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PSC leads Asiad sendoff rites
The official sendoff rites for the 500-strong Philippine team to the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou takes place today at the Philippine International Convention Center with the Philippine Sports Commission leading the way. The 11 a.m. event will have as guest speaker Executive Secretary Luis Bersamin, according to PSC chairperson Richard “Dickie” Bachmann. “Our athletes are the heart and soul of the country’s campaign in Hangzhou, both in the Asian Games and Asian Para Games,” chairman Bachmann said. The opening ceremony of the Asian Games will be held at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Expo Center on 23 September. A total of 481 events in 61 disciplines are going to be disputed. Team Philippines previously sent 271 athletes to the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta/Palembang in 2018 and brought home four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes for 19th place. Golfer Yuka Saso (women’s individual and team events), weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz (53kg) and skateboarder Margielyn Didal were the delegation’s top performers. “With the all-out support from our national government through the PSC, I’m positive that our athletes will deliver,” added the sports agency chief, who is set to be joined by PSC Commissioner Bong Coo, Commissioner Fritz Gaston, Commissioner Edward Hayco, and Commissioner Walter Torres in the event. Sports officials from the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Paralympic Committee, the different National Sports Associations and Team Philippines’ Chef de Mission Richard Gomez are also expected to attend the sendoff rites. The post PSC leads Asiad sendoff rites appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man
The Aboitiz family is a big player in Philippine business for over a century. With businesses covering a wide range of industries, including power, banking, food, and infrastructure, the clan’s Aboitiz Group has been creating jobs and opportunities for Filipinos. Founded by Paulino Aboitiz, son of a Spanish farmer who migrated to the Philippines in the late 1800s, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., or AEV, has grown from being an abaca-trading and general-merchandise business to a conglomerate with interests in power, banking, food, property, biofuel and construction. The group is undergoing its Great Transformation to establish itself as the Philippines’ pioneering techglomerate. This innovative growth strategy, powered by technology and a renewed entrepreneurial mindset, empowers the entire group to advance businesses and uplift communities. Among the driving forces propelling the Group’s business revolution is Erramon “Montxu” Aboitiz. Montxu previously served as the president and chief executive at Aboitiz Equity Ventures for 10 years from 2009 to 2019. He also briefly held the role of CEO at Aboitiz Power Corp. in 2018. Presently, he serves as a director at AEV and Endeavor Philippines and as chairman of the Board of Directors at Union Bank of the Philippines. Likewise, he serves as a board observer of the Aboitiz & Company. The Asian Institute of Management named Montxu as the new chairman of its Board of Trustees, effective from 1 September 2023. Montxu joined a respected group of successful business leaders who are dedicated to advancing the progress and welfare of Asia and its inhabitants. He was the 7th chairman of AIM, taking over from Peter Garrucho who held the position since 2017. Montxu graduated from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance. In 2011, he was awarded the Management Man of the Year by the Management Association of the Philippines and recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young. Seven years after that, AIM awarded Montxu with an honorary doctorate in management. Social responsibility runs in Aboitiz blood The Aboitiz Foundation, the social responsibility arm of the Aboitiz Group, donated $10 million to AIM in 2019 — known as the Aboitiz 100th Anniversary Commitment Fund. The fund aims to bridge the local and regional gap in data science and innovation. As a result of this generous donation, AIM’s Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is now able to provide top-notch education and research opportunities in data science, with a focus on practical applications. This is made possible by collaborating with data science professionals and leaders from around the world. Recently, Montxu was elected chairperson of the AIM board of trustees. He is widely recognized for his strong commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy. Regarding the endowment to AIM, Montxu said it targeted assisting AIM in its efforts “to expand its curriculum and facilities towards the direction of a bold future, and the skills and education it will require.” Through his leadership in the Aboitiz Group and the Aboitiz Foundation, he has spearheaded numerous projects that have made a positive impact on local communities. As chairman of the Aboitiz Foundation, Montxu has played a key role in shaping its initiatives. The foundation focuses on three key areas which are education, enterprise development, and environmental conservation. “As businessmen, there is no doubt we seek profits and a return on our capital. But as Filipinos, we are equally guided by a sense of purpose to find meaningful ways of contributing to our communities across the country. This symbiotic relationship of profit and contributing to society is our secret sauce to true sustainability, allowing the Aboitiz Group to drive change for a better world by advancing business and communities,” Montxu added. The foundation implemented various programs and scholarships to improve access to quality education, foster entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities, and promote sustainability. Aboitiz Foundation has been heavily involved in rehabilitating and improving schools in underprivileged areas. They have renovated classrooms, libraries and other facilities, providing students with better learning environments. The foundation has also donated learning materials and equipment to enhance the educational experience of students. Aboitiz Foundation supports community-based programs that aim to uplift marginalized communities. These programs focus on various aspects such as health, nutrition, livelihood, and disaster resilience. The foundation works closely with local organizations and stakeholders to implement sustainable solutions and empower communities to become self-sufficient. Aboitiz Foundation places significant emphasis on environmental conservation and sustainability. They have initiated projects to protect and restore ecosystems, promote renewable energy, and reduce carbon footprint. The foundation actively supports reforestation efforts, marine conservation, and waste management initiatives. The foundation also has a strong focus on disaster response and preparedness. They have been at the forefront of providing immediate relief and support during natural disasters, such as typhoons, earthquakes and floods. The foundation also works towards building resilient communities by conducting disaster risk reduction and management training programs. Montxu Aboitiz encourages and supports employee volunteerism within the Aboitiz Group. The company promotes a culture of giving back by providing employees with opportunities to engage in community service and volunteer activities. This not only benefits the communities they serve but also fosters a sense of social responsibility among the employees. It also collaborates with various non-governmental organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders to maximize the impact of their social responsibility initiatives. They work together to address complex social issues and implement sustainable solutions that create lasting change. Aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, AEV drives policies, advocacies, and initiatives to make a lasting impact. The post ERRAMON Aboitiz: Renaissance man appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Delayed projects due to unforeseen factors, says MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday clarified that the delay in the implementation of the flood management projects recently flagged down by the Commission on Audit was due to a number of factors. MMDA acting chairman Atty. Don Artes said the 33 projects under the Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase 1 which were not yet fully implemented as of December 2022 are funded by the World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. He explained that since it is a foreign-assisted project, the procurement process is different from the usual early procurement process under Republic Act 9184. “The projects underwent a tedious process and discussion with the World Bank before they were approved and implemented,” Artes said. “The WB reviews the bidding process done by the MMDA. Sometimes, they recommend continuation of the project rejected by our agency which in turn results in contract cost and duration revision.” The MMDA chief also said that the site relocation or project re-design was approved by the World Bank, adding that it is the World Bank that recommends and decides whether a contract shall be extended and coverage widened. Artes likewise said that the period of the projects being questioned was within the period 2018-2022, years when pandemic hit the country while some projects were covered by the election ban which both contributed to the delay of its implementation. He assured that the MMFMP-Project Management Office is now closely monitoring all the project deliverables to ensure that they were implemented within the given timeframe. Out of the 47 projects mentioned in the CoA report, 27 were completed as of this time, 12 are ongoing and will be completed this year, three are ongoing procurement process, and five were already abandoned as they are no longer necessary or relevant. Meantime, Artes also stressed that the 71 vehicles that the CoA flagged as unregistered in its 2022 report are all off the road as they are beyond repair and clarified that all vehicles without registration from the Land Transportation Office are already for disposal as junk. “The disposal process is long and we are currently disassembling its parts so we can use it for our serviceable vehicles,” Artes said. He added that the agency regularly conduct quarterly LTO caravan to ensure timely registration of our vehicles. Last 6 and 15 February 2023, the LTO held its two-day registration caravan, on the request of MMDA and the 216 vehicles that the CoA revealed to be beyond its useful lifespan of seven years for government service vehicles are still functional and are maintained properly. Artes said that the service vehicles he and other agency officials are using are all almost at the end of their useful life but have no intention of retiring and replacing them and will continue to be used because they are in very good running condition The post Delayed projects due to unforeseen factors, says MMDA appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Taiwan tribe despairs as drought shrinks bamboo crop
Hacking at a bamboo plant with a machete, Avayi Vayayana peels back the shoot's stiff bark as he scans southern Taiwan's mountains, anxious for more of the money-making crop his Indigenous tribe increasingly struggles to find. Generations of the Tsou tribe have lived off Alishan township's bamboo forests, which Vayayana says were planted by his forefathers and typically harvested in April and May. But "the weather in the last few years has really been out of whack", the 62-year-old tribal chief tells AFP. "The rainfall has been delayed and the bamboo shoots' growth is noticeably affected." In the Indigenous village T'fuya, the dark-brown cones of the island's native stone bamboo -- or Phyllostachys lithophila -- have become harder to spot. "The little young shoots will not sprout if there's no rain. After a while, they will die inside the ground," Vayayana says. The February-to-April rains are crucial to the growth of bamboo shoots -- which are popular in Asian cuisine -- but since late last year, there have not been any significant downpours. The Tsou tribe, which has a population of 7,000 in Alishan, has seen their bamboo shoot harvest steadily decline. On a misty May morning, a welcome drizzle finally blankets the bamboo forest Vayayana is working in, but he tells AFP it is too late. This year, his haul is one-third of 2022's harvest. Worse, Vayayana and his family must now also contend with crop-raiding monkeys, he explains after an airgun shot rings out in the distance: his cousin trying to scare away the marauders. "Because many surrounding bamboo forests have died, now where there are bamboo shoots, all the monkeys will go," he says. 'Frontline victims' Southern Taiwan is experiencing its worst drought in decades. Water levels in the Tsengwen reservoir serving the southern Tainan and Chiayi regions plummeted below 10 percent this year, the third such drop since 2018, leaving reservoir beds cracked and exposed. The Tsengwen serves as a primary water source for a massive foundry making the island's precious semiconductors -- soaring in demand globally -- and also supplements the region's rice-growing plains. But for the third year in a row, the government is providing subsidies to farmers not to plant their crops -- a sign of the severe water needs. An hour's drive from the reservoir, Alishan too is experiencing drastic weather changes. From January to April, rainfall declined to 226.5 millimeters (8.9 inches), a more than 50 percent drop compared to the same period last year, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Station. For the Tsou -- whose lifestyle is entwined with nature -- the impact is "comprehensive", says Greenpeace Taiwan's Lena Chang. "They are the frontline victims of climate change," Chang tells AFP. Data compiled by Greenpeace Taiwan shows the drop-off in rain to be persistent. In the past three decades, Alishan has lost an average of 2.6mm of rainfall per year in February and 1.2mm in March -- a vital period for bamboo shoot growth. At T'fuya's crop collection point, villagers offload sacks of bamboo shoots from trucks, weighing them before sending them to factories to be boiled and tinned for mass consumption. "This year, the rain came too late and many bamboo trees are sick. The harvest is very bad," Voyu Baniana, 24, tells AFP. "In my family's plantation, we have none. I can only work for other people this year." New cash crop Those who returned to their villages after a period of working in cities are finding it harder to live off of crops they grew up cultivating. Voyo Yulunana, 43, still remembers the long days he spent as a child harvesting bamboo shoots, the sale of which bolstered the community's living standards. "Buying a car or building a house, we counted on the bamboo," he says. Since Yulunana returned from a brief stint in the city working in construction, he has noticed "the rains don't come when they should". Luckily, his grandfather made a switch to growing coffee beans, which Yulunana and other younger Tsou have shifted toward in the past decade. "Coffee is slowly replacing bamboo shoots as the cash crop" in Alishan, says Yulunana. But even it is not immune to climate change -- a late spring rain affects the plant's flowering season, and the erratic weather last year nearly devastated his family's 400-shrub crop, he said. "At this point, I can get by with just growing coffee," Yulunana said. "Who knows what new crops will appear after coffee?" The post Taiwan tribe despairs as drought shrinks bamboo crop appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gov’t reviews business perks
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is studying fiscal incentives reforms with the Department of Finance as part of his administration’s efforts to boost economic growth, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said during a Malacañang press briefing on Tuesday. This, after data from the International Monetary Fund Tax Reform Database showed that the Philippines posted the lowest VAT efficiency ratio in the Southeast Asian region from 2016 to 2020, or 0.40 efficiency level despite having the highest VAT rate in the region at 12 percent. Comparatively, Indonesia has a VAT efficiency level of 0.50 with an 11 percent VAT rate, Singapore achieves a level of 0.71 with an 8 percent VAT rate, Vietnam maintains a level of 0.70 with an 8 percent VAT rate, and Thailand has a level of 0.79 with a 7 percent VAT rate. Highest rate vs other countries “The Philippines (has) the highest VAT rate compared to other countries in this part of the world but our VAT collection is the most inefficient,” Diokno said. “We only collect 40 percent (of all expected VAT collection), and that’s because of a lot of exemptions,” Diokno pointed out. The DoF also cited a 2018 World Bank study which said that the Philippines’ tax system faces challenges due to exemptions granted outside the tax code. According to the Finance chief, the government collected P723 billion from VAT annually from 2016 to 2020 on average. BBM issues order Diokno said the President has instructed the DoF to review the country’s fiscal incentives system to ensure that it is effective and efficient. He added that the government will lose collection revenues when it gives more tax incentives and exemptions. Prior to tax reforms, the Philippines have 56 lines of exemptions and an additional 84 exemptions under special laws, he added. “We actually talked with the International Monetary Fund and we asked them to conduct a study on where we can improve on broadening the tax base meaning maybe find areas where we can recover from too much exemptions,” Diokno said. “I say at 0.40, that’s really poor performance, but you know the value-added tax is the best tax in the world. It’s I think being imposed in 90 percent of the countries in the world, so it is in our best interests to improve on the efficiency of the VAT,” he added. Potential improvements Diokno pointed out that the government is currently looking into potential improvements in its medium-term fiscal framework but he insisted that the country’s revenue system is doing well. We actually talked with the International Monetary Fund and we asked them to conduct a study on where we can improve on broadening the tax base meaning maybe find areas where we can recover from too much exemptions. He added that the government is also pushing collection agencies to improve in order to create “better” revenues. “So we are studying it, it’s not a perfect system so we’ll look for improvements but right now our revenue system is doing well,” Diokno said. The post Gov’t reviews business perks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Angkas Digital-first business
Digital transformation is reshaping how we live and do business, accelerating over the past few years as we now have more access to digital technology than ever before. But as the digital lifestyle is adopted by society, our use of these digital tools must evolve to allow us to serve our customers better. George Royeca, president and founder of the ride-hailing application, Angkas, believes digital technologies are digital tools that allow small and medium enterprises to expand their market base with minimal costs in the shortest possible time. “We have not reinvented the wheel,” Royeca said at the maiden offering of the Asian Innovation Forum organized by the Daily Tribune at the Bellevue Hotel. “The ‘habal-habal’ operation has always been there across the country, and we just institutionalized its operation by adding digital technology into it.” Royeca added that digital technologies are just tools “to be exploited” by SMEs to upscale their operations or enhance business models. Eventually, they graduate from small operations into a big conglomerate. According to Royeca, digital technologies allow businesses to study available data and use them to understand the needs of the public through data analysis and expand their customer base. [caption id="attachment_132010" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] George Royeca, Angkas president and CEO as he amuses more than 180 micro, small and medium enterprises during the Daily Tribune’s Asian Innovation Forum last 9 May 2023 under the topic “Role of Logistics in Managing Supply Chain, Upscaling Operation.”[/caption] “To have a permanent customer base is one of the most critical tools to increase your business profits,” he said. “We are originally an MSME (micro, small and medium enterprise) who scaled up and now have eight million downloads from customers and more than 30,000 riders after six years of hardships,” Royeca said. Bumpy road During his talk, Royeca recalled how his enterprise stumbled and suffered a huge blow when the Supreme Court came out with a decision halting Angkas operations in 2017 based on a complaint filed by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Department of Transportation accusing Angkas of operating without a business permit. “But I accepted it even though it hurt me, as that was the fourth time Angkas operations were stopped. I felt like giving up at the time, as the SC had already decided our fate. I even asked my wife, is it time to pack up, return to Singapore, and do something else? But I just considered it a great challenge and a story of resilience and perseverance that I wanted to impart to startups,” he said. Royeca was astounded by the support of his thousands of bikers who picketed on EDSA back then, as well as the help of the passengers through social media, standing up and fighting for the right of the unrecognized transportation industry of “habal-habal.” A preliminary injunction granted on 20 August 2018 by the Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court preventing the government from apprehending Angkas riders and performing acts that would impede its business gave Angkas a ray of hope. “We now have a very friendly government and regulator who understand the importance of the informal sector. Now we are expanding nationwide, and you’ll see these job opportunities everywhere,” he told forum participants as he discussed the Role of Logistics in Managing Supply Chains and Upscaling Operations. Banking on technology As he believes in the supremacy of MSMEs, which comprise 99 percent of the country’s total entrepreneurial environment, Royeca said he wanted the government to recognize the informal sector that utilizes innovations and technology to become an integral part of society. “We existed because we collaborated with the government, as we did not coin “habal-habal” and the motorcycle taxis. It was already there, thousands, even millions, throughout the country. We only used the technology and digitization to produce a ride-hailing app as a tool to revolutionize the transportation industry and mobility,” he said. Despite this, Royeca maintained that Angkas has a long way to go, comparing its 30,000 riders to the 18 million motorcycle owners in the country today. “We are successful because we built a community, looked at individuals’ circumstances, and used technology to uplift their lives. It’s not about the technology but the human behind that technology. If we can impart success to 30,000 riders, then we can do it to 18 million motorcycle riders to get them out of poverty in our lifetime,” he added. With regard to MSMEs pivoting on technology, he said entrepreneurs should take advantage of the available tools and information right at their fingertips, such as their mobile phones and the internet, to harness their businesses and services. “Startups can even create a new ecosystem using various partnerships. You can partner with the brightest and best people out there to offer good services to everyone,” he said. Royeca envisions SMEs and Angkas collaborating to bridge the digital divide between big and small businesses and ultimately level the playing field for all stakeholders. He believes even a startup business operating a single motorbike for Angkas could become a fleet operation with proper mentoring and partnership with Angkas. The possibilities in adopting digital tools are immense, Royeca said and added the potential to manage risk, improve customer engagement, and reduce cost while increasing productivity and bringing brand recognition is endless. “SMEs must be willing to invest their time in training themselves to understand these technologies, including digital infrastructures, to harness the advantages their offer. By taking risks with digitalization, SMEs could significantly improve their competitive advance in the marketplace and accelerate their expansion,” Royeca said. “It is time for SMEs to fully embrace the future and reach new heights with digital tools. Digital-first business is the way to go,” he added. [caption id="attachment_132009" align="aligncenter" width="2400"] (From left to right) Daily Tribune managing editor Dinah Ventura, Angkas president and CEO George Royeca, UnionBank’s Chief Data and AI officer, Dr. David Hardoon, Daily Tribune president Willie Fernandez, Daily Tribune executive vice president Bettina Fernandez, Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines general manager, Atty. Rowel Barba and Frederick Imson of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.[/caption] Daily Tribune’s Asian Innovation Forum is a convergence of stakeholders to help improve small businesses, introduce new ideas, open dialogues, and foster cooperation, ultimately ensuring greater access and inclusion in the financial technology sector and for Filipino entrepreneurs to gain a foothold in the broader market. The post Angkas Digital-first business appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos to Asean: Pay special heed to elderly, youth
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday expressed his concern regarding the increasing number of elderly people in Southeast Asia and emphasized the importance of addressing this issue. During the opening of the 2023 plenary session of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Marcos mentioned that the region's sustained economic growth and prosperity have led to longer lifespans among its people. "it is time that ASEAN should start discussing the concerns of an ageing population, consistent with the ASEAN tradition of valuing our elders," Marcos said. "We must view this, all this as an opportunity and as a challenge, especially in terms of adequate social benefits on the one hand and social empowerment on the other," he added. The Chief Executive, citing data from the Asian Development Bank, mentioned that a quarter of the population in the Asia Pacific region would be 60 years old or above by the year 2050. Meanwhile, Marcos acknowledged the efforts of young Filipinos in addressing climate change and disaster resiliency during the 42nd ASEAN Summit here. During the ASEAN Leaders' Interface with Representatives of ASEAN Youth, Marcos Jr. stated that the actions taken by young Filipinos should be emulated across all ASEAN nations. He explained that one such initiative is the declaration of 25 November as the annual ASEAN Youth in Climate Action and Disaster Resilience Day, which aims to raise awareness and encourage positive action among young people toward addressing climate change and strengthening disaster risk reduction efforts. "Since 2018, the Philippines, with the support of various partners and stakeholders, has ensured the conduct of annual celebrations and involvement of youth leaders from all ASEAN Member States in the activities," Marcos said. According to the President, empowering the youth of Southeast Asia is crucial for the region to maintain its position as the "epicenter of growth." He highlighted the importance of developing the young population as the key to the region's future success. "It is clear again that the future of ASEAN lies in our ability to support the youth in attaining their full potential. And this we must do by providing the skills and motivation to be ready for this future," Marcos said. "We must always put front and center all the issues that we face or that our young people face and that our country faces the consequence of time," he added. The President emphasized that in order for the region to remain competitive on a global scale, it must be prepared for the future. He specifically mentioned the rapid growth of the digital industry, the world's increasing reliance on digital technologies and the growing demand for innovative products and services. Marcos Jr. also stressed the need for ASEAN to take urgent action to equip its young population with the necessary skills to take advantage of opportunities in the digital and creative economies. "We must ensure that they are well equipped to not only compete globally, but also to develop expertise, forge linkages, and establish leadership in these fields … strengthening youth people-to-people exchanges to facilitate the free flow of ideas and the transfer of skills is critical," he said. The post Marcos to Asean: Pay special heed to elderly, youth appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BCDA marks new milestone
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority recently clinched two Gold Awards from the 2023 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards as the agency continues to intensify efforts on uniting people. The BCDA won the award for its innovative storytelling and creative design in the highly prestigious award. The “One Nation, One Legacy” BCDA annual report series from 2019 to 2021 was awarded the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Annual Reports. Meanwhile, the annual report of “We Build As One” garnered the Gold Stevie Award for Innovation in Government Publications. According to BCDA president and chief executive officer Aileen R. Zosa, these awards signify additional feathers to BCDA’s cap, three years after winning two bronze medals in the 2020 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for the 2018 Annual Report, “Clark. It Works. Like A Dream,” and the BCDA external newsletter, “Collective.” She added that the annual report is an important tool to connect the BCDA and its stakeholders as the agency continues to look for ways to make their content more accessible and engaging. “With these publications, we ask our readers to look beyond the data and see how BCDA’s accomplishments are also the accomplishments of the Filipino people. All these, while not forgetting to exercise transparency and accuracy in reporting our financial performance, as is our duty as a government institution,” Zosa said. “We are happy and very honored that the vastly prominent Stevie Awards has recognized our efforts. This inspires us to carry on with our task of ensuring effective communication with our stakeholders, including the military, our investors, and the public,” she added. Adopting elements of a lifestyle magazine both in terms of content and design, BCDA’s One Nation, One Legacy annual report series tells the story of BCDA and how its projects have impacted Filipinos before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The reports include human-interest stories anchored on corporate governance, business development, project management, and corporate social responsibility initiatives to communicate BCDA’s role as a catalyst of national growth and provider of economic opportunities for Filipinos. “We Win As One” (2019) featured New Clark City’s world-class sports complex completed in record time for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. “We Heal As One” (2020) focused on BCDA’s role in the whole-of-nation approach in dealing with the pandemic and lastly, “We Build As One” (2021) highlighted how BCDA exercised political will amid a crippling health crisis to push for the completion of big-ticket infrastructure projects, such as the Clark International Airport terminal. The Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards are the only business awards program to recognize innovation in the workplace in all 29 nations of the Asia-Pacific region. The post BCDA marks new milestone appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Old habits die hard
In a 2018 article, I wrote about how I spent most of my weeknights playing video games and streaming random TV series, reality shows and movies......»»
Oftana new 3-point King
TNT’s Calvin Oftana’s career is really on an upward trajectory. From PBA champion to Asian Games gold medalist, Oftana now owns the title PBA Three-point King......»»
Timor-Leste police nabs Interpol red-listed Teves
Law enforcement authorities of East Timor have arrested the expelled lawmaker Arnolfo Teves Jr., the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed on Thursday evening......»»
Cone takes charge at Gilas
Coach Tim Cone, the chief architect of Gilas Pilipinas’ gutsy rise back to the Asian Games summit after 61 long years, will be in charge of the Nationals’ program moving forward......»»
‘Cheerleader-in-chief’ Marcos rewards Asian Para Games medalists
Cheerleader-in-chief......»»
PH army’s new cyber defense group questioned over potential use for attacks
In 2018, several websites of progressive organizations and media outfits became victims of relentless DDoS attacks. A probe by Sweden-based Qurium Media Foundation revealed that the attacks came from the Philippine Army, including activities linked to the Chief of Staff for Intelligence of the Philippine Army. The post PH army’s new cyber defense group questioned over potential use for attacks appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Steven Tan named Winshang’s International Influential Person in Shopping Centers
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan was recognized as one of Winshang’s Golden Censer Prize winners for being “The International Influential Person of the Year 2023 in Shopping Centers” at the 2023 China (International) Shopping Center Summit in Shanghai on 24 August. The Golden Censer Prize is a large-scale professional recognition of China’s commercial real estate and famous brands initiated by Winshang, in collaboration with mainstream industrial media, based on field research, data analysis, and media surveys among others. Tan, who assumed the role of president of SM Supermalls in 2020, has been a key figure in the growth and innovation of the mall chain in the Philippines and China. Retail legacy As President, he oversees mall operations in both countries, carrying forward SM’s 65-year legacy of retail innovation and outstanding customer service. Under his leadership, SM Supermalls withstood the challenges of the pandemic and rebounded as the economy slowly opened up amid the global health crisis. With the guidance of the Sy family, Tan made sure that SM responded with an agile, innovative, and proactive approach to cater to the needs of all stakeholders, from employees and tenants to shoppers. Mall’s strategies The mall’s strategies — adapting the tenancy mix, creating novel reasons to attract visitors to malls, targeting new customer segments through innovative marketing, and developing omnichannel services — enabled them to gain the trust and loyalty of modern shoppers during the pandemic. Because of this, SM managed to recover and exceed pre-pandemic revenues and income by 2023. In line with its latest expansion program, SM continues to open new malls in China and the Philippines. This brings the total number of shopping centers, locally and internationally, under Tan’s stewardship to 93, featuring a cumulative construction area of over 10.8 million square meters and a daily foot traffic of more than 4.2 million. The latest SM malls to open are SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 (left) and SM City Sto. Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023 (right). The latest malls to open were SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 and SM City Sto. Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023. Numerous accolades Tan’s exceptional efforts were also honored by various international organizations over the years. He received numerous accolades including the 2021 Asia’s Most Influential by Tatler Asia, the 2022 Asia Pacific Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards Leadership Commitment by United Nations Women, and the Global Filipino Executive of the Year at the Asian Chief Executive Officer Awards just to name a few. His dedication and visionary leadership continue to shape the landscape of shopping centers and commercial real estate, not just in Asia but across the globe. The post Steven Tan named Winshang’s International Influential Person in Shopping Centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lebanon court orders ex-car boss Ghosn out of Beirut home: official
A Lebanese judge has decided to evict former Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn from his luxury home, a judicial official said Saturday, four years after an investment firm accused him of "trespassing". Ghosn, who took up residency in the Beirut property after fleeing prosecution in Japan in 2019, appealed the ruling on Friday, the official added. A spokesperson for Ghosn confirmed he had appealed. Ghosn and his wife must "vacate the property... within a month", according to a copy of the decision seen by AFP and dated 16 October. The home with pink walls in the Lebanese capital's upscale Ashrafieh neighborhood is worth some $19 million and is registered to Lebanese company Phoinos Investment, the judicial official said, requesting anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Phoinos initiated the legal action in 2019 and has accused Ghosn of "trespassing on private property and living in the home without legal basis", the official added. According to the court document, Ghosn said the company was affiliated with Nissan and that "the property was purchased... for his residence, and there is a signed agreement with Nissan that grants him the right to reside" there. Ghosn occupied the home "according to a contractual relationship linking... Ghosn and Nissan", the decision said. However, the end of that relationship and the plaintiff's wish to retake the property invalidates "the legal basis" of his occupancy, it added. In a written statement to AFP, a Ghosn spokesperson said documents that had been unavailable for prior hearings in the cast would support his appeal. "He will now be able to present all the documents held up in Japan that he was unable to secure on time," the statement said. Ghosn, the former chairman and chief executive of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance, was arrested in Japan in November 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct, before being sacked by Nissan's board in a unanimous decision. He jumped bail late the following year and made a dramatic escape from Japan hidden in an audio-equipment box, landing in Beirut, where he remains an international fugitive. Ghosn has always denied the charges against him, arguing they were cooked up by Nissan executives who opposed his attempts to more closely integrate the firm with French partner Renault. Japan and France have sought his arrest, but Lebanon does not extradite its citizens, and judicial authorities have slapped a travel ban on Ghosn, who holds Lebanese, French, and Brazilian nationality. The post Lebanon court orders ex-car boss Ghosn out of Beirut home: official appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LTO innovates responses to backlogs
The Land Transportation Office, or LTO, now under the leadership of Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, has committed to implementing innovative solutions to immediately address the piles of problems “inherited” from the previous leaderships. Mendoza, whom Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista tasked to help the agency improve its current state, expressed confidence that he could turn the LTO around and make it more efficient and effective. He said this aligns with the Marcos administration’s marching orders to digitalize and bring government services closer to the people seamlessly. Mendoza has already begun to execute some changes, such as streamlining the driver’s license application process, implementing a new online vehicle registration system, and reducing the number of fixers at LTO offices, among others. Speaking in a recent interview on DAILY TRIBUNE’s Straight Talk, Mendoza disclosed that his agency is studying cost-effective ways to produce license plates. Presently, the LTO has a manufacturing plant with eight machines working to produce license plates, but as recently directed by Bautista, the agency is looking at outsourcing them instead of producing them. “We make the plates ourselves, although we are studying if maybe it is high time to review whether the LTO should produce or outsource the plates. I told Secretary Bautista that in terms of efficiency, it might be less costly and faster if we outsource it,” Mendoza said. “We are thoroughly studying those options to weigh which will be less costly to the government. Thus, finally, we could resolve all the backlogs,” he added. Million plates a month Mendoza added that the agency’s plate-making plant could produce a million monthly plates to replace all the backlogs — from the old green plates to the new white ones. He said before the end of November, the license plate backlog will hopefully be fully addressed. With production in full swing, a motorist with a newly acquired four-wheel vehicle can claim his license plates within 10 days. In the meantime, new motorcycle owners can now get their plates immediately. This significantly improved from the previous year when motorists took years to get their plates. To recall, in March, ex-LTO chief Jay Art Tugade issued a memo suspending the production of license plates due to a shortage of materials. Online portal needs full utilization Mendoza said the LTO is also working on finally utilizing the Land Transportation Management System, or LTMS, a P3.14-billion portal created to address Filipinos’ motoring concerns. He lamented that the underutilization of the online portal, which he described as just one of the many inherited problems of the agency, was a misuse of government funds. “The system design is incomplete, and you know that as much as possible, we want to be fully digital as instructed by the President. We want motorists to be able to apply for a license and register their vehicles through that platform,” Mendoza said. “We supposedly have all the facilities. There will be no need to go to LTO offices as it will also address the issues of fixers. However, we cannot do all these until we fully resolve the website’s functionalities,” he said, adding that the LTO would need the developers to provide them with some missing source and application codes. The LTMS was jointly developed by German technology firm Dermalog and its local partners, Holy Family Printing Corp., Microgenesis, and Verzontal Builders Inc. The project went through competitive bidding in May 2018. The LTO’s online portal is a one-stop shop that will integrate all LTO services in a single contactless database system and digital platform. “We are waiting for their reply. I have been open since my first day in office, and I’ve been very open to them. There is a problem, let us talk about it. However, they have not replied to my letters on the source code and application code issue. We have to protect the government’s interest, and the government’s interest is to get the source and application codes so we can do the enhancements ourselves,” Mendoza said. According to the new LTO chief, hiring another third-party team to resolve the LTMS issues might cost the government at least another billion pesos. Mendoza asked why the government does not just find another software developer, saying: “We already paid for the contract.” “If we do it, maybe they will spend another billion just to complete everything, so the government will save a lot if we do it ourselves. We have DICT with us, and LTO is also hiring technical people for us to be able to do it ourselves. So, we can do it, we don’t need foreigners to teach us.” The post LTO innovates responses to backlogs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SM’s Steven Tan named Winshang’s 2023 International Influential Person in Shopping Centers
SM Supermalls president Steven Tan was recognized as one of Winshang’s Golden Censer Prize winners for being "The International Influential Person of the Year 2023 in Shopping Centers" at the 2023 China (International) Shopping Center Summit in Shanghai on 24 August 2023. The Golden Censer Prize is a large-scale professional recognition of China's commercial real estate and famous brands initiated by Winshang, in collaboration with mainstream industrial media, based on field research, data analysis and media surveys, among others. Tan, who assumed the role of President of SM Supermalls in 2020, has been a key figure in the growth and innovation of the mall chain in the Philippines and China. As president, he oversees mall operations in both countries, carrying forward SM's 65-year legacy of retail innovation and outstanding customer service. SM Mall of Asia Complex Under his leadership, SM Supermalls withstood the challenges of the pandemic and rebounded as the economy slowly opened up amid the global health crisis. With the guidance of the Sy family, Tan made sure that SM responded with an agile, innovative and proactive approach to cater to the needs of all stakeholders, from employees and tenants to shoppers. SM City Yangzhou SM City Sto. Tomas The mall’s strategies -- adapting the tenancy mix, creating novel reasons to attract visitors to malls, targeting new customer segments through innovative marketing and developing omnichannel services -- enabled them to gain the trust and loyalty of modern shoppers during the pandemic. Because of this, SM managed to recover and exceed pre-pandemic revenues and income by 2023. In line with their latest expansion program, SM continues to open new malls in China and the Philippines. This brings the total number of shopping centers, locally and internationally, under Tan's stewardship to 93, featuring a cumulative construction area of over 10.8 million square meters and a daily foot traffic of more than 4.2 million. The latest malls to open were SM City Yangzhou last 28 September 2023 and SM City Sto Tomas, Batangas last 27 October 2023. Tan’s exceptional efforts were also honored by various international organizations over the years. He received numerous accolades including the 2021 Asia's Most Influential by Tatler Asia, the 2022 Asia Pacific Women's Empowerment Principles Awards Leadership Commitment by United Nations Women, and the Global Filipino Executive of the Year at the Asian Chief Executive Officer Awards, just to name a few. His dedication and visionary leadership continue to shape the landscape of shopping centers and commercial real estate, not just in Asia but also across the globe. Steven Tan receives the 2023 PeopleAsia People of the Year Award. Tan shared the Winshang Golden Censer Prize with his two co-awardees, namely Powerlong Real Estate Holding’s Co-president Chen Deli, and SCE Commercial Management Holdings' chairman of the board Huang Lun. SM Supermalls is a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings Inc., with 85 malls in the Philippines and 8 in China. The post SM’s Steven Tan named Winshang’s 2023 International Influential Person in Shopping Centers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl looking for railways funds
The Philippines will have to find other funding sources to bankroll big-ticket transport infrastructure projects after the Department of Transportation or DoTr decided to drop China as its partner for the Mindanao Railway Project. Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Thursday confirmed the DoTr is currently “looking for other lending sources.” “We will look for another funding source. We are working on that now,” Bautista said on the sidelines of the German–Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry luncheon meeting. The transport chief said three DoTr projects – the South Long Haul Project, Mindanao Railway Project, and Subic-Clark Railway—were dropped as Chinese Official Development Assistance projects or ODA as the latter’s interest had “waned.” “Those are what we are going to look for additional funding or replacement for,” he said in English and Filipino, adding that the DoTr has requested assistance from the Department of Finance. Bautista said he was unfazed as other funding sources are available, including the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. “Our options are we can still go for other ODA. There’s the JICA, the ADB, the World Bank,” he said. “There are other governments talking to us on the possibility of financing these projects,” he added. The post Phl looking for railways funds appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes
Five Myanmar nationals asked the Philippines on Wednesday to investigate alleged war crimes committed by 10 serving or former members of Myanmar's military against the mainly Christian Chin minority. Filipino lawyers representing the Myanmar nationals told reporters they lodged the "landmark" criminal complaint against junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and nine others at the Department of Justice in Manila. They asked prosecutors to open an investigation into alleged war crimes under a Philippine law penalising "crimes against international humanitarian law, genocide, and other crimes against humanity". The five Myanmar nationals are from western Chin state, but now live in Australia, Britain, Canada and India. They were at the justice department in Manila. "This is a landmark suit because this is the very first time that such a case is being brought before the Philippines," Romel Bagares, one of the lawyers, told reporters. Justice Secretary Crispin Remulla said his department would "evaluate" the complaint, which he described as "very novel". "If this is sufficient in form and substance, that's the time when we will require the respondents to answer these complaints," Remulla told reporters. Among the accused is Chin Chief Minister Vung Suan Thang, who is a former military officer. The others are serving members of the military. The complaint alleged that members of Myanmar's military killed a pastor and two church elders in Thantlang town, Chin, in September 2021. It also accused the 10 of "intentionally" directing attacks on churches and the burning of hundreds of houses in the same town between August 2021 and June 2022. They also allegedly blocked relief supplies from reaching people in Chin state in the aftermath of Cyclone Mocha in May. 'Truly historic day' Philippine law allows for the prosecution of war crimes committed elsewhere. One of the stipulations of the law is that the accused must be present in the Philippines. According to Gilbert Andres, another Filipino lawyer representing the Myanmar nationals, if the Philippine justice department were to decide to mount a case against the 10 accused, it could issue subpoenas to Myanmar's Central Authority or go through diplomatic channels. The toppling of Aung San Suu Kyi's civilian government in a 2021 coup sparked a huge backlash and the military junta is now battling opponents across swaths of Myanmar. Some of the bloodiest fighting has been happening in Christian-majority areas, including in Chin state. "This is a truly historic day," Salai Ling, one of the five complainants and also of the Chin Human Rights Organization, told reporters in Manila. "We are really hoping that with the solidarity and support from the Filipino people and people in the ASEAN region, that we will be able to get some form of justice for the atrocities that our people suffered." Myanmar and the Philippines belong to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The regional bloc's efforts to defuse the Myanmar crisis have been fruitless so far. The Philippines is now the subject of an international human rights probe, with the Hague-based International Criminal Court investigating "possible crimes against humanity" during former president Rodrigo Duterte's deadly drugs crackdown. In July, President Ferdinand Marcos said the Philippines was "done talking with the ICC" but would continue to question the tribunal's jurisdiction. The post Myanmar nationals ask Philippines to probe alleged war crimes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»