MANILA – The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Wednesday transmitted to the House of Representatives the proposed PHP5.768-trillion 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP), just nine days after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. delivered his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).
DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman personally submitted the 2024 NEP to Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez next year’s proposed national budget for the House’s “scrutiny, deliberation and approval.”
The 2024 NEP, equivalent to 21.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP,) is 9.5 percent higher compared to the PHP5.268 trillion 2023 budget.
Anchored on the theme, “Agenda for Prosperity: Securing a Future-Proof and Sustainable Economy,” Pangandaman said the proposed national budget is framed based on the 8-Point Socioeconomic Agenda and will continue to support the goals of the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 of securing a future proof and sustainable vibrant economy.
Along with the agenda for prosperity, the proposed budget aims to expedite the recovery of the nation in a post-pandemic era, and transition the country towards a promising future of an inclusive and sustainable economy wherein “no Filipino is left behind.”
The Social Services sector –composed of health, education, culture and manpower development, as well as social security, welfare and employment among other social services– will receive the largest allocation of PHP2.183 trillion, or 37.9 percent of the total proposed national budget.
This represents an increase of PHP178.7 billion, or 8.9 percent, over the 2023 budget.
The Economic Services sector –which covers communications, roads and other transport; agriculture and agrarian reform, as well as trade and industry– will account for PHP1.709 trillion or 29.6 percent of the total proposed budget.
Meanwhile, General Public Services will receive PHP893.3 billion; Debt Burden at 699.2 billion; and Defense at 282.7 billion.
Food Security
In the quest for food security and proper nutrition for Filipino families, Pangandaman said the 2024 NEP will continue to support programs that boost the local production of major agricultural commodities including rice with PHP30.87 billion, corn with PHP5.28 billion, and high-value crops with PHP1.94 billion allocation.
To further enhance productivity and ensure the sustainable use and management of soil resources, some PHP916 million will be provided for the National Soil Health Program.
Higher investments will also be provided for agricultural support services such as irrigation with PHP31.18 billion, the construction and rehabilitation of fish ports across the country with PHP4.94 billion, and PHP17.27 billion for the construction of 1,144.58 kilometers of farm-to-market roads in key production areas.
Transport and logistics costs
As highlighted by President Marcos during his SONA, infrastructure development is one of the key drivers of the country’s continuing economic growth.
Pangandaman said the 2024 NEP aims to sustain this momentum through the Build Better More Program with PHP1.42 trillion, which is equivalent to 5.3 percent of GDP.
“This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems, which will cover almost half or 43.5 percent of the budget,” she said.
Specifically, this will support major transport programs such as the North-South Commuter Railway System and the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I.
Significant budgetary support will also be provided for social infrastructure development which includes school buildings with PHP40.59 billion; hospitals and health centers with PHP15.31 billion; as well as water and power supply systems with a combined allocation of PHP9.01 billion.
Alongside power generation, the Marcos administration will also relentlessly pursue total electrification through the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) National Rural Electrification Program with a PHP2.3-billion allocation.
Education and skills development
Alongside the strengthening of the economy, the administration will also invest heavily in human capital development through education, health and social protection, Pangandaman said.
The Department of Education (DepEd) will get PHP758.6 billion; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) with PHP31 billion; Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) with PHP15.2 billion; and 116 state universities and colleges (SUCs) with PHP105.6 billion.
The education budget will support DepEd’s MATATAG Agenda for Basic Education through the provision of higher allocations for textbooks and other instructional materials amounting to PHP12.04 billion; and PHP11.71 billion for the School-Based Feeding Program, among others.
Access to quality education will also be at the forefront of the government’s education agenda through the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education (UAQTE) with some PHP51.12 billion, while the education assistance and subsidies will receive PHP41.05 billion.
Health
Applying the lessons from the pandemic, the government has refocused its health priorities on ensuring reliable and accessible quality public health services for all, the Budget Secretary said.
In view of this, the Health Facilities Enhancement Program of the Department of Health (DOH) will be provided with PHP22.98 billion for the construction, rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities, rural health units and polyclinics, as well as the purchase of medical equipment and transport vehicles.
The government will also continue to expand access to quality health services by subsidizing the health premiums of the vulnerable sector through the National Health Insurance Program (PhilHealth) with PHP101.51 billion, and by covering the medical assistance of 1.31 million indigent and financially incapacitated patients with PHP22.26 billion.
Social Protection
In support of the Social Protection Floor Framework of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), a higher allocation of PHP112.8 billion will be provided to assist 4.4 million households under the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
The recently launched Food STAMP or Philippine Food Strategic Transfer and Alternative Measures Program will be supported next year with PHP1.89 billion to address the nutrition needs of food-poor Filipinos.
Meanwhile, the allocation for social pension for indigent senior citizens has been doubled to PHP49.81 billion to cover the increased monthly allowance from PHP500 to PHP1,000 for more than 4 million indigent senior citizens.
In support of President Marcos’ flagship housing program, the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH) will be allotted PHP9 billion.
Sound fiscal management and enhanced bureaucratic efficiency
Pangandaman said the 2024 NEP also ensures sound fiscal management through digitalization by adopting the Integrated Financial Management Information System or IFMIS throughout the bureaucracy following Executive Order No. 29, s. 2023.
To this end, some PHP2.92 billion will be allocated to improve the information and communication technologies (ICT) systems of the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the efficient collection of revenues.
The DBM will also continue to implement its Public Financial Management Program with PHP387.5 million, which includes the Budget and Treasury Management System.
Further, with the pronouncement of the President during his SONA that the government must fully embrace digitalization to provide better public service delivery, the 2024 NEP will allocate PHP38.75 billion to support the government’s ICT expenditures.
The Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) will be at the core of this digitally transformed network of government services which will continue to be supported with PHP1.61 billion.
Some PHP145.53 million will also be allocated for the strengthened implementation of the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act to reduce bureaucratic red tape.
Climate Change
Towards sustainability, a total of PHP543.45 billion has been earmarked for climate change mitigation and adaptation. This is equivalent to 9.4 percent of the total proposed budget, exceeding the country’s commitment of 8.0 percent share under the Philippine Development Plan.
The bulk of climate change expenditures will be allocated for water sufficiency projects with PHP294.46 billion to benefit communities all over the country.
The Philippine Space Agency will also be provided with PHP1.7 billion to better monitor the country’s land and marine resources, as well as terrestrial ecosystems, to ensure both agricultural productivity and environmental integrity. Of which, PHP1.2 billion will be used for the Multispectral Unit for Land Assessment (MULA) Satellite Development’s second year funding requirement.
Lasting peace
To achieve lasting peace and progress in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the government will continue to provide financial assistance for BARMM amounting to PHP80.6 billion, which includes the Annual Block Grant with PHP70.5 billion, and another PHP1 billion will be set aside for the Marawi Siege Victims Compensation Program.
Meanwhile, PHP5.3 billion has also been appropriated for the PAMANA or the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program for infrastructure development in BARMM to be implemented by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity.
“In closing, let me remind everyone that every peso of the PHP5.768 trillion 2024 national budget was optimized so we can remain on track with our Agenda for Prosperity,” Pangandaman said.
“It is the administration’s fervent hope that this budget will continue to lay the groundwork for future-proofing the economy and making the country’s growth inclusive and sustainable, not just for the Filipinos of today, but also for the future generations,” she added.
Speedy passage
For his part, Romualdez assured President Marcos and the nation that the House of Representatives would approve the proposed PHP5.768-trillion 2024 national budget before the October congressional break.
“Let me assure everyone that the House of the People understands full well the need to pass the national budget on time. The national budget is crucial in maintaining economic stability, sustaining the country’s growth trajectory and facilitating the seamless implementation of government programs and projects. As such, it demands the House’s utmost attention and commitment,” he said.
Romualdez also assured that the House would deliberate “in a very transparent manner and get the widest consensus” for the spending plan.
“We will make sure that every centavo of the national budget will be spent wisely and contribute to our goal of reigniting the fires of our economic forges,” he said.
“Sisiguruhin namin dito sa Kongreso na lahat ng buwis na ibinayad ng ating mamamayan ay maibabalik sa kanila sa pamamagitan ng mga programa at proyekto ng gobyerno. Bawat pisong naidagdag sa kaban ng bayan, mapapakinabangan ng taumbayan (We in Congress will ensure that the taxes paid by our people will return to them in the form of government programs and projects. Every peso added to the nation’s coffers will benefit the people),” Romualdez said. (with reports from Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos/PNA)
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Effective today, Wednesday (August 2, 2023), a fare adjustment of P5 will be implemented for end-to-end journeys on both LRT 1 and LRT 2, encompassing all station stops, the Light Rail Transit management said.
The approval for the fare modification for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) was granted by Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista subsequent to a Cabinet Meeting held in Malacañang on June 6, 2023.
The fare increase on Light Rail Transit lines 1 and 2 is aimed at enhancing service quality, modernizing facilities, and bolstering technical capabilities in alignment with the government’s agenda to elevate public transportation services.
Captured within the visuals are depictions of commuters queuing at ticket booths, embarking and disembarking from trains at the Edsa Station, reflecting the challenges faced by the commuting populace. (ai/mnm)
Photo by Benjie Cuaresma
MANILA – Family and friends of the late former President Cory Aquino gathered to mark the 14th anniversary of her passing with heartfelt offerings of flowers and prayers at her gravesite in Paranaque City on Wednesday (August 2, 2023).
In a solemn event held at Manila Memorial Park, daughters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee, accompanied by close friends and steadfast supporters of the esteemed late President Corazon “Cory” Aquino, came together to pay tribute on the occasion of her 14th death anniversary.
Corazon “Cory” Sumulong Cojuangco-Aquino, who led as the 11th President of the Philippines from 1986 to 1992, was born on January 25, 1933, in the province of Tarlac.
Cory’s ascent to power was underscored by the tragic assassination of her husband, Benigno Aquino, upon his return in August of 1983.
Known affectionately as “Cory,” she emerged from a distinguished and affluent political lineage hailing from the northern region of Tarlac Province.
Tragically, Cory Aquino passed away at the age of 76 on August 1, 2009, due to cardiorespiratory arrest stemming from complications related to colorectal issues. Her final moments occurred at the Makati Medical Center in Makati City.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
The Senate of the Philippines on Wednesday (02 August 2023) strongly condemned the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the persistent incursions in the West Philippine Sea as they urge the Philippine government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the country’s sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Crossing party lines, the 24-member Senate adopted Resolution No. 718 prodding the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to bring China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine EEZ and its continued violation of the landmark July 12, 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration to international attention.
All members of the Senate were made co-authors of the resolution.
“We came out with a strong consensus yesterday (Tuesday) after discussions with the West Philippine Sea task force, together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff [Gen. Romeo] Brawner, [Jr.] and DFA Sec. [Enrique] Manalo. We never watered down the resolutions that we filed. We actually strengthened the resolutions that we filed… We strengthened the position of the government. Now, we gave them several options to choose on how to deal with our neighbors in the north,” Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, co-sponsor of the resolution, pointed out.
“The beauty of this is with proper consensus and consultations among our colleagues, we come out unanimous with these options. We stand by each other and for the country regardless of political color, regardless of where we come from. We are together when it comes to the sovereignty of the country,” he said.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros, co-sponsor of the measure, thanked her colleagues for the concerted effort to not only make the WPS issue a part of their national conversation but also to ensure that the government takes the necessary steps to consolidate global support over the 2016 The Hague ruling.
“This bipartisan effort tells the Filipino people that when it comes to matters of national sovereignty, we will never be bullied into submission,” Hontiveros stressed.
In a nutshell, the Senate wants the DFA to continue holding dialogues with the Chinese government in pushing for recognition and respect of the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its EEZ and in pursuing the formulation of the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea based on international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Furthermore, the Senate laid down several courses of action for the DFA in addressing the harassment of Filipino fishermen, Philippine Navy, and the Philippine Coast Guard:
- Bringing international attention to China’s harassment of Filipino fishermen in the Philippine EEZ and its continued violation of the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS;
- Utilizing international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the Hague Ruling and raise awareness on the real situation in the WPS;
- Engaging like-minded countries in various international organizations, meetings, and other fora to call on China to respect the Hague Ruling and the UNCLOS; and subject to necessity and prudence;
- Filing a Resolution before the United Nations General Assembly, to call for the cessation of all activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the Philippines’ established rights in the West Philippine Sea;
- Pursuing such other diplomatic modes as the DFA may deem appropriate and necessary.
“It is hereby resolved by the Senate of the Philippines to strongly condemn the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and the incursions in the West Philippine Sea by the Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels, and to urge the Philippine Government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its EEZ and continental shelf, and to call on China to stop its illegal activities in accordance with the United Nations Convention on The Law Of The Sea and the 2016 Ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration,” the resolution read. (ai/mnm)
Ni Liza Soriano
PORMAL nang inaprubahan ngayong araw (Miyerkules, 02 Agosto 2023) sa third and final reading ang Senate Bill No. 1806 o ang panukalang Bill of Rights and Obligations of Taxpayers na inakda ni Senador Lito Lapid at inisponsoran ni Senador Win Gachalian.
Sa ginawang botohan, 22 Senador ang bumotong pabor sa panukalang batas.
Sinabi ni Lapid na kabilang sa mahahalagang probisyon ng panukalang batas ay ang paglalatag sa mga karapatan at mga obligasyon ng bawat taxpayer.
Layunin din ng panukala na mabigyan ng wastong kaalaman ang mga taxpayer, mapabilis at maayos ang pagbabayad ng buwis, gayundin maiwasan ang mga pang-aabuso.
(“The Bill defines the rights and obligations of taxpayers. The objective of the bill is to make paying tax easier to understand and free from abuse. The bill also creates the office of the National Tax Advocate whose job will be to educate and assist taxpayers.”)
Noong July 26, 2023, ay inaprubahan ng mga Senador sa second reading ang nasabing panukala.
Nananawagan naman si Senador Lapid sa mga kasamahang mambabatas sa Kamara de Representantes na ipasa sa lalong madaling panahon ang counterpart bill para maging ganap na itong batas. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — The Professional Regulatory Commission (PRC) has announced that 115 out of 166 candidates have successfully passed the environmental planner licensure examination held in July 2023.
The highest achievers are as follows:
Janine Montalban Tabares from the University of the Philippines-Visayas achieved a score of 82.45 percent.
Frann Christian Serrano from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, with a score of 81.52 percent.
Alexisse Diara Pablico from the University of the Philippines-Los Baños, achieved a score of 80.10 percent.
Furthermore, the University of the Philippines-Diliman has emerged as the top-performing institution, attaining an impressive 86.11 percent passing rate.
Scheduled for September 18 to 19, 2023, candidates can make online appointments for the issuance of their Professional ID and Certificate.
The PRC has stated that verification of scores and examination results will be accessible online a few days subsequent to the result announcement.
For the complete list of successful candidates, please visit: EPLE RESULTS: July 2023 Environmental Planner Board Exam Passers, Top 10, Top Schools
(ai/mnm)
NEEDLESS TO SAY, having two “houses” in Congress is just a waste of precious funds that could have been used for more beneficial projects that serve the interests of the people, not the pockets of traditional politicians.
Just imagine, according to a report from Malaya Broadsheet newspaper, the Philippine Senate’s spending hit P5.587 billion in 2022 compared to P5.039 billion the year before, or an increase of P548 million.
It was further revealed that the Senate’s 2022 financial statements showed Personnel Services, which includes salaries, allowances, and other benefits of officials and employees, went up from P2.63 billion in 2021 to P2.922 billion in 2022 – an uptick of P292 million year on year.
What is more outrageous is that the increases were likewise recorded in Travelling Expenses from P278 million to P315 million or a difference of P37 million.
And the so-called Confidential, Intelligence, and Extraordinary Expenses jumped from P443 million to P479 million or a P36 million increase.
“The increase in Travelling Expenses was due to an increase in local and foreign travels incurred by the Senators and their staff, Secretariat officials, and other employees in the pursuit of advocacies of the offices of the Senators, attend/conduct conventions, public hearings, events and activities as a result of relaxed rules on health and safety protocols,” the Commission on Audit (COA) said.
Wow. We were not born yesterday.
A senator and a congressman or member of the House of Representatives both earn P273,278 monthly.
Malaking tipid kung wala na ang Senado na puro papogi lang ang karamihan sa mga “honorable” sa Mataas na Kapulungan.
I believe it’s now time to consider the shift to a Unicameral Parliamentary system where there is only one legislative body in order to speed up the passage of significant bills like a legislated wage hike and the institution of divorce.
With the parliamentary system, even smaller political parties have the chance to shine because the choice will be based on party platforms and not on popular personalities.
But it is also very important to raise the political consciousness of the electorate and dump any form of vote-buying.
The Prime Minister who shall be the head of government shall be elected from among the “best and the brightest” of the representatives who truly serve the interests and welfare of the people.
He or she can be ousted anytime he or she betrayed the public trust through a vote of no confidence by the Parliament that is directly answerable to the people.
Perhaps, only after the Filipino people ratify the New Constitution that installs a Unitary Parliamentary Democratic Republic we can see real meaningful changes and hope that the Philippines shall be great again. (ai/mnm)
By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) has disclosed the outcome of its investigation, revealing that the captain of the ill-fated boat that capsized in Binangonan, Rizal, did not possess a valid license.
MARINA’s inquiry involved consultations with representatives from the Talim Island Passenger Motorboat and Patron Association (TIPMOPA), where it was unearthed from official records that Donald Anain, the captain of the vessel named Aya Express, lacked the requisite credentials.
Addressing the tragedy, discussions between MARINA and the aforementioned association also revolved around providing assistance to the victims.
Among the matters under consideration is the issuance of insurance coverage for the 27 passengers who tragically lost their lives.
Recalling the events of July 17, 2023, it was the Provincial Government of Rizal that initially extended support to the affected families and initiated an independent investigation into the incident.
The disastrous incident, which saw an overloaded boat capsizing in the waters off Binangonan, Rizal, claimed the lives of 27 individuals.
MARINA is committed to a thorough examination of the incident, with a focus on determining the underlying causes of the accident, identifying responsible parties, and ensuring legal accountability. (ai/mnm)
According to records from the Manila local government, a total of 14,393 individuals were employed through its initiative known as the “Kalinga sa Manila” employment program, the biggest number of hirees so far local officials said.
The coordination of the “Kalinga sa Manila” campaign and job fairs was overseen by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) of the Manila LGU.
Out of these hires, 3,455 individuals secured immediate employment during the job fairs, while 5,765 were placed based on employee placement reports.
Additionally, 149 individuals were employed through the special program for student employment (SPES), catering to students, and 914 beneficiaries were enrolled in the TUPAD program.
Within the scope of the Government Internship Program (GIP), 1,000 individuals were taken on board by the local government unit, with 240 working within the national government.
The remaining participants were distributed across various establishments within the city.
Furthermore, the efforts included opportunities for marginalized groups: 31 individuals with disabilities and 57 senior citizens were also provided with job placements.
Mayor Honey Lacuna emphasized that the local government remains committed to organizing job caravans, job fairs, and other specialized recruitment initiatives moving forward. (Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
Photo shows (from left to right) Assec. Bobby Ricohermoso, Ram Base, Sheikh Hassan Nasser J.M Al-Thani, Jimmy Vistar, who is the president and chief executive officer of JCV Worldwide Traders Corp., the exclusive distributor of the leading biofertilizer Unigrow; Usec. Ed Cordevilla, and agriculturist Ronilo Gines.
DOHA, Qatar– The rich just got richer. Sadly, the poor just got poorer.
This is the classic case between the rich country Qatar and the third-world nation, the Philippines.
To put it in proper context, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita in Qatar was last recorded at 63782.51 US dollars in 2022.
The GDP per capita in Qatar is equivalent to a very high 505 percent of the world’s average.
By comparison, the Philippines’ Gross National Income per capita is only at P 54,069.792 as of March 2023.
Instead of increasing, the figure was even lower than the P 61,360.702 recorded in December 2022.
High Inflation
The majority of the more than 110 million Filipinos have been reeling from poverty for the longest time brought about by a lack of jobs and economic opportunities as well as high prices of commodities and food products.
To address this problem of high prices of food and arrest perennial high inflation rate, Unigrow Philippines which has been operating in the country since 2017, has been volunteering and offering its assistance to the government.
Unfortunately, the current and past governments have been very busy promoting and supporting the massive use of synthetic fertilizers in their quest to secure the elusive dream of food self-sufficiency and security.
Solution
For several years now, Mr. Jimmy Vistar, president and chief executive officer of JCV Worldwide Traders Corp., the exclusive distributor of leading biofertilizer Unigrow in the country and the Asia Pacific has been offering his product to government planners and leaders as the answer to much-sought-after food security, but unfortunately, very few were listening to him.
As a result, the country has been making very slow progress in its food self-sufficiency target while its vast tracts of agricultural lands are continuing to suffer from the ill effects of unhampered and continued use of urea.
During the campaign period in the 2022 national elections, then-presidential candidate and now President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos vowed to bring down the prices of rice, the country’s main staple to just P20 per kilo.
Buoyed by this promise, Mr. Vistar tried mightily to push for the use of Unigrow in the country’s agricultural system but gained only minor successes because some officials at the Department of Agriculture (DA) would rather protect the interests of big multinational fertilizer companies, for some unknown reasons.
Frustrated that he could not make much headway in the local fertilizer industry to help the country attain food sufficiency, Mr. Vistar decided to look elsewhere where he can showcase his product and prove its efficiency, productivity, and enhanced capability to make plants grow even in harshest of conditions.
Greening the Desert
Fortunately, an opportunity arose after a series of meetings with well-meaning friends that included the group of then Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Edwin Cordevilla and Assistant Secretary Robert Ricohermoso.
During one of the meetings, they came up with the idea of introducing Unigrow to Qatar through Mr. Ram Base, who was a personal confidant and trusted man of Sheikh Hassan Al-Thani, a prominent member of the Emirate’s ruling family.
Sheikh Hassan, who together with his family owns more than 200 hectares of mostly unutilized land, liked the idea of using Unigrow in their place when Mr. Base pitched the idea to him.
Thus, the big dream of greening the desert was born!
Unigrow Team Goes to Qatar
One thing leads to another and after a series of talks, Sheikh Hassan invited the Unigrow team members to the Emirate to personally meet them and test the product in their farm.
The rest as they say is history.
Unigrow was initially given the chance to try its product for three months in one area of the mostly dry farm to try and use on various plants that include dates, cucumber, and other fruits and vegetables.
Confident that Unigrow will work wonders and help make that certain part of Qatar green, the team even dared challenge itself, that great changes will happen in the demonstration farm in less than a month.
As part of the initial talks, a team of agriculturists to be led by Mr. Ronilo Gines will be sent to Qatar to supervise and preside over the planting of various products on greenhouses as well as in nearby assigned areas.
Expected Success
The objective was to highlight the difference in the growth and progress of plants that use Unigrow as opposed to those that do not utilize the same.
With these encouraging developments, the Unigrow group is supremely confident that its Qatar mission will be a resounding success.
It’s just unfortunate that Qatar which is years ahead as far as economic progress is concerned than the Philippines, will be the first to learn and discover the wonders of Unigrow instead of our country! (AI/MNM)
RAIN or Shine is bringing in one more import to bolster its campaign as the country’s representative to the coming 42nd Jones Cup.
Head coach Yeng Guiao told the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday the Elasto Painters are tapping 6-foot-10 Nick Evans to team up with naturalized player Ange Kouame in reinforcing the squad for the August 12-20 meet in Taipeh.
Admitting the team is lacking in size, the presence of both Kouame, who is also 6-foot-10, and Evans would definitely come in handy for the Elasto Painters, according to Guiao.
“Nung nakita namin yung lineup ng teams and yung makakalaban namin doon, malakas yung competition. So management decided to bring in another import. We will have Ange Kouame and itong si Nick Evans, who’s coming in siguro by Saturday or Sunday to join us,” said the former Gilas Pilipinas coach as he graced the public sports program at the conference hall of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Evans, a veteran big man who had stints in Japan, Colombia, Thailand, and Lebanon, will start practicing with Rain or Shine on Monday before the team leaves for Taiwan on Friday (Aug. 11).
“Cramming na naman yan. Ilang raw lang na ensayo, tapos sasabak na tayo sa Jones Cup,” added Guiao, the former congressman and vice-governor of Pampanga, who is in his third Jones Cup stint.
A total of nine teams are seeing action in this year’s Jones Cup, which is making a comeback after a three-year absence following the outbreak of the pandemic.
Guaio mentioned that national teams of Iran, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Taipeh (Teams A and B) are competing alongside the Japan U-20 team, a US team represented by the University of California-Irvine, and reigning KBL (Korean Basketball League) and EASL (East Asia Super League) champion Anyang KGC bannered by former NBA player Omari Spellman.
“Tignan natin, baka makapag-compete tayo. (But) we’ll represent the country the best way we can,” Guiao said in the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Represented by Mighty Sports, the Philippines won two of the last four editions of the annual meet prior to the pandemic, including its last staging in 2019 behind a team backstopped by imports Eugene Phelps, Renaldo Balkman, and McKenzie Moore, along with Fil-Ams Jeremiah Gray, Jason Brickman, and Roosevelt Adams.
“Ang mahirap dito may pressure nga dahil yung previous team (natin) before the pandemic pa, nag-champion. Kaya lang nakita naman natin lima yata yung import nila,” said Guiao. “So yung sa atin talagang organic lang, organic team ito. So malaking difference yung may five imports and an organic team like ours.”
Guiao also took the opportunity to thank Rain or Shine co-team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que for not hesitating to take the offer made by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) through the PBA for the team to take part in the Jones Cup.
“Nagpapasalamat tayo kina Boss Terry and Boss Raymund dahil kahit kelan hindi nagkait ng players or talent ang mga yan pagdating sa pagpapahiram sa national team, hindi nagda-dalawang isip ang mga yan,” said the Rain or Shine mentor, recalling the same gesture the two PBA owners did when he also coached the Gilas Pilipinas team in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
The entire Rain or Shine team, including veteran Gabe Norwood who cut short his US vacation, will be going to the Jones Cup where the Elasto Painters will play eight games in nine days. (ai/mnm)
Adamson U squad (Spin.ph photo courtesy)
MANILA — Shakey’s Super League (SSL) National Invitationals 2023 perennial UAAP contenders La Salle and Adamson secured quarterfinal berths by convincingly defeating their opponents at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
La Salle, the reigning UAAP champion, triumphed over CESAFI runner-up University of Southern Philippines Foundation with a swift 25-14, 25-15, 25-19 victory in just 70 minutes.
Meanwhile, Adamson, the UAAP bronze medalist, achieved a similar result by blanking NCAA runner-up Lyceum, winning 25-17, 25-18, 25-22 in a 71-minute match.
La Salle’s Alleiah Malaluan played an instrumental role, amassing 13 points with 12 impressive hits, helping the team sweep Pool A in the historic SSL nationwide tilt. The event is presented by Eurotel as the official hotel and Victory Liner as the official transport provider, in cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
In their earlier match, the Lady Spikers dominated the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, winning 25-11, 25-17, 25-12. Shevana Laput and Katrina Del Castillo provided valuable support, contributing 10 points each to the team’s success.
Despite their strong performances, La Salle isn’t complacent as they head into the knockout playoffs. Missing key players like UAAP Rookie-MVP Angel Canino and ace libero Justine Jazareno, they know they must continue to push their limits to achieve their goals in the tournament. (ai/mnm)
CAVITEX made it back-to-back in the PBA 3×3 First Conference Season 3 as it made short work of Pioneer Elastoseal, 22-10, to claim the Leg 5 title Tuesday at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.
Former 3×3 national player Jorey Napoles and Kenneth Ighalo had seven points each for the Braves, who were in control right from the opening tip of the 10-minute final.
With Napoles and Ighalo at the firing end, Cavitex raced to a 10-2 lead and never looked back on its way to claiming a second straight-leg championship.
Dominick Fajardo and Bong Galanza each had four points for the Braves of coach Kyles Lao, who won the P100,000 prize money.
Cavitex earlier went through the wringer and survived two-time leg champion Barangay Ginebra in the semifinals, 20-19.
But they were never really in trouble come the title game against the upset-conscious Elastoseal, who arranged the showdown with Cavitex following an 18-13 win over Northport in the semis.
It was the second runner-up finish for Pioneer this conference to take home P50,000.
Gian Morido tried to carry the Elastoseal by his lonesome after finishing with a team-high eight points as last-minute entry Gian Abrigo, who replaced Enrique Caunan heading to the knockout stage, was held to just a solitary point.
Ginebra takes 3rd place
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra made it back to the podium as it nipped Northport, 21-18, to take third place and the P30,000 cash prize.
Donald Gumaru exploded for 13 big points in leading the Kings, who were champion of Legs 1 and 2.
During the quarterfinals, Northport downed Purefoods, 17-14, Cavitex outgunned Meralco, 16-14, Pioneer nosed out Blackwater, 14-12, and Ginebra got even against TNT, 17-15.
The scores
Third place
Ginebra (21) – Gumaru 13, Salcedo 4, Cu 2, Ubalde 2.
Northport (18) – Capacio 6, Bulawan 6, Bauzon 4, Zamora 2.
Finals
Cavitex (22) – Napoles 7, Ighalo 7, Fajardo 4, Galanza 4.
Pioneer (10) – Morido 8, Abrigo 1, Mocon 1, Villamor 0.
(ai/mnm)
HONG KONG — A somber gathering took place to honor the late Coco Lee, a beloved American singer, and songwriter of Hong Kong origin.
The event marked her funeral after a remarkable three-decade-long career. Friends, family, and countless fans came together on Monday to pay their final respects to the star who passed away at the age of 48.
Outside the funeral home situated in the eastern part of Hong Kong island, nearly a thousand mourners, many dressed in black, patiently queued in the sweltering summer heat. The funeral hall, initially reserved for a private service, was opened to the public as a tribute to Coco Lee’s widespread impact.
Among the sea of devoted fans, a poignant banner displayed an image of Coco Lee in a graceful white dress ascending a flight of pearl stairs. It bore the heartfelt message, “The love you leave behind has become an ocean of stars.”
One devoted admirer, Angie Zhang, 41, traveled all the way from Shanghai to pay her respects. She shared that she and her future husband had formed a special connection during their university days through Coco Lee’s music.
They had chosen Lee’s songs for their dance performances, and her music had become an integral part of their journey together. With heavy hearts, they joined the gathering to accompany Coco Lee on her final journey.
The news of her passing left them speechless, but they wanted to express their gratitude and bid farewell with a wreath of flowers as a symbol of their enduring love and admiration for the talented artist.
People.com reported that CoCo Lee, the singer and voice of ‘Mulan,’ experienced depression for several years before she died by suicide at age 48 on July 5, 2023. (ai/mnm)
MANILA — Militant organizations affiliated with the Makabayan Alyansang Makabansa (MAKABANSA) held a protest rally in front of the Vietnam Embassy to oppose the country’s alleged “militarization” of disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea.
During the rally, the group strongly denounced and opposed Vietnam’s actions of constructing facilities and militarizing disputed islands in the West Philippine Sea, which fall within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Vietnam has been rapidly building on these islands in the West Philippine Sea, where China has previously militarized some artificial structures and laid claim to a significant portion of the entire South China Sea.
Tensions have arisen among the Philippines, Brunei, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan over the South China Sea and its waterways, with China’s territorial claims being particularly expansive marked by what it calls as the “Nine Dash Line.”
According to recent reports from the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, approximately 48 vessels suspected to be Chinese maritime militias were observed around Iroguois Reef, also known as Del Pilar Reef, on June 30, 2023.
In response to these developments, the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are planning to increase maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea to address the presence of Chinese maritime militia vessels in the region.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has initiated the apprehension of motorcycle riders seeking shelter under flyovers and footbridges during rainy conditions.
MMDA Acting Chairman Romando “Don” Artes issued an order on July 20, directing the arrest of these riders.
The rationale behind this action is that parking motorcycles under flyovers and footbridges disrupts traffic flow and puts the riders’ lives at risk.
As of 12:19 p.m. on Tuesday, nine motorists were already apprehended along the northbound lane of the EDSA Timog footbridge, according to MMDA Public Information Officer Leizl Alavaren.
Those caught violating the directive will face a fine of P1,000. (AI/MNM)
Following the conclusion of the historic World Cup campaign in New Zealand, Alen Stajcic, the head coach of the Philippine women’s national football team, along with assistant coach Nahuel Arrarte, is stepping down from their positions.
As their contracts came to an end after the remarkable journey at the World Cup, both coaches are now keen on exploring other options in their coaching careers. Consequently, the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) confirmed that the team manager and patron, Jefferson Cheng, will not be renewing their contracts.
Stajcic expressed his gratitude to Sir Jeff for entrusting them with the responsibility of leading the National Team during their nearly 20-month journey. Under his guidance, the Filipinas progressed from being outsiders in South-East Asia to achieving a memorable victory at the World Cup.
During Stajcic’s tenure, the team achieved significant milestones. Notably, they secured a place in the World Cup after reaching the semifinals of the 2022 Asian Cup. In the same year, they clinched a bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games held in Vietnam, marking their first podium finish in 37 years. Additionally, the team emerged victorious at the AFF Women’s Championship and achieved a remarkable rise to the 46th position in the global rankings.
A historic moment was also achieved under Stajcic’s leadership, as the Philippine football team secured its first-ever World Cup win by defeating co-hosts New Zealand on July 25.
As Alen Stajcic and Nahuel Arrarte move on to explore new opportunities, the Philippine women’s national football team will embark on a search for new coaching talent to continue their journey towards further success in the world of women’s football. (ai/mnm)
Krystal David (Photo from Facebook)
Krystal David from the National Capital Region (NCR) achieved a remarkable feat during the Palarong Pambansa elementary girls’ 100m breaststroke event held at the Marikina Sports Center on Tuesday, August 1.
An incoming Grade 7 student, David displayed outstanding talent, clocking an impressive time of 1:17.98, thereby setting a new Palaro record and securing the coveted gold medal.
Her performance was nothing short of awe-inspiring as she outperformed her competitors.
The second-place finisher, Azula Villanueva from Region 3, trailed nearly seven seconds behind with a time of 1:24.79.
Claiming the third spot and the bronze medal was Cathlene Hengania, who finished with a time of 1:25.48.
Krystal David’s extraordinary achievement in the pool has undoubtedly marked her as a rising star in Philippine swimming. (ai/mnm)
The Anti-Terrorism Council (ATC) has officially labeled suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. and his armed organization as terrorists.
This decision comes after an extensive investigation into the activities of the “Teves Terrorist Group,” which has allegedly been involved in multiple violent incidents causing harm to the residents of Negros Oriental.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the ATC justified its action, stating that it was based on compelling evidence and factual incidents.
Negros Oriental has experienced a series of killings, threats, and harassment that have instilled fear and significantly impacted the personal lives and liberties of its inhabitants it said.
One notable incident mentioned by the ATC occurred on March 4, 2023, when individuals disguised as military personnel, including a former member of the New People’s Army, armed with high-powered weapons, stormed the residence of then governor Roel Degamo.
Tragically, nine people, including Governor Degamo, lost their lives instantly, and another individual succumbed to injuries two months later. Moreover, 18 others sustained injuries during the attack.
The investigations carried out by law enforcement agencies revealed a well-defined organizational structure within the Teves Terrorist Group, with Rep. Teves identified as the leader and mastermind.
Other key members, such as Pryde Henry Teves and Nigel Electona, were found to provide material support to the group.
Additionally, Hannah Mae Symero Oray was purportedly handling operational funds, while Marvin H. Miranda was allegedly involved in organizing and recruiting personnel for specific terrorist attacks.
After a thorough examination of the presented evidence, the ATC concluded that there is probable cause to designate Teves and his armed group as terrorists under Sections 4, 6, 10, and 12 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. These sections pertain to offenses related to terrorism, planning, training, preparation, and facilitation of terrorist acts, as well as recruitment and membership in a terrorist organization and providing material support to terrorists.
The ATC emphasized that this designation is a significant step towards addressing the presence of private armed groups within the country and serves as a clear message against their proliferation. It also marks progress in holding accountable those responsible for perpetrating acts of terrorism and violence, thus contributing to the fight against impunity. (ai/mnm)
Photo courtesy of the Jerusalem Post
Israeli researchers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone in the fight against myeloma blood cancer, using a revolutionary RNA-based drug delivered via targeted lipid nanoparticles.
The process successfully eradicated cancer cells in the bone marrow.
This groundbreaking approach led to the destruction of 90 percent of multiple myeloma blood cancer cells under laboratory conditions, with an impressive 60 percent reduction observed in human tissues from patients at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel.
Published in the esteemed journal Advanced Science, the study employed lipid-based nanoparticles, similar to those utilized in COVID-19 vaccines.
These nanoparticles contained RNA molecules that effectively silenced the CKAP5 gene, responsible for encoding the cytoskeleton-associated protein 5. By inhibiting this protein, the cancer cells lost their ability to divide and were consequently eliminated.
To ensure the safety of noncancerous cells, the nanoparticles were carefully coated with antibodies that specifically targeted cancer cells within the bone marrow.
This technique is of utmost significance since multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer predominantly found in older populations.
Unlike most blood cancers that manifest in the bloodstream or lymph nodes before spreading throughout the body, multiple myeloma cells form tumors inside the bone marrow, making them exceptionally challenging to target and treat.
This remarkable achievement offers new hope in the ongoing battle against cancer and showcases the potential of targeted RNA-based therapies in revolutionizing cancer treatment. (With reports from Xinhua News/ai/mnm)