BACK TO BORACAY.
Colorful sailboats dot the beach of Boracay on Saturday as resorts on the world-famous island are full of local and foreign tourists once again, with the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic seemingly over. W.A. Clamor
Vol. 36
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No. 193
August 28, 2022
2 SECTIONS 8 PAGES
20 .00
IN MET R MANILAO
Sugar shortage a ‘conspiracy’ Unifed head accuses millers, traders, retailers of controlling supply n By JIMBO GULLE AND JOEL ZURBANO
2nd aid payout to students ‘generally smooth’
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HE leader of a sugar producers’ group has declared there is a “conspiracy between millers, traders, and retailers” to induce a shortage and drive up prices of the commodity in the country.
that we discourage walk-ins in today’s (Saturday) payout to comply with safety and health protocols,” he said. “We ask for the cooperation of all in the proper functioning of today’s payout.” This developed as Malacañang encouraged applicants in Metro Manila to register online to avail of the cash assistance from the DSWD, where people still queued as early as Friday night one week after the disorderly education aid distribution saw scores hurt in stampedes. Lopez likewise said the DSWD and the Department of the Interior and Local Government would release guidelines to accommodate those who have no access to the Internet and gadgets. CONTINUED ON 3A
EXCEPT for isolated hitches in some areas across the country, the second weekend of the distribution of educational assistance to beneficiary students of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at its designated payout centers on Saturday resumed “generally” smoothly. In a statement, Assistant Secretary Rommel Lopez, DSWD spokesperson, said the nationwide distribution went smoothly but announced the cancellation of the distribution of assistance in Boac, Marinduque “due to the growing number of walk-in applicants.” “This involves avoiding potential disorders and adhering to safety and health protocols. The DSWD Central Office and our field offices reiterated
Manuel Lamata, United Sugar Producers Federation (Unifed) president, and Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Organization, Inc. (Philfoodex) chief Ruben See also stressed in a television interview that there was no shortage of sugar from local suppliers or in local markets – but it was just too pricey. In an interview with CNN Philippines, Lamata and See also blamed the former leaders of the Sugar Regulatory dministration, particularly ex-Administrator Hermenegildo Serafica, for the mess the industry is in. Saying the conspirators created the crisis by CONTINUED ON 3A
PBBM: To keep abreast, follow OPS on socmed PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has urged netizens to follow the official social media accounts of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) to keep them updated on the administration’s activities, policies, and programs. In a Facebook post, Marcos said announcements of his administration’s plans for the country would be posted on the OPS’ Facebook, Instagram, nd Twitter accounts. CONTINUED ON 3A
GETTING, HOPING FOR AYUDA. A young woman shows
the P4,000 she received for being a college student as educational aid from the Department of Social Welfare and Development at the DSWD office in Gastambide, Manila on Saturday. But elsewhere, persons wanting to receive the cash aid queue along a sidewalk as early as Friday night, and a crowd of 2,000 students and adults alike cram the front gate of the DSWD office in Odiongan, Romblon hoping to get in and get paid. Danny Pata, Norman Cruz and Paul Jaysent Fos via Twitter
Speaker hailed for swift, orderly More cops out presentation of national budget amid reported rise in violence
n By MARICEL V. CRUZ
KISS ME QUICK. Danilo Vibal, 67, and Maria Ester Noblejas, his partner of 14 years, take a quick peck as Pasay Mayor Imelda CalixtoRubiano officiates a mass civil wedding for 142 pairs at Cuneta Astrodome on Saturday. Avito Dalan I
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A CONGRESSIONAL Leader on Saturday commended the leadership of the House of Representatives led by Speaker Martin G. Romualdez for a comprehensive and well-organized presentation of the proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023. “The House leadership led by Speaker Martin Romualdez is very impressed with the swift but well-organized presentation of the NEP (National Expenditure Plan), but the real challenge would be going through the finer details of the government’s spend-
ing program,” House Majority Leader and Zamboanga Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe said in a statement. The House appropriations committee chaired by Ako-Bicol Rep. Elizaldy Co started Friday the discussion on the proposed expenditure plan, which hopes to “fund programs and projects that will transform the country’s economy towards inclusivity and sustainability.” Dalipe maintained the House is committed to working double time to scrutinize the government’s spending program and ensure that it is esponsive to the needs of the people. CONTINUED ON 3A
n By GABRIELLEA B. PARINO THE National Capital Region Police Office on Saturday announced it will send more patrols on the streets of Metro Manila amid the reported rise of cases of kidnapping and abuses against women and children. This comes days after the Philippine National Police denied the occurrence of serial abductions after some witnesses said they were eing tailed by “white vans.” CONTINUED ON 3A
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Top-secret info recovery sparked Agri damage due to ‘Florita’ raid on Trump home – FBI papers surpasses P1b mark—DA WORLD | 3A
NEWS | 2A
SAP PH names new managing director BUSINESS | 4A