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MMDA allows road works during Holy Week
Road diggings will take place along major thoroughfares in Metro Manila this Holy Week when most motorists are vacationing in the provinces, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority announced yesterday......»»
Bill seeks review of rules on reckless imprudence
The country’s road safety laws must be reviewed to address the liability of drivers in cases of traffic violations and accidents, a lawmaker from Bukidnon said yesterday, citing the high number of vehicular crashes in Metro Manila......»»
LTFRB issues over 1,000 special permits to PUVs ahead of Holy Week
To ensure the smooth travel of Filipinos during Lenten season, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced the approval of special permits to 1,021 public utility vehicles (PUVs)......»»
Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility
There is something quite riveting about Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar. Her gaze direct, her rhetoric fluid, she shares stories of immersing in conflict areas, of being in Leyte post-“Yolanda” and in Marawi post-violence, and within the same conversation, of her corporate hat within the “power, banking, food, land and infrastructure sectors.” Not so much as a vein mars her refined features. If not for those eyes, which reveal a depth of thought and feeling, hers would likely be a face some might take as just another classic beauty. Then again, her relationship with similarly strong-minded women cannot be discounted. She says, from the get-go, that she would rather not talk about herself or her sisters (Risa, the senator, and Pia, the broadcast news personality). Unlike them, she took the private route, but now unwittingly finds herself in the limelight. The Aboitiz Group, for which she handles a vital role, has many exciting things to share, Ginggay says. Smiling, she proceeds to rattle off some of these pillars — in education (“to create future leaders” who are solutions-oriented), in climate action and in enterprise and jobs. “For over 35 years, we’ve delivered probably over 5,000 CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects, spread over all the business units all over the Philippines. We’ve partnered with something like 600,000 individuals and organizations and we’ve invested the amount of P5.1 billion in all these different programs. We’re trying now to reevaluate what it is that’s next for Aboitiz Foundation, and then how we can serve our stakeholders better, and what are some of the things that we want to scale. Maybe to create a bigger impact in the country, help the country more, I think is what we want to do.” In the pipeline toward this goal of creating a bigger impact on development, Aboitiz Foundation is seeking more collaboration — “more conversations between organizations that are doing a lot of work already here in the country, and probably having a stronger voice and then putting that voice out there,” she enthuses. Clearly, Ginggay is in her element in the world she inhabits — at the heart of an “old legacy conglomerate,” her words, that now sees the need to transform along with the climactic times. “I lead a department called Reputation Management. We cover brands, media, corporate communications, sustainability — the ESG (environmental, social and governance) journey for the Aboitiz Group. We provide strategy, direction, governance and then very recently, just this year, we have our CSR arm which is called Aboitiz Foundation. It was recently also placed under us. Because at the end of the day, Aboitiz Foundation is like the big ‘S’ in our ESG — it’s really all about the social impact, the social good that we want to continue,” Ginggay tells the DAILY TRIBUNE in an interview on Pairfect. Ginggay is currently vice president for Reputation Management and Sustainability at Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., a holding company of the Aboitiz Group. For the Aboitiz Foundation, meanwhile, she works to help “scale its impactful programs for systemic change.” The mother of two is also communications lead for the Philippines’ Private Sector Advisory Council and team leader for APEC Business Advisory Council, which are areas where the visionary leader, Aboitiz Group chief executive officer Sabin Aboitiz, holds key roles. Grateful her children are adults now, Ginggay keeps her nurturing side on overdrive with her current responsibilities. “Aboitiz is a group,” she emphasizes. “And as a family of organizations, our priority has always been about people. That’s always been our passion, whether it’s the well-being of our own employees or the well-being of communities where we have our businesses. It’s really always been about people. “We don’t feel it’s right that a business does well and then the community that it’s in doesn’t. It cannot be like that — it has to go hand in hand. So, we’ve always been like that. Very people-centric. I think what we’re trying to change now in our transformation or evolution is to see how can we use more of technology and innovation and balance it with our people-centric approach. So maybe we can be a little bit faster, be better, be more data-driven in the kinds of things that we’re doing,” she says. And has her heart always been in this kind of work — one she freely admits is demanding and sometimes even emotion-driven? “My dad was pretty laidback. And he usually let us do what we want to do as long as you know, like, please do well in school, and things like that,” Ginggay recalls. “My mom was very attentive to us and she just wanted to make sure that aside from doing well in studies, you also had to do well in something else. And then, very ingrained, I think, in our DNA, I think as a family also, is that aspect of service, whether it’s public service, or you know, just service in general — whether it’s to your community or to your family, or your immediate set of, I suppose, stakeholders. So, it’s almost been like part of my DNA or something like that, or probably my character as well.” With so much on her plate, and a daily grind that consists of steering various teams to ensure the conglomerate is moving toward its goals smoothly, Ginggay makes sure she takes time — even just 30 minutes a day, she says — disconnecting from it all and connecting with herself. “Our days are very fast — they are jam-packed with schedules, meetings, a lot of stakeholder engagement activities,” she says. “There’s a lot of collaboration also that goes on between our team and the rest of the business units in the Aboitiz Group, and then a lot of meetings as well with the board just to check in on directions and things like that. It’s very fast-paced. It’s very demanding. It takes a lot of time and I think a lot of commitment… and this is what I see from all our team leaders and team members — people are really passionate about what they do. I think that’s important.” For Ginggay, certainly, such passion is necessary to lead the company toward its goals including “delivering on communications and brand that are integral to the transformation of the group into the Philippines’ first techglomerate.” Techglomerate, she explains, “is a dream in Aboitiz Group, something that we have really been working hard on for the past few years. We kind of coined the term from ‘technology’ and ‘conglomerate,’ putting it together — and it is really about trying to be more technologically advanced but we also want to incubate exciting businesses which are more in the techspace or, say, data science. To incubate all these new companies and hopefully lead in certain industries… and I think at the end of the day we realized we have a much greater responsibility to the country.” And what’s next? “We realized that to stay ahead, we also need to transform… and I suppose that transformation should happen first and foremost at the level of the person. We’re also really focused on building a new kind of culture for the Aboitiz Group, still very much rooted in our core values of responsibility, innovation, teamwork, integrity. But now, probably trying to imbibe more of the behaviors like being more entrepreneurial, trying to be more articulate, being better storytellers, being more open to new things, being more data-driven in our decisions, you know, and a lot of other things that we’re trying to do in terms of helping to develop this new culture.” In her capacity as first vice president at Aboitiz, as well as in her other roles — senior adviser for Agripreneurship at Go Negosyo, for example — Ginggay keeps her “eye on the prize” no matter what challenges come along. This “multi-disciplined, results-oriented and multi-awarded leader,” as she is described in the Women of the Future, may prefer to keep herself below the radar, but Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar will certainly not stay unnoticed. The post Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar: Scaling the realms of social responsibility appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Shun mass protests in Egypt
Filipinos in Egypt have been advised to avoid joining any protests following the mass demonstrations, denouncing the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip that reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. In an advisory, the Philippine Embassy in Egypt cautioned Filipinos against joining the random demonstrations and planned mass actions. “The Philippine Embassy in Cairo advises everyone to exercise caution, keep away from mass congregations, and stay home unless necessary,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 1,990 Filipinos in Egypt. Egyptians took to the streets to express their anger over the bombing of the Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, which left hundreds of Palestinians dead. In one of the demonstrations, a Palestinian flag was raised while an Israeli flag was burned. The demonstrations came after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on Egyptians to express solidarity with the Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas war. This developed as top diplomats of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday denounced the ongoing war in the Middle East. End bloodshed In a statement, the foreign ministers of the 10-member regional bloc called for an immediate end to the bloodshed. “We strongly condemn the acts of violence which have led to the deaths and injuries of civilians, including ASEAN nationals,” the foreign ministers said. “We urge the immediate end of violence to avoid further human casualties and call for the full respect of international humanitarian law,” it added. Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are engaged in armed conflict following the surprise attack launched by the terror group on Israel last 7 October. The attack by Hamas has left more than 1,400 dead, most of them massacred on the first day of the assault. Meanwhile, the widespread airstrikes on the Gaza Strip have reportedly left at least 3,478 dead. ASEAN also called on “all parties to create safe, rapid and unimpeded passages of human corridors.” Last week, Israel imposed a 24-hour deadline for 1.1 million civilians to evacuate northern Gaza ahead of its ground offensive in the Palestinian territory. Since then, millions of civilians, including foreign nationals, have scrambled to move from northern Gaza to southern Gaza in hopes of exiting the war-torn territory. The bulk of civilians are swarming to the Rafah border in an attempt to enter Egypt despite the border remaining closed and the restricted availability of food, water and electricity. Two-state solution Meanwhile, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a “negotiated two-state solution that allows Israelis and Palestinians to live side-by-side in peace and security consistent with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.” “This will be the only viable path to resolving the root cause of the conflict,” it said. The regional bloc also called on the “international community to support the peace process in order to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.” “We have issued our respective national statements on the escalation of armed conflicts in the Middle East,” it said. On Wednesday, the Philippines, one of the founding members of ASEAN, expressed its “profound sadness” over the bombing of a hospital in the Gaza Strip, which reportedly killed at least 500 civilians. Israel and Hamas denied being behind the attack and blamed each other for the bombing. The Philippines said all parties should “do their utmost to protect civilians in times of war and armed conflict.” “We support efforts of the United Nations to provide humanitarian relief in the conflict areas,” it said. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are 135 Filipinos in the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Deep concern In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is attending the ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit, the Chief Executive expressed deep concern over the rising number of victims and the safety of those affected by the conflict. In his intervention during the 1st ASEAN-GCC Summit here on Friday, Marcos said, “All parties (should) exert their utmost efforts to de-escalate the situation, stop all violence, and engage in dialogue and diplomacy.” He called on the members of the GCC and ASEAN to work together to promote peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea. Marcos also underscored the importance of cooperation between member countries of the two regional groups to ensure their continued prosperity. “As the two regional organizations located astride the major sea gates and vital corridors of the world’s commerce and communications, it is imperative that we work together to promote peace, security, and stability in both our regions, the South China Sea and the Arabian Sea, grounded on the rules-based international order to ensure the stability and prosperity of our countries and the rest of the world,” Marcos said. “Peace and stability are indispensable to ensuring continued prosperity in our respective regions and the world,” he added. The six GCC member countries are Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, while the 10 ASEAN member countries are Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. President Marcos attended the ASEAN-GCC Summit, where he discussed business opportunities in the Philippines and urged investors to invest in the Maharlika Investment Fund, among other significant opportunities in the Philippines. The post Shun mass protests in Egypt appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PAGASA: Expect cooler months ahead as Amihan season begins
The start of the ‘Amihan’ season on Friday marks the beginning of the country’s cooler weather in the coming months. In an advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said it has observed the beginning of northeast monsoon season, commonly known as ‘Amihan’—based on the of strong to gale-force northeasterly winds prevailing over Northern Luzon and increasing mean sea level pressure in recent days. “These meteorological conditions indicate the onset of Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) season in the country,” it stated. PAGASA said a gradual cooling of the surface air temperature over the northeastern part of Luzon was also observed. It added that the northeast wind flow is expected to gradually become more dominant over Northern Luzon, bringing cold and dry air. “Surges of cold temperatures may also be expected in the coming month,” it further stated. The weather bureau said Amihan may be enhanced by ongoing La Niña which may trigger floods, flash floods, and rain-induced landslides over susceptible areas. While dry spells may still be experienced in areas where there is an increased likelihood of below-normal rainfall or drier-than-usual conditions due to El Niño. PAGASA noted that this may adversely affect the different climate-sensitive sectors such as water resources, agriculture, energy, health, public safety, and other key sectors in the country. The post PAGASA: Expect cooler months ahead as Amihan season begins appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Think tank: SMGPH faces liquidity crunch
The declining profitability of San Miguel Corporation’s energy unit San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp. has affected the capability of the company to meet near-term financial obligations, according to a report of the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA. Local groups held a forum on Wednesday ahead of the 133rd anniversary of the Adian conglomerate that focused on the “losing strategy” of maintaining its dependence imported fossil fuel with its planned shift from traditional coal to liquefied natural gas, or LNG. Think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development indicated during the event that SMGPH is implementing “a losing strategy that is having devastating consequences on shareholders and investors, energy consumers, and the environment.” “While SMC is pursuing the country’s further dependence on fossil fuel, it is also losing on the actual energy transition development. SMC had lost in the race to secure new permits for renewable energy capacity, which will be built in the next two to three years,” Gerry Arances, CEED executive director, said. Sam Reynolds, author of an Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, or IEEFA, report titled San Miguel Global Power: Fossil fuel-oriented growth strategy raises financial red flags, said the article detailed the financial issues SMC faces because of its reliance on coal and gas. IEEFA is a Detroit-based advisory group for energy industry strategies. He warned the company’s overexposure to volatile fossil fuel prices could sink its financial health and that “SMGPH’s overreliance on fossil fuels has weakened its financial health — moving from coal to LNG is not going to solve the fundamental problem of overexposure to fossil fuel prices.” SMGPH debts are falling due between 2024 and 2026, according to the study. The company’s financial position would likely remain inadequate to address the callable perpetual securities, amounting to $3.4 billion (P193 billion). “SMGPH could face a double-edged sword. On one hand, the need to redeem perpetual securities demands additional capital or funding. On the other, opting not to exercise the call option subjects the company to additional financial costs, further straining its financial position,” according to IEEFA. No contract to back up projects “This is especially true when you consider the company’s lack of contracts for its existing and proposed LNG facilities,” he added. SMC’s status as one of the country’s biggest conglomerates entails that the company should be among those leading the transition away from fossil fuels, Reynolds added. Reynolds also doubts the company will be able to fulfill the 2050 net zero commitment it unveiled earlier this year. “Unless there is a major, material pivot within the company to transition to renewables and phase out its fossil fuel expansion plans, the company is going to have very little chance of achieving its 2050 net zero target. Without a strategic, material, immediate pivot, that goal is simply unrealistic,” he said. Liquidity crunch possible As a result of SMGPH’s declining profitability, IEEFA’s analysis indicated that its ability to cover near-term financial commitments in the form of debt, interest and capital distribution for perpetual securities may have worsened considerably. This points to an overall liquidity crunch, which could translate to a longer-term funding shortfall if not carefully managed. IEEFA indicated that its view “aligns with conclusions from Bloomberg Intelligence, which stated that the company may need $900 million (P51 billion) by the end of this year to meet its financial commitments. “SMGPH’s funding constraints also depend on its ability to extend P21 billion worth of short-term loans. There is also a possibility of obtaining local funding due to its connection to parent company SMC,” IEEFA indicated. Its financial SMGPH’s perpetual securities come with a notable feature: a step-up interest mechanism. If the call option on the security is not exercised, the interest rate increases by a certain percentage each year. SMGPH has strategically tapped into the issuance of bonds and loans to fund its expansion plans, increasing its total debt. Total equity has also grown, driven largely by the company’s issuance of perpetual securities. The paper added that a broader assessment, beyond operating cash flows, reveals a rising liquidity risk for SMGPH. It measured the SMGPH’s cash flow from operations (CFO)-to-current liabilities ratio, the results of which pointed a “concerning trend.” The ratio has been on a downward trajectory since 2019. In 2022, the CFO-to-current liabilities ratio plummeted to an all-time low of -0.12, indicating insufficient cash flow to cover short-term liabilities. The same ratio remained weak in the first half. Its ratio in 2022 was 1.00, down from 1.43 in 2021, meaning the company has exactly one dollar of current assets for every dollar of current liabilities. “In essence, the company holds a relatively tight margin of assets available to cover its immediate financial obligations. Meanwhile, the accounts receivable turnover ratio stood at 3.15, marking its lowest value since 2016.” The post Think tank: SMGPH faces liquidity crunch appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
dalia intensifies, floods Florida coast areas
Hurricane Idalia intensified into a Category 3 storm overnight and caused flooding in some beaches of Florida state’s west coast early Wednesday. Idalia is forecast to become a category 4 hurricane before it reaches the Big Bend coast of Florida Wednesday morning, the United States National Hurricane Center said in an advisory issued at 2 a.m. Eastern time, according to Agence France-Presse. NHC said Idalia’s maximum sustained winds have increased to near 195 kilometers per hour with higher gusts. Videos from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office posted online show flooded streets of the coastal Florida resort cities of Madeira Beach and St. Pete Beach early Wednesday, CNN reported. Three to four feet of water forced the closure of roads along Madeira Beach’s main artery, Gulf Boulevard, the PCSO said. Authorities in Florida had earlier described Idalia and its potentially deadly storm surge as a once-in-a-lifetime event for the state’s northwest coast, ordering mass evacuations and issuing flood alerts ahead of its projected landfall. The NHC warned of potentially disastrous storm surge inundation of 3 to 5 meters in some coastal areas. The NHC said Idalia is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and possibly when it reaches the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina late Wednesday. WITH AFP The post dalia intensifies, floods Florida coast areas appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco Advisory: Powering a decade of transparency and consumer education
by Joe R. Zaldarriaga It fills me with great excitement and pride to announce the coming 10th-year anniversary of the Meralco Advisory in June. Over the past decade, the Meralco Advisory has been at the forefront of driving transparency and education in the Philippine energy space. In our desire to be further transparent in explaining the monthly changes in electric bills, we launched the Meralco Advisory in 2013 to take an active role in shaping the narrative around electricity rates. This groundbreaking program revolutionized the way how we communicate with our customers; effectively countering misinformation and ensuring our customers have access to accurate information. Since then, the Meralco Advisory has been instrumental in providing truth and transparency when it comes to power costs. Through a monthly 60-second TV and radio infomercial, we have been able to deliver crucial updates on electricity rate movements, and explain the underlying causes behind these fluctuations – whether they be increases or decreases – empowering our customers to make informed decisions regarding their energy consumption. But the Meralco Advisory is more than just an information source. It has become a trusted companion to our customers, offering valuable energy-saving tips, and electrical safety guidelines, and sharing inspiring stories of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and innovative breakthroughs. Meralco holds a prominent position in the Philippine energy sector. As the largest electricity distribution company, it serves a vast franchise area covering 38 cities and 73 municipalities. This extensive coverage spans the core industrial, commercial, and population centers of the country, including Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, and parts of Pampanga, Batangas, Laguna, and Quezon. With a commitment to service excellence, Meralco diligently serves approximately 7.7 million customers within its franchise area, meeting their diverse energy needs and ensuring a reliable power supply. The Meralco Advisory is an extension of this service excellence. We believe in the power of knowledge and its ability to transform lives. By providing comprehensive information, we have enabled millions of Filipino families to manage their power consumption effectively. I am proud of the positive impact the Meralco Advisory has made over the years. It has become the go-to source for electricity news and information, not only for our customers but also for the media. We have strived to be the most credible and reliable source, and our efforts have been recognized through numerous international, regional, and local communication awards. These accolades only serve to validate our commitment to excellence and our dedication to effectively communicating the complexities of managing power consumption in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. As we celebrate the 10th year anniversary of the Meralco Advisory, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to our customers, the media, and all stakeholders who have supported us throughout this incredible journey. Your trust and engagement have been invaluable, and it is because of your support that the Meralco Advisory has thrived and made a difference in the lives of so many. Looking ahead, we remain committed to our mission of transparency, education, and empowering our customers. We will continue to evolve and adapt to meet their changing needs, leveraging the latest technologies and innovations to provide the most relevant and reliable information. (The author is an award-winning communications executive immersed within and beyond the energy sector. He was awarded by the University of Manila in 2019 and given a scroll of commendation for his many years in public service. He is one of the premiere business columnists of this paper). END The post Meralco Advisory: Powering a decade of transparency and consumer education appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
World warming at record 0.2C per decade, scientists warn
Record-high greenhouse gas emissions and diminishing air pollution have caused an unparalleled acceleration in global warming, 50 top scientists warned Thursday in a sweeping climate science update. From 2013 to 2022, "human-induced warming has been increasing at an unprecedented rate of over 0.2 degrees Celsius per decade," they reported in a peer-reviewed study aimed at policymakers. Average annual emissions over the same period hit an all-time high of 54 billion tons of CO2 or its equivalent in other gases -- about 1,700 tons every second. World leaders will be confronted with the new data at the critical COP28 climate summit later this year in Dubai, where a "Global Stocktake" at the UN talks will assess progress toward the 2015 Paris Agreement's temperature goals. The findings would appear to close the door on capping global warming under the Paris treaty's more ambitious 1.5C target, long identified as a guard rail for a relatively climate-safe world, albeit one still roiled by severe impacts. "Even though we are not yet at 1.5C warming, the carbon budget" -- the amount of greenhouse gases humanity can emit without exceeding that limit -- "will likely be exhausted in only a few years," said lead author Piers Forster, a physics professor at the University of Leeds. That budget has shrunk by half since the UN's climate science advisory body, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), gathered data for its most recent benchmark report in 2021, according to the Forster and colleagues, many of whom were core IPCC contributors. Unintended consequences To have even a coin-toss chance of staying under the 1.5C threshold, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other drivers of warming generated mostly by burning fossil fuels must not exceed 250 billion tons (Gt), they reported. Bettering the odds to two-thirds or four-fifths would reduce that carbon allowance to only 150 Gt and 100 Gt, respectively -- a two- or three-year lifeline at the current rate of emissions. Keeping the Paris temperature targets in play would require slashing CO2 pollution at least 40 percent by 2030, and eliminating it entirely by mid-century, the IPCC has calculated. Ironically, one of the big climate success stories of the last decade has inadvertently hastened the pace of global warming, the new data reveal. A gradual drop in the use of coal -- significantly more carbon intensive than oil or gas -- to produce power has slowed the increase in carbon emissions. But it has also reduced the air pollution that shields Earth from the full force of the Sun's rays. Particle pollution from all sources dampens warming by about half-a-degree Celsius, which means -- at least in the short term -- more of that heat will reach the planet's surface as the air becomes cleaner. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Earth System Science Data, the new study is the first in a series of periodic assessments that will help fill the gaps between IPCC reports, released on average every six years since 1988. Deadly heat "An annual update of key indicators of global change is critical in helping the international community and countries to keep the urgency of addressing the climate change crisis at the top of the agenda," said co-author and scientist Maisa Rojas Corradi, who is also the environment minister of Chile. Co-author Valerie Masson-Delmotte, a co-chair of the 2021 IPCC report, said the new data should be a "wake-up call" ahead of the COP28 summit, even if there is evidence that the increase in greenhouse gases has slowed. "The pace and scale of climate action is not sufficient to limit the escalation of climate related risks," she said. Researchers also reported a startling rise in temperature increases over land areas -- excluding oceans -- since 2000. "Land average annual maximum temperatures have warmed by more than half a degree Celsius in the last ten years (1.72C above preindustrial conditions) compared to the first decade of the millennium (1.22C)," the study reported. Longer and more intense heat waves will pose a life-and-death threat in the coming decades across large swathes of South and Southeast Asia, along with areas straddling the equator in Africa and Latin America, recent research has shown. The post World warming at record 0.2C per decade, scientists warn appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ABAC Philippines to host ABAC III in Cebu, over 200 attendees expected
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council II meeting held in Brunei last April has set the stage for a highly anticipated ABAC III, to be hosted in Cebu, Philippines in July. The four-day meeting in Brunei, which began on 27 April, was attended by delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region, who discussed various issues related to economic growth, trade and investment in the region. On the final day of the meeting, ABAC Brunei turned over the hosting duties to ABAC Philippines. Following the theme “Equity, Sustainability, and Opportunity,” ABAC Philippines aims to encourage more fruitful discussions and collaborations between business leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the region. This year’s theme puts a spotlight on the critical role of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the global economy, as well as the evolving environment social, and governance investing landscape. The Philippines, known for its vibrant culture and resilient economy, offers a perfect backdrop for this important gathering. An archipelago of thousands of interconnected islands, the nation embodies the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that underpins the APEC economies. Like the islands that work together to create a cohesive whole, the APEC economies are interconnected and interdependent, each contributing to the larger ecosystem. Working together, APEC economies can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead, working towards a shared vision of sustainable and inclusive growth for all. “As we prepare to host ABAC in the vibrant heart of Cebu, we stand on the cusp of boundless opportunities and exciting discoveries. Let’s write a new chapter in the Asia-Pacific story, where collaboration sparks innovation, and our shared vision for a prosperous future becomes a reality.", Aboitiz Group President and Chief Executive Officer Sabin M. Aboitiz said. As the Vice-Chair of the 2023 ABAC Sustainable Growth Working Group, Aboitiz plays a crucial role in advancing ABAC’s efforts to promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the region. He is joined by ABAC Philippines member Joanne de Asis, who is also the country lead for the Financial Task Force, as well as ABAC Philippines Chair Tomas Alcantara. “We are honored to host this important gathering of business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific. We look forward to providing a positive experience here in the Philippines as the Council continues the great work and progress it has achieved in the past two meetings,” said Alcantara. De Asis added, “As ABAC members, we are committed to promoting sustainable and equitable growth in the region. We believe this meeting will provide another valuable platform for discussion and collaboration on important issues we face.” The ABAC Philippines group is committed to advancing the interests of the Asia-Pacific business community and contributing to the region’s economic development. The third leg of ABAC will provide an opportunity to showcase the Philippines’ potential as an investment destination and to foster greater regional cooperation and integration. This is illustrated in the ABAC 3 invitational video conceptualized and produced by Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications Secretary Paul Soriano and his team from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Creative Communications. ABAC III in Cebu promises to be an unforgettable experience, where business and culture intersect to create opportunities for growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. The conference will be held at the NUSTAR Convention Center in Cebu City, Philippines from 27 to 30 July 2023. Over 200 delegates and guests from the 21 APEC economies are expected to attend. The post ABAC Philippines to host ABAC III in Cebu, over 200 attendees expected appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vigan pushes landmarks repair
ILOCOS SUR — The local government of Vigan disclosed on Monday that it is set to repair the landmarks and ancestral homes in the city damaged by the magnitude 7.3 earthquake that hit the province in July last year. Vigan City Mayor Bonito Singson said that he has met with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts as the local government is ready to commence the repairs on the damaged landmarks and homes that were left untouched two a year after they were destroyed by the quake. Singson also clarified the scope and responsibility of the NCCA, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum considering that Vigan City is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The NCCA, on the other hand, explained that the UNESCO National Commission mandates them to be more of a coordinating and advisory office as they are now the regulatory agency for all the structures. “For the NCCA, we are now the regulatory agency for all the structures, if there is any work to be done in the structures, these are usually coordinated now with the NCCA,” said NCCA commissioner and UNESCO program director Ivan Anthony Henares. Singson, meantime, said that there is a P6 million fund allocated for rehabilitating damaged structures brought by NCCA through their new administration yet to be given to Vigan, with the Davies Paint company pledging to donate paints for the structures. “Good enough we were able to reconnect with the National Agencies, on cultural assets and treasures, so now more or less we see the light at the end of the tunnel.” Singson said. He added that since they now have the go-signal from the NCCA, the local government can now go ahead and commission or talk to qualified architects and engineers to do a more in-depth study and present to the church to forge any agreement that they will make considering that the Vigan Cathedral is owned by the Roman Catholic Church. Singson also pledged that those private houses will that have been damaged by the July 2022 earthquake that is part of the history of Vigan will be repaired. The post Vigan pushes landmarks repair appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BREAKING NEWS | 2 climate activists found
Rights group Karapatan and other groups confirm that environmental activists Eco Dangla and Jak Tiong are "no longer in the hands of their abductors, bruised but alive." The post BREAKING NEWS | 2 climate activists found appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Ashley Tisdale buntis sa 2nd baby: ‘We can’t wait to meet you!’
MAY exciting news ang Hollywood actress at “High School Musical” star na si Ashley Tisdale sa madlang pipol! Ayon sa kanya, ipinagbubuntis niya ang second baby nila ng mister na si Christopher French. Sa Instagram, ibinandera ni Ashley ang kanyang baby bump at ang caption niya: “We can’t wait to meet you [emoji].” Baka Bet.....»»
Infrastructure projects get better loan terms from Japan
The Philippines has secured better financing terms for two big-ticket infrastructure projects funded by the Japanese government aimed at improving public transport and road connectivity......»»
Killua
News on the brutal killing of Killua, the Golden Retriever from Bato, Camarines Sur, has ignited a wave of public outcry, particularly among animal-loving Filipinos......»»
Unilab launches hub for health policy issues
Unilab Foundation recently launched the Unilab Center for Health Policy to serve as a venue for stakeholders to examine health policy issues.....»»
Baltimore Bridge collapse: Police had about 90 seconds to stop traffic before bridge fell
BALTIMORE — It was the middle of the night when a dispatcher’s warning crackled over the radio: A massive cargo ship had lost its steering capabilities and was heading toward the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Within about 90 seconds, police officers who happened to be nearby responded that they managed to stop vehicle traffic over.....»»
Capitol mulls putting ‘integrated south bus’ terminal in Talisay instead of at SRP
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Instead of at the South Road Properties (SRP), the new location of a new south bus terminal in Cebu might be in Talisay City. Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Wednesday, Mar. 27, said that they had received an unsolicited proposal of developing a brand new, south bus terminal. READ: Mayor Rama.....»»
Phl at the crossroads
As we all take a break this Holy Week, some of us will pause and ponder on our own individual journeys and think about what lies ahead......»»