1 June 23-29, 2022
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA EDITION
www.pnewstoday.com
THE PREMIER FILIPINO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPER IN THE U.S. SINCE 1961
Vol. 61 No. 46 June 23-29, 2022
NEWS AND VIEWS YOU TRUST
GOV’T ADMITS FOOD CRISIS; MARCOS TO HEAD AGRI DEPT Woes worsened by avian flu, war-stirred global chain change
Covid-19 cases start to peak in NCR, other areas
By ALFRED GABOT, Editor-in-Chief
MANDALUYONG CITY — Incoming and outgoing officials of the Philippine government warned the country is now suffering a food crisis partly due to the global food chain disturbance triggered by the Ukraine-Russia war, the onset of avian flu and other local and external factors, prompting Presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to decide that he will take on Secretary of Agriculture portfolio, at least “for now.” Page 9
PHL grapples with food, transport crises
NEXT VICE PRESIDENT. Sara Duterte signs the official oath of office, making her the Philippines’ 15th Vice President, on a makeshi� stage at San Pedro Square, Davao City on June 19, as her parents, President Rodrigo Duterte and MANILA – President-elect hold the post of Agriculture sec- Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Supreme Court Associate Jus�ce Ramon Paul HerFerdinand Marcos, Jr. this week retary “for the time being.” nando look on. By Be�ng Laygo Dolor, Editor
warned of an impending food crisis. His pick to head the National Economic and Development Authority, however, said the food crisis the incoming president referred to is not coming soon; it’s already here. Incoming Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the main source of the country’s food supply, agriculture, was already in crisis as could be seen in the soaring prices of rice and meat products coupled with the “low profitability” in farming. Just how critical the food supply situation of the country is could be gleaned by the surprise announcement of Marcos Jr. this week that he would concurrently
The incoming president and his chosen NEDA chief agreed that the poor should be protected as the situation was almost certain to get worse before it gets any better. Balisacan – who also served as NEDA chief in the administration of the late President Benigo Aquino III – said, “We must protect the poorest and vulnerable groups in our society.” This means strengthening the ayuda system of giving cash donations to those who need it most. “But this time, make sure the ayuda will go to the deserving groups and not just to anyone,” he said. For his part, Marcos Jr. rejected the idea of sending a lifeline to another sector Page 8
Sara takes oath as VP, commits to serve nation
By Claire Morales True DAVAO CITY – Sara Duterte Marcos Jr. and wife, Lisa; Pamtook her oath as the 15th Vice panga Representative-elect and President of the Philippines be- former president Gloria Macapafore Supreme Court Associate gal-Arroyo; officials of various Justice Ramon Paul Hernando at embassies; and incumbent and San Pedro Square here on June elected lawmakers led by Sen. 19. Imelda Imee Marcos and outgoClad in an emerald green Fili- ing Deputy Speaker, now Senapiniana gown, Duterte was sworn tor-elect Loren Legarda. in before her fellow Davaoenos Prior to the inaugural ceras President Rodrigo Duterte and emony, a Holy Mass, presided Elizabeth Zimmerman, parents over by Davao Archbishop Roof the Vice President-elect, stood mulo Valles, was held at the San by her side. Pedro Cathedral. Foreign and local guests were While her oath-taking was led by President-elect Ferdinand held early, the Vice Page 8
MANILA – Metro Manila has recorded a “sharp rise” in new COVID-19 cases while the rest of Luzon and the Visayas have also shown an increase, prompting Malacañang to remind citizens to continue observing minimum public health standards. “Wear your masks, social distancing, wash your hands,” outgoing Communications Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said in Malacanang. Andanar noted that it is difficult to avoid crowds nowadays since all establishments in areas under Alert Level 1 are now allowed to operate at 100 percent capacity as long as proof of full vaccination is presented. “You just really have to be careful, drink your vitamins, eat healthy, don’t stay up late, and sleep long,” he added. At the same time, the Department of Health has detected 32 additional cases of Omicron BA.5 subvariant, 21 of which are from Western Visayas, four from Calabarzon, four from the National Capital Region and three Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said 30 of the new cases are fully vaccinated and one is partiallyPage 10
Filipino lawyer shot dead, mother hurt in US
Enrile tapped; BIR, NICA chiefs named VIEWS & COMMENTS
SHOWBIZ
What should you do if you entered using a different name?
Duterte confers Natl Artist award to Nora Aunor
By A�y. Lozano
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SPORTS
Bay Area FilAms applaud Warriors in SF celebration Page 21
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