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PRO-7: Rules on anti-terror law to boost efforts against terrorism in CV
CEBU CITY, Philippines — An official of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) said that they were preparing to make the necessary adjustments in line with the newly-implemented rules on anti-terrorism cases. On January 15, 2024, the “Rules on the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) of 2020 and Related Laws” officially took effect. This.....»»
Bohol’s mining income reaches P40M in 2023
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – Bohol earned over P40 million in mining income in 2023, the provincial government reported. The amount was “record high” for the provincial government that only earned P16.8 million in 2022. In an advisory, the provincial government said that Bohol’s mining income increased by 190 percent from only P13.8 million in 2020,.....»»
6th Magis Eagles Football Cup to honor Rico Navarro
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The SHS-AdC Magis Eagles Football Cup returns after a four-year hiatus and will honor the late Rico Navarro, the school’s athletic director. Navarro who passed away in 2020 was one of the organizers of the annual tournament that was last held in 2019, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year’s edition.....»»
Badjaos learn how to read and write, thanks to volunteers in Iligan City
CEBU CITY, Philippines— A group of individuals in Iligan City is making waves online because of their efforts in teaching Badjaos how to read and write. Dessa Blanca Gilbolingo Gimeno, 30, from Cagayan De Oro City, was the one who initiated this project in 2020. Gimeno has been doing outreach programs and volunteering at Hope Channel.....»»
A model urban community
As a young boy, I loved drawing a “roadmap” of livable communities where family and industry were central to this unadulterated fun design. I would put skyscrapers and blend these with old trees, brilliant lights, and flowers along walkways and entertainment centers. The distance between neighborhoods was enough to give space and privacy. In this universe, people of different economic classes are resilient to the challenges and complexities of modern living. I grew up in a small town with inadequate potable water and transportation. There was a thin line between regression and progression where one cannot differentiate silt from clay particles when wading through the flooded, muddy streets of Barangay Busugon in San Remigio municipality. Life then was simple but joyous because of my family and the neighborhood. This was my unsophisticated urban planning, where things that matter most to me can be found in one place. Although I did not become a city or urban planner, my interest in “designing” communities is as strong as my entrepreneurial consciousness. It has become an advocacy. Be that as it may, urban planning, a form of spatial planning, requires strategic innovations and thorough study to develop equitable habitats and sustainable human settlements and development. A strategic plan, or a development plan, considers population growth, zoning, geographic mapping, structural and people’s safety analysis, water supply, and essential social services. Urban planning, says the United Nations Human Settlements Programme or UN-HABITAT, should “improve policies, plans, and designs for more compact, socially inclusive, better integrated, and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development and are resilient to climate change at the city, regional, and national levels.” The world’s best-planned urban cities include Singapore City in Singapore, Brazilia in Brazil, Chandigarh in India, Seoul in South Korea, and Copenhagen in Denmark. In the Philippines, five regions that surpassed the national level of urbanization in 2020 are Calabarzon (70.5 percent), Davao (66.8 percent), Central Luzon (66.3 percent), and Soccsksargen (55.5 percent), according to the 2022 report of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) based on the 2020 population census. The cities of Angeles in Pampanga and Mandaue in Cebu had the highest level of urbanization, with 100 percent each. Of the country’s 81 provinces, 11 provinces registered a level of urbanization higher than the national level in 2020. On a sad note, Eastern Visayas (14.7 percent), Cagayan Valley (19.5 percent), Bicol (23.8 percent), Ilocos (25.5 percent), and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (27.6 percent) posted the lowest level of urbanization, the same PSA report showed. Overseas, towns and villages have adapted to technological innovations and big data for urban analytics. Urban planners now consider including countryside localities in developing sustainable and resilient communities despite needing more resources, strategies, and expertise. Many urban planners find harmony in geometry and numbers, taking a leaf from the ancient works of Greek architect and mathematician Hippodamus of Miletus, considered the father of urban planning. Today’s towns and cities incorporate functional innovations where everything gets “smart,” from people to intelligent traffic lighting and drones, better infrastructures, facilities, and communications systems, and a strategic blueprint for mitigating the impact of climate change and other environmental problems. With the booming population nationwide, it would be wise to create more growth areas outside the center of progress to improve service and operational efficiency. Local executives and councils must do much work to empower those who must catch up and provide leadership in a highly competitive environment. After all, greater economic inclusion should benefit people with low or no incomes and vulnerable sectors. The beauty of inclusive urban planning lies in ensuring that all can partake of its benefits. As Greek philosopher Socrates once said: “By far the greatest and most admirable form of wisdom is that needed to plan and beautify cities and human communities.” Ultimately, any strategic urban design should not only be a mixture of arts and humanities, but also a fusion of science and numbers. (You may send comments and reactions to feedback032020@gmail.com or text 0931-1057135.) The post A model urban community appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Immigration officer convicted
The National Bureau of Investigation yesterday revealed that a Bureau of Immigration officer has been convicted for the falsification of travel records showing that former Wirecard chief operating officer Jan Marsalek was in the Philippines even if he did not arrive and leave the country in 2020. The NBI said BI officer Marcos S. Nicodemus has been found guilty by the Pasay City Regional Trial Court of violations of Republic Act 10175, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and RA 3019, the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Though the RTC decision was not provided by the NBI, it said that Nicodemus “was sentenced by the court to a maximum imprisonment of nine years for each of the criminal cases with perpetual disqualification to hold public office.” Marsalek, an Austrian national, has been wanted by the German government for his involvement in the $2.2 billion Wirecard fraud. In 2020, the Philippine government joined the hunt for Marsalek due to Wirecard’s links in the country and discovered travel records that showed that the Austrian came to the Philippines in 2020. Then Department of Justice Secretary and now Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra ordered the NBI to conduct an investigation. In August 2020, the NBI “recommended to the DoJ the prosecution of subject Marcos Nicodemus for falsifying the travel records of an Austrian national.” “Investigation conducted by NBI-IAID (NBI-International Airport Investigation Division) revealed that based on Marsalek’s travel records, he arrived in the Philippines through NAIA Terminal 1 on 23 June 2020, processed by Immigration Officer Darren Ilagan but with a mysterious ‘canceled by user’ remark and departure on 24 June 2020 at Mactan-Cebu International Airport processed by Immigration Officer Perry Michael Pancho,” the NBI said. “However, NBI-IAID discovered thru CCTV (closed circuit television) footages that Marsalek never entered the Philippines and he did not even depart through MCIA,” the NBI said. The records of Marsalek were found to be spurious due to the following: Existing immigrations protocol as of that date disallowing passengers from entering Philippine territory due to Covid situation; absence of actual scanned data page of the passport; existing protocol that incoming flights of airlines disallowing the boarding of a passenger who will be prevented entry based on the destination country’s protocol as of flight date. The NBI said that Ilagan testified that Nicodemus, who was his supervisor, “ordered him to conduct a derogatory check upon Marsalek despite the fact that he was already not on duty on that date and that Marsalek is not present during checking.” Guevarra in 2020, said that the travel records of the Marsalek were falsified possibly as “diversionary tactics to mislead his pursuers.” The post Immigration officer convicted appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
SBG honors teachers during World Teachers’ Day celebration in Lapu-Lapu City
Senator Bong Go personally paid tribute to educators in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu during their World Teachers' Day Celebration at Hoops Dome on Friday, 6 October. Go acknowledged the vital role played by teachers in society and expressed his deep appreciation for their sacrifices, especially during the challenging times when the education landscape has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “I have always believed that teachers are the architects of our future. Sila ang naglalagay ng pundasyon para sa uri ng lipunan na nais nating itayo. At huwag nating kalimutan, ginagawa nila ito hindi lamang sa pamamagitan ng tisa at pisara, kundi sa mga aral sa buhay na kanilang ibinabahagi, na madalas ay higit pa sa kanilang tungkulin,” Go highlighted. As part of his appreciation, Go provided gift packs, masks, and snacks to all teachers present while he also provided balls for basketball and volleyball, shirts, and vitamins for the schools. He also gave away bicycles, shoes, and mobile phones to select recipients. The senator also took the opportunity to highlight the importance of providing support to educators through better government interventions to protect their welfare. “At ako malaki ang aking pasasalamat sa mga teachers. Hindi ako magiging senador kung hindi ako natuto noon. Dumaan ako sa mga guro na mga mababait at may natutunan ako... Maraming salamat sa inyong pagserbisyo,” he acknowledged. In 2019, Go authored and co-sponsored Republic Act No. 11466, also known as the Salary Standardization Law 5, which gives civilian government employees, including public school teachers, another round of salary increases broken down in tranches. Go also expressed support for another increase in salaries for government workers through the proposed Salary Standardization Law 6 which can also benefit public school teachers nationwide if enacted into law. The senator has also co-authored and co-sponsored Senate Bill No. 1964, or the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act, which seeks to institutionalize teaching supplies allowances for public school teachers if enacted into law. The proposed measure was approved on the third and final reading last May. sponsored SBN 1360 which seeks to expand the coverage of the tertiary education subsidy by amending RA 10931, or the Universal Access To Quality Tertiary Education Act which was first enacted into law during the Duterte administration. Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, also highlighted the National Academy of Sports, a fully operational institution located within the New Clark City in Tarlac, which he authored and co-sponsored that became RA 11470, establishing the NAS in 2020. NAS is a government-run educational institution that offers quality secondary education with a special curriculum on sports for gifted young Filipinos who want to enhance their physical and mental capabilities in sports. During his visit, he likewise witnessed the ribbon-cutting and opening of the new wing at Lapu-Lapu City Hospital which he also advocated for earlier. Furthermore, he also supported the construction of a diversion road along Barangays Basak and Gabi in Lapu-Lapu City. Go also went to Cebu City where he attended the Barangay Health Workers Summit and provided assistance to fire victims before heading to Lapu-Lapu City. Earlier that day, Go was a guest speaker during the 33rd Commencement Exercises of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines Maragondon Branch where he extended tokens to 480 graduates. He also gave away tokens to 121 graduates of PUP-Alfonso Branch, which also held its 7th Commencement Exercises on the same day. The post SBG honors teachers during World Teachers’ Day celebration in Lapu-Lapu City appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Global apparel retailer marks 5th year in Phl
Uniqlo marks the fifth anniversary of its Global Flagship Store in the Philippines with fun-filled activities for the public from 13 to 26 October. Since its opening in 2018, the Uniqlo Manila Global Flagship Store has brought customers exciting things over the years. As part of the brand’s appreciation for being part of Filipinos’ daily lives, Uniqlo offers customers an even better shopping experience. Embrace the future Uniqlo Manila’s fifth anniversary theme is “Elevated Store. Elevated Essentials. Embrace the Future.” Bringing the concept to life is Uniqlo’s partnership with five young and distinguished individuals who have achieved global recognition in their respective fields. Each partner represents one of the brand’s biggest item lines which all hold innovative functionality at its core. Food and lifestyle content creator Erwan Heussaff, recognized by the prestigious James Beard Media Awards last June, joins the group for AIRism. Groundbreaking director Martika Escobar, the first Philippine director to win an award at the Sundance Film Festival, represents Heattech. Modeling for the AirSense line-up is entrepreneur Gio Visitacion, owner of the Good Cup Coffee Company and 2020 Philippine Brewers Cup champion. Southeast Asian Games Medalist and Guinness World Record holder Kaizen Dela Serna for UV Protection products. Award-winning singer and actress, popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo for Bra Tops. Coffee experience Uniqlo Coffee, on the second floor of its Flagship Store, brings Filipinos the brand’s cafe-style offerings that first opened in 2021 at the renewed Uniqlo Global Flagship Store in Ginza (Tokyo, Japan). Highlighting the brand’s commitment to being one with the community, the coffee drinks will be made with locally sourced, high quality coffee beans from Mt. Apo. It will feature goods and pastries that mix Filipino and Japanese flavors. As part of its commitment to sustainability, Uniqlo is also set to bring to Manila its Re.Uniqlo Studio, where customers will get to enjoy repair services on their pre-loved Uniqlo items, bringing new life to their favorite LifeWear pieces. Lastly, Uniqlo refreshes its UTme! line-up, collaborating with local artists from all over the country to bring customers unique designs they can customize on t-shirts and tote bags. The artists include Gianne Encarnacion and Ross Du of Metro Manila, Johanna Velasco and Myka Arnado of Cebu, and Kajo Baldisimo of Davao. Muralist Glendford Lumbao also joins in to contribute a piece to be displayed at the new experience areas on the second floor of the Flagship Store. From 13 to 31 October, customers can expect freebies and promos exclusive to the flagship store. Visit www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/. The post Global apparel retailer marks 5th year in Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fabrication laboratory opens in Cebu
The Department of Trade and Industry and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in Central Visayas recently opened another fabrication laboratory. According to DTI-7 regional director Maria Elena Arbon, the agency invested P11.7 million for the newest facility, which is located at the TESDA 7 compound in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City. The FabLab — which was first established in 2020 — will be offering various digital fabrication services to students, entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and the general public. It is a technology-based incubator laboratory and it provides MSMEs and product makers with prototyping facilities to invent and enhance new and existing products. Arbon said DTI invested in digitally advanced equipment such as 3D printers, laser cutter, printer and cutter, desktop vinyl cutter,computer numerical control router, small CNC bench-box and milling machine. The post Fabrication laboratory opens in Cebu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
LAWMAKER ON WHEELS — Ejercito’s love for Phl sports is one of a kind
Senator JV Ejercito’s love for cycling is hard to miss. From interviews to his social media posts, the 53-year-old lawmaker would always find a way to display his love for cycling — and sports in general. That’s why in a recent interview with Daily Tribune, Ejercito took the opportunity to preach the benefits of cycling and how he wants to spearhead the staging of more local and international tournaments that would encourage a lot of enthusiasts to take the sport seriously. “We need to have more competitions like Ronda Pilipinas. I hope somebody picks up the cudgels for it to continue because competition improves the quality of our athletes,” said Ejercito, referring to the annual professional road cycling competition that covers major cities in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The prestigious bikefest started in 2011 and has drawn the interest of the best local and international riders. It, however, got canceled this year as it prepares to transition from being an annual to a biennial event. “We need competitions,” Ejercito stressed. But batting for the staging of a professional cycling competition is just a mere fraction of Ejercito’s love for the sport. In fact, during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Ejercito took the cudgels for the cyclists when he slammed the Inter-Agency Task Force for raising the proposal of requiring cyclists to wear face shields on the road. Ejercito stressed that this proposal will put the cyclists’ lives at risk as they might suffer hypoxia or lack of oxygen. Having first-hand experience on the challenges of the sport, Ejercito asserted that the proposal might create more harm than good. “I am not in favor of requiring face shields to those who are biking and exercising. This might cause hypoxia or lack of oxygen. While breathing hard, intake of oxygen is already minimized with masks so what more if they will require them to wear face shields? This can be fatal,” Ejercito said. “Cyclists usually are away from each other. Face shields should be required in enclosed and crowded places. There is already a mask that is required anyway.” “Wearing a face shield while cycling is dangerous. The mask is enough.” But that’s not all. Ejercito also fought hard for the rights of cyclists through Senate Bill 393 that pushes for more bicycle lanes in major thoroughfares. He believes that by putting up bicycle lanes, the government would encourage the public to bike to their respective schools or offices instead of riding cars, buses or trains. The public would also get to save a lot on their transportation expenses while helping the government solve the worsening traffic situation. “This legislation is one way to help unburden commuters who are choosing to ride their bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles in order to escape the worsening traffic situation and save money on fares and fuel, especially now that prices of petroleum products have skyrocketed,” the bill’s explanatory note said. Ejercito said the government will also benefit from this proposal. “Though we admire such resilience and innovation, the government should also look into improving road conditions for alternative means of transportation,” Ejercito, the son of former President Joseph Estrada, said. “Until such a time that the government has finished its goal to provide mass transportation that is people-centered and accommodating to every walk of life, there will always be room for alternative forms of travel.” Ejercito admitted that he even considered riding his bicycle to work. “Even I couldn’t bear it each time I load up on gas. I shell out P5,000 every time. It’s hard on my pockets. Hopefully, I can save by biking to work,” Ejercito said. As of May 2023, about 546 kilometers of bike lanes were already established in Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, according to the Department of Transportation. Aside from cycling, Ejercito also plays golf and boxing. He is also an avid fan of basketball. In fact, he was at the sidelines when Gilas Pilipinas battled China in the FIBA Basketball World Cup together with other senators in Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Joel Villanueva and Juan Miguel Zubiri. Ejercito said if there will be a chance, he will gladly lend a helping hand to Philippine sports. After all, he is no stranger to grassroots sports after serving as chairman of the committee on youth and sports when he was still representing San Juan City in the House of Representatives. With him in charge, he was able to help the Philippine Sports Commission with its funding that led to the rise of promising athletes like Hidilyn Diaz, who went on to become the country’s first Olympic gold medalist. “There’s no specific NSA (national sports association) but if there is an opportunity, I will help. I box, I cycle and I even played basketball before,” the mild-mannered Ejercito said. Truly, sports, especially cycling, occupies a very special place in Ejercito’s heart. And he will keep on helping Filipino athletes — one pedal at a time. The post LAWMAKER ON WHEELS — Ejercito’s love for Phl sports is one of a kind appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cebu-based coop finds low-cost loans feasible
Cebu CFI Community Cooperative plans to upgrade its digital tools to extend affordable loans to more individuals and enterprises nationwide. Cebu CFI president and CEO Pablo Garcia said the loan portfolio of the 53-year-old cooperative expanded from P5 billion to P9 billion in 2020 through its use of modern computers and mobile apps. “In the past, computers of cooperatives were from the nineties so they didn’t have the technological capacities to deploy financial services easily. Now, people can borrow digitally,” Garcia told the Daily Tribune in its show “Business Sense with Komfie Manalo” on Monday. The cooperative offers online personal, health, salary, housing, education and business loans with interest rates of 7 percent to 9 percent per annum. In contrast, Garcia said big banks can impose up to 12 percent per month and 20 percent monthly from informal lenders called 5-6 lenders. Garcia said customers can pay their loans and other Cebu CFI products as easily as using an e-wallet. Garcia shared that the cooperative recently received P4 billion from the Land Bank of the Philippines and is discussing another financing project with the Small Business Corporation of the Department of Trade and Industry. Digitalization makes it happen Through digitalization, the cooperative can lend faster without their customers going to its main office in Capitol Compound in Cebu or its branch in Makati City. “There is no annual fee and you have access to all our digital services as well. You have access to finance easily in your pocket or on your computer,” he said. “We are a friendly financial partner hoping to provide financial stability for Filipinos at the lowest interest rate in the Philippines,” Garcia added. As a cooperative, Cebu CFI is able to further provide loans through its members’ contributions which the company pools and reinvestments in other businesses, such as real estate and food. Gains from these investments are then distributed to the members digitally. “Through the funds that you put in the cooperative or the funds that we lend to you as a cooperative, we are able to create programs that allow you to increase your incomes. We do this together,” Garcia said. “Our members and their families are able to grow through our education and business assistance and opportunities for comfortable housing. So, the effect is we help the economy not just in the long term, but even in two to five years.” For example, Cebu CFI offers members loans to put up their own Five Star Manok, a chicken franchise originated in Thailand and uses a mobile app to facilitate all business transactions. After all these digital efforts, Cebu CFI has increased its assets to P15 billion and gained trust from government lenders for additional capital to support its growing demand for personal and business loans. The post Cebu-based coop finds low-cost loans feasible appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
QC to strengthen bike lanes after ex-cop road-rage incident
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday said the city government will further strengthen the safety of bike lanes and deploy more bike patrols to protect cyclists and maintain safer roads. This was after a cyclist was assaulted by an ex-policeman in an incident that was recorded by a netizen, becoming viral on social media. The ex-cop, who pulled a gun on the cyclist, was driving his vehicle on the bike lane. Belmonte stressed that City Ordinance SP-2988 S-2020 or the Ordinance promoting Safe Cycling and Active Transport penalizes motorists obstructing cycling lanes or walking paths. Section 8.2.2 of City Ordinance SP-2636 S-2017 or QC Road Safety Code states that “no driver shall permit his/her vehicle to block any portion of the bicycle lane. At no time shall any vehicle use, straddle, or obstruct the designated bike lane.” "We would like to reassure the cycling community and all our citizens for that matter that the city is willing to exhaust all means to demonstrate to them that we will act in their interest and in the pursuit of justice," the mayor said. Quezon City Rep. Marvin Rillo (Dist. IV) said another P500 million in fresh funding in 2024 will be of great help to the mayor in this regard. The funds, according to Rillo, will be used for upgrading bicycle lanes and pedestrian walkways under the national government’s Active Transport Program in metropolitan areas. “To further stimulate human-powered mobility, such as cycling and walking, there is an additional budget of P500 million for the development of active transport infrastructure and facilities in 2024,” Rillo, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said. “We are all for active transport, which lessens harmful motor vehicle emissions, promotes cleaner air and improves individual and community health,” Rillo, also vice chairperson of the House committee on Metro Manila development, said. The solon explained that the P500 million for the ATP in 2024 is lodged in the budget of the Department of Transportation. The amount is on top of the P705 million earmarked for the ATP this year and the P2 billion funding for the program in 2022. Rillo expressed confidence that the additional government spending for the ATP would protect a greater number of Filipinos who use bicycles as an alternative mode of mobility. As of June this year, the ATP has so far built 564 kilometers of bicycle lanes throughout Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao. The DOTr earlier said it expects the country’s bicycle lane network to reach 2,400 kilometers by 2028. “In other countries where governments are spending more to develop bicycle lanes, they’ve actually seen a five-fold increase in the number of people using bicycles,” Rillo said. The ATP bankrolls the construction of protected, hazard-free bicycle lanes, procurement of bike racks, improvement of end-of-trip cycling infrastructure and the upgrading of pop-up bike lanes into permanent bike lanes. The program also funds the development of pedestrian pathways and crossings designed to accommodate persons with disability, senior citizens, pregnant women, parents with children in strollers and tourists with luggage. Rillo said it will also finance the creation of urban shade trees for the benefit of cyclists, commuters and pedestrians. The post QC to strengthen bike lanes after ex-cop road-rage incident appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Art you can carry’
This is what homegrown brand FINO Leatherware calls its first collaborative artist-led project featuring the works of Kara Pangilinan. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172271,172272"] Kara Pangilinan at work. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172270,172273"] FINO Leatherware has always grounded its brand philosophy on Filipino artistry. FINO x KARA is a one-off collection of bags that features the artist’s hand paintings, dated and signed, and accompanied by a certificate of authentication. The 30-piece series is an ode to heritage with Pangilinan expressing the themes of local flora and fauna alongside the Filipina’s evolved identity. Slender palm fronds, gumamela and sampaguita flowers emerge from the bags’ panels, the leather’s varying colors from bright red to pastel hues setting off Pangilinan’s black and white strokes. The artist’s portraits of womenin traditional garb bridge generations, with one in particular revealing the gaze of a strong, modern Filipina. Since its founding back in 1992, FINO Leatherware has always grounded its brand philosophy on Filipino artistry, from the craftsmen to the creatives who’ve conceptualized collections. Its most recent campaigns paid tribute to Filipino culture, to include a wrist purse called Sipa, which is inspired by a local game, the Vinta bags and clutches that evoke the sailing tradition of Mindanao, and the Puso bags which takes its shape from a staple of Cebu’s street food — rice wrapped in banana leaves. Pangilinan was a student of architecture at the University of the Philippines when she began to try her hand at art. After earning her degree, she worked in an architectural firm for a few months before deciding on becoming a full-time artist. Murals and commercial works for brands such as Heineken, Globe and YouTube defined the early phase of Pangilinan’s journey. Simultaneously, she was developing a more personal practice, exploring various thematic concepts and her favored medium at that time, ink on paper. In the years that followed, Pangilinan diversified into acrylic painting to exploit the full color spectrum of the medium. For her collaboration with FINO, however, the artist returns to the palette that has defined the early phase of her career. The collection is introduced by none other than Miss Philippines Universe 2020 first runner-up Bella Ysmael, who epitomizes FINO’s ideal Filipina. She graces the FINO x KARA campaign which announces the release of the collection, available by the end of September in FINO’s flagship store in Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="172279,172280"] “Having Bella on board was important for us,” says FINO co-founder Rose Ann Bautista. “We wanted the right woman to represent not just the new collection, but our new direction as well.” The post ‘Art you can carry’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Converge building 3 new data centers for $60M
Fiber internet service provider Converge ICT Solutions, Inc. is investing $60 million to simultaneously build three new data centers in the country to serve the surge in data requirements. In an interview last week, Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy said each site, which will likely be complete in the next two years, will have a maximum capacity of 1,000 racks. “We will build three data centers this year. We now have a site in Angeles, Pampanga, and Quezon City. Usually, they will have 600 racks per site and expandable to 1,000 and it will be within 18 to 24 months,” Uy said. Converge is currently building a P1-billion data center in Cebu with around 300 racks, which is scheduled to be complete by the third quarter of 2024. Data centers are facilities centralizing an organization's shared information technology operations and equipment to store, process, and disseminate data and applications. Since they house critical assets, data centers are important in sustaining the daily operations of a company. Despite the hefty investment needed for the new facilities, Uy said Converge is not yet planning to hold any fundraising activities. “We don’t have any new fund-raising activity, especially now interest rates are so high. We were just lucky to have secured financial support earlier,” he said. Based on the 2023 First Quarter market report by S&P Global Market Intelligence, the Philippines is poised to book a 13 percent compounded annual growth rate in data center operational space between 2020 to 2025. The positive projection was driven by the recent expansion of hyperscalers and significant interests of global enterprises in the country — placing the Philippines on a competitive footing with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. The post Converge building 3 new data centers for $60M appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Forked-tongue promises
Commitment to transparency is among the qualities of a corporation that investors and the public look at before making the crucial decision to either infuse some capital into it or buy its products. Power companies have the bigger responsibility for disclosures during the difficult period of rising prices, coupled with the global effort to save the earth from climate catastrophe as a result of greenhouse gases. In 2017, a movement among global big businesses for full disclosure of their projects that may impact the environment called Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, or TCFD, was launched. Since then, the country’s biggest corporations have signed up to the global transparency movement but not San Miguel Corp. Instead, SMC said in its annual report that it “developed a comprehensive, standardized data template to capture pertinent data and disclosures on our material ESG topics from our various subsidiaries,” without actually signing up for the global accord. Among companies engaged in power generation, SMC also lags in terms of its climate commitments. Think tank Center for Energy, Ecology and Development said in 2019 that First Gen of the Lopez Group announced it will “lead the transition to a decarbonized energy system in line with the United Nations target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.” SMC, which now dominates energy production through fossil fuel, also has not made any commitments to align with the 1.5°C Paris temperature goal. CEED said that unlike some of the biggest conglomerates in the country, SMC has yet to indicate unqualified support for TCFD. The body was created to develop recommendations on the types of information that should be disclosed by corporations to support investors, lenders and insurance underwriters in appropriately assessing and pricing a specific set of risks related to climate change. The Aboitiz Group, through its holding company Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., was the first local supporter of TCFD. The global movement said on its online site that companies that express support for TCFD recommendations “join a cohort of leading companies that take action against climate change and are thoughtful to consider how climate change will impact their businesses.” “Easing transparency makes markets more efficient, and economies more stable and resilient,” Michael Bloomberg, TCFD chairperson said. According to CEED, the disclosure of climate risks in key private undertakings would guide SMC and its shareholders in making informed choices in “an increasingly carbon-constrained world.” It added that the value of climate-disclosure information and SMC’s plans for a low-carbon economy are becoming increasingly valuable for stakeholders. SMC, by the way, has major shareholders affiliated with the Catholic Church that have kept silent amid the reluctance of the Asian giant for full disclosure. Church groups, ironically, have been calling for action and accountability from financial institutions, energy and extractive companies, and government leaders to contribute to efforts to save the planet. In July 2021, SMC announced plans to move away from building new coal facilities, including those that use “clean technology,” and move towards clean energy. SMC, however, never discloses which power plant projects will be dropped except for three projects in Quezon and Cebu that have total capacities of 1,500 megawatts. CEED said data from the DoE from July 2020 showed plans for new coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of 3,628 MW until a moratorium imposed by the Department of Energy disrupted these plans. SMC also stated that it is aggressively pursuing more sustainable sources of energy which include expensive liquefied natural gas. The duplicity is very apparent since the company’s environmental commitments clash with its actual program to dominate power generation through imported fossil fuel. The post Forked-tongue promises appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023
PASAY CITY — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) showcased its emergency response capability and preparedness during the Crash and Rescue Exercise (CREX) 2023 at the airside premises of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Friday, 4 August. The successful demonstration of this year’s full-scale simulated emergency CREX allows MIAA to ensure that the prescribed plans, guidelines, and organizational setup of the 8th edition of the NAIA Airport Emergency Plan 2023 adequately and effectively address emergencies occurring at or within the immediate vicinity of the country’s main gateway. “A dependable communication and coordination system is essential for a responsive Airport Emergency Plan (AEP). This exercise puts our communication and coordination system to the test, not only among MIAA offices but also with our external partner agencies,” said MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co. “We want to assess primary and secondary responders’ ability to respond to an aircraft crash and the resulting mass casualty event, including rescue and fire suppression, treatment and transport of survivors, and crash site security. The exercise also validates the methods for shifting from an emergency situation to normal airport operations following a potential major incident,” Co added. The scenario for CREX 2023 involved a commercial aircraft bound for Subic, CREX flight #0000, carrying 76 passengers and four crew members, that suffered a left engine malfunction during the take-off run after a flock of domestic pigeons crossing the runway was ingested into the aircraft's number one (left) engine, causing the aircraft to crash. The aircraft lost thrust on its number one engine during take-off. The pilot attempted to abort the take-off, but the aircraft veered off the runway and came to a stop on the western portion. A fire broke out on the left wing. In this mock incident, there were 80 casualties, with 72 survivors and eight deceased. In addition to the standard fire suppression, medical, emergency response, and search and rescue activities, this year's CREX edition featured the activation of Cebu Pacific's Accident Site Go Team, marking the first time MIAA partnered with an airline. “Cebu Pacific prioritizes safety and has established processes when it comes to emergency response. We thank the MIAA for the opportunity for us to train together to help ensure that communication systems are in place in the event of a multi-agency response,” Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said as the airline demonstrated its emergency response, particularly in providing support to victims as well as processing and cross-matching victims and family members. The CREX is held to continuously meet security standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). In compliance with ICAO’s Suggested and Recommended Practices, the CREX is held every two years, but the full-scale exercise may not be conducted if the airport’s emergency plan was activated. The last full-scale CREX was on 19 October 2017. Several actual aircraft incidents in the succeeding years then brought to the fore MIAA’s emergency response capabilities. In August 2018, a Plan 1 emergency under its Airport Emergency Plan was activated when a Xiamen Air aircraft veered off the main runway while attempting to land during a heavy downpour. Barely two years after, another Plan 1 emergency occurred in March 2020, when a Lion Air medivac flight caught fire while it was rolling for take-off. The most recent involved a Saudia Airlines flight that went off the taxiway onto the grassy portion when its six right landing gears malfunctioned in June 2022. All passengers and crew were immediately evacuated and brought to NAIA Terminal 1. No one was hurt as a result of the incident. NAIA is rated as a Category IX airport, while MIAA’s current rescue and firefighting capability is Category X compliant, making it ready to respond to an airport emergency involving an Airbus A380. With the support of highly skilled fire and rescue personnel, a medical team well trained and experienced in aviation medicine, a fleet of modern firefighting and medical vehicles, pneumatic aircraft lifting systems, and various other rescue equipment, the MIAA Emergency Services department is on par with its counterparts in the region. “As this is a multi-agency response to a simulated emergency, assessment activities will be done after the exercise, where stakeholders are welcome to share their observations and raise comments and suggestions to improve our airport emergency plan and coordination system. The response is a community effort, and we appreciate everyone’s contribution in our quest to maintain the global standards of safety and security in NAIA,” Co said. “We would also like to thank our secondary responders for their support: Pasay City General Hospital, Ospital ng Parañaque, San Juan De Dios Hospital, Philippine Airforce, Las Piñas General Hospital, Philippine Coast Guard, Taguig City Fire Station, Manila Medical Center, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) – Makati, Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group, Las Piñas City Fire Station, BFP Parañaque, Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Red Cross – Pasay City Chapter, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority,” Co added. See more photos here: The post MIAA demonstrates NAIA’s emergency response preparedness at CREX 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CoA flags Barili town over inaccurate records
The Commission on Audit on Wednesday revealed that it has found some discrepancies on the financial statements of the municipality of Barili in Cebu province, citing its “inaccurate” computation of real property taxes and special education tax receivables, resulting into income loss to the government. State auditors said that the submitted 2022 Financial Statements for its Property, Plant and Equipment of the Barili LGU was doubtful and allegedly had unreliable records on road networks. It added that the town failed to conduct an inventory of its infrastructure assets, raising doubts on the existence, accuracy and completeness of items recorded in its PPE account. To recall, the Barili LGU has indicated that it had P343.52 million in PPE representing 70 percent of its declared assets of P489.01 million for 2022. PPE are government assets including land, land improvements, buildings, and other structures, machinery and equipment; transportation equipment; furniture, fixtures and books; leasehold improvements; and other PPE including specialist military equipment, infrastructure assets, and heritage assets. The CoA found deficiencies in the inventory process, including the non-updating of property and PPE ledger cards, and the non-issuance/renewal of acknowledgement receipts for equipment. CoA Circular 2020-006 mandates every local government unit to properly account for all PPE items by conducting physical count, as the PPE usually comprises the largest bulk of the municipality’s assets. The municipality claimed that it conducted a physical count of infrastructure but the inventory was unable to complete the inventory, but state auditors said that Barili’s road network amounting to P148.24 million was unreliable as it failed to separate the cost components of the road network, the non-computation of separate depreciation for each road component, and the error in providing a residual value since no residual value should have been provided. State auditors cited that the road lot component was not recognized and no inventory report was prepared, the local road network property card was not maintained and the LRN system was not disclosed in the Notes to Financial Statements. The CoA said that the Barili LGU violated CoA Circular 2015-008 and International Public Sector Accounting Standards 1 which affected the accuracy of the financial statements. The post CoA flags Barili town over inaccurate records appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos hits NGCP over delayed transmission projects
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has reprimanded the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, the country’s lone transmission system operator, for the delay of numerous projects that could have further improved the power services in the country. “The one grid, one market will enable more efficient transfers and more competitive pricing of electricity throughout the country. However, 68 grid connections are much delayed according to the ERC's (Energy Regulatory Commission) count. We are conducting a performance review of our private concessionaire the NGCP,” Marcos said at his second State on the Nation Address on Monday, 24 July. Thus, the President vowed to look into the NGCP to ensure that “all of its deliverables” starting with the Mindanao-Visayas Interconnection Project or MVIP and the Cebu-Negros-Panay interconnection will be delivered. NGCP is undertaking the P52-billion MVIP, which was supposed to launch within the first half of the year. The MVIP will link together all three major Philippine islands to create one grid. The NGCP was authorized by the ERC to start building the project way back in 2017. It was initially scheduled to be completed in 2020 but it was delayed due to the pandemic. Reacting to the President’s report, the NGCP said it will “concentrate all available resources toward the completion of ongoing transmission projects while expediting others in the pipeline.” “We agree with the President’s sentiments. Even before the SONA, NGCP has already been working towards the vision that he mentioned,” NGCP President and CEO Anthony Almeda was quoted as saying in a press statement. “After hearing it straight from him -- his vision that is completely aligned with ours -- we know we are on the right track and we’re more motivated to complete all our objectives in a prompt manner,” he added. The operator said the MVIP will be “fully energized to 450MW by the third quarter of this year.” Meanwhile, ERC chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta reiterated that the NGCP’s performance review is part of the ongoing regulatory rate reset process. “We expect to complete a significant portion (for years 2016-2020) very soon. We also reported to the President, and included in his address, the efforts regarding ensuring timely implementation of transmission projects,” Dimalanta said in a text message to the Daily Tribune. “Out of the 68 delayed projects identified, ERC already issued a show cause order to NGCP issued on 4 July 2023 for 37 projects requiring explanation for the delay,” she added. The ERC recently ordered the NGCP to explain the delay of more than 30 projects supposed to enhance the country's transmission system. In a show cause order dated 14 June 2023 and issued on 4 July 2023, the ERC pointed out that the NGCP’s approved capital expenditure or capex for projects was not followed. Hence, projects have been delayed. Thus, it required the NGCP to submit a “verified explanation” within 15 days from receipt of the order “why no administrative penalty should be imposed upon it.” According to ERC, some 37 projects with many days delayed ranging from 21 to as high as 2,561 days. Among those projects with a high number of days delayed is the Tuy (Calaca)-Dasmariñas 500-kilovolt Transmission Line Project. The project was supposed to be completed on 11 July 2016, but it remains 82.48 percent complete as of date. Per ERC, the project has been delayed by 2,528 days. The Bataan-Cavite/Metro Manila Transmission Line Project (Phase 1) Feasibility Study is 2,561 days delayed, the ERC added. As mandated by the power regulator, the NGCP should submit a “detailed explanation on the cause of delay per project, as well as the actual timeline of implementation per project.” The NGCP holds a 25-year franchise to solely operate the power transmission assets of the government and secure power reserves for contingency. The post Marcos hits NGCP over delayed transmission projects appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
2 ecozone firms close, 4,100 workers lose jobs
At least 4,100 workers lost their jobs with the closure of two locators inside the Mactan Economic Zone in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. Department of Labor and Employment in Central Visayas Regional Director Lilia Estillore said Mactan Apparel Inc. and First Glory Philippines Inc. have decided to cease operations due to high production and logistics cost. Mactan Apparel will retrench 3,500 workers while First Glory, a logistics company, will retrench 600 workers. Estillore said the 4,100 workers are to receive separation pay on 25 July as mandated by law. The amount will depend on the number of years that they have worked in their respective companies. Instead of paying them half month's salary per year of service, the two companies are giving their employees compensation equivalent to 18 days per year of service, according to Estillore. In addition, the retrenched workers will be paid their compensation for the entire month of July even if they will no longer be asked to report for work until the end of the month, the DoLE official added. DoLE-7 can release P10,000 to P30,000 as livelihood grant for the said workers. Its "writeshop" will teach the workers how to create a project proposal that would make them qualify to avail of the agency's livelihood assistance, she said. Meanwhile, Labor group Partido Manggagawa denounced the retrenchment and asked the multinational company Adidas to explain why its supplier factories are closing down. "These are factory closures, not just mass layoffs. Even though the economy is growing, workers are suffering. More than 4,000 breadwinners have lost their jobs and their families will now have to deal with all the difficulties of joblessness," Dennis Derige, PM-Cebu Chapter spokesperson, said. Derige said there are three factories in MEZ that make sportswear exclusively for the global brand Adidas and is part of the Sports City conglomerate, the biggest MEZ employer that supplies global garment brands. The closure of the two MEZ factories resulted in the third wave of mass layoffs at Sports City. In September 2020, some 4,000 workers were retrenched while another 4,000 were displaced in September 2022. The post 2 ecozone firms close, 4,100 workers lose jobs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Mandaue projects shelving seen
The local government of Mandaue City in Cebu disclosed that it will have to sacrifice some of its projects as the National Tax Allotment share decreased in the first half of 2023. City Treasurer Lawyer Regal Oliva said the NTA or formerly the Internal Revenue Allotment received by the city was only P559.61 million and she projected that Mandaue will receive around P1.12 billion for 2023 which is less P200 million compared to 2022 of P1.31 billion. However, she cited that the City Treasurer’s Office has been working to boost local revenues to cover up with the revenue shortfall. To recall, the Covid-19 pandemic has heavily impacted businesses from 2020 to 2021 and contributed to the reduction of NTA shares to local government units as Oliva stressed that tightening their belts next year because they expect the figures to decrease further as these will be based on the 2021 tax collection. The post Mandaue projects shelving seen appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»