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DOE sets power market breakers in Luzon, Visayas to rein in prices By Charles Dantes and Alena Mae S. Flores THE Energy Regulatory Commission temporarily suspended the operation of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Luzon and Visayas under certain conditions to

FIRST LADY BACKS PH VOLLEY TEAM

mitigate the anticipated increase in prices in the spot market, President Marcos said on Wednesday. This developed as the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon grid on yellow alert for the third consecutive day this week

VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 76 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 • THURSDAY, MAY 2, 2024

Marcos orders wage review Boards to act 60 days prior to wage anniversary By Charles Dantes, Maricel Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo and Othel Campos

SPORTS / A7

RESIDENT Marcos ordered the Regional Tripartite Wage and Productivity Boards on Wednesday to initiate a timely review of the minimum wage of workers, factoring in the continuing impact of inflation, among others.

LAUFEY’S MANILA TOUR IN SEPT.

President Marcos said the government will help laborers in the agriculture sector affected by the El Niño phenomenon. “In the coming days, we will send financial assistance to those who are severely affected by El Niño nationwide—those whose crops were destroyed and lost their livelihoods because of the drought.”

SHOWBIZ / C2

STANDOFF. Manila Police District (MPD) police locked down Recto and Morayta streets to prevent various groups from holding a Labor Day rally at Mendiola. Norman Cruz

NO SECRET IN MVP’S SUCCESS BUSINESS / B3

The Chief Executive gave the directive in his Labor Day speech, adding that actions must be taken “within 60 days prior to the anniversary of their latest wage order.” Next page

Three die from heat stroke, two cyclones forecast in May PILI Mayor Thomas Bongalonta Jr. The heat index in the city had aversaid Wednesday that three (3) people aged from 46 degrees Celsius since last have been killed in Pili, Camarines Sur Friday to a whopping 49 degrees Celas temperatures rose nearly to 48 de- sius last Sunday. grees Celsius on May 1. According to Bongalonta, the three

who died were employees; prior to this incident, a traffic guard suffered a heart attack and died due to the rising temperature. Because of the dangerous heat index,

the local government of Pili has decided to suspend all public school classes save for private schools, which have the benefit of air-conditioning.

‘1,000 boats needed to match China militia’ THE Philippine Navy said on Wednesday that deploying roughly 1,000 civilian vessels in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) is necessary to match the presence of Chinese maritime militia ships in the area. Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad also told a media forum that the military supports the 100-boat civilian mission to Scarborough Shoal on May 15. The official was apparently referring to Atin Ito Coalition, the mission’s organizer, which earlier said that in the second iteration of the activity, it aims to conduct a “peace and solidarity regatta” and install buoys in Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc. “We support all activities of the Filipino people of civic society that would show our resolve for the West Philippine Sea,” Trinidad said. “Actually it should not Next page

China getting more aggressive in WPS CHINA’S coast guard has become more aggressive towards Philippine vessels in the South China Sea and its water cannon attacks could threaten the lives of crew, a government spokesman in Manila warned Wednesday. A series of high-seas incidents involving the two countries have injured a number of Philippine troops in recent months as the neighbors asserted rival claims over waters, reefs and rocks in the strategic waterway. In the latest incident on Tuesday, the Philippines said one of its coast guard vessels and another government boat sustained damage from water cannon fired by the China Coast Guard near Scarborough Shoal.

LABOR DAY WITH THE PRESIDENT.

President Marcos Jr, acknowledges guests at the “Labor Day with the President” event in Malacanang Palace on Wednesday. With him are Exec. Sec. Lucas Bersamin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, DOLE Sec. Bienvenido Laguesma and Philpost Postmaster General Luis Carlos. PPA POOL / Marianne Bermudez

A sailor’s life is never easy at the West Philippine Sea By Vince Lopez

the land, they are also aware of the responsibilities Zones or even the continental shelf of the Philipand consequences of joining the Navy. pines will be a problem for the sailors and officAlso the threat of any foreign vessels that ers onboard the BRP Ramon Alcaraz. WHEN sailors from the BRP Ramon Alcaraz took their oath to defend the sovereign nation and secure might enter the territorial, exclusive Economic Next page

SWS survey shows more hungry Pinoys

MOBILE SHOWER.

Residents of Barangay Gen T. De Leon and Parada in Valenzuela City enjoy the mobile shower and toilet trucks provided by the local government for those experiencing water shortages.

By Vito Barcelo

FILIPINO families who experienced “involuntary hunger” increased to 14.2 percent in the first quarter of 2024, up by 3.5 percent for the same period last year, according to the Social Weather Stations’ (SWS) latest survey results. The polling firm defines “involuntary hunger” as experiencing hunger and not having access to food at least once in the past three months. The results of the survey conducted from March 21 to 25 revealed a 1.6-point increase in

#ANONGBALITA

‘Bloodsicles,’ baths keep Manila Zoo animals cool

‘Leaf’ over beef: 60% of Olympics meals meat-free

Alden Richards, R’Bonney Gabriel to host Miss U PH

NEWS / A2