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3 suspected rebels killed in clash in Philippines Batangas
MANILA, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. The troops recovered three rifles, six jungle packs, and some mater.....»»
Xinhua world news summary at 1530 GMT, March 26
MANILA -- Three suspected rebels were killed in a clash with government forces in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Tuesday, the Philippine military said. The military said a 30-minute gunfight broke out around 6:30 a.m. local time after the troops ran into a group of New People's Army (NPA) rebels in Rosario town. (Philippines-Clash) - - - - BEIRUT -- Two people were killed and nine other civ.....»»
Taal Volcano back to spewing high-volume of toxic gas
LUCENA CITY, Philippines – After spewing lower volumes of sulfur dioxide (SO2) for the past five days, Taal Volcano in Batangas province again emitted a high level of toxic gas on Saturday, March 23. A total of 14,287 metric tons (MT) of SO2 from Taal’s main crater was measured over the past 24 hours and.....»»
DOT seeks inclusion in protected areas board amid Chocolate Hills issue
Department of Tourism Sec. Christina Frasco —INQUIRER.net file photo / Ryan Leagogo After the recent controversy surrounding a resort development near Chocolate Hills in Sagbayan town, Bohol, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced plans to advocate for its inclusion in the national government’s Protected Area Management Board (PAMB). Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated during a.....»»
Magnitude 4.9 earthquake jolts Batangas, Metro Manila
magnitude 4.9 earthquake hit the province of Batangas on Saturday afternoon, a seismic event felt even by residents from nearby areas such as the National Capital Region......»»
Scarce vessels face vacationers this long weekend — PPA
The Philippine Ports Authority on Thursday advised vacationers for this upcoming long holiday not only to travel light but to bring tons of patience, as they will likely endure long queues in ports because the number of vessels servicing passengers remains scarce. “That is the concern that we always raise, that the reason why we are having passenger congestion is because we lack vessels. In fact, in my understanding, MARINA (Marina Industry Authority Authority) has already relaxed the scheduling of vessels at Matnog Port. I hope they can also do it here in Batangas Port, which is the second largest port in the country, as well as on the other side, the Calapan Port,” said Santiago during an inspection of Batangas Port on Thursday. He said that by relaxing the scheduling of vessels, turnaround time will be faster and vessels will no longer have to go through berth waiting time. Earlier, PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said they expect 1.4 million passengers to flock to various ports in the country in the lead-up to the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections this 30 October. Travellers are also heading to the provinces for the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day on 1 and 2 November. Santiago reminded passengers not to pay additional charges such as travel insurance, which scrupulous individuals are soliciting outside ports. “Travel insurances for passengers are covered by the common carrier insurance that is being paid by shipping companies. Do not be fooled by these individuals,” he said. Starting Friday, 27 October up to the weekend, some 17,000 to 20,000 passengers are expected to head to Batangas Port, he added. Meanwhile, MARINA on Thursday said it has already advised shipping companies to make sure their online ticketing systems are up and running to ensure the smooth processing of passengers. Eased shipping schedules In a separate statement, MARINA said that in anticipation of the forthcoming "Synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election and Undas 2023," the MARINA Regional Office 4 has issued a directive to relax the authorized schedule of trips for shipping operators within its jurisdiction, in anticipation of the expected surge in passengers and cargo in the coming days. The directive aims to ensure the safe, reliable and convenient transportation of passengers and rolling cargo while accommodating the heightened demand. The relaxation of schedules is guided by the conditions outlined in MARINA Advisory No. 2015-10, which provides "Guidelines during Emergency, Holiday Season, and Special Occasion." Key provisions of the said directive include immediate departure when passenger and cargo capacities are met, prompt return to congested ports, increased sailing frequencies and a strict "First Come, First Served" policy for passengers and cargo. MARINA said that in cases where the measures taken to address congestion and meet demand prove insufficient, other shipping companies or operators may be authorized to deploy their vessels to ensure the swift recovery of affected areas from emergency situations, congestion or similar circumstances. “Changes or adjustments in ship schedules will be allowed with written confirmation from MARINA and are subject to modification, cancellation, or revocation for valid reasons. A copy of this order will be provided to concerned shipping lines and government agencies, with a particular focus on the PCG, its stations, PPA, and local government units,” the statement read. The directive is effective from 27 October 2023 to 6 November 2023, or until shipping operations on the affected routes return to normal, whichever occurs earlier. The post Scarce vessels face vacationers this long weekend — PPA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM opening 85th mall
Integrated property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc. will open its 85th mall in Sto. Tomas, Batangas this week — a development that the company said will boost economic activity in the province. The company informed the stock exchange on Wednesday that SM City Sto. Tomas, boasting 110,000 square meters of gross floor area, serves as its fourth SM Supermall in Batangas Province. “We are delighted to open SM City Sto. Tomas this Friday to add more fun and excitement to the thriving City of Sto. Tomas in Batangas,” SM Prime president Jeffrey C. Lim said. Well-loved brand of service “We are making sure that this newest shopping, dining, and entertainment hub will provide its guests with SM’s well-loved brand of service and convenience that will be beneficial to our fellows in Batangas, most especially this coming holiday season,” he added. SM City Sto. Tomas is located along Maharlika Highway, San Bartolome, Santo Tomas City, Batangas. It is also accessible through the intersection of highways traversing the provinces of Laguna, Batangas and Quezon. SM City Sto. Tomas will open with almost 100 percent of space lease-awarded sharing three levels of shops and brands. It will have an M Cinema with three digital screens, parking zones, and a transport terminal for further convenience to its customers. With SM City Sto. Tomas in its portfolio, SM Prime will have 61 malls in the provincial areas of the country and 24 malls in Metro Manila. The post SM opening 85th mall appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Earthquake shakes Philippine capital, aftershocks expected
MANILA, 13th October, 2023 (WAM) -- A magnitude-5.0 was felt in the Philippine capital and nearby areas on Friday, halting train services in Manila, Bloomberg reported. Aftershocks and damage are expected from the tectonic earthquake whose epicenter was located in Batangas province, south of metropolitan Ma.....»»
DoE identifies offshore RE sites
The Department of Energy or DoE has identified nine potential renewable energy, or RE, sites to establish offshore wind ports that can serve as offloading terminals for a more seamless and efficient establishment of offshore wind or OSW facilities in the country. Speaking to reporters at the sidelines of an energy forum hosted by the Nordic Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines on Tuesday, Energy Assistant Secretary Mylene Capongcol said these ports will be developed to become staging areas housing the foundation, turbines, blades, and other materials that will be used in building the OSW structures. Capongcol cited Ilocos Norte, Batangas, Bacolod, Mindoro and Cagayan Valley as among the initial locations where the planned ports will be assembled. The Asian Development Bank will assist in evaluating these sites. “These are just initial identification and these nine ports are based on the project developments. They are initially identified to support and advance project constructions in these areas,” she said. To further uncover the country’s OSW potential, the DoE said “suitably sized and strategically located ports are essential for the storage, assembly, construction and operation of OSW farms.” Potential private sector partner Recently, the state-run Philippine National Oil Company disclosed that it is looking for a potential partner from the private sector to convert its 19-hectare Batangas port into an OSW Power Integration Port. It also tapped the University of the Philippines National Engineering Center to “help us because the decision not to award the contract for the commercial port expansion and shift to an offshore integration port was only last month.” The DoE has been pushing for the development of OSW to ramp up local indigenous supply amid growing demand. Based on the Philippines OSW Roadmap launched in 2022, the country has about 178 gigawatts or GW of OSW potential. OSW contracts awarded To date, the DoE has awarded a total of 79 OSW Contracts with a total potential capacity of 61.931 GW, spread mainly North of Luzon, West of Metro Manila, North and South of Mindoro, Panay, and Guimaras Strait. These, according to Capongcol, are all under the development stage, which includes preliminary wind data gathering, application for endorsements, and request for System Impact Studies. Despite the vast supply available nationwide, the OSW roadmap showed that the tedious permitting process as well as grid assets availability should be resolved. As such, the DoE vowed to enhance the policies on the OSW development, taking into account the streamlining and stricter timeframe outlined in the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop law on the processing and issuance of licenses and permits by the concerned national and local government entities. The post DoE identifies offshore RE sites appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mindoro linked to main grid by 2025
Power consumers in the off-grid island of Mindoro may soon be relieved from weathering the high power prices and lingering brownouts as the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines or NGCP rushes to finish its long-delayed transmission project that will link the province to the main grid by 2025. In an interview with reporters on Wednesday, Energy Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara said the NGCP, the country's lone transmission system operator, agreed to fast-track the project implementation following prodding from the national government. Mindoro will be connected to the main grid through Batangas province, which already has sufficient backbone structures to facilitate the seamless interconnection. "The NGCP agreed to finish the project in two years; that will scrap the 20 percent UCME (Universal Cost for Missionary Electrification) in Mindoro. The completion of the project will be advanced to 2025 because we (the DoE) requested it and NGCP was cooperative about it," Guevara told reporters. The Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, or the Republic Act No. 9136, permits UCME collection to finance the operations of the National Power Corp. or NPC, including its small power utilities group or SPUG, that caters to unconnected areas in remote locations. The NPC-SPUG, on the other hand, pays the difference between the True Cost of Generation Rate. Once Mindoro island is linked to the national grid, it can easily access surplus power supply from other islands; therefore cutting the likelihood of recurring power cuts plaguing the province. In 2021, the NGCP had proposed to build a P2.2-billion power network connecting these islands to the main Luzon grid — it included the plan to construct the Batangas-Mindoro interconnection project worth P16.87 billion. Meanwhile, the DOE had already committed to ensure the implementation of policies pushing for off-grid development such as off-grid electrification, Renewable Portfolio Standards for off-grid, and omnibus guidelines in enhancing off-grid power development, are properly enforced. Under the national energy plan, the government is vying to improve the market’s ability to coordinate investment in generation, transmission, and distribution infrastructure and achieve total electrification across the country. It will also facilitate the upgrading and modernization of transmission and distribution lines to support the efficient transition to cleaner energy. Likewise, it vowed to resolve transmission congestion, especially between Luzon and the Visayas grid, whether by adding transmission lines or avoiding subsidies that cause the build-up of excess capacity. The post Mindoro linked to main grid by 2025 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BoI endorses P19-B SteelAsia steel mill
The Board of Investments has endorsed the P19.3-billion Batangas steel mill project of SteelAsia Lemery Works Inc. in Lemery, Batangas to the green lane to expedite the processing and issuance of permits and licenses as a strategic investment. In a statement on Thursday, the BoI said it endorsed the 500,000 metric tons, or MT, section mill project, through Executive Order 18 for green lane priority. The project is scheduled to start its operation in July 2024, employing 600 personnel and workers from the local town and nearby areas. BoI Governor Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego with Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla and Director Ernesto delos Reyes Jr. led the awarding of the Green Lane Certificate of Endorsement to the officials of SteelAsia on 15 September 2023. Ramos-Samaniego added that through the faster process, BoI, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, will come up with an online portal for Green Lane’s facilitation of strategic investments. The project is the greenfield design, erection, and commissioning of the Philippines’ first sections of production, a state-of-the-art hot-rolling production line with an upstream integrated recycling-based steelmaking. The Philippines ranked 20th among top steel importers globally, due to the lack of steel manufacturers. Imports from China In 2022 alone, the Philippines imported about $5.23 billion worth of steel, $2.18 billion of which was imported from China. Local steel manufacturing is deemed insufficient to address the growing demand for the product, especially with the increasing consumption of sections from both infrastructure projects and private developments. “Green Lane will be very helpful to the company. We consider it as a “win” for the country and we will convert this privilege into action,” said Benjamin Yao, chairperson and CEO of SteelAsia, noting that his company commits to supporting the goals of the nation of developing more infrastructure projects. SteelAsia’s project has an import-substitution strategy targeting the large and fast-growing domestic market for the sale of the mills’ output. The plant will manufacture using electric arc furnace technology to refine steel which will be used to hot-roll steel sections such as H-beams, I-beams, I-channels, and unequal leg angle bars. The presence of local manufacturers aims to lower the cost of construction, shorten construction periods, and further spur growth in domestic construction. It will also give rise to ancillary industries, such as structural steel services including design, engineering, and built-up steel structures. The post BoI endorses P19-B SteelAsia steel mill appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go lauds groundbreaking of Super Health Center in San Jose, Batangas
Senator Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, stressed the importance of investing in healthcare infrastructure, with a particular focus on the establishment of Super Health Centers in far-flung communities. The senator cited why it is necessary to have a more holistic approach in bolstering the country’s health sector, saying, “Nakita naman natin ang naging epekto ng pandemya sa ating bansa. Kaya mas mabuting maging handa tayo... The more that we need to invest in our healthcare system.” The Super Health Center in San Jose is in addition to 12 other centers that will be established in strategic areas in the province. Under the 2022 national budget, Super Health Centers in the province were funded in San Pascual, Agoncillo, Calatagan, Lipa City, Malvar, Taysan, and Ibaan. In 2023, more centers were identified to be established in the towns of San Juan, Tingloy, Lian, and San Jose. In addition, two more Super Health Centers were funded in Lipa City. Through the collective efforts of Go, DOH, and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds have been allocated for the establishment of 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. “Magagamit ito sa pagkokonsulta and it will help decongest the hospitals. Pwede na pong gamutin dito — primary care, consultation, early detection of diseases — mas maganda po ‘yon para hindi na lumala ang sakit ng mga pasyente,” Go cited. By ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location or socioeconomic status, has access to quality healthcare services, the government can make significant strides toward achieving better healthcare coverage, Go said. In line with his commitment to safeguarding the well-being of Filipinos, Go offered assistance to beneficiaries in need of medical attention. He encouraged them to visit the Malasakit Centers at the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery and Batangas Medical Center in Batangas City if they required government medical assistance. There are now 159 Malasakit Centers nationwide. Each acts as a one-stop shop for medical assistance programs where relevant agencies such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development, DOH, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office are housed under one roof to reduce patients' hospital expenses to the lowest possible amount. Lastly, Go cited the enactment of Republic Act 11959, also known as the Regional Specialty Centers Act which he principally sponsored and is one of the authors in the Senate. The law mandates the establishment of regional specialty centers within existing DOH regional hospitals. It stands as a testament to the commitment of the government to uplift the nation's health infrastructure and bring actual medical services closer to the Filipino people. "We have to bridge the gap. Let's make healthcare not just something people hear about but something they can actually experience and benefit from," he concluded. To further boost infrastructure development in the province, Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, supported the construction of multipurpose buildings in Alitagtag, Batangas City, Ibaan, Lemery, Lipa City, Mabini, San Jose, San Juan, San Luis, San Nicolas, Santo Tomas, and Taal; the concretion of farm-to-market roads in Agoncillo, Laurel, Nasugbu, and Tuy; the acquisition of ambulance units in Ibaan and Lemery; and the acquisition of multipurpose vehicles in Lipa City and San Juan. The post Bong Go lauds groundbreaking of Super Health Center in San Jose, Batangas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace: Singapore’s Dyson commits P11-b investment in Phl by 2024
Malacañang on Saturday said that the Singapore-based multinational technology firm Dyson is about to invest around P11 billion in the Philippines which is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs by 2024. This is after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had a meeting with the Dyson executives officials and confirmed an investment pledge from the company for over the next two years, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a statement. Garafil said the investment plan would be used for the establishment of a new factory and a new research and development center in the Philippines, including the expansion of the company’s staff, software, and other services. She also cited that Dyson emphasized that their investment would generate around 1,250 employees and “would move more contract manufacturing into the Philippines by the middle of 2024, or the second or third quarter of the year.” Marcos welcomed Dyson’s interest in investing in the Philippines. “So, well, let’s see with all those that we have, that we can do,” the President said, adding that “this will be very interesting” for the Philippines and the Filipino people. Marcos emphasized that their investment would mean hiring more software engineers and other engineering graduates. For their part, Dyson officials told Marcos that they are very proud to be in the Philippines already as “they emphasized that they have a significant number of operations in the country.” Dyson only has a factory in the Philippines to produce its electrical motors to date. Garafil said Dyson decided three or four months ago to expand its operations in the country. In a news release on its website in May, Dyson noted that the Philippines Technology Centre, representing an investment of PHP 11 billion, will span the equivalent of 92 basketball courts, and will bring together Dyson’s research, development, and advanced motor manufacturing capabilities under one roof,” to be located in City of Sto. Tomas, Batangas, and scheduled to be operational by the first half of 2024. “It is thought to be one of the largest investments, and most advanced technology manufacturing centers, in the country and underscores the growing importance of the Philippines in Dyson’s global ambitions,” the company said. Dyson R&D (research and development) teams in the Philippines will be focused on software, AI, robotics, fluid dynamics, and hardware electronics, the company said. “These fields of expertise are critical for Dyson’s high-performing products, from robotic technologies to air enhancement technologies, and beauty products, such as the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer, which are increasingly enabled by software, sensors, and connectivity,” it said. Dyson said the architecture of the Batangas campus will prioritize air quality, natural light, and greenery to support collaboration and the generation of new ideas. It will include leisure and sports areas, as well as laboratories and offices. In a video message, House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said he and other Philippine government and business leaders joined Marcos in Singapore to review current legislation, particularly on laws that govern the treatment and the appreciation of foreign investments into the country. “We will do everything to amend the law to make the country more open to foreign direct investment. So, we will do everything in accordance with the) Foreign Investment Act and the Retail Trade Liberalization to open up the economy to foreign direct investments,” Romualdez said mixed in Filipino. Dyson’s headquarters in Singapore is a hub for its research and engineering teams, as well as commercial, advanced manufacturing, and supply chain operations. The post Palace: Singapore’s Dyson commits P11-b investment in Phl by 2024 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans
Thousands of volunteers in over 150 countries, joined the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) Day, a global initiative dedicated to addressing ocean pollution through beach and waterway cleanups held every third Saturday of September. Now in its 37th year, the Philippines has been participating in the ICC since 1994. In 2003, Proclamation No. 470 officially designated the third Saturday in September as ICC Day, instilling a sense of vigilance among Filipinos in their support of the ongoing global fight against marine litter. The theme "Clean Seas for Healthy Fisheries" is carried out by this year’s ICC which aligns closely with the objectives of the United Nations (UN) Ocean Decade Challenge 3 which is to “Sustainably Feed the Global Population”. This challenge recognizes the need to ensure sustainable food production from the ocean to feed the growing global population while safeguarding the health and productivity of marine ecosystems. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in partnership with numerous organizations, took the lead in coordinating cleanups in various water bodies across the country. An estimated 35,000 volunteers armed with sacks, rakes, and gloves joined forces for the cleanup effort across the country. Participants included individuals and groups from the DENR workforce, national and local government agencies, academia, the private sector, youth organizations, civic groups, and civil society. Concurrent coastal cleanups led by various DENR offices and bureaus were held nationwide including key areas such as the Las Piñas-Parañaque Wetland Park; the Tullahan River along Barangay San Bartolome in Novaliches, Quezon City; Baseco Beach in Manila; the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park in Bataan; Barangay Butong Taal in Batangas; the Mactan Channel in Lapu-Lapu, Cebu; the Abatan River and Panglao in Bohol; Banica River in Dumaguete; Bais City, Negros Oriental; and along the shore of Pagadian Bay in Zamboanga Del Sur. The DENR regional and field offices also partnered with SM Supermalls, through its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, together with SM Prime Holdings, Inc., in organizing clean-up drives in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Fifteen SM Malls were designated as a base that enabled volunteers, including SM employees, to actively participate in the cleanup drive. Likewise, regional offices of the Department have collaborated with UNTV offices across the country under the latter’s advocacy campaign Ocean Care Initiative. Beyond waste retrieval, ICC volunteers documented the volume of waste collected which will be submitted to Ocean Conservancy and UN Ocean Decade to contribute to global efforts to combat plastic pollution. During the 2022 ICC, findings of the Global Ocean Trash Index conducted by Washington, D.C.-based environmentalist advocacy group Ocean Conservancy showed that the Philippines collected 249.382 metric tons of waste. The collected waste encompassed a spectrum of items, including cigarette butts, beverage bottles, food wrappers, bottle caps, grocery bags, food containers, cups and plates, straws, and stirrers. DENR Secretary Antonia Loyzaga said her department's unwavering commitment to enacting effective solid waste management practices, supports a circular economy wherein all plastics are reused, recycled, repurposed, and responsibly managed. The DENR, she added, in collaboration with organizations, implements a range of programs to address solid waste in cities and municipalities nationwide. This is in support of reinforcing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Act of 2022 or Republic Act 11898 which mandates enterprises to establish EPR programs for plastic waste reduction, recovery, and diversion. The post Phl joins anew the global effort to protect oceans appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Heavy rains ahead due to typhoon-enhanced ‘habagat’
The typhoon-enhanced southwest monsoon or "habagat" will continue to affect the western portion of Luzon in the next three days, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Monday. Typhoon Hanna, which exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility, will continue to enhance "habagat", bringing a significant amount of rain to Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, La Union, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Calamian Islands and Zambales. PAGASA warned that flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected under this weather condition. On Tuesday, the enhanced southwest monsoon will continue to bring gusty conditions over the following areas not under any Wind Signal, especially in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds, including the Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Region, Abra, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Aurora, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Marinduque, Kalayaan Islands, Camarines Provinces and most of Calabarzon. Gusty winds will prevail over the Batanes, Ilocos Norte, the western portion of Pangasinan and Kalayaan Islands on Wednesday. PAGASA said the Gale Warning is in effect for the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the western and southern seaboards of Luzon, and the western seaboard of Visaya due to the combined influence of "Hanna" (while outside PAR) and the enhanced southwest monsoon. PAGASA said it is also closely monitoring cloud formations that may develop into a low-pressure area. These cloud clusters are forming over the eastern section, it added. PAGASA said it is “not ruling out the possibility” that it will develop into an LPA in the next few days. The post Heavy rains ahead due to typhoon-enhanced ‘habagat’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Environmental group appeals to PBBM, DENR to stop reclamation in Batangas as well
An environmental advocacy group is also calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to also stop ongoing reclamation projects on the coast of Batangas. The Protect the Verde Island Passage (Protect VIP) said the reclamation in Batangas province would pave the way for the construction of more liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and power plants. Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Protect VIP convenor, said in a radio interview that the ongoing reclamation projects in VIP for the construction of fossil gas projects "will result in turbid waters and make (seagrass), coral reefs, and marine fauna vulnerable to stressors.” The Verde Island Passage according to Conservation International (Philippines), is one of the most productive ecosystems in the world and is recognized as the center of global shore-fish biodiversity. It is also home to species such as whale sharks, sea turtles, and an impressive array of corals. It extends to the coastlines of Batangas, Romblon, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro provinces. Gariguez said the VIP waters continue to yield new species to science, further underscoring its global biological significance. The marine corridor is the “epicenter” of fossil gas and LNG developments in the country now that eight of 27 proposed new plants and seven of the nine planned LNG terminals in the country will be located in Batangas. Protect group warned that by allowing fossil gas facilities to be built and operated, it will expose the VIP to the frequent entry of LNG barges, and inadvertent oil spills or disposal of shipboard liquid waste and bilge water. “Putting up these gas terminals and power plants is destructive as the dumping and filling of land disturb the existing coastal habitats in VIP, ” Gariguez said. In May 2023, while the passage is currently a marine protected area, the governors of five provinces governors want it to be a “legislated protected area", with DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga agreeing with them. “Considering its mandate, the DENR is committed to strengthening the protection and management of the VIP as a priority conservation area,” Loyzaga said. When Gariguez's group learned of the President's decision to suspend all 22 reclamation projects in Manila Bay, they believed this was also the best time to bring the matter to the DENR. 22 Manila Bay reclamation projects Meanwhile, DENR also on Tuesday clarified that the subject of the suspension order by the President are the 22 reclamation projects in the Manila Bay Area only and not the entire Philippines. Of the 22 reclamation projects, DENR records showed that 15 are in the jurisdiction of the National Capital Region where three projects are already ongoing. The remaining 7 projects are located in CALABARZON. The agency said Manila Bay is not only limited to Metro Manila shorelines. It also has areas in Region 3 and 4A--several provinces like Bulacan, Cavite and Bataan. The post Environmental group appeals to PBBM, DENR to stop reclamation in Batangas as well appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Aboitiz Group furthers ‘Great Transformation’ into 2023
The Aboitiz Group has seen exceptional performance in the first half of 2023, showcasing its "Great Transformation" into the Philippines’ first techglomerate. Leveraging innovation as well as synergies across its diverse business portfolio, the group has solidified its position as a trailblazer of industry. With a strong foundation in place, the Aboitiz Group eagerly sets its sights on forthcoming projects that promise further success and innovation. AboitizPower. The Aboitiz Group’s holdings in power generation and distribution, AboitizPower, continues to support the country’s energy transition and socioeconomic development with its diverse portfolio of thermal and renewable energy power plants, as well as internationally certified asset management capabilities from its distribution utilities. With close to 1,000 megawatts (MW) of ongoing and disclosed energy projects, it is en route to accomplishing its 10-year growth strategy of having at least 9,200 MW in its generation portfolio equally split between RE and thermal sources of energy by the next decade. This journey includes the development of the 17 MW Tiwi Binary Geothermal Power Plant, the 94 MW Cayanga-Bugallon solar facility, and the 167 MW Laoag solar facility. AboitizPower is also looking to begin the construction of its Calatrava Solar project and Olongapo Solar project within the year. These RE investments are complemented by other developments in Battery Energy Storage Systems, like the SN Aboitiz Power 24 MW Magat Battery in Isabela, which — much like the commercially operational 49 MW Maco Battery in Davao de Oro — will help provide regulating and contingency reserve power to the country’s grids. Subsidiaries. Meanwhile, subsidiaries Davao Light and Power Company, Visayan Electric Company, Cotabato Light and Power Company and Subic EnerZone Corporation were the first power DUs in the Philippines to be certified with an ISO 55001:2014 certification for Asset Management, an international standard that attests to the efficiency of how they manage the lifecycle of their assets, i.e., power lines, transformers and substations. This validates the reliability of their services and strengthens the uninterrupted provision of electricity in their respective service areas. Efficient asset management is essential for DUs to successfully manage their infrastructure and optimize maintenance and costs, thereby ensuring regulatory compliance and a reliable bridge between transmission lines and businesses, communities and homes. UnionBank. Union Bank of the Philippines continues on its trajectory of becoming a Great Retail Bank as it has consistently been recognized as one of Asia’s leading companies. Among the many recognitions for the 1st half of 2023 that UnionBank has reaped are: Best Retail Bank in Southeast Asia (Cfi.co), 4-time Best Retail Bank in the PH (The Asian Banker) and 6-time Digital Bank of the Year PH (The Asset). In line with its nation-building “Tech-UP Pilipinas” advocacy, UnionBank’s strategic partnerships have been focused on digitization as an essential element for client success. UnionBank’s determination to be an enabler of the Philippines’ bid to be a G20 country by 2050 is apparent as it continues to nurture and grow its diverse client portfolio that includes corporate, MSME, high net worth as well as local and national government entities. As a recognized trailblazer that embraces technological innovations that empower its customers, UnionBank together with its digital banking arm UnionDigital Bank (UnionDigital), fintech arm UBX and thrift arm City Savings Bank (CitySavings) showcased its expertise in artificial intelligence at the first AI Summit PH 2023 last May. The first half of the year also saw UnionBank’s commitment to offering clients amazing and exclusive experiences through partnerships with Live Nation (for world-tour concerts) and GMG productions (for the Hamilton musical). “The investments we made last year have exceeded our expectations. UnionDigital is already profitable after less than a year in operation. There is strong momentum in the acquired credit cards business from Citi. New-to-bank card customers are at a record level. We are geared up to grow our retail banking business. Our infrastructure is ready for scale. We have sufficient capital coming from the recent stock rights offering to further grow our earning asset capital base,” said UnionBank president and CEO Edwin R. Bautista. Aboitiz InfraCapital. Aboitiz InfraCapital remains on track with its purpose of enabling businesses and uplifting communities. AIC Economic Estates maintains its position as the leader in industrial-anchored mixed-use development nationwide, with the largest footprint of developed industrial estates as well as the single largest privately owned industrial estate in Lipa-Malvar, Batangas– LIMA Estate. 2023 marked LIMA Estate’s 25th anniversary, as well as the 30th year of West Cebu Estate in Cebu. These estates are undergoing industrial and commercial expansion to accommodate more locators and create approximately 90,000 employment opportunities. Water business. For AIC’s water business units, Apo Agua can now produce safe and reliable water for the Davao City Water District’s water reservoirs. Apo Agua’s laboratory has also obtained accreditation for drinking water analysis from the Department of Health. AIC's LIMA Water, on the other hand, continues to operationally benefit from its SMART Water Network, leading to reduced fuel consumption and high facility uptime. Digital infrastructure. In the digital infrastructure landscape, Unity Digital Infrastructure completed the first closing of a total of 250 sites from its acquisition of over 1,000 telecom towers from Smart-PLDT and Globe Telecom. Additionally, Unity marked a major milestone by successfully co-locating three Mobile Network Operator tenants (Globe, Smart and DITO) in one of its towers in Cebu. The three-tenant tower is the first in the Philippines and showcases the effectiveness of the shared tower model in support of the government's drive to improve digital connectivity through the common tower initiative. Mactan-Cebu International Airport. Mactan-Cebu International Airport surpassed expectations with significant growth in passenger traffic, peaking at around 5 million passengers in the first half of this year, more than double the previous year. The resumption of major international routes, such as Shanghai and Taipei, and improved aircraft availability are expected to further boost traffic in the second half of the year. MCIA's excellence in promoting the airport and in ensuring customer experience was also recognized, as it received the Routes Asia 2023 Marketing Award in the 5 million category and became the first airport in the Philippines to be accredited by the Airports Council International for its Airport Customer Experience. The post Aboitiz Group furthers ‘Great Transformation’ into 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Poll chief Garcia debunks ‘rigged’ 2022 polls claim
Commission on Elections chairman George Erwin Garcia debunked the claims made questioning the results of the 2022 elections are all lies. Garcia said allegations made by former Department of Information and Communications Technology Usec. Eliseo Rio Jr. about the rigging of votes has no basis. “In all of these, the strong basis is the accuracy, integrity, and legitimacy of the elections is the ballot. Let us set aside the printed copies and electronically-transmitted Election Returns, we can go back to the ballots which were in the custody of the city and municipal treasurers office nationwide and the secured scanned images which are at the Comelec,” said Garcia. He also pointed out that the random manual audit of votes counted by the machines against the Comelec’s random manual audit posted a 99.9493% overall accuracy rate, meaning nearly all of the votes were read and tallied correctly. Rio in particular raised concerns about the transmission of results from a "private and similar IP address" in areas of Metro Manila, Cavite, and Batangas in last year's polls. "There's no requirement in the law stating that all modems should be different or similar IP addresses," Garcia said. The poll chief explained that there were around 20,300 modems which have the same IP address last year. These 4G network modems, he said, were purchased for the Comelec-leased vote counting machines as well as to cover the 5,000 damaged modems from VCMs purchased in 2016 and were later refurbished for last year's polls. Garcia assured that all these modems underwent necessary tests but noted that it would take the Comelec more months if it opted to change all IP addresses of the 20,300 modems. "There's no effect or difference in accuracy, legitimacy, and functionality of transmission, whether the modems have similar or different IP addresses," Garcia said. Garcia also refuted allegations of a "man-in-the-middle" in the transmission of NLE results and said if this was the case, there should have been inconsistencies in the result. He said the is no intermediary or man-in-the-middle in the transmission of NLE 2022 results because the results from the polling precincts are accurate with the results transmitted to Comelec servers. The post Poll chief Garcia debunks ‘rigged’ 2022 polls claim appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DTI-UNIDO, innovation leaders gather to advance Industry 4.0 agenda
In partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry Competitiveness and Innovation Group and with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization spearheaded the Policy Forum on the Advancement of Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation of Industries in the Philippines on 21 July 2023 at the Makati Diamond Residences, gathering around 50 innovation leaders from the government, private sector, academe and development partners. The forum fostered an open dialogue with industry experts through a panel discussion. DTI CIG Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba underscored the Philippines' exceptional proficiency in services and highlighted the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies in further enhancing this aspect, “We can link our services with manufacturing, agriculture and others, especially with the presence of these new technologies which would really require a lot of digital skills, software applications development, etc. These are things and areas that the Philippines has a comparative advantage,” she emphasized. The panelists aligned with this perspective as they shed light on how I4.0 continuously shapes society. Arnel Cabungcal, assistant vice president for manufacturing operations services and technology of UNILAB, Inc., highlighted the profound impact of Artificial Intelligence. “During the pandemic, through an emergency use authorization, the standard eight-year approval process of the vaccine was reduced to only eight months, with the aid of AI”, he said. Chief operating officer of Ionics-EMS Inc. Jay Chavez chimed in with his own experience of adopting smart manufacturing in the company’s operations and its impact on job placements. “With smart manufacturing increasing our production, we had to hire more people to do higher value tasks while remaining cost-effective”, he said. The importance of enabling policies also greatly surfaced through the discussion as Emmanuel Lazaro Estrada, senior vice president for regulatory development and strategy of Globe Telecom, Inc., was quoted as saying that “policies should be practical and human-centered.” Anders Isaksson, UNIDO chief of the capacity development and policy advice unit, supported this idea and reiterated the call for a needs-based approach. “Knowing what needs to be done is very important for defining policy areas and reducing policy uncertainties,” he said, while adding the connection running from innovation to I4.0 to productivity growth and welfare enhancement. “The successful adoption of I4.0 banks on the implementation of the right policy mix. This mix should not only focus on pro-I4.0 policies but also on redistribution and compensation policies at the very design stage to reduce the costs of potential disruption and transition [due to I4.0]”, stressed Isaksson. Crafting and institutionalizing such policies would require much effort from the government, according to Dr. Jamil Paolo S. Francisco, Asian Institute of Management’s executive director for the Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness. “Government should help individuals, companies, and startups become more agile”, Francisco said. Melvin Jeffrey Chan, vice president and head for enterprise innovation, business development, and consulting and presales of PLDT Enterprise, zoomed in on the critical role of the National Innovation Council. “The NIC joined the forces of the brightest minds in the country, whether they are from the public or private sector, to drive things forward through the formulation of policies and building technologies,” he pointed out. Apart from the enriching panel discussion, the forum also marked the culmination of a week-long workshop held in Pico De Loro, Batangas from 17 to 20 July 2023, participated in by a roster of innovative policy and thought leaders from select government agencies. UNIDO country representative Engr. Teddy Monroy lauded this initiative for igniting the commitment of the participating agencies to this cause, characterizing I4.0 as “a game-changer as it triggers a productive shift bringing increased efficiency and transformation of the global landscape.”. The forum capped off with assurance and support from Dr. Joseph Capuno, the National Economic and Development Authority Undersecretary for Investment Programming Group. He remarked, “Rest assured that the Philippine Government remains committed to embracing digital transformation and harnessing the power of technology to guide social and economic transformation as embodied in the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.” In collaboration with other development partners, the DTI and UNIDO aim to sustain the momentum and ongoing dialogue and remain dedicated to driving sustainable development through innovation. As part of this commitment, the participants will continue to gain practical experience through site visits to leading I4.0 companies, technology clusters, innovation agencies, think tanks, and business associations worldwide in the upcoming phase. The post DTI-UNIDO, innovation leaders gather to advance Industry 4.0 agenda appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Addressing poverty, hunger toward inclusive econ recovery
As President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos prepares to deliver his second State of the Nation Address today, I remain hopeful that this can be an opportunity to highlight concrete steps towards a path of full and inclusive economic recovery. I am optimistic that this platform where all branches of government come together to listen to the priorities of the President can strengthen our unity and commitment to uphold the administration’s eight-point Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, which includes food security, supply chain management, energy costs, healthcare and social protection, infrastructure development, green economy, market competition, and entrepreneurship. As I always say, “Dapat po ay walang maiwan na Pilipino lalo na po ang mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Dapat po walang magutom. Importante po ang laman ng tiyan at trabaho po para sa bawat Pilipino (No Filipino should be left behind, especially our poor countrymen. No one should go hungry. Food and work are important for every Filipino).” Amidst the recent lifting of the State of Public Health Emergency due to the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring food security for all Filipinos must remain a top priority of the Marcos Administration. It is in this light that I fully support President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s “Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp Program”, which was recently launched in Tondo, Manila. As one of the priority programs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the FSP seeks to reduce involuntary hunger incidents among low-income households. We also respect the decision of President Marcos, Jr. in lifting the State of Public Health Emergency in our country. We trust that it was arrived at after careful consideration of the present health issue and the need to finally open up the economy. With or without the State of Public Health Emergency, the government should fulfill its obligations to protect the lives of Filipinos, safeguard their health, and give what is due to them, especially to our medical frontliners. As a legislator, I have authored and supported bills that aim to address the most urgent issues faced by our fellow Filipinos today. I have also spearheaded the enactment of several legislations that aim to bring healthcare services closer to those in need, especially at the grassroots. As we all know, health is wealth and must be prioritized to attain a productive citizenry. Among these is the Malasakit Centers Act which I principally authored and sponsored in the Senate and was enacted into law in 2019. These centers bring various government agencies under one roof to provide convenient access for indigent patients needing medical assistance. So far, 158 Malasakit Centers are operational nationwide and have helped more than seven million Filipinos, according to the Department of Health. I have recently successfully sponsored the Regional Specialty Centers bill, which I am also a co-author, now awaiting the signature of the President. The bill aims to make available specialized medical facilities in various regions nationwide, benefitting particularly poor and impoverished Filipinos. For example, under the bill, services provided by the Philippine Heart Center, currently located in Quezon City, will also be available in regional DOH hospitals. The enactment of the measure will also include services for a broad range of specialties, including lung care, orthopedics, neonatal care, renal care, cancer care, and mental health, among others, making it a multi-year comprehensive nationwide healthcare improvement plan. Aside from these, we have also continuously supported the establishment of Super Health Centers in strategic locations around the country as a way to provide better access to basic medical services, especially at the grassroots. Through the collective efforts of DOH and fellow lawmakers, sufficient funds had been allocated for 307 Super Health Centers in 2022 and 322 in 2023. DOH, the lead implementing agency, identifies the strategic areas where they will be constructed. Meanwhile, driven by my passion for public service, I continue to respond to the needs of our fellow citizens, particularly the poor, wherever they may be in the country in my capacity as a senator and public servant. On 18 July, we were in Bulacan to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the San Miguel Super Health Center. Alongside Congresswoman Lorna Silverio, Board Member Raul Marian, and Mayor Roderick Tiongson, we also provided aid to 1,000 impoverished individuals in the town. We then visited the town of Bustos to distribute assistance to 1,000 indigents, in collaboration with Mayor Iskul Juan’s office. I am delighted to announce that on 20 July, we held and witnessed the topping-off ceremony of the New Senate Building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. This was presided over by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, fellow senators, and other officials. This will be the new home of the Senate once completed. My office continues to deliver aid this week to our fellow citizens facing various crises. We promptly responded to the needs of victims of separate fire incidents. In Brgy. Kasangyangan, Zamboanga City, we helped 419 victims; in Baganga, Davao Oriental, we assisted 299 victims; and in Maco and Laak, Davao de Oro, we aided three victims. We conducted a series of aid distributions in Batangas, bringing smiles to 300 residents of Batangas City in partnership with Board Members Lydia Lopez, Maria Louise Gamo Vale, and Jesus de Veyra; 100 in San Juan in partnership with BM Melvin Vidal; 100 in Lipa City in partnership with BM Aries Mendoza; and 100 in Rosario in partnership with BM Jonas Patrick Gozos. We did not neglect the people of Nueva Ecija, where I am considered an adopted son of the province, and managed to spread joy to 364 beneficiaries from Llanera in coordination with their municipal council, and 166 from the Science City of Muñoz, in collaboration with Mayor Baby Alvarez’s office. We also reached San Fernando City, Pampanga, where we were able to assist 16 indigents alongside Mayor Vilma Caluag. In Quezon City, together with Councilor Aiko Melendez, we were able to assist 163 displaced workers. We also supported 100 individuals in Biñan City, Laguna, in collaboration with Councilor Alvin Garcia. Millions of Filipinos require the support and protection of the government. As a legislator, I can only do so much. However, if each of us does our part, then we can be a powerful force that could help our fellow Filipinos break free from the cycle of poverty and hunger. The post Addressing poverty, hunger toward inclusive econ recovery appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»