition that gymnasts call "twisties.”

Japan's defending Olympic judo

“First-time Olympian Joanie just made history. Again. Qualifying in the quarterfinals means she is among the Top 24 in the world,” said rowing president Pato Gregorio.

“Joanie will try her best to reach the semifinals. We have to believe Filipinos can excel in rowing. Let me take this rare opportunity to solicit more support to kind-hearted corporate sponsors. Sana ma-tulungan po natin ang napakagandang sport na ito,” Gregorio added.

Meanwhile, Catantan bounced back from an injury scare and a three-point deficit to score a historic 15-13 win over Brazil’s Mariana Pistoia in the Round of 64, before giving top seed Arianna Errigo of Italy fits in a 12-15 loss that booted the Filipina out of the women’s individual foil fencing event.

The first-time Olympian Catantan, who prepared for the Olympics with the help of her Italian coach at Penn State University in Matteo Zennaro, stared at a 4-7 deficit and appeared to hurt the same left knee that she rehabilitated from an ACL injury suffered in the Cambodia SEA Games, when

champion Uta Abe crashed out of the Paris Games in the second round of the women's under-52kg competition after a shock defeat on Sunday. Abe, who won gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago on the same day that brother Hifumi Abe won the men's under-66kg category, lost to Uzbekistan's Diyora Keldiyorova.

Fans, meanwhile, booed a Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of raping an underaged girl as he played his first match at the Paris Olympics, where his controversial selection has put the sport in the spotlight.

Steven Van der Velde, now aged 29, was convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl and sentenced to four years in prison. He walked onto center court Sunday with teammate Matthew Immers on Sunday morning to cheers and applause, with many orange-clad Dutch fans standing to clap the pair.

The first training session for triathletes was scrapped Sunday due to pollution in the River Seine, organizers said.

Following a meeting "on the water quality" and tests, "a joint decision was taken to cancel the swimming part of the triathlon orientation," a Paris 2024 and World Triathlon statement said. AFP

Hodeidah, Yemen,” Mr. Marcos said after an update from Philippine Embassy officials stationed in Riyadh.

Israel carried out an airstrike on July 20 in response to the Houthi’s drone attack on Tel Aviv on July 19, which killed one and injured 10 individuals.

On Saturday evening, Mr. Mar-

she backtracked in the first round against the Brazilian.

But Catantan brushed off the injury scare and aggressively pounced on her foe, an army officer in Brazil, to seize the lead at 9-8 en route to the victory that netted her a Round of 32 showdown against the top seed Errigo.

“Inaral namin ang laro ng Brazilian,” said Catantan’s Filipino coach Rolando “Amatov” Canlas, before Catantan went to practice on Saturday.

But while the no. 266 Catantan –the lowest-ranked fencer in the games -- was able to handle the no. 65 Pistoia, the no. 2 Errigo was clearly the superior player, although the Filipina was able to give her all she can handle.

The 36-year-old Errigo, the gold medalist in the 2012 London Olympics, posted her biggest lead of 11-6 in the second, but the 22-year-old Catantan would not go away.

The Penn State standout was within striking distance until the third at 1214, before Errigo secured the win with a point in the final 54 seconds for the victory.

Catantan may have failed to ad-

Gov‘t...

From A1

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is working with the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute (UPMSI) on the direction of the oil spill from MT Terra Nova.

The Philippines has struggled to contain serious oil spills in the past.

It took months to clean up after a tanker carrying 800,000 litres of industrial fuel oil sank off the central island of Mindoro last year, contaminating its waters and beaches and devastating

US,...

From A1

change the status quo by force or coercion in the East China Sea" and that Chinese "foreign policy seeks to reshape the international order for its own benefit at the expense of others."

They also expressed concern about China's "ongoing and rapid expansion of its nuclear weapons arsenal, which continues without any transparency regarding its intent and which the PRC (People's Republic of China) refuses to acknowledge, despite publicly available evidence."

The statement also "highlighted with concern Russia's growing and provocative strategic military cooperation with the PRC, including through joint operations and drills in the vicinity of Japan, and the PRC’s support for Russia's defense industrial base."

They also "strongly condemned deepening Russia-North Korea cooperation, exemplified by Russia’s procurement of ballistic missiles and other materiel from North Korea in direct violation of UNSCRs (UN Security Council resolutions) for use against Ukraine."

As this developed, the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) refuted Beijing’s boast that it “permitted” the Philippines to deliver fresh supplies to its outpost in Ayungin Shoal on Saturday.

“We fully expect China to adhere to the provisions of the 'provisional understanding.' Both sides should deal with differences in a constructive manner and never through coercion and intimidation. To clarify, the Philippines did not and will never seek permission from the PRC to conduct resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal,”

cos assured the sailors' families that the Philippine government has “not forsaken them and that we are doing everything to secure their safe return home.”

“The Philippines once again joins the community of nations in calling for a speedy resolution of the current conflicts in the Middle East region,

vance to the finals in her first Olympics, but her lone win was significant as it was the first by a Filipino fencer in the Olympics in a direct elimination round. Barcelona Olympian (1992) and now Philippine Sports Commissioner Walter Torres won one bout (and lost five), but it was in the Round of Pool, failing to qualify for the finals at 53rd spot out of 59 participants.

Meanwhile, Ruivivar, Malabuyo and Finnegan are currently outside the Top 24 that would mean qualification to the all-around final. They are also out of the top 8 in each of the apparatus. A maximum of two athletes per country will qualify.

Ruivivar led the team in the balance beam with a score of 11.866, followed by Finnegan (11.466) and Malabuyo (12.233).

In the floor exercise, Malabuyo topped the team with a 13.100, while Finnegan scored 12.733 and Ruivivar 12.433. In the vault, Ruivivar earned a 13.600, Malabuyo a 13.266, and Finnegan a 13.383.

the fishing and tourism industries. Another tanker sank off the central island of Guimaras in 2006, spilling tens of thousands of gallons of oil that destroyed a marine reserve, ruined local fishing grounds and covered stretches of coastline in black sludge.

Meanwhile, the group Nuclear/Coal Free Bataan Movement (NCFBM) urged the operator of MT Terra Nova to clean up their mess at their own expense and not put marine resources and lives at risk.

The group also demanded affected Bataan fisherfolk to be compensated for the lost income opportunities during the spill-related fish ban.

National Task Force WPS Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told journalists on Sunday.

The task force also belied a Chinese Foreign Ministry press statement that its forces inspected the supplies the Philippine military was carrying to ensure that only humanitarian necessities were ferried to BRP Sierra Madre.

“There was also no boarding and inspection by the Chinese Coast Guard as claimed by the Chinese Foreign Ministry,” added Malaya, also the National Security Council Assistant Director General.

On Saturday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the support of the Philippine Coast Guard successfully carried out a RORE mission to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal using the civilian vessel ML Lapu- Lapu.

During the operation, Malaya said various Chinese maritime forces were observed in the vicinity, including four Chinese Coast Guard vessels, three People's Liberation Army- Navy vessels, and two Chinese maritime militia vessels.

“During the entire duration of the mission, the Chinese vessels maintained their distance and did not undertake any action to disrupt the RORE,” he said.

For its part, the Department of Foreign Affairs said it was unfortunate that China “mischaracterized the Philippines’ RORE mission.”

“Instead of acknowledging how two countries were able to manage differences in order to avoid miscalculation and misunderstanding, the (China) spokesperson chose to misrepresent what has been agreed between the Philippines and China regarding RORE missions in Ayungin Shoal,” the DFA said. With AFP

to the end that no more lives may be lost and all can live in peace,” he added.

Houthi militants hijacked the cargo vessel Galaxy Leader near Hodeidah in November while it was sailing for India and held hostage its 25 crewmembers, 17 of whom are Filipinos.

Dam...

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Dam’s reservoir needed six months to fully impound water. However, due to the heavy rainfall from Super Typhoon “Carina” and the enhanced “habagat,” the reservoir was nearly filled in just two days.

“Mr. President, some time this month, we were together during the inauguration of (Upper) Wawa Dam. We saw it was empty and (they said) it would take six months for them to fill it up…If without it, I feel that, most likely, San Mateo and Montalban would be down, and definitely, Marikina and parts of Quezon City and even Pasig would be affected,” said Ynares. WawaJVCo Inc. is the developer and operator of the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project. Phase 2 of the infrastructure project is the Upper Wawa Dam, which began impounding its reservoir on July 10.

The project, while designed as a water supply dam, can also help mitigate flooding in downstream communities, particularly low-lying areas in Rizal province and the eastern district of Metro Manila.

President Marcos agreed with the Rizal governor as he saw photos of the super typhoon’s flood water entering the reservoir.

“The Upper Wawa Dam project by WawaJVCo has significantly reduced the effects of flooding in comparison to previous occurrences,” the provincial government highlighted in its presentation to the President.

The Upper Wawa Dam features a reservoir of about 450 hectares, approximately twice the size of Bonifacio Global City, and can store up to 120 million cubic meters of water. It is the largest dam to be built in over 50 years, with the critical objective of addressing water supply security in Metro Manila and the province of Rizal. The floodwater entering the dam’s reservoir peaked at approximately 2,100 cubic meters per second (m³/s) based on measurements conducted throughout July 24.

The controlled impoundment successfully managed the discharge downstream to approximately 200 m³/s, significantly lessening the impact of the floods by a factor of 10.

The Upper Wawa Dam reservoir accumulated over 90 million cubic meters of water during the super typhoon. This helped to mitigate downstream flooding, contributing to the protection of lives and property.

National Irrigation Administration head Eduardo Guillen also noted the Upper Wawa Dam’s role in reducing the impact of flooding in Metro Manila.

“That’s the beauty of what President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. said regarding water management, it can mitigate floods if we can impound water,” he said.

“Like in the case of Metro Manila, there is the (Upper) Wawa Dam located at the higher level. The damage would have been greater if we did not have the (Upper) Wawa Dam because all that water would go down to Metro Manila,” Guillen added.

The Upper Wawa Dam will start to supply bulk water by the end of 2025. WawaJVCo said it will continue collaborating closely with its host communities to help strengthen resilience against future weather-related challenges.

The Prime Infra-led company under businessman Enrique Razon Jr. remains steadfast in building better lives and resilient economies through critical infrastructure, ensuring that its projects are environmentally resilient and socially relevant.

dictions.

obvious reason, many

Earlier, Education Secretary Sonny Angara encouraged learning institutions that were unscathed by the storms to push through with the opening of classes to avoid wasted school days.

Meanwhile, around 30,000 police officers have been deployed nationwide to ensure the safety of students as public elementary and high schools

begin a new school year.

“Even as we are still dealing with the aftermath of Typhoon Carina, we continue in our preparations for BalikEskwela this year," PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said. Fajardo said officers are instructed to conduct patrols in the vicinity of campuses and to establish police assistance desks (PADs) while coordinating their efforts with school officials.

As these developed, Land Transportation Office chief Vigor Mendoza II directed all regional directors and district office heads to extend to LGUs whatever assistance the agency can provide to facilitate the smooth opening of classes.

“We

road accidents,” he said.

and

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (2nd from left) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left) pose with Japan's Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (2nd from right) and Japan's Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (right) at the start of the "Foreign and Defense Ministerial (2+2) Meeting" at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo on July 28, 2024. AFP

Rep. Lucille Nava: Champion for inclusive development

By Patricia Taculao-Deligero

TRUE nation-building and development go beyond just economic prosperity. A holistic approach is crucial, focusing on the wellbeing of a nation’s people alongside economic factors.

This means investing in education to create a skilled workforce, fostering social justice and equality to ensure stability, and promoting environmental sustainability for a healthy future. By nurturing these interconnected aspects, a nation cultivates a strong foundation for not only economic growth but also a thriving citizenry and a resilient society.

In the Lone District of Guimaras, Rep. Ma. Lucille L. Nava serves as the sentinel who promotes holistic growth within her district. Her efforts in her jurisdiction and within the hallowed halls of the House of Representatives demonstrate how her leadership ensures that nobody gets left behind.

Rep. Nava is a doctor by profession. She earned her baccalaureate degree in Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. She then pursued and finished her Doctor of Medicine degree at the Iloilo Doctors’ College of Medicine.

She took her specialty training in Internal Medicine at St. Paul’s Hospital, Iloilo City, and thereafter her subspecialty training in Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City.

A Fellow of the Philippine College of Physicians, she is also an Associate Member of the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases and a Member of the Philippine Hospital Infection Control Society.

While serving her first term as the district representative in 2016, she then pursued and finished her Master’s Degree in Public Administration at Guimaras State University. Rep. Nava is the Vice-Chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations. She also holds the ViceChairmanship position in several House Committees such as the Committee in Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, Agriculture and Food, and Visayas Development.

As a Vice-Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations, she defended the budget of State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) from Regions VI, VII, and VIII. As well as that of the Department of Health, the National Nutrition Council, and the Philippine National Aids Council. However, she placed special focus on defending the budget of the National Commission of Senior Citizens, a commission with an important mandate of promoting the rights, welfare, and benefits of Filipino senior citizens.

She principally authored measures with a special focus on environmental protection, health, and food security. These legislations had been passed on the Third Reading by the House of Representatives. Among these include: House Bill No. 3695, An Act Declaring A Parcel Of Land Located In The Municipality Of Nueva Valencia In The Province Of Guimaras, A Natural Park, which aims to strengthen the protection of the jewel of Guimaras, in consideration of its diverse flora and fauna.

As can be seen from her priority bills, her advocacy programs support quality and continuing education, accessible health facilities, agricultural growth,

tourism promotion, and infrastructure development.

She has made a significant impact to the Province of Guimaras due to laws she principally authored during her previous two terms such as An Act Declaring May 22 Of Every Year A Special Nonworking Holiday In The Province Of Guimaras In Commemoration Of Its Anniversary As A Province, An Act Converting The Guimaras Land Transportation Office (Lto) Extension Office Into A Regular Lto District Office, and, An Act Converting The Guimaras State College In The Province Of Guimaras, Into A State University, To Be Known As The Guimaras State University, And Appropriating Funds Therefor.

She is especially proud of a landmark national legislation she principally authored and sponsored namely, An Act Providing For The Permanent Validity Of The Certificates Of Live Birth, Death, And Marriage Issued, Signed, Certified, Or Authenticated By The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) And Its Predecessor, The National Statistics Office (NSO), And The Local Civil Registries, And The Reports Of Birth, Death, And Marriage Registered And Issued By The Philippine Foreign Service Posts whereby Civil Registration Documents are considered permanently valid.

Rep. Nava also made significant developments in her district. Through her initiative, several key infrastructure projects came to fruition such as the Rehabilitation and Improvement of the Dr. Catalino Gallego Nava Provincial Hospital, the Construction of its new building, the Out-Patient Care Building, the Construction of the Cabano Small River Impounding Project, and the upgrading and development of the Guimaras Circumferential Roads including the concrete paving of Roads leading to Tourism Areas, Roads leading to Industries and Farm to Market Roads.

Notably, she has made it her avocation to empower her fellow women in Guimaras. For the past years, she has worked as the founding

chairwoman of the Integrated Women’s Alliance of Guimaras, an association composed of women agricultural workers, fisher folks, and housewives. Its main goal is to reach out to its marginalized members through skills training, livelihood programs, and community support activities.

On June 25, Rep. Nava was awarded by the National Nutrition Council (NNC) special recognition for her strong support to the nutrition body. She is also the principal author of House Bill No. 7869, or the Nutrition Act of 2023 which seeks to convert the NNC into a Commission.

Her recent contributions to furthering progress in the Lone District of Guimaras are financial assistance to students, implementing the Tulong Panghanapuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD), and helping her constituents receive livelihood training from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), among other initiatives.

Rep. Nava’s unwavering passion for public service and ideology of how inclusive growth across sectors shows that having the right leader guide the community to embrace their potential can reap great rewards.

Guimaras Lone District: More than just mangoes

By Peter Paul Duran

KNOWN for its world-renowned mangoes, Guimaras offers much more than just its sweet, succulent fruit. Under the dynamic leadership of Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava, the lone district of Guimaras has blossomed into a haven of adventures, culinary delights, festivals, and ecological wonders, contributing richly to the Bagong Pilipinas vision. Adventures Await

Guimaras is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts. From paddleboarding on the serene beaches of Nueva Valencia to exploring the lush hillsides on a bike, there’s something for every thrill-seeker. The province’s diverse landscape offers endless opportunities for eco-tourism, cruise and island hopping, and community-based rural tourism.

Culinary Delights

Guimaras is not just about mangoes.The province boasts a variety of culinary experiences. The local cuisine, featuring fresh seafood from places like Biking’s Seafoods Resto and Makarios Aquafarm and Restaurant, showcases the island’s bountiful marine resources.

Festivals and Celebrations

The cultural heartbeat of Guimaras can be felt in its vibrant festivals. The Manggahan Festival, celebrating the island’s famous mangoes, is a highlight, along with the Dragon Fruit Fest and Bangus Festival. Each municipality has its own unique festivities, such as the Palayag Festival in Buenavista and the Bulantihan Festival in Jordan, reflecting the rich heritage and communal spirit of the islanders. Farms and Eco-Tourism

Guimaras is home to numerous farms and eco-tourism sites. Fatima Farm Resort and Wonder’s Farm in San Lorenzo, and Dom’s Dragon Fruit Farm in Nueva Valencia, offer immersive agricultural experiences. The island’s marine reserves, such as Taklong Island National Marine Reserve, highlight the province’s commitment to environmental conservation.

Historical and Religious Heritage

The historical and religious sites of Guimaras are a testament to its rich past. Visitors can explore the Immaculate Conception Parish, established in 1835, and other significant landmarks that offer a glimpse into the island’s storied history.

Accredited Resorts and Dining

Guimaras boasts a range of accredited resorts such as Alobijod Cove Resort and Guimaras Mountain Resort, providing comfortable accommodations for visitors. The culinary scene is equally impressive, with accredited restaurants like The Pitstop and Olivia’s Kitchen and Island Brew offering local delicacies, including the iconic mango pizza. Under the visionary leadership of Rep. Ma. Lucille Nava, Guimaras continues to thrive, offering a blend of natural beauty, rich culture, and innovative tourism. The island is a shining example of how a community can leverage its natural and cultural assets to create a vibrant, sustainable future, contributing significantly to the Bagong Pilipinas initiative.

reopening of classes nationwide.

Danny Pata

Guo unlikely to attend hearings

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THERE were no words from suspended Bamban, Tarlac

Mayor Alice Leal Guo if she and her family would attend today’s resumption of the Senate hearing on the illegal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) which President Ferdinand Marcos has declared totally banned in the country.

Meanwhile, a latest survey showed an overwhelming majority of Filipinos favored the total ban on POGOs.

The mayor and her siblings, Sheila, Wesley and Seimen Guo, were believed to have gone into hiding.

IN BRIEF

Lower police-population ratio to 1:1,500—Marbil

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Sunday ordered the rationalization of the deployment of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG).

Marbil said the ideal police-to-population ratio of 1:500 must be realized, as opposed to the current 1:2,000 ratio.

The directive prioritizes individuals with high-security threats, ensuring better coverage for the broader population.

“Our directive is to ensure that our limited security resources are allocated effectively, focusing on individuals who genuinely face significant security threats. This way, we can enhance our protective services for those in need while optimizing our overall public safety efforts in our communities,” Marbil said in a statement.

Key factors in the PNP assessments include recent incidents of threats or attacks, role in government or society and intelligence reports indicating potential risks.

DSWD activates cash-for-work program

TO ASSIST families and individuals affected by super typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon, the Department of Social Welfare and Development has facilitated the provision of temporary employment under the cash-for-work program to 100 beneficiaries.

“As part of the holistic and proactive approach of the Department to assist typhoon-affected locals, the DSWD provided cash-for-work assistance as a temporary source of employment to our affected Kababayans from nearby areas in Metro Manila,” assistant secretary for Disaster Response Management Group Irene Dumlao said.

The beneficiaries helped in the repacking of family food packs at the National Resource Operations Center, she said.

Another batch of 100 beneficiaries yesterday rendered service in the agency’s main disaster response hub in Pasay City. Rio N. Araja

DOTr eyes more funds to boost PCG strength

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking an additional funding from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to augment its personnel and modernize the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) resources.

“We’re helping them to increase the number of personnel. [There are] now more than 30,000 and we’re looking at hiring 4,000 more within the year,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.

Bautista added that with the additional workforce, the PCG will be able to deploy one personnel per kilometer of the country’s coastline.

As far as equipment are concerned, Bautista said the PCG is already in the process of acquiring floating and aerial assets. Darwin G. Amojelar

The Senate issued an arrest order against them due to contempt charges for failing to show up in the hearings being conducted by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Law enforcers failed to locate the Guos in their given address in Bamban, Tarlac; Valenzuela City, and Quezon City.

But the Bureau of Immigration believes the Guo siblings are still in the country although Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said it was likely the mayor, also known as

Guo Hua Ping, could have used her Chinese passport in fleeing to China.

The mayor’s parents Jian Zhong Guo and biological mother Wenyi Lin, both Chinese nationals, were believed to be in China.

Also, Hontiveros’ committee has not yet received confirmation if Dennis Cunanan, former director general of the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC), will appear in the committee’s fifth hearing.

Only Nancy Gamo, the accountant of the Bamban mayor, could attend the hearing as she remained in Senate custody.

New DA program offers basic goods at lower prices

By Othel V. Campos

AGRICULTURE Secretary Francisco

Tiu Laurel, Jr. has announced a new initiative called “KADIWA sa BayanAnihan,” aimed at easing the financial burden of Filipino consumers by providing affordable food options.

The move builds upon the success of the government’s P29-rice program and seeks to expand access to lower-priced basic goods and agricultural products through KADIWA centers nationwide.

“We believe in the power of the bayanihan spirit. This initiative will not only help consumers, but also provide farmers’ cooperatives and food producers a platform to sell their products directly (to consumers),” said Laurel.

The DA calls on “Kabayani” farmers’ groups and food companies to participate by offering essential food items such as vegetables, eggs, chicken, pork, fish, sugar, spices, canned goods, cooking oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and noodles at wholesale prices.

Profits generated from the “Kabayani” initiative will be used to sustain the P29-rice program, providing subsidized rice to 6.9 million households and reaching an estimated 34 million Filipinos.

A large-scale trial of the P29-rice program is currently underway, with over 12.7 metric tons of rice already sold to more than 25,000 households in the first two weeks.

The DA is confident that “KADIWA sa BayanAnihan” will effectively address the rising cost of food and provide much-needed relief to Filipino consumers.

DOH: 40 health centers damaged by ‘Carina,’ habagat

AT LEAST 40 health facilities across the country were partially damaged by tropical cyclone Carina and the southwest monsoon or habagat, the Department of Health (DOH) said Sunday.

DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo said those damaged were 18 barangay health stations, 14 hospitals, seven rural health units, and one DOH regional office.

“They are still operational. They were just flooded and had to evacuate some personnel. But the health workers have returned to their jobs,” Domingo said.

On Thursday, DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa reported there were 11 health facilities that sustained partial damage because of the typhoon.

Despite this, Domingo said that the DOH continues to provide primary care services to people affected by “Carina” and the habagat. He noted that a total of 5,159 consultations of various health concerns have been conducted in the evacuation centers.

“They usually consult about common diseases such as cough and colds because we are in evacuation conditions. There are people who also ask about prophylaxis against leptospirosis because they waded through floods,” Domingo said.

Herbosa earlier said that cases of leptospirosis were expected to increase in the coming days as the heavy rains resulted in severe flooding in various parts of Luzon.

The National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Region, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon are currently under Code Blue due to the aftermath of Carina and the habagat. Code Blue, the second highest alert, 50-percent agency resource mobilization, meaning teams are deployed to augment existing regular day-to-day resources, and attend to affected areas or to treat patients.

DOH’s Incident Command System is also activated and a coordinative meeting with health clusters is conducted. Coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) is also required under this alert.

Senator vows to push pro-teachers measures

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday vowed to pursue legislation to institutionalize more benefits and protection for teachers.

Gatchalian said one of his proposed laws is the Revised Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Senate Bill No. 2493).

It amends the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670).

The proposed changes include the grant of calamity leave, educational benefits, and longevity pay; the circumstances and conditions on the grant of special hardship allowance; enrichment of the criteria for salaries. The bill also provides for the protection of teachers from out-of-pocket expenses, among others.

OPINION

SONA, Sara, and Vive la Difference

described with absolute truth the real state of our nation.

A nation whose economic managers keep touting our GDP growth figures which have barely recovered from the recession caused by the pandemic, yet unleashed an inflation backlash that deepened poverty thereby increasing the disparity between the few rich and the teeming poor.

I recall one of GMA’s SONA-tas where she described the country as being of two worlds, divided between the rich and the poor. Sadly, neither she nor her successors in high office managed to decisively narrow that great divide.

Even more tragic for the benighted land is that most of those who applauded the current leadership lustily last Monday are the ones responsible for this real state of the nation.

Heaven proved it on Wednesday when it poured torrents upon the nation’s capital and the rest of Luzon, when great floods engulfed the hovels of the poorest, destroyed the few saved possessions of the middle class, while the rich in their exclusive villages were hardly annoyed as they watched Netflix while sipping imported wines, fruits and cheeses.

Such that the 5,500 completed flood control projects our president boasted in his SONA suddenly fell flat because most of these were, as usual, shabbily built by contractors who had to cough huge commissions to government officials, including the biggest crocodiles of all who have made the once “august” chambers of our legislature their denizen.

More than 60 of these contractors are now “solons,” a mockery of the descriptive name reserved for the wise, transformed into “wais” only in da Pilipins.

While the metropolis and other provinces were drowning in floods, security cameras of the airport caught the vice president, the long-suffering Inday Sara, leaving for Dubai on her way to Munich along with her halfGerman mother, her husband and their three young children.

Fed to media, a clear hatchet job by her envious political enemies, the picture sent her detractors into paroxysms of gleeful denunciation at her supposed “insensitivity” amidst national calamity.

Never mind that a trip to far-away lands is something you plan way ahead of departure, where you have to get Schengen visas for brood ahead of time; apply for a personal leave from Malacanang (which she got on July 9, two weeks before her very early Wednesday morning flight); book your places of stay and other arrangements.

That is something surely not lost to the congressmen who take every opportunity to travel abroad.

Neither did anyone, most especially the commentators and political analysts of

“pinklawan” stripes, even compare the 27 trips in 22 months of our president, F-1 spectacles included, during which times the vice president dutifully stayed in the country as “designated” caretaker.

How sadistic these pundits have become, kicking someone from the boondocks of Mindanao when she has become officially “passe,” down and out, despite fortifying a once hailed “Uniteam” and now left with the powerless title of being Constitutional successor, but only “if and when.”

Again, such is the aberrant character of many among us, who butter-up to the rich and famous when they are up, yet derisively laugh when ordinary folk slip on pavements, instead of helping them.

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Such is the aberrant character of many among us, who butterup to the rich and famous when they are up, yet derisively laugh when ordinary folk slip on pavements, instead of helping them

But the tragic events were at least temporarily forgotten as many were assuaged by the hope some of our athletes would capture a gold or two, maybe even three at the Paris Olympiad which unveiled in unprecedented manner early Saturday morning, local time.

From the comfort of our homes, we watched the open air rites that started the 33rd Olympiad along the Seine, where our athletes joined hundreds of other representatives of their countries as they glided in bateaus of various sizes from Ile de la Cite to Le Tour Eiffel.

Interspersed along the parade “sous le ponts de Paris” were outstanding dance and musical performances from classical to pop to rock that featured Lady Gaga at the start and the inimitable Celine Dion singing “Hyme a l’amour” at the end, while a “son et lumiere” spectacle lighted Paris skies, and the Olympic cauldron lit by the fabled torch brought from Greece to Marseilles and thence to Paris by so many athletic greats from different nations, floating gracefully on a hot air balloon.

Spending much less, the French creatively fashioned opening rites more memorable than the Beijing 2008 extravaganza that we thought was unbeatable when we watched it then.

Trust French creativity to come up with “Vive la Difference”!

IN PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s 3rd State of the Nation address, he emphasized education as a moral and economic imperative, highlighting current challenges like deficiencies in information literacy, problemsolving, and critical thinking among over half of students in grades 6, 10, and 12. He called for a continuous national learning recovery program in basic education.

The President underscored the need for a strategic overhaul of the education system to develop students into problem-solvers and critical thinkers.

Public-private complementarity to transform Philippine education —“—

He stressed the urgency to address both classroom and digital divides by providing modern digital tools, reliable power, and internet access, aiming for technology-driven educational reform.

To tackle outdated and error-prone textbooks, he announced plans to streamline the production and distribution process from three years to one, ensuring current and accurate materials.

Recognizing teachers as the educational system’s foundation, he announced the allocation of funds for an expanded career progression system to promote professional development in teaching and administration.

The President noted increased enrollment in higher education and technical-vocational education and training (TVET), highlighting TVET’s 80 percent employment rate. He plans to integrate TVET into the Senior High School curriculum to enhance student employability. Identifying IT and creative sectors as high-potential areas, Marcos Jr. envisions schools as hubs for innovation, providing advanced learning in robotics, AI, and IoT. TVET Innovation Centers will offer highlevel training in cybersecurity and creative industries, preparing students for the evolving job market.

Marcos Jr.’s SONA outlines a transformative plan for Philippine education, integrating technology, empowering teachers, and expanding TVET to prepare students as innovative and critical thinkers for the nation’s progress. These are indeed forward-thinking plans to transform the Philippine educational landscape.

Marcos Jr.’s SONA outlines a transformative plan for Philippine education, integrating technology, empowering teachers, and expanding TVET to prepare students as innovative and critical thinkers for the nation’s progress

However, to realize such a system transformation a staggering amount of financial and human resources will need to be mobilized and efficiently harnessed to reverse what many experts are calling an education crisis that will have long term consequences –a daunting challenge to the new Education Secretary Sonny Angara. This is where the complementary role of

Diplomacy can work with Vietnam

IF WE can discuss with our neighbor Vietnam overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea, perhaps we can also do the same with China?

Maybe. Or maybe not at all, if Beijing will continue to insist on a mythical ‘tendash line’ that supposedly gives it neartotal ownership of the vital sealane.

In the case of our bilateral ties with Vietnam, we remain on friendly terms despite our competing territorial claims in the South China Sea.

On June 14, the Philippines filed a submission before the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf asking the body to establish the Philippine Extended Continental Shelf in the West Philippine Sea, specifically the western Palawan region, beyond the current 370 kilometers (200 nautical miles).

Our claim stands on solid ground.

Under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), coastal states like the Philippines are entitled to establish the outer limits of its continental shelf, comprising the seabed and the subsoil of submarine areas, beyond its 370-km exclusive economic zone but not exceeding 648 km (350 nm).

However, Vietnam has sent a note ver-

bale to the Secretary General of the United Nations stating its position regarding the Philippine submission last month. In doing so, Hanoi once again affirmed its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos in accordance with international law.

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If dialogue and consultation are what Beijing wants, how come it is using brute force and intimidation of our fisherfolk, Coast Guard and Philippine Navy in our own Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea?

It said it “resolutely rejects” and “cannot accept” the Philippines’ ECS claim, citing overlap with Vietnam’s 370-km continental shelf, which violated its “inherent sovereign rights and jurisdiction.”

AS TYPHOON Carina unleashed its fury across the Philippines, inundating communities and leaving devastation in its wake, Vice President Sara Duterte was conspicuously absent.

Her trip to Germany, coinciding with the country’s urgent disaster response efforts, has sparked a contentious debate on the ethics and responsibilities of public officials during crises.

Typhoons are a perennial menace to the Philippines, an archipelago situated in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Each year, these storms bring widespread destruction, displacing families, and wreaking havoc on infrastructure.

The role of public officials during such calamities is crucial, not only for coordinating relief efforts but also for providing moral support to the afflicted populace. Their presence can significantly influence the efficiency and effectiveness of disaster response.

The Case vs. Sara Duterte’s trip

From an ethical standpoint, the timing of Vice President Duterte’s trip raises serious questions.

As the storm battered the nation, the optics of her departure to Germany appear, at best, insensitive and, at worst, negligent.

The Philippines needs leaders who exemplify selflessness, particularly in times of national distress.

Duterte’s absence during Typhoon Carina starkly contrasts with the proactive stance taken by her predecessor, Leni Robredo, who was known for personally overseeing relief operations.

Rep. Edcel Lagman’s criticism that Duterte’s actions demonstrate an “appalling lack of empathy and concern” echoes the sentiments of many Filipinos.

The ethical and moral standards expected of public officials, as outlined in Republic Act 6713, emphasize accountability, responsiveness, and commitment to public interest.

Duterte’s decision to leave the country during a calamity seemingly contravenes

the private educational institutions, as mandated in our Constitution, will be crucial, to which the private education sector is pro-actively stepping up as a ready partner whose resources can be tapped as an immediate solution to address current gaps in the public school system.

I was fortunate to have been invited to the thanksgiving dinner hosted by Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations (COCOPEA) wherein the private educational institutions gathered to honor the new DepED Secretary which has ignited widespread support, particularly from the private education sector.

In a published statement, Fr. Albert N. Delvo, Chairman of COCOPEA, emphasized their readiness “to share our resources in response to immediately address the goals of the Department of Education under your leadership, to meet the education system’s challenges related to quality, employability, and public-private complementarity, including the expansion of government assistance and subsidies.”

They highlighted the value of Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) voucher program in “enhancing educational opportuni-

these principles. Legally, the provision of travel authority by Malacañang does not absolve her of responsibility. Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, mandates that public officials play active roles in disaster preparedness and response. Duterte’s absence during a critical period could be perceived as a dereliction of this duty.

Arguments in favor of the trip

However, there are perspectives that defend Duterte’s actions.

Vice President Duterte’s trip to Germany amid Typhoon Carina serves as a critical test of the ethical and moral fabric of public service in the Philippines

The OVP has highlighted that the Disaster Operations Center, established under her tenure, continued to function effectively, providing assistance to those in evacuation centers. This argument underscores the institutional capacity built to handle such situations, implying her physical presence was not indispensable. Furthermore, personal commitments and pre-planned family trips are realities that even public officials must navigate.

The granting of travel authority by Malacañang suggests the trip was vetted and approved within legal frameworks. This implies a degree of trust in the systems and teams in place to manage disaster response

ties for millions of Filipino public school students, fostering complementarity between public and private schools, and driving overall improvement in the quality of education nationwide.” The Private Education Assistance Committee, trustee of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education, strongly supports Angara’s efforts to sustain government assistance for underprivileged students.

PEAC Executive Director Doris Fernandez Ferrer expressed eagerness to collaborate with Secretary Angara to promote an inclusive, equitable, and superior educational system. To uplift teachers, Ferrer proposed increasing the Teacher Salary Subsidy for private school educators from P18,000 to P24,000, requiring the State Assistance Council to convene or hold an online referendum. She emphasized the need for robust accountability systems and timely assessments. Additionally, she recommended increasing the Education Service Contracting program subsidy and voucher amounts, with eligibility limited to quality-assured providers.

But even if we have differences on this issue, what’s important is that Hanoi reiterated it is still open to discussion with the Philippines in accordance with UNCLOS. It requested the ECS commission to “refrain from considering” the Philippines’ submission “until all the relevant issues have been resolved by Vietnam and the Philippines.”

Despite our contrasting claims, we have expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table to iron out differences.

According to the DFA, the Philippines is “ready to engage” with Hanoi on “possible ways forward that would help achieve a mutually beneficial solution to South China Sea issues, in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS.” As expected, China’s Foreign Ministry has opposed the submissions of the Philippines and Vietnam because it says these “infringe on China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests” and violated international law, including the UN Charter and UNCLOS.

Moreover, China was committed to handling maritime conflicts through “dialogue and consultation.”

If dialogue and consultation are what Beijing wants, how come it is using brute force and intimidation of our fisherfolk, Coast Guard and Philippine Navy in our own Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea?

in her absence.

Balancing these arguments requires an objective look at both the immediate and broader implications of Duterte’s decision.

While the operational readiness of the OVP’s Disaster Operations Center is commendable, leadership during crises involves more than administrative efficiency.

The symbolic presence of a leader can galvanize efforts, provide comfort to victims, and enhance public morale.

Duterte’s absence, therefore, detracted from this symbolic leadership.

The comparison to Leni Robredo is particularly poignant. Robredo’s hands-on approach during calamities set a high bar for responsiveness and empathy.

Duterte’s departure during Typhoon Carina fails to meet this standard, undermining public confidence in her commitment to her role.

Moving forward, public officials must prioritize transparency and accountability in their actions.

Duterte should provide a comprehensive explanation of her trip’s necessity and the measures taken to ensure her duties were not neglected.

This would help mitigate public discontent and rebuild trust. It is essential to institutionalize protocols that ensure continuous leadership presence during national emergencies.

This might include delegation mechanisms that enable officials to fulfill personal obligations without compromising their public responsibilities.

Vice President Duterte’s trip to Germany amid Typhoon Carina serves as a critical test of the ethical and moral fabric of public service in the Philippines.

As the nation grapples with the aftermath of the storm, it also confronts the broader question of what it truly means to lead. The answers lie in the actions and accountability of those entrusted with public office.

PEAC tackles classroom shortages and overcrowding in public schools by offering financial assistance to students attending private high schools through a range of Government Assistance and Subsidies Programs. These include the ESC program for students transitioning from elementary to junior high school and the Senior High School Voucher Program for senior high school students.

PEAC also implements the TSS and the In-Service Training programs, enhancing teacher competencies through targeted training. In the 2022-2023 school year, PEAC’s initiatives benefited over 2.2 million students. Since its inception, approximately 9.7 million students from about 8,000 schools have received support. The multi-sectoral support for Secretary Angara reflects a shared vision of improving the quality of Philippine education. With various educational and business groups rallying behind him, Angara is poised to lead significant reforms that will benefit millions of Filipino students who will eventually be running the future of our nation.

Marcos to submit P6.35-t budget

By Rio N. Araja

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to submit his proposed P6.352-trillion national budget for next year to the House of Representatives today, according to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

He will make the submission through Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who would present the proposed outlay and other related documents, including his budget message, to Romualdez and other officials of the House of Representatives.

Senators back energy law amendments

By Macon Ramos-Araneta and Alena Mae Flores

SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian said any amendment in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) should result in lower electricity prices to benefit consumers who continue to be burdened with high electricity costs.

Gatchalian noted that electricity prices in the country remain at high levels.

Senator JV Ejercito said it is about time to amend EPIRA. “Power generation, distribution, and high rates should be addressed and prioritized,” he said.

Gatchalian said the government needs to be able to provide not just a steady and sufficient supply but also affordable energy for our consumers. The senators made the statement following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s’ call for a review of EPIRA in his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Gatchalian said he supports the President’s call to amend EPIRA to address issues hounding the energy sector including high prices.

Ejercito, on the other hand, said the President’s call is a “welcome development.”

According to Gatchalian, EPIRA should be amended to give the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) more teeth in enforcing accountability among industry players who fail to deliver their mandate.

The turnover would take place at 10 a.m. at the Romualdez Hall of the House at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

On the eve of the submission of the proposed budget to Congress, Romualdez said Congress is ready to receive it and to start committee deliberations as

soon as possible.

“We will make sure that enough funds will be allocated for social services and for programs that will sustain our economic growth,” he said.

The House would scrutinize budget proposal and would continue to exercise its oversight function to ensure that agencies are judiciously spending the money allocated to them.

Congress would align its version of the 2025 budget with the Chief Executive’s spending priorities and his agenda for prosperity.

Romualdez maintained his commitment to approve the proposed budget before the first recess of Congress in October.

This week, after inspecting flooded areas in Metro Manila, Romualdez vowed to initiate a review and an updating of flood control projects in the metropolis and other flood-prone parts of the country.

The Chief Executive is presenting the budget to Congress exactly a week from the opening of the third and last regular session of the legislature, or three weeks ahead of his constitutional deadline.

The President’s proposal is known as the National Expenditure Program.

The Congress’ version of the budget is called the General Appropriations Bill.

When the President signs the bill into law, it becomes the General Appropriations Act.

IN BRIEF

Several hurt in gas explosion in Legazpi City

SEVERAL people were hurt due to a gas leak explosion near the CAL Courtyard Building in Barangay Pinaric in Legazpi City.

The injured include Fr. Luigi de Giambattista, a parish missioner of Sagrada Familia in Barangay Bogtong, and thirty-one others including a pregnant woman.

Authorities said the explosion was caused by a leak in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The explosion damaged the ceiling and roll-up doors of the building, according to P/LtCol Ray Anthony Villanueva, acting police chief of Legazpi City Police Station (LCPS). Villanueva said that a joint initial investigation with PNP SOCO and Albay Police Provincial Office revealed that the explosion occurred at around 11:30 in the morning of Saturday. Most of the injured were attending the blessing of Goto Mo’Ko food stall in the CAL Courtyard Building when the explosion occurred. Caloy Lozada

More than 14K take US nursing examination

A TOTAL of 14,158 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates from the Philippines took the US licensure examination for the first time from January to June 2024, in the hopes of landing high-paying jobs, according to Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo.

“The numbers clearly indicate that many Philippine-educated nurses are very eager to practice their profession in America, where their skills will get the highest rewards in terms of compensation income,” he said. At least 57 percent of BSN graduates from the Philippines have passed the U.S. licensure test on their first take, he said. In the whole 12 months of 2023, a record-breaking 36,410 nursing graduates from the Philippines took the U.S. licensure test for the first time, without counting repeaters, he added. Rio N. Araja

DPWH team heads to Japan for training

A DELEGATION from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) went to Japan to enhance technical skills and knowledge through a capacity development program. This initiative underscores the agency’s commitment to adopting state-of-the-art technologies to improve infrastructure development in the Philippines, particularly in tunneling projects.

Organized in collaboration with leading Japanese engineering firms such as Nippon Koei Co., Ltd., Metropolitan Expressway Limited, Philkoei International, Inc., and institutions like the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), the program offers DPWH the opportunity to gain firsthand experience and insights into Japan’s advanced engineering practices in road tunnel and expressway operation.

Lawmaker seeks to amend SIM Card Law to stop criminal groups

By Rio N. Araja

SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers is batting for an amendment of some provisions of the SIM Card Law to address the problem of crime groups buying in bulk SIM (subscriber identity module) cards for use in various online scamming schemes.

He was reacting to the hearings

being conducted by the House Committee on Public Order which showed that several raided Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) firms were found to have stashed thousands of recently procured SIM cards reportedly for use in their online scam

ming schemes. He said the passage of the SIM Registration Act or Republic Act 11934

mandating the registration of SIM cards, whether prepaid or postpaid, crime groups or individuals, local and foreign, managed to play around with said law and continue with their scamming operations.

“The law was intended to curb cybercriminal activities, to address issues related to trolling, hate speech and online disinformation. But what we are seeing and witnessing today is that online scamming activities continuous and remain unabated,” he said. Under the implementing rules and regulations of the SIM Card Law enacted on Dec. 27, 2022, postpaid subscribers are considered to already be registered with telco companies, only having to confirm the existing details they already have with the telcos.

By Rio N. Araja

THE government has ample funds for emergency relief aid and rehabilitation services to communities affected by the southwest monsoon and typhoon “Carina,” according to 4Ps party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan.

“In the 2024 General Appropriations Law, Congress earmarked the sum of P20.5 billion for the calamity fund to provide relief augmentation, such as cash aid and shelter assistance,” he said.

“The calamity fund also covers the repair and restoration of damaged vital public structures such as school buildings, hospitals, roads, bridges and seaports, among others,” he added.

Various government departments have quick response fund allocations lodged in their budgets for disaster recovery. “In fact, we expect rebuilding activities to help create construction-related jobs that will benefit low-income households,” Libanan said. The calamity fund “will replenish the QRF allocations of the various departments as needed,” he cited. The last two typhoons to hit the Philippines –“Carina” and “Butchoy” – adversely affected more than 3.3 million people countrywide.

YOUNG CYCLISTS. Young cyclists participate in the push bike kids race as part of the 10th Iloilo Bike Festival. Norman Cruz

Batangas thwarts P’sinan; Bataan, Binan trip rivals

THE Batangas City Tanduay Rum Masters thwarted the Pangasinan Heatwaves’ final assault to prevail, 71-64, on Saturday and regained traction in the MPBL (Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League) Sixth Season at the Calasiao Sports Complex in Pangasinan.

Powered by Cedric Ablaza, Juneric Baloria and Levi Hernandez, the Rum Masters surged ahead, 64-50, in the fourth quarter en route to their 13th win against 6 losses in the round-robin elimination phase of the 29-team tournament.

Pangasinan countered with a ninepoint cluster to move closer, 59-64, but Hernandez scored to break the spell and pull down the Heatwaves to 7-13.

Baloria wound up with 16 points, including 3 triples, and 5 rebounds for Batangas, which rebounded from a 69-83 beating it suffered against San Juan on July 18.

Ablaza finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals, followed by Jeckster Apinan with 10 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists, and Dawn Ochea with 10 points plus 4 rebounds.

Pangasinan got 11 points each from Michael Mabulac and John Paul Maguilano and 10 points, all in the fourth quarter, from Ian Melencio Other games saw Binan Tatak Gel trounce Negros, 91-72, and Bataan tame Mindoro, 103-96.

Kenny Roger Rocacurva posted 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 assists to lead Binan to an 11-7 card.

PH’s Smart Omega Empress tops MLBB Invt’l in Riyadh

All-Cebuana roster makes historic win as the first world champions from the Philippines in the Esports World Cup

ANEW era dawns for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang MLBB) women’s esports. Smart Omega (Empress (OMGE) on Sunday dethroned Team Vitality (VIT), to take the MLBB Women’s Invitational (MWI) 2024 and write history as the first Filipino team to win a tournament at the Esports World Cup.

The all-Filipino team from Cebu executed a clean sweep over their Indonesian rivals in the Best-Of-Five (BO5) Grand Finals, ending their 24-match winning streak dating back to 2021. Along with the crown, OMGE takes home USD 180,000 of the USD 500,000 prize pool, the largest-ever

purse in women’s esports. Sheen “Shinoa” Perez was declared the Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP), taking home USD 50,000.

The MWI is the biggest MLBB esports tournament for women athletes and aims to provide female players with the platform to pursue their esports am-

bitions. The MWI 2024 was played in the Amazon Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time that the tournament was held outside of Southeast Asia, as part of the maiden Esports World Cup. The tournament brought together 12 international teams from around the world.

Smart Omega Empress is fielded by Gold Laner Sheen “Shinoa” Perez, Jungler Kaye “Keishi” Alpuerto, Mid Laner Rica “Amoree” Amores, EXP Laner Gwyneth “Ayanami” Diagon, and Roamer Mery Christine “Meraaay” Vivero. The team is led by Coach Salman “KingSalman” Macarambon. OMGE Roamer, Meraaay said during the post-match press conference: “We

PSC joins UNESCO’s Global Ministerial Sports Conference

THE Philippine Sports Commission, led by Chairman Richard Bachmann, participated in the “Change the Game: Global Ministerial Sports Conference” held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France to affirm the country’s solidarity in promoting an inclusive and safe sporting atmosphere. This conference precedes the opening ceremony of the Olympics in the French capital. The event brought together ministers, sports organizations, high-level athletes, private sector representatives, investors, social entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to discuss the role of sports in driving transformative social development.

“So many lessons learned about changing the game that we can actually put on our own framework while continuing the success of Philippine sports. Truly, sports can make a significant difference in our society,” Bachmann said.

Key discussions focused on developing and implementing more inclusive and high-quality physical education and sports policies, programs, and practices.

“These key insights are crucial for the advancement of Philippine sports. We, at PSC, are committed to ensuring a completely safe sporting environment for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or nationality,” Bachmann added.

UST turns back LPU in V-L opener

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas, despite being heavily filled with rookies, hurdled Lyceum of the Philippines University, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20, 25-17, to kick off the 2024 VLeague Women’s Collegiate Challenge at the Paco Arena yesterday (Sunday).

Angge Poyos and Jonna Perdido delivered 16 points apiece, while Marga Altea and Regina Jurado combined for 26 markers for the Golden Tigresses, whose focus wasn’t solely on the results but on observing their responses and adaptability in various situations.

“Halos puro rookie naglaro ngayon, pero whatever the result, gusto lang namin makita is paano sila magreact for different scenarios, paano yung adjustment and judgment, kasi skills-wise nandiyan na,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes.

UST made quick work of LPU in the fourth set, storming to a six-point

lead, capped by a Perdido offspeed hit, 16-10.

A Perdido tipover and Jurado’s through-the-block conversion completed the Golden Tigresses’ victory over the Lady Pirates.

After barely taking the opening set, the Golden Tigresses ran into a spate of miscues, ending up with 13 and enabling their NCAA rivals to draw level.

“May mga lapses, pero mas marami ang nakakaadapt doon sa system, ang kailangan na lang is yung consistency ng galaw, ‘yun naman ang intention,” said Reyes, who wards recovered in the pivotal third set.

Johna Dolorito paced the Lady Pirates with 15 points, while Janeth Tulang and Heart Bio chipped in 11 and 10 markers, respectively.

UST will next face the University of the East on Aug. 4, while LPU tries to bounce back against the University of the Philippines on Aug. 7.

want to give honor to our country. I hope we made our kababayans (countrymen) proud, including those who went to the venue to support us. It feels like a dream for all of us. We would like to take our hats off to Team Vitality who gave us a good fight. We can already call ourselves world champions.”

“To all aspiring female MLBB players out there, continue what you’re doing, especially if it is something that you love. We started from scratch,

DAVAO – Seven players from Del Monte are poised to make a strong impression as they descend on the South Pacific Golf and Leisure Estates for Leg 2 of the ICTSI Junior PGT Mindanao Series here. As hosts of the third stage of the fourleg regional circuit, they are eager to gauge the competition and set the pace when the tournament tees off tomorrow (Tuesday, July 30). Their early arrival underscores their commitment and determination to excel and gain valuable experience ahead of their home advantage in the next leg.

Leading the charge for the Bukidnon golfers are Ralph Batican, last year’s boys’ 11-12 division champion at the inaugural JPGT National Finals, and Mico Woo. These young athletes are prepared to face a competitive field in the four-division series organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

The competition will be fierce, with strong contenders such as South Cotabato’s Jared Saban, who dominated the kickoff leg of the Mindanao series at Apo Golf last week. Other notable competitors include Laurence Saban, Marco Senador, Cagayan de Oro’s Jose Francesco Lim, Davao’s Scionvirje Recto and Prince Lao, all aiming to excel in the 1012 category.

In the girls’ 10-12 division, Rafella Batican and Angel May Wahing will be key players, looking to challenge last week’s playoff winner, Brittany Tamayo. Kimberly Barroquillo, who narrowly missed the title in a sudden death match, seeks redemption in a crowded field of 16 competitors.

Other participants include Kelsey Bernardino, Merrel Salvador, Isabella Espina, Laurice Uy, Davelyn Dy and Natalie Pavadora.

Stephanie Mae Tagud of Del Monte is also determined to halt Apo leg champion Johanna Uyking’s bid for another title run in the girls’ 13-15 division. Zero Plete, Merry Rose Wacan and Althea Patosa are also strong contenders in this category of the nationwide series, supported by ICTSI and PGTI official apparel Kampfortis Golf. Alexis Nailga leads the Bukidnon team’s title drive in the boys’ 13-15 division, which features last week’s runaway winner AJ Wacan, along with Joaquin Pasquil, Hisham Gampong, Daniel Nagayo, Miguel Bernardo, Dexter Eiki, Felix Bula III and Yuki Castos. In the girls’ 16-18 division, Crista Miñoza from the renowned golfing clan is aiming for a top finish, expecting a spirited duel with Ashley

(From left) The Philippines’ Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gerardo E. Tamayo, PSC

Sports Events Project Head Kirsten Evan Regodon, PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, PSC Sports Events Deputy Project Head Annie Ruiz, and PSC Chief-of-Staff Niño Deo Urquiaga

Angge Poyos (left) of University of Sto. Tomas shines both in defense and offense

Kenny Roger Rocacurva delivers for Binan

The Smart Omega Empress esports warriors executed a clean sweep over their Indonesian rivals in the Best-Of-Five (BO5) Grand Finals, ending the latter’s 24-match winning streak dating back to 2021.

Ralph Batican

MONDAY, JULY 29, 2024

RIERA U. MALLARI, Editor

RANDY M. CALUAG, Asst. Editor

EDGARD HILARIO, Asst. Editor

POC chief lauds strong start by Filipino athletes

PARIS (Via PLDT Home)—Carlos

Yulo had a strong start in gymnastics and Joanie Delgaco rowed her way to the quarterfinals and Team Philippines was off to a potent start in the Paris Olympics, according to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino.

“Our athletes displayed strong performances two days into the Games,” said Tolentino as he again made the rounds of the venues where Filipino athletes were to compete Sunday.

“We have to note that during the qualifying rounds, all athletes are giving their best in order to secure their spots in the next round.”

“So it was a tough one for them but they still did an excellent job advancing,” he added. Yulo made the finals of his signature events floor exercise and vault, plus the men’s all-around on Saturday. Delgaco wasn’t in the thick of the fight in women’s singles sculls of rowing on Saturday but the first-time Olympian got herself into the top 24 after topping Repechage 1 on Sunday to go deeper into the competition. End it…end it

Fil-British Jarman is Yulo’s biggest threat in fight for floor exercise gold

By Riera U. Mallari

It will either be Carlos Yulo, a pure-blooded Pinoy.

Or Jake Jarman, a Filipino-British wunderkind.

“Isa lang ang makakalaban ni Caloy, si Jake Jarman,” said gymnastics’ president Cynthia Carrion when asked who will be the Filipino gymnast’s biggest threat to win the gold in the floor exercise finals on August 3.

“He’s a British Filipino, kaibigan siya ni Caloy,” added Carrion of the Fil-Brit, who is fighting neck-andneck with Yulo at the end of the men’s

floor exercise qualification phase, with a leading score of 14.966 to the latter’s 14.766. Jarman was only a reserve player for the British team during the Tokyo Olympics, where Yulo finished 44th in the floor exercise and fourth in the vault.

But the 22-year-old Jarman finally bloomed the following year in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he won golds in the team competition, the individual allaround, the floor final and the vault.

The following year, Jarman captured the gold in his favorite vault event of the 2023 World Championship, while making the finals of the all-around. This also makes him Yulo’s biggest thorn in his quest for the all-around and vault golds, where the Filipino also qualified in the finals.

“Caloy’s chances to medal in the overall, mahirap. Even bronze, mahirap. Pero sa floor, magaling siya diyan. At least one gold, maybe two, if he does well in the vault,” said Carrion.

But while Jarman stands on the opposite side of the fence for now, the gymnastics’ chief is luring him to join the Philippine team in the future.

“Next Olympics, he (Jarman) wants to be fighting for the Phillippines, nagsabi na siya sa akin. FIG (world

POC comes up with commemorative ‘100 years’ pin

PARIS (Via PLDT Home) – Collecting pins given out by participating countries is one of the exciting parts of the Olympics.

Celebrating the Philippines’ centenary of participation in the Olympic Games, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) came up with a special pin commemorating the historic moment for the country as it looks back to its Olympic Games debut in Paris in 1924.

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino personally designed the pins which were custom manufactured in Tagaytay, the city which he leads as mayor, to celebrate the country’s centennial participation in the Olympics.

“This milestone, coinciding with the 2024 Olympics and the 1924 Olympiad centennial in Paris, reflects our enduring legacy in sports and national pride. Let’s remember the trailblazers like David Nepomuceno and Coach Regino Ylanan, whose dedication and achievements inspire us to strive for excellence.”

David Nepomuceno was a world-class

Catantan stuns Brazilian foe but falls to top-seed Italian

By Riera U. Mallari

laro ng Brazilian,” said Catantan’s Filipino coach Rolando “Amatov” Canlas, before Samantha went to practice on Saturday.

“Malalampasan niya ito,” Canlas predicted prior to the bout. “Hindi siya (Pistoia) masyado sumasali sa mga worlds, kaya 50-50 tayo du’n. Puwede manalo.” But while the no. 266 Catantan was able to handle the no. 65 Pistoia, the no. 2 and top-seed Errigo was clearly the superior player, although the Filipina was able to give her all she could handle.

The Italian fencer set the tone of the match at 4-0, but led by only 6-5 at the end of the first round. The 36-yearold Errigo, the gold medalist in the 2012 London Olympics, posted her biggest lead of 11-6 in the second, but the 22-year-old Catantan would not go away.

The Penn State standout was within striking distance until the third at 12-14, before Errigo secured the win with a point in the final 54 seconds for the 3-point victory. Catantan may have failed to advance to the finals in her first Olympics, but her lone win was significant as it was the first by a

sprinter and the Philippines’ sole representative at the 1924 Paris Olympics, competing in the men’s 100m and 200m events.

Regino Ylanan was a Filipino athlete, physician, sports administrator, physical educator, and sports historian. He gained fame with three gold medals in track and field at the 1913 Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila, an event that laid the foundations for the modern-day Asian Games.

“This year marks a historic milestone - our centennial anniversary of competing in the Summer Olympics. We’re incredibly proud to be among Asia’s first and Southeast Asia’s trailblazing Olympians.

“Let’s use this ‘Philippine Olympics 100 Years’ as a springboard for future success. We are ‘Proudly Pinoy’ with a strong Olympic legacy. Let’s continue the journey together towards POC in Paris!”

The Philippines has sent 22 athletes to Paris, aiming to improve its 1 gold-2 silver-1 bronze finish in Tokyo 2020.

gymnastics body) has to give us the permission. Let’s see if FIG says yes or no. I have to write a letter, first of all, to the British (federation), they will have to release him. Once (the) British (federation) releases him, then I have to write a letter to FIG to release him, and then I have to make sure that he has a passport like I did to the (Fil-Am) girls,” said Carrion, referring to Paris Olympians Emma Malabuyo, Aleah Finnegan, and Levi Jung-Ruivivar who will all plunge into action on Sunday.

Sunday is also a relaxation day for Yulo, a day to recuperate and rest his tired muscles. Then, it’s all out training starting Monday.

“He will be training full force, starting Monday. All the way, it’s training training training,” said Carrion.

Convicted rapist booed at beach volleyball game

FANS booed a Dutch beach volleyball player convicted of raping an underaged girl as he played his first match at the Paris Olympics, where his controversial selection has put the sport in the spotlight.

Steven van der Velde, now aged 29, was convicted in 2016 of raping an underage girl and sentenced to four years in prison. He walked onto center court Sunday with teammate Matthew Immers on Sunday morning to cheers and applause, with many orange-clad Dutch fans standing to clap the pair. When he was introduced individually over the loudspeaker, however, there was a loud chorus of boos from the crowd.

There were also sporadic boos as he served throughout the game.

The player has won the backing of his country’s national Olympic committee and exchanged a warm hug with teammate Immers before the start of the game.

But his selection has drawn outrage among women’s and sports safety groups.

Officials said the player would be separated from his teammates, not stay in the athletes’ village, and forbidden from speaking to the media.

His teammate Immers told reporters after the match that they had been “disappointed” by all the focus on van der Velde’s past conviction, particularly after a “hard fight” to qualify.

“I know the guy for two, three years together and we played every tournament,” he said. “What is in the past is in the past, and he had his punishment.

“For me, that’s a big example that you grew, you learned a lot from it. What happened in the past... it’s not

Britain’s Jake Jarman competes in the pommel horse event of the artistic gymnastics men’s qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Bercy Arena in Paris. AFP

Gymnast Caloy Yulo and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino moments before the pride of Manila plungest into the gymnastics action on Saturday night

DOTr seeking $1-b ADB loan to fund San Juan-Taytay railway

$1 billion P59.3 billion 15.5 km

Loan for

LTFRB accredits 14 new transport network companies

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said over the weekend it accredited 14 new transport network companies (TNCs) to increase competition and improve the overall quality of ride-hailing services for commuters.

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo E. Guadiz III said the addition of new TNCs “is in line with the agency’s mandate to ensure that the riding public continues to benefit from advancements in transportation services.”

“Aside from the accreditation of these new TNCs, the LTFRB has also released new transport network vehicle service [TNVS] slots to support the expanding ride-hailing market. This initiative underscores our commitment to fostering a competitive environment that prioritizes commuter welfare and accessibility,” Guadiz said.

The recent accreditation of PureRide Corp. and 13 other TNCs bring the total number of accredited TNCs to 19.

The other TNCs are UNLA LA Corp., Leggo Information Technology Solutions, Aztech Solution International Corp., Metrohills Transport Association Inc., Hail Transport Inc., Angkas Technologies, GoCab Corp., Unified Transport Operations League Corp., Peek Up Philippines Corp., Get Express Global Corp., Para Xpress Technology Services Inc., Taxsee Philippines Inc. and RL Soft Corp.

The LTFRB also renewed the accreditation of Joyride E-Commerce, Cloud Panda PH Inc. E-Pick Me Up Inc., Hirna Mobility Solutions Inc. and Grab. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista earlier stressed the importance of a diversified and competitive ride-hailing market to provide safe, reliable and affordable transportation options for all Filipinos.

Guadiz said the LTFRB would continue to implement policies and programs that support the growth and improvement of the ridehailing industry.

“The LTFRB remains committed to its mission of ensuring a safe, efficient, and accessible public transportation system,” he said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

By Darwin G. Amojelar

THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) expects the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to approve a $1-billion loan within the year to finance the planned mass transport system that will run from San Juan City to Taytay City in Rizal province.

“We are targeting to have this approved by the ADB board within the year. Right now, we need to get a NEDA [National Economic Development Authority] Board reapproval for an increase in cost and a change in scope,” DOTr Undersecretary for planning and project development Timothy John Batan said.

Batan said the line was initially planned as a monorail, but was changed to a conventional heavy metro rail system due to anticipated

high ridership.

Documents from the ADB showed that the Metro Rail Transit Line 4 project would be a fully-elevated railway mass-transit system serving the eastern side of Metro Manila and the highly-populated areas of Rizal.

The 15.56-kilometer MRT 4, with 11 stations, two other provisional stations in the future and a barrierfree design to allow inclusive access, is expected to address the transport bottleneck along Ortigas Avenue.

The ADB said the MRT 4 project

would provide reliable, rapid, affordable and safe public transport and would reduce traffic congestion and commute/ travel time from Taytay to the Ortigas CBD from one to three hours by road to less than half an hour by rail.

It will also maintain the higheconomic growth and inclusive urban development of eastern Metro Manila, the Ortigas CDB, Pasig City and the neighboring Rizal province, the ADB said.

Once fully operational, the P59.3billion MRT-4 trains could run 80 kilometers an hour at maximum speed and a commercial speed of 25 kilometers to 40 kilometers an hour.

The railway will cut across the cities of Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon, Pasig and the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay in Rizal, addressing the massive traffic problem and limited road capacities in the densely populated areas of eastern Metro Manila.

By Jimmy Montejo

ENRIQUE Klar Razon Jr. dropped out of school at 17 to work as a minimum wage employee in his father’s cargo-handling business at the waterfront. Despite his privileged background as the COO (child of the owner), he climbed the corporate ladder through hard work.

EKR, now 64 (born March 3, 1960), is the third richest Filipino with a personal wealth of $10.8 billion, according to Forbes magazine.

A business titan in his own right, Razon sits as chairman and chief executive of multiple companies, notably the listed port-handling giant International Container Terminal Services Inc., Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which gave rise to the Solaire Resort and Casino and the recently acquired Manila Water Companty Inc., franchise holder for the east zone.

Solaire has since gained the distinction of “game-changer” in the domestic leisure, hospitality and entertainment sector. It now has two properties, including the first luxury hotel in Quezon City.

A quick glance at his biography shows that Razon comes from a third generation Spanish-Filipino descent involved in marine cargo handling. He studied at De La Salle University in Manila.

He is married to Felicia “Lizzy” Santos, a board member of the Child Protection Network. The couple has two children— Enzo, an artist and Tarzeer Pictures cofounder and Katrina, a disc jockey, music mixer, composer and KSR Ventures owner.

Lizzy is a daughter of entrepreneur Dante Santos who was a member of the renowned Agrava Board that handled the comprehensive investigation on the murder of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr. on Aug. 21, 1983.

In 1987, the Razon Group and the Soriano Group created ICTSI, initially to vie for the Manila International Container Terminal (MICT) franchise. After winning the MICT contract in 1988, Razon ramped up his expansion plan, but had to run into the Asian financial crisis of 1997.

The crunch led to ICTSI’s doubling of debts that compelled him to sell the group’s assets to Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing’s investment holding company Hutchison Whampoa.

However, ICTSI eventually bounced back and continued its expansion across India, Mexico, among others. By 2006, he took over the Sorianos’ 23-percent stake in ICTSI, making him majority owner with 52 percent of the company,

ICTSI operates terminals in the home front as well as overseas. Razon’s other investments include power, mining and oil and gas exploration.

He also owns MORE Power, an acronym for More Electric and Power Corp. or Monte Oro Resources in Iloilo that supplanted the Panay Electric Co. (PECO), the sole power distributor in 2019.

Razon heads the ICTSI Foundation Inc., which implements the group’s corporate social responsibility program. He has been a patron of Philippine golf in collaboration with Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc.

PH climbs 11 spots to 56th most desired work site

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines climbed 11 spots to 56th place in the global ranking of desired work destinations, according to the Decoding Global Talent 2024 study released by Jobstreet by SEEK, Boston Consulting Group and the Network.

The improvement was driven by perceptions of the country’s welcoming culture, high quality of life, affordable cost of living and promising job opportunities, according to the study.

It says while the upward trend is encouraging, challenges remain as the Philippines still lags behind top global countries and some of its Southeast Asian neighbors. Interest in working in the Philippines is growing among foreign talent, particularly from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the US and Canada.

It says, however, 80 percent of Filipino professionals are also considering relocating abroad for work, primarily motivated by financial incentives, career advancement opportunities and the promise of better social systems. This figure, though declining from previous years, remains notably higher than the Southeast Asian average of 68 percent.

Filipino professionals across a wide range of skill levels are seeking overseas work, not limited to but including craft and manual labor, engineering, research and service industries.

A concerning trend is that 35 percent of Filipinos prefer longterm overseas work without plans to return, raising alarms about potential brain drain in the country.

GLOBE Telecom Inc. welcomed the signing of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) as a crucial step in combating online fraud. The law aims to “protect all persons from falling prey to the various cybercrime schemes by regulating the use of financial accounts, and preventing their use in fraudulent activities.” The law will complement the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the SIM Registration Act, strengthening security measures against ever evolving scam tactics by fraudsters,” said Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu.

“As a service provider that deals with fraudsters every day, Globe is grateful that the Philippines now has

a law that is up to date and addresses fast-evolving threats to the security of our financial system,” said Cu. “We especially appreciate how the law covers in great detail various emerging fraud methods, including the recruitment of money mules, social engineering schemes, and other modes assisted by tech, including SMS, email, and even generative AI. This ultimately gives regulators and law enforcers sharper teeth in stopping financial fraud,” he said. Cu said the law would serve to reinforce Globe’s ongoing efforts against financial fraud, including proactive blocking of person-to-person SMS and bank-related phishing and vishing. Darwin G. Amojelar

Enrique Razon Jr.: The port and gaming titan

ICTSI chairman Enrique Razon Jr.

Stock market likely to move sideways on profit reports

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PHILIPPINE stocks are expected to move sideways with an upward bias ahead of the month-end window-dressing and release of second-quarter earnings by listed companies.

Online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said the positive momentum due to improving macroeconomic backdrop, attributed to easing inflation rate and possible rate cut, would likely boost investor sentiment over the short to medium terms.

Investors are also anticipating positive comments from the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting this week as the recent US inflation data fell in line with the Fed’s expectations.

Analysts said the positive earnings growth should help the index navigate the 7,000 resistance level.

Among the companies that will release second-quarter results this week are BDO Unibank Inc., Manila Electric Co. and Wilcon Depot Inc.

The upcoming “ghost month”, which occurs in the seventh lunar of the Chinese calendar, may increase friction, according to 2TradeAsia.com. The “ghost month” will begin Aug 4.

Analysts advised investors to gradually accumulate and pivot to companies that would benefit from lower interest rates given these scenarios.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index lost 0.97 percent last week to close at 6,726, as investors evaluated the impact of typhoon Carina on the economy.

Average daily value traded declined to P5 billion. Overseas investors were net buyers last week, with net inflows of P1.39 billion.

Most banks kept credit standards in 2nd quarter

By Ralph Harvey Rirao

MOST banks kept credit standards unchanged in the second quarter of 2024, according to the latest senior bank loan officers’ survey.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said 87 percent of banks kept their business credit standards steady, up slightly from 86.3 percent in the first quarter, based on the modal approach. This method focuses on the most common response.

Meanwhile, the diffusion index (DI) showed credit standards tightened overall in the second quarter from the previous quarter due to worsening borrower profiles and bank profitability. A positive DI means more banks tightened standards than eased, while a negative DI indicates the opposite.

For the next quarter, most banks expect unchanged lending standards for businesses, but the DI suggests tightening due to continued concerns about borrowers and bank finances.

change. For the next quarter, most banks expect unchanged standards, but the DI suggests easing due to improved bank conditions and economic outlook.

Most banks (72.2 percent) reported unchanged overall demand for business loans in the second quarter. However, the DI showed a net increase in demand due to higher inventory and accounts receivable financing needs and an improved economic outlook.

Most of the surveyed banks (66 percent) expect loan demand from businesses to remain largely steady in the next quarter, according to a modal approach. However, results from a diffusion index showed banks anticipate a net increase in business credit demand in the third quarter, fueled by higher inventory and accounts receivable financing needs.

Modal results showed fewer banks reported unchanged household loan demand in the second quarter (57.9 percent) compared with the first (68.6 percent). Meanwhile, the diffusion index showed a larger net increase in household loan demand in the second quarter than in the previous one, driven by banks’ more attractive financing terms, higher household consumption and housing investment.

AUSTRALIAN

EXPERIENCE. National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan joins the panel at the ‘Dynamism Down Under: Lessons from Australian Competition Reform’ event on July 23, 2024 at the Asian Development Bank headquarters in Mandaluyong City. The forum gathered practitioners, industry leaders, regulators and experts to discuss key issues and share diverse perspectives as part of ADB’s competition policy dialogues. It aims to explore emerging areas of concern and develop effective policies that adapt to a changing market environment.

FASTFOOD chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp (JFC) is re-evaluating plans to raise P8 billion from preferred shares offering as the growth of the domestic business turned out to be faster than expected.

JFC chief finance officer Richard Shin said in a recent media briefing the preferred shares offering was supposed to fund the growth of its Philippine business.

The domestic business has been growing much faster than the company’s planned growth, he said.

Shin said interest rates also had yet to come down.

“We don’t know how much we really need in terms of preferred shares because our business is actually growing much faster,” Shin said.

“So, we are going to re-evaluate, and we are going to consider if we need to do the preferred [shares offering], understanding that interest rates have not come down yet,” he said.

Shin said it might not be the right time to be locked in a fixed rate at the moment, ahead of the potential monetary easing.

He said the company might also look at other debt instruments that are more viable to take advantage of upcoming lower interest rates.

“We have many banks and institutions that are willing to finance us. So, we are looking at all the options at the moment,” Shin said.

The BSP said that in terms of household loans, 84.2 percent of banks kept standards unchanged in the second quarter, up from 77.1 percent in the first. The DI also showed no

The BSP said most respondent banks (60.5 percent) expect steady demand for household loans in the next quarter, according to modal results. Diffusion index results showed an expected net increase in household loan demand, driven by rising household consumption and banks’ more attractive lending terms.

JFC disclosed in March that its board approved the plan to sell between 5 million and 8 million preferred shares at P1,000 each. This will enable the company to raise between P5 billion to P8 billion in fresh capital. Jenniffer B. Austria

BSP CAMPAIGN. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) officials hold a media information session for the Pangasinan media on July 12, 2024 in Dagupan City, Pangasinan. The session is conducted to help media practitioners and government information officers better understand the mandates of the BSP and its role in the economy. Topics discussed were basic central banking concepts, the BSP’s digitalization efforts and the Financial Products and Services Consumer Protection Act.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

CEBU-BASED fuel retailer Top Line Business Development Corp. (Topline) said over the weekend it registered a 9-percent year-on-year revenue growth in the first quarter of 2024 to P739 million from P680 million in the same quarter of 2023. This followed a 33-percent year-on-year increase in gross revenue to P2.8 billion in 2023 from P2.1 billion in 2022. Topline did not disclose its net income.

“The company’s bullish growth is supported by resilient and strong fuel demand in Cebu Province and Metro Cebu where we operate. But fundamentally, this growth is attributed to the dedication of our hard-

working and talented team who always seek to provide top-of-the-line service for our industry and retail customers,” Topline chairman, president and chief executive Erik Lim said.

Topline, which is strategically positioned in the Visayas region, is engaged in commercial fuel trading, depot operations and retail fuel under its Light Fuels brand.

The company is also celebrating its 11th anniversary this month and is focused on strengthening its market footprint in the Visayas. Topline started in leasing and real estate business, but eventually ventured in the fuel industry in 2017. It achieved a 53-percent compounded annual growth rate from 2017 to 2023.

CYAN YELLOW BLACK

SRA announces plan to resume raw sugar exports to United States

By Othel V. Campos

THE Philippines will resume exporting raw sugar to the United States, starting with 25,300 metric tons in fiscal year 2024, the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said over the weekend.

It issued Sugar Order No. 3 series of 2023-2024 allowing the exports under the US raw sugar tariff-rate quota (TRQ) world trade allocation. TRQ allows countries to export specified quantities of a product to the United States at a relatively low tariff. The Philippines is one of 39 countries singled out for participation in this first-come, first-served allocation system.

It will mark the first shipment to the US after three years of non-compliance with the program due to several years of low domestic production.

The SRA confirmed that this year’s production exceeded 1.92 million

metric tons, allowing a surplus of 25,300 MT to be allocated to the US market.

The first shipment is expected to leave the Philippines in August, with arrival in the US scheduled for September.

The move is expected to strengthen the Philippines’ position as a reliable sugar exporter and contribute to the global supply chain.

The Philippines also secured a 145,23 metric ton raw value (MTRV) allocation for raw cane sugar exports to the United States for fiscal year 2025 under the TRQ system, the third highest allocation next to the Dominican Republic’s 189,343 MTRV and Brazil’s 155,993 MTRV.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) announced the new list of allocations on July 25, 2024 that also includes, refined, specialty sugar and sugar-containing products apart from raw cane sugar.

GOCCs received lower gov’t subsidies in first half—Treasury

By Darwin G. Amojelar

GOVERNMENT-OWNED and controlled corporations (GOCCs) received lower subsidies from the national government in the first half of 2024, the Bureau of the Treasury said over the weekend.

Data from the Treasury show that total subsidies to GOCCs amounted to P67.2 billion in the first six months of 2024, down by 5.5 percent from P63.69 billion they received in the same period last year.

Major non-financial government corporations received the biggest

subsidies amounting to P46.55 billion, followed by other government corporations with P17.86 billion. Government financial institutions (GFIs) received P2.78 billion in subsidy.

The Treasury said that in June 2024, government’s subsidies to GOCCs

Magazine, recognizes and pays tribute to the country’s outstanding men who made a mark in their respective fields while giving back to society.

LEADERSHIP is a journey often marked by unforeseen twists, as Chito Bustamante discovered. His own path to entrepreneurship was initially unintended.

Living in the United States for 22 years, he found himself at IBM during the time of significant layoffs under CEO Lou Gerstner. His role in accounting involved documenting transactions for the IBM Group, where he noticed a recurring pattern: service invoices for outsourced tech engineers and developers. These professionals, who billed by the hour, seemed immune to layoffs—a realization that planted the seeds for his future ventures.

His trajectory changed significantly when he joined Compicom as an accountant. Driven by a fascination with technology and a desire to become a systems engineer, he pursued certifications rapidly. Within six months, the landscape of systems and operating systems had evolved, highlighting the swift pace of technological advancement he had to keep up with.

In 1999, his entrepreneurial journey began when Sandy, a friend of his wife, proposed an idea for SMS messaging. A visit to Manila revealed a culture deeply engaged with mobile phones, where couples communicated more

fell 58.7 percent to P10.15 billion from P26.05 billion a year ago.

Subsidies for major non-financial government corporations amounted to P8.018 billion in June, lower than P4.01 billion in the same month last year.

Subsidies for other government corporations reached P2.036 billion, down from P21.95 billion last year.

National Irrigation Administration (NIA) was the biggest recipient of subsidy amounting to P7.51 billion in June, higher than P3.5 billion in the same period last year.

This was followed by Philippine

Rubber Institute with a total subsidy of P345 million, National Power Corp. with P302 million, Philippine Fisheries Development Authority with P272 million, Philippine Health Insurance Corp. with P260 million and Philippine Children’s Medical Center with 180 million.

Other top subsidy recipients are the National Kidney and Transplant Institute with P133 million, Philippine Coconut Authority with P122 million, Philippine National Railways with P107 million and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) with P72 million.

Hive Health raises $6.5m to transform healthcare sector for more SMEs in PH

HIVE Health, a digital health insurance company, raised $6.5 million from pre-series A funding to transform healthcare access for more small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Philippines.

“The fresh funds will help us grow our superstar mission-driven team, and invest in our technology platform and operations to further elevate the patient and employer experience,” said Hive Health chief executive and co-founder Camille Ang.

Ang said Hive Health would also expand its nationwide network to more healthcare providers, including those in more remote areas.

Founded at Harvard and Stanford Universities in 2021, Hive Health is a full-stack digital health insurer, offering hassle-free, comprehensive HMO health plans for SMEs and startups, encompassing outpatient,

through texting than talking. This insight led to the creation of Chikka Messenger, a platform that integrated PC and SMS messaging, targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Within months, Chikka amassed thousands of subscribers, and within a year, nearly 20,000, thanks to their affordable overseas messaging rates.

The events of 9/11 prompted him to call Chikka’s founder Dennis Mendiola, then a startup navigating amid chaos. Dennis encouraged him to take on the role of COO, a position that required steering through the challenges of an emerging company. Mistakes were inevitable but became invaluable learning experiences, driving the team to focus on product development and secure industry certifications.

Chikka Messenger gained recognition and introduced other innovative products like ShareA-Load, PasaLoad and Fanzone. Their journey culminated in being acquired by PLDT, with Chikka serving as Smart Communication’s platform for six years. Navigating bureaucracies and adapting to new environments underscored the need for engaging with people and articulating ideas. Above all, elevating people is a core leadership responsibility. He recognizes that some may talk extensively but may fail to execute. People build companies, and innovation often

inpatient, emergency and dental care through an extensive nationwide network of 1,700 hospitals and clinics, and over 60,000 doctors across locations.

Key investors in the latest funding included Sy family-backed Gentree Fund and global venture capital firm BEENEXT. Other institutional investors were Y Combinator, The Graduate Syndicate, Amasia and Oak Drive Ventures.

Angel investors included David Wells, former chief finance officer of Netflix and chairman of Wise; Lee Kheng Nam, former deputy chairman of Temasek subsidiary Vertex Holding; Natasha Reyes, former owner of HMO HPPI; and Dr. Edwin Mercado, founder of one of the largest healthcare systems in the Philippines which is now part of the Healthway Qualimed network.

Accidental entrepreneur

emerges from informal settings like playtime or downtime. One of their products, “Textback Mo Libre Ko,” embodies this spirit. Knowing one’s strengths and continually learning are also crucial. On the other hand, his approach to hiring and firing is decisive, understanding that only some are suited for some roles.

Leadership, he learned, centers on people. Intellectual property is significant, but cultivating a culture of innovation is paramount. As they developed user-centric products, he recognized the importance of embracing diverse ideas and making informed decisions. Pivoting, or changing direction when necessary, became a vital skill, enabling them to stay ahead of trends.

Defining moments, such as a major promotional project for a telecom company, tested their resilience. A developer’s backdoor in the platform almost jeopardized the project, but peer reviews identified the issue. Despite set-

THE Department of Energy (DOE) said hackers attacked and defaced its government energy management program (GEMP) website. This occurred 6 p.m. Saturday, and the DOE said it immediately took the system offline and began closely coordinating with the Philippine National Computer Emergency Response Team (NCERT) and the system’s developer to address the possible vulnerabilities of the website.

“We assure you that the DOE is committed to keeping its systems secure and will continue to upgrade these systems. While we are exerting all efforts to restore the website to full operation at the soonest possible time, we are also implementing our strategies to make our systems more resilient,” the DOE said in a statement.

The DOE said the GEMP aims to reduce government-wide electricity and fuel consumption by at least 10 percent through strategic energy efficiency and conservation measures.

The government saved around 31 gigawatt-hours in electricity usage in the first quarter of 2024, according to the DOE. This was equivalent to nearly P365 million in cost savings. It said the government also conserved over half a billion liters of fuel, resulting in almost P35 million in savings. Alena Mae S. Flores and Ram Superable

backs, they aligned processes with the telecom company, securing numerous certifications and passing audits.

The advent of AI, such as Apple’s recent launch, is not a threat but an opportunity. His company is now leveraging AI to reduce connectivity costs, aiming to lower internet fees by P300 to P400. In the medical field, AI applications emerged during the pandemic, though he added that privacy concerns hindered some initiatives. Combining his experiences, he emphasized that the tech industry allows no room for complacency, exemplified by Nokia’s downfall. Leadership demands constant vigilance, adaptation, and a commitment to innovation.

This blog was inspired by the CEO talk during the Trends and Issues in Business and Management: CEO Series class at De La Salle University -Manila. Chito Bustamante, CEO of VOXP Technologies & Innovation, was the evening’s guest speaker. The author is an MBA student at the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He can be reached at mikko_povadora@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.

GAME CHANGER. Barely two years at the helm of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), chairman and chief executive Alejandro Tengco (center) is recognized as a game changer and chosen as one of the “Men Who Matter” awardees this year. The annual awards ceremony, organized by PeopleAsia

Mikko Povadora

California ‘Park Fire’ rapidly becomes among state’s biggest

CHICO, California—A fire raging out of control in northern California has rapidly become among the biggest ever in the western US state, authorities said Saturday.

The so-called Park Fire had burned almost 142,000 hectares as of late Saturday morning (Sunday Manila time), making it the seventh-largest ever recorded in California history, the state agency Cal Fire said on X.

The fire, which prompted orders for more than 4,000 people to flee their homes, was burning through a largely rural, mountainous area near the city of Chico, some 145 kilometers north of state capital Sacramento.

“Extreme fire conditions continue to challenge firefighters,” it said.

For now it is “zero percent” controlled, despite the efforts of about 2,500 personnel with over a dozen helicopters and several planes, according to the agency.

“The Park Fire continued to burn aggressively due to steep terrain and winds. Extreme fire behavior has occurred due to the slope and winds aligning, causing significant growth,” Cal Fire said in an update Saturday.

It however noted that cooler weather and higher moisture was expected in the region.

The fire started Wednesday near Chico, in Butte County, and within hours had devastated a wide area there and in neighboring Tehama County. AFP

CROSS-BORDER FIRE

Israel vows to hit ‘enemy’ after 12 killed

MAJDAL SHAMS—Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday vowed to “hit the enemy hard” after rocket fire from Lebanon killed 12 young people in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and again raised fears the war in Gaza will spread.

Iran warned Israel any new military “adventures” in Lebanon could lead to “unforeseen consequences.”

Israel’s army called it “the deadliest attack on Israeli civilians” since the Oct. 7 attack that began the war in Gaza and triggered regular exchanges of fire across the Lebanese border.

Israel blamed Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement for the rocket fire but the Iran-backed group -- which has regularly targeted Israeli military positions—said it had “no connection” to the incident. It came hours after officials in Hamas-run Gaza said an Israeli strike

Trump, Harris hone attack lines as US poll 100-day mark arrives

SAINT CLOUD—Donald Trump labeled Vice President Kamala Harris a “crazy liberal,” while she vowed to prevail over his “wild lies” as both laid out presidential campaign attack lines Saturday with just 100 days left until election day.

After earlier addressing a bitcoin conference in Tennessee, Trump rallied supporters Saturday evening (Sunday Manila time) in Minnesota, seeking to make the historically Democratic midwest state into a battleground.

“This November, the American people are going to reject Kamala Harris’s crazy liberal extremism in a massive landslide,” the Republican told the crowd assembled in a hockey arena.

He quickly took aim at several positions Harris took during her 2020 Democratic primary campaign, some

Bangladesh students to resume protests unless leaders freed

DHAKA—A Bangladeshi student group has vowed to resume protests that sparked a lethal police crackdown and nationwide unrest unless several of their leaders are released from custody on Sunday.

Last week’s violence killed at least 205 people, according to an AFP count of police and hospital data, in one of the biggest upheavals of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year tenure.

Army patrols and a nationwide curfew remain in place more than a week after they were imposed, and a police dragnet has scooped up thousands of protesters including at least half a dozen student leaders.

Members of Students Against Discrimination, whose campaign against civil service hiring rules precipitated the unrest, said they would end their week-long protest moratorium.

The group’s chief Nahid Islam and others “should be freed and the cases against them must be withdrawn”, Abdul Hannan Masud told reporters in an online briefing late Saturday. Masud, who did not disclose his location because he was in hiding from authorities, also demanded “visible actions” be taken against government ministers and police officers responsible for the deaths of protesters.

“Otherwise, Students Against Discrimination will be forced to launch tough protests” from Monday, he said. AFP

of which she has since walked back, such as a desire to ban fracking or majorly overhaul the criminal justice system.

Calling Harris a “radical left lunatic,” Trump also hammered her and President Joe Biden’s record on illegal immigration, inflation and crime —all of which saw significant spikes during their term but have returned to historical averages in recent months.

In his 90-minute speech, the populist billionaire also repeated pledges to “have the largest deportation effort” in US history and end taxation of tips, while repeating unfounded allegations that his 2020 election loss had been “rigged.”

Meanwhile, Harris on Saturday held a fundraising event in Massachusetts with celebrity guests including singer-songwriter James Taylor and cellist Yoyo Ma. AFP

on a school housing thousands of displaced Palestinians killed at least 30 people. Israel said it was targeting “terrorists” operating from the school.

The rocket fire in Majdal Shams prompted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to return early from the United States to convene his security cabinet.

“Israel will not let this murderous attack go unanswered and Hezbollah will pay a heavy price for it, a price it has not paid before,” Netanyahu said.

The Israeli foreign ministry said Hezbollah had “crossed all red lines.”

Israel’s military said later Sunday it hit Hezbollah targets “both deep inside Lebanese territory and in southern Lebanon”.

An Israeli drone fired two missiles at the village of Taraiyya in eastern Lebanon, destroying a hanger and a home without causing casualties, a Lebanese security source told AFP.

Hezbollah has said its cross-border fire is an act of support for Palestinian Islamists from Hamas who have been fighting Israel’ military since October 7 when they attacked southern Israel. AFP

US to upgrade military command structure in Japan

TOKYO—US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was set to announce Sunday an upgrade to US command structures in Japan, as Washington and Tokyo overhaul military cooperation in the face of an increasingly assertive China.

The United States has around 54,000 military personnel in Japan who currently report back to Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii, around 6,500 kilometers away and 19 hours behind.

But Austin, who on Sunday joined US Secretary of State Antony Blinken for “2+2” talks with their counterparts in Tokyo, will announce a new Joint Force

Headquarters headed by a three-star commander, a US military official said.

This will serve as a counterpart to Japan’s planned Joint Operations Command for all its armed forces, making the two militaries more nimble in the case of a crisis over Taiwan or the Korean peninsula.

Prompted by unease about China and alarm about North Korea, Japan has in recent years been shedding its strict pacifist stance, ramping up defence spending and moving to obtain “counterstrike” capabilities.

In April President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida an-

11 killed, 1 missing in China landslide

SHANGHAI—A landslide caused by flooding in central China’s Hunan province destroyed a local guesthouse and killed 11 people on Sunday, with at least one person still missing, state media reported.

Official broadcaster CCTV said it had “been initially confirmed that 18 people were buried.”

As of Sunday afternoon, 11 bodies and six injured survivors had been recovered, it added.

The landslide was caused by flash flooding on a mountain, according to CCTV.

More than 240 emergency personnel had been dispatched to the scene, with “rescue work continuing urgently”, the broadcaster said.

A video published by the state-run Beijing Youth Daily showed a swath of mud and debris cutting through a green hillside, and an uprooted tree lying in front of a three-story building.

China has suffered a summer of extreme weather, with flash floods in the north and southwest killing at least 20 people earlier this month.

In May, a highway in southern China collapsed after days of rain, leaving 48 dead.

Scientists say climate change is making extreme weather more frequent and intense, and China is the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Long dependent on polluting energy sources such as coal, Beijing has pledged to bring emissions of planetheating carbon dioxide to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060. It is already the world’s largest producer of renewable energy, with research this month showing China is building almost twice as much solar and wind power capacity as the rest of the world combined. AFP

Russia claims capture of new Ukraine village

nounced a “new era” in cooperation at a summit at the White House.

This month Japan and the Philippines—Blinken and Austin’s next stop for a “2+2”—signed a defence pact that will allow the deployment of troops on each other’s territory.

This followed the first trilateral summit in April between the leaders of Japan, the Philippines and the United States in Washington.

As with Manila, Japan and South Korea have also moved to bury the hatchet over World War II, with Biden hosting both countries’ leaders at Camp David last August. AFP

‘UPHILL CLIMB.’ Former US President and 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally at Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Later at a bitcoin conference in Tennessee, he told the crowd ‘You’re going to be very happy with me.’ In Massachusetts, Kamala Harris described her uphill climb as she spoke at a fundraising event with celebrity guests including singersongwriter James Taylor and cellist Yoyo Ma. AFP PLA NAVY DESTROYER.

People visit the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy destroyer Jiaozuo, moored at an embankment of the Neva river, ahead of Navy Day celebration in Saint Petersburg during the weekend. The Jiaozuo will remain in St. Petersburg for about a week and is open to the Russian public for visit, CCTV reported. Before joining a naval parade on Sunday, the PLA Navy destroyer will participate in a rehearsal on Thursday. This is not the first time the PLA Navy has sent a warship to participate in Russia’s Navy Day celebrations in St. Petersburg. AFP

MOSCOW—Russia claimed the capture of another village in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk region amid heavy fighting, as its forces advanced towards the city of Pokrovsk.

The defense ministry said Russian troops “liberated” the village of Lozuvatske, about 24 kilometers east of Pokrovsk and near the Russian-occupied small town of Ocheretyne.

Ukraine has not confirmed the village changing hands.

Kyiv’s defense ministry said early Saturday Ukrainian forces had halted 37 Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk area. The hardest fighting was near the village of Novooleksandrivka, it said. This village is around two kilometers from Lozuvatske and was claimed by Russia last month.

On Saturday, Russian aerial bombing of the Donetsk region hit the town of Myrnograd close to Pokrovsk and the town of Kurakhove farther south. At least five people were wounded including an 11-year-old child who was in the yard of a private house, regional prosecutors said. The head of the Donetsk regional administration Vadym Filashkin posted images of the aftermath, including an apartment block with windows blown out and debris strewn on the street. “Not a day passes without Russian shelling. Protect yourself—evacuate!” he appealed to residents. In the northern Sumy region, a 14-year-old boy was killed and 12 wounded, six of them children, by Russia firing rocket launchers on the center of the city of Glukhiv near the border with Russia, prosecutors said.

Another person was killed in the northeast Kharkiv

PROTEST VS. ISRAEL. People hold up images of Israeli hostages framed in the five Olympic rings during a protest against the Israeli government in Tel Aviv amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip between Israel

REAL ESTATE

PH property sector to survive POGO ban

By Jenniffer B. Austria

PRESIDENT

Ferdinand Marcos

Jr.’s order to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) drew reactions from the property sector, as the move will directly impact the office and residential market.

As POGOs still account for a notable portion of the office space demand in Metro Manila, their exit poses both challenges and opportunities for the real estate market.

Impact of POGO exit

At their peak in 2019, POGOs occupied around 10 percent of Metro Manila’s office space, according to Colliers Philippines.

The sector’s footprint has since shrunk considerably amid the pandemic and regulatory crackdowns.

POGOs now account for about 3.5 percent of the office stock, a decrease that reflects broader shifts in demand. Major developers’ exposure to POGOs has been limited, with most portfolios showing minimal POGO involvement.

Property resilience

While the ban on POGOs will still impact the office market, Colliers Philippines said the office landlords are being comforted by the fact that office demand from other drivers like the IT-BPM companies; traditional, local and multinational companies; and government agencies continue to pick up. Data show that on the first half of 2024, these sectors accounted for the majority of office transactions, underscoring a diverse and stable demand landscape.

Leechiu Property Consultants

Photo courtesy of https://www.lumina.com.ph/news-and-blogs/blogs/impact-of-pogo-pull-out-on-residential-real-estate-market/ (LPC), in its recent briefing, revealed that government agencies were emerging as among the key drivers of demand in the office sector and were upgrading to new buildings to enhance their workspaces and operations.

Leasing demand from government office surged by seven-fold to 113,000 square meters (sq. m.) from just 14,000 sq m in the same period last year, according the data from LPC.

Filinvest Land Inc. last month reported it bagged a contract for the lease of office space for the National Bureau of Investigation.

Filinvest Hospitality enhances offerings in Camp John Hay

GOTIANUN-LED Filinvest

Hospitality Corp. (FHC) has secured

a six-year lease for a 730 square meter prime property in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, following a successful bid with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC).

This property, located along Sheridan Drive and close to FHC’s Grafik Hotel Collection Baguio will be transformed into ‘The Hay Diner,’ a new restaurant. The project will incorporate existing architectural features with minimal modifications to maintain the building’s Baguio charm.

Lead design firm Headroom will focus on passive cooling by utilizing existing window openings and enhance sustainability with inverted air conditioning units, LED lighting, water-efficient fixtures, and low-VOC paint.

Francis C. Gotianun, FHC’s first

senior vice president, remarked, “We see this project as a significant addition to Baguio’s restaurant scene and part of our broader strategy to expand our hotels, resorts, and new food and beverage ventures.”

This new project will be the latest food & beverage venture of the group following the success of Baker J, a French-inspired café that are located in key cities and destinations.

Grafik Baguio, a 5,700 square meter, 256-room full-service hotel of FHC, is being built under the EDGE Green Building Program of the International Finance Corp.

FHC plans to showcase its sustainable design hotel by early 2025.

“Our objective is to grow our business while enhancing the Philippines’ natural attractions and tourism industry, and we are dedicated to doing this responsibly to preserve Baguio’s beauty for future generations,” Gotianun said.

Office transactions for IT-BPM also increased by 13 percent in the first half of 2024 from the same period last year.

LPC chief executive David Leechiu said, however, office landlords with current POGO tenants would have longer time to find replacements that are willing to pay the same rates as POGOs, particularly in Bay Area, Alabang and some portions of Makati.

Leechiu said that because of the ban on POGOs, the recovery of the office sector, which is already saddled by oversupply problems, might be

delayed by another year.

“There will be a delay the equilibrium in the supply and demand in the office sector by one year. Instead of having equilibrium by 2027, we will have it by 2028,” Leechiu said.

Leechiu said the ban on POGO would also be felt in the secondary market of the residential sector, which is into leasing condominium units to POGOs.

“POGOs, right now, are paying P40,000 to P50,000 per month of a small residential unit. Those rates will come down by 50 percent,” Leechiu said.

Property outlook While the POGO ban presents an immediate challenge, the Philippine property sector is likely to navigate this transition effectively.

With a diversified tenant base and major developers’ minimal exposure to POGOs, the office market is poised to sustain its momentum. The sector’s focus will shift towards strengthening existing demand drivers and adapting to new market dynamics as regulatory details emerge. LPC projected that by end-2024, some 786,000 sq. m. would be added to the office supply with live demand currently at 453,000 sq. m.

Shang Properties launches newest QC condo

SHANG Properties Inc. (SPI) continues to shape the future of urban living as it unveiled its latest residential offering, Shang Summit.

As its inaugural venture in Quezon City, SPI said Shang Summit will not only redefine the city’s skyline but also establish new benchmarks for residential luxury in the Philippines.

The 80-storey two-tower development Shang Summit is slated to be country’s tallest residential condominium. The project is expected to generate P50 billion in revenues for the company.

Designed by the renowned P&T Group and FM Architettura, the East Tower of Shang Summit houses 1,020 meticulously crafted residences, each offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

The units, ranging from studio, onebedroom, two-bedroom and threebedroom, are priced at P280,000 per square meter excluding value added tax.

Located in the serene South

Triangle neighborhood, Shang Summit provides an exceptional blend of privacy and accessibility.

This iconic development introduces an extensive range of amenities designed to enhance the lifestyle of its residents. From a tropical swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness center to wellness facilities and co-working lounges, the project aims to cater to every facet of modern living.

The Summit Lounge and Summit Gallery offer refined spaces for relaxation and social gatherings, while The Alcove provides quiet retreats for work or study.

“We take pride in offering a luxurious living experience that caters to a broad demographic. Luxury should be accessible to everyone, and Shang Summit embodies this vision. It’s designed to be a place where residents can find harmony between their lifestyle and needs, in a dynamic and sophisticated environment,” said SPI executive vice presidentcommercial Maria Rochelle S. Diaz.

From left: Mariana Zobel

MONDAY, JULY 29,

NICKIE WANG,

ANGELICA VILLANUEVA, Writer

ABIGAIL ADRIATICO, Writer

SHOWBIZ

Riveting series narrates untold Filipino stories during World War

ANEW show is trending on Netflix and social media, and tonight, televiewers will know the reason why.

Pulang Araw delivers a compelling narrative that highlights the untold stories and legacies of Filipinos during World War II. It follows the lives of Eduardo, Teresita, Adelina, and Hiroshi. As war tears apart their country and Japanese forces take over, their dreams, friendships, and loyalties are put to the test. In a recent interview, the main cast talked about how much they cared about these roles and how hard they worked to make the story real and powerful.

Alden Richards , who plays Eduardo, talked about how hard it was to separate himself from the trauma shown in the series. He pointed out that the series is based on real events experienced by Filipinos during the war.

“ Pulang Araw is based on real events, which made it hard to detach from the trauma. Knowing Filipinos went through this was very emotional and disturbing,” he

By Angelica Villanueva

MARVEL Studios has announced that actor Robert Downey Jr. will be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in a completely unexpected role, as Doctor Doom.

said.

Even though they were just acting, the emotional weight affected the cast deeply, according to Alden. He considers the series one of his most important projects to date.

“Even as actors, we felt the weight of it.

That’s why this project is so important to me,” Alden added.

Barbie Forteza , who plays Adelina, teased her fans about seeing a new side of her character. She explained that even though Adelina and her brother Eduardo didn’t have a luxurious life, they were happy and content.

“In the beginning, even though they weren’t given a luxurious life by her brother, the siblings were happy, as if they had everything. You can see Adelina’s childhood until her dream of becoming a vaudeville star with her sister Teresita came true,” she expressed.

Her becoming a vaudeville star, which

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige made the announcement during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel on Saturday, 2027. Doctor Doom will be the primary antagonist in the upcoming Avenger films, setting the stage for epic confrontations with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Downey made his MCU debut in 2008 as the beloved Iron Man and has since appeared in ten films within the franchise. His notable credits include the Iron Man series, The Avengers Captain

marks her transformation into a fighter during the war, was surprising according to Barbie.

“You wouldn’t think she could fight in the war, but she will,” she said.

Sanya Lopez , who plays Teresita, shared how her role changed her perspective. She got to speak with former comfort women and felt their pain, which is still very real for them.

Sanya emphasized how important it is to share these stories with viewers because they teach valuable lessons. She noted that while people often think their problems are significant, others have gone through much worse. If these women didn’t give up, neither should anyone else.

“I was given the privilege to personally talk to former comfort women. You can feel the pain they went through. It’s still very fresh in their minds. It’s important that we can share

this with viewers because they will learn a lot,” Sanya said. David Licauco , who plays Hiroshi, talked about the intense preparation needed for his role. Hiroshi has to choose between his loved ones and his duty to his country, which is a big internal conflict. Licauco explained that this role was very challenging and required a lot of preparation to portray accurately.

“Hiroshi has many internal conflicts. It’s like a battle between the head and the heart. The role is very challenging. This teleserye tackles a very deep subject so when I joined the series, I made a lot of preparations,” he said.

Also joining the star-studded cast are Ashley Ortega, Mikoy Morales, Sef Cadayona, Jay Arcilla, Aidan Veneracion, and Tyro Dylusan , with special appearances by Julie Anne San Jose, Derrick Monasterio, Isay Alvarez, Rabiya Mateo, Jacky Woo, Maria Ozawa, Billy Ray Gallion , and Rhian Ramos Pulang Araw, based on the original concept of head writer Suzette Doctolero and under the direction of Dominic C. Zapata, premieres tonight on GMA.

top action movie series, The is back with its latest installment, The , starring Don Lee. This time, the action moves to the Philippines.

The borderless action-comedy timely touches on the controversies of online gambling, locally known as POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), as it sees the team of Ma SeokDo (Don Lee), tracks down of Korea’s dangerous criminals Baek ) who now operates an online gambling business in the Philippines.

In Korea, IT genius Chang Dong-cheol (Lee ) has even bigger plans. Lee shared with Variety that he wants the action and story to evolve with each film, reflecting current times.

The team follows the trail of a murdered young Korean who escaped Baek’s gambling ring. In the Philippines, they ride jeepneys and team up with local police. Jang I-su (Park Jihwan) returns, going undercover and setting up an illegal online casino to catch the criminals. Filming in the

Robert Downey Jr. is best known for his role as Tony Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Don Lee (right) stars as Ma Seok-Do in ‘The Roundup’ series

Some of the film’s actionpacked scenes were shot in cities like Angeles and Tarlac

Barbie Forteza plays Adelina Dela Cruz

Alden Richards takes on the role of Eduardo Dela Cruz

David Licauco portrays Hiroshi Tanaka in the show

Teresita Borromeo is played by Sanya Lopez

Very Wang Nickie Wang

LIFE & SHOWBIZ

Celebrating 26 years of Filipino culture in ‘Fiesta in America’

By Nickie Wang

FIESTA in America, the longestrunning trade and multicultural event on the United States East Coast, is gearing up for its 2024 edition with a stellar lineup of over 25 performers.

Attendees can look forward to a variety of performances, including a stunning fashion show, soulful acoustic folk music, energetic K-Pop dance, heartfelt ballads, lively showbands and tribute bands, and traditional and line dances. The main performers will be American Idol Season 11 runner-up Jessica Sanchez and OPM balladeer Bryan Termulo

The event, taking place at the American

Dream, the second-largest retail and entertainment center in the U.S., in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is set for Aug. 17 and 18.

Fernando Mendez , president and founder of Fiesta in America, announced that there are still slots available for Philippine business operators and local units (LUs) interested in exploring opportunities in the vast American market.

“Over 10,000 Filipino-Americans and around 50,000 additional mall visitors traditionally attend the largest indoor trade and culture exposition mounted by a Filipino group yearly for the past 26 years,” said Mendez. “If you’re thinking of capitalizing on the growing Philippine market and the strong household income of Filipinos in the United States, this is the event to go to.”

Fiesta in America enjoys support from hundreds of brands from the Philippines, the U.S., and other countries, all eager to tap into the lucrative Filipino-American market in the New York-New Jersey area.

through a festival that highlights immigrantcentered services, Filipino products, heritage, and talent.”

The event promises activities for all ages, trade exhibits, business opportunities, concerts, entertainment, and networking.

SOUTH Korean acoustic-folk indie sensation 10cm is set to bring his soulful melodies closer to his Filipino fans in the 10cm Closer to You concert on Aug. 31 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Known offstage as Kwon Jung-yeol, 10cm has lent his voice to numerous beloved K-Drama moments. His hits include “Drawer”

During a press conference held in Quezon City over the weekend, Mendez highlighted that one of the Fiesta’s greatest achievements is its ability to bring together people from all walks of life to celebrate cultural heritage and forge economic ties.

“Stewarding Fiesta in America is my little way of promoting our culture, our products, our talent, and the beauty of the Philippines,” said Mendez.

“Our mission has always been to connect Filipino entrepreneurs with mainstream business and FilAm consumers

sound and heartfelt lyrics. Tickets are available at all TicketWorld and SM Tickets outlets, with prices ranging from P9,000 (Platinum) to P2,000 (Bronze). For inquiries, contact James Edward Rodriguez at 0917 829 2173, Paulo San Jose at 0917 810 5031, Raf Sangco at 0917 807 9387, JhayR dela Cruz at 0917 818 9847, and Vincent Miles Jiwatramani at 0917 150 3511. For more information on the

A week before the main event, on Aug. 11, the People’s Ball will be held at the Marriott Newark International Airport Hotel in New Jersey. Chaired by Mendez’s partner, Laura Garcia, this highly anticipated annual gala will feature a special buffet dinner, live performances, ballroom dancing, and Empowerment Awards recognizing outstanding FilipinoAmericans. Influential leaders and notable figures in the FilAm community traditionally attend this prestigious event. Founded in 1996 by Mendez and his late wife Mila, Fiesta in America aims to promote the Philippines not only as a travel destination but also as a global business

For more information, info@ fiestainamerica. or visit www. fiestainameria. www. gophilippines.co.

Marc Nelson and Christi McGarry are taking viewers on a spirited adventure to Bali in the two-part Beached special. The first episode aired on July 27, and the second part will air on Aug. 3 at 8:30 p.m. on Metro Channel.

After an exhilarating escapade in Mexico last month, the seasoned travelers now head to one of the world’s top beach destinations for another exciting journey.

“Blessed with astounding natural wonders and equally awe-inspiring people, this place is known as the Island of the Gods,” Marc describes in the show’s latest teaser.

Christi, equally thrilled, adds, “This place has a special place in my heart. There’s a lot to take in: thrilling activities, breathtaking views, and hot dining spots. Truly a spellbinding destination!”

In the first episode of “Beached Bali,” the travel show hosts explore Canna Beach Club, located in the heart of Nusa Dua, which offers a variety of activities including paragliding and beach volleyball.

They also visit the Path Bali yoga center in Canggu, the iconic Uluwatu Temple, and various must-try dining spots. Additionally, they discover Sungai Watch, an organization dedicated to keeping Indonesian rivers clean. In the second episode, Marc and Christi surf along Berawa Beach, known for its black sand, big waves, and beautiful views of the Indian Ocean.

The adventure continues as they explore Bali’s cultural capital, Ubud, and embark on a white-water rafting adventure across 28 rapids. They also visit the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site offering panoramic views of Bali’s lush landscape.

Moreover, the duo delves into the sustainability practices at Green School Bali, explores Finns Beach Club, and dines at some of the island’s hottest spots. Metro

and

‘Beached’ hosts Christi McGarry (left) and Marc Nelson

Fiesta in America is a trade and multicultural event featuring brands from the Philippines, the US, and other countries

Bryan Termulo is a singer-songwriter who is known for singing the theme songs of several local TV shows

on

(photo courtesy

Republika)

IHAVE said it many times before wherever my work or vacations take me, Cebu will always be home for me. It’s true what they say about “taking the boy out of the country but never taking the country out of the boy.”

I enjoyed my growing-up years in our house in Cebu, so every time I set foot in Cebu again, those beautiful memories come back to me and make me feel like I never left the city.

It’s been many years since we sold our ancestral house in Cebu. Although my younger sister still lives in the city with her family and has a large house up in the hills of Guadalupe, I don’t want to burden her with my visits because she’s “differently able,” having suffered a stroke many years ago. I always make it a point to visit her, though, every time I am in the city, just to chat with her because we draw strength from each other, as we recall our younger years when we were still with our parents and our other siblings.

I have had many enjoyable stays at different hotels in Cebu City but, somehow, I get everything I look for at Bai Hotel. “Bai” is the Cebuano term for a male friend, just like “Pare” in Tagalog. With the personalized service I always receive at this hotel, it’s just like staying in the house of a very

good friend.

Mercury Rising Bob Zozobrado

Located at the boundary of the cities of Cebu and Mandaue, it is, thankfully, far away from the hustle and bustle of the concrete jungle. I like hotels that give me a calming view every time I look out from my bedroom window. When I want a thoroughly relaxing view, I just go up to this hotel’s roof deck and enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree view of Cebu City, with beautiful lights of different colors sparkling like attractive jewels in the evening.

The hotel has 668 beautifully and functionally designed guestrooms, 8 restaurants, an infinity pool, a spa, and a gym. I also like the VIP Lounge on the 21st floor, offering snacks and cocktails at selected hours during the day.

The Philippine Retirement Authority, which I head, held our 39 th Anniversary celebration at the hotel’s ballroom, enough reason for me to stay at this hotel, for convenience. We had close to 300 persons in the hall, yet service was impeccable and everybody raved about the sumptuous buffet curated by the hotel’s Filipino chefs. I appreciated the fact that the Although many things

hotel’s wait staff was always alert.

C4 LIFE

Coming home to a ‘friend’

were happening on stage and the dance floor, the waiters were always on the lookout for guests who needed service. My 54 square-meter room gave me enough space to entertain some members of my PRA Team who wanted an after-party party, so the five of us enjoyed browsing through the many channels of the humongous LED flat-screen TV in my living room We brought up to the bar in my room the unopened wine bottles from the party and enjoyed them while chatting about the fun moments of the party at the ballroom earlier. Some of my friends later opted for coffee which was easily available as my room had an espresso machine.

But what I find impressive about Bai Hotel is its breakfast buffet. First of all, the entire buffet feels like it’s a mile long. In fact, I remember the first time I partook of their breakfast, I made a mental remark that going over the whole place served as my morning exercise. There is so much to choose from in the expansive spread of culinary delights. But I preferred to limit myself to the traditional Cebuano breakfast, what I used to have during my growing up years in the city – eggs, danggit , chorizo , pan de sal , and lots of fresh mangoes. I can go on and on and rave some more about this hotel but it actually all boils down to one thing. It feels great to come back to my hometown…and come home to a “friend.”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

Cebu Pacific set to transform air travel with record-breaking aircraft order

Airbus highlighted the MOU as a sign of Cebu Pacific’s confidence in its products and a positive signal for the aviation industry’s recovery.

“We thank Cebu Pacific for its continued confidence in Airbus. These new-generation aircraft will help reduce operating costs and maintain low fares in a competitive market. We look forward to working with Cebu Pacific as it strengthens its position as a leading lowcost carrier in Asia-Pacific,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP of commercial aircraft sales at Airbus.

Pratt & Whitney also expressed

appreciation for CEB’s ongoing confidence in the GTF engine, first selected by the airline in 2012.

“This order highlights the growing opportunities in the Philippines and Asia Pacific,” said Rick Deurloo, president of commercial engines at Pratt & Whitney. “Our GTF™ engine will support this growth with its industry-leading fuel efficiency and sustainability benefits for single-aisle aircraft. Cebu Pacific’s order underscores its value.” The purchase agreement is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of the year.

“The order is designed to give Cebu Pacific the flexibility to choose

between the A321neo and A320neo aircraft as needed, helping us adapt to market changes,” said Michael Szucs, chief executive officer at CEB. “This deal is a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to make air travel more accessible and affordable for everyone while supporting the Philippine growth story.”

Cebu Pacific’s new A321neo planes can carry up to 236 passengers and use less fuel

Cebu Pacific CEO Mike Szücs (left) with Pratt & Whitney president of commerical engines Rick Deurloo

The majestic facade of Bai Hotel straddles the boundary of Cebu City and Mandaue