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2nd booster shot rolls out for immunocompromised By Willie Casas THE rollout of the second booster for COVID-19 vaccines for the immunocompromised is set to begin on April 25 nationwide, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Friday.

During a media forum, Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said only immunocompromised individuals who are 18 years old and above will be allowed to receive their second booster shot as early as three months after their first booster.

VOL. XXXVI • NO. 72 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P18 SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

P4/l fuel price hike looms Prolonged war in Ukraine, EU ban on Russian oil push pump cost

By Alena Mae S. Flores

HE Department of Energy (DOE) warned Friday of an impending increase in the price of petroleum products next week amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. Industry sources said pump prices are already trending up by more than P4 per liter. As of Thursday, gasoline was already up by P2.85 per liter, diesel by P4.18 per liter and kerosene by P3.94 per liter. "This international crisis underscores the urgent need for the Philippines to attain energy independence and security,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said. “A country like ours cannot remain at the mercy of global supply or price volatilities.” Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged city and municipal mayors to set up a complaint desk or hotline to address concerns from the beneficiaries of fuel subsidy Año directed all city and municipal chief executives nationwide to submit a validated list of qualified tricycle drivers to the DILG regional offices on or before April 26 in preparation for another round of fuel subsidy releases under the Pantawid Pasada Program. The DOE attributed the looming price increase to several factors, including diminishing hopes for a resolution to

PDP-Laban under Cusi wing eyes joint rallies with UniTeam By Maricel V. Cruz THE ruling Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) wing under Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi is eyeing possible joint rallies with the UniTeam of presidential candidate former Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. PDP-Laban Secretary-General Melvin Matibag, recently appointed

as acting Cabinet Secretary, revealed this Thursday night after attending the UniTeam grand rally at the Biñan Football Field in Laguna. Not only that, Matibag said PDP-Laban was "hoping" that President Rodrigo Duterte would grace the upcoming joint rallies. "We met. I was with Secretary Cusi, the president of the party, that there will be a rally in the event we get invited to

WINSOME GRINS. Lakas-CMD vice presidential candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte smiles to the crowd during UniTeam's Grand Rally Thursday night in Biñan City, Laguna. Inset shows BARMM officials who are signatories to the Oath/Pledge of Commitment to deliver 70 percent of the votes in the region to the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte election bid join presidential bet Marcos Jr. in flashing his hand sign on Friday in Manila. Ver Noveno

Lack of indemnity law snags COVID pill buy

DEBATE DELAYED. Comelec Commissioner George Garcia (left) explains

THE government has not yet purchased stocks of the oral COVID-19 pill Paxlovid because Pfizer is requiring an indemnification law before it sells the life-saving drugs to the Philippines. The indemnification law will absolve Pfizer of liabilities in case of serious side effects of the antiviral drug, which the World Health Organization on Friday strongly recommended its use for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients at

highest risk of hospital admission. “The government cannot import this drug because the company is asking for an indemnification law before it sells Paxlovid directly to the government. If a problem arises from taking Paxlovid, they want to be sure they cannot be sued,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said. The WHO said on the same day that Paxlovid, a combination of nirmatrel-

vir and ritonavir, is the best therapeutic choice for patients with non-severe COVID-19 who are at highest risk of developing severe disease and hospitalization, such as the unvaccinated, older, or immunocompromised. The recommendation was based on trials involving 3,078 patients. The data showed that the risk of hospitalization was reduced by 85 percent with Paxlovid.

why the next presidential debate organized by the poll body is delayed by a week in a briefing Friday. Beside him is fellow Commissioner Aimee Ferolino. Danny Pata

Comelec resets prexy debates due to its unsettled venue fee By Vito Barcelo THE final presidential and vice presidential town hall debates of the Commission on Elections were postponed after its organizer allegedly failed to settle its P14million debt to event venue Sofitel Philippine Plaza. Commissioner George Garcia said

MT. PROVINCE MISHAP. A man is

carried off on a stretcher by police and barangay personnel after surviving the fall down a ravine of the utility vehicle he and seven others were riding in Besao, Mountain Province on Thursday. Dave Leprozo

a representative of Sofitel has asked the help of the poll body to collect payment from event organizer Impact Hub Manila, which was tapped to mount the "PiliPinas Debates 2022: The Turning Point." Garcia said the final leg of Comelec debates – originally scheduled for April 23 and 24 – has been moved to April 30 and May 1. Next page

Poll body trips over online precinct finder 6 died, 2 injured By Macon Ramos-Araneta

TORNADO TURNOVER. FOTON Motor Philippines Inc. (FMPI) and YTO Express Philippines' executives pose beside the first batch of FOTON Tornado trucks turned over to the new logistics firm. In above photo (from left) are FOTON International Country Manager Alex Lee, FMPI VP for Sales and Marketing Levy Santos, FMPI President Erroll Dueñas, YTO Philippines CEO Andrew Cai, and YTO CFO Susan Cai.

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) appealed for patience as its online precinct finder project stumbled out the door on its first day. Online users derided the program, called Voter Verifier, after they were greeted with an error screen when they tried to access the site. "Let's give the system a day to make an adjustment," Commissioner George Erwin Garcia said. The Voter Verifier went live Friday on the Comelec's website, 21 days after it was launched as a project with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The site is supposed to enable registered voters can check their precinct locations by keying in their full name and the city or municipality where they registered. Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) assured the public that it could still secure the 2022 polls despite a possible change of leadership a day before Election Day. In a radio interview, PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo said PNP chief Police Gen. Dionardo Carlos is looking forward to his retirement on May 8 when he reaches the retirement age of 56. The PNP said 2,738 people have been Next page

in road mishap in Mt. Province

By Dave Leprozo CAMP DANGWA, Benguet—Six people died, mostly teenagers, while two others were seriously injured after their vehicle—a Tamaraw FX—fell into a ravine Thursday in Besao, Mountain Province, 156 kms north of Baguio City. But discovery of the bodies and the injured was done only after 11 hours due to inclement weather in the area, 4,600 feet above sea level, when a farmer went to his farm at 4 p.m Thursday. Next page

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SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

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‘ICC has no right to probe drug war’

HE International Criminal Court (ICC) has no authority to investigate President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-narcotics drive, Malacañang insisted Friday.

“We reiterate our position that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has no jurisdiction to probe our campaign against illegal drugs,” acting Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press statement. Andanar said the ICC cannot probe Duterte’s drug war since the Philippines’ justice system is still working. “This is not the case in the Philippines where our criminal justice system remains capable and functional and our legal institutions continue to be independent and impartial,” he said.

Andanar’s statement came after presidential aspirant Leody de Guzman said he would let the ICC investigate Duterte’s campaign against rampant narcotics trade if he wins the May 9 presidential race. Andanar said the ICC may only intervene if the Philippine courts refuse to launch an investigation into Duterte’s war on illegal drugs. “The ICC is the court of last resort utilized when a State Party is unwilling to investigate and prosecute those who violate laws,” he said.

The ICC in November 2021 suspended its investigation into the alleged crimes against humanity attributed to Duterte’s drug war to assess “the scope and effect of the deferral request” of the Philippine government. A month before the suspension of the probe, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan ensured that the investigation into Duterte's anti-narcotics campaign would "uncover the truth and aim to ensure accountability." In March 2018, Duterte ordered the Philippines’ revocation of the Rome Statute that created the ICC after former prosecutor Fatou Bensouda continued with the preliminary examination into his drug in February of the same year. The Philippines formally ended its ties with the ICC on March 17, 2019, or

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global market. In a TV interview, the director of the DOE’s Oil Industry Management Bureau confirmed that prices would shoot up next week. “We confirm that there is an impending increase in pump prices next week and this is going to be a bit hefty,” Rino Abad said in Filipino. Earlier, oil companies raised pump prices by as much as P1.70 per liter on Tuesday. Petron raised gas prices by 45 centavos per liter, diesel by P1.70 a liter, and kerosene by 45 centavos a liter. Seaoil Philippines, Chevron Philippines, PTT Philippines, Cleanfuel, and PetroGazz also raised pump prices. On Monday, however, oil prices inched lower amid concerns of slowdown in demand due to lockdowns in China and the ongoing Ukraine crisis, according to Reuters. On April 12, the oil companies implemented a price rollback for gasoline of P1 per liter, diesel by P0.35 per liter, and kerosene byP3 per liter. These resulted in the year-to-date adjustments of a net increase of P15 per liter for gasoline, P25.65 per liter for diesel, and P21.10 per liter for kerosene. "In as much as we want to assist everyone, we must abide by the set parameters that’s why we ask the LGUs and

the cooperation of our tricycle drivers in order to speed up the fuel subsidy for them," Año said in a statement. Under the Fuel Subsidy Program or Pantawid Pasada Program, which will be funded through General Appropriations Act of 2022, fuel assistance amounting to P6,500 will be directly provided to drivers. This is not only for affected jeepney drivers but also to qualified drivers of UV express, minibuses, buses, shuttle services, taxis, tricycles, and other full-time ride-hailing (e.g., transport network vehicle service or TNVS and motorcycle taxis), and delivery services nationwide. Through DILG Memorandum Circular 2022-047, Año said LGUs must produce a validated list of tricycle drivers; tricycle franchisees; addresses; electronic wallet accounts; and number of operating tricycles and other details within their respective jurisdictions. He said the distribution of fuel subsidy shall be the responsibility of the DOTr-LTFRB and shall be disseminated through the e-wallet account submitted by the beneficiaries. The details, he said, must be prepared and certified correct by the Head of the Tricycle Franchising Board and the head of the local Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).

"It should be certified by the city or municipal mayors and vice mayors. This is to ensure that the list we will forward to the DOTr-LTFRB is correct and legitimate," said Año. LGUs must likewise transmit the validated list of beneficiaries to the DILG Regional Office which will serve as a reference document in the distribution of the fuel subsidy to the tricycle drivers; ensure that the fuel subsidy will be utilized for fuel purchases and payments only; and, coordinate with the concerned beneficiary in case of inconsistencies and insufficiencies in details or information. Año said LCEs are expected to come up with the list to expedite the process of aiding tricycle drivers "whose meager income is further cut by the recent oil price hikes." He added that the said list, once validated, shall be the basis of the DOTrLTFRB in granting the fuel subsidy. "I urge all city and municipal LCEs to produce a validated list of qualified tricycle drivers who will receive the Pantawid Pasada Program fuel subsidy. This is needed by our fellow tricycle drivers who have been burdened by the recent unprecedented oil price hikes. I hope we will speed up the list to somehow alleviate the burden of our drivers," Ano said.

dential candidates to be there and are all present. Because of course, they will spend, and of course, they will give such efforts,” Garcia added. In its demand letter dated April 20, Sofitel said Impact Hub's Celeste Eden Rondario repeatedly issued them bouncing checks. Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay apologized to the candidates for the resetting of the debates. “We apologize to our candidates. We are doing an investigation to get to the bottom of this issue,” Bulay said. Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, for her part, said the Comelec is not a party to the contract between Impact Hub and Sofitel. For his part, presidential aspirant Sen. Manny Pacquiao said he would attend the rescheduled debates if his rival, former Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr., would also attend. "If the other candidate will attend for the first time, I may be forced to attend the town hall debates. If Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will definitely attend, I will attend,” he said. “All I'm saying is that a good opportunity for us presidential candidates to be complete in the debate will be missed,” Pacquiao said. Presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson and vice presidential candidate Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Friday said they are most likely to skip the last debates given the recent changes in schedule. “The campaign period will end on May 7. That’s 15 days from now, and then we will have to adjust? We also have schedules that we must honor,” Lacson said.

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booster jab would be more effective against COVID-19. Cabotaje also disclosed that the global vaccine sharing program COVAX had offered to replace expiring vaccines it provided. This, after presidential adviser for entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion warned that some 27 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are set to expire in July. To date, some 67 million Filipinos have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Of the figure, only 12.7 million have received their first booster dose. The DOH urged the public to get their booster shot against COVID-19 as soon as possible to improve their immunity against the virus. Booster uptake in the Philippines remains low amid the threat of the more transmissible coronavirus subvariant. "If there’s the best time to receive booster shots to improve immunity against COVID-19, that's now," Duque said. He said that vaccination sites are not yet jam-packed, and supplies remain stable. Waiting to get a booster shot until a surge happens may actually become a problem, he warned “If you're going to wait for a surge before you get your booster shots, that would be a problem. Why? Because more health care workers would be reporting to hospitals to tend to patients,” Duque said.

use authorization for Pfizer's Paxlovid. The FDA also earlier granted EUA to six brands of the anti-COVID drug molnupiravir: Molnarz (Faberco); Molnaflu (Medethix); Auxilto (German Quality Pharma); Molxvir (Sun Pharma); Molnatris (Mykan); and Molnupiravir Generic (Lloyd Laboratories/Dr. Zen’s Research). Willie Casas

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Russia’s war in Ukraine, and the possible impact of a European Union embargo on Russian oil. While the EU has not imposed a ban on Russian oil imports, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had recently mentioned that an EU-level embargo on Russian oil was possible. The warning from OPEC+ on the impossibility of replacing 7 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian oil and other liquid exports that would be lost in the event of sanctions or voluntary actions also pushed up prices, as did tight supply. The DOE cited reports that only a few producers could maintain capacity in reserve while raising production. These are Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Iraq. Iran, under US sanctions, has over 1 million barrels per day that could return to the market. However, Iran would only be able to tap into this capacity if its nuclear talks are successful. DOE assured the public the country's oil supply remains sufficient, but cautioned against the inevitability of domestic price spikes, which continue to reflect the upward movement in the

Comelec... From A1

"We will not be able to proceed with the debate as scheduled. But they are not cancelled. It was reset by next week, by April 30 and May 1," he said. In an ABS-CBN report last night, several Comelec officials are being asked to explain their participation in the allegedly "grossly disadvantageous" partnership with Impact Hub Manila, a start-up contracted to mount this year's series of election debates that eventually faltered. In an internal memorandum obtained by ABS-CBN News, Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay flagged several possible irregularities with the poll body's deal with Impact Hub, which is allegedly financially incapable in staging projects of such scale. "Why was Impact Hub chosen organizer and how were they vetted?" Bulay said in a strongly-worded memo dated April 22 of the firm led by CEO Celeste Rondario. According to Bulay in the memo, some of his colleagues were willing to cough up P15 million to save Impact Hub from its financial mess with Sofitel. Garcia said the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas will be the poll body's partner in the rescheduled debates. “They said they will give us a good venue for the presidential and VP debates,” he said. “They just have a request, and KBP wants all the presidential and vice presi-

Lack... From A1

While the government does not have a stockpile of Paxlovid, Duque said several hospitals have been allowed to purchase and administer the said drug. The Food and Drug Administration earlier granted an emergency

Poll... From A1

arrested so far for violating the election gun ban. In a statement, the PNP said 2,661 of those apprehended were civilians, 44 security guards, 16 police officers, and 17 military personnel. It added that a total of 2,612 police operations yielded 2,065 firearms, 11,128 pieces of ammunition, and 1,103 deadly weapons. Citing its latest data, the PNP said the top five regions in terms of the number of arrested violators are the National Capital Region with 1,017, followed by Calabarzon (313); Central Visayas (283); Central Luzon (258); and Western Visayas (159).

According to Comelec Resolution No. 10728, the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or deadly weapons is prohibited outside of the residence and in all public places from Jan. 9 until June 8. Exempted from the ban are law enforcers but they should have authorization from the Comelec and wear an agencyprescribed uniform while on official duty during the election period. Violators face imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation. They also face disqualification from holding public office, deprivation of the right of suffrage, and cancellation or perpetual disqualification from securing a gun license. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday urged the Department of the Interior and

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Among the brands that will be used are AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III earlier said he has already approved the rollout of a second COVID-19 booster for immunocompromised persons. Duque said these patients include those who have cancer, recipients of organ transplants, and HIV/AIDS patients. He stressed that frontline health care providers and senior citizens are not yet covered by the expected rollout of second booster shots next week. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the emergency use authorization (EUA) for second booster shots for the senior citizens, the immunocompromised, and frontline health front liners, the DOH said Wednesday. Unlike in the past, the rollout of additional jabs for the immunocompromised will not be pilot tested anymore in Metro Manila, Health Undersecretary Myrna Cabotaje said. "No more NCR phase 1. We would like to roll it out nationwide immediately on Monday after we have discussed the guidelines with our implementers," Cabotaje said in an interview on ANC. Cabotaje echoed the recommendation of the government's vaccine expert panel that using heterologous or a different vaccine brand as an additional

PDP-Laban... join by BBM and Inday Sara,” Matibag said. "We're planning a big rally in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, and in Parañaque to be sponsored by the PDP-Laban, the UniTeam is invited," he said. Regarding the UniTeam-PDP-Laban partnership, Matibag said the two parties Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to ensure maximum protection for teachers serving as poll workers, especially in areas being considered as hotspots or areas of concern. Gatchalian also called on the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Election Task Force to work with the PNP to ensure efficient provision of security measures for teachers who will serve in the polls. Over 300,000 teachers are expected to participate in this year’s polls. The DILG and the PNP previously reported that 105 municipalities and 15 cities are labeled as “red areas” or areas of grave concern, which may be placed under the control of the Comelec. The poll body is verifying the list submitted by the PNP and is yet to release the final list of areas of concern.

exactly a year after the scrapping of the Rome Statute. Despite the Philippines' withdrawal, Khan had said the ICC “retains jurisdiction” with respect to alleged crimes that happened in the country while it was a state party from Nov. 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019. The ICC's investigation covers the conduct of the drug war under Duterte’s watch, as well as alleged killings in Davao City between 2011 and 2016 when the President was still the mayor. In March this year, Duterte directed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to furnish human rights groups with a copy of the report on the drug war to enlighten them about the gravity of the drug problem in the country.

were on good terms. "We had a productive meeting... UniTeam and PDP-Laban, we had plotted our moves. Although President Duterte hasn't endorsed any candidate for the presidency in the upcoming May 9 polls, he and the PDP-Laban for that matter have openly endorsed Mayor Duterte's bid for the vice presidency,” he said. PDP-Laban, as a party, has already endorsed Marcos's presidential candidacy.

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Capt. Marnie Abellanida, deputy regional information officer of the Cordillera Regional Police Office, said the initial report from the Besao Municipal Police Station, only 12 kms from Sagada City, said a car carrying eight people fell into ravine of undetermined depth at 4 p.m. near Sitio Bunga, Barangay Calengan, Besao. Personnel from the Besao MPS, Philippine Army, Besao Municipal Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council, and barangay officials responded and rescued first the two seriously injured people—Lander Maticyeng, 17, and Novelyn Sagantiyoc, 18, both from Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

MMDA sticking to ‘window’ for provincial buses THE Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) is sticking with the window hours scheme for provincial buses, despite thousands of passengers being stranded in terminals. An MMDA resolution signed March 24 directed provincial buses from the south to end their journey at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), while those from the north should terminate at the North Luzon Express Terminal (NLET) in Bocaue, Bulacan. In late March, the agency allowed provincial buses to ply major thoroughfares in the capital region but only from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., as COVID-19 restrictions continued to ease. MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said they consulted with bus operators and stakeholders on the issue. Aside from this, Artes said they chose the window hours to prevent provincial buses from adding to the volume of vehicles in EDSA. This was why the MMDA chief said he was puzzled when there was confusion, adding there was a "gentleman's agreement" among bus operators on the policy. Artes alleged that bus operators were deliberately causing "issues" so their private terminals would be opened again, adding some bus terminals were earlier ordered closed after failing to pass authorities' inspections. Several provincial bus operators limited their operations to evenings due to the newly imposed window hour scheme, but transport authorities clarified the policy only pertains to the use of private terminals within Metro Manila. "This is consistent with our national policy on the National Development Program, which directs buses entering Metro Manila to end their journey only in integrated terminals,” Artes said. "It seemed this was done intentionally by bus operators even if they know that their terminals cannot operate outside the window hours,” he added. Artes said: “There should not be any confusion. We think that this was done intentionally so the public would be angry with the LTFRB and MMDA to justify the terminal in EDSA and Manila, so they can use these even outside the window hours.” Outside the window hours during the daytime, provincial buses are allowed to use the following terminals: PITX—Quezon, Region 4-A, MIMAROPA, and Bicol PITX and Araneta Center Cubao—Region 4-A (Calabarzon) NLET—Region 1, 2, and CAR NLET and Araneta Center Cubao—Region 3 SRIT (Santa Rosa Integrated Terminal in Laguna)—Provincial buses from Visayas and Mindanao

3m ALS students get 1st big batch of new modules THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday launched the first batch of new modules for students of the Alternative Learning System. About 3 million junior high school ALS students ages 15 to 24 are expected to benefit from the learning materials, said DepEd Assistant Secretary GH Ambat. "There is a new ALS curriculum. We are already in line with K to 12," she said. "These resources cover the 21st century skills required in the K-to-12 curriculum, which will help students once they start working or when they move to senior high school," she added. Ambat said the new modules took into consideration the "life experiences" of ALS students, including those who juggle school and work or those who returned to school but cannot enroll with their age group. "It recognizes their prior learning and ensures that they will be able to use their education when they go to work... It focuses on their needs as well," she said. (See full story online at manilastandard.net) Both were rushed to Besao District Hospital for treatment. According to Abellanida, six other passengers pulled from the ravine were declared dead by Dr. Joy Dicdican, municipal health officer, who was at the site to monitor the incident. “Currently, the police are still investigating the cause of the accident and are still determining the identities of the victims,” Abellanida said. The fatalities were identified as Rhema Sumingwa, 18, and Merley Docyogen, 17, both residents of Catengan, Besao, Mountain Province; Lendel Keith Alfonso, Hazel Solang, and Dalog Kawi Mangallay, all 19 years old, and Lip-aw Aligan, 21. The latter four were likewise residents of Patiacan, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

Duterte admin will honor MILF pacts—Galvez THE government will honor all peace agreements forged with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), presidential adviser on peace Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said Friday. Galvez also optimism that the peace accord sealed with the erstwhile Muslim separatist group would continue to hold to transcend future administrations. In a social media post, the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPRU) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim in Mindanao (BARMM) reaffirmed their commitments to sustain the gains of various peace agreements in Mindanao. “Rest assured, as I promised when I was Chief of Staff (of the Armed Forces of the Philippines), that all my life, with the National Defense Secretary (Delfin Lorenzana), all our lives, we will dedicate to the peace process,” Galvez said. He added that there was much work to be done, but with the strong partnerships developed, the Philippines “shall overcome the challenges that come our way”. BARMM chief minister Ahod “Murad” Ebrahim recalled the “long journey” of the Bangsamoro fighters toward self-determination and establishing their own government. “It brings back memories of our work in establishing the BARMM. Let us also take this opportunity to celebrate our shared wins of what may very well be our greatest legacy for Mindanao and the rest of the country,” Ebrahim said in a separate statement following a recent meeting between national government and BARMM officials.

Power, telco reforms musts amid disasters AN ADVOCACY group on environmental stewardship has called on the incoming administration to prioritize the strengthening of power and telecommunications sector’s resilience to disasters, especially since these are crucial the country’s recovery. “Tropical cyclone Agaton most recently showed how vulnerable our country is to weather events,” said Felix Vitangcol, co-convenor of the Philippine Business for Environmental Stewardship. In a statement, Vitangcol pointed out that during typhoons, power supplies were being cut off, affecting even access to communication and connectivity services, and hindering recovery, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. “As always, we manage to pull through. But this is not enough. The impact of the ever-changing climate on our communities will only get worse if we only react and not proactively build resilience for these extreme weather events,” he said. Vitangcol said the government must take the lead in reforming policies and creating an environment conducive to such efforts.

ETHNIC WEAVING.

Tourism Secretary Berna RomuloPuyat watches closely as T’boli woman Sebulan Dulay, 77, demonstrates how to weave abaca fibers to make T’nalak, the traditional textile of the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato. The demo highlights the closing ceremony of the World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit in Pasay City. Danny Pata

Rody: Tourism industry crucial to nat’l growth

RESIDENT Duterte on Friday called for the strengthening of relations between the government and tourism and travel industry players as a major factor in helping push economic growth amid the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Let us all continue working together to make the tourism sector boost its performance for social growth and economic development,” the President said in a taped video message to the ongoing 221st World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit at the Mariott Hotel in Pasay City. The Chief Executive expressed confidence that the challenges the tourism industry faces would be addressed during the WTTC convention.

“It is our pleasure to host this gathering of leaders, decision-makers and toplevel officials of the world’s travel and tourism sector. I trust that with your expertise in this field, this event will help us spur meaningful discussion about the concerns of tourism and the travelers in the post-pandemic era,” Duterte said. Some 1,000 local and foreign delegates are attending WTTC summit, key government tourism representatives and industry stakeholders with the view

of attuning efforts to help push economic recovery following the two-year COVID pandemic. A WTTC report showed that despite the pandemic, travel and tourism in the Philippines generated US41 billion in 2021, representing 10.4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The WTTC also reported that the tourism sector helped generate some 7.8 million jobs last year. The global tourism body also projected that by 2032, the Philippine travel and tourism’s contribution to GDP could be in excess of US155 billion, accounting for 21.4 percent of the national economy. The country has further relaxed its Covid-19 restrictions, given the continued drop in coronavirus cases nationwide.

TREE-PLANTING KICK-OFF RITE. Manila Water president and CEO Jocot de Dios (center) leads the kick-off ceremony of a multisector tree-planting project at the Balara Filtration complex in Quezon City in observance of Earth Day. Also in photo are representatives of the various participating companies and agencies such as ABS-CBN Foundation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Manila Water, and the Metropolitan Waterwork and Sewerage System.

Police anti-crime raids net 130 arrests, P1.2-m illegal drugs seized By Joel E. Zurbano

MORE than 130 people were arrested in simultaneous police operations on Thursday in connection with a police crackdown on suspected drug dealers and other criminal elements in southern Metro Manila. Southern Police District director

Brig. Gen. Jimili Macaraeg said among those arrested were 49 men engaged in drug use and trafficking, while 59 others were involved in illegal gambling. Also arrested were 28 people with standing warrants for various crimes. “These were the result of one-day Simultaneous Anti-Criminality Law Enforcement Operation (SACLEO),”

BBM-Sara alliance eyes tie-up with ULAP to protect votes CABBAROGUIS, Quirino—The Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance (Masada ) aims to coordinate with supporters who are members of Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) to secure and protect the votes of presidential front runner Ferdinand Marcos Jr his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio in the May 9 elections. ULAP is the umbrella organization of local government units, also known as the League of Leagues, which played an important role in the passage and enactment of the Local Government Code of 1991. In a meeting with ULAP national

Macaraeg said. The latest operations also resulted in the seizure of at least P1.2 million worth of prohibited drugs notably shabu and marijuana. “In the relentless effort to account for loose firearms, one cal. 45 with five live ammunition and one improvised shotgun loaded with two live ammunition were confiscated,” Macaraeg said.

In its anti-illegal gambling campaign, the SPD men arrested 59 individuals and recovered a bet money amounting to ₱7, 653. “The non-stop manhunt operation against wanted persons conducted by the seven police stations yielded 28 arrests, six of them listed as most wanted persons,” Macaraeg said.

chair Gov. Dakila Carlo Cua here, Energy Undersecretary Benito Ranque explained the important role governors and mayors in securing the BBM-Sara votes at the precinct level. Also present during the meeting on Wednesday was the father of the Quirino Governor Rep. Junie Cua. Ranque said MASADA would coordinate with ULAP members who have pledged to support the BBM-Sara tandem. “The title of MASADA vote pro- BBM-SARA ALLIANCE AT WORK. Undersecretary Benito Ranque (second from tection system is MOSAD system left), convenor of the Marcos-Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA), Quirino Gov. Dax Cua (second (MASADA: operation Secure Accurate from right) and his father Rep. Junie Cua, discuss strategies on how to protect votes for the BBM-Sara tandem in the May 9 elections. Data),” he said.

DHSUD: Marawi rehab to sustain momentum THE Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) on Friday vowed to continue rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur, regardless of the observance of Ramadan and the upcoming elections. Meanwhile, a landmark bridge that would connect Marawi to Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro City, was turned over to the local government on April 22. Dr. Mamintal Bombit Alonto Adiong Jr., governor of Lanao del Sur, credited the completion of the Cadayonan Bridge to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) under Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Al-Hadj Murad Ibrahim. DHSUD Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, head of Task Force Bangon Marawi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to push to completion several ongoing projects in Marawi by June 30. He said four more barangay complexes each equipped with health center and madrasah were turned over to the local government last April 21. “We remain on track to complete substantial number of the infrastructure projects by the end of the term of President Rodrigo Duterte,” he noted. During Wednesday’s briefing update, Padoman Paporo, lead convenor of the CSO Convergence tapped as third-party monitor of the rehabilitation efforts, noted” “aggressive” work in most of the projects inside the most affected area.

Mayoralty bet seeks more Manila assets FORMER congressman-turned Manila mayoralty candidate Amado Bagatsing on Friday vowed to prioritize expanding the city’s land and other property. Bagatsing deplored the reported sale of some Manila assets such as the Divisoria Public Market, City College of Manila (Escolta), Harrison Plaza, and Quiricada Fire Station under the administration of Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso. Citing data by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Bagatsing said the Manila government under Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, has already disposed of assets worth P44 billion in 2022. Latest survey showed that Bagatsing was gaining more points than the frontrunner Lacuna, indicating that the former has a bigger possibility to win the mayoralty race. According to a research of Maharlika TV, incumbent Lacuna still leads with 45.66%, while Bagatsing is fast catching up with 37.08% or only 8.5% away from Lacuna. Compared to the previous January 2022 research, Lacuna lost 16.33%, while Bagatsing gained 11.78. Bagatsing said he would offer a new “brand of leadership” which he aims to push for “comfortable living; economic growth, tourism and more for the Manilenos.” Maricel V. Cruz

News

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE. Members of Phil Movement for Climate Change lead by presidential candidate Ka Leody De Guzman (in red shirt) held a protest rally near Mendiola in Manila on Friday to call on the government to held accountable countries contributing to climate change. Norman Cruz

Supporters set up global ‘grand rally’ for Robredo By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE April 23 global “grand rally,” which will be held in Pasay City and in major cities across the country and around the world, will not be a birthday bash of Vice President Leni Robredo but a celebration of the people’s solidarity in ushering in a government that will truly serve the people, Georgina Hernandez, coordinator of the Robredo People’s Council (RPC), said “This is not just one person’s natal day. This is about new beginnings for us all. We are not just voting for VP Leni Robredo, we are voting for our children’s future,” Hernandez said. The group, which has chapters nationwide and in major cities around the world where there are Filipinos, envisioned the event to draw a massive crowd of supporters. Hernandez also added that RPC chapters nationwide will simultaneously conduct rallies on Robredo’s birthday. The rally to be on the stretch of Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, is also a thanksgiving party “not just for one life that is well-lived but for a great campaign that is waged by millions of inspired volunteers.” Hernandez said the gathering will be “a

Gov. Hernandez endorses BBM-Sara By Maricel V. Cruz

AGUNA Gov. Ramil L. Hernandez on Thursday night officially endorsed Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) presidential candidate former senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. before another huge crowd of supporters during the UniTeam grand rally at Biñan Football Field here.

Earlier, the governor already endorsed Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) and Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) chairperson Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as his vice presidential candidate. Hernandez, president of Laguna’s Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), joined the majority of Filipi-

nos in declaring support for Marcos. “Buong pamunuan ng PDP-Laban kasama po ng iba pang mga partido na nandito ay nagkakaisa para po sa iisang layunin, si Governor Hernandez po bilang pangulo ng PDP-Laban Laguna, ang akin pong presidente at vice president ay BBM-SARA,” Hernandez declared before introducing

Marcos in the rally. (The leadership of PDP-Laban together those with those of the other parties present are one in supporting the UniTeam of BBM-Sara) He earlier welcomed Marcos in a previous campaign sortie in the province but was silent on his endorsement. The campaign rally was spearheaded by Laguna officials led by Deputy Speaker and Laguna Rep. Marlyn Alonte, Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila, Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, Hernandez, Vice Gov. Karen Agapay, Rep. Ruth Hernandez and others. Marcos and Duterte reiterated their message of unity, hope and patriotism during the rally. OrganizerssaytensofthousandsofLagunenses, coming not only from Binan but also from Laguna’s other municipalities not yet visited by the BBM-Sara UniTeam, trooped to the said rally.

For his part, Binan City Vice Mayor Gel Alonte said he is endorsing Marcos because he is fit to become the country’s next president. Alonte said former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. was accredited for most of the developments in the province, Marcos, Jr., or BBM, would also bring further development The mammoth crowd, which included a lady who was already in the advanced stage of her pregnancy, reiterated the endorsement of their local officials and chanted “Panalo ka na rito!” repeatedly. One of the supporters said incumbent Binan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila and his opponent, Mike Yatco, who is related to Marcos’ national campaign manager and former MMDA Chairman Benhur Abalos by marriage, both endorse Marcos for president. With Rey E. Requejo

Inday Sara visits typhoon ‘Agaton’ survivors in Leyte LAKAS-CHRISTIAN Muslim Democrats (CMD) vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Friday morning visited survivors and victims of recent typhoon “Agaton” in Leyte. Duterte was accompanied by her campaign managers House Majority Leader and Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin G. Romualdez of Lakas-CMD and Davao Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista of Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP), the local political group founded by the Davao City mayor. Also with them were Mayors Jose Carlos Cari of Baybay City, Daisy Lleve of Mahaplag town, and Mayor Lemuel Traya of Abuyog municipality. Duterte visited and comforted 37 typhoon survivors confined at the Immaculate Concepcion Hos-

pital in Baybay City. She also visited hundreds of families rendered homeless by the typhoon and who are temporarily sheltered in evacuation centers in Baybay City and the municipalities of Mahaplag and Abuyog. Baybay City bore the brunt of the fury of the recent typhoon. More than 100 reportedly died from landslides and flooding. Romualdez, president of LakasCMD, thanked Duterte for visiting his province mates. “The visit means a lot to us. It uplifts our people’s spirits. They are still grieving over the death of some relatives, friends or neighbors. They are still suffering from the loss of homes and livelihood,” Romualdez said. Maricel V. Cruz

VISITING TYPHOON VICTIMS. Lakas-CMD/HNP vice presidential Candidate and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte visits and comforts victims of typhoon Agaton at the Immaculate Concepcion Hospital in Baybay City Leyte. With her are Davao Occidental Governor Claude Bautista, LakasCMD President and House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez and Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos Cari. (inset) Inday Sara with Majo Romualdez and Abuyog Mayor Lemuel Traya (left).

Moreno urged to ‘move on’ after calling for Leni withdrawal DEPUTY Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, a supporter of Vice President Leni Robredo, on Friday urged presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso to move on from his repeated calls for Vice President Leni Robredo to withdraw from the presidential race. Moreno, the Aksyon Demokratiko standard-bearer, said he has been “at the receiving

end of incessant bashing” which only encouraged him to “fight harder for ordinary Filipinos whose rights and welfare have long been trampled upon by the elitist politics.” Rodriguez said “the proposed pullout of VP Leni from the election for president is a non-issue in the first place. She is a strong candidate and she has the best chances of overtaking the survey frontrunner.”

The lawmaker, who represents Cagayan de Oro’s second district, said Robredo’s campaign has been gathering momentum as evidenced by the large crowds attending her rallies. Moreno made the call in an Easter Sunday press conference together two other presidential aspirants—Sen. Panfilo Lacson and former defense secretary Norberto Gonzales.

The Manila mayor, who has subsequently repeated his appeal, said it was in response to a similar plea he claimed Robredo had made for him to withdraw from the presidential contest. However, Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said on Thursday the vice president has not urged any presidential candidate to pull out. Maricel V. Cruz and Rey E. Requejo

pep rally” that will send off volunteers as they intensify the “get-out-and-vote drive in the homestretch of the campaign.” The event has been billed as “a family affair, outing snd day because “several generations in one family are expected to attend.” Like all Robredo rallies, most of the participants will come from extended clans that have agreed to vote as one. She stressed that Robredo has long acknowledged that families have become the bedrock of her support. Due to this, she said Robredo’s speech will focus on the bright future that awaits the Filipino family if this people’s campaign will win on May 9. Robredo meanwhile is wooing more voters in Cebu, saying she is confident of winning anew in the vote-rich province. Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis Pangilinan traveled through 135 kilometers of northern Cebu — Bantayan Island, Bogo City, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Danao City, to Mandaue City, where 150,000 “kakampinks” rejected the local party’s endorsement of ex-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. With Rio N. Araja

Ping says no ‘Napoles’ scam under Lacson government PRESIDENTIAL candidate Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson intends to avoid cases of non-government organizations (NGO) being used as dummy entities to extract public funds from the national government, which led to a corruption scandal that erupted in 2013 involving detained businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles. A discussion on this topic was brought up during the town hall meeting Lacson held on Friday (April 22) at the Ynares Center on the sidelines of his campaign activities in Antipolo City, Rizal. One participant representing the youth sector asked the public servant if it is possible for their NGO to get financial support from his government to help them implement their planned community projects. “Baka hindi ma-justify ‘yung pondo ng gobyerno papunta sa isang NGO. Alam niyo diyan maraming naimbestigahan noong si Napoles nagkaroon ng kaso kasi ginamit nila private na NGO,” Lacson replied to the young woman, who identified herself as a member of the Phase 2B Youth Movement based in San Luis, Antipolo City. [It might be hard for us to justify (the request of) government funds if it goes to an NGO. You know, that is when a series of investigations were launched in the past when Napoles had been charged because they used private NGOs.] Napoles has been dubbed as ‘pork barrel queen’ by the media for allegedly masterminding the P10-billion Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam, which incriminated several politicians. She remains in detention after the Sandiganbayan found her guilty of plunder, graft and malversation of public funds, according to reports. “Mahirap, kasi public funds, hindi pwedeng lumipat ito sa isang private organization. Kami po nagiging matapat sa inyo. Madali lang sabihin, ‘sige, gagawin natin.’ Pero kung alam naman nating hindi pwede at labag sa batas kasi baka hindi pumasa sa COA (Commission on Audit),” Lacson explained. [It is difficult because public funds cannot be transferred to a private organization. We are being honest with you. It is easy to say ‘yes, we will do it.’ But we know that it cannot happen because it would violate the law and it might not pass the standards of COA (Commission on Audit).]

PNP identifies shooter in Ka Leody sortie THE Philippine National Police (PNP) said it has identified three persons of interest in the shooting incident which occurred during a visit of presidential candidate Leody de Guzman in Quezon, Bukidnon. The PNP also identified the shooter who opened fire at the event. PNP Region 10 Director Benjamin Acorda said the PNP has “identified the shooter, and also we tried to reach out with Ka Leody for the full support of their members or the Manobo-

Pulangiyon clan that they will give their affidavits and sworn statements,” Acorda, however, did not give details details when asked how many shooters there were. Earlier, PNP spokesperson P/ Colonel Jean Fajardo, in a radio interview, said a police forensics team visited and processed the plantation where the shooting incident happened on April 19. She said the police “confiscated some firearms from the security personnel of the property includ-

ing eight shotguns, two 9 mm pistols, and a .38 caliber.” Fajardo said the PNP “already have three persons of interest and we are just waiting for the statement of the witnesses.” The confiscated firearms will be subject to gunpowder residue examination to determine if they were used in the incident, Fajardo said. The shooting incident marred the visit of de Guzman, a labor leader, to Bukidnon where he discussed alleged land grabbing.

LOCAL CAMPAIGNS. Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman and congressman Edcel Lagman with team Tabaco 2022 during their campaign sortie at Barangay Quinastilojan in Tabaco City. Dave Almarinez, who is running for congressman, conducts a house-to-house campaign with his wife Ara Mina Almarinez along Brgy. Sampaguita in San Pedro City in Laguna province. Norman Cruz and Roy Tomandao

Pacquiao says PhilHealth should be given free to college students PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Senator Manny Pacquiao said he will push for free PhilHealth coverage for all college students under his administration. In a GMA News report, Pacquiao said “the PhilHealth coverage should be free. Billions of pesos were allotted to PhilHealth, only to be stolen. No one was even jailed.” He added that “college students should

not be required to pay but the government should shoulder their coverage. If I were to become president, they will not pay any fee, the government will take care of it.” The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases earlier said it is requiring college students to be enrolled in PhilHealth coverage as more colleges and universities

start holding face-to-face classes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. But Pacquiao said “I am really angry at PhilHealth following the incident where lots, billions of money were lost. Why am I angry at the PhilHealth anomaly? Because PhilHealth is not for the rich. PhilHealth was created for the poor, for those who live from hand to mouth, those

who can’t afford it. Then government officials will steal?” The’ IATF said under its policy, “students who are younger than 21 are dependents of parents who are PhilHealth members.” A PhilHealth member who has a job and a salary must provide a contribution of P300 per month. Pacquiao meanwhile said he will attend

the Commission on Elections (Comelec) presidential and vice-presidential town hall debates if his rival Ferdinand Marcos Jr. would also attend. The Comelec said that the vice-presidential and presidential town hall debates scheduled for April 23 and 24, 2022, respectively, had been rescheduled to April 30 and May 1.

Opinion Of endearing moments, ‘tantrums,’ and ‘deadma’

AS THE elections draw near, we are witnessing more telling signs of how the leading presidential candidates Marcos Jr., Vice President Leni Robredo, and Manila Mayor Isko Domagoso may govern should they win. The electorate should closely watch whether the candidates’ actions are consistent with what they say. Sometimes, how candidates act reveal more of the kind of persons they are than the beautiful words they utter. Per surveys, the leading candidate is Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the namesake, and son of the late deposed dictator. From the start of the campaign, Marcos has never bothered to participate in the various debates among presidential candidates. These are designed to inform the electorate of their platforms so they are helped in making smart choices. The dictator’s son has chosen to ignore the calls for him to take part in these events as if he could not be bothered to exchange note with other candidates and explain his program of government to his prospective bosses, the Filipino people. He has also stayed away from serious interviews by media. Such arrogance is rarely seen during the campaign period when candidates are expected to woo the votes in their favor by telling them what they would do if elected.

Let’s look at how these candidates are conducting themselves now. Besides this, Marcos Jr. has been observed to “snub” supporters who want to shake his hand, or even have a selfie taken with him. Bodyguards are always ready to ward off anyone who attempts to get near the dictator’s son. Are they scared that their candidate might be harmed by those who support him? Or is it just that Marcos Jr. is “allergic” to being with ordinary people having grown in a gilded cage? These are red flags. This candidate who says he wants to serve around 110 million Filipinos care little about his responsibility to explain to them (beyond the “unity” rhetoric) how and what he will prioritize should he be given the chance to head government. If he does not want to be with people now, what can we expect if he wins? What about accountability? If he is able to get away as the “deadma” king now, can we expect him to change if he wins? If he cannot be bothered to be asked now, how will he be accountable to the people if he occupies Malacañan? The third candidate, Isko Domagoso, as of this writing, is on his fifth day of throwing tantrums and verbal tirades against the number two, Vice President Leni Robredo. Domagoso committed a major miscalculation when he, during the failed Easter Sunday press conference, went off-script and called for Robredo’s withdrawal of candidacy. His two companions has since disowned the such call for withdrawal. Perhaps he saw an opportunity to become “bida” so not only did the press conference boomerang, Domagoso was hit the most.

FAR from the conflict in Ukraine, spring has arrived in Moscow with — on the surface at least — life appearing to go on much as normal. With another of Russia’s famously harsh winters coming to an end, Muscovites are crowding into restaurants and theaters, wandering through art galleries and walking the streets in the sun. But underlying the apparent normalcy is a deep sense of anxiety, with many here worried about a future under Western sanctions and international isolation. In a yellow-and-pink cafe in the city centre, three young women wearing party hats celebrate one of their birthdays, laughing and

One would think that he would be sensible and stop. Instead, he has been continuously hitting and badmouthing the Vice President like a toddler whose lollipop was stolen. He goes on with the arrogance that has defined his personality since the campaign begun. He is digging his own grave, possibly not only for this election but for other elections after this. He has given people so much material for them to dislike him. As early as now, we can already see that this guy is too full of himself. Frankly, in the remote possibility that Domagoso wins, the people should be warned that he cannot be expected to listen to people. He will not be consultative and will most probably just do things according to what he thinks is correct. It will not be surprising if he governs with an iron fist. Domagoso is not fit to become president, at least, not yet. Hopefully, he truly learns from this campaign and realize that a public servant cannot be as arrogant as he is now. He needs to learn and practice humility. The second most popular candidate per surveys is VP Leni Robredo. In contrast, this campaign has further endeared Robredo to many. Beyond the many programs that her office has implemented despite the absence of support from the president and very limited resources, VP Leni has shown how approachable she is, and how receptive she is of people’s ideas. She talks with and listens to people. The color pink as her color was decided by her supporters and volunteers. She adopted it. She is not afraid to be with people as seen in all the campaign activities. She is always in the middle of crowds and she seems to like it. VP Robredo is not scared to face the other candidates, her opponents. She is always ready to speak to the people about her plans, about the kind of governance the people can expect from her. She has answers to the problems besetting the country. Perhaps because she is a woman and a mother, she is sensitive to the sentiments, even of random people. She saw a tweet of a sad girl saying she will graduate but her mother will not be able to attend. VP Leni responded and said she would like to be there for her. Imagine how happy the girl was by this act of kindness! For the Cebu people’s rally, someone in Metro Manila tweeted saying that her mother whom she has not seen in three years will be attending the rally wearing a huge faux pink hair. She tagged VP Leni and asked her to hug her mom for her. What did Robredo do? She responded saying that she would look for her mom. What happened next was indeed endearing. The VP posted a video and pictures with the mom. They were in a big hug. Of course, the daughter was beside herself with happiness when the VP made good on her promise. At another time, the VP was already speaking to the big crowd in a rally when from behind, a girl of about eight to nine years old approached and hugged her. Despite not knowing the girl’s approach, Robredo did not flinch, she looked, and when she saw the girl, she hugged her back as she continued speaking to the crowd. This is Leni Robredo, the sensitive mother. The characteristics she has shown this whole campaign make people hopeful. We can have good governance. But first, Leni Robredo must win. The people must make her win. @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

taking selfies. “You have to keep living. Birthdays come and you celebrate,” says one of the women, Olesya. “You can’t read the news all the time.” Russia has been pummeled with sanctions since it launched a military campaign in Ukraine on February 24, with a wide range of imports cut off and a slew of Western companies withdrawing from the country. Inflation is on the rise and thousands have been thrown of out of work, but authorities insist Russia is weathering the crisis, with President Vladimir Putin saying this month that the Western “economic blitzkrieg” against Russia had failed. ‘Concentrate on the positive’ The full impact of sanctions has yet to be

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EDITORIAL

Far from Ukraine, Muscovites try to live normal lives By Andrea Palasciano

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

Moment to invest

HE world, its different time zones notwithstanding, has just celebrated Earth Day, which aims to spread awareness about issues, including pollution, deforestation and global warming.

We are aware that several campaigns, drives and events have been launched since the first celebration in 1970, making the commemoration this year the 52nd. But why do we celebrate Earth Day? Given the circumstances that make the generations forgetful of their own health and the impact of people’s neglect of the environment, we need April 22 to remind us, the living, to protect the environment, restore the damaged ecosystems and live a more sustainable life. Earth Day, which should be every day in fact, is meant to be spent celebrating the planet’s clean natural resources, remembering at the same time that the day has been used to raise awareness about global climate change. There is a movement called the Great Global Cleanup, a worldwide campaign

to remove billions of pieces of trash from neighborhoods, beaches, rivers, lakes, trails and parks – reducing waste and plastic pollution, improving habitats, and preventing harm to wildlife and humans.

This is the time to flex mental courage, preserve and protect our health, our families and livelihoods. This is the time, the moment as it were, to create a generation of world citizens, workers, students, and leaders ready for climate change, defined by the United Nations as referring to long-term shifts in

temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases. We need public understanding of how to stop climate change and environmental harm. Over the last decade or even more, we have seen climate events that have affected millions of people, from extreme heat to wildfires and floods. The United Nations has linked the COVID-19 pandemic to the health of the world’s ecosystem, defined by experts as a community or group of living organisms that live in and interact with each other in a specific environment. Experts on the environment, the ecosystems and climate, warning that time is short, have raised the call, underlining the theme “Invest In Our Planet,” that this is the time to flex mental courage, preserve and protect our health, our families and livelihoods. The moment to invest, indeed.

The Doubting Thomas in all of us are not rendered futile. Thomas’ reaction to the news about the appearance of the risen Lord is human nature in full display. Yet God asks of us a different response to his call. He requires total faith and obedience, even when we do not encounter Jesus in the flesh. This is what sets us apart from atheists who do not believe in an invisible god.

ON THE first day of the week after resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples who were huddled in a room with doors closed for fear of the Jews. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you,’ and, after saying this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy at seeing the Lord, and he said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’ Thomas, called the twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord,’ but he answered, ‘Unless I can see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’After saying this he breathed on them and said: ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you retain anyone’s sins, they are retained.’ Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving any more but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’ Jesus said to him: You believe because you can see me. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. “To see is to believe”. This is a common enough expression to signify that one only believes in something whose existence is supported by proof. Reason dictates that before one should believe he must be certain that a thing truly exists or that an event in fact occurred. To our finite mind, blind faith defies logic and the height of folly and mindlessness. This may sound reasonable for one cannot just repose one’s faith onto something without first making sure that it will not be a quixotic undertaking and that one’s efforts felt, and Moscow is hardly representative of the whole of Russia, but in the center of the capital there are few signs of a country in turmoil. Some Western and luxury goods are becoming harder to find, but there are no widespread shortages and many Muscovites are going about their lives much as before the conflict.

Underneath it all is a deep sense of anxiety. Attending a contemporary art fair near the Red Square, 40-year-old Alexander says he is trying to “concentrate on the positive” despite losing his job in international commerce. “You have to be informed, even if that’s impossible watching (state) television. You have to help your family and your country. But you also have to travel and look at beautiful paintings,” he says. Like many others AFP spoke to, Alexander was not willing to give his last name because of uncertainties over what can be safely said in

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Let us recover that faith and together build a better country. One important tenet of the Catholic religion is that faith is both a gift and an acceptance. Christians are bestowed by God with the gift of faith not because we are superior to atheists and the unbelievers. Faith is a special grace granted to a person the reason for which, in his infinite wisdom, God alone knows. But this faith must be accepted and nurtured. Once the seed of faith is planted in our soul it is a spiritual obligation by the receiver not to let it wither or atrophy but to nourish it with prayer, good works, the sacraments and avoidance of sin. Jesus taught us about the power of faith. So that by the gift of faith we are able to believe, and in our free will we choose to accept that gift and believe. The Gospel tells us about the power of faith. On one occasion, the apostles ask Jesus: “Increase our faith!” The request indicates that faith is something that Jesus can give, rather than a choice we make to believe. Jesus responds by admonishing them to accept the gift of faith He has already given them, saying: “If you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Be rooted up, and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” Faith involves a response to the gift, and the one who has faith must therefore serve and obey the one in whom he professes faith. This faith consists not only in believthe current climate. Few were also willing to discuss the conflict in Ukraine itself, after Russia introduced laws making it illegal to “discredit” the actions of the country’s armed forces or its actions abroad. Just a few steps from the Kremlin, the GES2 contemporary art museum that opened at the end of 2021 was meant to be a major centre of Russian and European art. After cancelling its exhibits following the start of military action in Ukraine, it is now inviting people to come “relax” at the museum by listening to sonic installations. ‘Normal was before’ Among those who have gone is Andrei, a 26-year-old commercial pilot, who says that because of sanctions on the aviation industry, he barely flies at all anymore. “I have no more career prospects,” he says, adding that he needed time off from “reading too much news.” He says he was shocked by the direction Russia has taken, especially the crackdown on the opposition that took place in recent years. “I was in the army when Crimea was annexed” from Ukraine in 2014, he says.

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

ing that he exists but also in the belief that by doing so the receiver will be rewarded. The power of this faith has attested by the example of so many martyrs, saints and countless men and women who over the centuries willingly suffered persecution, poverty, hunger and all sorts privation and even death in the belief that their faith in God will bring them eternal life which Jesus has promised. We need not be holy martyrs or saints to attest to the power of faith. Even us ordinary beings can demonstrate that belief in Jesus can give us strength, courage, and the ability to carry on despite well nigh unbearable trials. This is so because it is the spirit of Jesus that carries us through and not by our own power and devices. We are often under the mistaken impression that faith in Jesus will give us an easy and enjoyable life. On the contrary, believing in Christ is to follow in his footsteps which is to carry the cross. It is when the path to Christ becomes narrow and rugged that we often become discouraged and lose faith. All these so that our faith will be tested. For in the end Jesus always keeps his promise, that he who keeps his faith shall be rewarded with eternal life. As the Book of Hebrew says, Hebrews says, And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. As we meditate on this passage of the Gospel, we should echo the prayer of the apostles: “Increase our faith!” Never for a moment doubt His love. And with God’s grace, let us keep our faith even in the most trying moments of our lives, even in times when God seems so invisible to us. This coming elections, our faith will be tested. Many of us are afraid of its outcome. There is a doubting Thomas in all of us. But like Thomas, let us recover that faith and together build a better country. Website: tonylavina.com Facebook: tonylavs Twitter and Instagram: tonylavs “I was happy, I was a patriot, I thought ‘We are in an amazing country, we will have an amazing future’. And then I saw the repression and thought ‘How is this possible in the 21st century?’” Andrei sees no way back to normality for Russia now. “Normal was before February 24,” he says. In front of the museum, 25-year-old computer scientist Eleonora Halmetova is back in Moscow from London visiting her parents for the first time in two years. She says she can feel the difference in life in the city. “People are a bit more cautious about what they say about the government, about politics,” she says. “Two years ago people were speaking freely, now a friend who is a teacher said ‘Let’s wait until we go outside to talk.’” Halmetova says many people she knows have decided not to stay. “Friends who used to protest two years ago now don’t see any point, everything is illegal. The people I know left. Mainly for moral reasons. But also to have a better life.” AFP

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Standard SATURDAY, B2 TODAY APRIL 23, 2022 Republic of the Philippines OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY Elliptical Road, Dillman 1100 Quezon City

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 35 Series of 2021

SUBJECT

: RULES AND REGULATIONS ON HUMANE AND HYGIENIC SLAUGHTER, MEAT AND INSPECTION OF RABBIT FOR FOOD

WHEREAS, the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS) is mandated to promulgate and implement policies, procedures and guidelines governing proper handling, inspection processing, storage and preservation of meat and meat products and to protect the interests, health and welfare of the meat consuming public.

WHEREAS, Republic Act No. 9296 (2004) defined the term “Food Animal” which includes domesticated rabbit; WHEREAS, RA 10536 an Act amending RA 9296 otherwise known as the Meat Inspection Code of the Pililippines includes rabbit as one of the food animals, therefore, the Department of Agriculture (DA) recognizes the existence of rabbit meat industry and rabbit meat as food source; WHEREAS, there is a need to ensure the hygienic slaughtering of rabbits to safeguard the health of the consuming public from zoonoses and other hazards including development of standards for hygienic and humane slaughtering of rabbit and inspection; NOW THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM D. DAR, Secretatry of Agriculture pursuant to Republic Act (RA) No. 9296, otherwise known as the Meat Inspection [ode of the Philippines as amended by RA 10536, do hereby issue and promulgate this Guidelines on Humane Slaughter and Meat Inspection of Rabbits for Food. Section I SCOPE 1.

This order shall apply to the humane and hygienic slaughtering of domesticated rabbit for human consumption in an NMIS licensed rabbit slaughterhouse. This shall cover the conduct of ante-mortem of rabbits for slaughter and postmortem inspection of carcasses and edible visceral organs/offal. 3. This shall cover the slaughterhouses with appropriate facilities to process rabbit meat and offal for distribution in commerce, transport vehicles for live animals. registered meat transport vehicles (MTV for meat), and meat markets. 4. This order defines the detailed responsihilities of NMIS and LGU meat inspection officers, business owners and operators of slaughterhouses including personnel or handlers, and drivers of livestock and meat transport vehicles. 2.

Section II GENERAL PRINCIPLES 1.

Rabbits to be slaughtered shall sourced from GAHP certified farms (PNS/ BAFS 60:200B).

Meat inspection shall be carried out in rabbit to ensure that their meat is fit for human consumption. 3. Meat Inspection shall be conducted in the slaughterhouse premises by authorized NMIS and or LGU meat inspector officials who have completed the Basic Meat Inspection Course. 4. Thw following documents shall be presented to the meat inspection officer for verification prior to slaughter: a. Veterinary Health Certificate (VHC) issued by any licensed veterinarian attesting that the annual is apparently healthy and includes medication history and withdrawal times. b. Shipping Permit by the government authorized quarantine officers which is required for prohibits crossing provincial borders. 5. Only healthy rabbits which are free from any animal diseases, veterinary drug residues, hormomes, growth promotants, heavy metals and pesticides and other physical biological and chemical hazards or contataminants shall be allowed to be slaughtered for food. 6. Rabbits awaiting slaughter shall be protected from cruelty, mishandling practices and procedures in compliance with DA Administrative Order No. 18 series of 2008 on Rules and Regulations on Humane Handling in the Slaughter of Animals for Food. 7. Only rabbits that have undergone and passed all ante-mortem inspection shall be slaughtered. 8. Slaughter of rabbits shall be done by trained/experienced butchers in an NMISIicensed slaughterhouse or facility. 9. All viscera or offal shall be separarted from the carcass for proper disposal and to be dispose as edible or inedible shall be disposed off properly. 10. Inspected rabbit meat shall be individually pre-packed, properly labeled issued Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) and loaded in registered meat transport vehicle for distribution in commerce. 11. Carcasses are handled and transporled in a hygienic and sanitary manner with provision of appropriate and clean equipment and meat transport vehicles. 12. The rabbit slaughterhouse management shall be responsible for the establishment and implementation of rabbit meat product identification, traceability, product recall, GMP/SSOP and/or HACCP animal welfare programs. 13. Owners or operators of rabbit slaughterhouses are responsible for complying with the set rules, regulations, standards and procedures in the transport, handling and care of food animals hefore slaughter. 14. All - in, All-out policy shalll be strictly implemented in the slaughtering operation of licensed rabbit slaughterhouse. 15. No person, firm or corporation shall store, traffic, transport, sell or otherwise dispose of for food any carcass, viscera and edible by-product which have not been previously inspected and passed in accordance with Republic Act No. 9296 as amended by Republic Act No.10536. 16. No carcass of rabbit or partsthereof shall be stored, transported, sold for human consumption without inspection, and those found upon inspection to be unfit for human consumption shall be condemned shall disposed of in the declaration and presence of the meat inspection in accordance with the provisions of this Order. Section III DEFINITION OF TERMS For the purpose of this Administrative Order the term as defined in the Definition of Terms of R.A. 9296 series of 2004 as amend by R.A. 10536 series of 2013 are hereby adopted, unless otherwise defined here under. For this Aamistrative Order the following shall mean: 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Competent Authority refers as conltrolling authority charged by the government with the control of meat inspection and meat hygiene, including setting and enforcing regulatory meat hygiene requirements pursuant to Codex Alimentarius. Fryers refers to a young rabbit which is less than 10 weeks of age. Lapan refers to rabbit meat. Pelt refers to all animal’s skin or fur. Roaster refers to rabhits which 10 weeks to 6 months of age. Scruff refers to the loose skin at the back of the neck or nape of an animal. Skinning or Flaying refers to the removal of fur. Stewers are rabbits more than 6 months of age. Stun to Stick Interval (SS1) refers to the time when the animal is stunned up to when it is stuck or bled with a range of 5 to 10 seconds (Admin. Order No. 18 s. 2008.) Section IV STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION 0F RABBIT SLAUGHTERHOUSE

The rabbit slaughterhouse shall have the following minimum structural design and facilities for humane, inspection, hygienic and sanitary slaughtering and dressing operation as shown in Annex A Which is an integral part of this Order: 1 . The structure of the rabbit slaughterhouse shall be so designed that the minimum requirements of humane handling and welfare of rabbits are not compromised. Such that rabbits must not lead to undue soiling cause undue stress to the animal, enough space both for animals and butchers, or may adversely impact on the safety and suitability of their meat. 2. The structural design shall provide enough natural and/or artificial ventilation system and lighting facilities. 3. It shall provide enough spaces for meat, equipment, and personnel to work and move around and will not compromise safety and suitability of meat. 4. It should have a one-way traffic flow to prevent cross contamination that will affect meat, packaging materials, equipment and personnel. 5. The design shall have a separate entrance of live rabbits and exit of meat and edible by products . 6. It shall have a separate entrance of personnel working in slaughter or kill area and clean areas. 7. It shall establish separate area exclusive for specific activity such as, but not limited to the following: 7.1 Live and kill area which constitute the areas holding, antemortem inspection, stunning, killing and bleeding; 7.2 Dressing area which constitutes the skinning or flaying, or scalding and dehairing; 7.3 Evisceration area which constitutes the evisceration activities, post mortem inspection until final washing; 7.4 Clean area which constitutes the chilling, sorting, weighing, packaging, fabrication, freezing, storing and dispatch, and; 7.5. Portable equipment cleaning and disinfection area. 8. It shall provide falcility for the proper disposal of condemned animal or material in a manner that will not pose risk of contamination to meat, packaging material, equipment and personnel or such material will not be processed and enter the food chain. The construction of rabbit slaughterhouse shall have a minimum requirement as prescribed by other applicable regulations, codes, guidelines such as, Code of Sanitation of the Philippines, CAC - Code of Hygienic Practice of Meat, Good Manufacturing Practices, among others. 1. The floor should be durable, made of impervious material, easy to clean and maintain and in good repair. No area where water stayed on, and water should easily flow towards floor drain. 2. The walls and partitions should be durable, non-absorbent, smooth surface, light color, easy to clean and in good repair. 3. There must be a wall to floor junction that is concave and without angle coved. 4. Ceilings and overhead fixtures should be constructed and finished to minimize the dirt built up, condensation and shedding of particles 5. Windows should he easy to clean, be constructed and finished to minimize the dirt built up, fitted with removable and cleanable insect and pest proof screens. 6. Doors should have smooth and non-absorbent surfaces, easy to clean and in good condition. 7. Floor drains and drainage should be so constructed that it can carry volume of water to prevent flooding, no stagnation of water at any given time, and provided with pest-proof screens. 8. Windows, doors, walls or part of it that is made of glass is hereby prohibited, unless otherwise a program on glass control policy will be provided. The rabbit slaughterhouse shall be provided with appropriate facilities to maintain hygiene and sanitary operation and meat inspection as follows: 1. Water supply. There must an adequate supply of potable and clean water with appropriate facilities for storage, distribution and/or temperature control for use of slaughtering operation, cleaning of equipment and personnel use. 2. Handwashing and hand dryer facilities must be in a strategic location, provided with liquid hand soap, hand sanitizing agents, handwashing instruction, and adequate number of fixtures for a given number of personnel. 3. Toilet facilities should have flush mechanism toilet bowl, door that does not

open directly to processing operation, with adequate number of fixtures for a given number of personnel as required under Presidential Decree No. 856, The Code of Sanitation of the Philippines, and must be strategically located that will not pose risk of contamination. Operational sanitation facilities such as hand dip, tool sterilizer/dip, portable cleaning and disinfection equipment must be provided to ensure maintenance of hygiene and sanitation during slaughtering and dressing operation and prevent contamination. Personnel hygiene facilities such as locker room, changing room, handwashing facilities, foot bath, boots washing facilities should be provided and located before entry into the slaughterhouse. Pest control program must in-placed and functional with activities including monitoring that will prevent entry, harborage and/or eliminate breeding places for any kind of pests. Waste management must be effective in the collection, disposal and monitoring activities that will prevent build-up of smell, become a nuisance or may attract and develop a harhorage or breeding place for pests. Drainage and wastewater treatment facility must be established based on the requirements and standards set by the Environmental Management Bureau on the wastewater treatment and disposal.

Facilities for Biosecurity Measures 1. The perimeter fence surrounding the premises should be provided to prevent entry of unauthorized person and stray animals. 2. There must be a separale gate for the entry of transport vehicle for live animals and exit of transport vehicle for meat. The entrance must be equipped with disinfection facilities to disinfect arriving transport vehicle. 3. Gate fot the entry of personnel must be provided with 3 meters long footbath and fenced or guarded to prevent people from not stepping into it. Appropriate disinfectant must be provided. 4. CCTV camera must be provided, functional, properly maintained and strategically located to cover all sides of its production areas and premises with no blind spot exist. Records must be protected and kept for at least two (2) years for monitoring and/or investigation 5. Movement within the premises,and access of delivery personnel and visitor must be controlled and monitored. 6. Personnel designated to manage or supervise the use, preparation, application and storage of disinfectants or pesticide’s must be properly trained and knowledgeable of such chemicals. Also, there must bea separate and secure holding and storage of such toxic chemicals. A material safety data sheet (MSDS) of every toxic chemical used must be kept as reference. A planogram/ schematic diagram indicating the location of each toxic chemical in the storage room must be posted at the door of the chemical storage room. 7. All employees must be trained or oriented on the occupational health and safety practices, food safety, food defense program and other related programs. Section V PRE-SLAUGHTER HANDLING AND RESTRAINT 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

The food bulsiness operator has the overall responsibility for the welfare of rabbits from the time of arrival at the slaughterhouse until the animals are stunned and slallghtered. All processes of handling and slaughtering must be carried out by trained and skilled personnel. Holding area is a facilityility wher rabbits will stay and rest, properly ventilated, clean and provided with drinking fountain. Rabbits are handled by the scruff in one hand and the other hand supporting its back leg or holding the weight on its belIy. In cases like crates are stacked on up its each crate must be provided with solid floors to prevent soiling the rabbits in the lower levels with urine and feces of others. The stacked crates shall be arranged in rows to allow proper space as passage way for handlers and to allow air circulation to ensure good ventilation. Section VI SLAUGHTERING PROCEDURE

1. Unloading 1.1. Rabhits for slaughter shall be properly placed in containers or crates to prevent unnecessary stress and physical injury to animals during unloading. 1.2. Design and size of crate mut provide thermal comfort, proper ventilation, easy handling smooth surfaces and without protrusions, durable, kept clean, in good repair, and no holes on flooring to prevent urine and fecal contamination with other animals underneath. 1.3. Butchers or handlers shall see utmost care in handling and stacking the crates; 1.4. Management must provide equipment to ease unloading and stacking of crates without unnecessary stress or injury to the animals; 1.5. The holding area shall have enough space for the stacking of crates with good ventilation and lighting facilities 2. Weighing 2.1. The management of slaughterhouse must supply digital weighing scale for live animals. 2.2 Weighing scale must be properly calibrated, clean and disinfected prior its use. 3. Holding 3.1. Rabbits for slaughter must be ressted at least 30 minutes prior slaughter; 3.2. During holding, the height and spacing of the stacked crate stacks shall promote proper ventilation to avoid heat stroke; 4. Restraint 4.1. Rabbits are usually placed in crates as provided in 1.1. The containers/crates shall be used as restraining device. 4.2 . Restraining materials and practice shall vary on the available stunning method used. 4.3. Rabhbits shall be removed individually handled by the scruff in one hand and the other hand supporting its back leg or holding the weight on its belly.

fully removed, the carcass is, again hanged on its hind feet with the abdomen facing towards the butcher. 11. Cutting of head and front feet 11.1. Depending on the market requirmennt, lapan carcass may have its head on or head or head-less carcass, the head is removed by cutting between the base of the head and the first cervical or neck bone. 11.2. The front feet are Cllt at the junction Ibetween the carpus (feet) and the radius and ulna (forearm). 12. Evisceration 12.1. Pinch a small amount of belly muscle below the rectum and make an initial horizontal cut above it. 12.2. Insert two fingers in the opening in the abdomen and hold the knife vertically with its handle on top and the tip of the positioned between the two fingers just under the muscle. 12.3. Holding the position, move the incision down to the center of the abdomen and use the fingers to push back the vise!’I’;} and keep enough space between the viscera and abdominallllusch:’s. 12.4. Cut until you reach the rib cage and the viscera will be freed out of the abdominal cavity. 12.5. Split the pubic symphysis running vertically between the two hind legs to remove the entire colon from that point. 12.6. To free the rectum, pinch the top of the rectum and pull it down through the pelvis, tearing connections and making sure to get hold of the bladder. 12.7. Continue removing the entrails from the cavity and using your hand or knife to cut any connections. 12.8. The esophagus and trachea are cut at the neck when they aren’t severed during bleeding and by using your hand or knife, sever any connections around the stomach and leaving the esophagus attached to it. 12.9. By pulling the stomach Ollt of the cavity. tht’ esophagus is pulled out through the diaphragm and away from the neck 12.10. Liver is separated from the entrails, and caution must be observed not to nick the bile sac. 12.11. Cut in a downward angle through the rib cage on the either side of the sternum and pry the rib cage open. Grab the heart and lungs together downward to remove the attached trachea as well. If the surrounding connections provide resistance cut through them using your knife. 12.12. All the internal organs, including kidneys, must be removed from the body 12.13. All entrails shall be presented to the meat inspection officer for post-mortem inspection. 13. Washing of Carcass 13.1. The individual carcass is sprayed with water while hung on the shackle to remove all blood, dirt, hairs and other contaminants maybe present of the carcass. 13.2. The whole carcass must be thoroughly washed. 14. Cutting of hind feet 14.1. After the carcass is clean, the carcass is removed from shackle by cutting the hind feet at the hock joint, making sure the hairs must not contaminate the clean carcass. 15. Chilling 15.1. Carcasses are chilled at chilling temperature for a desired period to achieve the carcass internal carcass temperature of not higher than 4°C. 16. Packaging 16.1. Chilled carcass is packed individually using a polyethylene (PE) bag or any similar packaging material. Should the pre-packed carcass undergo vacuum sealing, a more durable or vacuum-sealing packaging material is recommended. Pre-packed lapan shall he labeled as per guidelines on labeling (DA AO no. 24 s.2010). 17. Weighing 17.1. Carcasses may be weighed individually or in packs using a clean, calibrated digital weighing scale. 18. Storing 18.1. Storing of packs of lapan carcasses shall be in accordance with the storing requirements for chilled or frozen. 19. Dispatch 19.1. Dispatch is an act of distribution of lapan meats to meat markets and clienteles. Provision shall be in accordance with existing hygienic handling of meat provided by DA Administrative Order Nos. 5 & 6 series of 2022. Section VII ANTE-MORTEM INSPECTION JUDGEMENT 1. 2. 3. 4.

Restraint of rabbits for mechanical stunning shall need a non-slip, solid surface with a backstop to prevent backing away of the animal.

5. Stunning 5.1. Stunning shall happen inside the crates 5.2. Stunning shall make the animal unconscious and insensible to pain 5.3. Rabbits should be stunned individually using a recommended stunning method such as electrical and mechanical stunning. a. Head-only electrical stunning allows the electrodes to span or move the current across the brain. i. Electrodes are recomended to be V-shaped and positioned vertically held to prevent the eyes of the rabbits from being injured before the onset of unconsciousness. II. For head-only electrical stunning, the head can be positioned in handheld v-shaped electrodes which can firmly push between the back of the eye and the base of the ear to span the brain. Effective stunning: a power of 100-117v. current of 140-400mA, frequency of 50Hz and duration or contact time of 1-3 seconds. Stun to Stick (neck cut) Interval is less than 10 seconds.

4.4.

b. Mechanical Stunning of rabbits includes penetrative methods i. Restraint of rabbits for mechanical stunning shall need a non-slip, solid surface with a backstop to prevent backing away of the animal. ii. Restraint of rabbits is by using one hand to holding the neck (scruff) and shoulder down with the ears tucked away from the head and the other hand runs the gun or stunner. iii. In penetrative captive bolt stunning, the bolt is positioned at the site where the intersection of imaginary lines drawn from the lateral canthus of each eye to the opposite ear meets and the angle of the bolt shall be perpendicular to the skull. iv. Caution must be seen during placement of the gun or captive bolt against the rabbit’s head as the skin over the head is loose and may slip and may cause inaccurate aim. v. Non-penetrative captive bolt stunning causes a significant blow to the head resulting in immediate loss of consciousness due to brain concussion. 5.4. Check for signs of unconsciousness or insensibility and if re-stunning is needed, captive bolt stunning shall be used. 5.5. Stunningm regardless of type, shall always be followed by slitting and bleeding as soon as possible by severing both carotid arteries.

9. 10.

11.

6. Shackling 6.1. Rabbits are hanged from its hind feet for easy slitting, bleeding, flaying and further dressing; 6.2. Rabbits are hanged upside-down with its abdomen facing towards the butcher for the killing procedure. If using gambrels, cut an opening for the hooks just below the feet between the tendon and leg bone. 7. Slitting 7.1. Both the carotid arteries are severed swiftly right after stunning to prevent recovery of consciousness. 7.2. The cut is made by making an incision ventrally behind the mandibles, where the arteries are found. The arteries are severed at once after stunning to cut the supply of blood to the brain. 7.3. Stun to stick (slit) interval shall be 5 to 10 seconds per rabbit. 8. Bleeding 8.1. Profuse bleeding should be seen right after cutting the carotid arteries, a sign of effective bleeding. 8.2. Slaughter eventually leads to cessation of bleeding with minor dripping of blood from the neck cut wound, and therefore the end of bleeding can be used as an indicator of death. The operator has the option of flaying or scalding 9. Skinning or Flaying 9.1. Once death occurred, the shackle is turned around so that presentation would be the stomach is facing towards the butcher. If a gambrel is used, an opening cut just below the feet between the tendon and leg bone is made for the hook to insert into it, allowing the legs to spread apart while holding the carcass firm on its place. 9.2. Skinning may start from the head hy holding the ears and starts skinning behind it towards the nose and following the shape of the skull on both sides until connecting on the incision made during slitting. Both the ears are removed duriing skinning. 9.3. Incision is made on the interior side of a hack leg, starting at the base and ends at the hock joint then freeing the pelt from the leg by sliding one or two fingers between the pelt and tlfe muscle all the way around the leg. 9.4. Grab the free end of the pelt with hoth hands and pull away from each other thereby releasing the pelt up to the hock joint. 9.5. Connect the two leg incisions by pulling the skin away from the groin area. 9.6. Insert two fingers creating a space between the skin and the abdomen where the knife can be easily inserted to cut up and out with the blade pointing away from the abdomen. This technique can prevent accidental nicking of the abdominal cavity. 9.7. Pull down on the front and rear sides of the pelt using the areas released from the legs until you “each the tail. 9.8. Take the hide above the tail and pull it down and make a Cllt across the rectum and through the base ofthe tail. 9.9. Crab the two sides of the hide from the hind legs and pull straight down with a sustained motion to pull the hide off. 9.10. After the hide is removed, the front feet are cut off at the joint. 10. Scalding and Dehairing 10.1. For lapan carcass with skill-on, the wholle rabbit body is dipped in hot water [75o C for 5 sec. & 80oC for 3 sec.). Some may use hot water spray (higher temperature) to loosen the hairs. Hot water spray will allow instant pulling of the hairs. therefore, minor or finishing dehairing is made on the body to fully remove the hairs. 10.2. Dehairing is done to remove the hairs fully from the body. Once the hairs were

12.

13.

All rabbits for slaughter shall be accompanied with veterinary health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian and/or shipping permit issued hy all thosed government quarantine officers. No rabbit shall proceed for slaughter until the meat inspection officer has carried out an ante-mortem inspection and pass the animal for slaughter. Inspection of live rabbits shall he carried out on the day of slaughter or 30 minutes prior. Inspected rabbits but not slaughtered during the day shall be subjected to another ante, mortem inspection on the day of slaughter. Antemortem inspection procedure shall be carried out to detect any signs of abnormality while the animals are at rest and when in motion using the following point of references, but not limited to: a. General cleanliness of the animal; b. Sex, age and sizes c. Fur and skin color, and body markings d. General body conditions (external appearance, posture, gait or movement, behavior, body conformation, emaciation, extennal injuries. etc) e. Presence of signs for disease of defect. Rabbits found to be apparently healthy and passed the ante-mortem inspection shall be released for slaughter without any restriction when an ante-mortem inspection has revealed no impediment that would render it unfit for slaughter. Rabbt showing any signs or symptoms of disease or any abnormal condition during antemortem inspection shall be condemned and disposed off accordingly. Diseases of rabbits that shall warrant outright condemnation at ante-mortem inspection are: a. Disease or condition that may endangered human and animal health b. Dead animals or in dying condition c. Rabbit Viral Hemorrthagic Disease d. Tuberculosis e. Tularemia f. Snuffles g. Coccidiosis h. Cysticercosis i. Mange j. Myxomatosis’ The following conditions, but are not limited to, shall warrant rabbits as reject/ denied for slaughter; a. Rabbits used as test subjects in laboratories; b. Rabbits sourced from farms or areas with recent outbreaks or existing contagious or communicable disease conditions which may pose imminent threat to human health; c. Admittance of such animals identified in item b) will risk the introduction and spread of contaminants in the meat establishment facilities, personnel and into the meat; d. Rabbits which are known to have been treated with or exposed to antibiotics or other veterinary drugs unless withholding or withdrawal period is observed or attained; e. Rabbits deliberately treated or exposed to banned drugs shall be denied for slaughter; f. Doe in advanced stage of pregnancy or showing signs of recent parturition, and; g. Immature or too young. Suspect rabbits shall be isolated immediately for further examination by the meat control officer (Veterinarian) to determine final judgement and disposition. Rabbits marked as suspect on ante-mortem inspection, which may cause spread of infectious disease, shall be reported to the immediate supervisor, which in turn, shall implement existing, reporting protocols set under Disease Surveillance and Response. Other conditions which renders the animals as suspect and requires further examination and special handling until a final judgment (pass, reject to,· slaughter for condemn) is obtained are the following: a. Inconsistent or incomplete accompanying required documents of food animals intended for slaughter. Breach of meat establishment protocol in the acceptance of food animals for slaughter; b. Animals showing signs of fatigue, stress, or injury; c.. Animals with behavior, appearance or other clinical signs or symptoms that may indicate a non-pathological condition or defect requiring special handling of closer examination before final judgment; d. Animals showing extensive bruising or fractures that may require isolation from other animals and require immediate examination to determine if it will require emergency slaughter or not. Irreversibly injured animal, and those showing extensive bruising should be subjected to emergency slaughter; e. There is evidence or suspicion that illegal or unauthorized substances may have been administered into an animal or drug withdrawal period have not been attained and may impart a chemical residue and make their carcass adulterated; f. Animals sourced from farms with recent outbreaks or existing noncontagious animal disease conditions which do not pose imminent threat to animal and human health. and; g. Animals found affected with localized edema (non-extensive edema or lesser degree of anasarca). Animals that are condemned shall be identified, marked and humanely put down after the regular slaughter. All necessary precautionary measures shall be observed to prevent misuse and re-entry of condemned animals into the food chain. Also, a condemnation receptacle must be provided. The remains of condemned animals shall be disposed off appropriately according to existing rules and regulations on disposal that will not contaminate the environment and pose a potential risk to animal and human health and welfare.

Scction VIII POST-MORTEM INSPECTION AND JUDGEMENT 1. 2.

3. 4. 5

Carcass and viscera of rabbits shall be presented for post-mortem inspection. Where viscera are collected for human consumption. Carcass inspcction shall be focused on examining the hody surface fOl’ the following: a. Presence of disease or defects; b. Body conditions; c. CleanIiness; d. Color; e. Efficiency of bleeding; f. Presence of unusual odor; g. Condition of parrietal surfaces (serous membrane) of the carcass, and; h. Signs of inhumane acts or practices Viscera inspection refers to the examination of the lungs, liver, heart, kidneys and intestines for any abnormal conditions (e.g. enlargement), color, hemorrhages, etc. Carcasses of rabbits affected with localized conditions like hematoma, tumor, pus, etc. may be passed for food after the removal of affected parts or organs. Carcass and edible viscera are approved as fit for human consumption when the postmortem inspection has revealed no evidence of disease condition, or defect, and the slaughter operation has been implemented in accordance with the hygienic and sanitary requirements. Carcass found to have been inflicted with disease as prescribed under the World Organization for Animal Health or OlE, derived from dead animals, or those from dying condition shall be condemned.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

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World

Carcass and edible viscera are partially condemned as approved for partial trimming where lesions are localized, affecting only part of the carcass or viscera. The affected part should he removed and condemned, or otherwise disposed of and the unaffected parts are passed for human consumption unconditionally or unrestrictedly, or otherwise dispose as appropriate. For carcasses and edible offal for distribution in commerce, the Meat Inspection Certificate (MIC) shall be issued by a licensed veterinarian.

TODAY SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022 || mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Section IX DISPOSITION OF CONDEMNED MATERIALS 1.

Generally, Rabbits, carcasses and their parts thereof, viscera, blood and other materials judged as condemned resulting from slaughter and inspection are disposed of through the following methods: thermal destruction, rendering of burying. Carcasses, organs and other parts thereof, condemned under the provisions of this Order in a rabbit’ slaughterhouse without appropriate facilities for rendering or thermal processing shall be denatured with the agents placed in approved decomposing chamber of condemnation pit. The owner of the Meal Establishment shall be responsible for the proper disposal of condemned materials, bear the cost of disposal and shall be strictly supervised by the Meat Inspector. Section X REQUIREMENTS FOR GMP / SSOP AND HACCP COMPLIANCE

Rabbit sIaulghterhouse shall meet the requirements of Department of Agriculture - Administrative Order No. 9 series of 2003: Mandatory Application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Program in all NMIC Accredited “AAA’” Meat Establishment and DA AO No. 21 series of 2004: Mandatory Application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in all NMIC Accredited “AA” Meat Estahlishments. Section XI SUNCTIONS AND PENAL PROVISION All existing related issued rules and regulations as provided by Repuhlic Act 10536 shall be imposed in all purpose of this Administrative Order.

FOR THE FALLEN. Relatives and friends

Section XII NON-EXCLUSIVITY

attend a ceremony at the funeral of Ukrainian serviceman Dmytro Sydoruk, a silver medalist of Invictus Games in Toronto, killed during Russia’s invasion, in Lviv, western Ukraine. AFP

All existing rules and regulations, policies, procedures and standards not inconsistent with this Order shall remain in full force and effect. Section XIII EFFECTlVITY

DESPITE MOSCOW’S CLAIMS OF HAVING CAPTURED MARIUPOL

This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication of the same in a newspaper of general circulation or the Official Gazette and its filling with the UP-Law Center.

Devastated city ‘continues to resist’ Russian offensive

So ordered. Done this 29th day of December 2021

WILLIAM D. DAR, Ph.D. Secretary

HE devastated city of Mariupol “continues to resist” despite Russian claims to have captured it, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Friday as he welcomed fresh US aid to help confront Moscow’s eastern offensive.

THE DA-NMIS TWG ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF NMIS PROTOCOLS IN SUPPORT TO RABBIT INDUSTRY IS RECOMMENDING THE APPROVAL OF DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON THE ‘RULES AND REGULATIONS ON HUMANE AND HYGIENIC SLAUGHTER AND MEAT INSPECTION OF RABBIT FOR FOOD’

DR. ORLANDO C. ONGSOTTO Chairperson

Russia says it has “liberated” the city, with just a few thousand Ukrainian soldiers left in the Azovstal plant complex, where thousands more civilians are also believed to have taken refuge. But Zelensky said the battle was continu-

DR, CLARITA M. SANGCAL Co-Chairperson MEMBERS:

DR. RONA REGINA I. REYES Chief Meat Control Officer

DR. MAGDIWANG S. CRUZ Supervising Meat Control

ing, with Russia “doing everything to have a reason to talk about at least some victories.” “They can only delay the inevitable – the time when the invaders will have to leave our territory, in particular Mariupol, a city that continues to resist Russia, despite everything the occupiers say,” he said in a video address. The southern port city has been the target of relentless Russian attacks as Moscow tries to create a land bridge connecting annexed Crimea and the Russian-based separatist statelets in the Donbas region. Ukrainian officials have appealed for an immediate humanitarian corridor to allow civilians and wounded fighters to leave the sprawling Azovstal steel plant. “They have almost no food, water, essential medicine,” Ukraine’s foreign ministry

French prosecutors issue arrest warrant for Ghosn

DR. MA NIMFA R. CRUZ Supervising Meat Control Officer

DR. ARMIE MARIEL M. SEBELLO Officer Senior Meat Control Officer

FRENCH authorities have issued an international arrest warrant for Carlos Ghosn, the disgraced auto tycoon who jumped bail in Japan and fled to Lebanon in a sensational getaway, prosecutors told AFP on Friday The warrant was issued over 15 million euros ($16.3 million) in suspect payments between the Renault-Nissan alliance that Ghosn once headed and an Omani company, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA), said prosecutors in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. Ghosn, then chief of Nissan chief and head of an alliance between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors, was detained in Japan in November 2018 on suspicion of financial misconduct along with his top aide, Greg Kelly. They both denied wrongdoing. In December 2019 as he awaited trial, Ghosn staged an audacious getaway, being smuggled out of Japan in an audio-equipment case on a private jet. AFP

ENGR. JON KNOX KASEY R. TKEL ARCH. MARIANNEJOY G. LIMBO Engineer III Meat Inspector III

DR. SITTIE MALEAH FATIMA M. MACOG Senior Meat Control Officer

HOPE FOR RECOVERY. This picture taken on April 8, 2022 shows tourists

gathering to watch the sun rise over the Angkor Wat temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Siem Reap province. Hopes are high that the temple complex, recently revitalised from repair work, will spearhead a recovery in tourism after the Southeast Asian nation began re-opening to travellers last November. AFP

Manila

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TODAY

NOTICE OF TOLL RATE ADJUSTMENT IMPLEMENTATION (VAT Inclusive) R-1 Expressway Notice is hereby given that, conformably with the Resolution dated 29 November 2021 issued by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) covering the Petitions for Approval of Add-On Agreed Toll Rate With Application for Provisional Relief for Segment 1 (R-1 Expressway) Enhancement of the Manila-Cavite Toll Expressway Project (MCTEP) separately filed by Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation and Philippine Reclamation Authority, the following toll rates have been approved and allowed to be implemented, effective immediately, subject to the imposition of Value-Added Tax:

Consequently, the following updated toll matrix for R-1 Expressway of MCTEP, inclusive of Value-Added Tax, are allowed to be implemented effective from the date of issuance of the Notice to Start Collection therefor, and upon compliance with the legal requirements delineated in the 2013 TRB Revised Rules of Procedure, other relevant laws and jurisprudence, to wit:

SO ORDERED.

Date of First Publication: April 23, 2022.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

said. On Thursday, three school buses carrying evacuees arrived in the city of Zaporizhzhia after leaving Mariupol and crossing through Russian-held territory. “I don’t want to hear any more bombing,” said Tatiana Dorash, 34, who arrived with her six-year-old son Maxim. She said all they wanted now was a quiet night and “a bed to sleep in.” Ukrainian officials had hoped to evacuate many more civilians, but accused Russian forces of targeting a route used by fleeing civilians. “We apologise to the people of Mariupol who waited for evacuation today with no result,” Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshuk said on Telegram. AFP

IN BRIEF

Brazil holds first carnival since COVID AFTER two long years without its frenetic festival of sparkling sequins, sultry samba and towering floats, Rio de Janeiro will hold its famed carnival parades Friday for the first time since COVID-19 hit Brazil. In what is sure to be a giant, glittering spectacle of pandemic catharsis, thousands of dancers and drummers will descend on the iconic beach city’s “Sambadrome,” reclaiming the carnival parade venue that was turned into a drive-through vaccination center at the height of the health crisis. The all-night parades by the city’s top samba schools Friday and Saturday nights will be the first since February 2020, marking a turning point for hard-hit Brazil, where COVID-19 has claimed more than 660,000 lives, second only to the United States. Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes officially declared the party open Wednesday, handing the key to the city to “King Momo,” the symbolic ruler of the festivities. “I proudly announce the greatest show on Earth is back,” the mayor told a cheering crowd at city hall as confetti rained down. “Long live the samba!” said the jovial carnival fanatic elected “king,” 35-year-old Wilson Dias da Costa Neto, decked out in a shiny blue tuxedo and jeweled crown. AFP

Korean heads exchange friendly letters NORTH Korean leader Kim Jong Un thanked the South’s outgoing president Moon Jae-in for his efforts to improve inter-Korean relations, Pyongyang and Seoul said Friday, in an unexpected move following signs the isolated state could resume nuclear testing. The North has carried out more than a dozen weapons tests so far this year, the latest one just last week – a short-range launch that state media claimed would enhance the “efficiency in the operation of tactical nukes.” The dovish Moon held three summits with Kim and helped facilitate talks between former US president Donald Trump and the North Korean leader. But Kim and Trump’s nuclear negotiations ended in failure in 2019 due to disagreements on sanctions relief and what North Korea would be willing to give up in return. Since then, Pyongyang has labeled Moon a “meddlesome mediator,” blown up a $15-million joint liaison office north of the border that was financed by Seoul, and last month test-fired an ICBM at full range for the first time since 2017. AFP

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

Business

PSE INDEX CLOSING Friday, April 22, 2022

-62.9 PTS. 6,998.59

TOTAL VOLUME TOTAL TRADES

450,496,196 55,767

TOTAL VALUE (IN PHP) ADVANCES DECLINES

4,822,951,979.33 79 100

UNCHANGED

F oreign E xchange R ate Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas • FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2022

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.3950

Japan

Yen

0.007787

0.4080

Pound

1.303600

68.3021

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127476

6.6791

Switzerland

Franc

1.049098

54.9675

Canada

Dollar

0.794849

41.6461

Singapore

Dollar

0.732869

38.3987

Australia

Dollar

0.737300

38.6308

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652731

138.9898

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

13.9709

Brunei

Dollar

0.730194

38.2585

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.029533

1.5474

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2665

Euro

1.083800

56.7857

Korea

Won

0.000805

0.0422

China

Yuan

0.154988

8.1206

India

Rupee

0.013116

0.6872

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.233155

12.2162

New Zealand

Dollar

0.673200

35.2723

Taiwan

Dollar

0.034215

1.7927 Source: BSP

AUTOMATED TRANSACTIONS. The Land Transportation Office recognizes its partners, including Stradcom Corp., for developing an online payment platform, which collected P4 billion in three years after it was launched. LTO chief and assistant secretary Edgar Galvante, LTO-NCR West regional director Clarence Guinto and other LTO and Department of Transportation executives attend the event in Quezon City.

By Alena Mae S. Flores

ILIPINAS Shell Petroleum Corp. broke ground on its third largest import facility in Darong, Southern Mindanao costing P1.7 billion that aims to provide a more stable, undisrupted supply of energy in the region.

Gokongwei REIT company bares P5.9-b acquisition By Jenniffer B. Austria RL COMMERCIAL REIT Inc. (RCR), the real estate investment trust company of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) of the Gokongwei Group, has finalized the acquisition of one prime office building for P5.9 billion. RCR said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Friday it will acquire Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma from RLC through property-for-share swap transaction. RCR will purchase the 37-story offer building and ssue 777,807 million common shares to RLC in exchange. After the deal, RLC’s stake in RCR will increase to 66.14 percent from 63.49 percent. The property-for-share swap deal is now subject to the approval of pertinent regulatory bodies. RCC said the yield-accretive infusion is ahead of the target expansion timeline previously set by the company. Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma is a registered building with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority with a total gross leasable area of 44,797 square meters. Its occupancy is over 90 percent and is predominantly occupied by BPO companies. The prime commercial development is strategically located within the Ortigas CBD and is the 16th asset to be infused into RCR. The acquisition will hike RCR’s leasing portfolio by 10.3 percent to 480,500 sq.m. from 435,682 sq.m. RCR in March finalized the acquisition of Robinsons Cybergate Bacolod, which was funded through a combination of cash and debt. Robinsons Cyberscape Gamma has a projected dividend yield of 5.64 percent. Following the infusion of Cybergate Bacolod and Cyberscape Gamma, RCR’s projected annual dividend yield for 2022 is estimated at 6.06 percent at an initial public offering price of P6.45 per share.

BDO shareholders OK cash, stock dividends

STOCKHOLDERS of BDO Unibank Inc. approved Friday the declaration of stock dividends equivalent to 20 percent of the bank’s outstanding capital stock, as well as an increase in authorized capital stock (common shares) from 5,500,000,000 to 8,500,000,000 shares. Stockholders also approved an amendment to the bank’s articles of incorporation to reflect the increase. The record and payment dates for the stock dividend are still subject to regulatory approvals. At the bank’s special board of directors’ meeting held earlier in the day, the board also approved a P1.00 special cash dividend on the bank’s common shares. The record date for the special cash dividend has been set on May 6, 2022 and payment date scheduled on May 31, 2022. The special cash and stock dividend declaration is a testament to BDO’s commitment to provide consistent, steady returns and value to its shareholders on the back of the bank’s positive performance in 2021 and 1Q 2022. BDO Unibank president Nestor Tan reported that the bank posted a 51-percent increase in net income to P42.8 billion for the full of 2021. The bank’s income in the first quarter of 2022 rose by 13 percent year-on-year to P11.7 billion.

ABS-CBN, two Globe subsidiaries team up

Shell building P1.7-b South oil terminal The Darong import facility, which has a rated capacity of 67 million liters of petroleum products, is scheduled to be operational by the third quarter of 2024. Serge Bernal, PSPC vice president for corporate relations, said Southern Mindanao is a strategic growth location for the company. “The Darong import facility will allow us to fulfill our commitment to support economic activities as the Phil-

IN BRIEF

ippines continues to recover from COVID-19. It strengthens our capacity to continue to deliver quality fuels to our customers, consistent with our organization growth plans,” said Bernal. The facility is a 50-50 joint venture between Northern Star Energy Corp. and DMCI Construction and Equipment Resources Inc. (DMC-CERI), the leading engineering-based integrated construction company that will build the facility.

Sta. Cruz Storage Corp. (SCSC) will design, construct and operate the facility for Shell with an exclusive-use arrangement for a term contract and an option to extend. The Darong import facility will also help and promote business continuity and stability in the area, providing resources for mobility during incidents of storms, floods and other natural calamities. It is the third-largest import facility in the PSPC network of terminals, which includes the Shell Import Facility Tabangao in Batangas with a 263-millionliter capacity, the North Mindanao Import Facility in Cagayan de Oro City with a 90-million-liter capacity and the Subic Import Terminal, northwest of the National Capital Region, with a 54-million-liter capacity. Meanwhile, PSPC plans to establish

more than 80 new Shell mobility sites in Southern Mindanao by 2025. The Shell sites are designed to enhance customer experience, offer both fuel and non-fuel products, enable more forms of transportation and lower carbon footprint through innovation. Santa Cruz Mayor and engineer Jaime Lao, Jr. welcomed the establishment of the Darong Import Facility in his community, saying Santa Cruz is a first-class municipality that is investor-friendly. DMC CERI chairman Isidro Consunji said the global pandemic exposed the vulnerability of supply chains and the need for more resilient infrastructure. He said with or without a pandemic, the Philippines needs adequate and affordable fuel supply to sustain the economy, address poverty and improve the quality of life.

SECURITY BANK DONATION. Security Bank Corp., along with the Philippine General Hospital and non-government organization Helping Women and Others, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the PGH-Cancer Institute to inaugurate the hospital’s new Chemo Prep Room. Joining the ceremony are (from left) PGH director Dr. Gerardo Legazpi, HWAO Foundation board member Gina Aboitiz, HWAO Foundation chair Elizabeth Virata, Estee Lauder Philippines country general manager Sharyn Wong, Estee Lauder Philippines enterprise marketing and data manager Jan Baybay, HWAO president Tang Singson, HWAO Foundation board member Bettina Osmeña, Security Bank corporate communications and brand head Tanya Ansaldo-Deakin and UP-PGH Cancer Institute director Dr. Jorge Ignacio.

Pag-IBIG home loan releases hit record P24.2 billion in 1st quarter PAG-IBIG Fund released a record P24.20 billion in home loans in the first quarter, up P3.26 billion or 16 percent from the P20.94 billion in the same period last year, top officials said Thursday. “We are happy to report that we have again posted a record-high in home loan releases in the first three months of 2022. Our strong start this year means that more Filipino workers have been helped by Pag-IBIG Fund in acquiring their own homes,” said Secretary Eduardo del Rosario, who heads the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. “The sustained growth in our home loan disbursements also contributes to the economy, as we continue to help our

members and the country recover from the pandemic,” said del Rosario, who also chairs the 11-member Pag-IBIG Fund board of trustees. Del Rosario said the amount of home loans released by the agency in the first quarter enabled 22,210 members to acquire their own homes, a 7-percent increase from the 20,712 members helped in the same period in 2021. He said of the total amount, P1.78 billion was released as socialized home loans benefitting 4,114 Pag-IBIG Fund members belonging to the minimum-wage and low-income sectors. Meanwhile, Pag-IBIG Fund chief executive Acmad Rizaldy Moti said the agency’s performance at the start of the year is

a continuance of its record-high achievement in 2021 when the agency surpassed P100 billion in home loan releases. “After coming off a record-setting 2021 with P100.8 billion in home loans released, we have yet again set another record-high in housing loan takeouts for the first quarter of 2022. Our performance in the housing loan front is an indication of the trust of our members in our programs. More importantly, our record-high numbers show the increasing number of Filipino workers we have enabled to have homes of their own. We aim to keep our loan interest rates low and help more Filipinos become homeowners. That is the Lingkod Pag-IBIG way,” said Moti.

ABS-CBN Corp. has teamed up with the two subsidiaries of Globe Telecom Inc. to launch “tradigital” viewing to Filipinos through PIE, the Philippines’ first real-time and multi-screen interactive channel. PIE or Pinoy Interactive Entertainment, which will officially launch in May this year, offers Filipinos a digital upgrade to their traditional media consumption habits by allowing them to watch TV shows, join all-day contests, build following, and even steer the storyline of a teleserye across multiple screens including TV sets, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. “Filipinos are very social. We love hanging out with our friends, doing activities together, and simply having fun together. But this kind of connection is something we abruptly lost at the onset of the pandemic. Filipinos long for collective fun, and PIE hopes to fill that gap,” said KROMA Entertainment chief executive Ian Monsod. Vince Yamat, managing director of 917 Ventures, said the company aims to continue bringing pioneering digital solutions to Filipinos as the pandemic lingers. Darwin G. Amojelar

SM Prime lists P30-b worth of fixed bonds

SM PRIME Holdings Inc., one of the leading integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, listed its P30-billion worth of fixed rate bonds at Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. (PDEx) through a virtual ceremony on April 22. The company’s Series P, Q and R due on 2027, 2029 and 2032, respectively, are the fourth tranche of SM Prime’s P100-billion worth of debt securities, under shelf registration. “The overwhelming success of this latest fixed rate bonds has shown the strong interests of fixed income investors. This support that we received will further fuel our Company’s pursuit of a better tomorrow filled with remarkable partnerships, and safer and brighter future,” said SM Prime chief finance officer John Nai Peng Ong. SM Prime’s latest bonds, which were 4 times oversubscribed, was offered on April 7 to 13, 2022, with interest rates of 5.6141 percent yearly for Series P, 6.1175 percent for Series Q, and 6.5432 percent p.a. for Series R.

Bloomberry sees higher contribution from online gaming CASINO operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. expects online gaming to be a significant contributor to the company’s business over the near to medium term. Bloomberry chairman Enrique Razon Jr. said during the annual stockholderss meeting Friday the online gaming business delivered sustained revenues on a monthly basis since its launch in November 2020. “Looking at the near to medium term period, we expect online gaming to account for a large part of our business,” Razon said. “So far it has grown strongly as it has been delivering substantial revenues monthly from zero a year and a half ago, and we are confident on this development, and we have been focusing on this area,” Razon said. State-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. in November 2020 allowed land-based operators to operate online gambling in the country. The move was in response to help land-based operators which were severely affected by the mobility restrictions to curb the COVID-19. Meanwhile, Razon said the company’s second casino—Solaire North— was on track to open by 2023. “Solaire North will be an upscale mass-focused offering that, together with Solaire and the revamped Solaire Club, will profoundly expand our gaming footprint to take advantage of what we anticipate to be a burgeoning post-pandemic domestic mass and regional premium mass demand,” Razon said. Jenniffer B. Austria

PMFTC Batangas plant first in PH to win Alliance for Water Stewardship certification THE PMFTC cigarette manufacturing plant in Tanauan City, Batangas achieved a milestone after obtaining the core-level certification from the Alliance for Water Stewardship, confirming the company’s commitment to preserve water resources and respect the natural cycle of water in its business operations and the community. PMFTC Inc. is the local affiliate of Philip Morris International. Its Batangas factory is the first manufacturing

site in the Philippines to secure the AWS certification. “At the start of 2021, we have stated our commitment for water stewardship. This commitment is part of the key pillars of our PMI vision for a sustainable smoke-free future. We hope that with this certification, we influence others to undergo the same transformation and deliver actions that positively impact our water catchment,” said PMFTC manufacturing director Nicolas Souvlakis.

“This is a momentous achievement not only for PMFTC Batangas factory, but also for our community,” said Souvlakis. PMFTC, as a part of its public commitment to good water management, undertakes “to endorse, sustain and support the public towards good water governance, sustainable water balance, good water quality, good conservation of important areas related to water, and safe water, sanitation and hygiene for

all.” The site is open and transparent to all stakeholders and to the relevant public and will support and collaborate with the agencies of the public sector to comply will all legal and regulatory requirements concerning water. PMFTC vowed to improve and continually adapt the actions and plans for water management and support national and international treaties related to water.

Sports

Nonoy saves day for Archers vs Warriors DE La Salle University needed Mark Nonoy’s late spark to avoid disaster against University of the East in overtime, pulling off an 85-82 win in the UAAP Season 84 men’s basketball tournament Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. The Green Archers’ win brought them to 7-3, just a game behind second seed University of the Philippines with a matchup looming on Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the Red Warriors were eliminated at 0-10. With the count knotted at 78, Nonoy threw a triple, but missed. Luckily, he got the ball again and drained an offbalanced mid-range jumper off the board for the lead with 49.8 seconds to go in the extra period, 80-78. On the other end, Red Warrior Clint Escamis was able to fish for a foul but missed both his freebies, setting up for a Nonoy three with just 23.6 ticks left, 83-78. UE though replied as Harvey Pagsanjan made back-to-back layups to inch within a point, 82-83, with 12.5 seconds remaining. But Justine Baltazar - who was shooting 4-of-8 from the line coolly made both his free throws while Pagsanjan missed his three as time expired. “We really had to dig deep to get this win. I think UE really played well,” said La Salle coach Derrick Pumaren. “Fortunately, we were able to regroup and get the win.” Baltazar put up 14 points and 22 rebounds, while Michael Phillips grabbed 26 rebounds to go with 12 points. The two of them outscored the whole Red Warriors, 48-41. Schonny Winston topscored for the Green Archers with 18 points while Kurt Lojera had 17. Pagsanjan had a game-high 23 points to go with 10 rebounds for UE. The Red Warriors will close Saturday’s quadruple-header against Far Eastern University at 7 p.m.

Riera U. Mallari, Editor; Randy M. Caluag, Assistant Editor SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

READY FOR BATTLE. British Paul Butler (left) and Filipino Jonas Sultan faced for the final time after their respective weigh-ins, ahead of their WBO interim world bantamweight title clash in Liverpool. Sultan has stepped in as a late replacement for John Riel Casimero to face local hero Butler at the M&S Bank Arena in the headline fight at Probellum Liverpool on Friday night. (Probellum)

Italy training PH fencers’ last stop before SEAG By Peter Atencio

10-DAY trip to Como, Italy, will help prepare members of the Philippine national fencing team in its coming campaign in the 31st Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi, Vietnam. National coach Rolando Canlas said this as Team Philippines wrapped up its bubble training camp in Ormoc City, Leyte. Members of the 16-man national squad will be in Manila by Sunday and will travel to Italy on April 28 for a series of sparring sessions around the lakeside city

in northern Italy. The trip is supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Fencing Association president and Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez. The Italy sortie was also made possible to national team member Maxine Esteban and her Italian coach Andrea Magro. Esteban has been training there for the last two years in her effort to earn a seat in the 2024 Paris Olympics. “Makapag-sparring man lang kami. Dito kasi sa Asia, sarado pa dahil sa COVID restrictions. Wala kaming mapuntahan,” said Canlas, in a radio interview. Canlas explained that their sessions will be short and they will be heading for Hanoi by May 8. Reigning SEA Games champion Jylyn

Nicanor and NCAA All-American Samantha Catantan are joining the trip. Nicanor is seeking to defend her women’s individual sabre gold medal, along with the women’s epee team of Hanniel Abella, Mickyle Bustos, Anna Estimada and Harlene Raguin. The Philippines placed third back in 2019 with its 2-2-7 gold-silver bronze performance. Nicanor is in the women’s team with Nicole Allaine Cortey, Queen Dalmacio, and Kimberly Camahalan. Cortey is competing in the individual sabre competitions. Catantan, meanwhile, seeks to improve on her bronze medal finishes in 2017 and 2019 in the women’s individual foil.

Pirates edge Chiefs, keep hopes alive

Lyceum’s Mclaude Guadana drives to the basket

ENZO Navarro scored all of his 10 points in the payoff period as Lyceum of the Philippines University carved out a 70-66 win over Arellano University to keep its hopes alive of making it to the play-in round Saturday in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at the La Salle Greenhills Gym. Navarro hit a go-ahead three to give the Pirates a 66-64 lead before the Chiefs forced the game’s final deadlock via a Justin Arana lay-up with 46.3 seconds remaining. Navarro scored a lay-up to restore LPU’s lead at 68-66 when Gelo Sablan bungled two foul shots in the final 8.3 that would have tied the game for Arellano.

The Pirates then sealed the deal with Navarro nailing two charities off a Maui Cruz unsportsmanlike foul with 4.9 seconds left. The loss negated Chiefs slotman Justin Arana’s fifth double-double of the season. He scored 17 points and pulled down 24 rebounds, the most by any player since Allwell Oraeme grabbed 25 boards in Mapua’s 90-75 win over LPU on August 23, 2016. Tying their victims and idle University of Perpetual Help System Dalta at 2-5 in seventh place, the Pirates are still outside the play-in range. Teams ranked from third to sixth after the single-round eliminations will make it to the play-in stage to determine the two other Final Four qualifiers. It took a while for LPU, which is undergoing a rebuilding process as it lost the core that made it to three con-

secutive Final Four stints, to jell this shortened season. “Sobrang hirap. Kung titignan mo ‘yung line-up, apat kaming holdovers tapos ‘pag tinignan mo ‘yung minutes noon, kaming apat, hindi kami masyadong ginagamit,” said Navarro, who along with Jerwyn Guinto, Yancy Remulla and Enoch Valdez were part of the 2019 squad which placed third. “Basically, parang rookie kami lahat. Kaya medyo mahirap kasi dati, ilang minutes lang maganda laruin mo okay na, sina Marcelino (twins) na ang bahala, sina (Reymar) Caduyac at Mike Harry (Nzeusseu). Pero ngayon, wala eh, kami na talaga ‘yung maasahan,” he added. Enoch Valdez led the Pirates with 17 points and five rebounds while McLaude Guadaña chipped in 12 markers, four boards and two assists.

Gialon snaps 5-year dry spell, claims ICTSI Caliraya crown CAVINTI, Laguna—Zanieboy Gialon snapped a five-year title spell with a compelling victory in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship here yesterday, coming through with clutch birdies to salvage a 71, ward off another searing Clyde Mondilla rally and win by four. Gialon bucked a one-over card with back-to-back birdies from No. 15, regaining complete control after Mondilla pulled to within one in a flight ahead on a solid six-birdie feat after 15 holes. But the Del Monte ace blew another birdie chance on the par-5 16th and holed out with a bogey in a frantic search to finish with flourish, ending up instead with a 67 for a 279. That was four strokes behind Gialon, who played pressure-free coming home, sealing the huge victory, his first since posting a six-shot romp over Jhonnel Ababa at ICTSI Calatagan in 2017, with

closing pars for a 13-under 275. “I couldn’t get my game going at the front but got my confidence back after I birdied the 16th,” said Gialon, who pocketed the top purse of P360,000 after recording his fifth career victory during awards rites graced by Caliraya Springs Golf Club general manager Jerome Baldoz. “I knew Clyde (Mondilla) is tough and since he’s a long hitter, he can really score here and will never give up. So I stayed focused and just played my game.” Gialon, who finished seventh at ICTSI Luisita Championship last month, stumbled with two bogeys against a birdie after nine holes, enabling halfway co-leader Joenard Rates to close the gap with a big bounce-back from a bogey on No. 3 with three birdies in the next four holes. But as Gialon recovered and produced decisive birdies on Nos. 15 and 16 in a windy windup, Rates cooled down and bowed out of the title chase with two bo-

Zanieboy Gialon displays his trophy.

Samantha Catantan

geys against a birdie in a four-hole stretch from No. 12 and never threatened with closing pars. Mondilla, in contrast, put up another fiery comeback reminiscent of his exploits at Luisita where he battled back from five shots down to force a playoff with eventual winner Miguel Tabuena. But Gialon’s eight-stroke lead after 54 holes proved too big a deficit for Mondilla to overhaul, his bid to produce a tournament-best round at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club fizzling out, along with his bid for another crack at a Philippine Golf Tour crown. He took the runner-up purse of P236,000 for the second straight time. Rates, who fell by five on a third round 73, threatened to within two with a frontside 34 but wavered with a backside 37 and wound up with a 67 to drop to joint third at 280 with a late-charging Lloyd Go in the 72-hole championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

Padilla, Gabuat share top PPS honors MA. Judyann Padilla of Ozamiz City and Sibugay’s Thomas Gabuat fashioned out a pair of straight-set victories each to dominate the PPS-PEPP national age group tennis tournament at the RGS courts in Zamboanga del Norte Thursday. But while Padilla needed to scrape past a tough AJ Acabo twice, 6-3, 6-4, and 6-3, 6-3, in the 18- and 16-and-under finals, respectively, Gabuat cruised to a pair of shutout wins over Axel Apat and Mark Barrios to match the former’s two-title feat in the Group 2 tournament held under the auspices of the Unified Tennis Philippines and UTR (Universal Tennis Rating). Other winners in the four-day tournament, which served as part of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala president and CEO Bobby Castro, were Sindangan’s Marlyn Mesiona, Lanao del Norte’s Josh Lim, Alexis Acido from Polanco, local bet Pete Bandala and Sherwin Gom-os from Liloy. The top-seeded Mesiona clobbered Ellen Ramos, 6-1, 6-0, while the unranked Lim upended No. 1 Bandala, 6-2, 6-0, to clinch the 14-U crowns; Alexis Acido wore down Gabrielle Bulado, 7-5, 7-5, while Bandala routed Rashdi Macaundas, 6-1, 6-1, to share top honors in 12-U play; and No. 2 Gom-os repulsed Vanizer Acabo, 4-2, 4-1, for the 10-unisex plum in the event presented by Dunlop. Meanwhile, action heats up in the country’s longest running age-grouper, the spawning ground of talents who could be tapped and developed into becoming future members of the national pool and team, with the next leg firing off this weekend at the Sindangan courts, also in Zambo del Norte. For details and registration, contact event organizer Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor E-mail: jdlacsamana@gmail.com

Home/Design

Smart choices

for the modern home O

WNING a home, or upgrading one’s lifestyle, is at the top of people’s priorities these days. Staying indoors for a long periods contributed to this but so has the importance of living close to school or work, as in the case of condo living, or finding a place in the city for easier access to almost anything.

Although urban living in the Philippines can be challenging, what with congestion and traffic problems, many find city life rewarding. This is why many continue to flock to the city, or upgrade their city life little by little. Being cooped up at home for two years has inspired more Filipinos to take a closer look into what needs to be improved in their homes with regards to health, comfort and convenience. Thanks to new technologies, smart and modern tools, homeowners can make life and health at home easier. Energy-saving home equipment Home appliances consume a lot of energy. Having more appliances, better yet, unwise choice and use of appliances can cause one’s electric consumption—and bill—to surge. Home appliances can also be a major contributor of harmful greenhouse gases. Modern technologies have given rise to energy-efficient options such as inverter appliances. Solar-based equipment are now also increasingly available, with many installing solar roof panels as energy source (Shown in photo). These alternatives do not only help save energy but enhance home life for everyone in the family because they are easy to use and maintain. This means saving money from lower energy consumption and easier maintenance and repair. Smart home devices Smart home devices continue to rise in popularity for a reason. Besides giving the home that modern vibe, smart devices allow homeowners to control appliances and parts of the home such as lighting from anywhere around the house – and even from outside—through digital assistants and voice commands. Some smart devices send the user alerts to warn of any potential issue, or remind them if they have left anything behind like an open refrigerator door, or a meal that has finished cooking in the oven. When it comes to safety, CCTVs, doorbell security cameras and AI technology help homeowners monitor the house even remotely through the mobile phone. This means, homeowners can keep an eye on their home even when they are miles away on vacation, or business trip. Virus-eliminating appliances, tools Plenty of virus-eliminating equipment and devices have surfaced amid the pandemic to help combat the COVID-19 virus. Home and workplace hydration solutions provider Waterlogic, takes this step with its COVID-19 safe water units, the Aqua SmartGuard. The Aqua SmartGuard provides the family with four temperature modes —ambient, cold, hot and extra hot—to accommodate various day-to-day hydration needs. Besides complementing the home and kitchen aesthetic, upgrading to the Aqua SmartGuard eliminates having to haul gallon sized containers or wait for water supply. It also reduces, if not totally stops, using water bottles, which contributes to cutting plastic wastes. Waterlogic offers a Total Care Service that takes care of the unit’s installation and maintenance such as replacement of filters and UV lamps. The Total Care Service, priced at Php1,490 only, can be paid using debit or credit cards or Peso Pay, bank transfer, payment Gateways auto-debit or GCash.

New hotel near BGC

WITH the pandemic seemingly winding down, the time for revenge travel is here. Leisure property owners and managers are getting ready to

FUTURE-PROOFING THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR. The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) expects property technology (proptech) to help future-proof the real estate sector in the Philippines, and bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. “Technology is quickly shaping the future of real estate and property industry,” said May Rodriguez, SHDA national president and Ayala Land Inc. residential business group assistant vice president recently. She was speaking during the SHDA’s recent kapihan entitled “Digitizing the Customer Experience: The Latest in Marketing and Property Management Technologies.” The event brought together innovators, housing and property developers, partner government agencies, and other stakeholders in the property sector. “Our goal is that by 2025, we want to modernize 1,000 developers in our country, which would equate to around 25% of the local real estate industry,” explained Pamela Belen, president and co-founder of Umpisa Incorporated. Digitization is also key to addressing the challenges brought about by manual processes in property management, according to Edward Encarnacion, president and CTO of Inventi Intellectual Holdings Corporation. “We’re automating everything to allow developers and associations to do more and to improve their service without having to add people.”

Comfort with countryside charm AN UPCOMING lifestyle community in Lipa, Batangas by Golden Home Realty Development Inc. is seeking to provide holistic comfort to its future residents – by designing a neighborhood that presents more opportunities for social interaction, physical activity, and serenity. Periveo is a 42-hectare development that integrates premium residential enclaves, a leisure hub, and future retail and commercial features within a pedestrian-friendly environment. “We wanted to build a sustainable community where residents can espouse a healthy lifestyle, and that fosters a sense of belongingness,” said Golden Home Realty President Ivan Howard Guintu. Golden Home Realty has recently broke ground on Periveo’s first residential enclave called Highgrove. The exclusive residence will offer a limited collection of modern contemporary homes with lots ranging from 120 sqm to over 300 sqm.

receive tourists eager to travel. Enter Ridgewood Premier Hotel in Bonifacio Global City. Currently in full construction mode, the establishment

is applying finishing touches on its interiors and furnishings. The timing will coincide with the timetable for the world’s economic recovery from the pandemic. “Ridgewood Premier Hotel will create around 100 jobs in the service sector, from front office to F&B and housekeeping,” said Chief Operating Officer, Marc Ngo. “The hotel lies in BGC’s sweet spot, right between hotels that are too expensive and hotels that are too far. This means that many travelers, who are now cost-conscious given today’s economy, can always choose us as an option for better value.” The hotel project will occupy the 15th to 19th floors of Ridgewood Towers Premier along the main C5 Road, right across the British and Korean embassies.

At the groundreaking were Guintu (1st from the left) and HG-III Construction Chairman Homer Guintu (3rd from the left).

Cainta, the smart move CAINTA has enjoyed a boom in recent years, with the influx of business opportunities in real estate and business, successfully becoming a highly urbanized first-class municipality. RLC Residences, well aware of Cainta’s urbanization, built Sierra Valley Gardens, a complete and master-planned residential community in the municipality. Sierra Valley Gardens’ three-phase modern contemporary-themed condominium is the only residential building development with a built-in smart home amenity in the area. “We, at RLC Residences, through Sierra Valley Gardens, want to provide the convenience of being in the city while enjoying the quiet of suburban living,” said RLC residences marketing head Karen Cesario. Sierra Valley destination estate is an 18-hectare mixed-use property of Robinsons Land, and the home of Sierra Valley Gardens.

Motoring

MILO RIVERA Sub-editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022

Ford Mustang named ‘World’s Best-Selling Sports Coupe’ for 7th straight year

Toyota Gazoo GT Cup e-racing returns; Asian berths at stake T OYOTA Motor Philippines (TMP) is raising the summer heat with the return of its e-racing series, The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (GR) GT Cup – this time with thrilling new tracks to be played on and an exciting opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Asia Regional Rounds.

Now on its third year, the GR GT Cup Philippines is bringing the joy of racing Toyota vehicles to the next level. For this season, the annual E-motorsports tournament is also giving participants the chance to be an official racer at TMP’s premier onemake race event – the TGR Vios Cup. “We started the GR GT Cup Philippines as an avenue to make the thrill of motorsports more accessible to more Filipino racing fans,” said TMP’s Assistant Vice President for Marketing Services Elvin Luciano. “With the level of talent that we have

seen in the first two years, we believe now is the right time to expand the motorsports journey of our e-racers and enable them to further develop their racing skills, this time together with our Vios Cup racers.” Three classes will be opened – junior class for players 17 years old and below, sporting class for professional E-racers, and promotional class for those with no professional E-sports background. Each local round will feature a different GR sportscar and racetrack for a unique and immersive racing experience. Racers will compete for the best time to get their name on the leaderboard. Winners from the local rounds will then head on to compete at the national final round, where they will be up against the top racers nationwide. All rounds will be done online on the Gran Turismo Sport game. Participants must have a Sony PlayStation 4 or 5 with an active PSN account and PS PLUS subscription. Aspiring racers who meet all the requirements can already register by visiting the official GR GT Cup website. The winners of the GR GT Cup Philippines will participate in the Vios Cup Autocross event, as a first step towards being a full-fledged competitor at the Circuit Championship along

with some of the country’s best racing talents. The 2022 season kicks off with the local rounds, followed by the national final round and finally, the Asia regional round. There will be three local rounds – qualifiers, semifinals, and finals – all of which shall be broadcasted on the official TMP Facebook page on the following dates: • Qualifiers – May 6 and 7 • Semifinals – May 27 and 28 • Finals – June 24 and 25 Cash prizes and GR GT Cup merchandise await the winners of the local rounds and the national final round. “Through the GR GT Cup Philippines, we aim to find some of the best local talents to give them the chance to represent the country and shine in the international championships. And in the long term, we would love to help further grow motorsports in the country by enabling racers with great potential push the limits for better through these sustained motorsports development activities,” concluded AVP Luciano. To know more about the GR GT Cup, visit http://toyota.com.ph/gtcup and follow Toyota Motor Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Viber for the latest announcements.

Dungca to represent Maxxis Tires at ‘22 RFC PH FOR award-winning driver Edison “Tonton” Dungca, off-road racing has always been his passion. It was his father who sparked his interest in 4x4 off-road driving when he was still 16. Twenty-five years later, he found himself competing in numerous international off-road races. “It wasn’t as competitive back then as it is now, but going off-road—whether it’s dirt, rock, sand, or mud terrain—always thrilled me to my core,” said Dungca, a 2019 Borneo Safari Qualifier Champion. He was also recognized as the Golden Wheel Award Driver of the Year for 2013 and 2014 other than being the Automobile Association of the Philippines Driver of the Year for 2018. Dungca has been in every off-road competition since 2009. With his skills and years of experience, he will conquer this year’s Rainforest Challenge (RFC) Philippines, representing Maxxis, a brand he has long trusted since he started offroad racing. This year, Maxxis’ all-rounder Trepador tires will take Dungca closer to the finish line. And amidst various challenging terrains and extreme driving conditions, Dungca is now ready to conquer the wilder side of the Philippines—just as how the MAXXIS Trepador has helped Jim Marsden win the Ulltra4 European 2019 Championship. MAXXIS TREPADOR: The choice of the champions The Trepador M8060 is an extreme 4×4 off-road tire, proven in a huge number

of championships internationally. It is extremely resistant to punctures, thanks to its nylon and high tension composite belt that also acts as reinforcement for extreme “air down” capability and extra high-speed stability. It provides excellent traction on and off-road with its unique tread element arrangement that creates a uniform and bigger contact patch.

The tire, which is perfect for mud terrain, has a heavy-duty bias-ply construction known for excellent durability and tread flexibility. Feel the grip from every angle with its sidewall biting points that sustain and improve contact on difficult off-road and rocky terrain. In addition, it is also a road-legal tire given that it is DOTapproved with a recommended maximum speed of 100KPH. TREPADOR M9060: Bringing uncompromised safety and endurance Meanwhile, the Trepador M9060 is reliable on all types of terrain, whether

it’s wet or dry. Also known as the mud Trepador, the tire is designed to withstand punctures, endure low air pressure, improve off-road stability and handling, and provide strong traction in all types of terrain for superior driving performance. It is perfect for unpaved roads and offroad trails as it delivers sports traction and endurance yet never compromises on safety. Just like the M8060, the Trepador M9060 has a nylon and composite belt that reinforces tire construction which significantly improves puncture resistance and prolongs tread life. The tire is an offroad warrior with its staggered shoulder pattern offering better grip even if you’re on a difficult muddy track or rocky terrain. And thanks to its unique tread, you are guaranteed an even tread contact even for rock-solid road holding. When it comes to off-roading tires, Maxxis is unlike any other, says Dungca. The two tires are sure to give racers safety, performance, value, and grip, regardless of the off-road condition. And because Maxxis can come up with products that are truly top of the line, nothing can endure the tough life of a 4x4 other than these two off-road beasts. Maxxis Trepador tires are available at selected dealers nationwide. Visit https:// www.maxxis.com.ph/ to choose a dealer nearest you!

THE Ford Mustang® is celebrating its 58th birthday this year as the world’s bestselling sports coupe, according to Ford analysis of registration data from S&P Global Mobility*. Mustang retains its sales crown for 2021, led by the pinnacle of 5.0-liter V8 engine performance, the Mustang Mach 1 - followed by the track-ready Mustang Shelby® GT500®, the most powerful street-legal Ford in history and the most advanced Mustang ever for street, track or drag strip use. “When enthusiasts around the world get into a Mustang, they unlock that feeling of freedom and experience the open road,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Blue. “That feeling, along with iconic design, awesome powertrains and a passionate global community all contribute to making Mustang a sales leader for the seventh year in a row.” According to Ford internal data, the United States remains home to the strongest demand for Mustangs representing 76% of global sales. Other markets that saw growth in Mustang sales in 2021 include New Zealand, up 54.3%, Brazil, up 37.3%, and South Korea, up 16.6%. For those who wanted a Mustang of their own, customers’ retail orders nearly doubled in 2021 compared to the year prior. Ford looks to continue this

momentum with five new special editions to the lineup, including the Mustang Ice White (also available on Mustang Mach-E), the Shelby GT500 Heritage Edition, the GT California Special, theCoastal Limited and the Stealth. From Mustang EcoBoost® to Shelby GT500, there is a special edition at every performance level for muscle car enthusiasts. Mustang gains eight new color options for 2022 as well, including Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange on the Shelby GT500, while Brittany Blue Metallic returns specifically for Shelby GT500 Heritage and Coastal Limited models. Additional new colors are available across the lineup – including Atlas Blue Metallic, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Dark Matter Gray Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Grabber Blue Metallic and Mischievous Purple Metallic. Mustang Mach-E, the newest member of the Mustang family, also had a successful 2021 as one of the hottest products at Ford. In addition to a strong first full-year of sales, the Mustang Mach-E earned a trophycase worth of press awards, including the coveted North American Utility Vehicle of the Year honor, Car and Driver’s 2021 EV of the Year, 2021 Wards 10 Best award and a 2022 Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award. Mustang Mach-E was also recently named a finalist for the 2022 World Car of the Year.

After the fire safety training hosted by Chevron and conducted by the Bureau of Fire Protection, the HOG riders fill up their motorcycles with Caltex Techron fuel at Don Dexter Station in Batangas.

Caltex fuels Manila Chapter of Harley Owners Group CHEVRON Philippines Inc. (CPI) recently partnered with Harley Owners Group – Manila Chapter, known as the largest factory-sponsored club for enthusiasts of Harley Davidson’s motorcycles, for a fire drill safety activity at the Chevron Batangas Terminal. The Harley-Davidson riders fueled up at a nearby Caltex station before heading back to Manila. Caltex with Techron is the fuel of choice by Harley Owners Group members for their motorcycles, as they travel from one destination to another. “A hog is a good and reliable bike. And riding it is an experience like no

other. It’s only right that we would choose a premium fuel like Caltex with Techron for our motorcycles,” Yen Roxas, HOG Manila Chapter President explains. “Techron has an innovative formulation that helps protect and clean our motorcycle engines so it performs at its best and also makes us feel safe and confident during our rides.” Drivers can enjoy five benefits when they fuel up with Caltex with Techron such as maximized power, better fuel economy, lower emissions, a smoother drive, and reliable performance which all contribute to a wonderful journey on the road.

MS Weekend Drive with the Ford Ranger 2.0L Wildtrak 4x2 AT. There are only a few days in a year wherein we can actually escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday, fast-paced living. It becomes the perfect opportunity to just take a ‘pause’ sip in some fresh air, marvel at your vacation spots, and utterly appreciate some silence and tranquility. Yet on the other hand, when it comes to traveling to and from your respective destinations, you’d definitely want to mix things up with some energy, toughness, and performance - all whilst ensuring safety and comfort throughout the journey. And thanks to the Ford Ranger Wildtrak, all needs and desires for a worthwhile trip are met with utmost assurance. Milo Rivera

SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 2022 rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

Tech & Gadgets

Accelerated PH digital shift to track global trend

LOBE expects Filipinos’ rapid adoption of digital services to gain even more momentum in the coming months, as more and more customers rely on online apps and devices to complete everyday tasks. The company’s pivot into a digital solutions platform, while continuing to enhance its telco business, is being accelerated in part to meet this growing demand. The company cited the growth of its data-related revenues, which reached a record high in 2021, as a key indicator of the growing demand for ICT services that enable customers’ daily experiences. Globe’s data traffic soared to 3,733 petabytes last year, a 48% rise from 2,517 petabytes in 2020. Globe’s mobile data, home broadband and corporate data revenues accounted for 80% of its total service revenues last year. UK-based international research data and analytics group YouGov also found in its 2022 Global Media Outlook Report that in the last 12 months, “a higher proportion of all global consumers claimed to have increased their consumption of websites or apps, social media, and streaming video services than more traditional media such as TV or radio.” “The media type showing the highest growth was online consumption of websites and apps, with 42% of global consumers claiming to have increased consumption in the last 12 months,” the report added. Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu confirmed that the Philippine situation will closely mirror the global trend, saying the pandemic-induced shift to digital has spurred the company to work double-time on its move towards an even more diverse service platform. “We have certainly gone beyond telco in terms of empowering the Filipino’s digital lifestyle. While we continue to build up our core business, we have developed a broad set of offerings in high-growth sectors such as health, fintech, e-learning, and entertainment among many others. These have all become essential services that our customers rely on day in and day out,” said Cu. Cu cited mobile wallet GCash as an example of a digital payment and financial service that has become part of Filipinos’ daily routines. Its GLife service, for instance, puts together various merchants and brands into a single page so that users will not need to switch apps or create different accounts to order or shop online. Globe’s HealthNow and KonsultaMD telemedicine services have also become invaluable tools during the pandemic, as they bring health and care to Filipinos

UK-based international research data and analytics group YouGov also found in its 2022 Global Media Outlook Report that in the last 12 months, “a higher proportion of all global consumers claimed to have increased their consumption of websites or apps, social media, and streaming video services than more traditional media such as TV or radio.”

through an easy-to-use app from the comfort and safety of home. Online grocery shopping platform PureGo, a partnership between Globe and Puregold, is yet another online app that has quickly expanded to more cities in and around Metro Manila. PureGo registered a sales growth of over 75% in 2021. Cu stressed the importance of continuing to innovate as customers’ needs quickly evolve, and of using Globe’s

digital platform to build or develop more services that are designed to make life easier for Filipinos. Globe’s expansion is part of its efforts to support Filipinos’ digital enablement, aligned with its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the role of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

BRIA offers wide selection of payment methods ACCORDING to industry experts, excellent customer service hinges on a ‘people-first’ attitude. As long as a company has this, it’s on the right track. Thus, part of what makes BRIA Homes, a top-tier property developer is their commitment to deliver the best possible service to their customers. Apart from offering much-coveted residential projects in fifty-plus towns and cities across the country, BRIA now makes customer engagement smooth, pleasant, and efficient by strengthening their digital services. Various online portals allow BRIA Homes’ residents and homeowners to pay for their monthly amortization from the safety and comfort of their own abodes. Homebuyers are likewise encouraged to put down their payment for a brand-new house through easy and accessible online payment methods. These include e-wallets GCash, PayMaya, Shopee Pay, and AllEasy; credit or debit cards; online banking or electronic bank transfers; and auto-debit arrangements. BRIA Homes also has banking partners such as AllBank, BDO, Metrobank, PNB, RCBC, Security Bank, Chinabank, Robinsons Bank, Maybank, and Union Bank. This gives homeowners and investors

BRIA now makes customer engagement smooth, pleasant, and efficient by strengthening their digital services.

a wide array of options for processing fer conventional payment methods can their digital transactions. also proceed to any of its partner payBRIA Homes’ customers who pre- ment centers such as Sinag Pawnshop,

WalterMart, 7Eleven, LBC, Cebuana Lhuillier, Pinoy Pera Padala, CVM, PeraHub, ExpressPay, True Money, Raquel Pawnshop, Netopia, Bayad Center, TouchPay, Palawan Pawnshop, ECPay, Villarica Pawnshop, PhlPost, The Landmark, USSC, and Robinsons Department Store. With dozens of locations all over the Philippines, BRIA Homes now has wholesome communities that feature well-designed contemporary house-andlot and condominium units on the selling block. These are equipped with security features like perimeter walls, 24-hr CCTV coverage, guardhouses, and solar LED lights. The health and well-being of residents are likewise ensured by a competent property management team. These housing projects come with modern amenities such as multipurpose halls, covered basketball courts, playgrounds for children, and family-friendly open green spaces. Property seekers are encouraged to check the house models of their choice by immersing in BRIA’s 360 virtual tour through www.bria.com.ph and inquire online through BRIA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BriaHomesIncOfficial. They can also reserve a house online through https://www.bria. com.ph/online-reservation/

See more, do more with LG UltraWide Monitors MULTI-TASKING when working (or even just surfing or playing) is the norm nowadays. It’s expected, even. However, when you do it using regular monitors, you’ll quickly run out of space and hurt your fingers alt-tabbing every few seconds or so. One of the best innovations over the past few years is the ultra wide monitor which gives you a lot more space to work with, making it comfortable and enhancing your overall experience with an immersive field of view. LG’s UltraWide line of monitors excels in providing extra screen real estate to increase your productivity. The UltraWide Full HD resolution (2560x1080) offers 33% more screen space in width than a FHD resolution (1920x1080) display, giving an aspect ratio of 21:9. Especially for students at home, the UltraWide 29WP500-B gives you plenty of benefits towards learning. You can easily manage textbooks, lectures, conversations and searches in a single view and turn the wide screen into your favorite online classroom. When used for work, you can view two windows at the same time. This enables you to work with reports at a glance with datasheets and slides side by side without repeating alt-tab countless times. Reader Mode also provides less blue and adds improved visual comfort. Reducing blue light helps lessen eye fatigue. This feature creates a screen with a color temperature similar to paper and provides optimal conditions for reading. LG UltraWide monitors aren’t just about screen real estate, too. The picture is no slouch. This monitor is compatible with industry standard HDR10 high dynamic range, based on the sRGB 99% color gamut, supporting specific levels of color and brightness that enables viewers to enjoy the dramatic colors of the content. Since it is an IPS display, it also offers impeccable color accuracy, boasting 99% coverage of the sRGB color spectrum. When it’s time to relax after work, the UltraWide also excels in gaming. With AMD FreeSync technology, gamers can experience seamless, fluid movement in hi-resolution and fast-paced games. It virtually reduces screen tearing and stuttering. Input lag is also reduced with Dynamic Action Sync so it helps gamers catch critical moments in real-time. Boost your productivity and increase your workspace drastically with LG UltraWide monitors. You can visit www. lg.com/ph for more information. You can purchase LG UltraWide monitors from authorized retailers or in LG’s flagship online stores in Lazada and Shopee. LG is a Big Winner at This Year’s Red Dot and CES 2022 Innovation Awards LG Electronics has taken home 25 honors from this year’s Red Dot Award, continuing its success at the prestigious annual design awards program. Among the company’s impressive haul were three Best of the Best accolades for the LG washer and dryer with an upgradability option, a new LG lifestyle OLED TV and the LG DualUp Monitor Ergo. LG PuriCare AeroTower air purifier and the LG tiiun were recognized in the Innovative Product category. Other LG products honored at this year’s awards include the LG One:Quick Flex all-inone display solution, LG UltraGearTM gaming laptop, LG OLED evo Gallery Edition and other OLED evo TV models, all lauded for their aesthetically pleasing and user-centric designs.

Beyond smartphones: Nubia’s RedMagic 7 designed to give unrivaled gaming experience MOBILE players connect to gaming phones firstly because of how smartphones feel in their hands, along with the impressions they get from using them. Advanced haptic response, together with striking and high-definition audio-visual elements, enhance the overall gaming experience. Nubia RedMagic Philippines masterfully crafted this art in its newest gaming smartphone release, RedMagic 7, launching it on April 29 with retail Kimstore, the country’s leading one-stop shop for the latest branded gadgets. Powered by 2022 Flagship Chip Snapdragon 8 Gen 1ratio display, and 65W Reflecting neon-colored signs reminiscent to a flashing neutron GaN Magic Charger with Air-Cooled Quick Charging capability, RedMagic 7 is star in the night space, Nubia built to be a gaming device first before it RedMagic 7 Pulsar version has is a smartphone. Enhancing RedMagic 7’s 16GB/256GB memory options.

haptic feedback, along with its audio and RGB lighting enhancements, is Red Core 1, its built-in independent gaming chip. RedMagic Game Space Running on RedMagic OS5.0, RedMagic 7 offers special features enabling gamers and streamers to customize their gaming experience with its Game Space. Niche gaming features such as plug-ins and shorthand allow users to magnify parts of the screen and record clips of a player’s victorious moments during a game. Nubia RedMagic also designed the phone to be sweat-resistant. With a reaction time of 7.4 ms, a 720 Hz touch sampling rate, and a 500Hz touch rate for shoulder triggers, detecting real-time in-game commands and execution when playing FPS games like

Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshine Impact can be done with the highest rate of precision. With a built-in Adreno GPU paired with Kryo CPU and 7th gen AI, RedMagic 7 is four times faster, 25% more efficient, and renders graphics 30% faster than previous RedMagic phones. RedMagic RGB lighting, fast-charging features Made for hours-long gaming sessions with a battery capacity of 4,500 milliampere per hour (mAh), RedMagic 7 can last for an entire day of playing FPS games. On the other hand, charging only takes an hour with its 65-watt fast charger. The transparent coating, Supernova, has 18GB/256GB memory options. While all variants have cooling fans

inside, the Supernova boasts RGB-lit panels when in use. The silver variant Obsidian comes with 12GB/128GB options. The cosmic Pulsar with sky blue and purple hues has 16GB/256GB memory options. Gamers and streamers in PH reached through Kimstore As Nubia RedMagic 7 is known for its unrivaled gaming and streaming capability, a 30-minute Facebook Livestream on Kimstore and Nubia RedMagic Philippines Page will be launched on April 29, aiming to guide and provide tips for aspiring video game live streamers using RedMagic Available at Kimstore, a 7. Digital creator Louis Dior Teves of Amplfy by Tier One Entertainment will leading one-stop-shop for the latest branded gadgets. lead the session.