twitter.com/ MlaStandard
facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH
instagram.com/ manilastandard
manilastandard.net
Missed your copy of Manila Standard? Call or text our Circulation Hotline at 0917-8848655 or email: circulation@manilastandard.net For advertisement: email: advertise@manilastandard.net • 85646229
VOL. XXXVII • NO. 164• 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES • P20 • SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2023 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com
Storm’s damage to infra: P2.66b Abra, Mt. Province in calamity state too; Death toll now 13, agri losses at P512m
‘Falcon’ to enter PAR as typhoon THE southwest monsoon or "habagat" and the trough of a storm expected to become a typhoon when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility this weekend are expected to bring rains over parts of the country still reeling from the lashing of Typhoon "Egay" this week. Tropical Storm Khanun, which will be
named "Falcon" in the Philippines, will trigger monsoon rains over Zambales and Bataan, the state weather bureau said in its 24-hour public weather forecast issued at 4 p.m. on Friday. Flooding or landslides due to scattered to widespread rains are possible in the Next page
By Maricel V. Cruz and Butch Gunio
HE provinces of Abra and Mountain Province were placed under a state of calamity on Friday after the onslaught of Typhoon "Egay," which ravaged many parts of northern Luzon, killing 13 people and displacing half a million residents across 12 regions.
T
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said Friday Egay has caused an estimated P2.66 billion worth of damage to road infrastructure. In an advisory, the DPWH said the amount is comprised of P887.1 million in damage to roads, P48.20 million in dam damage to bridges, and P1.73 billion in flood-
control structures. The department also said it reopened a total of 25 roads that were closed due to Egay. However, 21 are still impassable due to soil collapse, eroded carriageways, damaged bridges, landslides, and flooding. The provincial boards of Abra and Next page
EGAY'S MARK. A photo from the Mountain Province Provincial Information Office shows the extent of the landslide in Bontoc town a day after the onslaught of Super Typhoon Egay. The storm left a trail of destruction such as in Cagayan province as residents were evacuated by police, bridges were submerged, and roofs were torn off shelters (see more photos on A4). Mt. Province, Cagayan PIO
Better boat safety sought as lake mishap victims rise to 26 Big fuel price hikes poised for next week By Charles Dantes, Macon Ramos-Araneta, and Darwin G. Amojelar
GOVERNMENT officials and lawmakers called for more stringent safety measures for maritime vessels after the number of people killed when an overloaded passenger boat capsized in Laguna Lake on Thursday rose to 26, with divers still looking for three missing. "These are lives we are talking about, we want to be thorough, coming from this, what are the preemptive measures we can take so this won't be repeated," Rizal Gov. Nini Ynares
BID TO REVERSE ACQUITTAL OF DE LIMA NIXED NEWS / A2
said in a TV report. Mayor Cesar Ynares of Binangonan, Rizal, where the tragedy happened, noted there could be more passengers trapped underneath the vessel aside from the 67 already rescued or retrieved. Next page
By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL prices may go up by as much as P3 per liter next week, industry sources said. Based on the first four days of oil trading in the world market, diesel may go up by P2.80 to P3 per liter, and gasoline may go up by P1.60 to P1.80 per liter. Other sources said kerosene may increase by more than P2.50 per liter.
DAY AFTER A TRAGEDY. Residents of Brgy. Calinawan in Binangonan, Rizal look at the ill-fated MB Aya Express on Friday a day after it capsized after a strong wind while crossing Laguna Lake en route to Barangay Gulod, Talim Island. The boat's captain hides his face from photographers while being detained at the local police station, while a funeral parlor worker shows framed photographs of two senior citizens who were among the victims. Danny Pata
Next page
DFA: PH open to gas exploration with China, other nations By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said the Philippines is
open to gas explorations with other countries, including China. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, however, said that before
entering into negotiations, the "terms of reference" should be discussed first with interested countries. Manalo said they "had ongoing
talks with China" and they are now "looking at possible terms of reference for the talks." Next page
‘PBBM Malaysia visit hastened new deals’ By Charles Dantes and Othel Campos
QC SOLON ATAYDE, MAINE MENDOZA MARRY IN BAGUIO NEWS / A2
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s three-day state visit to Malaysia has hastened the finalization of a P3 billion collaboration on rail-oriented projects between Manila and Kuala Lumpur and a $1 billion investment pledge for the expansion of Air Asia operations in the Philippines, the Palace said on Friday. During a roundtable meeting organized by the Department of Trade
and Industry (DTI) during the state visit, Mr. Marcos said he is glad that Air Asia, which is the fourth largest airline in the region, has a very good prospect for the Philippines. "We’re all very happy that you have such good – you see such good prospects for the Philippines,” he said. DTI Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that Air Asia’s Anthony Francis Fernandes signed a letter of intent, indicating expansion plans for his business in the Philippines, specifically for aviation and aviation maintenance, Next page
SURROUNDED BY BUSINESSMEN. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is the guest of honor and keynote speaker in the opening ceremony of the 3rd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Advisory Council Meeting at the NUSTAR Convention Center in Cebu City on Friday. Joey Razon