There may never be a COVID-19 ‘silver bullet’: WHO
The World Health Organization warned Monday that there might never be a “silver bullet” for the new coronavirus, despite the rush to discover effective vaccines. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus/AFP FILE/ MANILA BULLETIN The WHO urged governments and citizens to focus on doing the known basics, such as testing, contact tracing, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask in order to suppress the pandemic, which has upended normal life around the globe and triggered a devastating economic crisis. “We all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference. “However, there’s no silver bullet at the moment — and there might never be. “For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control. “Do it all,” he urged. The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 690,000 people and infected at least 18.1 million since the outbreak emerged in Wuhan in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. China mission The WHO began pressing China in early May to invite in its experts to help investigate the animal origins of COVID-19. The UN health agency sent an epidemiologist and an animal health specialist to Beijing on July 10 to lay the groundwork for a probe aimed at identifying how the virus entered the human species. Their scoping mission is now complete, said Tedros. “The WHO advance team that travelled to China has now concluded their mission to lay the groundwork for further joint efforts to identify the virus origins,” he said. “WHO and Chinese experts have drafted the terms of reference for the studies and programme of work for an international team, led by WHO. “The international team will include leading scientists and researchers from China and around the world. “Epidemiological studies will begin in Wuhan to identify the potential source of infection of the early cases. “Evidence and hypotheses generated through this work will lay the ground for further, longer-term studies.” The pair have not yet returned to the WHO’s Geneva headquarters for a debriefing. Scientists believe the killer virus jumped from animals to humans, possibly from a market in the city of Wuhan selling exotic animals for meat. Chinese officials said early in the outbreak that the virus may have spread from a market in the city, which sold live and wild animals, but no further confirmation of that has been revealed......»»
Neither ‘magic wand’ nor ‘silver bullet’
On Aug. 31, Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations (UN), has raised alarm over the devastation caused to global tourism by the prevailing 2019 coronavirus disease, or the COVID-19 pandemic......»»
There may never be a COVID-19 ‘silver bullet’: WHO
The World Health Organization warned Monday that there might never be a “silver bullet” for the new coronavirus, despite the rush to discover effective vaccines. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus/AFP FILE/ MANILA BULLETIN The WHO urged governments and citizens to focus on doing the known basics, such as testing, contact tracing, maintaining physical distance and wearing a mask in order to suppress the pandemic, which has upended normal life around the globe and triggered a devastating economic crisis. “We all hope to have a number of effective vaccines that can help prevent people from infection,” WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a virtual press conference. “However, there’s no silver bullet at the moment — and there might never be. “For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control. “Do it all,” he urged. The novel coronavirus has killed nearly 690,000 people and infected at least 18.1 million since the outbreak emerged in Wuhan in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP. China mission The WHO began pressing China in early May to invite in its experts to help investigate the animal origins of COVID-19. The UN health agency sent an epidemiologist and an animal health specialist to Beijing on July 10 to lay the groundwork for a probe aimed at identifying how the virus entered the human species. Their scoping mission is now complete, said Tedros. “The WHO advance team that travelled to China has now concluded their mission to lay the groundwork for further joint efforts to identify the virus origins,” he said. “WHO and Chinese experts have drafted the terms of reference for the studies and programme of work for an international team, led by WHO. “The international team will include leading scientists and researchers from China and around the world. “Epidemiological studies will begin in Wuhan to identify the potential source of infection of the early cases. “Evidence and hypotheses generated through this work will lay the ground for further, longer-term studies.” The pair have not yet returned to the WHO’s Geneva headquarters for a debriefing. Scientists believe the killer virus jumped from animals to humans, possibly from a market in the city of Wuhan selling exotic animals for meat. Chinese officials said early in the outbreak that the virus may have spread from a market in the city, which sold live and wild animals, but no further confirmation of that has been revealed......»»
EDITORIAL — No silver bullet
For what is touted as an initiative to amend restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution, supporters keep raising political objectives to get the nation to dance the Cha-cha......»»
SBG rallies support for Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games
Senator Bong Go, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, recently expressed his full support for Filipino athletes participating in the ongoing 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou City, China. "Suportahan natin ang mga kababayan nating sumasabak sa kasalukuyang 19th Asian Games sa Hangzhou City, China," he said in a statement upon arriving in China to show his personal support to the Philippine delegation. “Bilang chair ng Senate Committee on Sports, taus-puso kong pinupuri at pinasasalamatan ang mga manlalaro nating ibinibigay ang lahat para itaas ang bandera ng Pilipinas sa ginaganap na kompetisyon. Manalo man o matalo, ang importante ay magkaisa tayo para sa ating mga atletang Pilipino!” added the senator. "Our unity is the best form of moral support to inspire our competing athletes to give their best. Let us all rally behind them as they continue to bring glory to our country. Laban Pilipinas! Ipakita natin ang puso ng Pilipino na lumalaban hanggang dulo!" he said. As of 2 October, the Philippines has won one gold, one silver, and eight bronze medals at the Games so far. The country's lone gold medal was won by Ernest John Obiena in Athletics, specifically in the men's pole vault event. Arnel Mandal added a silver medal to the tally in the men's 56kg wushu competition. The bronze medalists include Patrick King Perez in Taekwondo's men's individual poomsae, Jones Llabres Inso in Wushu's men's taijiquan/taijijian all-around, Gideon Fred Padua in wushu's men's 60kg, and Clemente Tabugara Jr in wushu's men's 65kg. In Tennis, Alexandra Eala secured a bronze in Women's singles and another bronze in Mixed doubles alongside Francis Casey Alcantara. Eleven Ando also captured bronze in the women's weightlifting 64kg division. Rounding out the bronze medalists is Patrick Bren Coo in Cycling BMX racing for Men. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has strongly advocated for increased funding for sports programs under the Philippine Sports Commission, particularly in support of athletes competing in international competitions this year. "During the budget deliberation last year, ang ipinasa po na budget ng PSC more or less about P200 million. Ako po mismo sa Senado bilang inyong chairman po ng Committee on Sports and as vice chair ng Committee on Finance, isinulong ko talaga na madagdagan po ng P1 billion po ang pondo ng Philippine Sports Commission," he said. This move secured financial support for athletes participating in international competitions, including the 2023 Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia and the current Asian Games in China. He disclosed an allocation of P50 million through the PSC for the Asian Games, along with P30 million specifically for Asian para-games. To promote greater inclusivity and equality in sports, Go also proposed Senate Bill No. 2116, which aims to amend Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. The bill seeks to provide enhanced financial incentives and benefits for para-athletes who represent the Philippines in international competitions. He emphasized the need for increased incentives for para-athletes, stating, "Sana po’y ma-increase naman rin po ang kanilang incentives na natatanggap dahil ‘yung honor po na dala nila sa ating bayan, pareho naman po ‘yong gold, silver, bronze at pinaghirapan rin po nila." In line with his advocacy for grassroots sports development, Go also championed the National Academy of Sports, a fully operational institution located in New Clark City in Tarlac which was enacted into law that he authored and co-sponsored. Go is also prioritizing the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games as a platform to scout and recruit athletes for the national pool. He filed SBN 423, or the proposed PNG Act, which seeks to create a nationwide platform for athletes, particularly the youth, to display their abilities. The Asian Games is being held from 23 September to 8 October. The event was originally scheduled for 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The post SBG rallies support for Filipino athletes in 19th Asian Games appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Indonesia launches Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail
Indonesia launched Southeast Asia's first high-speed railway on Monday, a delayed, multibillion-dollar project backed by China that President Joko Widodo hailed as "a symbol of our modernization". With a top speed of 350 kilometers (220 miles) per hour, the bullet train "Whoosh" can get between the capital Jakarta and Bandung in 45 minutes. The 140 km journey would previously have taken about three hours by train. "The Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train marks our efficient, friendly, and integrated mass transportation system," Widodo said during a ceremony at the capital's central station. "It is a symbol of our modernization in the public transport, seamlessly connecting with other modes of transportation." Widodo said the 600-capacity train was the first high-speed rail transportation in Southeast Asia. It is part of Beijing's Belt and Road initiative -- a decade-old program of China-backed infrastructure projects. The president said the name was actually an acronym, standing for a tagline of "Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal" -- which in Bahasa Indonesia means "Saving time, optimal operation, reliable system". It was built by PT KCIC, which is made up of four Indonesian state companies and Beijing's China Railway International Co. The project was initially set to cost less than $5 billion and be completed by 2019. However, delays caused by construction challenges and the Covid-19 pandemic led to a surge in costs. In preparation for its opening, officials have conducted public trials for the new high-speed route. Last week, Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi confirmed that the government would extend the high-speed train route from Bandung to the country's second-biggest city Surabaya. Last month, Chinese Premier Li Qiang joined Senior Minister Luhut Pandjaitan on a ride aboard the train during his Jakarta visit for summits with Southeast Asian leaders. Pandjaitan told reporters on Thursday that Widodo plans to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in the future to ride the train, but did not give more specifics. agn/ebe/sn/leg © Agence France-Presse The post Indonesia launches Southeast Asia’s first high-speed rail appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
REVIEW: ‘HAMILTON’ — Astonishing stagecraft
“Hamilton,” Lin-Manuel Miranda’s rap musical about the eponymous Founding Father, has finally landed in Manila — the first stop of a new international tour that replicates the exact production currently running on Broadway and London’s West End. This is, in other words, essentially the same production that’s won every major theater award conceivable in the West, and whose live stage recording released on Disney+ three years ago was a global success among Covid-captive home viewers. You wouldn’t immediately know all that, however, just from watching this production: Even as it brims with dazzling theatricality and refreshing erudition, it also feels surprisingly small, rid of its status as a phenomenon, pared down to human size. It’s a show that’s almost oblivious to its own celebrity, even as entrance applause (erupting to diminishing returns) dotted the first 15 minutes of its 21 September gala performance at The Theatre at Solaire. Instead, it knows when to build up to the big musical moments, which are few and far between, and does so organically and therefore quite satisfyingly. The logical progression of the narrative and individual character drama — the musical’s unassailable structural precision — are rendered very clear; put bluntly, it is a storytelling apologist’s wettest dream. Never mind that the musical itself — evidently a product of modern-day liberalism, the politics of the American Dream made manifest through the eyes of 21st-century immigrants — is by now indivisible from the very valid criticisms it has received from many corners of American scholarly thought. For the uninitiated, Hamilton tells through rap the rise of the Founding Fathers, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, as they built America in the latter half of the 18th century. Admittedly, given what we know now and what we’ve been through since the musical premiered in New York in 2015, it feels weird, to say the least, to be watching a show that hero-worships to varying degrees the likes of Washington, Jefferson and Hamilton — all products of and complicit to the sins of their time. Moreover, the way the musical intentionally casts non-white actors to play these historically white figures (and slavers) can, depending on how one looks at it, come across as a stroke of meta subversion or “revisionist and insulting nonsense,” to quote one critic. Unique brilliance Again — all valid criticisms, which some have suggested are actually part of the musical’s unique brilliance. Watching the musical (through this particular production) in Manila, however, you entertain those thoughts mainly in retrospect. Inside the theater, it’s all those aforementioned merits — and more! — that surround you: a show that’s so technically precise in ways that highlight the material’s inventiveness, a feast of astonishing stagecraft, a display of just how good musical theater can get when given vast resources. [caption id="attachment_187901" align="aligncenter" width="1148"] DeAundre’ Woods as Aaron Burr. | photograph courtesy of IG/dre_woods[/caption] Despite the title, the crux of this production is DeAundre’ Woods’ Aaron Burr (Hamilton’s archrival, if you will). It’s a performance for which the phrase “no notes” seems to have been coined. Whenever Woods disappears from the stage, you look for him. But, more importantly, the genius of Woods’ performance is in how it becomes the anchor through which the musical itself can be better understood: as a story of wanting and longing, a warning against the folly of ambition, a morality tale run parallel to the uncertainty and messiness of nation-building. When Woods sings (and brings down the house with) Burr’s first big solo “Wait for It,” you instantly comprehend the song — and, for that matter, the musical. Arguably, Burr is the central and meatiest role here. Next to Woods’ interpretation, however, the smallness and silliness inherent to the story Hamilton tells become all the more coherent. You grasp how Hamilton and his posse were essentially just kids bumbling their way through a revolution. It’s all very grand on paper, but it’s also a journey chockfull of pettiness and foolishness — and on that stage, a history lesson that revels in its occasionally juvenile, highly accessible nature. [caption id="attachment_187903" align="aligncenter" width="1432"] JASON Arrow as Alexander Hamilton. | photograph courtesy of ig/jason arrow[/caption] Three other male performances stand out in the process: Jason Arrow’s Hamilton, who convincingly pulls off the title character’s transformation from “young, scrappy, and hungry” to world-weary; Darnell Abraham’s Washington giving gospel-preacher-showdown realness; and Brent Hill’s King George literally putting the “mad” to delectably comic effect in his interpretation of the famed mad king. [caption id="attachment_187906" align="aligncenter" width="1512"] DARNELL Abraham as George Washington. | photographs courtesy of ig/darnell abraham[/caption] [caption id="attachment_187900" align="aligncenter" width="1348"] BRENT Hill as King George. | photographs courtesy of ig/darnell abraham[/caption] Dreamcasting Elsewhere, this is a production that’s supplied with all the right parts — but, on a local stage as technologically impressive as the Theatre at Solaire (the best acoustics in Metro Manila, hands down), it also invites “dreamcasting” — permitting you to imagine in real time how certain Filipino theater performers cast in certain roles would, without a doubt, totally slay those parts. No matter: As it is, this Hamilton is one that lives up to the hype surrounding its supposed brilliance — while simultaneously earning that reputation before a live audience night after night. Among others spots of pure artistry, it has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it onstage costume change involving the terrific ensemble early in Act I, a historical battle conjured through frenzied dance, and entire scene changes and moments evoked simply through the deliberate arrangement of performers’ bodies (that climactic bullet scene, anyone?). In lieu of an arduous and expensive trip to New York or London, this production more than does the job. Hamilton runs at the Theatre at Solaire, Pasay City, until 26 November. The post REVIEW: ‘HAMILTON’ — Astonishing stagecraft appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go joins Asian Games send-off; renews advocacy for athletes’ welfare
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go recognized athletes, coaches, and sports officials for their contributions to Philippine sports and their crucial roles in representing the nation on the international stage, during the send-off ceremony on Monday, 18 September, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, for Filipino participants in the 19th Asian Games and 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China. “Today, we gather here not only to celebrate the excellence of our athletes but also to bid them the best of luck as they embark on a journey to represent our great nation at the 19th Asian Games and 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China," said Go. Go took the opportunity to shed light on his proposed Senate Bill No. 2116, which aims to amend Republic Act No. 10699, also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act. "This bill which I authored carries the potential to bring about positive change in the lives of our athletes, particularly our para-athletes," he said. Go emphasized the need to increase the incentives for para-athletes, stating, "Sana po’y ma-increase naman rin po ang kanilang incentives na natatanggap dahil ‘yung honor po na dala nila sa ating bayan, pareho naman po ‘yong gold, silver, bronze at pinaghirapan rin po nila." The proposed measures seek to upgrade the incentives for para-athletes. This bill intends to provide equal opportunities and recognition to all athletes, thereby promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports. "The heart of this legislation is inclusivity and equality. It aims to elevate or increase the incentives for our para-athletes," he mentioned. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance said he continues to advocate for additional budget for sports programs under the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC). "During the budget deliberation last year, ang ipinasa po na budget ng PSC more or less about P200 million. Ako po mismo sa Senado bilang inyong chairman po ng Committee on Sports and as vice chair ng Committee on Finance, isinulong ko talaga na madagdagan po ng P1 billion po ang pondo ng Philippine Sports Commission," he said. He revealed that during the budget deliberations last year, he sponsored and successfully secured financial support for athletes participating in international competitions such as the 2023 Southeast Asian Games, which took place in Cambodia, and the forthcoming Asian Games in China. He also disclosed the allocation of P50 million through the PSC for the Asian Games, along with P30 million specifically for Asian para-games. Go also highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in achieving sports excellence. "’Pag nagsama ang gobyerno at pribadong sektor, walang imposible.” Meanwhile, in his speech, the senator also touched on the state of sports facilities in the country, emphasizing the need for comfortable training grounds for athletes. "Ako, sa abot ng aking makakaya ay tutulong po ako sa ating mga sports program ng ating bansa," he assured. In line with his focus on grassroots sports development, Go also spoke about the National Academy of Sports (NAS), a fully operational institution located in New Clark City in Tarlac. "Ngayon po pwede na pong mag-aral at the same time mag-training, training at the same time mag-aral diyan po sa National Academy of Sports," he said. This initiative aims to ensure that athletes do not have to sacrifice their education for their sports careers. Former president Rodrigo Duterte signed RA 11470 in June 2020, which provides for the establishment of the NAS System and its main campus. Go was an author and co-sponsor of the measure. Go is also prioritizing the institutionalization of the Philippine National Games (PNG) as a platform to scout and recruit athletes for the national pool. He filed SBN 423, or the proposed PNG Act, which seeks to create a nationwide platform for athletes, particularly the youth, to display their abilities. During the ambush interview, Go also emphasized the importance of grassroots programs in encouraging youth to engage in sports and lead a healthy lifestyle. "Grassroots program, it's one way na ma-e-engganyo natin ang ating mga kabataan to get into sports, stay away from drugs, and to keep us healthy and fit," he said. He further elaborated on the connection between sports and health, saying, "Malaking bagay na fit tayo. Ang importante rin sa akin bilang chairman ng Senate Committee on Health, dalawa po 'yan. Importante sa akin ang sports at health. Magka-connect ang dalawang ito dahil para sa akin, kapag fit ka, healthy ka. Pangalagaan po natin ang kalusugan ng bawat isa. Katumbas ng kalusugan ay buhay ng bawat Pilipino." Toward the end of his speech, Go expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his unwavering support for Filipino athletes. "Salamat po mga athletes. And of course, gusto ko rin pong pasalamatan ang suporta po sa atin ng ating mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos sa suporta niya sa SEA Games, sa Asian Games, at sa lahat pa po ng future competition," he said. Go likewise extended his thanks to PSC Chairman Dickie Bachmann, Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, and the Philippine Paralympic Committee President Michael Barredo for their ongoing support and contribution to the athletic community. He likewise thanked the athletes, para-athletes, and coaches for their dedication and sacrifices in training. "Athletes, para-athletes, coaches salamat po sa inyong lahat, sa inyong sakripisyo sa pagte-training. Alam kong ito na po ‘yung panahon na inaantay natin," Go said. As the athletes prepare for their journey to Hangzhou, China, Go assured them of his full support. "To our athletes, I know that we stand with you every step of the way. We believe in your potential, and we are confident that you will make our country proud on the international stage," he concluded. The upcoming Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8. The event was originally scheduled for 2022 but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See more photos here: The post Bong Go joins Asian Games send-off; renews advocacy for athletes’ welfare appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared
Team Philippines will be prepared and ready to win when it marches to the 19th Asian Games that will open on Saturday at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Hangzhou, China. No less than Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino declared their readiness, saying that they will deploy the best and most prepared athletes in the prestigious quadrennial meet that got delayed by a year due to Covid pandemic. Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal, will be at the helm together with other standouts like pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Kayla Sanchez, and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam. Although expectations will be tempered on the chances of Diaz as she will compete in the heavier 59-kilogram category, she is still expected to make her presence felt as she had already warmed up in the World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after finishing seventh. Even the boxers will be ready as they are coming off an intensive training in India and Australia in a bid to dominate the Asian Games that will also serve as a qualifying tourney for the Paris Olympics. Tolentino said he has high hopes for the 396-man national delegation. “We are very much prepared. Some of our athletes are coming off from their training abroad,” said Tolentino, who will join Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann in leading the send-off ceremony for Team Philippines on Monday at the Philippine International Convention Center. In the previous edition of the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018, the Filipinos finished 19th after pocketing four gold, two silver and 15 bronze medals. It was the country’s best finish since grabbing five gold medals in 1951 in New Delhi, seven gold medals in 1962 in Jakarta, eight gold medals in 1958 in Tokyo and 14 gold medals in 1954 in Manila. The first batch of Filipino athletes had already left for Hangzhou. First to leave were Olympian Cris Nievarez and the national rowing team composed of Joanie Delgaco, Tammy Sha, Feiza Lenton, Edgar Ilas, and Zuriel Sumintac with coaches Shukhrat Ganiev, Ed Maerina, Nic Jasmin and Con Fornea. The rowers will kick off their campaign in the men’s single sculls, lightweight men’s double sculls, women’s single sculls, and lightweight women’s double sculls on Wednesday at the Olympic Sports Expo Center. Also first to arrive in the bustling city in Hangzhou, the capital and most populous city in Zhejiang Province, are the staff of the national women’s football team, windsurfers and indoor and beach volleyball players. The national booters, popularly known as the Filipinas, are expected to arrive in the coming days in batches as they kick off their campaign on Tuesday. Tolentino said exceeding their performance in the previous Asian Games will already be considered as a success. “This will be the best of the team. We hope to exceed our performance for the last four years,” said Tolentino, who is pinning his hopes on Diaz as well as Asia’s best vaulter Obiena, Olympic medalists Marcial, Petecio and Paalam, and two-time Olympic medalist Sanchez. “We have high hopes for medals in weightlifting, boxing, swimming, and e-sports, with potential surprises in martial arts as well.” The post Tolentino: Our athletes are prepared appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Fiscal standoff
The P213 billion allocated for fiscal year 2023 is indisputable proof that the burden of the military and uniformed personnel pension has become beyond difficult to sustain to the point of forcing the government to resort to borrowing. To forestall this fiscal stand-off, the next best thing to do is to allow the finance secretary all the latitude to navigate — free of obstructionist opposition — so that the ship of state can sail on an even keel on turbulent financial waters. Every proposed action plan of Secretary Benjamin Diokno to address the specter of fiscal collapse has the imprimatur of the President and the acquiescence of the so-called “economic team” — except that there is a newly appointed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas governor who replaced Dr. Felipe Medalla, which change of leadership has had very limited dissemination. Apparently, crucial matters of public information have become less and less sensitive to open and vibrant democratic discourse. In all that has already been expounded on the subject, it’s safe to say that Mr. Diokno has done his homework, this despite some “trial-and-error” attempts by the House of Representatives to “approximate” what could be the “best of all possible worlds” by congressional fiat. However, it was clear that the vocal committee chairman in Congress sort of “miscalculated” the acceptable threshold desired by the “military and uniformed sector,” thereby leaving it to the President — as Commander in Chief — to be the one to eventually “tame the beast.” Incidentally, FM Jr.’s newly appointed defense chief, albeit a returning one, is singing a different tune and is clearly in cross-purposes with what the finance chief has rolled out to be the “silver bullet” that would solve the pension problem. The policy domain benefits from evidence-based data and doing the science or the math is not alien to an economist like Diokno. On the other hand, political views hardly benefit from evidence, science, or math, and in this realm, it seems understandable why the defense chief’s normative proposal is rather parochial or scoped on maximizing what is good for the defense and military that he heads. After all, if he can play his cards well, a la President Fidel Ramos, his position could catapult him to higher office. When FVR signed Republic Act 7898 on 23 February 1995, its aim was a 15-year modernization program for the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army consequent to the withdrawal of the US military bases and illegal occupation by China of Mischief Reef. The commitment to spend P50 billion within the first five years and presumably thereafter, however, never gained headway reportedly because the programs were “influenced” by lawmakers. Neither did the Philippine Navy get the lion’s share of the modernization fund to upgrade its patrol capabilities, surface warfare, and its maritime detection and surveillance capacities even while the authors of said law knew that the imminent enemy was China and the theater of engagement would be the West Philippine Sea. This explains why the country was a sitting duck when China occupied Scarborough Shoal in 2012. Then, this prompted the administration of President Noynoy Aquino to enact Republic Act 10349 as an expanded version of the AFP modernization program. While the needs of the Philippine Navy were given priority, the allocation of financial resources was subjected to a tedious, legalistic, and complex process with Congress having the last say. Reportedly, even the spending plan was incongruent with the capabilities that needed to be reinforced. Furthermore, the AFP Retirement and Separation Benefits System which was supposedly created to take care of the military pension system was mired in mismanagement that led to its deactivation or abolition. Substantial government seed capital went down the drain, achieving nothing because of the military’s own making. A case of “carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero?” What about that recent audit report of the Commission on Audit on pension overpayments and underpayments made by the AFP Pension Management System that has gone loco? The post Fiscal standoff appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vocational institutions prioritize increased technology usage — Study
A study by Hanover Research and NYE-listed education-tech firm Instructure showed that 89 percent of vocational institutions prioritize increased technology usage to help students adapt to the ever-changing educational landscape, a silver lining brought by the Covid-19 contagion. As traditional education evolves and skills-based education increases in the Philippines and worldwide, a surprising shift in the demographics of vocational training enrollees has unfolded in the country during the last few years. Back in 2020, more Filipinos already holding college degrees were turning to vocational courses primarily to gain additional skills, a trend that is growing as more employers in different industries are favoring hiring based on demonstrated skills and competencies. This shifting composition of enrollees in vocational education, coinciding with the challenges brought by the pandemic and economic uncertainties brought on by factors such as high inflation, forced vocational institutions to find ways to not only survive the pandemic but to leverage advanced learning models of the future. According to Instructure’s study: 2022 State of Vocational Education in the Philippines, conducted by Hanover Research, 89 percent of vocational institutions intend to maintain the increased technology usage they acquired during the pandemic. This substantial figure underscores the sector's high priority on integrating more technology into its teaching processes to make education more accessible, flexible and efficient. Commitment to harness technology This commitment to harness technology is about more than just continuity, as 82 percent of these institutions favor a hybrid learning model, while 79 percent are more likely to conduct an online course in the future. “The move to adopt more technology for vocational institutions isn't merely a response to current conditions, but a strategic decision to actively shape the digital shift to benefit their students, and we are seeing how Canvas LMS is becoming a key component for this purpose,” said Harrison Kelly, Instructure regional vice president for Asia Pacific. Furthermore, the influence of technology reaches beyond the virtual classroom, as 83 percent of institutions, including 82 percent of trainers, are eager to incorporate more technology into their fully in-person courses going forward, underscoring a comprehensive trend toward integrating digital tools across all facets of vocational education. The study also highlighted the technologies that have been increasingly used by vocational educators, showing 77 percent of institutions are using more digital tools for assessments, 68 percent are using their LMS or learning management system more often, and 69 percent are using more virtual reality for training. LMS is an educational platform that allows schools, colleges and universities to manage their online learning materials and interactions in one place. Additionally, 66 percent are using student information systems more frequently, and 63 percent are using more video or audio conferencing for classes. “These trends show that vocational schools are diversifying the tools they use to provide a more comprehensive, effective, and engaging learning experience for their students. This tech-enabled approach aligns perfectly with what students need today, especially college graduates who are using vocational training to upskill and access better jobs,” Kelly explained. The post Vocational institutions prioritize increased technology usage — Study appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go Negosyo founder acknowledges public-private partnership amid lifting of health emergency
After President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. lifted the state of public health emergency, Joey Concepcion, the founder of Go Negosyo, lauded the silver lining that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. .....»»
Putting the quit on Quilter
Karl Quilter, a Chicago resident, was recently handed a sentence of 30 years in a United States federal prison for OSEC, or the online sexual exploitation of children based in the Philippines. The 58-year-old Quilter entered last year a guilty plea, claiming that the minors he spoke with on social media sites Facebook, Viber, and Skype from 2017 to 2020 were his “girlfriends.” His modus operandi, court records showed, involved dangling money transfers to persuade his victims to send the requested images. Quilter, in fact, visited the Philippines in 2017 and 2018, but he would not admit to actually having physical sex with minors, something that could have added to his sentence. He, nonetheless, admitted to having vowed to return to the Philippines in 2020 to act out his OSEC fantasies, yet more proof that OSEC oftentimes leads to actual physical abuse by moneyed, well-traveled monsters. The successful prosecution of Quilter and others like him, however, represents only one side of the coin as there’s also a pressing need to stop the abuse at the source, hundreds of miles away. Putting behind bars adults, frequently family members, who enable this heinous crime within the Philippines and other poor countries, is equally important. Unicef, the International Justice Mission, and Interpol have conducted extensive research that indicates that the Philippines, even before the start of the pandemic, had become a major global hub for live-streaming or the distribution of videos and photos of sex acts involving children as young as two years old. According to their estimates, the incidence of OSEC in the country had more than tripled in recent years, with the Philippines receiving more than eight times as many referrals as any other country, “making it the center of the global live-stream sex abuse trade.” The IJM, which started working closely with authorities in the Philippines in 2020 to close physical channels of sexual abuse of minors like bars and prostitution houses, had warned that Covid-19 lockdowns spanning two years had significantly contributed to a threefold rise in OSEC cases. With his department as the lead agency in the government’s efforts against human trafficking, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has gone, so far, as to warn telecom companies that they would be prosecuted if they did not provide checks and filters against OSEC materials being routed through their networks. The biggest telcos have been heeding Remulla’s call, but as technology moves fast, they have to contend not only with the traffickers but also with tech wizards, those who live off the Dark Web, and who provide the backend support to ram OSEC materials through governmental and corporate check valves. IJM has drawn a silver lining around the dark clouds, saying that significant progress has been made in reducing the availability of children for sale on the streets and for internet-based sex trafficking. The figures, the group claimed, have fallen by as much as 86 percent in the cities where they were present. The relationship between OSEC and money transfers has been made crystal clear by recent research by the Anti-Money Laundering Task Force. It said that to stop the cycle of exploitation and bring the offenders to justice, it is necessary to destroy the illegal financial networks and stop the use of legal ones for OSEC payments. Although Quilter’s sentencing represents an important development in the prosecution of foreign offenders, he is just one among the millions of pedophiles and other perverts who have fueled OSEC, a multi-faceted problem that requires creative solutions and cross-border cooperation among governments, non-governmental organizations, and communities. OSEC operations by families in far-flung barangays are an open secret in communities, betrayed by the sprouting of Wi-Fi antennas in homes that also suddenly had access to extra cash. Cracking down on them has been easier, but the additional challenge now is stopping OSEC coursed through smartphones with internet data access. OSEC has been and will always be a cat-and-mouse game. It’s a virtual one-upmanship in trying to put the quit on depravities perpetrated by the likes of Quilter. The post Putting the quit on Quilter appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
EU urges keeping cats, dogs inside over bird flu
The European Food Safety Authority called on Thursday for cat and dog owners to keep their pets inside in response to record cases of avian influenza across the world after 24 cats tested positive in Poland. Since first emerging in 1996, the H5N1 avian influenza virus had previously been confined to mostly seasonal outbreaks. But "something happened" in mid-2021 that made the group of viruses much more infectious, according to a World Health Organization collaborating center studying influenza in animals. In rare cases, humans have contracted the sometimes deadly virus, usually after coming in close contact with infected birds. The virus has also been detected in a soaring number of mammals. "It is recommended to avoid exposure of domestic cats and dogs, and in general carnivore pets, to dead or diseased animals," EFSA said in a bulletin. "Possible measures are keeping dogs on a leash, and confining cats indoors in areas where extensive circulation of HPAI viruses in wild birds has been confirmed." In recent weeks, five dogs and a cat have been infected in Italy. Since 10 June, 24 cases have been reported in domestic cats in various regions of Poland. The source of the contamination has not yet been determined, with one hypothesis being that they may have ingested raw poultry meat infected with the virus. In April, the United States started testing several vaccine candidates for potential use on birds. France recently said it hopes to start vaccinating poultry as early as autumn this year. Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said that vaccinating poultry was not "a silver bullet because the virus changes constantly". The post EU urges keeping cats, dogs inside over bird flu appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Quadruple win for Globe at HR Online’s Employee Experience Awards
Leading digital solutions platform Globe took home four prestigious awards at the 3rd annual Employee Experience Awards, run by Singapore-based HR organization Human Resources Online. Globe was named the “Overall Engagement Awardee” at the event, a big win for Globe for its outstanding performance in several categories under the engagement pillar. Under this overall win, Globe got the Gold award for “Most Innovative and Sustainable Office Design,” commended for its sustainable, ergonomic workspace that enables employees to perform, collaborate and flourish. It was also recognized for “Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy” for spearheading business transformation through digitization and digitalization, significantly improving the overall employee experience. The company also bagged a Silver for its Employee Wellness Strategy, encompassing mental, emotional, financial and physical health, and emphasizing the company's commitment to holistic employee well-being. Human Resources Online recognizes high-performing companies such as Globe for integrating employee health as a crucial element of their risk management strategy. "These recognitions underscore our unwavering commitment to cultivating an environment that fuels innovation and growth. We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and these awards illuminate the success of our strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing their experience and overall well-being," said Globe chief human resource officer Ato Jiao. Last year, Globe also became the overall Philippine winner in the HR Excellence Awards, applauded for the digital tools that Globe's HR department utilized through its Alagang Globe program, which ensured the continued safety and protection of its employees, especially during the pandemic. Globe also secured more wins from HR Online and HREA last year: three Gold Awards for Employee Engagement, Covid-19 Response and as “Employer of the Year,” along with a Silver Award for HR Communication Strategy and a Bronze Award for Crisis Management and Recovery. Adding to its trove of accolades, Globe clinched the Gold for “Best In Communication Strategy” from HR Online in 2021. This award recognized the company's superior communication strategies in a digitized world. With this string of recognitions, Globe reaffirms its status as an organization deeply committed to its workforce's growth, well-being and overall experience. The company's relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation in employee-centric strategies continues to set it apart in the competitive digital solutions landscape. The post Quadruple win for Globe at HR Online’s Employee Experience Awards appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open
I am very worried about where the world stands on climate. Countries are far off-track in meeting climate promises and commitments. The climate agenda is being undermined. At a time when we should be accelerating action, there is backtracking. At a time when we should be filling gaps, those gaps are growing. Meanwhile, the human rights of climate activists are being trampled. The most vulnerable are suffering the most. Current policies are taking the world to a 2.8-degree temperature rise by the end of the century. That spells catastrophe. Yet the collective response remains pitiful. We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open — with far too many willing to bet it all on wishful thinking, unproven technologies and silver bullet solutions. It’s time to wake up and step up. It’s time to rebuild trust based on climate justice. It’s time to accelerate the just transition to a green economy. Limiting the rise in global temperature to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible. We must consider this as a moment of hope. But it will require carbon emissions to be cut by 45 percent by 2030. To help get us there, I have proposed a Climate Solidarity Pact — in which all big emitters would make extra efforts to cut emissions; and wealthier countries support emerging economies to do so. And I have put forward an Acceleration Agenda to supercharge these efforts. I urge governments to make it happen: By hitting fast forward on their net zero deadlines — so that developed countries commit to reaching net-zero as close as possible to 2040, and emerging economies as close as possible to 2050. Developed countries must abide by their commitments on finance, adaptation and loss and damage. They must also push multilateral development banks to adapt their business models, skill sets and approaches to risk — in order to leverage far more private finance at reasonable cost to developing countries to allow for a massive increase in investment in renewables. That investment is the only way to achieve global energy security independent of the present unpredictable market fluctuations. And in every country, without exception, civil society voices must be heard. They must be at the table helping to shape policy, and on the ground helping to deliver change. All of this action must be global. It must be immediate. And it must start with the polluted heart of the climate crisis: the fossil fuel industry. Let’s face facts. The problem is not simply fossil fuel emissions. It’s fossil fuels — period. The solution is clear: The world must phase out fossil fuels in a just and equitable way — moving to leave oil, coal and gas in the ground where they belong — and massively boosting renewable investment in a just transition. The fossil fuel industry and its enablers have a special responsibility. Last year, the oil and gas industry reaped a record $4 trillion windfall in net income. Yet for every dollar it spends on oil and gas drilling and exploration, only 4 cents went to clean energy and carbon capture… combined. Trading the future for thirty pieces of silver is immoral. The world needs the industry to apply its massive resources to drive, not obstruct, the global move from fossil fuels to renewables and reap the benefits in they themselves lead the transition. The world is watching — and the planet can’t wait. Excerpts from the Secretary-General’s opening remarks to journalists at a press conference on Climate, 15 June 2023. The post We are hurtling toward disaster, eyes wide open appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
IPOPHL: Rising, Shining, Beckoning
At the onset of the pandemic when businesses and offices were forced to close down, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines or IPOPHL, was one of the few government offices to resume its service with little disruption and almost in a heartbeat. We swiftly adopted technologies that streamlined end-to-end client transactions in the new normal. Many partners in government and even our clients lauded our resilience, asking how we were able to do what we did. I’d say this is mostly thanks to the digitalization initiatives which previous IPOPHL leaders laid out as early as a decade ago but which we accelerated during the crisis. And it’s also because the entire agency was involved in the success of our business continuity. For one, the entire 17-member Executive Committee consisting of deputy directors general, directors, assistant directors, and yours truly, quickly regrouped, held weekly virtual meetings, reviewed the policies and budget, and issued appropriate guidelines to ensure clients can comply with due dates and other rules and regulations with utmost consideration of the hard times. More importantly, we responded to client queries with urgency, forming an online services team to complement our contact center agents. Together, they ensured clients were given the right responses at the soonest possible time. We were able to pivot our seminars and trainings to webinars increasing the reach to those in the provinces. We immediately adopted online hearings for the adjudication of pending cases and launched our mobile app IPOPHL Mobiliz. But beyond our thrust towards digitalization, we carried out activities that centered on the recovery of MSMEs, independent artists, startups, and everyone who needed IP the most. We immediately launched the “Survive and Rebuild as One Project” for the creative sector or those in the gig economy affected by Covid-19. We extended our Juana Make a Mark which aids women and women-led MSMEs in their trademark applications, as well as our “Patent Cooperation Treaty Filing Assistance Program,” to continue giving inventors a silver lining in safeguarding their technologies in foreign markets. We also proudly launched our Juan for the World trademark incentive package which sought to bring Philippine brands to global markets. We excitedly introduced the Youth Intellectual Property Incentive or YIPI Program, through which we recognize the energy and ingenuity of the youth as a fundamental foundation for our way forward as a nation. With our improved e-services and intensive efforts to bridge more people to IP, IPOPHL ranked 9th out of 60 countries surveyed in the 2021 IP Office Innovation Ranking of the World Trademark Review, jumping from 24th in 2020. This leap made the Philippines the only developing country to be part of its top 10 IP offices that have good standing in online capabilities, value-added propositions, and public outreach efforts. During these tough times for IPOPHL — and surely for the entire world — we launched our tagline, “Rising, Shining, Beckoning.” We find these three words as the most fitting to capture our experience in the crisis and describe how IPOPHL stood tall amidst it all. We rose to the circumstances. We shined brighter than ever as shown through our breakthrough achievements. And we beckoned others to be inspired by IPOPHL’s steadfast determination to deliver quality public service even when the going gets tough. The post IPOPHL: Rising, Shining, Beckoning appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Star gymnast Biles poised for August return to competition
Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles is poised to compete in August for the first time since mental health and safety concerns cut short her Tokyo Olympics campaign, entering the August US Classic near Chicago. USA Gymnastics announced Wednesday that the four-time Olympic gold medallist was entered in the August 4-5 event, which would be her first since she withdrew from most of her events in Tokyo in 2021. "Registration...does not guarantee participation," USA Gymnastics warned in the statement. "Every athlete is at a different place in their season and career, and we will support each of them, wherever they are in their journey," said USA Gymnastics chief programs officer Stefanie Korepin. Biles electrified the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where she won gold in team, all-around, vault and floor exercise as well as a balance beam bronze. She entered the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as a heavy favorite to win as many as five gold medals. She hadn't lost an all-around competition since 2013 and her build up to the Games included mastery of a daring Yurchenko double pike vault that had never before been seen in women's competition. However, she would depart Tokyo with only team silver and a balance beam bronze, however, her campaign cut short after she experienced the "twisties" -- the phenomenon in which gymnasts lose the ability to orientate themselves in mid-air. Biles withdrew from the team event after performing on one apparatus and later withdrew from the all-around competition and the finals for vault, uneven bars and floor exercise, saying at the time she needed to prioritze her mental health. Biles said in a video released after Tokyo that her problems had been building for a while. "I wouldn't even say it started in Tokyo. I feel like it was probably a little bit deeper-rooted than that," Biles said. "I think it was just the stress factor. It kind of built up over time, and my body and my mind just said no. But even I didn't know I was going through it until it just happened." "It just sucks," Biles said in the video. "But I know that I helped a lot of people and athletes speak out about mental health and saying no. Because I knew I couldn't go out there and compete. I knew I was going to get hurt." After the Tokyo Games, in September 2021, Biles testified before a U.S. Senate committee looking into FBI failures in investigating sexual abuse by former gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar received a life sentence after pleading guilty in late 2017 and early 2018 to sexually assaulting women and girls while working as a sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University. - Another Olympics? - In recent months Biles's popular social media feeds have featured not gymnastics but news of her personal life, including her marriage to NFL Safety Jonathan Owens, then with the Houston Texans, in April. When Owens signed with the Green Bay Packers in May she endeared herself to Green Bay fans by soliciting suggestions on what to see and do in the couple's new town. Biles has won 25 world championships medals, 19 of them gold, and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Joe Biden in 2022. Although she hasn't outlined her plans, the US Classic is roughly a year out from the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Biles has used the event to launch a comeback before. She returned to competition at the meeting in 2018, having taken a break after her stunning Rio Games campaign. bb/pb/nr © Agence France-Presse The post Star gymnast Biles poised for August return to competition appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Phl competitive ranking slides
The competitive ranking of the Philippines has even worsened in 2023 when it dropped four notches compared to its position in 2022 amid global inflation, public health crises, geopolitical concerns and other uncertainties. According to a report from the 2023 World Competitiveness Yearbook on Monday, the country’s current stance in terms of competitiveness is 52nd out of 64 economies for 2023 from 48th in 2022. It added that the Philippines’ competitiveness ranking remained stagnant in the Asia-Pacific region, staying 13th out of 14 economies for six consecutive years as it also revealed that the Philippines suffered declines in three out of the four main factors or dimensions of competitiveness. The country’s Business Efficiency factor dropped from 39th in 2022 to 40th in 2023, while its infrastructure factor, which continues to be a perennial challenge, also dropped from 57th in 2022 to 58th in 2023. Meantime, the country’s Government Efficiency factor suffered the biggest decline, suffering a four-place drop from 48th in 2022 to 52nd in 2023. All the sub-factors under Government Efficiency saw deteriorations, namely Public Finance (from 51st in 2022 to 55th in 2023), Tax Policy (from 13th in 2022 to 14th in 2023), Institutional Framework (from 53rd in 2022 to 56th in 2023), Business Legislation (from 52nd in 2022 to 57th in 2023), and Societal Framework (from 50th in 2022 to 53rd in 2023). However, a silver lining was seen as the country’s Economic Performance factor improved by 13 places from 53rd in 2022 to 40th in 2023. The sub-factors under Economic Performance that saw improvements include Domestic Economy (from 48th in 2022 to 30th in 2023), Employment (from 19th in 2022 to 9th in 2023), and Prices (from 58th in 2022 to 39th in 2023). “Some of the challenges that the Philippines faces in 2023 include sustaining economic recovery and growth momentum amidst global downside risks, strengthening social protection and health care systems for inclusive development, addressing learning gaps to improve the local education system, investing in sustainable infrastructure to reduce climate change vulnerability, and reinforcing efficient public management strategies to support fiscal responsibility,” the report said. The top three most competitive economies in the 2023 WCY rankings are Denmark (1st), Ireland (2nd), and Switzerland (3rd). In the Asia-Pacific region, the top three most competitive economies are Singapore (4th), Taiwan (6th) and Hong Kong (7th). The WCY has been published by the International Institute of Management Development since 1989 and has been ranking economies using 255 ranked criteria spread across four Competitiveness Factors: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure. The 162 indicators are based on hard data gathered from national sources, while the remaining are perception-based indicators derived from an Executive Opinion Survey of mid and upper-level managers in each country covered. “This year’s results reflect the impact of different crises such as global inflation, the Covid-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine,” said Professor Arturo Bris, director of the World Competitiveness Centre. The post Phl competitive ranking slides appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Airport privatization no silver bullet to transport woes – Hontiveros
The privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and other airports will not be a “silver bullet” that will solve the deteriorating conditions in the country’s gateways, and the government should instead focus on greater accountability and better management of the facilities, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday......»»
Hontiveros: Accountability from officials — not privatization of service — will address airport woes
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said privatization of NAIA and other airports is not a “silver bullet” or the right prescription to the growing issue of failed services in our air terminals......»»