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PCA looking for suitable public land to expand coconut planting

THE Philippine Coconut Authority said it is seeking suitable public land for the expanded planting of coconut trees.

“What we want (is) an inventory of public land where we can plant coconut… (and set up) a registry of coconut trees,” Gonzalo T. Duque, PCA administrator, told reporters.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) noted that coconut production in the first quarter of the year was slightly up 0.2% to 3.31 million metric tons (MT), year-on-year.

The top coconut producer was Davao Region, which contributed 14.4% to total production. It is followed by Zamboanga Peninsula (13.6%), and Northern Mindanao (12.9%).

“We need virgin coconut plants. We have been looking at the Visayas and Mindanao, and forgetting about Luzon… In three or six years, there will be enough trees,” he said.

Expanded coconut production, he said, might allow the country to take advantage of a European Union ban on palm oil use in biofuels, citing the deforestation caused by palm oil plantations.

The Philippines currently has an oversupply of palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia, which has adversely affected the coconut industry.

The Department of Agriculture estimates that exports of palm oil to the Philippines by Indonesia and Malaysia have increased by 100% over the last three years.

Mr. Duque said the PCA will push for intercropping coffee and cacao in coconut farms, as well as raising livestock to raise farmer incomes.

“I think many farmers will convert to planting coconut trees given the right incentives. While waiting for their coconuts to bear fruits, they can have some other plants… so that they may earn every season,” he said.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar and Senator Cynthia A. Villar have backed intercropping.

Ms. Villar said coffee and cacao have the potential for raising farmers’ incomes by about $200 per month.

Mr. Dar said that he hopes to involve the private sector more with farmers, so both could work together in growing the coconut industry. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

DoLE’s SoT bill draft still awaiting input from economic team

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it is still consulting economic managers and the business sector on its draft security of tenure (SoT) bill, further delaying its scheduled submission to Congress this month.

Assistant Labor Secretary Benjo Santos M. Benavidez told BusinessWorld Tuesday that DoLE still needs to send its draft to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and Department of Finance (DoF) for comment. He noted that the economic team’s input is vital if the new measure is to avoid being vetoed like the previous SoT bill.

“We have yet to get inputs from other government agencies: NEDA, DTI, and DoF,” he said, to ensure that the government has a unified view on how to proceed with the new bill.

On July 26, President Rodrigo R. Duterte vetoed Senate Bill 1826. Creating an SoT law was a campaign promise of Mr. Duterte when he ran for president in 2016.

DoLE had submitted a letter of support for the earlier bill before the president’s veto, with DTI as a co-signatory. Also before the veto, NEDA stated that Senate Bill 1826 needs to be “tweaked” in order to allow flexibility for employers in hiring. NEDA also added that passing the bill could weaken investments. DoF backed the statement issued by NEDA.

Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva on July 29 refiled the same bill during the opening of the 18th Congress. His father, Cibac party-list Rep. Eddie C. Villanueva, filed the House version of the bill on Aug. 5.

Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III said earlier this month that Malacañang ordered DoLE to create its own version of the bill, which he hoped will be submitted to Congress by the end of August. Mr. Benavidez said it is likely submission will be pushed back to next month.

“We want to make sure the one we will submit will be one that has the support of all the executive departments,” he said. — Gillian M. Cortez

DoE tells budget hearing it is not ruling out nuclear power

The reactor inside the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant — BW FILE PHOTO

THE Energy secretary said Tuesday that his department is not ruling out the use of nuclear power “as an option,” days after his officials announced that a survey firm has been tapped to examine Filipino attitudes on the energy source.

“We are pushing for nuclear as an option,” Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi told legislators during a hearing at the House of Representatives to discuss the department’s budget.

Mr. Cusi was responding to a question on the share of coal energy in the country’s generating capacity mix, for which he has been firm in saying that the department has a “technology-neutral” policy in approving applications to build new power plants.

During the hearing, he also said that the DoE will approve new coal-fired power plant projects if needed, despite the country’s pledge before the international community to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 70% by 2030 relative to business-as-usual.

“If we need it, I will [approve]. If it’s not needed I won’t,” Mr. Cusi said, a response one legislator called “evasive.”

He said the country remains “poor” in energy security and accessibility, even as it leads in environmental sustainability.

“We have adopted this technology-neutral policy,” he told the panel.

He said coal still serves a purpose for the country’s baseload requirements, or the sustained 24/7 power supply. He added that emissions do not come mainly from power plants, citing the transport sector also as a contributor.

In 2018, of the country’s 21,241 megawatts of installed energy capacity, coal power plants accounted for 39%, followed by renewable energy with 31%.

Natural gas and oil-based plants trailed with a share of 16% and 14%, respectively.

Earlier this month, Energy officials said the DoE commissioned the Social Weather Stations polling organization to conduct a perception survey on nuclear energy, the result of which will be vetted by Cabinet secretaries ahead of its presentation to the Office of the President.

“We are undergoing assessment on what to do with Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, and we have submitted our proposed national policy to the Office of the President. We are waiting for that and once it is approved, we will be able to determine what to do,” Mr. Cusi told the panel.

The DoE is proposing a 2020 budget of P2.3 billion, of which P500 million will go to the government’s total electrification program in partnership with the National Electrification Administration and National Power Corp.

“Our budgetary request will support plans and programs that will help ensure the security of our country’s energy future, increase access to energy services and technologies, further uphold consumer welfare, and facilitate the efficient implementation of new energy policies such as the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, the Murang Kuryente Act, and the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop Act,” Mr. Cusi said in his opening statement.

Of DoE’s proposed budget, P1.14 billion or almost 50% is for maintenance and other operating expenses; P521 million or 23% for capital outlays; P580 million or 25% for personal services; and P52 million or 2% for retirement and life insurance premiums. — Victor V. Saulon

Tax incentives law seen bringing ‘rapid’ FDI growth

THE SECOND PACKAGE of the tax reform program will lift uncertainty over incentives and reverse the slump in foreign direct investment (FDI), a bank economist said Tuesday.

“Very crucial is the TRABAHO bill because the problem with being left in dark about what the final incentives or absence of incentives is going to look like,” Bank of the Philippine Islands lead economist Emilio S. Neri, Jr. said during an economic forum in Manila Tuesday.

He was referring to the name of one of the tax reform bills — Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-Quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) — that did not pass the previous Congress. It was refiled this year under a new name, the proposed Comprehensive Income Tax and Incentive Rationalization (CITIRA) act.

The bill seeks to eventually reduce the corporate tax rate to 20% from 30% currently and introduce changes to the incentives regime.

“The sooner the bill is passed into law, I think, the less uncertainty about foreign investment in the Philippines. It’s also good for the tax effort…,” BPI’s Mr. Neri said.

“If that is put in place, the FDI in the Philippines will start growing at a rapid pace.

FDI net inflows in May was the smallest in more than four years, dropping 85.1% to $242 million from $1.625 billion a year earlier.

In the year to date, FDI net inflows amounted to $3.145 billion, down 37.1% from a year earlier. The indicator is coming off a record $10.256 billion in 2017, which fell off by 4.4% last year.

The central bank projects net FDI to hit about $10.2 billion this year.

“As far as the country is concerned, we just need to open up the economy. We have too many restrictions,” Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said at the same forum.

As the foreign investors wait for the passage of the bill, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Bejamin E. Diokno said he is confident that the bill will become a law before the year ends.

“Foreign investors will always be wait-and-see… because of the TRABAHO bill… Once we get this approved I’m sure foreign investment will be coming in. Incentives really don’t matter. They are looking at profitability. Incentives come and go except in our case, incentives are perpetual,” he said.

“I’m confident that that bill will be resolved before the end of the year. The window of opportunity is six months to one year,” Mr. Diokno said. — Mark T. Amoguis

Leader or demagogue

Because of his populist approach to governance, it is possible for Rodrigo Roa Duterte to leave some beneficial legacies out of his presidency. Perhaps poverty incidence will decline somewhat, universal health insurance may almost be attained, thanks partially to legislative initiatives by the opposition, which, by the grace of God, he signed into law, and of course, a decline in crime rates resulting from his brutal “war on drugs.”

The recent appointment of renowned agricultural scientist William Dar as Agriculture Secretary bodes well for reducing poverty incidence which is largely found in rural agricultural areas. So far, his policy statements are making sense. Let us hope he makes significant progress in the next three years.

The decline in the crime rate has strong appeal to the socio-economic class D, those who have surpassed survival needs, but are more concerned with safety and security in their work, and in their communities, based on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, on which I wrote recently.

Last time I checked, which was a few years ago, the D class comprises 70% of Filipino voters, which translates into “as the D votes, so goes the election.” The E class, or those concerned with survival needs such as food, water, air, shelter, etc. accounted then for almost 15% of voters. This means that the upper and middle socio-economic classes, or the ABs, and Cs, make up only 1/7th of total voting population. This explains the mystery of why our demagogue president continues to get 80% or more approval ratings in national surveys of the voting age population.

Why, therefore do I and many of my friends continue to fret, nay, express dismay, even grief over the kind of national leadership we have today?

Let me attempt my own explanation. Our Western-style, modern Christian education has made us embrace ideals such as right versus wrong, the rule of law and not of men, leadership that appeals to the better in us, the long-term welfare of the community and the nation, integrity and consistency in policy direction and decisions. These are characteristics of what we can term as civilized, rather than primitive societies.

It seems patently clear to me that the demagoguery of Rodrigo Duterte is leading us backwards into a more primitive society, from the progress we had been making, albeit slow, toward a civilized one. My Google search defines a demagogue as “a political leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than using rational argument.” Or one who “rhetorically exploits an issue for political purposes in a way calculated to appeal to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people”.

By this definition, we can conclude that panderer is indeed a successful demagogue because he accomplishes his political objectives, even if he may not have thought it through carefully. He may just be using his gut political instincts which he honed over decades as the tough mayor of Davao City.

A civilized society, however, which many of us desire and hope for, and which some continue to work for, is one that edifies, rather than panders to the basic wants and needs of people. It chooses leaders who inspire them to be their better selves.

Those among us who want to work toward a more civilized and humane society would do well to understand the mindset of the large majority of those who decide who should lead our country.

First, of course, we need to help provide and support initiatives for raising our people above the basic survival and safety needs: enable them to rise above their basic needs, through better access to education, jobs and broadened opportunities to help themselves,

Second, review our systems for choosing our leaders. Perhaps the American-style electoral democracy is not the right method. As the successful leader Mahathir of Malaysia, which has almost zero poverty incidence, has publicly stated, Western-style democracy is not appropriate for us Asians.

Many successful nations provide for indirect elections. Ordinary voters choose their legislators and local leaders, who in turn, select the leaders from amongst themselves: Singapore, Japan, Canada, Australia, and many of the erstwhile UK Commonwealth, which has a highly professionalized civil service.

Their system seems to protect nations from choosing demagogues to run their country; but rather tend to select responsible, better qualified leaders who have a longer term view of where their government should take the country for the benefit of its people.

The rule of law based on a ratified Constitution, with an independent judiciary, civil service, and legislature are a must, if a nation is to join the world of civilized nations.

Our demagogic leadership, if you can call it that, is rapidly moving toward a rule of men rather than of law, and has repeatedly violated the Constitution, including the deliberate failure to protect our sovereignty and territories. Over the long-term, if the trend is not arrested, this can cause the Philippines to deteriorate into an almost barbarian nation. What can the leaders in our business community do to prevent this developing disaster?

 

Teresa S. Abesamis was a professor at the Asian Institute of Management and a Fellow at the Development Academy of the Philippines.

tsabesamis0114@yahoo.com

Names with attitudes

Pronounced a certain way, Doctor Drai does not seem too different from Dr. Dre. However, trademark laws see (or hear) otherwise.

In the case of Andre Young v. Draion M. Burch, DO, gynecologist Dr. Draion M. Burch sought to register the “Doctor Drai” mark for obstetric and gynecology services, among other things. Upon learning of this application, musician Andre Romelle Young, a.k.a. “Dr. Dre” of N.W.A. and Beats-manufacturing fame, opposed the application, arguing that Burch’s mark would confuse consumers and falsely suggest a connection with Dr. Dre’s “Dr. Dre” mark.

The US Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO) found that while there were indeed similarities between the two marks, the corresponding services associated with the “Doctor Drai” and “Dr. Dre” marks were widely different: “Dr. Dre” is used in musical sound recordings, while “Doctor Drai” is used in “motivational speaking services in the field of osteopathic medicine, obstetrics and gynecology.” Moreover, the USPTO found that Burch did not intend to profit from Dr. Dre, having applied for the registration because “Doctor Drai” is his name and is used in all his books and speaking engagements on women’s and transgender’s health topics. The USPTO further cited that Burch would never want to be associated with Dr. Dre, because, according to Burch, “being an OB-GYN, I cannot be associated with anyone that has any kind of misogynistic speech because it’s a bad reflection on me as a doctor.”

So why so much fuss over a name? In this case, names were used as trademarks. Trademarks are words, phrases, or symbols used to identify the source of goods and/or distinguish them from others. A trademark, once registered, is afforded protection under the law, and grants trademark owners the right to exclude others from using the same or identically similar marks on the same or similar products or services.

In the US, celebrities secure the use of their names over goods and services by applying for trademark registration. In 2017, pop icon Kylie Minogue was involved in a legal tussle with Kim-Karsdashian-kin Kylie Jenner over the use of “Kylie.” This year, Beyoncé and her husband are involved in trademark proceedings over their application for trademark registration of their daughter Blue Ivy’s name.

This may very well provide an insight into Dr. Dre’s insistence in securing his name against that of Burch. In his opposition against the “Doctor Drai” mark, Dr. Dre argued that “consumers would consider the goods and services of Applicant as licensed products and services of Opposer since the names and likenesses of well-known persons frequently are licensed for use on various goods and services.” In a way, there was an attempt to prevent the Dr. Dre mark from being confused with an allegedly similar mark which, in turn, may cause Dr. Dre’s brand and persona to be associated with services outside his “representing all the gangstas all across the world” branding.

REUTERS, WIKIPEDIA AND DRDRAI.COM

William McGeveran, who authored the article “Selfmarks” in the Houston Law Review, views the growing number of applications for trademark registrations of celebrity names and identity as an offshoot of the trend where celebrities’ reputations become the products themselves. Similar to product names protected by trademark registrations, the names of the celebrities “represent a particular source in the mind of the public, albeit one associated with a well-known persona instead of with more traditional goods or services.” To secure trademark registrations over celebrity names then, is to secure the reputation and branding of the celebrity against unauthorized use of the same for goods and services, which may consequently bring detriment to carefully curated personas.

Under the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines, the name of a living person may be registered as a trademark only if the person consents to the same. Celebrities such as Sharon Cuneta, Manny Pacquiao, and Noli de Castro have secured trademark registrations over their brand. Compared to trademark registrations in other jurisdictions, Philippine celebrity trademark registrations, or “selfmarks,” are considerably scant.

The reluctance of celebrities to register their names or selfmarks may be attributable to several factors. In an interview with Vox, Madhavi Sunder, a professor at the Georgetown University Law Center, surmised that this reluctance may be grounded on the celebrity’s relationship with his or her fans. While some celebrities prefer complete control over their brand, other celebrities consider the fact that fans use celebrities’ names on merchandise, and would rather preserve fans’ adoration than turning them away by suing them.

However, those who do choose to register their names and brands as trademarks, while afforded privileges such as the right to exclude others in the use of the mark, are also required to be vigilant over its protection. The mark has to be used in commerce to maintain its registration, and recurrent registration requirements must be consistently and timely filed with the Intellectual Property Office, lest the trademark be removed from the Trademark Register for failure to submit the same. Most of the very few Philippine celebrity marks have been removed from the register for non-use. Further, whenever the registrant seeks to oppose an application for registration of a confusingly similar mark, the burden is on the registrant to prove such confusing similarity. Otherwise, as the Dr. Dre case has illustrated, the allegedly confusingly similar mark may be allowed for registration.

This article is for general information and educational purposes only.

 

Elena Liliosa Q. Escober is an Associate of the Intellectual Property Department of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW).

eqescober@accralaw.com

830-0000

Espiya kontra espiya

In the mid-1950s, I wrote and directed a movie with this title, Espiya Kontra Espiya meaning Spy vs. Spy. It starred Divina Valencia and Nestor de Villa. Who would ever have thought that I would have occasion to use it for a newspaper column?

But the times are a-changing. President Rodrigo Duterte has stated publicly what diplomats only wink at each other about but never actually admit spying. Reacting to concerns that China may have dispatched spies along with casino and construction workers that are reportedly now numbering in the thousands in the Philippines, Duterte said with characteristic kanto boy candor that it is normal for countries to engage in espionage and that China is no exception.

However, without meaning to suggest that the president doesn’t know what he is talking about, no one from a foreign country will ever admit to working for a spy agency operating in the Philippines.

While Wikipedia may tell us that China’s equivalent of the US’s Central Intelligence Agency or CIA is the Ministry of State Security or MSS, the Chinese embassy has vehemently denied its presence in the Philippines.

The Chinese ambassador has dismissed any suggestion that there are MSS operatives spying on the Philippine government. According to him, MSS means Mami Siopao Siomai and the suspected spies are nothing more than vendors of the Chinese delicacies.

Even the original Chinese name of the intelligence ministry, Zhónghuá Renmín Gònghéguó Guójia Anquán Bù has “nothing to do with espionage,” the embassy insists, and if you really want to know the meaning of the term, you will have learn Mandarin first at your own expense — so it’s really easier to just accept the Mami Siopao Siomai explanation.

Similarly, the Americans will not admit that its notorious espionage office, the Central Intelligence Agency, has any kind of covert presence in the Philippines. They’ll tell you that those guys hanging around at the US embassy are connected with the Community Interaction Associates or CIA for short, and its principal function is interacting with the Filipino community — well, what else?

Even that suspicious-looking Russian office reportedly staffed by Kremlin komrads is really nothing more than a community support system known as the Katipunan ng Gabay ng Bayanihan or KGB for short.

And the sinister looking James Bond-type agency holding office at the British embassy, which is rumored to be an element of the Secret Intelligence Service also referred to, in hushed tones, as MI6, is really the Society of Internet Specialists, which was founded by 16 social media masters also known as M16.

I happened to meet these guys at a cocktail party hosted by a Makati socialite at the posh Manila Polo Club (foreign embassy staffers frequently rub elbows with high society in the Philippines — a perk their salaries can’t pay for in their home countries). Among the guests were folks who were introduced as members of the MSS, the CIA, the KGB and the MI6.

I also met someone from the NICA. I thought that it stood for National Improvement of Communities Authority but, no — the pot-bellied fellow who introduced himself as the head of the agency said that his office was the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, and he elucidated, “We are the principal counter espionage arm of the Philippine government.”

“Just call me James,” he said. “James Bond.”

I would learn later that his real name was Jaime Bondat, but it is the fashion in Manila to glamourize one’s name, e.g., Esteban becomes Steve, Rustico becomes Rusty, and Tecla becomes Tex.

The NICA chief was not subtle at all. He even thought he was being clever when he quipped, “Just call me Agent 0210.”

I thought that was vulgar but I’ve been told that the Duterte administration has made vulgarity fashionable. Members of the cabinet and of Congress usually greet each cheerfully, “How are you, ’tang ’na mo!”

The appropriate response is supposed to be, “’Tang ’na mo rin!” or “Bog!”

At any rate, the conversation among the MSS, CIA, KGB, MI6, and NICA guys was pretty civil and bland (“How’s the weather in Moscow?” and “Is it true that Trump and Putin have a secret love affair?”) when along came presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Panelo loudly greeted the MSS man with a slap on the chest, “Where have you been conducting your covert operations lately?”

The MSS man was flustered and managed to mumble, “Ako benta lamang mami siopao siomai.”

But Panelo wouldn’t have any of that. “Come on now, don’t be shy about your real mission in the Philippines. President Duterte says it’s okay to spy on us. In fact, we are sending Col. Bondat here to Beijing as an OFW to also spy on you.”

And then Panelo winked at the CIA guy and added, “With a little help from our friends, of course.”

Without missing a beat, the fellow from the US embassy added, “Oh yes, the Community Interaction Associates or CIA for short has been helping Chinese farmers learn the essentials of freedom and democracy… uh, I mean, the techniques of farming and poultry raising.”

The MSS man was not amused. He snapped at the CIA guy: “Don’t tell me your people are also teaching farming and poultry raising in Hong Kong!”

Panelo, being his usual frank, honest and truthful self, cut in, “Have you read the latest news in the papers? It’s only natural for countries to spy on each other, according to our president. In fact, in the Philippines you don’t need to spy. The NICA will gladly give you a full intelligence briefing. And if you attend the Senate and House committee hearings, you will learn all our dirty secrets as well as our dirty linen.”

And Panelo added as he walked away to hobnob with Manila’s high society, “So just go ahead guys… spy na more.”

As Panelo left them, there were worried looks on the faces of the MSS, CIA, and MI6 guys. Said the MI6 fellow, “If the business of spying is so open in the Philippines, what will happen to covert undercover specialists like us?”

“That could make us useless,” said the CIA guy and he spoke the dreaded words, “We could be sent home!!!!”

“Noooooo!!!” exclaimed the MI6 man. “Home to our tight and tiny flats in London???? No more Forbes Park homes and plush BGC condos????”

“And no more cocktails at the Manila Polo Club???” The CIA man added a more dreaded possibility: “And no more maids and drivers? That means I go back to washing the dishes and doing the laundry??? My wife will divorce me if they send me back to Washington, DC!!!”

Only the MSS and KGB guys didn’t look worried about being sent back to Beijing or the Kremlin.

“The Philippines, she is home to us,” said the MSS guy and, in a moment of indiscretion, he went on, “We are making the Philippines a province of China.”

Realizing his indiscretion, the MSS man tried to correct himself. “I mean, kami gawa lamang mami siopao siomai.”

The KGB man did not look worried either. “We Russians are welcome in the Philippines. President Duterte knows that we of KGB are friends of the Filipino people.”

And he quipped, “In fact, everytime President Duterte speaks, he fondly says the name of our great leader. Putin ’na mo!”

 

Greg B. Macabenta is an advertising and communications man shuttling between San Francisco and Manila and providing unique insights on issues from both perspectives.

gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

An integrated recycling industry for sustainability

Cleaning up Manila Bay has been a decades-long task for government. Although the launch of the rehabilitation plan seven months ago was nothing new given annual coastal clean-up activities, there needed to be a renewed genuine commitment and tangible results addressing the plastic waste problem. Looking past the hype, it could not have come at a more opportune time as the Philippines has been labeled as the third top source of ocean plastic waste.

One of the programs being implemented, which I thought was rather underrated, was the Adopt-an-Estero program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). This is a collaborative program between the concerned estero (canal) community, the local government unit, other agencies, and a donor partner, and aims to complement the Manila Bay clean-up by cleaning the waterways that empty into it. Since then, big companies have partnered with the DENR to rehabilitate the most polluted rivers in Metro Manila.

What this underscores is that while government has an immense responsibility of seeing this plan through, it acknowledges that it cannot do everything on its own. This is a significant chance to integrate sustainability and governance through empowering communities, enforcing environmental regulations, and engaging private partners.

After all, cleaning up waste in Manila Bay and overall plastic waste leakage does not end with just garbage collection. It is about better product designs, responsible consumer consumption, and how waste is properly diverted and disposed of — adopting a circular approach to waste and strengthening every step of the process. Recycling is an essential part of an efficient waste management system. While a linear economy of waste is anchored on use-once-and-dispose-after, recycling in a circular economy approach is a process wherein not all waste ends up being discarded in landfills but rather processed into something new, and reintroduced into the value chain. Given efficient waste management systems, responsive and clear policy direction, and regulated consumer behavior, recycling has the potential to turn plastic waste from a heaping problem to a mountain of opportunity.

In the Philippines, recycling is largely dependent on the monetary value of recyclable materials which makes it an attractive source of income for waste collectors and recycling centers. In fact, plastic materials have among the highest values among recyclable waste. However, existing plastic recycling centers only process a small amount of recyclable plastic materials, with the majority of discarded plastic waste either landing in landfills or in the ocean.

Effectively, what makes recycling a commercially attractive waste treatment practice is the existing stream of recyclable materials, and a formal and informal workforce that can be integrated in the waste management system. It can generate income and livelihood opportunities for communities, and formal and informal waste collectors alike.

An efficient recycling industry also minimizes the likelihood that recyclable waste ends up in bodies of water or overstretches the capacity of our landfills. By addressing these gaps, there is now an incentive to properly segregate and collect waste, especially in areas not reached by garbage trucks, and even low-value residuals usually left behind by waste pickers. An incentivized workforce and an airtight system lead to improved quality and quantity of waste collection which in turn guarantees supply for the operations of the recycling industry.

Promoting a seamless recycling industry is a broad-based approach needing the participation of all stakeholders — households, establishments, waste-pickers, small-scale recycling centers, and LGUs. This is exemplified in public- and citizen-led programs that have been implemented through the years such as the school-based recycling program in Marikina, and the women-led organization of waste collectors in Malabon.

The Philippine Alliance for Recycling and Materials Sustainability (PARMS), in partnership with the local government, launched a residual plastic recycling facility in Parañaque. Plastic waste collected from several schools in the city is turned into eco-bricks or recycled building bricks which are also used to improve the schools’ facilities. PARMS is an alliance of major corporations and business groups in the Philippines such as Mondelez Philippines, Coca-Cola Philippines, Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Unilever, Universal Robina Corp., Nestlé Philippines, Monde Nissin Corp., and Procter & Gamble Philippines, among others.

Coca-Cola Philippines’ P1-billion state-of-the-art food-grade recycling facility is also a promising initiative, and the first in Southeast Asia. It aims to transform used recyclable PET plastic bottles back into new and useful beverage bottles. The facility will collect, sort, clean, and wash post-consumer recyclable plastic bottles and turn them into new bottles.

These examples, together with the key elements of recycling, reveal that there is economic value to recyclable plastic instead of being discarded in landfills if gaps in the solid waste management system are closed and redesigned to provide income-generating opportunities, especially for the local informal waste sector. In the short-term, it can reduce plastic waste in the waste stream which is likely to end up in the ocean. It is an industry which, if strengthened, can support better sustainability options for plastic waste reduction and avoidance.

The rehabilitation of Manila Bay may have sparked greater public awareness of the importance of addressing plastic waste pollution. But it also needs responsible consumer behavior and public-private partnership and collaboration. It aims to explore broad-based strategies in our waste management system that will create long-lasting environmental and economic impacts.

Developing vibrant, large-scale, and well-integrated recycling facilities present that opportunity. While it is only one way to improve our waste management system, revitalizing the recycling industry may just have enough pull to jumpstart the cycle.

 

Vanessa Pepino is a Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute

FIBA unveils World Cup coverage innovations

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE 2019 edition of the FIBA Basketball World Cup begins this weekend in China and it will see enhanced coverage across various platforms, the world governing body of the sport said.

Tipping off on Aug. 31 and gathering 32 of the top basketball nations in the world, the global hoops spectacle is touted to mark a momentous change in the production, coverage, presentation and multi-platform availability of the event and is to feature innovations, provided by FIBA Media, including augmented reality, referee-audio, and a broadcast SuperFeed.

In a release shared to media, FIBA said that during the live coverage fans will be able to listen to the lead referee when reviewing calls, as well as in selected moments during games of the Final Phase.

It went on to say that with 20 cameras during preliminary round games and 25 cameras from the quarterfinals onwards, the live experience will be boosted by exclusive content including interviews, slow-motion sequences, replay angles, and highlight reels, clipped and available within an hour of the game.

A daily wrap-up show featuring the very best plays from each game day will also be available within hours of the last game.

Taking the lead in the massive production is FIBA Media, with the involvement of facilities from CCTV, Tencent, Gearhouse, and Mediapro.

The newly introduced broadcast SuperFeed, meanwhile, is said to greatly enhance viewers’ experience of the World Cup. This additional live content feed available for the tournament’s broadcast partners worldwide will deliver previously not-seen content on a continuous live feed including exclusive pre-game and post-game footage, as well as behind-the-scenes access for every single game.

Additionally, the live feed will be enhanced for the Final games in Beijing, with augmented reality technology to deliver spectacular 3D graphics.

“We are set to experience 92 games of top-level basketball across China in the most anticipated sporting event of the year. This will be the biggest production and distribution operation we have ever done, allowing our partners to use tailor-made and exclusive content. Thanks to these industry-leading innovations fans throughout the world will experience the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 like never before,” said Andreas Zagklis, Secretary-General of FIBA, of the coverage the World Cup will have.

For the event, happening until Sept. 15, FIBA has partnered with over 60 media broadcasters, at least 160 countries will be provided with coverage of the event while FIBA’s Livebasketball.tv platform offers subscription-based coverage.

Fans will also be able to follow all the action on FIBA Basketball World Cup channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels.

In the Philippines, the World Cup can be seen over TV5 and ESPN5.com.

Serena proves too strong for Sharapova

NEW YORK — Serena Williams trounced old foe Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-1 in their blockbuster first-round clash at the US Open on Monday to get her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title off to a flying start.

Williams, returning to the US Open after last year’s infamous final in which her row with the chair umpire overshadowed Naomi Osaka’s maiden Grand Slam victory, used her trademark power to overwhelm Sharapova in the first New York meeting between two of the sport’s biggest names.

Eighth seed Williams showed no signs of the back spasms that forced her to retire in tears from the Toronto final two weeks ago and instead showcased some of her best on-court movement since returning from maternity leave in 2018.

“I just feel like her game really matches up well against mine,” said Williams, who improved to 20-2 in career meetings with the Russian. “I always said her ball somehow lands in my strike zone. I don’t know. It’s just perfect for me.”

The rivals, who have had a frosty relationship that dates back to 2004 when Sharapova earned her breakout win against Williams in that year’s Wimbledon final, came out firing right from the start.

Sharapova did her best to trade big shots with Williams but it quickly became apparent she simply did not have the same high gear she used to collect five Grand Slam titles.

The Russian has fallen to 87th in the rankings during an injury-hit season that included shoulder surgery in February.

Williams, dialed-in throughout the 59-minute encounter, got the first break of the match to go ahead 3-1 and that appeared to free up the six-time champion’s playing style as she did not give Sharapova any chance to wrestle away momentum.

The 37-year-old Williams, facing Sharapova for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, kept pressing and grabbed a double-break for a 5-1 lead and went on to serve out the set.

Sharapova had a glorious chance to break Williams and work her way back into the match in the fourth game of the second set but at 15-40 she let the opportunity pass her by.

The Russian sent a service return into the net on her first chance before Williams fought off the next one with a sublime backhand winner that whizzed past a charging Sharapova.

She had three more break points while trailing 4-1 but was unable to convert.

“I went through a shoulder procedure about four months ago. To find myself playing at a night match at the US Open with people excited about the matchup, it’s a pretty big deal. I’m fortunate to be a part of that,” said Sharapova.

“It’s easy to be discouraged after a match like this. But if I’m personally discouraged, I wake up tomorrow, I don’t feel like I want to go out, train, be better, that’s more discouraging than the result.”

Williams will next face Catherine McNally after the American wildcard beat Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 6-4 6-1 earlier in the day. — Reuters

Federer overcomes Nagal scare to reach second round

NEW YORK — Roger Federer gave India’s Sumit Nagal a harsh introduction to Grand Slam tennis as the five-time champion weathered an early storm for a 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 win on Monday to reach the second round of the US Open.

When the match began it was Federer who surprisingly looked intimidated under the Arthur Ashe Stadium lights as he sprayed errors all around the court but the Swiss great woke from his slumber in time to turn the match resoundingly in his favor.

“I thought I played like my beard today, I was rusty,” Federer, who was sporting a few days worth of stubble, said in his on-court interview.

“I’m going to clean it up for my next match.”

World number 190 Nagal, who has never earned a tour-level victory and only qualified for the year’s final Grand Slam last week, came out swinging and even put a rare look of incredulity on the faces of those inside third seed Federer’s box.

The 22-year-old Indian used impressive court coverage and sent heavily-spinning shots over the net during his dream start but his legs started to look more wobbly as the match wore and Federer righted the ship.

Still, the start to the match for former world number one Federer, who is chasing his first New York title since 2008, could hardly have been worse as he made 19 unforced errors in the first set.

Federer, playing in his first Grand Slam since he failed to convert two championship points on his own serve against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, was down 0-40 while serving for the match but won six of the next seven points to hold for the win.

The 38-year-old Swiss only played two hardcourt matches in his leadup to the US Open and admitted that he may have been a little rusty adjusting to the hardcourt but chose to focus on the positives.

“Maybe it’s not a bad thing to go through a match like this. It was very similar at Wimbledon when I dropped the first set there, as well, in the first round,” said Federer.

“At the end you look at the last three sets, and they were good. That’s encouraging.”

After the match Federer heaped praise on his opponent for the performance he managed to deliver on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

“Never easy to come out and play your best. Even though it’s kind of what you live for, you dream about, playing on the big stage. So I think he did that very well,” said Federer.

“He knows what he can bring. That’s why I think he’s going to have a very solid career.”

Up next for Federer, who is seeking a record-extending 21st career Grand Slam title, will be Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur, who beat Frenchman Elliot Benchetrit earlier on Monday.

Federer owns a 2-0 record in career meetings with Dzumhur, having beaten him in the third round at the 2015 French Open and in the first round at Wimbledon the same year. — Reuters

BALLOUT HOOPS Challenge set for third season

BALLOUT HOOPS Challenge, a league founded by former La Salle Greenhills and Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles basketball coach Cris Bautista, will be opening its third season on Sept. 1 in early 9:00 a.m. at the Ateneo Blue Eagle Gym in Katipunan, Loyola Heights Quezon City.

The inter-scholastic basketball tournament aims to promote and develop a grassroots basketball program for kids aged 10-and below. And there is perhaps no better person to serve as its tournament director than PBA superstar Lewis Alfred ‘LA’ Tenorio of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.

Tenorio, who has played for the Philippines in various international tournaments, is the best example on how a local can make it big in the basketball world. He is best known as one of the standout players from the San Beda high school program and was a vital cog for the Ateneo Blue Eagles in college.

“This is something I have been wanting to do for a long time,” said the PBA superstar who is giving back through basketball clinics and tournaments.

The tournament serves as a new opportunity for talented young kids who are looking for proper exposure while at the same time building new ties with fellow players representing different teams.

“We noticed that basketball players aged 10-and below have been left behind. With most leagues focusing on different and higher age groups, we feel that this tournament can set the bar and guide them to a better basketball future,” said coach Bautista.

The format of the BALLOUT Hoops Challenge tournament will follow an NBA-like format. There will be four divisions (East, West, North and South) which will have their own deputy commissioner. Each division will crown a champion which will then advance to a single-round format to determine who the grand champion.

For inquiries and additional information, Cris Bautista can be reached via e-mail or at (0917) 6480803.

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