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Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’
“They’re dreaming,” former president Rodrigo Duterte said as he broke his silence over the claims that the Philippines, during his administration, promised to remove the Philippine Navy’s commissioned vessel BRP Sierra Madre from Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea. In a recent episode of his program 'Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa’ over the SMNI News Channel earlier this week, Duterte bluntly denied giving out “an inch of territory” to China during his term. “I did not discuss anything about territory. For one, what is there on the map is ours. We are not claiming an area over what is really legally ours. So, that Sierra Madre—is claimed by the Philippines as ours (in) that area—so let it just remain there,” he said. Duterte agreed that setting up the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin symbolizes the country’s sovereign rights over the WPS. “Maybe, as a symbolic thing, to put a notice on everybody na atin ‘yan (that it is ours), which is good. Kung ako ang tanungin mo, prangkahan ko lang either kung sino ang nakikinig dyan (If you would ask me, I will tell you frankly, to whoever is listening now)—whether its a foreign country or the government)” he said. “Kung ako magdala ako ng maraming barko sa navy na sira-sira butasan ko 'yan dun. Iwan ko. Ilayo ko pa na parang buffer zone (If I were to ask, I would bring many decommissioned and broken navy ships in there. I will leave them there. I will even scatter them as a buffer zone) so that there can be no issue about. I said I would not give an inch that is owned by my country,” Duterte stressed. Duterte emphasized that defending the country’s territory should be spared from being a good friend to China. “Iba yung mag-kaibigan tayo, iba yung teritoryo ko. Ang liit-liit na nga natin tapos kukunan pa nila. Hindi na maganda yan,” he said. Earlier, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo categorically denied that she made promises to China or any other country. "First, I never made such a promise to China or any other country. Second, I never authorized any government officials to make such a promise. Third, I only became aware of such claims recently, when the matter surfaced in public discussions," she said. China insists that Ayungin Shoal, which it calls Ren’ai Jiao, is part of its territory. But the Philippines maintains its sovereignty over the shoal as affirmed by the 2016 Arbitral ruling. The post Duterte breaks silence on ‘promised’ BRP Sierra Madre removal: ‘They’re dreaming’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service
If life were a train, then Michael Ted Macapagal’s has been quite a ride. Raised by a labor leader and human rights lawyer father who served the people of Olongapo, including the workers of the US American Base in Subic, Michael Ted Macapagal had always wanted to become a public servant. It took Ted, though, a long journey to reach his goal, first achieving success in the insurance field in the United States where he lived for 20 years starting in 1991. Today, he is the chairman of the Philippine National Railways, a position “that allows me to make a difference in the lives of my countrymen,” he shared during his recent visit to the Daily Tribune office in Makati. Ted, good-looking and affable, proudly spoke of a father, his namesake, Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal who, early on, exposed his son to a firsthand view of a gentleman who looked beyond himself and his personal interests, and instead dedicated his career to protecting the common man and bettering their lot. The elder Ted served as a city councilor for 10 years. In 1984, he ran for the Batasang Pambansa, and in the late 1980s, for city mayor. “In all these electoral processes, I was involved and saw for myself how my father related to the people. He was a sincere man who helped them in the best way he could. He provided free legal services to those in need,” Ted recounted. Ted grew up in Olongapo, his place of birth. It was in the neighboring province of Pampanga, though, at the Don Bosco Institute in Bacolor town, where he first studied, but he eventually returned home to Olongapo, where he finished high school at the St. Columban. Aiming to become a lawyer, he enrolled at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where he majored in History, which he intended as his pre-law course. Not unexpectedly, he joined the Upsilon Sigma Phi, his father’s fraternity. He also joined rallies where he stood with those who wanted the retention of US bases in the Philippines, in keeping with the sentiments of his townsmen. “It was the one concern where the whole of Olongapo was united,” he recalled, “because the people’s livelihood was connected to the base and the American presence in the community.” As a lawyer who specialized in labor, his father himself handled cases for the base employees. In 1988, his father lost his mayoralty bid in Olongapo. He fought against his fraternity brother, Richard Gordon. Actually, the two had been fighting it out for decades. “Olongapo became too small for them,” shared Ted. “A vivid memory to me to this day was the night I cried after my father lost. I was heartbroken because, for the most part of my life, I saw him give his all to the people. Throughout all those years, I just loved assisting my father. I followed him whenever he visited his constituents. I was a witness to everything that happened to him, his conflict with his political adversary and the loyalty of the people who believed in him and saw in him the man who would change the face of politics in our city.” The elder Macapagal became OIC-Mayor in 1986, but only two months after he received his appointment from the new president because the incumbent mayor did not easily give up his post which he was required to vacate under the new revolutionary government. “The next local election was the most expensive political exercise that our family ever waged,” Ted recounted. “It was then that my father decided that I pursue a new life in the United States, away from politics back home. “All the while, my heart never left the Philippines. Even before I left, I promised myself I would return to continue what my father started.” First non-white president Ted stayed in San Francisco for 20 long years. He had a tough time at the beginning of his new life. “I started off doing odd jobs. I worked as a security guard, janitor and waiter in a pizza parlor. “I also guarded the heavy equipment in a construction site in San Francisco. Thievery was a problem in that kind of situation. We would sleep in a trailer. “I transferred to a construction firm because I found out it offered a bigger salary. But I didn’t know the technical aspects of construction. Once, I made a portable ladder, but it fell apart, for which I was scolded by the owner of the company. I was fired on my third day on the job. Too bad because it paid high.” Ted then decided to pursue another degree, one that would be more useful in the United States. He took up Human Resource Management, a four-year course at the University of California in Berkeley. When he finally entered the corporate world, his first job was as a clerk. It wasn’t long before he became Division President of Stewart Title Company, one of the largest underwriters in the world, with offices across the United States, and in some 80 countries around the globe. He was based in the San Francisco Bay Area. “I may have been the first non-white president,” he said. “And I was a division president for the whole of North America. I was the first Filipino to reach that level.” Of his trailblazing accomplishments, he shared, “I was able to bring cultural diversity to the company, which enhanced its value. I got the top post because I asked for a meeting with the president. I told him we were not diverse enough to appeal to the non-white clients, and there were many of them who were first-time home buyers. Then, I told him to make the rounds. He would see that none of the home buyers was white. They were of different ethnic groups. I told him that if he appointed me as vice president, I would give him multi-cultural buyers because I would appeal to them and they would be our first-time buyers. So, he appointed me, and one month later, he made me president.” As an adjunct, he lectured on the topic of title insurance and escrow procedures in several community colleges in and around the San Franciso Bay Area. Through it all, he chose to keep his Filipino citizenship. The ‘Railway President’ For all the successes he was enjoying, the Philippines beckoned. He felt he still had a mission to accomplish. “My father was surprised. He asked me why I would still want to go home when I was doing well in the States. I insisted, so I came back and I plunged into political life. I worked on difficult campaigns, like the one for Rodrigo Duterte.” Back to his first love and passion, the political arena, he was in his element and served as president of PDP LABAN in Olongapo City from 2016 to 2021. In 2022, he joined LAKAS-CMD as its local chairman. This engagement led to his original target, as his father had achieved in his lifetime — serving the people. This time, he would be appointed to key posts in the government. He became director of the Clark Board and Gulf Oil Philippines. He took his oath of office as chairman of the Philippine National Railways on 28 April 2023. It is a job in a government agency where he is confident “I could make a difference because I can see that President Bongbong Marcos is really intent on improving the railway system of the country. “On my part, I want to make a difference. I want to be able to contribute whatever I can to help the president to achieve that objective. I call him now the ‘Railway President’ because I consider him the father of the railway system in our country.” Of course, he noted that many plans have been formulated during the time of President Rodrigo Duterte. Moreover, he recognized that President Gloria Arroyo “navigated our country through the global crisis. I was in the United States when the global economic crisis happened, and the Philippines was one of the countries spared, and I give credit to her. The economic fundamentals were very strong during her time. Being an economist, she was there at the right time when the country needed her the most.” With President BBM at the helm, he is confident “we will be able to push through with our development plan and finish the projects we have started, like the North-South Commuter Railway, which is a 147-kilometer stretch from Clark to Laguna. We hope to have the dry run in 2026 and it will be fully operational in 2027.” He also looks forward to the completion of the Bicol South Long Haul project. He is equally hopeful for the North Long Haul, the Subic-Clark and the Mindanao railways. He clarified that “we are now talking with the proponents, while some negotiations are being undertaken.” Working boots and a hard hat It would seem that this successful insurance executive was out of place in the railway sector. He pointed out, though, that “coming from the outside, I have the technical advantage of being able to look outside the box. So, I’m looking at it from outside the box, looking in. I am able to see the problems that need to be fixed. Stoppage is one of the problems so we have a bus augmentation program. We will also deploy UV Express units. We are closely coordinating with the LTFRB to provide emergency alternative transportation.” On the other hand, his exposure to people of all backgrounds from his youth, being his father’s son, has given him the advantage of “knowing how it is to be one of the boys. Something that I also experienced in the United States. “When people ask me what my management style is, I tell them straight I like to go down to the ground. I like hands-on supervision. I want my hands to be dirty. If you open the trunk of my car, you will find my working boots and my hard hat. I enjoy going to the construction sites and seeing for myself the progress, the problems, whatever it is that needs to be attended to. “Finally I want those working in the field doing the most difficult tasks to be satisfied and never to be hungry. Gusto ko, busog sila lagi. I am not happy when I get invited by the constructors and I am honored with a feast-like lunch or dinner, and not knowing what the workers are eating. I am on a diet anyway, so I make sure that my hosts bring the food to where the workers are eating. I can only eat so much and I would rather that the workers and the staff are full and happy. I am vocal about my displeasure when the construction workers are not eating the same food that is served to me. I may not be able to invite them to where I am eating but I can have the food brought to them.” Smiling from heaven Without a doubt, the old man Atty. Teddy C. Macapagal is smiling happily from his heavenly perch. He had served his fellowmen well, but he had done right as well by raising a son who took after his heart, to whom service to the people and compassion for the less fortunate matter more than any personal gain. His father, according to Ted, “died a broken man at the young age of 63. But whatever he lacked in longevity and riches, he made up for it with his compassion for others, for the free legal services that he gave to the people of Olongapo. “If you didn’t have money, you went to him because he was generous with his time and expertise. He would even give you some cash to use for your transportation fare to go home. That was my father. “The people whom he helped in turn would come to our home and bring him gifts like eggs, fruits, fish, vegetables and native chickens that they raised in their backyards. My father accepted them all. When I came home and saw all this, I teased him and said that he should probably open a sari-sari store so he could resell them. “Of course, we had a good laugh. But beyond the laughter, we both knew in our hearts that doing good to one’s fellowmen is its own reward and nothing in this world can take the place of personal fulfillment for having put a smile on people’s faces because you somehow made their lives better. “I am grateful that I have been raised by such a great father.” The post Michael Ted Macapagal: Making tracks in public service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Time for the Philippines to go nuclear
With the scorching heat of the sun still going on and the looming dry spell as a result of the El Niño phenomenon, more Filipinos are using electricity to beat the soaring temperature. Unfortunately, the supply of power cannot cope with the demand, so power outages have also become common. [caption id="attachment_167841" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Many Filipinos are increasingly unable to afford power costs, with the cost of electricity in the country among the highest in Southeast Asia. | Photographs Courtesy Of The Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.[/caption] Many Filipinos are also increasingly unable to afford power costs. The cost of electricity in the country is among the highest in Southeast Asia, according to a paper penned for the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development. In the Philippines, the kilowatt per hour is $0.16. Compare that to Thailand and Indonesia ($0.10/kWh) and Malaysia ($0.05/kWh). At $0.18/kWh, only Singapore surpasses the country’s Philippines rates. About 50 percent of the country’s power generation comes from coal, with natural gas and renewables accounting for just over 20 percent and the rest coming from oil-fired boilers. The country’s electricity consumption is expected to triple by 2040 — from the 90.2 TWh (Terawatt-hour) in 2018 — due to the rapidly growing economy. It’s time for the Philippines to transition away from its reliance on coal. The adoption of nuclear power is the fastest option and would make electricity costs more affordable, according to the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute. PNRI Director Carlo A. Arcilla said including nuclear power in the country’s energy mix would be beneficial to consumers as it would bring down expensive electricity rates and provide a stable source of power. Gayle Certeza, convenor of Alpas Pinas, a group that educates and advocates for nuclear energy, agrees. “We believe that nuclear energy will positively impact the lives of Filipinos because it will mean lower electricity rates that will better allow for more savings,” she said in a Daily Tribune feature. During the presidency of Rodrigo R. Duterte, Executive Order 164 was signed to include nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. Under the policy, the country “shall ensure the peaceful use of nuclear technology anchored on critical tenets of public safety, national security, energy self-sufficiency, and environmental sustainability.” Energy security The Department of Science and Technology supported EO 164, saying: “Nuclear power is envisioned to bring down the cost of electricity and to contribute to energy security considering the various limitations now being encountered in the other sources which includes natural gas, geothermal, hydro and coal.” The DoST is a member of the Nuclear Energy Program Interagency Committee, tasked to study the adoption of a national position on nuclear power. Nuclear power is one of two major alternatives to fossil fuels; the other is renewable energy (solar power, wind power, hydroelectric, geothermal energy and biomass energy). “Renewables and nuclear can complement each other,” said Arcilla in an interview. “Wind and solar depend on the status of the weather, and they only a 30-percent capacity factor unless you have an expensive battery.” Solar energy also requires one hectare of land to produce one megawatt. “This will become more challenging since the Philippines is an archipelagic country,” Arcilla said. Nuclear, on the other hand, “is more of a baseload energy, meaning it is more reliable due to its continuous production of energy. It could provide backup for wind and solar.” Threats and risks Groups such as the World Nuclear Association, the International Atomic Energy Agency and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy contend that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions. But opponents, such as Greenpeace International and Nuclear Information and Resource Service, warn that nuclear power poses many threats to people and the environment, including the problems of processing, transport and storage of radioactive nuclear waste, the risk of nuclear weapons proliferation and terrorism, as well as health risks and environmental damage from uranium mining. Because of these risks, Dr. Art Romero, a geoscientist at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley, California, emphasizes the need to conduct due diligence, technical hazard studies and engineering and safety reviews. If the Philippines went nuclear, where would it put nuclear waste? “It is very challenging to manage nuclear waste as it will last up to 10,000 years,” acknowledged Arcilla. “We need to isolate them from the human environment.” Arcilla suggests deep borehole disposal. “In the Philippines, we have the capability to drill up to three kilometers. So what we can do is to go to an isolated island, drill up to one kilometer, then we plug in bentonite.” It’s not the first time the Philippines will go nuclear. The Bataan Nuclear Power Plant was built by Westinghouse during the time of Ferdinand Marcos at a cost of $2.2 billion, but it was mothballed in 1986 due to safety concerns and allegations of corruption, even before it could begin operations. During the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, proponents wanted the BNPP rehabilitated. But the project was projected to cost a hefty $1 billion. In 2019, a public perception survey indicated that 79 percent of Filipinos supported the rehabilitation of the shelved BNPP. In addition, 65 percent approved the building of new nuclear power plants. Nuclear power is the second largest source of low-carbon electricity today. With almost 500 operating reactors globally, it provides 10 percent of global electricity supply. It’s time for a rapidly developing country like the Philippines to take a second look at this critical power supply option. The post Time for the Philippines to go nuclear appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lotilla: Regulators easing power rates
Government regulators are thoroughly reviewing existing power supply contracts to amend provisions that would help lower electricity prices, especially in off-grid areas where consumers have been reeling from spiking power rates. “We can assure our consumers that the Energy Regulatory Commission is reviewing all the power supply contracts as well as the policies that we have to lay down to bring down the rates,” Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla said in an interview on Straight Talk, the online show of Daily Tribune. He said: “We have made the policy decision not to subsidize electricity. So we cannot just tell the distributor or even our people that prices are going to drastically go down. We are still dependent on imported fuel.” The Department of Energy, he said, is carefully studying Republic Act 9136, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, or EPIRA, to ensure that the more than two-decades-old law can keep up with the changing energy landscape while upholding the interest of the consumers. Energy mix Lotilla said the EPIRA amendments can be related to the ERC’s powers and the penalties it may impose and the Philippine Competition Commission’s powers relative to the energy sector. “It’s important to clarify where the lines of defense lie. The first line of defense is with the electric cooperative itself and therefore as consumers and members of the electric cooperative, our consumers must take an active role in the management of the electric cooperatives,” he said. The EPIRA, passed during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, mandates ERC and PCC to promote competition, encourage market development, ensure consumer choice, and penalize abuse of market power in the restructured electricity industry. The law also promotes competition by creating a level playing field, among other things, in the competitive retail electricity market. The government has been exploring ways to lower the prices of power in the provinces, which are mostly controlled by electric cooperatives. One of the solutions that has been on the table is the development of nuclear power, particularly the potential deployment of small modular reactors or SMRs on small islands that are not yet connected to the main grid. Early this week, Manila Electric Co., or Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, signified its plan to tap an American partner to jointly explore the country’s potential to develop nuclear energy as a viable power source. Meralco chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan, in an interview with reporters, said the company recently signed a non-disclosure agreement with an American firm with expertise in nuclear development. However, Pangilinan noted that since nuclear energy requires a new technology, it would be “at least five years away from commercial production.” Last year, Meralco sought a United States Trade and Development Agency grant to generate additional funding to bankroll a feasibility study on nuclear energy. The government has been supportive of the exploration of nuclear power as an energy source in line with the global push to reduce fossil fuel use due to its hazardous carbon emissions. According to Lotilla, the government would need the support of Congress to ratify a law that would help jumpstart the integration of nuclear power into the country’s energy mix. Pending the passage of the law, the DoE and all other government agencies concerned are actively looking for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built, he added. The post Lotilla: Regulators easing power rates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu’s National Museum inaugurated
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. underscored the importance of museums in preserving and promoting a nation’s cultural heritage as he led the inauguration of the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu City on Friday. The President stressed that museums can help people understand the past, appreciate the present, and build a better future. “Every country, a young country such as the Philippines, has to find its identity,” said Marcos. “And we need to answer the question; if we are to unite together, we need to answer the question: What does it mean to be Filipino?” He added that museums “shine a very, very strong light on where Filipinos came from, what we had done since, and what is the trend, where are we headed” as pointed out that the exhibits would attract the interest of museum-goers. Marcos also urged local and foreign visitors to include the NMP Cebu in their itinerary whenever they visit the province and encouraged his fellow government officials to support the initiatives of the NMP. “Let us persuade the local and foreign visitors alike to include the NMP Cebu in their itinerary whenever they visit our beautiful country and this vibrant, ancient province,” Marcos said. “That is also ensured that our cultural institutions and establishments are accessible to Filipinos from all walks of life.” The President said that it might require around a week of going to the museum religiously before one ultimately sees all the exhibits. From being a customs building to Malacañang sa Sugbo, one of Cebu City’s architectural treasures has been transformed into a National Museum which will be open to the public for free starting 1 August 2023 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays to Sundays. It will feature exhibitions that capture the Cebuano spirit and heritage, including the island’s rich and diverse biodiversity, geology, archeological treasures, art, and ethnographic and maritime traditions. NMP-Cebu said this would host a special exhibition featuring artworks from the Philippine Center in New York and will soon feature artworks by Cebu master Martino Abellana. Aside from the five galleries, the National Museum will be boasted a lobby and reception hall featuring arts by Cebuanos with Cebuano culture and history, a terrace, a courtyard, and the NMP’s first-ever regional Museum shop. In 1910, Architect William Parsons designed and built the Customs (Aduana) building. It served its purpose as the old Customs house for 94 years and even survived the World War II bombings. In 2004, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo converted it into Malacañang sa Sugbo to bring the national government closer to the people in the region. The building was closed in 2013 due to a 7.1-magnitude earthquake. In 2019, the Old Customs House was declared a National Cultural Treasure. And in December of the same year, NMP was given the right to convert it into the National Museum- Central Visayas Regional Museum. With RICO MIRASOL OSMEñA The post Cebu’s National Museum inaugurated appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Avel: A Book, A Fashion Show, A Filipino Designer
BY JOJO G. SILVESTRE Whether one refers to the book, the fashion show or the Filipino designer who takes center stage on the first two, there is no mistaking the message — Philippine textile, woven and embroidered, at their best. In all three, there is another common denominator — the support and patronage of the First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos. [caption id="attachment_147815" align="aligncenter" width="525"] FIRST Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with designer Avel Bacudio.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147821" align="aligncenter" width="525"] First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos with the author.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147818" align="aligncenter" width="525"] BIANCA Zobel and Dina Arroyo-Tantoco of the Office of the Social Secretary with Avel Bacudio.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147824" align="aligncenter" width="525"] THE designer with Grace Bernardo Chan.[/caption] The fashion show that was recently held at the Goldenberg Museum, under the auspices of the Office of the First Lady, with the Office of the Social Secretary providing a multi-faceted back-up, was a spectacle in black and white as interpreted by Avel Bacudio whose creations paid tribute to the handiwork of Filipino artisans all over the country. Each piece of clothing modeled by legislators and cabinet secretaries, their wives, key officials of the executive branch, and scions of political families, all clients of Avel, manifested the virtuosity of the iconic designer who chose to downplay extravagance and over-the-top ornamentation by focusing on well-defined structure, casual elegance, comfortability and versatility, the last allowing the wearers to mix and match to suit the occasion. [caption id="attachment_147820" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147816" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ACTOR-MODEL Jerome Ponce and Cong. Linabelle Villarica, 4th District of Bulacan.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147822" align="aligncenter" width="525"] KATRINA Ponce Enrile, Administrator, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.[/caption] Goldenberg Mansion, in all its splendor, served as a fitting yet contrasting backdrop to Avel’s functionality, simplicity and orderly geometric configurations. The book, Avel, Ladies in the Palace, quotes the Bicolano designer who laments, “The local weavers and their craft are dying out and they are unable to pass it on to the next generation. This is where I found the passion to do what I can, as a designer, to help this craft alive.” His intention looks beyond the communities where these beautiful fabrics originate and reveals his deep longing to present the best of Filipino craftsmanship to the international community. He admits to being “challenged to bring their weaves into the modern world but going beyond the ordinary. I turned my focus towards elevating them into pieces worthy of the global stage while still paying tribute to their stories and the craft.” On his part, Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos, who supported the book project, describes Avel as “a highly accomplished and extraordinary fashion designer.” He enumerates his distinctions, namely, “more than 20 years of successful career; extensive and impressive client list; and numerous awards including Metro Magazine’s 2012 Breakthrough Designer and Asia’s Most Influential Designer in 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Style Fashion Week in Malaysia.” [caption id="attachment_147825" align="aligncenter" width="452"] Yeye Vivas, Chief of Staff of Congressman Sandro Marcos.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147814" align="aligncenter" width="525"] PCOO Secretary Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147823" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Marga Montemayor Nograles, COO, Tourism Promotions Board.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147819" align="aligncenter" width="377"] CONGRESSMAN Migz Villafuerte, 5th District of Camarines Sur.[/caption] On these pages are Avel’s creations as modeled by dazzling personalities in government and society, as well as the personal choices of guests, celebrities and achievers too, and Malacanang insiders from their respective closets. Fittingly, everyone arrived in their black and white outfits, eager and ready to be impressed by what the designer had been up to in the past months. Avel Bacudio did not disappoint them. [caption id="attachment_147826" align="aligncenter" width="525"] XAVIER Tengco[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147835" align="aligncenter" width="525"] DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. and Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_147817" align="aligncenter" width="641"] Atty. Joeie Domingo, Undersecretary, Special Assistant to the President.[/caption] The post Avel: A Book, A Fashion Show, A Filipino Designer appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Visayan growth
This piece is being written as I traverse the Visayan region which is carrying greater prospects for future economic growth. For the past months, I’ve written on Mindanao and Central Luzon and how these regions have experienced rapid development thanks to the nationally elected political leaders who hail from their provinces, Vice President Sara Duterte and the former president now Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, respectively. At times neglected in the discussions is the Visayas region. This time around, I was able to spend time in Iloilo and Cebu – both highly urbanized regional growth areas outside of Metro Manila. Iloilo is a wonderful city as it exists harmoniously with its bodies of water. Esplanades and walkways allow everyone to enjoy the river, which serves as a leisure area, transportation hub, and entry for goods, which is quite uncommon in the Philippines. Usually, Philippine rivers are either for people or for goods, not both, since our rivers are easily polluted. But in Iloilo, as well as neighboring Guimaras, their rivers bring life to the province. The only eyesore in Iloilo would be the “sinking” Ungka flyover located in Pavia. This project cost the government P680 million but it was closed shortly after it opened because motorists experienced a “wavy” sensation while driving on it. It was later learned that some of its pillars were sinking at the rate of two centimeters per day. A study showed it would take an estimated P250 million to repair the flyover and make it safely usable to the public. One reason to be excited about Iloilo should be the proposed revival of the Panay Railway, which was mentioned by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. in his SoNA last year and included in the Infrastructure Flagship Projects approved by NEDA. On this trip, I learned that Panay used to have a working railway that connected Iloilo City to Roxas City, and that plans for its revival would further connect Iloilo to Caticlan thus, the resort island of Boracay. Imagine having tourists land in Boracay, spend a few days there, then take a train to Iloilo where they would further be immersed in Philippine culture in one of the oldest cities of the country. Cebu is an established gem of a city, with traffic nearing Manila levels. Walking around Cebu feels like being in Alabang or BGC. One thing missing in Cebu is tollways to connect its cities and municipalities. This may change soon with the inclusion of the Metro Cebu Expressway in the NEDA-approved IFPs. The 72-kilometer project, once completed, will connect Naga City to Danao City, cutting travel time from three hours to 50 minutes. The project was started years ago, but only a reported five kilometers of it have been finished so far due to lack of funding. At this rate of budget allocation, it will take 20 years to finish it. Now, the project will continue and be finished sooner via a PPP arrangement after Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. — the same company that built the iconic Cebu Cordova Link Expressway bridge — has expressed interest in it. Whenever I visit Cebu, it seems that a major development had taken place. This time was no different. Even in Iloilo, there are new buildings erected almost monthly. One notable building is the 14-story Stronghold Insurance Building in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, an area surrounded by Ayala, SM, Vista Land, and Megaworld developments. As this Administration has heralded, this time the purpose is to “Build, Better, More” for the benefit of all Filipinos nationwide. For comments, email him at darren.dejesus@gmail.com. The post Visayan growth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thai giant eyes $2.5-B project
Agro-industrial and food conglomerate, Charoen Pokphand Group, headquartered in Thailand, is set to pour in $2.5 billion in a project to benefit the agricultural sector. This was confirmed by the company’s officials after paying a courtesy call with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, and Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, among others in Malacañang on 30 May. “We welcome this potential investment from CP Group as this will boost our economic recovery initiatives, generating more economic activities and employment opportunities for our people. This is an outcome of the President’s visit to Thailand in November last year. There, they have committed to expanding their operations in the country, and now it’s happening,” Pascual said in the occasion. In 2022, Thailand, where CP Group is based, was the country’s 8th major trading partner, 6th export market, and 7th import supplier. Charoen Pokphand Group Co., Ltd is primarily dedicated to enhancing and developing the quality of life of the people in Thailand and communities around the world. Agro-based operations Their operations in Bangkok involve a wide array of businesses such as agro-industry and food, retail and distribution, telecommunications, e-commerce and digital, pharmaceuticals, finance and investment, automotive and industrial products, and property development. During the meeting, CP executives and public sector representatives discussed business integration, particularly food, aquaculture and livestock activities in the Philippines, anchored on their pledge to invest in and help improve aquaculture, rice, and swine production in the Philippines in order to support the development of the country’s agrifood value chain. The Charoen Pokphand Foods Philippines Corporation, or CPFPC, a subsidiary of Charoen Pokphand Foods Public Company Limited is considered as the most significant Thai investment in Philippine Agriculture. In 2022, a memorandum of agreement was signed by CPF in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and Land Bank of the Philippines to support poultry, aquaculture, and hog farming business expansion. Currently, CPFPC has three Board of Investment registrations also focusing on agricultural projects. “With science, technology, and innovation as our core strategy in the country’s industrial transformation, we are excited and optimistic about this investment from CP Group as it will not only bring in new technology in the agricultural sector but at the same time increase the quality of their products and productivity level. We hope that this investment will boost our efforts to integrate the agricultural industry into the global value chain,” Pascual added. The post Thai giant eyes $2.5-B project appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Akbayan to Sara: You don’t have to be president to speak vs China
MANILA, Philippines — Party-list group Akbayan said on Thursday that Vice President Sara Duterte does not have to be a president of the country for her to call out China’s intrusive actions over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). Empathy and a moral backbone is just what it takes to stand up with fisherfolk and frontline.....»»
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS
Roque bares Duterte, China agreement to respect status quo in WPS.....»»
7 nanlaban drug suspects dead after Baste Duterte declares drug war
Less than a week after Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a "war on drugs" in the city, at least seven drug suspects were killed during a buy-bust operation in the city — violence that highlights the seriousness of the mayor's recent threat of outright killing persons caught using illegal drugs......»»
CHR alarmed by war vs drugs in Davao City
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is alarmed by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s “war against drugs”, as seven drug users were killed from different barangays in the city over the weekend, just a few hours after his declaration......»»
Revisiting Uniteam (Last of 2 parts)
THE Uniteam coalition of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, described by many political analysts as the "dream team", had come a long way since sweeping the 2022 elections......»»
Roque: Xi, Duterte agreed to keep West Philippines Sea status quo
The Philippines under former president Rodrigo Duterte had a “gentleman’s agreement” with China to keep the status quo in the West Philippine Sea, a former Cabinet official said yesterday, as fresh tensions surround the WPS due to recent incursions by Beijing that targeted a Filipino resupply mission and a research team......»»
CHR probes Davao drug war deaths
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday expressed grave concern over Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte’s recent declaration of a war on drugs in the city......»»
Drug killings 95 percent lower than in previous admin
The number of deaths recorded under the Marcos administration’s war on drugs has decreased by over 95 percent, in contrast to the bloody anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte......»»
Agdao Public Market vendors want variety and vegetable sections merged
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 March) – Vendors of Agdao Public Market here are asking the city government to merge the Variety and Vegetable Sections into one section claiming they have difficulties in getting customers because of their location. In a letter addressed to Mayor Sebastian Duterte, the City Administrator’s Office, the City Economic Enterprise […].....»»
7 dead after Davao City Mayor Duterte declares war vs. drugs
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 26 March) – Two more drug suspects died in separate buy-bust operations in Toril District here before dawn Tuesday, after they allegedly resisted arrest, a police official said. This brought the number of fatalities to seven since Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte declared a “war” on illegal drugs last March […].....»»
iPhone 16 Pros A18 Pro Chip Rumored to Boost AI, Retain 6-Core GPU
Apple’s upcoming A18 Pro chip for the iPhone 16 Pro models is set to bring significant improvements in artificial intelligence performance, according to analyst Jeff.....»»
Shohei Ohtani says interpreter stole money, denies knowledge of gambling debts
Shohei Ohtani says he was unaware Ippei Mizuhara had gambling debts and that he had been lied to repeatedly by the interpreter who had been by his side since he joined Major League Baseball in 2018.....»»