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Security Bank, Helios team up for solar energy in households
Security Bank Corp. has tied up with climate fintech firm Helios to boost the access of Filipino homeowners to clean and sustainable energy......»»
Army, police helping boost Basilan’s investment climate
Security in Lamitan City has markedly been tight during nighttime since early this week, meant to sustain the improving investment climate in its 45 barangays and other parts of Basilan province. .....»»
Lamitan City’s 6th seal of good local governance eyed to boost local investment climate
The local government unit of Lamitan City in Basilan province got its sixth Seal of Good Local Governance from the central office of the local government department, many in the business sector consider a big boost to the area’s investment climate......»»
ADB approves USD 166 mln package for urban infra in Nepal
Manila [Philippines], December 14 (ANI): The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a USD 166 million financing package to boost the local economy in Nepal by building climate- and disaster-resilient cities. The ADB programme aims to contribute to the economic growth in Devdaha, Lumbini Sanskritik, Sainamaina, Siddharthanagar, and Tilottama municipalities, as well as Janakpur sub-metropolitan city and Pokhara metropoli.....»»
ADB approves 200-mln-USD loan to boost Philippine infrastructure projects
MANILA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Friday said it has approved a loan of 200 million U.S. dollars to support the Philippines in delivering "high-quality, inclusive, climate-resilient, and low-carbon public infrastructure." The loan will support the preparation of "complex and critical climate-resilient" road, bridge, transport, and flood risk management projects identified by the governm.....»»
Belgian wealth fund managers to explore Phl investments
Belgium’s sovereign wealth fund managers are looking to visit the country to explore investments in Philippine firms engaged in a range of public services, the Department of Finance said Saturday. DoF Secretary Benjamin Diokno and officers of the Federal Holding and Investment Company or La Société Fédérale de Participations et d’Investissement discussed opportunities in public-private partnerships in finance, aeronautics and mobility, health, utilities and impact investing. “Koenraad Van Loo, CEO of SFPIM, shared that the company is keen to visit the Philippines to explore partnerships in its priority sectors,” a statement from the DoF said. “SFPIM preserves the long-term stability of the Belgian economy by contributing to the anchoring of strategic assets through smart capital solutions for both promising and established companies,” the DoF added. According to the 2023 World Competitiveness Ranking, Belgium is 13th out of 64 countries in economic performance. The country is also among the top in business efficiency at fifth place and tenth in infrastructure. The Philippines, on the other hand, ranks 40th in economic performance and business efficiency, and 58th in infrastructure. Long-term economic growth President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed to boost infrastructure development for national long-term economic growth through proceeds from the Maharlika Investment Fund which his administration expects to be activated before the end of the year. The Philippine sovereign fund is open to local and foreign investors in the public and private sectors, and aims to support 197 flagship infrastructure projects worth a total of some $155 billion. Diokno said the DoF has met with foreign government and business leaders at the European Union’s first Global Gateway Forum last 25 to 26 October in Brussels, Belgium to also discuss the Philippine sovereign fund. The Finance Secretary said he talked to the Belgian Investment Company for Developing Countries or BIO led by its chief executive officer Luuk Zonneveld. “Discussed were opportunities to finance projects in the Philippines that drive sustainable development, particularly gender equality, climate action, and decent work,” he said. BIO uses private funds to support small and medium businesses, and financial institutions also in Africa and Latin America. Confident in the administration Meanwhile, Professor Dindo Manhit of business consultancy outfit, Stratbase ADR Institute said he is confident the Marcos administration can attract more foreign investments in agro-industrial and digitalization through its participation in global economic meetings abroad. “By establishing strong links in the economic space, the Philippines can further solidify its role in the global supply chain,” Manhit said. “We are confident that this administration will continue to advocate for reforms that will ensure our economic growth to make the country a premiere investment destination,” he added. The post Belgian wealth fund managers to explore Phl investments appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Developing countries urged to diversify production, export markets
Regional trade as well as South–South trade can provide a significant opportunity for developing countries to diversify their production and export basket, according to the United Nations’ trade and development body. “Given the new industrial policy initiatives being adopted in advanced countries, which may shorten their existing supply chains, developing countries will need to look for new outlets to diversify their export markets,” the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development said in its Trade and Development Report 2023. The report said that since 1995, South–South merchandise trade has grown faster than global trade and faster than North–South trade. In 2022, South–South trade accounted for around 54 percent of South’s total trade. It has also grown steadily in food, fuel, ores and metals, and fertilizers, with many developing countries, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and Thailand playing major roles, it said. Critical role To further boost South–South trade cooperation, the Global System of Trade Preferences initiative of UNCTAD can play a critical role by providing an opportunity to negotiate tariff reductions among developing countries in products based on mutual preferences, among others. GSTP is an agile partnership framework that allows its members to take a variety of cooperative actions in the area of tariffs, para-tariffs, non-tariff measures, direct trade measures and sectoral arrangements. Citing earlier reports, UNCTAD said GSTP can also support a just green transition in the developing countries by focusing on green products and facilitating green technology transfers. Apart from South–South trade, the report said regional integration programs such as the African Continental Free Trade Area, to the extent they support diversification and the benefits are broadly shared, can also mitigate the negative effects of the current situation, including with respect to climate change and food insecurity. Rollercoaster ride UNCTAD’s Trade and Development Report 2023 said that after experiencing a rollercoaster ride in 2020 — 2022, global trade is forecast to grow about 1 percent in 2023, significantly below world economic output growth, with merchandise trade hovering in negative territory. The post Developing countries urged to diversify production, export markets appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philippines secures P3.6 billion financing for green economy program
The Philippines has secured P3.6 billion from the European Union to boost the country’s sustainability efforts for a green economy amid worsening impacts of climate change......»»
EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack
The European Union or EU and the Philippines are crafting a digital development program, set for launch next year to help the boost Internet speed and reach, strengthen cybersecurity, and integrate more women into the digital economy. On Thursday, the Department of Finance said the two partners, along with other countries, are creating the Digital Connectivity Global Gateway Package. “The package has key elements on capacity building, regulatory or policy support, cybersecurity, and enhanced cable connectivity,” a DoF statement said. “The package, which is being considered for launch next year, will also help address the digital gender gap in the country by empowering women in the digital economy,” the DoF added. Connectivity partnership This global partnership on digital connectivity was recently sealed during the first Global Gateway Forum hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 25 to 25 October in Brussels, Belgium. There were 40 government leaders who attended the forum, with Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno representing the Philippines. Global Gateway is the EU’s largest global investment program, with funding of up to 300 billion euros to be used by partner countries from 2021 to 2027 to improve their digital, energy, and transportation infrastructure, along with health and education systems. During the forum, the EU and the Philippines signed a 60 million euros financing agreement to help the latter realize projects for climate change mitigation and digital transformation. Under its digital program, the European Commission already committed in 2021 to provide all highly populated areas of the EU’s 27 member-states with faster Internet through 5G by 2030. Less than one-third of these areas benefited from that Internet technology two years ago. Expanding use of AI The commission also aims to expand the population of the EU’s small businesses using artificial intelligence and cloud from less than half to 75 percent, and those with basic technology skills from 75 percent to 100 percent over a decade. The Department of Information and Communications Technology, or DICT, on the other hand, is developing 500 to 1,000 digitalization programs. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Mon Gutierrez said the government is doubling its efforts to realize over 10 percent of its total number of digitalization programs through public-private partnerships. Also conducted by the DICT are digital literacy campaigns for government agencies, private firms and the public to spur technological innovations and better digital policies. The post EU, Phl eyes creating digital gateway pack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
China bolsters ‘patriotic education’ with new law
China has adopted a new law strengthening so-called patriotic education, state media said, the latest step in President Xi Jinping's drive to reassert the Communist Party's ideology in the country's classrooms. A crackdown on the highly lucrative world of for-profit private tutoring in 2021 was also seen as part of efforts to reassert ruling party control over the education system. The moves banned tutoring firms from hiring overseas teachers, with critics saying it was cutting off Chinese children from outside influences. The new law, which comes into effect on January 1 and was approved on Tuesday, will "strengthen patriotic education in the new era" and seek to impart a "patriotic spirit" in China's youth, according to state-run news agency Xinhua. A Xinhua commentary hailing the law's adoption by Beijing's top lawmaking body said that education had been "facing challenges" recently. "Some people are at a loss about what is patriotism," the commentary read. It attacked "the influences of some social thoughts, such as historical nihilism" -- a term often employed by Beijing's leadership to condemn accounts that run contrary to official rhetoric about the party. The law contains provisions already included in other legislation, the commentary said, including those banning "insulting the national flag and distorting or denying heroes' deeds and spirit". Zhao Leji, China's top lawmaker, said the law would help the country in "forging a mighty force" to build a "strong" nation, Xinhua reported. Education has long been used by the Communist Party to boost its legitimacy in the eyes of China's 1.4 billion people. Much of its narrative centers on its role in conquering absolute poverty and asserting China's position in a hostile international climate. But conspicuously absent are detailed discussions of the party's role in instigating China's bloody Cultural Revolution and Great Famine, in which millions died. The post China bolsters ‘patriotic education’ with new law appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Unemployed, underemployed Filipinos down in August — PSA
Employers in the Philippines hired more Filipinos while fewer people looked for additional working hours, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed on Friday. In a press briefing, the PSA said the number of jobless Filipinos reached 2.21 million in August, a decline from 2.27 million unemployed Filipinos last July. The data translated to an unemployment rate of 4.4 percent in August from 4.8 percent last July. PSA added that 5.63 million Filipinos were looking for more hours to increase their income in August, lower than the 7.10 million underemployed persons in July. The underemployment rate fell from 14.7 percent in August 2022 and 15.9 percent in July to 11.7 percent. Underemployed individuals are those who have indicated a wish for more work hours in their current job, a desire to take on a second job, or an interest in finding a new job that offers longer working hours. The rise in the number of people with and without jobs can be attributed to the month-on-month increase in labor force participation. In July, the labor force participation rate increased from 46.90 million to 64.7 percent, up from 60.1 percent in the previous month. "Many people entered the labor force, so unemployment decreased," National Statistician Dennis Claire Mapa said in a press briefing. PSA data mentioned that the majority of employed individuals, 62.6 percent, are wage and salary workers. On the other hand, self-employed individuals make up 27.3 percent, and unpaid family workers constitute 8.0 percent of the employed population. The state-run statistics bureau attributed the surge in employment to specific sectors: fishing and aquaculture with 572,000 new jobs, construction with 534,000, agriculture and forestry with 378,000, human health and social work activities with 153,000, and administrative and support service activities with 143,000. In a separate statement, NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the government will continue to ramp up efforts to boost economic growth and quality job creation amid economic headwinds. "To raise the quality of employment further, the Marcos administration is committed to exerting all efforts to shape an attractive business climate for investors with the resources needed to bring in high-quality and high-paying jobs," Balisacan said. The post Unemployed, underemployed Filipinos down in August — PSA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Each shrinking his carbon
Recently, residents in Metro Manila woke up to an overcast, foggy morning sky. Conjectures attributed it to another impending eruption of Taal Volcano, like it did in 2020. Phivolcs clarified that the smog that covered Metro Manila was not caused by the volcano; it was rather pollution trapped in the lower levels of the atmosphere. It was a surprise to many because, while traffic congestion has been worsening after the pandemic and Manila was identified as one of the most congested cities in Asia, it rarely brought to the public’s attention that the air pollution it causes is so serious. During the pandemic, people noticed that, due to the lockdown implemented in most countries, air quality improved and we were seeing clearer skies, but the situation changed rapidly as almost everything was “back to normal”. Countries are doing their bit to mitigate air pollution and slow global warming. The European Union set a goal to cut carbon emissions by at least 55 percent and source 45 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Starting today, EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, a carbon tariff on carbon-intensive products, will enter its trial phase. The transition phase of CBAM, from October 2023 to December 2025, will require exporters to submit emissions reports to importing partners. From January 2026, CBAM will be implemented and initially apply to imports in the emissions-intensive sectors deemed at greater risk of carbon leakage: cement, electricity, fertilizers, iron and steel, aluminum and hydrogen. From 2026, EU importers will start paying a financial adjustment by surrendering the amount of CBAM certificates that correspond to the emissions embedded in their imports. The EU Emissions Trading System’s free emission allowances are to be replaced by the CBAM gradually from 2026 to 2034. Thus, CBAM, the CO2 border tax, will be fully phased in at the start of 2034, when free carbon certificates are eliminated. In the Philippines, electric vehicle adoption was given a boost by Executive Order No. 12 issued in January, which reduced the tariffs on certain EVs to zero for five years, effectively lowering vehicle prices and encouraging people to purchase EVs. The EO covers EV segments such as cars, buses, vans, trucks, kick scooters, self-balancing cycles, bicycles and pocket motorcycles with auxiliary motors not exceeding 250 watts and with a maximum speed of 25 kilometers per hour. Nonetheless, electric motorcycles were excluded from the EO, and are still subject to a 30-percent tariff. In Taiwan, to encourage people to stop buying fuel vehicles by 2040 and achieve the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, people who buy new electric motorcycles enjoy a subsidy from the government varies from NT$5,100 to 7,000, equals to 8,990 to P12,340, depending on the model purchased until the end of 2026. If the battery cores, negative electrode materials, electrolyte and copper foil used in the electric motorcycles are all domestically produced, each vehicle will receive an additional subsidy of NT$3,000. Until the end of 2024, people who replace their more than 10-year-old car with an electric car will get a NT$15,000 to 18,000 subsidy in Taiwan. While Singapore and Taiwan launched their first carbon exchange platform Climate Impact X and Taiwan Carbon Solution Exchange in 2021 and August 2023, respectively, Indonesia also started its carbon trading market on 26 September. President Joko Widodo attended the launch, saying the exchange could create a new sustainable economy, estimating it has the potential to be worth at least Rp3,000 trillion ($194 billion). “This will be a new sustainable economic opportunity as the world is heading toward the green economy,” he said. The post Each shrinking his carbon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl water officials look at Danish innovations
The Philippines is looking to international partnerships and increased investments to boost its water security in the face of climate change and rapid urbanization. Key public and private sector representatives from the local water utilities, including Manila Water and Maynilad, as well as the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, visited Denmark to be updated on the latest Danish innovations on the management and efficient use of water. The delegates met with officials of Danish water companies and key water facilities in Copenhagen and Aarhus. They also visited two Danish water giants, Kamstrup and AVK, which showed off their smart water solutions that can monitor leaks and reduce non-revenue water. The Philippines is seeking to achieve universal access to water by 2030. According to the Philippine Water Supply and Sanitation Master Plan, the total investment required to reach this goal is $19.45 billion. MWSS Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas said the water delegation to Denmark was relevant to the local water industry, noting that two of the companies the delegates met with are already working with and helping MWSS on its water infrastructure projects. The post Phl water officials look at Danish innovations appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China
President Joe Biden said the United States officially recognized the Pacific nations of Cook Islands and Niue Monday, as he hosted regional leaders in a bid to wrest influence from China. The announcement came at the start of a summit with the 18-member Pacific Islands Forum, where US officials said the president was announcing a more assertive American stance in the region. Biden said in statements that Washington recognized the Cook Islands and Niue as "sovereign and independent" states and would establish diplomatic relations with both. The move would help maintain a "free and open Indo-Pacific region," said Biden. Biden added that the deals to recognize the two nations would also help curb illegal fishing, deal with climate change in a vulnerable region and boost economic growth. The Cook Islands and Niue together have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants but constitute a sprawling economic zone in the South Pacific. Both are self-governing nations in "free association" with New Zealand, meaning that their foreign and defense policies are in varying degrees linked to Wellington. After decades of being treated as a relative backwater, the South Pacific has become an important arena for competition between the United States and an increasingly assertive China. China has dramatically ramped up its economic, political and military footprint in the strategic ocean region. 'Assertiveness' There is "no question that there is some role that the PRC has played in all this," a senior White House official said on condition of anonymity, referring to China by the abbreviation of its formal name. China's "assertiveness and influence, including in this region, has been a factor that requires us to sustain our strategic focus." The forum brings together states and territories scattered across the Pacific Ocean, from Australia to sparsely populated micro-states and archipelagos. But China's influence will be felt through the absence of the prime minister of the Solomon Islands, now closely aligned with Beijing. Manasseh Sogavare, who was in New York last week to attend the UN General Assembly, did not extend his stay in the United States. "We're disappointed that he's chosen not to come to this very special summit," another White House official said. Biden had been due to follow up last year's inaugural summit with a meeting of Pacific leaders this May, in Papua New Guinea. But he cut short an Asia trip and returned stateside to address a debt-ceiling crisis. For the Washington summit, Biden has prepared a full program, kicking off with an afternoon of American football on Sunday. The leaders traveled by train to Baltimore, where they were guests of honor at an NFL game between the port city's Ravens and the Indianapolis Colts. Monday's agenda features meetings and a lunch with Biden. On Tuesday, the leaders will meet with top officials on climate and the economy, and spend time with US lawmakers. The post Biden recognizes two Pacific nations in move to counter China appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DA readies pathways, tramlines for rice terraces
The Department of Agriculture and the local government of Mountain Province will be building pathways and tramlines toward the province’s rice terraces, a United Nations’ world heritage site, to boost sustainable tourism in the area. Engineer Winston Beyden, officer-in-charge of the DA-Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Engineering, said the national government recently created in Mountain Province the Office of the Provincial Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer to provide local officials technical assistance on the construction of pathways and tramlines toward the rice terraces. “In a strategic move to boost local tourism, farm pathways along rice terraces will be developed instead of traditional farm-to-market roads. This approach aims to ensure the safety of tourists visiting the province,” Beyden said. The rice terraces in The Cordillera region consist of five clusters, cover four municipalities, and were built 2,000 years ago by the ethnic group Ifugao to plant rice upland. Separate OPABE Within the region, only Mountain Province has a separate office for agricultural and biosystems engineering or OPABE so far. This was made possible also through Provincial Ordinance 465 which complies with Republic Act 10915 or the Philippine Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Act of 2016. “Mountain Province’s OPABE serves as a template showcasing to other offices in The Cordillera region what the office is capable of accomplishing. This collaboration between Mountain Province and the DA is expected to bring significant improvements in agricultural infrastructure and tourism in the region,” Beyden said. Due to the effects of climate change and migration of farmers to urban areas, the rice terraces started degenerating and were included in the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2001. The DA said the pathways and tramlines will cause minimal soil erosion to the rice terraces and encourage more Filipinos to visit the heritage site to appreciate its beauty and social significance, and help protect it. Geo-Agri mapping Through Geo-Agri mapping, a web-based application, Beyden said engineers will be able to determine the appropriate areas for the pathways and tramlines project, along with irrigation and post-harvest facilities of the mountainous rice farmers. Beyden added the DA will also build diversion dams and canals, and farms for sugarcane, coffee, chickens and goats in Mountain Province. The post DA readies pathways, tramlines for rice terraces appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
16th National Rice Technology Forum focuses on ramping up local rice production
Hundreds of participants from different parts of the country took part in the 16th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) which was launched on 19 September in Hagonoy and Digos City, Davao del Sur. With the theme, “Masaganang Palay at Bigas, Maunlad na Pilipinas,” the three-day event, was aimed at promoting the adoption of yield-boosting rice technologies by showcasing high-yielding and climate-resilient rice varieties, machinery, and best practices in a 131.83-hectare demonstration area. It has become a collaborative project by the national government, local government units (LGUs), local farmers, and other partners and stakeholders from the private sector, the NRTF responds with the President’s directives to boost the country’s local rice production and ensure food security through convergence and cooperation. Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao Regional Field Office (RFO 11), DA-Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC 11), and the private sector-led Rice Board, the event kicked off with a field tour at the technology demonstration farms in Poblacion, Hagonoy. The techno demo farms showcased 24 hybrid rice varieties and smart technologies that have been tried and tested to be high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant, and climate-resilient contributing to higher income for farmers and high-quality and affordable rice for consumers. During the NRTF, 13 seed companies and six nutrient management firms presented their products, best practices, and technologies for proper land preparation, soil and water management, nutrient management, and pest and disease management, among others. In addition, the NRTF featured a Tekno-Tiangge, or a Technology Marketplace, and a “Tektok” or the Digital Agriculture and Farm Machinery and Equipment Demo. Officials and representatives from the Rice Board, DOST-PAGASA, and DA offices including the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) also played key roles during the event. They discussed the plans and programs to ramp up local production, El Niño action plans, hybrid and inbred rice production, balanced fertilization strategies, pest and disease management, mechanization, and digital agriculture, among others. DA-MRIDP Productivity Enhancement Focal Person, Dr. Frisco Malabanan, discussed the program goals of attaining stable rice supply, affordable rice, prosperous rice-based farming communities, and nutritious rice-secured population under the overall goal of 97.5% rice self-sufficiency by 2028. He also discussed the immediate plans of the program such as the distribution of inputs such as hybrid seeds, biofertilizers, and inorganic fertilizers, the provision of drone services, and the intensified promotion of farm clustering and consolidation. “To transform Philippine agriculture, we need to focus on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcomes,” Dr. Malabanan said. He also stressed the need to mainstream the transformation efforts into the country’s policies, programs, and investment plans. The NRTF will culminate on 21 September 2023 in time with the start of the harvest operations at the techno demo site that is expected to produce a minimum of seven tons per hectare. The post 16th National Rice Technology Forum focuses on ramping up local rice production appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Debunking Misconceptions: Sustainable living doesn’t have to be expensive
A sustainable lifestyle is often associated with exclusivity, as many say it comes with great expense. Yet Pacita “Chit” Juan, founder of the Echostore, a social enterprise and retail store carrying green, fair trade products, begs to differ. The Echostore was first conceptualized back in 2008, a time when sustainable living was not as widely known and given great importance as much as it is now, making Chit Juan, along with two other women who also founded the enterprise, pioneers to the green living trending the country — a fact she claims to be her biggest achievement in all 15 years of the Echostore. “Kailangan may mag-umpisa eh (There has to be someone who starts),” Chit says. Adopting a sustainable lifestyle requires choice and dedication as it does not happen overnight, much as Chit and her co-founders’ decision to launch their business at a time when consumers were still somewhat unfamiliar with the idea of sustainable living. It took them many years before the Echostore really took off, according to Chit. She even recalls how many detractors they had during the first few years of the enterprise, saying the Echostore would shut down immediately. Yet, she proudly declares that she is pleased that they were still successful in launching the business despite negativity. In fact, this month of September marks its 15th year. [caption id="attachment_186641" align="aligncenter" width="458"] Photograph courtesy of ECHOSTORE CULINARY Virgin Coconut Oil.[/caption] She really believed that when something is dedicated to a purpose, it will succeed. “‘Pag mission-driven kasi, it will always succeed (When something is mission driven, it will always succeed),” she says. Even the pandemic did not put the store into a halt. Chit in fact says that it paved a way to further boost their online sales. “Priorities lang talaga (It’s all a matter of priorities),” Chits ays. She argues that the notion of sustainable living being expensive is merely relative and a matter of whether the person is fully ready to shift and commit to that lifestyle.“Bakit ‘pag bumili ka ng large drink sa Starbucks, hindi mahal? (How come a large Starbucks drink doesn’t seem so expensive to you?)” she quips. However, Chit does not deny the fact that sustainable products are indeed significantly more expensive than ordinary ones, as she says that a big contributing element to this is the fact that sustainable products have not yet achieved a significant market scale. Yet, she contends that sustainable living does not necessarily have to be absolute. “You don’t have to be vegetarian all the way. Gusto mo Monday ka lang meatless, o kaya Friday (You don’t have to be vegetarian all the way. If you want, you can just skip meat on Mondays and Fridays).”Those two days spent not eating meat is already a big step in integrating a sustainable lifestyle. So is using a water bottle or a metal straw, adds Chit. “Baby steps,” she says. “Baby steps, and before you know it, it becomes part of your lifestyle.” It is all about knowing your options in the things you do every day, according to Chit. Whether it is what you eat for breakfast or how you get to work every day. Being a responsible consumer is, after all, what sustainable living is truly about, adds Chit. This is why she expresses her joy that the Echostore was able to be exposed to the Gen Z‘s, as she says they are the ones especially mindful of the environment and the importance of sustainable living. “I have great faith in Gen Z, kasi pinanganak sila sa challenges ng climatechange.It’s your generation now who will bring this to the mainstream (I have great faith in Gen Z because they were born into the challenges of climate change.It’s your generation now who will bring this to mainstream),” Chit says. The post Debunking Misconceptions: Sustainable living doesn’t have to be expensive appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Biden to host Pacific Island leaders next week
US President Joe Biden will host the leaders of Pacific Island nations at the White House on Monday, his spokeswoman said, as Washington tries to counter Chinese influence in the region. Biden will "reaffirm the US commitment to our shared regional priorities," including climate change, economic growth and countering illegal fishing, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Tuesday. The meeting comes four months after Biden was forced to scrap a historic visit to a summit of the Pacific Island Forum in Papua New Guinea, due to talks to avoid a US debt default. Biden hosted his first summit with the forum -- an 18-member bloc of mostly small states scattered across a huge swath of ocean -- last year at the White House. The South Pacific was seen as a relative diplomatic backwater after World War II, but it is an increasingly important arena for powers to compete for commercial, political and military influence. The Biden administration has particularly been pushing to boost its presence there against a rising China, which is itself keen to get a strategic toe-hold in the South Pacific. During this year's meeting, Biden will hear from leaders on "how we can increase cooperation to address the mounting challenges of our time," Jean-Pierre said. As well as being at the center of a superpower tussle, the region is also badly affected by rising sea levels due to climate change. Biden told the UN General Assembly earlier Tuesday that he wanted to "responsibly manage the competition" between the United States and China "so it does not tip into conflict." The post Biden to host Pacific Island leaders next week appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ADB OKs P17 billion Philippines loan to boost climate resilience
The Asian Development Bank has approved a $303-million (P17.2 billion) loan to address the persistent flooding problem in the country amid worsening climate change......»»
UAE agri, energy, banking deals eyed
The Department of Finance, or DoF, on Wednesday said United Arab Emirates or UAE-based firms are keen on exploring investments in a range of industries in the Philippines, including food, water management, renewable energy, and Islamic banking. DoF said the economic team talked to executives of Brevan Howard, a technology-driven investment management platform; Arqaam Capital, a financial firm for emerging markets; and Investment Corporation of Dubai, the Dubai Government’s principal investment arm for the possible foreign investments. “The companies expressed interest in the Philippines’ renewable energy projects, port operations, water and wastewater management, waste-to-energy projects, upcoming Sukuk bond issuances, Islamic banking, and the Maharlika Investment Fund,” DoF said in a statement to the media. Middle East roadshow Investment and trade discussions surfaced during the Philippine economic team’s investor briefing in the UAE, a seven-state federation, from 11 to 12 September. The finance department said the possible foreign investments affirm the need for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement or CEPA with the UAE aimed at easing and expanding trade between the two countries. DoF said the UAE Government and the Philippines have already signed an agreement for investment protection and collaboration as part of the ongoing negotiations over CEPA. It added the UAE will soon submit to the Philippines its template for the final document on CEPA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he aims to adopt foreign water technologies, such as hydroelectric power plants, irrigation canals, and diversion dams to store and distribute more water for households, commercial establishments, and farm irrigation amid the threats of climate change. Food exports to Dubai usually include pineapples, bananas, and fresh and processed fish amounting to over $30 million. For renewable energy, the Department of Energy aims to generate power capacity of at least 20,000 megawatts through a mix of sources, such as the sun, wind and geothermal. Meanwhile, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said the Philippines is entering the Islamic debt market by issuing Sukuk bonds, or Islamic bonds, in the fourth quarter this year or early next year to raise $1 billion. “Sukuk bonds will diversify the Philippines’ sources of financing, widen its investor base to reach the untapped Islamic finance market, and boost investments in physical and digital connectivity,” she said. The Islamic bonds offer investors a share of profits from projects financed by the debt instrument instead of interest payments from traditional bonds. The government aims to raise $5 billion from commercial borrowing and already acquired $3 billion in January. The post UAE agri, energy, banking deals eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»