MANILA: A hydrologist on Thursday called on the public, especially Metro Manila residents, to conserve water as dam levels continue to decrease.

Angat Dam, which supplies 98 percent of the potable water in Metro Manila through the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System, has seen an average drop of 0.9 meter in its water level from Feb. 1 to 8, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Sonia Serrano said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency.

Serrano said most of the dams’ water levels have been on a downward trend since January.

As of Feb. 8, Angat’s water level is at 209 meters, 0.21 meter lower than the previous day; Binga is at 571.88 meters (0.62 meter lower); San Roque, at 249.04 meters (0.27 meter lower); Pantabangan, 191.56 meters (0.27 meter lower); Magat, at 182.29 meters (0.38 meter lower), and Caliraya, at 287.24 meters (0.16 meter lower).

All dams are below their normal water levels, which is 212 meters for Angat; 575 meter
s for Binga; 280 meters for San Roque; 221 meters for Pantabangan; 193 meters for Magat; 288 meters for Caliraya; 80.15 meters for La Mesa; and 752 meters for Ambuklao.

However, La Mesa’s and Ambuklao’s water levels increased in the past 24 hours, with La Mesa’s level rising by 0.10 meter to 77.89 meters, and Ambuklao’s level up by 0.02 meter to750.91 meters.

Earlier in January, PAGASA said the decrease in water level of some dams is likely to continue unless the country experiences a strong tropical cyclone.

A decrease in rainfall due to El Niño is a contributing factor to the dam water level’s downward trend.

“There is a huge difference between PAGASA’s forecast rainfall in the dams in February 2024 compared to February 2023,” Serrano said.

Forecast rainfall for Angat is 72.3 mm. in February 2024, compared to 100 mm. in the same month last year; San Roque, 10.6 mm. (compared to 28.6 mm.); Pantabangan, 50.3 mm. (compared to 80.4 mm.); and Magat, 23.8 mm. (compared to 47.10 mm.).

“Turning off the faucet
while brushing the teeth looks too simple, but will create a big impact when done altogether,” Serrano said.

She also advised the use of recycled water to flush toilets, and minimizing the amount of water used for showering and cleaning.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippine Tennis Association (Philta) has appointed De La Salle University’s Roland Kraut as coach of the U-14 boys team that will compete in the World Juniors pre-qualifying scheduled from Feb. 12 to 17 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Lucas Sebastian Go and Lexious Gabriel Cruz, ranked No. 1 and 2 in the Philta U-14 rankings, will carry the national colors together with Ace Bandala.

“I will always answer the call to serve our flag and country. I am humbled,” the 46-year-old Kraut told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

“I am also excited and looking forward to develop these young 14 and under boys,” added the ITF Level 3 coach, who earned the license in Valencia, Spain, in October 2011.

Kraut was a national coach for 10 years, serving as team captain of the Davis Cup team from 2012 to 2015.

He started coaching the La Salle men’s and women’s teams in 1999, winning 11 titles in the UAAP.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: States are urged to establish a marine protected area (MPA) within the high seas of the South China Sea (SCS) once the United Nations High Seas Treaty eventually enters into force.

The deal, also known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, aims to serve as a framework that allows the establishment of MPAs and mechanisms to conserve habitats and species in the high seas and the international seabed area.

Once entered into force, the deal is expected to effectively cover the high seas or areas beyond national jurisdiction in the South China Sea.

Speaking at a Stratbase forum in Makati City, experts said it is important to establish MPAs in the area as the region is home to almost 25 percent of all known species in the world.

‘Only 90 percent of the world’s ocean is protected and we have about 1,800 MPAs in the country but we want to establish more,’ said Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines Maritime Science Institute and former President of the Nationa
l Academy of Science and Technology Rhodora Azanza.

‘So, that is the pathway for ASEAN and part of the pathway for a sustainable blue economy is considering these marine protected areas beyond the national jurisdiction, especially in the South China Sea,’ she added.

Beyond the context of biodiversity, Tohoku University International Law Professor Nishimoto Kentaro said the treaty also adds ‘another layer to the rule of law’ that applies to the ocean.

‘This treaty is very important not only in the context of biodiversity because when it enters into force, that will add another layer to the rule of law that applies to the oceans. There is a continuing relevance of the South China Sea arbitral award in the context of this treaty,’ he said.

Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio agreed and cited the inclusion of South China Sea high seas in Beijing’s ten-dash-line.

The ten-dash-line refers to China’s expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, which also covers parts of the Ph
ilippines’ exclusive economic zone.

‘We have high seas in the South China Sea. That’s a fact,’ Carpio said. ‘So this high seas treaty is another layer, another legal instrument that would bury the ten-dash-line of China.”

Japanese Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda, who was also present at the forum, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to the rule of law and collaboration with like-minded partners in ensuring maritime freedom and environmental protection.

‘As enhancing the rule of law is one of Japan’s foreign policy pillars, we are determined to work together hand-in-hand with other like-minded partners, especially with the Philippines, to ensure that universally accepted values and principles,’ he said.

The BBNJ was adopted last year and was signed by over 80 states, including the Philippines and China.

At least 60 ratifications, however, are needed for it to enter into force. To date, only Palau has ratified the treaty.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is targeting an additional 120 local government units (LGUs) across the country to be fully compliant with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system this year.

ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez said in a press conference in Quezon City Thursday that this would be possible with the ongoing roll-out of nationwide assistance to LGUs to be onboard the eBOSS scheme.

‘Based on our coordination meeting with the PMS (Presidential Management Staff), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), and DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), we will target 120 LGUs on top of the certified 26 from ARTA that are fully certified eBOSS,’ Perez said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also part of the nationwide caravan to help LGUs implement the eBOSS system.

ARTA data showed that as of Feb.7, 633 out of 1,637 LGUs were onboard the eBOSS scheme.

Under Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Governm
ent Service Delivery Act of 2018, all LGUs are mandated to establish eBOSS by June 17, 2021.

However, Perez said LGUs are challenged to implement the eBOSS system as they need technical assistance as well as resources to go digital.

For this, the ARTA chief said his office has partnered with conglomerates such as the Aboitiz Group and the Manila Electric Company to provide LGUs with hardware to roll out the system.

The eBOSS aims to streamline and automate processes in LGUs.

An LGU is tagged fully compliant with eBOSS if it has an online system to receive electronic business applications through a Unified Application Form; can issue electronic tax bill, Fire Safety Inspection Certificate Fee, and Barangay Clearance Fee; is capable of issuing electronic versions of permits; and can accept other modes of payment aside from cash.

Perez noted that joining the eBOSS system was crucial to achieving the 10-minute business processing target of the government.

He stressed that with the faster processes when tran
sacting with public office, many enterprises would be encouraged to formalize these businesses and pay taxes to the government.

He added that this ease of doing business would also attract foreign investors to operate and expand in the country.

The ARTA chief also emphasized that the ease of doing business has a vital role in achieving the Marcos administration’s goal to be the second-highest foreign direct investment (FDI) hub in southeast Asia by 2028.

‘So what better way to convince them that the Philippines is ready for them? So instead of making it difficult for them to engage (in) business with the Philippines, we will give them the red carpet. And all the programs and initiatives are already in place,’ Perez said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has earlier directed all public offices to remove red tape and give stakeholders a “red carpet treatment.”

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) is targeting an additional 120 local government units (LGUs) across the country to be fully compliant with the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS) system this year.

ARTA Director General Ernesto Perez said in a press conference in Quezon City Thursday that this would be possible with the ongoing roll-out of nationwide assistance to LGUs to be onboard the eBOSS scheme.

‘Based on our coordination meeting with the PMS (Presidential Management Staff), DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), and DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), we will target 120 LGUs on top of the certified 26 from ARTA that are fully certified eBOSS,’ Perez said.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is also part of the nationwide caravan to help LGUs implement the eBOSS system.

ARTA data showed that as of Feb.7, 633 out of 1,637 LGUs were onboard the eBOSS scheme.

Under Republic Act 11032, or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Governm
ent Service Delivery Act of 2018, all LGUs are mandated to establish eBOSS by June 17, 2021.

However, Perez said LGUs are challenged to implement the eBOSS system as they need technical assistance as well as resources to go digital.

For this, the ARTA chief said his office has partnered with conglomerates such as the Aboitiz Group and the Manila Electric Company to provide LGUs with hardware to roll out the system.

The eBOSS aims to streamline and automate processes in LGUs.

An LGU is tagged fully compliant with eBOSS if it has an online system to receive electronic business applications through a Unified Application Form; can issue electronic tax bill, Fire Safety Inspection Certificate Fee, and Barangay Clearance Fee; is capable of issuing electronic versions of permits; and can accept other modes of payment aside from cash.

Perez noted that joining the eBOSS system was crucial to achieving the 10-minute business processing target of the government.

He stressed that with the faster processes when tran
sacting with public office, many enterprises would be encouraged to formalize these businesses and pay taxes to the government.

He added that this ease of doing business would also attract foreign investors to operate and expand in the country.

The ARTA chief also emphasized that the ease of doing business has a vital role in achieving the Marcos administration’s goal to be the second-highest foreign direct investment (FDI) hub in southeast Asia by 2028.

‘So what better way to convince them that the Philippines is ready for them? So instead of making it difficult for them to engage (in) business with the Philippines, we will give them the red carpet. And all the programs and initiatives are already in place,’ Perez said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has earlier directed all public offices to remove red tape and give stakeholders a “red carpet treatment.”

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Strong jobs data in the Philippines and healthy earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023 in the US markets boosted the local index and currency on Thursday’s trading.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) completed the week’s trading with gains, with the fresh improvement of 20.12 points in the overall counter to close at 6,850.16.

The broader All Shares also increased by 7.45 points at 3,574.21.

‘The 4Q23 earnings season has been stronger than expected, giving investors confidence that the healthy economy could continue driving corporate profits,’ Regina Capital Development Corp. head of sales Luis Limlingan said.

‘Back home, sentiment got a boost from easing unemployment rate. The latter was reported to have eased to 3.1 percent in December,’ Limlingan added.

Philstocks Financial, Inc. research and engagement officer Mikhail Plopenio, on the other hand, noted that the local bourse even reached the 6,900 level during this day’s trading ‘but last-minute selling pressure limited gains.’

Secto
ral indices were mixed, with gainers led by Financials increasing by 31.08 points to 1,964.93, while Mining and Oil had the steepest drop of 100.51 points to 8,988.38.

Advancers outpaced losers at 106 to 91, leaving 46 firms unchanged.

Meanwhile, the Philippines peso closed sideways but still at the 55-level.

The peso ended the day at 55.91 to a US dollar from 55.95 in the previous trading.

It opened at 55.98 and traded from a low of 55.85 to a high of 56, bringing the average level for the day at 55.92 to the greenback.

The trade volume slipped to USD1.20 billion from USD1.29 billion.

Source: Philippines News Agency