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Sarah Geronimo named 1st Woman of the Year at Billboard Philippines Women of Music awards
Sarah Geronimo made history yet again on Friday night as she was named the first Woman of the Year at the first-ever Billboard Philippines Women in Music awards held in Samsung Hall in SM Aura Premier, Taguig City. .....»»
Alternergy raising P12B for 2 wind power projects
Renewable power pioneer Alternergy Holdings Corp. is raising P12 billion to bankroll the construction of two wind power projects that would ramp up the local supply of renewable energy as mandated by the government. In a stock exchange disclosure on Monday, Alternergy said BPI Capital, RCBC Capital and SB Capital will assist the company in finalizing the terms and structure of the debt financing for the two projects — Tanay Wind Power Project in Rizal and the Alabat Wind Power Project in Quezon. The Tanay and Alabat Wind Projects have a capacity of up to 164 MW and are expected to be completed by 2025. Winners of DoE’s GEA-2 These projects won the Department of Energy or DoE’s second round of the Green Energy Auction Program or GEA-2 last July. Under the GEA-2, winning bidders must make their committed capacities available. The DoE conducts GEA yearly to fast-track the government’s plan of integrating 35 percent renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Alternergy president Gerry Magbanua said the company and its partner banks will aim for financial closing before the year ends. Largest project financing deal “The total P12-billion mandate would be the largest project financing deal to be undertaken by Alternergy and we appreciate the support from RCBC Capital, BPI Capital, and SB Capital to ensure that the transactions would yield the most benefit for the Tanay and Alabat Wind Power Projects as laid out under the DoE’s GEA 2 Program,” Magbanua said. Alternergy has been investing a significant amount to expand its clean energy portfolio. It aims to develop up to 1,245 megawatts or MW of additional wind, offshore wind, solar, and run-of-river hydro projects. The total P12-billion mandate would be the largest project financing deal to be undertaken by Alternergy and we appreciate the support from RCBC Capital, BPI Capital, and SB Capital to ensure that the transactions would yield the most benefit for the Tanay and Alabat Wind Power Projects as laid out under the DoE’s GEA 2 Program. Alternergy was involved in the development of the 33-MW Bangui Bay wind farm in Ilocos Norte — the first commercial wind farm in Southeast Asia at that time. The post Alternergy raising P12B for 2 wind power projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth announces resumption of website, member portal
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation announces the resumption of its Corporate Website and Member Portal effective 12 noon of 29 September 2023. These public-facing application systems are already up and running and now accessible to the general public through the internet. The e-Claims system will be available within the day. The shutting down of its application systems was done immediately upon the advice of the Department of Information and Communication Technology to isolate these key services and to ensure that the ransomware infection will not spread to critical computers. PhilHealth has been working round the clock since Friday to clean up the affected workstations and restore normalcy the soonest. Meanwhile, it has yet to verify the alleged leaked members’ data that was reportedly found in the dark web. Non-payment of ransom On the alleged demand for ransom, PhilHealth reiterates the government’s policy of not paying such to criminals. PhilHealth also guarantees the public that its databases are intact, safe and secure. Members are also assured that their benefit entitlement will not be hampered due to this incident. Interim arrangements while systems are offline have been instituted to ensure that members continually avail of their PhilHealth benefits anytime and anywhere in the country. PhilHealth continues to work closely with the DICT and National Privacy Commission to address the situation. It also coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police toward this end. PhilHealth also welcomes calls for inquiry to get to the bottom of this incident. Disciplinary action PhilHealth shall rightfully impose disciplinary actions to people who have been remiss in the performance of their duties if they are found liable. PhilHealth sincerely asks for the public’s understanding and support during this time and implores certain groups and sectors to refrain from concocting false and misleading information to avoid creating panic and distrust among our members and stakeholders. The post PhilHealth announces resumption of website, member portal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PhilHealth’s website, member portal reopen following ransomware attack
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation has announced the resumption of its Corporate Website and Member Portal effective 12 noon of 29 September 2023. These public-facing application systems are already up and running and now accessible to the general public through the internet. The e-Claims system will be available within the day. The shutting down of its application systems was done immediately upon the advice of the Department of Information and Communication Technology to isolate these key services and to ensure that the ransomware infection will not spread to critical computers. PhilHealth has been working round the clock since Friday to clean up the affected workstations and restore normalcy the soonest. Meanwhile, it has yet to verify the alleged leaked members’ data that was reportedly found in the dark web. On the alleged demand for ransom, the agency reiterates the government’s policy of not paying one to criminals. PhilHealth also guarantees the public that its databases are intact, safe and secure. Members are also assured that their benefit entitlement will not be hampered due to this incident. Interim arrangements while systems are offline have been instituted to ensure that members continually avail of their PhilHealth benefits anytime and anywhere in the country. PhilHealth continues to work closely with the DICT and National Privacy Commission to address the situation. It also coordinated with the National Bureau of Investigation and Philippine National Police toward this end. PhilHealth also welcomes calls for inquiry to get to the bottom of this incident. PhilHealth shall rightfully impose disciplinary actions to people who have been remiss in the performance of their duties if they are found liable. PhilHealth sincerely asks for the public’s understanding and support during this time and implores certain groups and sectors to refrain from concocting false and misleading information to avoid creating panic and distrust among our members and stakeholders. The entire state health insurance agency takes this incident seriously, seizing the opportunity that this incident brings to further strengthen its information security infrastructure in order to prevent this from happening again. The post PhilHealth’s website, member portal reopen following ransomware attack appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Prime venture lights up households’ hopes
Giving Filipino families comfort in their abodes plainly is not possible without adequate electricity — a situation that Solar Tanauan Corp., a subsidiary of Prime Infrastructure Capital Inc. led by businessman Enrique K. Razon Jr., hopes to immediately address. The renewable energy company is integrating advanced project design and execution tools into its solar plant developments in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite as part of its drive to augment affordable and clean energy supply in the country. Digital twin technology Solar Tanauan utilizes digital twin technology, drone verification of progress, optimized string sizing, and 24/7 quality assurance/quality control monitoring both at the factory and at the site. It has also conducted a Front End Engineering Design to streamline the procurement and construction phases, packaged contracting, and owner-supplied materials. These technologies allow each party to focus on their specialties, optimize risk allocation, and use software for simplifying complex earthwork assessment for terrain-following layouts. “We are proud to have the most advanced execution technology and strategy for a solar power project here in the Philippines. This is a testament to Prime Infra’s approach in deploying renewable energy projects and reaffirms our commitment to pioneer innovative solutions towards a clean energy future,” Prime Infra President and CEO Guillaume Lucci said in a statement sent to the press on Friday. Solar plants commissioned by yearend Prime Infra previously said it expects to start commissioning its 140-megawatt solar power plants in Tanauan, Batangas and Maragondon, Cavite by the end of the year. The company kicked off the construction of the plants in April. The projects are estimated to have an annual generation capacity of 202 gigawatt-hours — enough to power up over 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal annually. The Tanauan and Maragondon solar power plants will have an installed gross capacity of up to 140 megawatts. Total annual generation capacity is estimated to power over 84,000 households and displace over 100,000 tons of coal per year. Once running, the projects will also support the national government’s bid to increase the share of renewable energy in the country’s total energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Last year, renewable energy only took up 22.8 percent of the total mix. By then, Filipino families would benefit through a steady supply of electricity at lower cost. The post Prime venture lights up households’ hopes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Carmela Geisert holds second solo exhibit
Self-taught artist and hotelier Carmela Geisert mounts her second solo exhibit at the Redwood Cafe and Artspace in Quezon City. Curated by Professor Ruben DF Defeo, In Reverie runs from 2 September to 4 October and showcases a collection of abstract paintings that explore the realms of daydreaming, positivity and personal introspection Geisert’s artistic journey is an exploration of emotions translated onto canvas. In Reverie captures the essence of positive energy and introspection through an array of colors and forms. Each canvas becomes a portal into a world where colors are felt as much as they are seen, evoking a sense of serenity and connection with the inner self. Her artistic process is an intimate dance between intuition and expression. Her paintings are a result of instinctual gestures and emotional impulses, giving rise to colors that seem to emanate from her very being. Her canvases come alive with stream-of-consciousness compositions that playfully incorporate foliage and forest scenes, fluid experimentations and line-scribbled glimpses into mythology, creating a balance between the organic and the abstract. Geisert enjoys inspiring moments of dreamy contemplation in the lush greenery and proximity to the beach in Palawan and elsewhere. As she gathers her memories of travel, photography, fashion and leisure, she fills her canvases with instinctual gestures often reflecting her moods and meandering thoughts. She started sketching using charcoal and pastel crayons in 2016 to pass off the time during long-haul flights, her portraitures and human figures sketches characterized by confident lines. She also found her way naturally to creating “fluid art,” mixing acrylic paints to create interesting random patterns that follow the character of the paints that she pours on the canvas. Geisert has been recognized by her alma maters — PATTS College of Aeronautics with an Outstanding Alumni award in 2017 and Colegio de Santa Ana with an Outstanding Alumni award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and in Fine Arts in 2020. The Redwood Café and Artspace is located at Unit 104, Cedar Executive Building, 26 Timog Avenue, Quezon City. For more information, contact Carmela (0917-5507374), Micki (0918-6979226), Jes (0927-8524116) and Redwood Cafe (0917-1386881). The exhibit is for the benefit of the Iraya Mangyan community of Mindoro. The post Carmela Geisert holds second solo exhibit appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
150 nations hold coastal cleanup
Thousands of volunteers from over 150 countries joined the International Coastal Cleanup Day, a global initiative dedicated to addressing ocean pollution through beach and waterway cleanups held every third Saturday of September. On its 37th year, the Philippines has been participating in the ICC since 1994. In 2003, Proclamation 470 officially designated the third Saturday in September as ICC Day, instilling a sense of vigilance among Filipinos in supporting 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 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 nationwide. The post 150 nations hold coastal cleanup 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......»»
DILG’s ‘Barangay at Kalinisan Day’ to be launched in NCR
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abaloso on Thursday urged all 42,027 barangays and the public to join the national launching of “Barangay at Kalinisan Day” (BarKaDa) on Saturday, 16 September 2023. Abalos said this is in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s call for bayanihan. “Halina’t makiisa, halina’t maki-BarKaDa sa Sabado, September 16. Magtulong-tulong tayong linisin ang ating mga pamayanan para sa mas maayos at ligtas na kapaligiran,” Abalos said. BarKaDa is a nationwide community-based clean-up drive program, geared to maintain and provide a healthy and safe environment and prevent the spread of diseases through proper solid waste management. Simultaneous BarKaDa activities will be held in 29 esteros and creeks in the cities of Manila, Quezon , Caloocan, Pasig, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, San Juan, and Pasay. In Memorandum Circular 2023-133, Abalos urged barangays to pass an ordinance or resolution declaring one day of the week as BarKaDa, preferably every Saturday. During BarKaDa, barangays are expected to conduct coastal clean-up, dredge clogged waterways, prune thick bushes or branches, and dismantle breeding places of mosquitoes in coastal areas, waterways, creeks, public parks, roads, and other public spaces within their areas. DENR coastal clean-up Also on Saturday (16 September), the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will conduct a separate cleanup activity in various sites in coastal areas in Metro Manila. The coastal cleanup day is in line with Presidential Proclamation No. 470 Series of 2003 declaring every 3rd Saturday of September as International Coastal Cleanup Day in observance of the Global Coastal Cleanup celebration. With a theme: "Clean Season for Healthy Fisheries" in harmony with the United Nations Decade of Oceans Science for Sustainable Development - Ocean Decade Challenge 3, which aims to Sustainably Feed the Global Population. The sites fro the cleanup include the SM by the Bay in Pasay, Wetland Park in Las Piñas and Parañaque, Tanza Marine Tree Park and Barangay Tongos in Navotas, Tullahan River in Barangay San Bartolome in Quezon City, Pasig River in Lawton Ferry Station and Baseco Beach in Manila, H2O Hotel in Ocean Park also in Manila, and at the back of Solaire Hotel in Parañaque City. The center of activity will be held in Balanga City Wetland and Nature Park in Bataan. The post DILG’s ‘Barangay at Kalinisan Day’ to be launched in NCR appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Farmers ask for subsidies as farm gate prices decline due to storms, wet season
Palay farmgate prices continue to decline and are expected to drop even more when harvest peaks in late September and October. This was the assessment made by the Department of Agriculture's Rice Industry Development that saw palay farm gate prices from a high of P22 to P25 a kilo in June and July, the onset of harvest in Nueva Ecija in early September, and continue to drop at P17 and P18 a kilo last week. DA-RID said a field survey done by the National Rice Program in several towns of Nueva Ecija this week showed palay farm gate prices continue to drop, which farmers said might drop to as low as P16 or P15 when harvest for the wet season crops begins to peak by mid- September. Farmers are also appealing to the President to intervene, so that they would get better rates for their produce and not be at the mercy of prices to be dictated by the traders, agents and millers. It added that farmers lamented that their production had been substantially decimated by the recent prolonged downpour caused by the typhoon and habagat, resulting in many of their standing crops bending to the soil, making them irrecoverable. "But for some who harvested earlier, they were able to benefit from the high prices from their palay and did not suffer losses, unlike the majority who would be harvesting in the coming weeks," the NRP reported. An inspection done by the DA-NRP also showed that heavily affected by the prolonged downpour from habagat and typhoons, were the farms of Licab, Quezon, Zaragoza and other areas. The field survey revealed that most of the Nueva Ecija farmers interviewed said they were saddened by the abrupt decline in palay farmgate prices from about P22 to P24 in late August to just P16 to P17 a kilo now, they said. Aside from the rains, another factor that led to the sudden decline in palay prices was the imposition of price cap on 5 September. “We’re afraid that traders, millers, and other merchants would buy our harvest at a uniform lower price,” they said. Many farms in Nueva Ecija are beginning to harvest their wet season crop, which is expected to peak by mid-September until late October. The National Food Authority does not buy fresh palay, but only those with a moisture content of 14.1 to 30 percent, clean and dry, which costs P19 per kilo. During the field interview, the farmers, a seed grower and members of a farm coop in Aliaga, Quezon and Licab, all in Nueva Ecija, also suggested that if rice vendors of Metro Manila are to be given subsidy for what they claim as “losses” for selling stocks they bought at high prices, but they must sell at P41 for regular milled and P45 for well milled, then they too should be given subsidies for the losses they have suffered from the reduced price ceilings of rice which caused palay prices to slides down. They also appealed to the President to order NFA to buy fresh (wet) palay at the farmgate level, which traders have been leaving them with no choice but to sell wet palay at a loss. With the recent prolonged rains from habagat, farmer Servillano Yabut, also director of the Farmer Business Service Cooperative of Aliaga said he expects to harvest only 60 to 70 percent of their planted palay with an average yield of 130 cavans per hectare and rice recovery of only 65 cavans. Five years ago, Marcelo Tudayan of Aliaga sold his palay at the farm gate price for as high as P22.50 but now he said he would be lucky to sell at P17 a kilo. He explained that back then, the cost of inputs was low which enabled them to still earn, but now that the cost of all inputs—principally fertilizers—has soared, he does not expect to earn any. The cost of petrochemical fertilizers soared with the global price hikes for oil as a result of the 2-year old war in Ukraine and the worldwide disruptions in the supply chain because of the pandemic. During the dry season crop of 2023, the top five production areas of Nueva Ecija: Guimba with 124,943.56 metric tons; San Antonio with 112, 126.97 mt; Munoz with 85,947.21 mt; Talavera with 72,681.60 and Gapan with 67,265.69 mt. But in terms of yield per hectare during the dry season crop, the top five LGUs were: Munoz with 9.5 mt; San Antonio, 9.2 mt; Sto. Domingo, 8.89 mt; Jaen, 8.55 mt and Sta. Rosa, 8.44 mt. These LGUs have yet to start the wet season harvest by mid-September to October, but a few harvests have already been made at Aliaga and parts of Quezon and Licab. The Masagana Rice Industry Development Program aims to raise farmers' income through better-yielding seed varieties (both inbred and hybrid) and increase their savings from production costs through a cocktail of fertilizers (organic, biofertilizer, and chemical nutrients) and linking them with potential buyers and credit facilities. The post Farmers ask for subsidies as farm gate prices decline due to storms, wet season appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl to benefit from world’s transition to clean energy
The Philippines is certain to benefit from efforts of countries wanting to transition into clean energy, given the country’s vast resources of carbon and nickel ores, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual. Participating in the session on Global Supply Chain and Sustainable Investment, organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific or UNESCAP in Jakarta, Indonesia on Saturday, Pascual cited the growing interest in critical minerals due to the global trend to transition to clean energy. Great potential He stressed that this trend offers great potential for the Philippines given the country’s vast mineral resources such as copper and nickel ores. Pascual also emphasized that the Philippines is now going in the direction of manufacturing electric vehicles from downstream processing of nickel ores to finished products. This will also complement the country’s comparative advantage in semiconductor and manpower skills, specifically the abundance of the young, dynamic, and tech-savvy Filipino workforce, he said. Pascual and his fellow panelists also discussed the possible effects of “deglobalization” particularly with regards to its impact on trade and investments as well as the need to diversify production locations and finding alternative materials to ensure supply chain resilience. Cooperation Meanwhile, in his meeting with UNESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana at the sidelines of the ASEAN Investment Forum, Pascual aired his gratitude for the assistance of the UN body in the areas of trade, trade facilitation, micro, small and medium enterprises, as well as in aligning the implementation of AmBisyon Natin 2040 with the country’s achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. The two leaders also indicated that they’re looking forward to furthering cooperation through initiatives in the digital economy and digital infrastructure, including space technology and innovation. The UNESCAP, which was established in 1947 with headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand, aims to promote regional cooperation and integration in the Asia-Pacific region to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. The post Phl to benefit from world’s transition to clean energy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Australia boost partnership, mull more bilateral military exercises
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defense Forces are mulling more bilateral military exercises that will further strengthen and boost both of their military forces. This development came after ADF chief Gen. Angus Campbell paid a courtesy call to AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Brawner and Campbell discussed the existing defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia as well as the joint Exercise ALON. "We want to showcase the close ties that we have among our Armed Forces. We would also like to thank you for the recent exercise,” Brawner said. For his part, Campbell emphasized that the ongoing Philippine-Australia bilateral drills serve an “expression of an important message and a demonstration of cooperation among partner nations.” “We want to make sure that the particular form of the military is evolving in ways that the Armed Forces of the Philippines want and that would see mutual benefit and partnership. I want to make sure that we remain a partner that listens and adapts,” Campbell said. Brawner, meanwhile, thanked the Australian Defense Force Chief for the continuous support that they have given to the country. "All have seen how the relationship between both our Armed Forces has grown, from counterterrorism and now shifting to territorial defense. There is a lot of room for us to work together,” Brawner said. [caption id="attachment_176884" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] AFP Chief General Romeo S Brawner Jr. welcomed Chief of Australian Defense Force General Angus Campbell during arrival honors conducted at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on 29 August 2023. (Photo by AFP PAO)[/caption] From Comprehensive to Strategic Partnership Department of National Defense Undersecretary Ireneo Espino on Tuesday also announced that the Philippines and Australia are now elevating bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership following their biggest bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial exercise. “Indeed, the importance of our two countries' place on security partnership comes at the crucial junction in our regional security landscape with challenges becoming more complex by the day,” Espino said during the closing ceremony of Philippines-Australia Exercise ALON 2023, which was held at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “Our partner can rest assured that DND stands ready to further heighten the Philippines' friendship and cooperation with Australia,” he added. Meanwhile, Bgen, Jimmy Larida, executive director for Exercise ALON-23, described the newly concluded combined amphibious drills between AFP and ADF as a “very resounding success,” noting that the strategic objectives were met throughout the exercises. “We were able to identify what particular procedures where we are already good in dealing with Australia and what particular tactical procedures that we should improve further so we will do everything to improve during the next iteration of this exercise,” Larida said. AFP Public Affairs chief, LtCol. Enrico Gil Ileto, said the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the AFP and ADF included an air assault exercise in Palawan on 21 August and a combined amphibious assault exercise in Zambales on 25 August —which was carried out by launching a combined amphibious landing force from the Navy ships to secure the beach landing sites, followed by parachute insertion to seize the objectives and a simultaneous landing via landing craft and USMC MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The Palawan air assault exercise in Rizal was designed to simulate realistic combat scenarios, enhancing the forces’ preparedness and operational readiness across air, sea and land actions. It featured over 600 soldiers from the AFP, ADF and USMC, and close air support by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightening II and E-7A Wedgetail. Ileto said the assets used in these drills included HMA ships Canberra and Anzac, with the Tarlac-class BRP Davao Del Sur (LD 602), close air support from RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft, Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and two Philippine Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles. To mark the final phase of the exercise, the AFP and ADF will hold a live fire training as the final phase in Capas, Tarlac on 31 August. Exercise ALON was designed to enhance both military forces’ capability in conducting combined operations and improved their tactics, techniques and procedures for amphibious operations. Participants were composed of 1,000 personnel from the AFP and 1,200 from the ADF, with support from 150 US Marine Corps. The post Phl, Australia boost partnership, mull more bilateral military exercises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl, Australia boosts partnership, mulls more bilateral military exercises
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defense Forces are mulling more bilateral military exercises that will further strengthen and boost both of their military forces. This development came after ADF chief Gen. Angus Campbell paid a courtesy call to AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. on Tuesday at the AFP general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. Brawner and Campbell discussed the existing defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia as well as the joint Exercise ALON. "We want to showcase the close ties that we have among our Armed Forces. We would also like to thank you for the recent exercise,” Brawner said. For his part, Campbell emphasized that the ongoing Philippine-Australia bilateral drills serve an “expression of an important message and a demonstration of cooperation among partner nations.” “We want to make sure that the particular form of the military is evolving in ways that the Armed Forces of the Philippines want and that would see mutual benefit and partnership. I want to make sure that we remain a partner that listens and adapts,” Campbell said. Brawner, meanwhile, thanked the Australian Defense Force Chief for the continuous support that they have given to the country. "All have seen how the relationship between both our Armed Forces has grown, from counterterrorism and now shifting to territorial defense. There is a lot of room for us to work together,” Brawner said. [caption id="attachment_176884" align="aligncenter" width="1800"] AFP Chief General Romeo S Brawner Jr. welcomed Chief of Australian Defense Force General Angus Campbell during arrival honors conducted at the general headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on 29 August 2023. (Photo by AFP PAO)[/caption] From Comprehensive to Strategic Partnership Department of National Defense Undersecretary Ireneo Espino on Tuesday also announced that the Philippines and Australia are now elevating bilateral relations from a Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership following their biggest bilateral Cooperative Amphibious Serial exercise. “Indeed, the importance of our two countries' place on security partnership comes at the crucial junction in our regional security landscape with challenges becoming more complex by the day,” Espino said during the closing ceremony of Philippines-Australia Exercise ALON 2023, which was held at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City. “Our partner can rest assured that DND stands ready to further heighten the Philippines' friendship and cooperation with Australia,” he added. Meanwhile, Bgen, Jimmy Larida, executive director for Exercise ALON-23, described the newly concluded combined amphibious drills between AFP and ADF as a “very resounding success,” noting that the strategic objectives were met throughout the exercises. “We were able to identify what particular procedures where we are already good in dealing with Australia and what particular tactical procedures that we should improve further so we will do everything to improve during the next iteration of this exercise,” Larida said. AFP Public Affairs chief, LtCol. Enrico Gil Ileto, said the largest bilateral exercise conducted between the AFP and ADF included an air assault exercise in Palawan on 21 August and a combined amphibious assault exercise in Zambales on 25 August —which was carried out by launching a combined amphibious landing force from the Navy ships to secure the beach landing sites, followed by parachute insertion to seize the objectives and a simultaneous landing via landing craft and USMC MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The Palawan air assault exercise in Rizal was designed to simulate realistic combat scenarios, enhancing the forces’ preparedness and operational readiness across air, sea and land actions. It featured over 600 soldiers from the AFP, ADF and USMC, and close air support by Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightening II and E-7A Wedgetail. Ileto said the assets used in these drills included HMA ships Canberra and Anzac, with the Tarlac-class BRP Davao Del Sur (LD 602), close air support from RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft, Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank and two Philippine Marine Corps Amphibious Assault Vehicles. To mark the final phase of the exercise, the AFP and ADF will hold a live fire training as the final phase in Capas, Tarlac on 31 August. Exercise ALON was designed to enhance both military forces’ capability in conducting combined operations and improved their tactics, techniques and procedures for amphibious operations. Participants were composed of 1,000 personnel from the AFP and 1,200 from the ADF, with support from 150 US Marine Corps. The post Phl, Australia boosts partnership, mulls more bilateral military exercises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Telcos, ISPs asked to fix own mess
The Pasig City Council, led by Vice Mayor Robert “Dodot” Jaworski Jr., has passed an ordinance requiring telecommunication companies and internet service providers to be “responsible” in fixing and removing their cables and wires at the street posts. “That’s why I pushed it to be given attention because I believe when you do a business, especially those that were given a franchise by our government, it has a responsibility that comes with it,” Jaworski said. According to Jaworski, these companies are earning billions of pesos and it is their responsibility to keep it in order and make sure that the cables do not pose a threat to the safety of the people. “Telcos make money from our citizens. It is their responsibility to clean up the trash they leave behind,” he said. Jaworski also reminded the whole city council not to be afraid of the lawyers of these companies and just do their jobs for the benefit of the Pasigueños. “We are begging them to do their job well. We will also do our job well. Let them provide telecommunication services, but not at the expense of the public,” the vice mayor added. The post Telcos, ISPs asked to fix own mess appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
NFA rice negotiation ‘obviously ultra vires’ — PRISM
The Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement over the weekend said that it has reached to their attention that officials of the National Food Authority were in India to negotiate, on behalf of the government, rice importation. "If this is true, we would like to ask for a clarification regarding this matter, which we believe runs counter to the provisions of the Rice Tariffication law which authorizes only the President to negotiate upon the recommendation of National Economic Development Authority and the Department of Agriculture," the PRISM said in a statement sent to Daily Tribune. "Any discussion about importation initiated by the NFA is obviously ultra vires," they added. PRISM said a closer look at the international rice market situation would reveal "problems beyond the control of our local businesses and the government." Filipino private importers who have booked supplies from Vietnam, as early as the first quarter, are now faced with the dilemma of Vietnamese importers canceling their contracts in favor of other countries affected by India’s rice export ban. Its response to current rice issues is to "reiterate our commitment to the President to ensure the availability of affordable rice. Second is to address the issues and concerns about the rice supply." PRISM boasted that on 7 July 2023, and last Saturday, along Tomas Morato near Scout Borromeo Streets, "we have successfully launched the P38 per kilo Tulong sa Bayan Bigas para sa Mamayan." It added that they have done the same in various areas in NCR, Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao "through our Rice Retail networks, Barangay and LGU Caravans, and Kadiwa outlets. Since then until this time, we still continue selling the P38 per kilo rice in the respective channels chosen by our stakeholders." Despite different challenges and turn of events due to typhoons "Egay" and "Falcon" and the unexpected declaration of India’s export ban, PRISM reiterated their commitment to ensuring the availability of the P38 rice per kilo, "to continue our commitment to this advocacy." "Today, we are strengthening our advocacy, we encourage more rice traders to join in this effort to help more of our Kababayan," the movement said. According to PRISM, recent concerns have surfaced regarding the high price and availability of rice, leading to speculations that intend to disturb the confidence of the public and the normal course of the local market. "We acknowledge and stand by the President's assurance of sufficient rice supply and recognize the importance of addressing the affordability of rice amidst the current inflationary pressures," it said. "It is of utmost importance that PRISM stands together with our efforts aligned with the President's vision for prioritizing local rice production and stabilizing the local market supply without having to resort to revenue-draining government-led importation," it added. "We, therefore, urge the National Food Authority (NFA) to rally behind this directive and channel its energy into supporting methods that increase domestic production, as specified by the President," PRISM said. "We acknowledge the problem besetting the local rice industry, but certainly it is not the availability of rice, but its affordability primarily due to inflation." "As farm gate costs (currently at P21 to 25 per kilo of palay-fresh palay) are affected by price fluctuations in the market, we urge the NFA, whose current support price of P19 per kilo (clean and dry) is far below the current farm gate price, to seize the ongoing budget season and approach the Congress for higher budget allocation that will benefit local farmers and strengthen the local industry instead of pushing for importation that will drain government funds in favor of foreign suppliers," they explained. "The NFA should focus on its role as mandated by the Rice Tarrification Law / RA 11203 to build its buffer stock exclusively from local farmers and rice millers instead of imported sources. This move is also more consistent with the President’s objective to support local farmers and strengthen OUR rice industry," it further explained. "We are thus urging that relevant authorities engage in diplomatic discussions with Vietnamese counterparts to find a mutually beneficial resolution and honor the contracts of our importers," PRISM urged. "Complicating our rice situation, careless statement of a certain DA official has maliciously criticized our members’ effort to subsidize a limited supply of P38.00 per kilo rice during lean months that was intended for our indigent kababayan. In one interview this official insinuated that this effort, which was motivated by the President’s directive to provide affordable rice, was meant to be “playing” with the market prices even if it's only offered to the poorest of the poor with a maximum purchase of 5 kilos a day," the group said, preferring not to name the DA official. Prior to the roll-out of this initiative, they added, "our organization sought clearance from the President during several meetings in Malacanang and from the DA’s Undersecretary in charge of the National Rice Program," they said. There were also pronouncements that the DA inspectorate, together with the NBI, intends to inspect warehouses to prevent traders from hoarding. "While we understand and appreciate this initiative, we urge the government to exercise caution due to the ambiguous legal definition of hoarding. Even if the intention is sound, in this current situation, warehouses with limited stocks might come out as a reflection of our dwindling rice supply and be used by those pushing for government importation," PRISM explained further. However, for warehouses that hold stocks as commercial buffers for their regular customers, such may be misinterpreted by the media as hoarding, even without going through the legal process. This can negatively impact the reputation of legitimate traders. "Careless exercise of lawful inspections will only worsen the situation and create a chilling effect that can disturb the normal course of the market," the group said. The group is requesting that the President, who also holds the position of DA secretary, devise a better strategy for communicating the government's "rice policy framework and situational response." This should be done in a way that ensures accountability and prevents any confusion or negative public and industry feedback "We strongly encourage the President to assign just one Usec for all agencies involved in the rice program (NIA, NRP, and NFA)," PRISM said. "Furthermore, we strongly encourage the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) to release pertinent data and statistics on rice production and stocking in an up-to-date manner instead of a 3-month delay, to properly guide private and government stakeholders in timely decision making," the group suggested. The post NFA rice negotiation ‘obviously ultra vires’ — PRISM appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US-ASEAN Business Council: US companies eager to foster Phl business connections
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday acknowledged the US-ASEAN council's crucial role in the Philippine development. During the courtesy call of the American business leaders at the Malacañang Palace, Marcos hoped that alliances, partnerships, and arrangements with its members would be sustained. "I recognize the critical role that the United States and American businesses have played in advancing a robust and inclusive economic growth in the Philippines, not only in this period but for a very long time now," Marcos said. Marcos also acknowledged that the US-ASEAN Business Council is significant in discussing concrete steps in upholding socioeconomic cooperation. These steps include agriculture, clean energy, infrastructure, climate change, digital connectivity, and post-pandemic recovery. Marcos also assured the Council of concrete steps that he and US President Joe Biden have identified to make the two countries' alliance and partnership "relevant and responsive to the current emerging challenges in the defense, security, and economic spheres." "I invite the members of the esteemed Council to continue being valuable partners of the Philippines. Let us push for greater economic engagement between our two countries for our mutual benefit and the prosperity of the region," he added. Ted Osius, a former US ambassador and current President of the Council, mentioned that US companies are eager to strengthen their collaborations with the Philippine government and foster additional connections with businesses in the nation. Osius also stressed the importance of the country's participation in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). "We're very much focused, and you highlight these themes on sustainable development, transformative digitalization, innovative healthcare solutions, supply chain resilience, and ease of doing business," Osius said. "We are determined that we come here not just to talk but also bring a lot of action to create real partnerships and to show our commitment in the form of investments," he added. Established in 1984, the US-ASEAN Business Council is a nonprofit entity dedicated to researching and analyzing economic, financial, political, social, and environmental conditions within the ASEAN member states. Globally, the Council's membership exceeds 175 companies, collectively generating nearly USD 7 trillion in revenue and providing employment for over 14.5 million individuals. This Council holds the unique distinction of being the sole American organization formally acknowledged within the ASEAN Charter. Annually, it engages with the Finance, Trade, and Energy Ministers during their respective meetings. The organization's roster comprises the largest American corporations conducting operations within ASEAN. These companies range from newcomers in the region to those with a century-long history of business in Southeast Asia. The post US-ASEAN Business Council: US companies eager to foster Phl business connections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
50 Negros Occidental household farms to get potable water supply
The Department of Agrarian Reform on Tuesday said about 50 farming households of Barangay San Pablo in Manapla, Negros Occidental would benefit from the Community-managed Potable Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (CPWASH) project of the agency. This was after the officials and representatives from the DAR-Negros Occidental, the local government of Manapla, and the Hacienda Rita Balud Farmers Association (HABARFA), signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) where the DAR will allocate P110,000 for the construction of the water facilities. Atty. Edwin N. Mendame Jr., DAR-Negros Occidental provincial agrarian reform program officer, said the CP-WASH filters bacteria, dirt, and other water-borne diseases making it safe for consumption by the residents and farmers in the community. “The DAR is not just concerned with distributing lands to help farmers improve their economic conditions. The DAR also looks after the well-being, safety, and living condition of the people in agrarian reform communities,” Mendame said. Mendame said the project aims to provide the agrarian reform beneficiary households and the residents to clean water using a technology that is very affordable, easy to maintain, and taken care of by the community. The CPWASH will benefit community residents in Barangay San Pablo, where the majority of its farmer residents are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs). The project includes the installation of a rainwater collector, an iron removal filter, a bio-sand filter, and a biogas digester. Hadje C. Padronia, President of HABARFA, thanked the DAR for bringing the CPWASH project to their barangay as they used to rely mainly on deep wells, hand pumps, and rainwater. These are not safe as drinking water, causing incidences of amoebiasis, typhoid fever, and other water-related illnesses but the community didn't have a choice, and still used them for daily activities. The construction of the project is expected to be completed and functional within the month of August. The post 50 Negros Occidental household farms to get potable water supply appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Render unto Ceasar
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ plenary assembly in 2022 said the Roman Catholic Church will divest from banks and projects that are involved in fossil fuels as part of its contribution to the movement for clean energy. The warning showed the financial muscle through its corporate shares that the bishops can muster to influence the realm of business. In a pastoral letter, the CBCP said it will use its shareholdings in domestic banks to demand policies and plans to “phase out their exposure to coal, fossil gas, and destructive energy in line with the 1.5°C ambition.” “Without clear commitments and policies from these banks to divest from fossil fuels, we commit to withdraw all our resources that are with them not later than 2025, and hold them accountable to their fiduciary duties and moral obligations as climate actors,” read the pastoral letter. In its latest pastoral letter about the “climate emergency” last March, however, the Church bravado has dissipated and instead has been replaced by a warning that it will enforce the “CBCP-initiated non-acceptance policy of donations of whatever kind, from owners or operators and any representative of extractive companies regardless of the scale of operation.” The new position is oceans apart from the earlier encompassing threat to divest from all dirty energy projects and their financiers. Such flip-flops have been the impediment of the Church in exerting its supposed moral guidance in what the Bible says is Caesar’s domain. The Catholic Church is heavily invested in the biggest corporations in the country. In San Miguel Corporation, for instance, the list of its top 100 shareholders shows more than P600 million in investments from Church-affiliated entities. The Archbishop of Manila is currently listed as the fifth largest shareholder in one of the biggest lenders in the country, which is a huge provider of loans to energy projects, with 62 percent of its energy portfolio comprising coal. The bank’s exposure to coal projects is estimated at $444.82 million. The archbishops of archdioceses in Jaro, Iloilo, and Zamboanga are also major stockholders of the bank. The Manila archdiocese is also among the top shareholders in a giant mining firm through shares worth more than P66 million. It also has huge capital as a supplier of construction materials. When the Catholic Church appealed for donations for the renovation of the Manila Cathedral in 2013, top corporation SMC came to its aid with P50 million while Metrobank donated P20 million. In no time at all, the P136-million project was funded. Regarding donations, in 2011, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office named a priest and several Catholic bishops who received sports utility vehicles funded through the agency’s charity fund. The PCSO revelation sparked a Senate investigation and the bishops agreed to surrender the vehicles. A Commission on Audit report said the grant of the five vehicles amounting to P7 million violated the constitutional provision that “no public money or property shall be appropriated, applied or employed directly or indirectly, for the use of, benefit or support to any sect, church, denomination… except when such priest, preacher or dignitary is assigned to the Armed Forces or any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.” During a Senate investigation on the controversy, PCSO director Aleta Tolentino revealed that a bishop asked for a car as a birthday gift but used the welfare of the poor as an excuse. During the inquiry, Tolentino said, “We are not against the Church. We are just denouncing what happened in the past — corruption of government funds, which is prohibited by the Constitution itself.” “Would the bishops rather that we keep mum or lie about it? Would they want us to just keep quiet about this?” she added. With its heavily compromised state as a result of its financial involvement, the Church has abandoned its role as a conscience of society in the pursuit of uplifting the lives of Filipinos. The post Render unto Ceasar appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Funny old world: The week’s offbeat news
From a lion on the loose around Berlin to Indonesia's most controversial newlyweds... Your weekly roundup of offbeat stories from around the world. Bye, bye Bella It has been a dog of a week for man's best friend. Take Bella, the Mexican mongrel who survived two months adrift in the Pacific with her owner Australian sailor Timothy Shaddock. He said the pair survived "many, many, many bad days" on their storm-struck boat with only rainwater to drink and raw fish he caught to eat. But Bella, who shared his unrelenting sushi diet, kept his spirits up. "That dog is something else," he told reporters. "She is a lot braver than I am. She's amazing." So amazing in fact that Shaddock left the stray behind to return to Oz. Cue a growling kennel of consternation at the captain "abandoning" his shipmate. Walkies will never be the same The days of carefree pooping on the pavement could be over for French poodles after a hardline mayor introduced mandatory DNA testing to track dirty dogs. Robert Menard said he was forced to act after street cleaners counted 1,000 turds in the center of the southern town of Beziers. Police can now analyze doggy dejections to tail owners who fail to pick up after their pets. They will be made to pay 120 euros ($135) to clean up the mess. Just barking Two Indonesian dog owners who married their mutts in a lavish "wedding" in a Jakarta mall faced howls of disapproval. The pair shelled out 200 million rupiah ($13,350) -- more than 40 times the minimum monthly wage -- on the bash, in which they dressed their Alaskan Malamutes in traditional Javanese costumes. It didn't help that one of the women worked for President Joko Widodo, who has been lecturing the rich about not flaunting their cash as the country's wealth gap widens. "It's wasting money and defying God," one angry Twitter user wrote as the backlash grew. "Common sense has gone, trampled by the desire to show off." Bedroom Olympics With Paris being the "City of Love", you can see why some might worry how the cardboard beds the athletes will sleep on at next year's Olympics will stand up to the rigors of the planet's most high-performance physiques. But the beds' Japanese maker Motokuni Takaoka tried to prove that they can take "several people" at the same time by jumping up and down on one to calm claims that the singles were "anti-sex". "They can support several people on top", which is what can happen "when someone wins a medal", Airweave founder Takaoka said. Motivation Kyrgyz style It's summer holiday time in Kyrgyzstan, but heaven help any government minister who tries to kick back. "There shouldn't be a single minister lying on the beach in shorts and sunbathing. Don't let me see this," warned Kamchybek Tashiyev, the head of the Central Asian nation's feared GKNB security service. The spymaster, the iron fist of President Sadyr Japarov, has also outlawed lie-ins. He said he wanted to see ministers at their desks by 6:00 am. "We must work hard. We must not rest... If you become ministers, then work," he growled. How this has gone down around the cabinet table is not known. But the former Soviet republic has seen three revolutions and numerous political crises in less than two decades. Ich bin Lion Berliner To Berlin, where police feared a lioness was on the loose after a man filmed what appeared to be a big cat chasing a wild boar down a suburban street. Worried locals were urged to stay indoors, with one dog owner telling German media: "I have two little dachshunds. They are probably ideal lion food." Wild pigs are a menace around the German capital, with one famously filmed stealing a computer from a man sitting in a city park, with the chase going viral. Wags inevitably wondered if the boar had taken the lion's laptop. But police called off the hunt for the lion after 24 hours, saying the mystery beast was probably a boar. Berlin's dachshunds can finally breathe easy. The post Funny old world: The week’s offbeat news appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lacuna urges environment unity
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna appealed to residents, city officials and employees to live up to the recognition given by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources - Environmental Management Bureau as the city with best practices on Ecological Solid Waste Management. The recognition given by the DENR was immediately followed by the opening of the Materials Recovery Facility at the Manila Zoo. The MRF aims to strengthen the city’s overall waste management by processing recyclable and biodegradable waste. Despite the numerous challenges being faced by the city in its cleanup efforts, Lacuna said that the city of Manila succeeded in clinching the recognition as being highly-compliant when it comes to the “Manila Bay Clean-up, Rehabilitation and Preservation.” This, she said, is a direct result of the daily cleanup efforts being carried out by the BASECO Beach Warriors, Estero Rangers and Team Mandaragat of the city government. Lacuna went on to say that the local government’s focus is not only on keeping the entire city of Manila clean, but also ridding it of bad elements, especially those who are involved in illegal drugs. The effort, she said, is done through enhanced police visibility in all strategic locations within the city. The post Lacuna urges environment unity appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»