Francisco Nemenzo’s Notes from the Philippine Underground

February 10, 2025 | 12:03 am

Fides Lim — FIDES LIM delivering a message at the launch of Francisco Nemenzo’s Notes from the Philippine Underground at the UP Vargas Museum on Feb. 8.

If there is a chapter in this book of 345 pages that you should read, let it be the first chapter, “Turning Left.”

In 1999, Dodong writes, the University of the Philippines (UP) Board of Regents interviewed him for the UP presidency position, and I quote:

“They asked me point-blank if it was true that I was a Communist. I said, ‘Yes, with a small letter ‘c,’ meaning I remain a Marxist, but I do not belong to the Communist Party of the Philippines or the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas. I had severed my ties with the PKP. If elected president, I will take no orders from any external group. The university will be my singular concern.”

This statement speaks volumes about an unabashed, unapologetic communist, with a “small c,” who was able to occupy a high national office, the only one to ever do so at that time in this benighted land of McCarthy witch-hunting, while keeping his ideals and integrity intact, pioneering programs to foster a UP renaissance as he continued his own organizational endeavors.

Dodong Nemenzo’s book on his “quest for relevance,” which led him to embrace socialism, is a fascinating read of 13 chapters, each an essay or lecture, split into three main sections — histories, political conjunctures and perspectives. But the book is greater than the sum of its parts as the author himself transcended the limits of the academic world and any single organization.

I was one of Dodong’s students in the general education courses on social and political thought during martial law. And fortunate to have done so as he made us read the classic philosophers and political thinkers from Plato to Machiavelli to Marx, and of course, Mao, whom he less revered and sharply critiqued. Mao Zedong thought was also the greatest divide which, as he admitted, caused him to diverge paths from his best friend Joe, or Joma as Jose Maria Sison is more widely known.

I once thought that Dodong had recruited Joma into the Communist Party. I was surprised to learn from both that it was the other way around. As Dodong writes, in February 1965, Joma extended an invitation to Dodong from the PKP, which elevated him afterward to the Provisional Central Committee. Also, it was Joma’s wife, Julie, who bridged Dodong and Princess with William Pomeroy and Celia Mariano, PKP officials who went into political exile in England during the time that Dodong and Princess studied there.

Let me add: In March 2024, nine months before he died, Dodong told his close comrade, Ed Tadem, that he regretted not joining Joma in the formation of the CPP. (By the way, Feb. 8, 2025, the date of the launching of Notes from the Philippine Underground, would have been Joma’s 86^th birthday, and Feb. 9 would have been Dodong’s 90^th.)

Indeed, this anthology is more than just a collection of essays on political history. To relate something I read on Cervantes’ Don Quixote, it isn’t just a book. It’s a journey into the heart of what it means to dream, to stand up for what you believe in, no matter the cost, and to see the world not as it is, but what it could be.

Yet Dodong was not simply tilting at windmills or solely fixated on his real-life Princess. Despite the ordeal of political imprisonment during martial law and trumped-up rebellion charges in 2006, he remained forever a teacher and a unifier as he mentored diverse groups, from idealistic students to disillusioned activists to disgruntled officers, and rose above differences to join national democratic forces in a broad united front against the fascist dictatorship and to work with his old friend Joma during peace negotiations.

So, here’s to the dreamers, the activists, the revolutionaries who dare to think differently and never give up to make the world a better place. Before I end, together with my husband Vic Ladlad, I want to say a heartfelt thank you to Dodong and Princess for their unwavering support for political prisoners.

Fides Lim is a writer, editor and spokesperson of Kapatid–Families of Political Prisoners, and a fellow of Action for Economic Reforms.

PHL working to address US fears about coconut oil health impact

February 10, 2025 | 12:03 am

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it may propose a joint study with the US to follow up on lingering fears about coconut products even after the withdrawal of US health warnings against coconut oil as a saturated fat.

Export Marketing Bureau Executive Director Bianca Pearl R. Sykimte said issues continue to cast doubts about coconut despite the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) removal of coconut from the list of tree nuts classified as major food allergens.

“For the US (we had) the health warnings against coconut oil as saturated fat, and for the European Union (EU) , we have the forthcoming EU regulation on mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons limits on Food,” she said via Viber.

She said the US and the Philippines vary in their approaches to gauging the health effects of coconut oil.

“It seems that American and Philippine doctors are looking at different parameters to gauge the health effects of consuming coconut oil,” she said.

To address this, she said the Philippines proposed a joint study on the health effects of consuming coconut oil.

The US is the largest export destination for Philippine coconut food-based products. It accounted for $556.29 million, or 25.68% of all exports, in the first 11 months of 2024, the Export Marketing Bureau reported.

The first 11 months’ coconut product exports were up 65% from a year earlier.

According to Ms. Sykimte, the DTI is expecting coconut exports to the US to grow further.

The removal of the FDA designation “will give both consumers and producers more confidence in using or consuming coconut or coconut-based products, especially for consumers who have nut allergies,” she said.

“We had an experience where we were promoting coconut in the US. There were a lot of inquiries, especially from producers of gluten-free and allergen-free products, but they didn’t follow through when they learned that the US FDA considers coconut a tree nut. (A joint study) will really have a commercial impact,” she added.

United Coconut Associations of the Philippines (UCAP) Executive Director Yvonne T.V. Agustin said that the US removal of the allergen tag on coconut is a positive development for the industry.

“This will positively impact our coconut food product exports. To consumers, manufacturers, and end users of coconut, this will ensure that including coconut as an ingredient in food formulations is safe and will not cause an allergy,” she said in a Viber message.

Charles R. Avila, president of the Confederation of Coconut Farmers’ Organizations of the Philippines, said that the declaration’s immediate impact on individual consumers should not be underestimated.

“So many of them have habitually assumed that avoiding coconut is another way of avoiding carcinogenic food products. This news, then, is welcome to coconut producers. It’s certainly a case of ‘better late than never,’” he said via Viber.

In the late 1980s, he said that coconut was under attack due to lobbying from vegetable oil producers.

“The truth ultimately triumphed in the US Senate, which rejected the proposed labeling law that would have universally carried the insidious caveat that coconut is bad for the heart,” he said.

“But massive propaganda against coconut, which was the exact opposite of the truth, prevailed in the minds of so many consumers,” he added.

To address this, he said that the coconut industry must find ways to advertise coconut again and to erode the carcinogenic perception of coconut.

“Otherwise, it would be tragic for consumers who otherwise could be helped in their health concerns by medicinal and healthful coconut products, and for the millions of coconut farmers and traders who otherwise would be able to sell more in the global market,” he added.

The coast is clear

February 10, 2025 | 12:03 am

VELO_PAGE2_image1 — Para swimmer Ernie Gawilan pitches in to plant mangrove saplings on Samal Island. — PHOTO FROM TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES

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Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan and Toyota show us how it’s done

I HAVE a special fondness for the first few months of every year. I love how most of us can be generally more relaxed and retrospective about the year that had just passed. In the realm of motoring, it is during this time that I like to look back and recount the efforts automotive brands have made to make a positive difference in the country.

And very fresh in my mind was the time last December that I joined Toyota Philippines and Filipino Paralympic athlete Ernie Gawilan on a trip to Samal Island in Davao, to participate in a community coastal cleanup and mangrove planting project.

As many know, Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has long been recognized not only for its automotive excellence, but also for its strong commitment to social responsibility. Through various environmental initiatives, the company continuously seeks to make meaningful impact in the communities it serves. This dedication has clearly been amplified through its ongoing campaign, “Start Your Impossible,” which empowers individuals to overcome personal challenges and start driving change even beyond the world of mobility.

The Japanese-headquartered company’s “Start Your Impossible” campaign is profoundly tied to Toyota’s partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic games, underlining the brand’s commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusivity. Hence, it is easy to see why Paralympic swimmer Ernie Gawilan is one of the faces of the Philippine “Start Your Impossible” initiatives.

As the Philippines ranks among the world’s top contributors of plastic waste thrown into the oceans, the detrimental effects on our marine ecosystems are dire — severe enough to harm biodiversity, endanger livelihoods connected to the oceans, and enough to further the impact of climate change. Having said that, Ernie Gawilan tries his best to bring further awareness about the matter to his fellow Filipinos, and TMP has been very happy to assist him in this regard.

In recognition of our country’s bad state of coastal pollution, Toyota Motor Philippines spearheaded a nationwide environmental movement with its “Start Your Impossible National Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Planting Day” held last Dec. 14. The large-scale initiative simultaneously mobilized thousands of volunteers across 33 locations in the country to collect waste from coastal areas and to plant mangrove seedlings to help rehabilitate marine ecosystems. Ernie Gawilan — being a talented man who, despite being born with congenital limb deficiencies and only one complete arm, continued on to become an amazing swimmer — happily led the contingent that conducted the cleanup on the shores of Samal Island, which is the place where he first learned to swim.

Gawilan has defied the odds to become one of Southeast Asia’s most accomplished Paralympic athletes. He made history by winning the first-ever gold medal for the Philippines at the Asian Para Games and has continued to shine in various international competitions, proving that perseverance and passion can break barriers. He has long been a strong and powerful advocate for cleaner waters in the Philippines.

For Gawilan, this environmental initiative holds a deeply personal significance. The waters of Samal Island played a vital role in shaping his journey as an athlete, and he sees this campaign as an opportunity to give back to the place that nurtured his dreams.

“I hope I have inspired many people. Let us all work together to preserve our environment, especially the ocean… because this is where I started,” he shared during the coastal cleanup event. His presence served as a powerful reminder that protecting our oceans is not just about preserving nature, but also about sustaining the communities that rely on it.

The “Start Your Impossible National Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Planting Day” was a resounding success, with 1,302 volunteers from Toyota Motor Philippines and its dealer network joining forces with local government units and environmental offices. Together, we collected 789 bags of various kinds of waste and debris from the country’s coastlines and planted 10,354 mangrove seedlings to help restore coastal health. Toyota’s all-new Tamaraw was also there to deliver the mangrove seedlings!

TMP Vice-President for Network Sales and Systems Cluster Elijah Sue Marcial acknowledged Gawilan’s inspiring role, stating that “Ernie is a dual hero — we have also been working alongside him in championing cleaner waters through various cleanup and planting projects. This advocacy was chosen personally by Ernie as a way to give back to the communities that supported him toward his dreams.”

Toyota has once again demonstrated how corporate responsibility can extend beyond business and create meaningful societal change. As the company continues its “Start Your Impossible” campaign, it sets an example for other corporations to step up and take part in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

For me, the best part of this is that the success of the “Start Your Impossible National Coastal Cleanup and Mangrove Planting Day” highlighted the power of collective action, inspired by someone truly exceptional. With the help of Toyota’s leadership, the dedication of its volunteers, and the advocacy of Ernie Gawilan, the event not only made a tangible difference in cleaning up the country’s shores, but also strengthened the movement for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for the Philippines.

Christian Siriano looks to sleek autos at New York Fashion Week

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

DESIGNER Christian Siriano looked to the automotive world for his Fall/Winter collection at New York Fashion Week, presenting plenty of metallics for both women and men.

Models dressed in shiny jackets and trousers, sleek dresses and voluminous gowns walked down an all-red catwalk with a parked Toyota nearby. Designs nodded to cars with some details appearing as paint slicks, oil slicks as well as tire tracks. Mr. Siriano used plenty of red as well as blue, black and bronze.

“(The collection) was… inspired by a… connection between sexy… automotive design and clothing. So the red… symbolizes for me that iconic red car, that iconic red dress on a red carpet and how those… go together,” Mr. Siriano said backstage.

Mr. Siriano’s show on Thursday took place on the first day of New York Fashion Week, where some 60 labels, including Michael Kors, Carolina Herrera and LaQuan Smith will present their creations. The event runs until February 11.

New York is the first leg of the autumn-winter 2025/2026 catwalk calendar, with buyers and editors then heading to London, Milan and finally Paris to see designers present their latest lines. — Reuters

Is there still hope?

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

• In the sphere of morality, we sense widespread confusion, indifference, apathy and helplessness because of murderous attacks against life, particularly against innocent ones. The culture of impunity, self-entitlement and loss of sense of sin is alarming.

• In ecology, we are constantly traumatized by the effects of disasters and tragedies due to climate emergencies, worsened by substandard and underfunded structures. Private interests are protected over the common good and the welfare of the marginalized, including indigenous peoples and poor communities.

• In the area of economy, increasing poverty, manifested by the rise of unemployment and prices of commodities and services, leads to a situation where the rich become richer, the poor become poorer and the powerful become more powerful.

• In the political realm, the scandalous misuse of public funds and resources; the questionable insertions, cuts, and adjustments in the national budget; and anti-poverty programs that promote a culture of patronage and mendicancy are truly disturbing. As the elections draw near, we see how platforms of popularity, dynasty and patronage are again exploited, making politics into a family business.

• In the area of security and international concerns, we witness how our sovereignty and national security are constantly threatened.

• In the field of communications, falsehood, misinformation and disinformation are weaponized against the truth.

• In the area of governance, we wonder whether there are still checks and balances.

May pag-asa pa nga ba? (Is there still hope?)

It might be the frenzied cacophony of voices of many Filipinos nowadays, some angry, some perplexed and incredulous, some crying out in pain in anxieties for what and where the country seems to be recklessly careening towards in the dark future.

The crescendo of protests peaked in two rallies held on Friday, Jan. 31 at the EDSA People Power Revolution monument, along White Plains Avenue in Quezon City. “Among the groups that participated in the rally were Akbayan, Magdalo, Tindig Pilipinas and the family of victims in the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war. Most of them wore white shirts and carried placards and banners calling to oust the Vice President over alleged misuse of confidential funds — an allegation Duterte previously denied,” ABS-CBN News reported that day.

The morning’s program featured a mass, followed by statements from impeachment complainants, sectoral leaders and cultural presentations. Organizers estimated about 10,000 attending the rally. (But police estimate was lower, at about 4,000 attendees as of 11 a.m.). Another rally at the same EDSA shrine started at 2 p.m., echoing the same call for the impeachment of Vice-President Sara Duterte, while also criticizing the 2025 national budget. It was led by the Clergy and Citizens for Good Governance, the news networks reported.

Yes, the Catholic clergy is now more openly involved in protests against the government and has made more direct calls to action by the people. Priests and nuns have been participating in rallies. The litany of sins and omissions of the state and political leaders above, and the confluence of economic and socioeconomic challenges, was recited by Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” S. Cardinal David, bishop of Caloocan and president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), in a pastoral letter to the faithful, read by parish priests in homilies at Sunday Mass on Feb. 2, the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Jesus in the Temple.

Is it “hoping against hope?” (c.f. Romans 4:18), Cardinal Ambo asks. “‘Abandon hope all ye who enter here…’ are the haunting words written at the entrance of the descent into hell in Dante Alighieri’s L’inferno… but what Dante was writing about in the context of his time’s political turmoil and moral decay can mirror today’s Filipino people wrestling with hopelessness, striving to find hope amidst adversities,” Cardinal Ambo laments.

“We, your spiritual leaders, share the pain brought about by these wounds of affliction. We, too, feel the deep disturbance and seeming paralysis that plague many who are dragged into the pit of hopelessness. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, together we hold precious, the gift of hope sparked by the Holy Spirit. This hope is not simply optimism or a positive feeling. These are glimpses of the gift of hope that comes from the Holy Spirit urging us to act,” he adds.

“We call upon all leaders, as we fervently remind ourselves, to breathe the spirit of sincerity of God-directed service, breathe transparency and accountability. We call upon our young people, to share your single feather to become your wings for a better world. Stand up for change and responsible leadership for the present and future of our country. We call upon our dear faithful, in government, in business, in public or religious communities, to harness a tempest of change by a sincere witness to our Christian values and fidelity to conscience. May we safeguard our dignity and our future by not selling them to the highest bidder.”

Cardinal Ambo’s pastoral letter May Pag-asa pa nga ba? (Is there still Hope?) is written in the awareness of the Jubilee Year of Hope, 2025, formally opened on Dec. 29, 2024, as declared by Pope Francis in his bull of indiction, Spes Non Confundit (Hope does not disappoint), issued on May 9, 2024 in Rome.

Spes Non Confundit was written in the raging tempests of May 2024. On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine in a major escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian war, which started in 2014. The invasion, the largest and deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II, has caused hundreds of thousands of military casualties on both sides, and tens of thousands of Ukrainian civilian casualties. The Gaza war has been fought between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel since Oct. 7, 2023. The fifth war since 2008 in the Gaza–Israel conflict, it is the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur war in 1973, and sparked an ongoing Middle Eastern crisis. The first day of the war was the deadliest for Israel, and it is the deadliest war for Palestinians in the history of the conflict.

The two major wars are still devastating the warring peoples and threatening world peace. “The first sign of hope should be the desire for peace in our world, which once more finds itself immersed in the tragedy of war. Heedless of the horrors of the past, humanity is confronting yet another ordeal, as many peoples are prey to brutality and violence. What does the future hold for those peoples, who have already endured so much? How is it possible that their desperate plea for help is not motivating world leaders to resolve the numerous regional conflicts in view of their possible consequences at the global level? Is it too much to dream that arms can fall silent and cease to rain down destruction and death? The need for peace challenges us all and demands that concrete steps be taken. May diplomacy be tireless in its commitment to seek, with courage and creativity, every opportunity to undertake negotiations aimed at a lasting peace,” Pope Francis prays.

Pope Francis said “uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt… (people) are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope.”

“We, too, feel the deep disturbance and seeming paralysis that plague many who are dragged into the pit of hopelessness. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, together we hold precious, the gift of hope sparked by the Holy Spirit. This hope is not simply optimism or a positive feeling. These are glimpses of the gift of hope that comes from the Holy Spirit urging us to act, Cardinal Ambo says of our dire situation in the Philippines:

• We see sparks of hope in principle-driven leaders who champion good governance.

• We see sparks of hope in the idealism of young people and responsible citizens who do not sell their idealism and patriotism.

• We see sparks of hope in the spontaneous collaboration among NGOs, civic and religious organizations with the government in times of disasters and calamities.

• We see sparks of hope in local initiatives and efforts to empower communities for change.

• We see sparks of hope in public, religious, uniformed and civic leaders, and ordinary laborers committed to sincere service even without recognition or reward.

• We see sparks of hope in responsible business practices that seek to protect the environment and serve the needy.

• We see sparks of hope in those who stake their reputation, even their lives, to fight corruption and pursue justice.

• We see sparks of hope in the Filipino spirit of resiliency, and in those who dedicate themselves to genuine service despite being overwhelmed by their own need.

We sense a strong surge of hope, above all, in the feeling of uneasiness and disturbance — symptoms of an inner affliction, prodding us that something is wrong, yet at the same time urging us that something can and must be done within, among ourselves, and our institutions…through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

May pag-asa pa ang Pilipinas (There’s still hope for the Philippines).

Amelia H. C. Ylagan is a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of the Philippines.

ahcylagan@yahoo.com

Kia PHL sees stable car prices via South Korea FTA

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

VELO_DASH_image3 — PHOTO FROM KIA PHILIPPINES

KIA PHILIPPINES said the free trade agreement (FTA) with South Korea will help car manufacturers stabilize product pricing despite foreign exchange risks.

“There’s still going to be excise [taxes], but the import duties would be at zero,” Kia Philippines Chief Operating Officer Brian James B. Buendia told reporters on the sidelines of the launch of the Kia Sorento Turbo Hybrid last week.

When asked if the FTA could lead to lower prices for Korean cars, he noted that apart from import duties, the automotive industry closely monitors foreign exchange movements.

“There’s another issue, which is the forex. The projected forex, and we deal with the US dollar, will be up to $59. So that’s an issue, because when we were doing our budget, it was only at $57-58. So now we have to recalibrate,” he said.

“One opportunity is, yes, we will not lower the price, but we will not increase the price too even with the forex. So those are the things that are actually being studied,” he added.

Despite this, he said that the company is looking at how it can take advantage of the FTA as Kia Philippines expands its electric vehicle (EV) lineup.

“We are now also scanning for some advantages that we can maximize,” he added.

Aside from the FTA with South Korea, he said that the company hopes for the executive order (EO) for the lowered tariffs for all types of electric vehicles to be retained amid its review.

“I think what’s working for Kia now is the current tariffs. Whatever the adjustments that will be made, then we would have to plan for it again,” he said.

“But I hope they just keep it the way it is for now. Because you can’t really change the rules within the game. They just keep on changing. I hope they… just let it pass through 2028, I think,” he added.

Last year, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed EO 62, which modified the nomenclature and rates of import duty on various products.

A part of which covered the expansion of the reduced Most Favored Nation tariff rates of the products covered under EO 12 to other battery EVs, hybrid EVs, plug-in hybrid EVs, and certain parts and components.

It temporarily reduced tariffs on EVs to zero until 2028. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Yields on BSP securities end mixed

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

YIELDS on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) short-term securities ended mixed on Friday with the two-month tenor going undersubscribed for a second straight week.

The BSP bills fetched bids amounting to P205.117 billion on Friday, above the P170-billion offer and the P185.96 billion in tenders for the same volume auctioned off in the previous week.

Broken down, tenders for the 28-day BSP bills reached P110.309 billion, higher than the P70-billion offer and the P88.323 billion in bids for same volume auctioned off the week prior.

Banks asked for yields ranging from 5.725% to 5.799%, narrower than the 5.7% to 5.839% band seen a week earlier. This caused the average rate of the one-month securities to decline by 5.48 basis points (bps) to 5.7571% from 5.8119% previously.

Meanwhile, bids for the 56-day bills amounted to P94.808 billion, below the P100-billion offering and the P97.637 billion in tenders for the same volume offered by the central bank in the previous week. The BSP accepted all the submitted bids.

Accepted rates for the two-month tenor were from 5.763% to 5.9%, narrower than the 5.73% to 5.9% margin seen a week prior. With this, the average rate of the securities inched up by 0.93 bp to 5.8141% from 5.8048% logged in the previous auction.

The central bank made a partial award of its offering of short-term securities as the two-month BSP bills (BSPB) went undersubscribed, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. said in a statement.

“Total tenders received increased to P205.117 billion from P185.96 billion, with the 28-day BSPB 1.58 times oversubscribed while the 56-day BSPB was undersubscribed with a bid-to-cover ratio of 0.95 times.”

“The BSP fully awarded its offering for the 28-day BSPB and accepted the P94.808-billion worth of total tenders for the 56-day BSPB.”

The central bank uses the BSP securities and its term deposit facility to mop up excess liquidity in the financial system and to better guide market rates.

The BSP bills were calibrated to not overlap with the Treasury bill and term deposit tenors also being offered weekly.

Data from the central bank showed that around 50% of its market operations are done through the short-term BSP bills.

Short-term instruments offer more stability and predictability, the BSP has said. These are also considered “high-quality liquid assets” and grants more flexibility for banks versus term deposits, which are not tradable. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Working group formed to draft rules on ruminant diseases

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

Farmer-with-carabao-DAR.GOV.PH — DAR.GOV.PH

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is looking to create guidelines to prevent outbreaks of Q fever and other ruminant diseases.

In a Special Order, the DA created a technical working group (TWG) to draft guidelines, policy, and recommendations on the prevention of Q fever outbreaks.

Last year, the Philippines logged its first case of Q fever in imported goats from the US. The infected goats were in a government breeding station in Marinduque and a quarantine facility in Pampanga.

Q fever is caused by the Coxiella burnetii bacteria and is transmissible to humans. Infected people have flu-like symptoms, such as body aches and headaches.

The working group is also tasked with providing technical expertise in the surveillance and monitoring of ruminant diseases.

It is to conduct regular reviews on the management of Q fever and other diseases aligned with international guidelines.

The TWG will consist of the assistant secretary for Ruminant Livestock and representatives from the Bureau of Animal Industry, the National Dairy Authority, and the Philippine Carabao Center. — Adrian H. Halili

GAC sales up by 65% in 2024

February 10, 2025 | 12:02 am

VELO_PAGE1_image3 — GAC Motor Philippines sold 301 units of the M6 Pro MPV in 2024. — PHOTO BY KAP MACEDA AGUILA

ASTARA-OVERSEEN GAC Motor Philippines reported 2024 sales of 3,207 units representing 65% year-on-year sales growth from 1,943 units delivered in 2023. Pacing sales is the GS3 Emzoom crossover, which alone moved 2,089 units. Meanwhile, 301 units of the M6 Pro MPV were sold, along with 225 M8 MPVs. Said Astara Philippines Country Manager Luis Torres: “More than 3,000 Filipinos have partnered with GAC Motor and Astara Philippines in 2024, a powerful affirmation of our shared vision for the future of mobility. We are grateful for their trust and look forward to a continued collaboration, delivering unparalleled mobility solutions that redefine the driving experience.”

GAC Motor also offers the sporty Empow sedan and the Emzoom crossover, along with the Emkoo crossover which comes with either purely ICE (internal combustion engine) or hybrid powertrains. In a release, GAC Motor Philippines said that “every GAC Motor vehicle is equipped with advanced safety features and cutting-edge technology, making it a top choice for discerning consumers who value innovation and reliability.”

There are now 31 GAC Motor locations nationwide, with more set to open this year. This strategic growth ensures greater accessibility for customers across the Philippines, alongside a five-year/150,000-kilometer warranty and free 24/7 emergency roadside assistance for the first year of ownership.

For more information, visit https://gacmotorph.com/, or like and subscribe to the company’s Facebook and Instagram pages (@gacmotorph).

Gov’t debt yields decline on steady Jan. inflation

February 10, 2025 | 12:01 am

YIELDS on government securities (GS) traded on the secondary market mostly declined last week following the release of data showing that Philippine headline inflation was broadly steady last month.

GS yields, which move opposite to prices, went down by 5.17 basis points (bps) last week, based on data from PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates as of Feb. 7 published on the Philippine Dealing System’s website.

Rates of all benchmark tenors ended lower week on week except for the 364-day Treasury bill (T-bill), which inched up by 0.83 bp to yield 5.7201%.

At the short end, yields on the 91- and 182-day T-bills went down by 10.89 bps (to 5.1697%) and 2.60 bps (5.4959%), respectively.

At the belly, rates of the two-, three-, four-, five-, and seven-year Treasury bonds (T-bond) decreased by 1.32 bps (to 5.7769%), 4.15 bps (5.8343%), 5.86 bps (5.8786%), 6.88 bps (5.9184%), and 8.63 bps (5.9968%), respectively.

Lastly, at the long end of the curve, yields on the 10-, 20-, and 25-year debt papers declined by 11.10 bps (to 6.1178%), 3.38 bps (6.3464%), and 2.9 bps (6.3011%), respectively.

GS volume traded reached P38.39 billion on Friday, higher than the P30.65 billion recorded a week prior.

Traders said government debt yields went down following the release of the January inflation report.

“With Philippine inflation remaining steady in January, bond yields fell across the board as the release both eased domestic inflationary concerns and bolstered expectations for a BSP (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) policy rate cut [this] week,” the first bond trader said in a Viber message.

“The bond market got a boost from the relatively steady CPI (consumer price index) print… The Philippine CPI data gives space for BSP to cut rates on Thursday,” the second bond trader likewise said in a Viber message.

Philippine headline inflation remained steady in January as lower utility costs offset a spike in food prices, preliminary data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

The CPI rose 2.9% year on year in January, the same as December. It also settled within the 2.5%-3.3% forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

However, the January print was slightly higher than the 2.8% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll of 16 analysts.

The BSP said following the data release that it will continue to monitor risks to the inflation outlook and maintain a “measured approach” to policy easing.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. earlier said that a rate cut is “on the table” at the Monetary Board’s Feb. 13 policy meeting, adding that they may slash benchmark interest rates by a cumulative 50 bps this year in a gradual manner as “policy insurance” against risks.

The Philippine central bank has cut borrowing costs by 75 bps since kicking off its easing cycle in August last year, bringing the policy rate to 5.75%.

“In addition to the weaker-than-feared Philippine inflation in January, the easing US dollar has also supported lower BVAL and US Treasury yields,” the first bond trader said.

The second bond trader added that US President Donald J. Trump’s decision to pause its planned tariffs on Canada and Mexico contributed to the week-on-week decline in GS yields.

Mr. Trump earlier announced tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico but delayed them after a negative reaction from investors, Reuters reported. The two largest US trading partners agreed to increase enforcement efforts at the border, a top Trump priority.

On Friday, Mr. Trump said he plans to announce reciprocal tariffs on many countries by Monday or Tuesday this week, a major escalation of his offensive to tear up and reshape global trade relationships in the US’ favor.

Mr. Trump did not identify which countries would be hit but suggested it would be a broad effort that could also help solve US budget problems.

The move would fulfill Mr. Trump’s campaign promise to impose tariffs on American imports equal to rates that trading partners impose on American exports.

The US trade-weighted average tariff rate is about 2.2%, according to World Trade Organization data, compared to 12% for India, 6.7% for Brazil, 5.1% for Vietnam and 2.7% for European Union countries.

For this week, GS yields may continue to go down on expectations of “potentially softer US consumer inflation reports and potentially dovish remarks from the BSP policy meeting,” the first trader said.

US CPI data will be released on Feb. 12 (Wednesday).

The second bond trader added that US jobs data released last week, developments in the Trump administration’s tariff policies, and results of the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) T-bill and T-bond auctions could affect local bond yield movements.

The BTr will offer P22 billion in T-bills on Monday. On Tuesday, it will auction off P30 billion in reissued 10-year bonds with a remaining life of seven years and seven months. — Kenneth H. Hernandez with Reuters

Move for a healthy heart

February 10, 2025 | 12:01 am

A sedentary or physically inactive lifestyle increases a person’s risk for heart disease, as well as many other conditions and ailments. As the country observes Philippine Heart Month, it is important to emphasize the vital role of regular physical activity in maintaining a healthy heart.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children and adolescents aged five to 17 years should do at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity daily, and activities that strengthen muscle and bone, at least three times a week.

Adults aged 18 to 64 years should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, or do at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both. For additional health benefits, adults should increase their moderate intensity physical activity to 300 minutes a week, or equivalent. Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups on two or more days a week.

Adults aged 65 years and above should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity throughout the week, or at least 75 minutes of vigorous intensity physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both. For additional health benefits, they should increase moderate intensity physical activity to 300 minutes a week, or equivalent. Those with poor mobility should perform physical activity to enhance balance and prevent falls, three or more days a week. Muscle-strengthening activities should be done involving major muscle groups, two or more days a week.

Moderate intensity physical activities include brisk walking, water aerobics, dancing, gardening, tennis, and biking. Vigorous intensity physical activities include hiking uphill or with a heavy backpack, running, swimming laps, vigorous aerobic dancing, heavy yardwork such as continuous digging or hoeing, tennis, cycling and jumping rope.

However, the first WHO “Global status report on physical activity” released in October 2022 revealed that many Filipinos, particularly adolescents, are sedentary. About one in three (30%) Filipino men 18 to 69 years old, almost half (49%) of Filipino women 18 to 69 years old and over 90% of Filipino adolescents 11 to 17 years old do not meet the WHO’s recommended levels of physical activity. Among Filipinos aged 70 and older, 44% of males and 65% of females do not measure up to the WHO standard.

Inadequate physical activity is likely one of the reasons why about 27 million Filipinos are overweight and obese, based on the latest survey of the Department of Science and Technology (DoST) Food and Nutrition Research Institute. For the past two decades, excessive weight and obesity among Filipino adults has almost doubled from 20.2% in 1998 to 36.6% in 2019. Excessive weight and obesity among Filipino adolescents have more than doubled from 4.9% in 2003 to 11.6% in 2018. If no action is taken, the overall rates of excessive weight and obesity will continue to rise, with more than 30% of Filipino adolescents projected to be overweight and obese by 2030.

Furthermore, a sedentary lifestyle among many Filipinos, coupled with other risk factors such as unhealthy food choices and tobacco use, contribute to the heavy burden of cardiovascular diseases — diseases of the heart and blood vessels — which account for a third of deaths in the Philippines. Coronary heart disease, also known as ischemic heart disease, is one type of cardiovascular disease involving heart damage caused by narrowed heart arteries. Coronary heart disease was the leading cause of death in the country in 2023, claiming the lives of nearly 108,000 Filipinos or 19% of the total deaths in the country that year.

The American Heart Association (AHA) advises people not to let all-or-nothing thinking keep them from doing what they can every day, stressing that any amount of movement is better than none. The simplest way to get moving and improve your health is to start walking — it’s free, easy and can be done just about anywhere, even in place, says the AHA. For example, taking a brisk walk for five or 10 minutes a few times a day will add up.

Experts recommend simple but effective ways to incorporate physical activity in your daily routine. These include taking the stairs instead of the elevator when going one or two floors up, and climbing instead of riding the escalator. Parking your vehicle farther away from your destination, and washing your car at home instead of taking it to the carwash will also be helpful. Further, jogging in place, lifting weights, or walking on the treadmill while watching TV can be beneficial. Walking or biking when running errands is also one of the recommendations. Finally, planning family outings that involve being active, like hiking, swimming or outdoor games can be effective for members of the family.

People with a chronic condition such as hypertension or heart disease, or disability should consult their doctor first about what types and amounts of physical activity are right for them before starting any physical or exercise regimen.

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.

Manila Water enters contestable power market

February 10, 2025 | 12:01 am

Maynilad-Putatan — PHILIPPINE STAR/GEREMY PINTOLO

EAST ZONE concessionaire Manila Water Co., Inc. has entered the contestable market, allowing it to select its own power supplier for 10 of its facilities under the expanded retail aggregation program (RAP), according to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

In a statement on Sunday, the ERC said Manila Water’s move marks the first pilot switch under the expanded RAP, which was implemented in August last year.

“It is exciting to see more consumers gaining access to the benefits of exercising their power of choice,” said ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Monalisa C. Dimalanta. “This inspires us at the ERC to work even harder toward promoting this power and protecting consumer interests.”

Last year, the ERC issued a resolution enhancing the implementation of the RAP.

The expanded RAP allows loads from multiple end-users consuming below the 500-kilowatt threshold, located within the same franchise area and under specified conditions, to be aggregated to contract with their preferred supplier at a negotiated purchase price.

As the first-ever switched customer under the expanded RAP, Manila Water aggregated the demand from 10 facilities, primarily sewage treatment plants located within the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) franchise area, to meet the threshold.

“Manila Water is proud to be trailblazing with the government to improve the lives of its customers. By working with the ERC to introduce innovative amendments to the retail aggregation program, we have expanded customer choice and lowered power rates through negotiated tariffs,” said Manila Water President and CEO Jose Victor Emmanuel “Jocot” A. de Dios.

“By leading this breakthrough, we not only secure cost-efficient energy to run our water and wastewater treatment plants — which will ultimately benefit our customers — but also pave the way for a more sustainable and competitive energy market that benefits the country,” he added.

Citing its records, the ERC said that retail market prices in 2024 averaged P5.77 per kilowatt-hour (kWh), with the lowest price recorded at P3.50 per kWh.

“With this pilot switch, more groups are expected to transition to the contestable market under the RAP in the coming weeks, further advancing retail competition in the energy sector,” the commission said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera