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Big Yellow Boxing Gym to host amateur fight card in Danao for Sinulog Festival
CEBU CITY, Philippines— Big Yellow Boxing Gym will host an amateur boxing event in line with the festivities of Sr. Sto. Niño and the Sinulog Festival on January 14, 2024, at the Sto. Niño in Barangay Sabang, Danao City, northern Cebu. This announcement comes from Big Yellow Boxing Gym’s chief trainer, Christopher “Ping-Ping” Tepora. The.....»»
PNP vows intensified crackdown vs illegal drugs, cybercrimes
The public should expect an intensified crackdown from the Philippine National Police against illegal drugs and cybercrimes this year as PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has set his sights on addressing these two concerns of law enforcement......»»
Amparo will bounce back, become champion one day, says PMI chief
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Boxing promoter and lawyer Floriezyl Echavez Podot gave nothing but praises to his ward, Jake “El Bambino” Amparo who came up short in his first world title eliminator bout against ex-world champion Pedro “Kid Pedro Heneral” Taduran. This happened in the main event of “Kumong Bol-Anon XIII” on December 28, 2023,.....»»
DOST hails Meralco, Aboitiz nuclear energy initiatives
The chief of the Department of Science and Technology’s nuclear unit, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, hailed the separate initiatives of two of the country’s blue-chip conglomerates, Meralco and the Aboitiz Group, on the potential adoption of nuclear energy in the Philippines to address concerns on the looming power supply gap......»»
LTO innovates responses to backlogs
The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, now under the leadership of Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, has committed to implementing innovative solutions to immediately address the piles of problems “inherited” from the previous leaderships. Mendoza, whom Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista tasked to help the agency improve its current state, expressed confidence that he could turn the LTO around and make it more efficient and effective. He said this aligns with the Marcos administration’s marching orders to digitalize and bring government services closer to the people seamlessly. Mendoza has already begun to execute some changes, such as streamlining the driver’s license application process, implementing a new online vehicle registration system, and reducing the number of fixers at LTO offices, among others. Speaking in a recent interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk, Mendoza disclosed that his agency is studying cost-effective ways to produce license plates. Presently, the LTO has a manufacturing plant with eight machines working to produce license plates, but as recently directed by Bautista, the agency is looking at outsourcing them instead of producing them. “We make the plates ourselves, although we are studying if maybe it is high time to review whether the LTO should produce or outsource the plates. I told Secretary Bautista that in terms of efficiency, it might be less costly and faster if we outsource it,” Mendoza said. “We are thoroughly studying those options to weigh which will be less costly to the government. Thus, finally, we could resolve all the backlogs,” he added. Million plates a month Mendoza added that the agency’s plate-making plant could produce a million monthly plates to replace all the backlogs — from the old green plates to the new white ones. He said before the end of November, the license plate backlog will hopefully be fully addressed. With production in full swing, a motorist with a newly acquired four-wheel vehicle can claim his license plates within 10 days. In the meantime, new motorcycle owners can now get their plates immediately. This significantly improved from the previous year when motorists took years to get their plates. To recall, in March, ex-LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memo suspending the production of license plates due to a shortage of materials. Online portal needs full utilization Mendoza said the LTO is also working on finally utilizing the Land Transportation Management System, or LTMS, a P3.14-billion portal created to address Filipinos’ motoring concerns. He lamented that the underutilization of the online portal, which he described as just one of the many inherited problems of the agency, was a misuse of government funds. “The system design is incomplete, and you know that as much as possible, we want to be fully digital as instructed by the President. We want motorists to be able to apply for a license and register their vehicles through that platform,” Mendoza said. “We supposedly have all the facilities. There will be no need to go to LTO offices as it will also address the issues of fixers. However, we cannot do all these until we fully resolve the website’s functionalities,” he said, adding that the LTO would need the developers to provide them with some missing source and application codes. The LTMS was jointly developed by German technology firm Dermalog and its local partners, Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis, and Verzontal Builders Inc. The project went through competitive bidding in May 2018. The LTO’s online portal is a one-stop shop that will integrate all LTO services in a single contactless database system and digital platform. “We are waiting for their reply. I have been open since my first day in office, and I’ve been very open to them. There is a problem, let us talk about it. However, they have not replied to my letters on the source code and application code issue. We have to protect the government’s interest, and the government’s interest is to get the source and application codes so we can do the enhancements ourselves,” Mendoza said. According to the new LTO chief, hiring another third-party team to resolve the LTMS issues might cost the government at least another billion pesos. Mendoza asked why the government does not just find another software developer, saying: “We already paid for the contract.” “If we do it, maybe they will spend another billion just to complete everything, so the government will save a lot if we do it ourselves. We have DICT with us, and LTO is also hiring technical people for us to be able to do it ourselves. So, we can do it, we don’t need foreigners to teach us.” The post LTO innovates responses to backlogs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field
Government regulators are now urged to prioritize the establishment of a level-playing field to entice developers to pour in massive capital for the development and integration of nuclear power into the country's electricity grid. During the second nuclear energy roundtable talks between the Philippines and Canada on Tuesday, Felino Bernardo, chief operating officer of Aboitiz Power Corp.'s Thermal Business Group, emphasized the need for well-coordinated industry policies to help kick off local nuclear adoption. "I think it will start with the amendment or the passing of laws in the Lower House. Once done, it requires setting up the regulatory body, and for that regulatory body to build its capability and come up with regulations, policies, and guidelines for us developers to follow," Bernardo said. "The DoE (Department of Energy) has to come up with the right signal for developers to come up with their plans to make sure that we build accordingly," he added. Coordinated deals Bernardo noted that nuclear power plants, whose operations can last as long as 80 years, require a different set of policies for power deal contracts. "That is quite different from what we have now. The current CSP (Competitive Selection Process) policies are only for 15 years. Now, nuclear power plants can live as long as 40, 60 years, and some probably 80, so you have to match the two," he explained. According to Bernardo, nuclear power, particularly the small modular reactors, "have a place in our economy because we need all of them and we will need a lot of them." He, however, noted that developers need to make sure that they can deliver nuclear power safely. Aboitiz Power Corp., the holding company for energy-related investments of the Aboitiz Group, previously announced its exploratory discussion with Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp., an American firm that can potentially help the company’s local nuclear energy development. The forum yesterday served as a platform for industry experts, policymakers, and leaders to collectively deliberate on the significant questions and concerns related to the transition to nuclear energy. It covered the determining mechanisms for transition financing, assessing the commercial viability of nuclear energy, and exploring the potential for retrofitting and upgrading existing plants to be nuclear-capable. Congress support Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla reiterated that the government would need the support of Congress in ratifying a law that would help jumpstart nuclear development. Pending the law, Lotilla pointed out that the DoE and all other concerned government agencies are actively looking out for possible sites where a nuclear power plant can be built. To recall, the House Nuclear Energy Committee approved a consolidated substitute bill last March that seeks to comprehensive atomic regulatory framework and establish the Philippine Atomic Regulatory Commission. Since the government is prohibited from taking on power generation endeavors, the DoE has also tapped the National Economic and Development Authority to work on the private sector’s participation in nuclear development. The post Nuke developers call to set competitive playing field appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU, U.S. unite to support Israel
European Union and United States leaders met in Washington Friday to show their united stance in supporting Israel’s war on the Palestinian militant group Hamas. “We stood together to support the brave people of Ukraine in the face of (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s aggression. We’re standing together now to support Israel in the wake of Hamas’s appalling terrorist attack,” US President Joe Biden said at the White House. “These conflicts show democracies must stand together,” European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen told reporters as she and European Council chief Charles Michel met Biden. “Today, the world faces enormous challenges. And today, more than ever, the world needs a strong EU-US alliance to tackle these challenges,” Michel said. EU leaders were looking for reassurance of continued US support for Ukraine, which is fighting to repel the Russian invasion launched in February 2022. That reassurance was evident Thursday when Biden urged Americans to back a $106 billion aid package including military assistance for Ukraine and Israel. The US is by far the biggest supplier of military aid to Ukraine. Aid to Israel and Ukraine, however, faces hurdle as the US Congress has been paralyzed for more than two weeks divided Republicans, who hold the majority in the House of Representatives, failed for a third time to elect a new House speaker. Congress also faces a 17 November deadline to act on the budget, so as to avoid a possible government shutdown. House crisis In the 17 days since US House speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted in a rebellion by right-wing hard-liners from within his own party, no other Republican has been able to muster enough votes to replace him, sparking one of the worst institutional crises Washington has seen in decades. The US legislature is unable to perform even basic functions like funding the government and addressing growing national security concerns. The party dropped Ohio conservative Jim Jordan, chairman of the influential Judiciary Committee, in a secret ballot Friday after he again failed to secure victory on the House floor on his third attempt. Despite backing from former president and leading 2024 Republican hopeful Donald Trump, Jordan was defeated by 25 colleagues from his own side who joined every Democrat to deny him the gavel for the third time in four days. Lawmakers told reporters as they left Capitol Hill for the weekend they would hold a “candidate forum” to choose a new standard-bearer on Monday, with several hopefuls expected to be announced on Sunday. WITH AFP The post EU, U.S. unite to support Israel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global stocks weak as ME fears persist
Global stock markets slid Friday on worries that an expected ground invasion of Gaza by Israel would spark a wider conflict in the Middle East. Wall Street stocks declined Friday, as investors looked to lower their risk going into the weekend. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.9 percent, while the S&P and Nasdaq indexes fell over one percent. The yield on the 10-year US Treasury, which briefly rose this week to levels not seen since 2007 amid concerns the Fed is entering a long period of high-interest rates, slipped slightly. Regina Capital Development Corp. managing director Luis Limlingan added the Federal Reserve has been raising its benchmark lending rate to cool demand and bring down stubborn inflation, with some success. Nevertheless, rates remain stuck above their long-term target of two percent. Local shares ended the week in the red as investors turned more cautious following Fitch Group’s statement that inflation will likely stay elevated for an extended period, Limlingan added. Additionally, the recent statement by Fed Chairperson Jerome Powell “weighed on the local and global markets,” the RCDC executive said. He quoted Powell as saying inflation remains too high and lower economic growth will likely be needed to bring it down. Powell also said he doesn’t think rates are too high now. At the same time, markets are warily eyeing ongoing conflict in the Middle East, for signs it could spread to other countries. “Going into the weekend there is a downward trend as short-term investors try to square positions,” Jack Ablin, Cresset Capital’s chief investment officer, said. “There is an unwillingness from certain investors (to) hold risk positions over the weekend,” he added. Major stock markets in Europe closed down more than one percent, while those in Asia also saw declines. Double geopolitical whammy The US Federal Reserve warned that the recent attack on Israel and the ongoing Ukraine conflict could cause harm to the world economy and boost global inflation. Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on 7 October and killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians who were shot, mutilated, or burned to death, according to Israeli officials. “The attack on Israel, in conjunction with Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine, has ratcheted up geopolitical tensions,” the Fed said in its semi-annual report on financial stability. with AFP The post Global stocks weak as ME fears persist appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PEZA chief understands investors’ dilemma
The director general of the Philippine Economic Zone Authority said he understands the clamor of investors with regard to tax perks and incentives, which is why it’s only right that the government has finally decided to amend the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. During discussions at the Rotary Club of Manila membership meeting last 5 October 2023, a member of the Club who is an investor in various sectors locally said the current policies of the government in terms of tax perks were unpredictable because of the “tug of war” between the investment promotion agencies, that is, PEZA and the Board of Investments, which are both under the watch of the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Fiscal Incentives Review Board, chaired by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno. Last among five countries He said that explains why the Philippines is the last among five countries considered by investors as investment destinations in Southeast Asia, with investments now being dominated by Vietnam, followed by Singapore, Malaysia and Cambodia. The Rotarian said in terms of exports, the Philippines is also a laggard compared to the performance of the country’s Southeast Asian counterparts. Total Philippine exports dropped to $6.1 billion in July 2023, from $6.7 billion in the previous month. In comparison, Vietnam in August 2023 enjoyed $32.8 billion in exports. Most attractive destination Vietnam is now considered Southeast Asia’s most attractive destination for foreign investors because of its favorable business environment, steady economic growth, improved infrastructure and pro-foreign investment policy changes. According to Standard Chartered Bank, Vietnam’s advantages to being the top tourist destination are in terms of labor, global trade integration, supply chains, political stability, and potential resources, with the government committed to promoting trade and sustainable growth. Unclear policies Another issue that was being questioned by some investors, according to the Rotarian, is the realization of the Fourth Industrial Revolution which also doesn’t have clear policies for renewable energy, data centers, information technology and artificial intelligence. “We have yet to see concrete policy formulation and a roadmap to that effect, compared to the recent pronouncement of US President Joe Biden that Vietnam is positioned as the future chipmaker. The United States is currently legislating measures to dispense funds for that purpose. There seems to be a disconnect,” the investor said. Regarding this, PEZA’s Panga admitted that there were indeed ‘differences’ in terms of policies among government agencies, particularly the DTI and the FIRB. Still, Panga sought the support of the oldest and first Rotary Club in Asia where it concerns PEZA’s job to further attract foreign direct investments into the country. Panga emphasized that a whole government, industry, and society approach is needed to improve and lessen the cost of doing business. Eco-zoning push “Through our collaborations and strategic alliances, PEZA, together with the Rotary Club of Manila, other ecozone industries, and stakeholders, will continue to push for eco-zoning the Philippines towards inclusive and sustainable development,” he added. Last August 2023, Finance Secretary Diokno and Trade and Industry Secretary Pascual approved the amendment to the IRR of the CREATE Act that will resolve the value-added tax issues raised by transitory registered business enterprises. The post PEZA chief understands investors’ dilemma appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US slaps TV provider with first-ever space debris fine
US authorities said they have issued a "breakthrough" first-ever fine over space debris, slapping a $150,000 penalty on a TV company that failed to properly dispose of a satellite. On Monday the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) came down on Dish for "failure to properly deorbit" a satellite called EchoStar-7, in orbit since 2002. "This marks a first in space debris enforcement by the Commission, which has stepped up its satellite policy efforts," the FCC, which authorizes space-based telecom services, said in a statement. As the geostationary satellite came to the end of its operational life, Dish had moved it to an altitude lower than the two parties had agreed on, where it "could pose orbital debris concerns," the FCC said. The commission said Dish, a US satellite television provider, pledged in 2012 to elevate the satellite to 300 kilometers (190 miles) above its operational arc. But with fuel running low, it retired the satellite at an altitude just over 120 kilometers above the original arc. "As satellite operations become more prevalent and the space economy accelerates, we must be certain that operators comply with their commitments," said FCC enforcement bureau chief Loyaan Egal. "This is a breakthrough settlement, making very clear the FCC has strong enforcement authority and capability to enforce its vitally important space debris rules." The FCC said the settlement "includes an admission of liability from the company and an agreement to adhere to a compliance plan and pay a penalty of $150,000." In a statement Tuesday, Dish appeared to counter the FCC over disposal requirements, and argued that the commission's enforcement arm made "no specific findings that EchoStar-7 poses any orbital debris safety concerns." "As the Enforcement Bureau recognizes in the settlement, the EchoStar-7 satellite was an older spacecraft that had been explicitly exempted from the FCC's rule requiring a minimum disposal orbit," a Dish spokesperson said in a statement. "DISH has a long track record of safely flying a large satellite fleet and takes seriously its responsibilities as an FCC licensee." Collision risks The US aviation regulator, FAA, recently announced its intention to reduce space debris by requiring private companies to dispose of the upper stages of rocket launch vehicles by, for example, returning them to the Earth's atmosphere or moving them to a less congested "graveyard orbit." The new regulation, which has yet to be definitively adopted, already exists for government space missions. "If left unchecked, the accumulation of orbital debris will increase the risk of collisions and clutter orbits used for human spaceflight and for satellites," the Federal Aviation Administration said. The European Space Agency estimates that around one million pieces of debris larger than a centimeter -- big enough to "disable a spacecraft" -- are in Earth's orbit. They are already causing problems, from a near-miss in January last year involving a Chinese satellite, to a five-millimetre hole knocked into a robotic arm on the International Space Station in 2021. With satellites now crucial for GPS, broadband and banking data, collisions pose significant risks on Earth. The post US slaps TV provider with first-ever space debris fine appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BBM, Sara approval ratings fall
The approval ratings of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte plummeted in September amid rising commodity prices, China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea, and concerns about confidential and intelligence funds in the proposed 2024 national budget. The latest Pulse Asia survey on Monday showed that Marcos’ approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte’s approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent to 73 percent over the same period. Still, the Vice President, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. “Although the President and the Vice President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experienced significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023,” the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent, although these also slid from 85 percent and 87 percent, respectively, in June. Meanwhile, only half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work being done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, from 56 percent in June. House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s approval rating also fell from 52 percent to 41 percent. Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo’s approval rating slid further from 44 percent to 34 percent in the same period. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September. It was based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It had a plus-minus 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post BBM, Sara approval ratings fall appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte's approval ratings plummeted in September amid West Philippine Sea developments, rising commodity prices, and concerns about proposed confidential funds. Latest survey from opinion polling firm Pulse Asia on Monday showed that Marcos' approval rating fell 15 basis points from 80 percent in June to 65 percent in September. Meanwhile, Duterte's approval rating fell 11 basis points from 84 percent in June to 73 percent in September. Still, the Vice President, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, outperformed Marcos. "Although the President and the Vice-President continue to enjoy majority approval scores at the national level and across geographic areas and socio-economic classes, both experience significant erosions in their respective approval ratings during the period June 2023 to September 2023," the pollster said. Marcos and Duterte still enjoy majority trust ratings at 71 percent and 75 percent trust scores, respectively. Meanwhile, half of adult Filipinos had an upbeat assessment of the work done by Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri. Half of the respondents could not say if they approved or disapproved of the performance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo. Pulse Asia conducted the survey using face-to-face interviews from 10 to 14 September 2023. This nationwide survey is based on a sample of 1,200 representative adults 18 years old and above. It has a ± 2.8 percent error margin at the 95 percent confidence level. The post Marcos, VP Duterte’s approval scores decline – Pulse Asia appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos reappoints Herbosa to DOH
President Marcos has reappointed Teodoro Herbosa as secretary of the Department of Health, and named former military chief Andres Centino as presidential assistant for maritime concerns......»»
PBBM urged to appoint full-time DA chief
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should appoint a “full-time and competent alter ego” to lead the Department of Agriculture, said Senator Francis Escudero on Monday. In a radio interview, Escudero lamented that the DA chief should address the challenges confronted by the agricultural sector with “urgency” including the administration’s campaign against rice smuggling and hoarding. “If that’s really important, it should have a full-time and dedicated secretary and not just a part-time one,” he lamented. While he understands the President’s desire to hold on to the position in a bid to “personally oversee” the sector, Escudero stressed that “there are too many national issues and concerns that Marcos has to attend to as head of state.” “The President’s intention was good. But the problem is, he has only one body, two hands and his 24 hours is for ours, too,” he added. Escudero further pressed the need to focus on resolving woes related to the agricultural sector, particularly rice smuggling and hoarding — which is mainly blamed for the high prices of rice in the markets. Also, Escudero reiterated his call to the government to expose the names of people, not just the trading companies, involved in rice smuggling and hoarding in the country. He said filing the appropriate charges must also be filed against them. The Bureau of Customs reported Saturday that it has seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, including agricultural products, from January to September this year. The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags and clothes. The smuggled agricultural products were logged at P3.3 billion. Despite this huge amount of seizure accomplishments by the BoC, Escudero previously lamented that there were no charges filed against any individual involved in the smuggling. The post PBBM urged to appoint full-time DA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. should appoint a “full-time and competent alter ego” to lead the Department of Agriculture, said Senator Francis Escudero on Monday. In a radio interview, Escudero lamented that the DA chief should address the challenges confronted by the agricultural sector with “urgency” including the administration's campaign against rice smuggling and hoarding. “Kung mahalaga talaga iyan, kailangang may full-time at dedicated na kalihim at hindi part-time lamang (If that's really important, it should have a full-time and dedicated secretary and not just a part-time one,” he lamented. While he understands the President's desire to hold on to the position in a bid to "personally oversee" the sector, Escudero stressed that “there are too many national issues and concerns that Marcos has to attend to as head of state.” “Maganda ang intensyon ng Pangulo. Ang problema ay iisa lang ang katawan niya, dadalawa lamang ang mga kamay niya at ang 24 oras niya ay 24 oras din nating lahat (The President’s intention was good. But the problem is, he has only one body, two hands and his 24 hours time is for ours too),” he added. Escudero further pressed the need to focus on resolving woes related to the agricultural sector, particularly rice smuggling and hoarding, which are mainly blamed for the high prices of rice in the markets. Also, Escudero reiterated his call for the government to expose the names of people, not just the trading companies, involved in rice smuggling and hoarding in the country. He said appropriate charges must also be filed against them. The Bureau of Customs reported Saturday that it has seized P31.5 billion worth of smuggled goods, including agricultural products, from January to September this year. The majority of the items seized by the bureau were counterfeit items such as shoes, bags and clothes. The smuggled agricultural products were logged at P3.3 billion. Escudero had previously lamented that no charges have been filed against any individual involved in the smuggling of goods into the country. The post Escudero urges Marcos to appoint full-time DA chief appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Ghana bus strapping kills 9
Gunmen killed nine people when they opened fire on a bus in a northern Ghana district struggling with ethnic tensions and concerns over Islamist violence from across the border in Burkina Faso, a local official said Friday. The attack on Thursday morning targeted a bus carrying mostly women on their way to a local market and escorted by police, because of the tensions, in Pusiga district near the volatile Bawku area of Ghana’s Upper East Region. Pusiga district chief Zubeiru Abdulai, a local mayor, told AFP that the nine victims died from gunshot wounds when their bus was ambushed near a remote forest close to the border with both Burkina Faso and Togo. “The vehicle was occupied by mostly women and was being escorted by the police due to the volatile situation in Bawku,” he said. “The police are investigating the incident now and it will be difficult for me to establish the main reason behind the attack.” Police did not immediately respond to calls seeking more details on the attack. Upper East Region has struggled with a decades-long conflict between ethnic Kusasi and Mamprusi communities over the right to choose a new chieftain and over land rights in the mostly Muslim Bawku region, where there is a heavy police and army presence. Those tensions often flare into violence. Jihadist violence in Burkina Faso has also forced people to flee across the frontier into Ghana. Earlier this year, Ghana sent 1,000 more troops and police to Bawku to reinforce security after gunmen killed an immigration officer and wounded two more. Officials did not blame any group for that attack. Ghana’s northern frontier is also an area with well-established smuggling routes, porous borders and illegal gold mining — a combination local officials and experts worry could benefit jihadists. With Islamist militants controlling large parts of Burkina Faso over the border, Western partners are looking to help Ghana and coastal West African neighbors Togo, Benin and Ivory Coast strengthen their defenses to prevent jihadist attacks. With AFP The post Ghana bus strapping kills 9 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manufacturers temporarily forgo price increases — DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry has announced that several manufacturers have temporarily forgone their requests for price increases after Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual requested them to be mindful of the consumer’s plight amid the skyrocketing prices that they have to endure these days, as a result of their meeting last Thursday afternoon. On 21 September 2023, the DTI convened a meeting with manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities, where a total of 29 manufacturers and two associations of canned sardines, coffee, processed milk, bread, salt, detergent, candles, condiments, bottled water, canned meat, toilet soap and batteries participated in the said dialogue. According to DTI Undersecretary Communications and Legislative Affairs Kim Lokin, Secretary Pascual’s meeting with manufacturers went well, as these firms are willing to hold off on a price increase for now. “Although of course, they raised concerns that on the production level, there is indeed an increase in cost. Sec Pascual is very appreciative of the gesture,” she said. Manufacturers assured On the other hand, the Trade chief assured manufacturers that he would also consider their plight, and the need to sustain their businesses and provide jobs. Lokin said the DTI will hold another round of consultations, especially for those who have serious or urgent concerns, which will be on a case-to-case basis. Further, the DTI undersecretary stressed that this does not mean that forgoing the price increase is definite until Christmas. “For now, we can say the manufacturers are willing to hold off any increase for as long as they can. It is difficult to say when they will adjust prices because the cost of raw materials and ingredients used are also subject to market forces. Sec Pascual would have to consider all stakeholders, although of course in his mind, consumers’ needs are paramount,” Lokin stressed. Concerns During the dialogue, manufacturers expressed their concerns about various issues, including the imposition of pass-through fees; lack of local supply of raw materials; the compliance requirements of other government agencies, and other regulatory concerns. As of 19 September 2023, 14 manufacturers of 46 Stock Keeping Units covering 10 categories of BNPCs requested retail price adjustments due to the high cost of major raw materials, packaging materials, fuel costs, wages, and other costs that affect the production of essential goods. In their statement, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said that manufacturers of Noche Buena products decided to absorb the bulk of rising costs. “In our commitment to observing the Christmas spirit and ensuring everyone can enjoy the festival season,” PAMPI said. “We are working diligently to manage rising costs. Production costs have risen by an estimated 10-15 percent, most of these products will only see a modest price increase of 0-4 percent”, PAMPI added. Meanwhile, Pascual said he is also committed to closely working with the salt and canned sardine manufacturers to address their specific concerns. The DTI secretary ensured that all concerns raised were taken into consideration and vowed to support the manufacturing sector, urging them to go into value addition. The post Manufacturers temporarily forgo price increases — DTI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Breathing osmosis of public service
Education and public service are deeply ingrained in his family heritage. His mother dedicated her career to educating students in public schools, while his father pursued a profession in government as a lawyer specializing in human rights. Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” de Vera III, chairman of the Commission on Higher Education or CHEd, recalled that his mother, a teacher at the Esteban Abada High School in Manila, always brought him to school when he was still a young boy. His mother became the principal of Ramon Magsaysay High School, also in Manila, before her retirement. He said he and his siblings grew up breathing the osmosis of public service. “So, when I was growing up, the importance of education was drilled into us. Our mother always tells us to finish our education; nothing will happen in our lives if we don’t graduate from college,” De Vera said, adding that he and his siblings all graduated from public schools. “We are nine siblings, but my parents don’t have the money to send us to private schools. All of us graduated from the University of the Philippines. We are products of public schools; we were just the ‘iskolar ng bayan’ through and through.” Popoy, who finished a bachelor’s degree in History from UP, teaches political science and history at the De La Salle University and the University of the Philippines. He completed his master’s in social science at De La Salle University and doctoral studies in public administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman. He also has a master’s degree in higher education policy and higher education administration from the University of Southern California, one of the top schools in the United States of America, and later worked at the state legislature in California for three years. “In that sense, after I graduated from college, one of the options that I saw is either I take up law or teach, or to work in government, etc. There was an opportunity to teach, so I got into education.” In addition to his teaching responsibilities, De Vera also served as a consultant to several government agencies and provided his expertise to congressmen and senators. “Simultaneously, while I was teaching, I was also a consultant to the government. I worked as a consultant and then as chief of staff at the House and Senate.” His extensive academic background and government experience were benchmarks for his appointment as CHEd Commissioner in 2016, highlighting his qualifications for the position. “Since my background is in public administration and I also teach, I have a certain level of confidence that I really understand government, and I want to prove that I can do what I teach. I have a lot of involvement in the House and the Senate, from being an executive assistant until becoming chief of staff. I went through them one by one.” De Vera’s proficiency in legislative affairs from 1988 to 2010 (except for his three years abroad) encompasses a plethora of skills, including bill drafting, speech writing, and crafting amendments. Such expertise is a direct result of his extensive involvement and experience in the realm of legislation. Before his appointment to CHEd, he served as vice president for Public Affairs at UP in 2011. In 2004, he became part of the board of regents in some state universities and colleges. When he took the offer to head CHEd in 2018 after serving as commissioner for two years, he was confident because he survived UP. “I have a high level of confidence that I can do the job because they say that if you survived to govern UP, you can govern everything else because UP is the most ungovernable university in the country. So, if you survived there, you understand the public university system,” he admitted. He narrated to have experienced a sense of ease and familiarity when he joined CHEd. “It felt natural, perhaps because it aligns with my expertise. I might have had some reservations if it were a different department outside my field. However, since there was an opening at CHEd, I decided to offer my assistance, and that’s how I found myself here,” he shared. In running an agency with only 1,400 employees and serving more than 2,000 public and private higher education institutions across the country lies the challenge, De Vera said. With the scope of responsibilities, he gets to visit all state universities and colleges. Riding a bicycle, he witnessed first-hand the brilliance, resilience, and great potential of state universities and colleges. “I would be the first CHEd chair who visited all the state universities and colleges in this country. No one has done that yet,” he said, adding that he had already visited 100 of the 114 state-run universities. “I think in a year, I will finish all of them. The feeling is so different when you see what’s happening on the ground. So, from the start of my appointment, I started going around. I’ve gone to the farthest parts of the country.” As the chairperson, he said his firsthand experience in higher education enables him to speak with confidence and authority on the subject. “By engaging directly with students and faculty, attentively listening to their concerns, and providing meaningful responses, I believe I have made a significant impact. The presence of a secretary in these interactions creates a distinct atmosphere, instilling a sense of importance and value in education stakeholders. This ability to make those on the ground feel significant is a legacy I take pride in,” he said. One of the legacies De Vera is proud of is the implementation of free higher education, which coincided with his tenure. “I consider myself privileged because my predecessors did not have the opportunity to enact such a policy. Despite the challenges encountered, I believe that the beneficiaries truly reaped the benefits of this initiative,” he said. In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the country was confronted with unprecedented difficulties and uncertainties. CHEd, however, managed to navigate these challenges and ensured that education persisted. “This, in itself, is an accomplishment. Despite various government interventions being affected, we remained steadfast in delivering education to the best of our abilities,” he said. De Vera actively advocates for an inclusive education system that provides equal opportunities for marginalized sectors to complete their tertiary education. He seeks to create “first-generation graduates” as a legacy of the current administration. This program aims to offer educational opportunities to young Filipinos from minority and indigenous groups, children of rebel returnees, and other marginalized communities, enabling them to complete their education successfully. “Why not consciously make our legacy about bringing these individuals into the mainstream and ensuring they have the opportunity to finish their education? This emerging phenomenon is something we can truly focus on.” He added: “If we can successfully accomplish this within the next three years while I am in office, I can confidently say that it will be a legacy achieved by the Marcos administration. While the Duterte administration initiated free higher education, the Marcos administration aims to make it more equitable and responsive to the needs of marginalized individuals.” The post Breathing osmosis of public service appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP monitors Chinese sightings, coral condition in Rozul Reef
The Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday raised concerns over the Chinese maritime militia vessels and the case of massive coral harvesting along Rozul (Iroquois) Reef in the West Philippine Sea. In a weekly news forum in Quezon City, WesCom commander Vice Admiral Albert Carlos reported the “concerning resurgence” of swarming incidents in Rozul Reef, with about 40 Chinese fishing vessels have been spotted in the area on 15 September. Rozul Reef is located within the Philippine exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Carlos noted that the latest figure is higher compared to the 33 vessels spotted on 24 August and the 24 monitored on 7 September. Swarming was also observed in Escoda (Sabina) Shoal, where five CFVs were spotted, and two CFVs in Baragatan (Nares) Bank. While authorities successfully conducted a maritime law enforcement operation in early July, which temporarily drove away around 50 Chinese militia vessels, Carlos said foreign fishing ships returned in a resurgence in late August. “There was a considerable amount of time na walang swarming doon because of our presence there,” he added. Carlos said the AFP and other concerned government agencies are also boosting their presence in the area, including the Philippine Navy and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. “But the good news is we also have our presence there. So, we are addressing the issue of this swarming,” he said. “We’d like to maintain 100 percent, 365 days a year. But because of the weather, limited resources…our troops have to go back to port to refuel, to take some rest.” Coral harvesting in Phl EEZ Carlos also noted that PN deployed its divers to conduct an “underwater survey” in the swarmed area and found that “there were no more corals” in the Rozul Reef, suspecting there’s massive illegal harvesting of coral in the area. However, Carlos clarified that they are yet to determine whether the Chinese vessels are responsible for massive coral harvesting in the Rozul Reef. The WesCom chief said the military is coordinating with the scientists and experts to assess the area. He added that it specifically wants to verify the divers' assessment that massive harvesting of corals happened just recently. “We are not making any conclusion at this time. It’s a work in progress but we just want to report coral harvesting in the area where (they were) seen loitering and swarming,” he said. Amid recent incidents, Carlos said government troops want to “keep the peace and avoid miscalculation” in the WPS. The post AFP monitors Chinese sightings, coral condition in Rozul Reef appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»