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PSA warns against payment collections for national ID

THE PhilID, the national identification card that will be rolled out soon by the government, would be free of charge for the initial issuance, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reminded the public. The PSA issued the notice on Dec. 12 as it warned that “entities or persons collecting fees and representing themselves as authorized registration centers are not in any way connected to the Agency.” The PSA is the primary implementing agency for Republic Act No. 11055, the Philippine Identification System Act (PhilSys Act). The notice signed by Undersecretary Lisa Grace S. Bersales also said that the PSA “has not yet started the registration of applicants for the PhilID.” It added, “Relevant announcements will soon be made.” For queries, contact 0917-312-8368 or philsys-pmo@psa.gov.ph.

69 Chinese, Korean illegal workers nabbed

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) and Clark Development Corp. arrested 45 Chinese and 24 Koreans last Dec. 10 for working in the country without proper visas. The 69 foreigners were arrested at the Dongwang Clark Corp. and Clark Sunvalley Country Club where they work. BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente, in a statement yesterday, said the bureau and the CDC initially invited 93 foreigners for questioning and verification of travel documents following reports that there were some who work in construction sites with just tourist visas. The 69 were charged for violation of the Philippine Immigration Act while 24 Koreans were released after presenting valid work permits. “This is a call to our kababayans to remain vigilant. Report all illegal activities of foreign nationals to the Bureau of Immigration for appropriate action,” Mr. Morente said. Those arrested are now awaiting deportation proceedings. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

San Fernando celebrates 110 years of lantern-making

THE ANNUAL Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando City opens on Saturday, Dec. 15, with this year’s lantern competition entries to be unveiled at the Robinsons Starmills mall. There will be 11 barangays competing this year, according to the City Information Office. Mayor Edwin D. Santiago noted that the city is celebrating the 110th anniversary of lantern-making as an industry, a testament to “unending efforts in the preservation of culture.” He said, “Mahigit isang siglo na ang industriya ng paggawa ng gahiganteng parol sa San Fernando, isa lamang itong patunay na noon pa man, dedikado na ang siyudad sa pagpapahalaga ng kultura nito (The giant lantern industry in San Fernando is more than a century old, just one proof that the city is dedicated to giving value to its culture).” The Giant Lantern Exhibition will be on until Jan. 2.

Dipolog-Dumaguete direct sea transport starts

SHIPPING FIRM Medallion Transport Inc. started direct services between Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte and Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental on Dec. 12. Using its M/V Lady of Rule roll on-roll off vessel, the daily trips depart Dipolog at 11 p.m. and Dumaguete at 5 a.m. Passenger options include economy (P450/person), business class (P550), and executive suite for two persons (P1,500). Dipolog City Mayor Darel Dexter T. Uy welcomed the new transport link as a contributor to economic growth. “We are truly making Dipolog as an important gateway city and we expect better movement of goods and people that will promote trade and enhanced income opportunities for the city and our people,” he said on a Facebook post on his page.

PDIC to bid out P70M worth of properties around Mindanao

RESIDENTIAL, commercial, and industrial lots in different parts of Mindanao are up for bidding by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) on Jan. 9, 2019. In a statement, PDIC said the real estate properties are located in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Camiguin, Davao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Leyte, Maguindanao, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and Zamboanga del Sur. These were assets from 195 closed banks with a minimum total disposal price of P69.9 million. The bidding will be held at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-Davao Regional Office in Davao City. The complete list of properties and other details are posted online, www.pdic.gov.ph.

Lagman hits ‘quick’ decision on 3rd martial law extension

REPRESENTATIVE Edcel C. Lagman of the 1st District of Albay criticized the quick approval by Congress of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s request to extend martial law in Mindanao for another year, lamenting that lawmakers were given a limited time to decide. “Martial law was also extended in a joint session in Congress, where the freedom of expression of senators and representatives was restricted to three minutes to interpellation and one minute to explain their respective votes,” said Mr. Lagman in a press conference on Thursday, Dec. 13. The two chambers of Congress, by a majority vote of its members in a joint session on Wednesday, approved the extension for the entire 2019. “While martial law was extended in Mindanao for another year or 8,760 hours, the Congressional grant of the President’s initiative for another extension of martial law was consummated in barely four hours, which is only 0.1% of the total extended period,” added Mr. Lagman as he warned against the human rights implications of such a decision. “The Congress, as a deliberating assembly, must allow the free reign of interpellation and debate on issues like the 3rd extension of martial law in Mindanao, which may involve anew the military to violate civil and human rights,” he said. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Nation at a Glance — (12/14/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Peso strengthens ahead of BSP decision

THE PESO continued to strengthen against the dollar on Thursday as market participants awaited the policy decision of the local central bank.
The peso closed at P52.62 versus the greenback on Thursday, stronger than the P52.715-per-dollar finish logged on Wednesday.
The peso traded stronger the whole day, opening the session at P52.60 per dollar. It went to as high as P52.575, while its intraday trough was at P52.65 versus the US currency. Dollars traded slid to $697.65 million from $765.15 million on Wednesday.
A foreign exchange trader said the peso traded within a tight range yesterday ahead of the policy statement of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) late Thursday.
“The peso traded in a tight range ahead of the BSP announcement. Near the close, we saw agent banks lifting the offer, so it closed near the intraday [low],” the trader said in a phone interview.
The central bank kept its benchmark rates steady during its last policy meeting for the year, ending the streak of five consecutive hikes this year.
The BSP’s key overnight borrowing rate remains at 4.75%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending and deposit rates stood at 5.25% and 4.25%, respectively.
The Monetary Board noted that latest inflation forecasts show a lower path over the policy horizon, as the recent reading shows signs of tapering price pressures.
Inflation stood at 6% in November, slower than the nine-year peak of 6.7% recorded in October and September.
BSP Assistant Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said the central bank now expects monthly inflation to go back below 4% at the end of first quarter of 2019, well within the government’s 2-4% target band.
The central bank raised rates by 175 basis points since May.
“As rates were unchanged, it would somehow put a support on the dollar-peso, so we can see a continued weakness in peso,” the trader said, noting that the movement for today will “not be that much” given that the central bank is widely expected to keep their policy rates steady.
On the other hand, another trader said the local unit sustained its strength amid less safe-haven demand for the dollar due to “improving US-China trade negotiations and weak US inflation data.”
For today, the first trader expects the peso to trade between P52.55 and P52.70, while the other gave a P52.50-P52.70 range. — K.A.N. Vidal

PSEi extends gains on US-China trade war bets

LOCAL EQUITIES extended gains on Thursday on hopes that the United States and China will resolve their trade dispute.
The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) firmed up 0.46% or 34.68 points to finish at 7,522.92, closing on a positive note for the third straight session. The broader all-shares index likewise added 0.28% or 12.78 points to 4,507.33.
“The continued optimism that the US and China may be able to find a way to resolve their trade war has had a positive effect on global equities markets including here in the PSE,” Eagle Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said in an e-mail.
“The PSEi sustained its positive momentum from yesterday and if it can keep on its path, it may end above 7,500 for the week.”
The local market has been mirroring the performance of global indices in previous weeks, closely watching the developments of the US-China trade war.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 0.64% or 157.03 points to 24,527.27. The S&P 500 index rose 0.54% or 14.29 points to 2,651.07, while the Nasdaq Composite index also rallied 0.95% or 66.48 points to 7,098.31.
Meanwhile, Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis A. Limlingan noted that investors were also awaiting the result of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) last policy meeting for the year.
“Investors are also betting on the outcome of the BSP wherein more are inclined that our central bank will apply the brakes this time with respect to interest rates,” Mr. Limlingan said in a mobile message.
The central bank kept its benchmark rates steady during its last policy meeting for the year, ending the streak of five consecutive hikes this year.
The BSP’s key overnight borrowing rate remains at 4.75%. Meanwhile, the overnight lending and deposit rates stood at 5.25% and 4.25%, respectively.
“Our view is that headline inflation has peaked and should continue to decelerate due to favorable base effects, legislated measures that aim to resolve food supply shortage issues, the suspension of fuel tax hikes, and lower global energy prices,” Mr. Limlingan explained.
Four sectoral indices climbed, led by financials which jumped 1.27% or 22.52 points to 1,788.11. Services followed with a 1.06% uptick or 14.87 points to 1,412.36. Holding firms rose 0.53% or 39.84 points to 7,444.88, while industrials went up 0.34% or 37.15 points to 10,876.94.
In contrast, the mining and oil counter lost 0.86% or 72.58 points to 8,280.58, while property shed 0.38% or 13.94 points to 3,648.62.
Turnover was halved to P6.09 billion from the previous session’s P11.90 billion, with 2.70 billion issues switching hands
Advancers outnumbered decliners, 109 to 80, while 46 names were unchanged.
Foreign investors turned buyers, booking net purchases of P324.84 million against Wednesday’s P984.70 million worth of net sales. — Arra B. Francia

Aces, Hotshots brace for another fierce encounter

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THEIR best-of-seven Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup finals series now levelled at two games apiece, the Alaska Aces and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok brace for another intense encounter when they collide in Game Five today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Back to square one after the Aces pulled even in the series with a 90-76 victory in a highly emotional and rough Game Four on Wednesday, the two teams now buckle down in trying to notch the key victory that would put them just a win away from the title of the season-ending PBA tournament.
Game Four was so physical that Alaska coach Alex Compton could not help but vent out his dismay and concern over the roughness in the series going overboard after seeing some of his players sprawled on the court hurt in various instances.
“Somebody punched [import] Mike [Harris] in the testicles and somebody hit Chris Banchero on the male part. Those are literally low blows and I’m not happy about it,” said a fuming mad Compton at the postgame press conference following Game Four.
“At what point will the referees make the calls. I hope it would be in the next game so we can start playing real basketball,” added Mr. Compton.
For his counterpart at Magnolia, Chito Victolero, the issue on physicality is being overblown by their opponents and highlighted that the two teams are just playing hard.
“The players are just playing hard. I don’t see anything wrong with that. We just have to stay tough,” said Mr. Victolero, who saw his team lose the 2-0 cushion it had in the finals after back-to-back losses.
“Let the referees decide the calls. As coaches it’s not our duty to make them,” added the Magnolia coach, whose import Romeo Travis left the game momentarily in the third period in the last game after absorbing a cut on the bridge of his nose.
In Game Four, Alaska showed grit and determination anew to hang on for the win.
Magnolia had early control of the contest only for Alaska to pick it up as the match progressed and never let up thereafter despite serious headways made by the Hotshots.
Mr. Harris, the best import awardee, led the Aces with 34 points and 22 rebounds while Mr. Banchero added 17 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Hotshots, meanwhile, was led by Mr. Travis with 29 points and 13 boards with Paul Lee, the best player of the conference, finishing with 14 points.
Despite losing their series lead, Mr. Victolero said they are nonetheless ready for the coming games.
“We expected a long series. We have to stay ready and positive and play as a group the rest of the way,” he said.
For Mr. Compton, with the Aces gaining momentum after back-to-back wins, they just have to stay the course.
“I’m proud of my players for keeping their composure despite the physicality. We just have to continue keeping our focus and playing our game,” he said.
Game Five of the finals is set for 7 p.m.

Petron, F2 Logistics dispute PSL All-Filipino title

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
FAMILIAR foes Petron Blaze Spikers and F2 Logistics Cargo Movers get tangle again as they dispute the 2018 Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) All-Filipino crown beginning this weekend.
A best-of-three affair, the All-Filipino finals tiff, with Game One set for Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena at 6 p.m., marks the fifth straight time that Petron and F2 Logistics are meeting in the championship of the PSL.
The two have split their four previous encounters in the finals, making the about-to-start championship joust a tiebreaker in their rivalry.
Defending champion Petron and F2 Logistics dominated the first two rounds of the tournament and continued to lord it over in the playoffs.
The Blaze Spikers completed their return to the championship by defeating the Cignal HD Spikers in straight sets in the semifinals on Tuesday, seeing no need to make use of their twice-to-beat advantage.
The Cargo Movers also did the same, eliminating the Generika-Ayala Life Savers in an exciting five-setter in their own semifinal encounter to set a rematch with Petron.
Meeting in the finals once again, both the Blaze Spikers and Cargo Movers are expecting no less than a competitive matchup with the teams seeking to get the better of the other.
“Our win over Petron depends on the hunger and willingness of my players,” said F2 Logistics head coach Ramil de Jesus in the lead-up to the finals.
“Our battle against them always goes down the wire. It won’t be easy. That’s why we will use the next few days to polish our game and prepare against them,” he added.
For Petron, the lone undefeated team to date in the ongoing tournament, it said it cannot rest and be complacent, especially against a team like F2 Logistics.
“They’re on a roll. We have to do our homework and prepare for them because it’s really hard to stop a squad that is reaching its peak. The finals will be anybody’s ball game,” said Blaze Spikers coach Shaq Delos Santos.
In their lone encounter in the preliminary round of the tournament, Petron topped F2 Logistics in four sets, 22-25, 25-16, 25-16 and 25-20.
Bannering the Blaze Spikers in their repeat bid are Mika Reyes, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Rhea Dimaculangan, Ces Molina, Bernadeth Pons, Remy Palma and Sisi Rondina, among others, while the Cargo Movers will be relying on the likes of Cha Behag, Aby Marano, Kim Kianna Dy, Kim Fajardo, Ara Galang, Majoy Baron, and Dawn Macandili.
In last year’s finals, Petron swept F2 Logistics in their best-of-three finals with Ms. Maizo-Pontillas winning most valuable player in the championship.

Allianz Conquer Challenge:Promoting growth and social inclusion through OCR

COMMITTED to promoting personal growth and development as well as social inclusion, global insurer Allianz continues to find ways to get the message across through various programs and activities.
Recently Allianz held the third leg of the Allianz Conquer Challenge, this time aiming to celebrate the strength of indigenous people, particularly the Aetas of Porac, Pampanga, through the rising sport of obstacle course racing (OCR).
Held on Dec. 9 at the Clark Global City in Pampanga, the challenge saw some 20 Aetas, between 16 to 21 years old, race together with 20 Allianz employees in the pairs category.
Company officials said one of the purposes of the event was to inculcate to indigenous people the value of committing to achieving goals, which is being highlighted in OCR challenges.
“We recognize the strength of the Aetas. So, aside from educating them with the basics of personal finance through our financial literacy program, we would like to impart to them the value of committing to achieve goals that they have to set. We want to give them a fair chance of having employment opportunities in the future,” explained Gae Martinez, chief marketing officer, Allianz PNB Life, as to their goals for their program.
Sunday’s race was a 10-kilometer race composed of 25 obstacles, which was the same trail tackled by professional racers who competed for a slot in the next Southeast Asian Games, which incidentally is set to take place here in the Philippines.
Some of the obstacles during the race were hurdles, taho (beancurd) carry, tirador (slingshot), spider web, monkey bars, wall of tire, slip wall and commando climb, among others. Those who incurred penalties for not being able to perform an obstacle had to carry a 30-pound sand bag.
“OCR is an up-and-coming sport. It is gaining popularity in the Philippines. Allianz as a company uses sports to connect with communities. The Aetas from Villa Maria is one of the communities that Allianz here in the Philippines has chosen to support. This is, in line with our advocacy to promote social inclusion, one of the pillars of our company’s Corporate Citizenship Strategy,” Ms. Martinez said.
And this push of the company was seemingly not lost to the indigenous people who participated in the event, viewing it as something to take cue from for them to pursue their dreams and improve themselves.
“They carry sand bags here. In the mountains, we carry 50 kilos of kamote (sweet potato) or ube (purple yam) that we bring to the lowlands. If we sell, our families will have money to spend. By joining the race, I can tell people that I have a dream, too. I want to work in IT (information technology). I hope I can continue after I graduate,” said Reyna Baclay, who at age 18 is still a grade nine student, in the vernacular after completing the race.
Holding another successful staging of the Allianz Conquer Challenge, Ms. Martinez said they are all the more determined to see their cause through and going.
“Allianz is here to provide the courage to move forward, the courage to overcome life’s obstacles, for them to have better life,” Ms. Martinez said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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