Day: June 24, 2023

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Richest Pinoys encouraged to invest in ‘Maharlika’

The national government is open to striking joint ventures with the country’s richest Filipinos once the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) becomes operational. ‘We’re hopeful. Iyon pong mga conglomerates natin, we can also do some joint ventures, co-investments sa mga infrastructure projects (We can also do some joint ventures with our conglomerates, co-investments in infrastructure projects),’ National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said in a news forum on Saturday. De Leon, however, assured that the soon-to-be-formed Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) would properly evaluate each investment. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday that Malacañang would scrutinize the revisions in the MIF bill but promised to sign the measure as soon as he gets it. De Leon said the MIC board of directors would craft investment and risk management strategies where the public could see the possible returns of the projects. ‘Dadaan din po iyan sa very rigorous screening process – ano iyong mga magiging return ng mga projects na iyon, ano bang mga risk. Mayroon ding risk mitigating measures na ia-identify to ensure na mamu-monitor very well and at the same time, adjust all those risks (It will go through a very rigorous screening process – what will be the returns and risks. There are also risk mitigating measures that would be identified to ensure that we can monitor and at the same time adjust all those risks),’ she said. De Leon assured that all projects would go through a procurement process and that the only exemption is on the technical aspect or soliciting technical advice. She, however, said there is no information yet as to what percentage of the proposed sovereign wealth fund would be allocated to infrastructure projects. The Marcos administration has at least 194 flagship infrastructure projects amounting to PHP9 trillion. ‘Dadaan pa rin po tayo sa procurement process. So, doon pa lang po ay makikita natin na talagang marami pong mga pagsusuri at pag-i-evaluate para po iyong pong mga projects, mga investment na papasukin ni Maharlika is already complying – is within the investment strategy po na in-approve po ng board (It will still pass through a procurement process. So, with that alone, we can see that it will be assessed thoroughly and that the investment we will venture into complies with the investment strategy that would be approved by the board),’ she added. To allay fears, she reiterated that social security institutions, such as the GSIS, SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth are prohibited from investing in the MIF and the corporation. In addition, no funding for social development projects, such as services, health care, and education would be tapped in the MIF. ‘(D)oon sa Senado, na-emphasize din na iyon pong MIF will really be investing iyong mga sustainable endeavors. So, marami pong improvements na nailagay po doon sa legislation from the Senate version (At the Senate, they emphasized that the MIF will be investing in sustainable endeavors. There are a lot of improvements made in the Senate version),’ de Leon said. ‘(M)ayroon pong iha-hire na external auditor to look also into the operations at financial performance ng MIF plus magri-report sa oversight committee (An external auditor would be hired to also look into the operations and financial performance of the MIF).’ Seven members each from the Senate and House of Representatives would be assigned to the Joint Oversight Committee to monitor the viability and the financial performance of the MIC and the MIF, she said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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PH soft tennis team resumes training for Asian Games

Fresh off an eight-medal stint in the Nonghyup Bank Korea Cup two days ago, the national soft tennis team will resume practice at the Felicisimo Ampon Tennis Court inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila on Monday. National player Dheo Talatayod said in an interview on Saturday that they have to be well-prepared for the tough 19th Asian Games, slated in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8. The soft tennis competition will be held at the Olympic Tennis Center on Oct. 3-7. “We’ll be back in training,” Talatayod said. The Philippines brought home three bronze medals, including one from the mixed doubles pair of Talatayod and Bien Zoleta, in the main draw of the June 14-21 tournament held at the Yeolwoomul Tennis Center indoor hard courts in Incheon City. The other two came from men’s singles (Joseph Arcilla) and men’s team events (Talatayod, Arcilla, Samuel Nuguit, and Ryan Carpio). In the Challenge Round, the Filipinos secured gold medals in men’s singles (Nuguit), women’s singles (Christy Sañosa), mixed doubles (Virvienica Bejosano and Cambodian John Mada), and women’s team (Zoleta, Princess Catindig, Sañosa, Bejosano, Bea Ebriega), while Catindig got a bronze medal in the mixed doubles with Polish Franciszek Sliwa. In the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games in May, the Philippines claimed three gold medals, courtesy of Arcilla (men’s singles), Zoleta and Catindig (women’s doubles), and the women’s team of Catindig, Bejosano, Fatima Amirul, and Zoleta siblings Bien and Bambi). The squad also added one silver from Bambi Zoleta (women’s singles) and one bronze from the men’s team (Arcilla, Talatayod, Mark Anthony Alcoseba, Nuguit, Adjuthor Moralde, and George Patrick Mendoza). The impressive showing in Cambodia was also aided by a technical exchange program with the Korea Soft Tennis Association, where they trained with the Korea Daegu Bank team at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center and in Korea for more training sessions. “I’m happy that I was able to achieve my goal of a podium finish at the Korea Cup because I will also compete in the mixed doubles event in the Asian Games,” said Bien Zoleta, a seasoned tennis player before shifting to soft tennis. “It’s my first time to play in the mixed doubles and I won the bronze medal in the Korea Cup, which is like a test event prior to the Asian Games. Most of the players who joined the Korea Cup will also compete in the Asian Games.” At the 18th Asiad in Indonesia in 2018, South Korea (men’s singles and men’s team) and Japan (women’s singles and women’s team) collected two gold medals each while Chinese-Taipei (mixed doubles) had one. The Philippines’ best result was the quartefinal stint of the Arcilla-led men’s team, which lost to Chinese-Taipei. The 19th Asiad was originally scheduled in Sept. 2022 but was reset due to Covid-19 concerns. Coach Divina Escala said the team plans to join a tournament and attend a training camp in Sunchang, South Korea if they will be granted financial support by the Philippine Sports Commission. “June and July is back to strength and conditioning, and endurance phase to prepare their physical condition to a higher phase of August training camp and last tournament before their Asian Games campaign,” said Escala, who is assisted by Michael John Enriquez and Josephine Paguyo.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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Palawan launches app for reporting environmental violations

Environmental authorities last June 20 launched a new mobile application aimed at getting local communities involved in reporting violations against the province’s flora and fauna. Called the Sumbong App, it is now available for download on Google Play and offers Palaweños an easy-to-use interface and a direct reporting channel for reporting environmental violations committed by unscrupulous individuals. In an interview on Saturday, Jovic Fabello, the information officer of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) Staff, said the app was launched in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development-Sustainable Interventions for Biodiversity, Oceans, and Landscapes (USAID-SIBOL). The event coincided with the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Strategic Environmental for Palawan (SEP) law on June 19. The SEP law outlines the province’s environmental objectives, including the protection and enhancement of Palawan’s unique ecosystems, the promotion of sustainable resource use, the preservation of cultural heritage, and the involvement of local communities in environmental decision-making processes. The Sumbong App, according to him, encourages residents to report various violations, such as illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, and unauthorized tree cutting. Fabello emphasized that the app provides a platform where individuals can report violations without fear of being exposed, ensuring that these issues are addressed promptly. “The public can use the app to report environmental violations, such as illegal fishing, wildlife trafficking, chopping of trees, among others. They won’t be afraid to report the violations that have witnessed because there is now an app that allows this to be done discreetly,” he said in Filipino. Fabello said reports received through the app, developed by Zerobstacle Technologies, a software development and innovative solutions company, will be validated and reviewed for appropriate action. He noted that the active reporting of environmental violations by individuals plays a crucial role in conserving and protecting natural resources. It helps establish accountability, enables data collection, engages communities, and facilitates timely intervention to prevent further damage. The app also features a link to the PCSD Online Permitting System, allowing users to register, apply, and easily track their applications for business transactions, and provides access to important government policies and issuances related to the environment, ensuring that users are well-informed. Levita Lagrada, the director of PCSD Staff, highlighted during the launch the significance of creating a platform that empowers Palaweños to report firsthand issues and violations. By actively reporting violations, individuals become key contributors to environmental safeguarding and the promotion of sustainable practices. “It is crucial to give the public a platform to report issues and violations they have personally witnessed. After all, they are the ones directly affected by the environmental destruction,” she said. Lagrada emphasized that the Sumbong mobile app embodies the principles of digital governance, aiming to address a wide range of challenges affecting Palawan like environmental concerns, social equity, economic sustainability, and other complex issues the province faces.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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Budget secured for Laguindingan MisOr airport expansion

The expansion development for the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental will be given priority in the next two years on its way to achieving its target to become an international gateway. In a statement on Saturday, Misamis Oriental 2nd District Rep. Yevgeny Vincente Emano said the airport development would be included in the 2024-2025 budget of the Mindanao Development Authority under the Office of the President, as stated in a letter dated June 15 from the Area Management Office for Northern Mindanao. “Overseas Filipino workers and local and foreign tourists can now travel directly to the province without passing through Manila. This means more savings for the travelers and less time spent on the travel,” Emano said. ‘This is also favorable to the constituents of Misamis Oriental as we will be dealing (with) Cebuano-speaking Immigration and Customs officials in the airport, eliminating language barriers.’ The development includes the expansion of the existing Passenger Terminal Building, including detailed engineering design and consultancy for construction supervision under the 2024 budget, and the extension of the runway and expansion of the cargo terminal building in 2025. Emano principally authored House Bill 3754, the proposal to upgrade the Laguindingan Airport into an international airport, part of his legislative agenda to boost the tourism industry of the province and Cagayan de Oro City. ‘Once realized, it will benefit not only Misamis Oriental but also the entire Northern Mindanao,’ he said.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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NPA rebels killed in clash in Zambo Sur

A New People’s Army (NPA) combatant was killed in a clash with government troops amid continued offensive against the rebel group in Zamboanga del Sur, a top military official said Saturday. Lt. Col. Nolasco Coderos Jr., 97th Infantry Battalion (97IB) commander, said the clash broke out in Sitio Tulah, Barangay Sunop, Dumingag, Zamboanga del Sur at about 3:33 p.m. Friday. Coderos said the slain rebel was not immediately identified except that the latter belongs to the defunct NPA’s front committee Big Beautiful Country. He said the clash ensued when the troops chanced upon the NPA rebels while on security patrol in Sitio Tulah, Barangay Sunop. ‘The troops launch(ed) security patrol after they receive(d) information about the presence of NPA rebels in the area,’ Coderos said in a phone interview. ‘They (NPA rebels) go around from one community to the other, forcing the residents to give them food and money.’ He said the troops also recovered assorted war materiel and personal belongings abandoned by the NPA rebels, who fled after the 22-minute firefight. The remains of the slain NPA rebel were turned over to the village officials for proper identification and disposition. Coderos said the NPA rebels were the same group that figured in a firefight against the combined team of 97IB and 53rd Infantry Battalion troops in Barangay Paraiso, Mahayag, Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday. Paraiso is adjacent to the village of Sunop located at the borders of Mahayag and Dumingag towns. A militiaman was injured during the clash in Paraiso on Wednesday.

Source: Philippines News Agency

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DOLE: Workers to get paid double on Eid’l Adha

Employees who will report for work on the observance of Eid’l Adha on June 28 will get 200 percent of their wage, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said Saturday. Labor Advisory 14, series of 2023, signed by Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, stipulates the proper computation of workers’ wages for the declared regular holiday in observance of Eid’l Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice. The agency said those who will work during a regular holiday, such as Eid’l Adha, are entitled to 200 percent of their wage for the first eight hours. The computation is basic wage times 200 percent. Those who will render overtime work shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate. The computation is an hourly rate of the basic wage times 200 percent times 130 percent times the number of hours worked. It also stated that employees who will work on a regular holiday that also falls on their rest day shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the basic wage of 200 percent; while those who will render overtime work shall be paid an additional 30 percent of the hourly rate on the said day. On the other hand, in case the employees will not report for work, they shall be paid 100 percent of their wage for that day, provided they worked or were on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the regular holiday. When the day immediately preceding the regular holiday is a non-working day in the establishment or the scheduled rest day of the employees, they shall be entitled to holiday pay if they worked or were on leave of absence with pay on the day immediately preceding the non-working day or rest day. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared June 28, Wednesday, a regular national holiday under Proclamation No. 258, which he signed on June 13.

Source: Philippines News Agency