How shifting dynamics can help revitalize your workforce

April 28, 2024 | 7:51 pm

IN BRIEF:

• The EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, which sourced data from 17,050 employees and 1,575 employers across 25 sectors and more than 20 geographies, highlights key workforce trends that are defining the “next normal” in the workplace.

• Employers and employees have distinctly different perspectives on the “next normal” of work, resulting in differences between employer and employee priorities.

• Leaders navigating the way forward will see the Great Rebalance as an opportunity to re-energize their workforce strategy, making it technologically evolved yet inherently people-centric, agile, and resilient.

In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine labor market has shown a remarkable recovery and transformation. Comparing data from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Labor Force Surveys in April 2020 and February 2024, an increase in employment rates — from 82.4% to 96.5% — has been noted. This represents a substantial growth of 15.15 million in the workforce, showing a robust entry of the working-age population into active employment since the onslaught of the pandemic.

Amidst the broader economic rebound, one of the most striking differences that can be derived from the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic Labor Force Surveys is the reduction of average weekly work hours, from 43.2 hours in 2019 to 40.1 hours in 2024. It coincides with a strong economic recovery post-pandemic. According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), the government’s official news service, the economy continued to flourish after a sharp rebound to 5.6% GDP growth in 2021 from the 2020 downturn. According to the DoF, it achieved an unprecedented 7.6% growth in 2022, and last year, the country posted 5.6% growth, making it the fastest growing economy among its peers in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

This three-hour reduction might seem modest, but it serves as a microcosm of current global trends that have been magnified by the pandemic. These include the rapid adoption of remote work, increased flexibility, and a broader cultural shift towards the “Great Rebalancing” — a movement to recalibrate work policies and prioritize employee well-being and personalized work arrangements, often entailing shorter hours.

Today, employees are motivated by the desire for more comprehensive total rewards packages, improved well-being, and the necessary skills to thrive in a world that increasingly values work flexibility.

According to the EY 2023 Work Reimagined Survey, these trends are integral to the seismic shifts defining the “next normal” in work. This survey was conducted through an anonymous online poll involving 17,050 employees and 1,575 employers across 25 different sectors and more than 20 geographies, including the Americas, Asia-Pacific (including Southeast Asia (SEA) — Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore), and EMEIA (Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa).

The survey underscores distinct perspectives on work between employers and employees, particularly regarding the balance of power in the workplace. It highlights that while employers generally believe economic challenges will reduce employee turnover, as many as 34% of employees are considering changing jobs within this year. It also shows that as hybrid work evolves, it demands a deeper understanding of how technology, office infrastructure, and employee amenities impact productivity, organizational cohesion, and trust.

REBALANCING POWER DYNAMICS
Traditionally, employers held more influence and control in the workplace.

However, perceptions have shifted since the pre-pandemic period, with fewer respondents now believing that employers maintain the upper hand.

Interpreting current market conditions from various perspectives can influence how employers and employees perceive each other. For example, the disparity in their views on financial pressures can create an imbalance in workplace power dynamics. This imbalance is evident in survey findings, where only 47% of employees believe their organization is facing growth or profit challenges, compared to 61% of employers.

RIGHTSIZING REWARDS, BOOSTING RETENTION RATES
To secure sought-after skills, organizations must develop talent from within or recruit new hires effectively. One way to do this is to ensure that compensation and career opportunities are competitive, both internally and externally. Both employees (80%) and employers (79%) surveyed also agree that “total rewards” programs need “moderate” to “extensive” changes. Total rewards encompass various factors like time off, recognition, well-being, and health and retirement benefits.

Organizations can improve their ability to attract and retain talent by developing offerings that enhance the employee value proposition (EVP) through market benchmarking and internal surveys. By restructuring total rewards programs to align with the broader objectives of the EVP, these initiatives can positively impact perceptions of change and transformation, innovative work methods, and leadership approaches.

FOSTERING A PEOPLE-FIRST CULTURE
A major action point is to define and cultivate a people-first culture — with humans at the center — and emphasizing trust. However, only 64% of employees surveyed agreed with the statement that employees feel trusted and empowered by their leaders compared with employers who agreed (81%), showing a 17-point gap.

Trust and empathy foster positive results, essential for effective leadership, team cohesion, and organizational success. These work values can be exemplified by transitioning from individual to collaborative thinking — a shift from a “me” mindset to a co-created “we” mindset. Meanwhile, transparency and tracking of behaviors, attitudes, and results from diverse data can help build trust. Understanding these metrics can enhance a sustainable collective mission, purpose, and culture.

ENHANCING THE WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE
Employers and employees hold divergent views on talent, culture, and leadership. Specifically, 76% of employers agreed that “Leadership cares about employees as people,” compared to only 54% of employees. On the other hand, 59% of employees and 78% of employers agreed that “Employees have the ability to innovate and/or have time for unplanned collaboration.”

These gaps underscore the need for an overall workplace environment aligned with employees’ realities to foster a more engaging and supportive workspace, thereby boosting satisfaction, retention, and productivity.

REINVENTING WORK
In today’s work landscape, flexibility in work arrangements is not just desired but expected, especially for knowledge-based roles, with more than a third of employees expressing a preference for full remote work. To adapt, organizations must pinpoint which roles can effectively function remotely and devise comprehensive strategies, leveraging appropriate technologies and refining processes to facilitate seamless transitions to hybrid work environments. This approach should encompass not only work operations but also learning initiatives and the nurturing of company culture.

Moreover, establishing guidelines for sourcing talent across regions can mitigate risk while maximizing the advantages of flexible work for both the organization and its mobile employees. While real estate may not directly impact employee satisfaction, the study shows that it does influence culture, productivity, and retention. Therefore, investing in well-designed spaces that foster social connections and collaboration can yield significant returns.

UPSCALING AI
Both employers and employees recognize the promise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), which has recently entered mainstream technology discussions. One of the key advantages of this disruptive technology is its ability to generate initial drafts of work, which can then be reviewed and refined by human users.

In Southeast Asia, as high as 64% of employees and 86% of employers have a positive outlook on the potential of GenAI to enhance working flexibility. Despite this, only 25% are committed to offering training in GenAI-related skills.

In addition to acquiring new technical skills such as in GenAI, organizations must also evaluate employee soft skills such as critical thinking and resilience to ensure that their talent strategies align with business objectives, commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and fosters a culture of trust.

REDEFINING WORKFORCE DYNAMICS
Amidst the evolving work landscape and dynamics, companies are urged to equip their teams to handle uncertainty and to offer the necessary financial, physical, emotional, and social support to help them excel. More and more, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and better support organizational success is becoming an imperative.

This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice where the facts and circumstances warrant. The views and opinions expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of SGV & Co.

Rossana A. Fajardo is the EY ASEAN business consulting leader and the consulting service line leader of SGV & Co.

Foil fencer Samantha Catantan qualifies for Paris Olympic Games

April 28, 2024 | 7:21 pm

NOTHING, not even a hurting left knee and a point deduction for a red card, could stop Filipino fencer Samantha Catantan from realizing her Olympic dream.

Armed with iron will and a strong heart, Ms. Catantan turned back a taller, longer Sofiya Aktayeva of Kazakhstan in a gripping, gut-wrenching 15-14 victory in the women’s foil finals of the Asia-Oceania Zonal Olympic Qualifier in Fujairah, United Arab Emirates Saturday.

That unforgettable night at the Zayed Sports Complex sent Ms. Catantan to the quadrennial games as the first fencer from the country to do so since Walter Torres, now Philippines Sports Commission board member, made it that far in the 1992 Barcelona edition.

The Penn State star also became the 12^thFilipino to book a ticket to the French capital next to pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo, Aleah Finnegan and Levi Jung-Ruivivar, boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, weightlifters Vanessa Sarno, John Ceniza and Elreen Ando, and rower Joanie Delgaco.

And it was a memorable one as the 22-year-old Ms. Catantan had to endure a point cut after she was assessed a red card for failing to return on her guard line on time and trailed 12-9 and a sharp pain on her surgically-repaired ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) that she tore during last year’s Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia when the score was knotted at 13.

After a medical timeout to address the issue, Ms. Catantan, still in excruciating pain, valiantly limped back to the piste, plodded on and courageously faced her Kazakh foe with what strength and power she had left.

It produced perhaps the most unforgettable moment in her life as she won two of the last three points to deliver a mammoth victory that reverberated back home to a country hungry for sporting glory.

The moment she realized she had already won, she fell to the mat, shed tears of joy and covered her face as a small but boisterous Filipino tearfully celebrated with her from the stands.

It was a conquest that erased all the heartaches and stigma Ms. Catantan felt after coming two steps short from making the Tokyo Games and missing out on a SEA Games gold last year in Cambodia after she tore her left ACL.

And now she’s back and on top of the world.

Interestingly, Ms. Catantan will join an Olympic field that included former national squad teammate Maxine Esteban, representing Ivory Coast who also made it through via the African qualifiers. — Joey Villar

Lionel Messi scores twice as Inter Miami beats New England

April 28, 2024 | 7:18 pm

LIONEL MESSI’s brace led Inter Miami to a 4-1 victory over the New England Revolution in Foxboro, Mass., on Saturday night.

Benjamin Cremaschi and Luis Suarez scored the other goals for Miami (6-2-3, 21 points), which has points in five straight games.

Inter Miami improved to 4-3-0 all-time against the Revolution and avoided a third straight loss in Foxboro.

The Revolution actually opened the scoring as Tomas Chancalay notched a goal in the first minute for New England (1-7-1, 4 points), which has lost three straight matches.

Mr. Messi tied the game 1-1 in the 32^nd minute, taking a through ball from Robert Taylor and putting a left-footed strike in past keeper Henrich Ravas.

Then, in the 68^th minute, the Argentine gave Miami a 2-1 lead, picking up a Sergio Busquets through ball and striking a left-footed shot for his team-leading ninth goal. With the two goals, Mr. Messi became the first player in MLS history to have five straight games with multiple goal contributions. With nine goals, Mr. Messi is one goal up on Cristian Arango for the MLS league lead.

In the 83^rd minute, Mr. Cremaschi gave Miami a 3-1 lead. Mr. Messi had the initial shot, which Mr. Ravas stopped, but Mr. Cremaschi was there to put in the rebound.

Miami took a 4-1 lead in the 88th minute as Mr. Suarez put a left-footed strike past Mr. Ravas for his seventh goal in 10 games.

Mr. Chancalay got the scoring going by chipping a shot up and over Miami keeper Drake Callender off a through ball from Carles Gil 37 seconds into the match.

The goal was the first for the Revs in three games. New England has just six goals over nine games this season.

New England next travels to Chicago while Miami hosts the New York Red Bulls. Both matches are set for May 4. — Reuters

Cebuano runners Lapiz, Abella rule National Milo Marathon Manila leg

April 28, 2024 | 7:17 pm

1 of 2

THEY CAME. They saw. They conquered.

All by themselves to represent the Queen City of the South, two Cebuano runners landed in the nation’s capital with no regard and owned its streets in runaway fashion to reign supreme as the new king and queen of the 2024 National Milo Marathon Manila leg at the Mall of Asia Arena Concert Grounds.

Both blue-collar workers in Cebu, teammates Florendo Lapiz and Lizane Abella of Spectrum Runners were no tourists at the acropolis in the wee hours of a torrid Sunday by the bay as they worked their tails off and took care of business through to the finish line of the 42-kilometer full marathon — all alone with no shadow of their peers behind.

Mr. Lapiz, a 33-year-old welder in a shipyard just north of Carcar City, clocked in two hours, 42 minutes and 33 seconds to beat his closest foe by more than seven minutes as the 35-year-old Ms. Abella from Minglanilla, an electronics production operator, timed 3:21:05, five minutes faster than her bridesmaid.

He bested Salvador Polilio (2:49:54) and Welfred Esporma (2:58:51), who completed the men’s podium, while Maricar Camacho (3:26:19) and Jewel de Luna (3:27:05) finished second and third, respectively, behind Ms. Abella, in the women’s full marathon.

Mr. Lapiz, also a fisherman on his day off, had fourth-place and second-place finishes in the previous Milo races before breaking through for a fitting fruit of his hard labor that started during the pandemic.

It’s the same sweet wait for Ms. Abella, a wife of a fellow runner in Lapu-Lapu City who proved that the third time’s the charm in Milo after finishing with a bronze medal twice. And she could have not achieved it any sweeter than with a comeback win down the road after trailing behind pacer Camacho in the first 32 kilometers.

NOTES: National team campaigners and multi-title Milo marathoner Richard Salano (1:08:38) and Christine Hallasgo (1:24:27) ruled the 21-km half marathon. James Darryl Orduna (32:23) and Anisha Caluya (48:03) won the 10K, Noli Torre (16:18) and Sheila Moreno (22:08) reigned in 5K, Robi Rosadia (12:15) and Megan Palad (14:14) led in 3K as Ron Valenzuela (3:36) and Christine Galicia (4:19) bannered the 1K races. — John Bryan Ulanday

CSB Lady Blazers’ winning streak continues, sweep Mapua

April 28, 2024 | 7:16 pm

Games Tuesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
7:30 a. m. — LPU vs Letran (men)
10 a.m. — LPU vs Letran (women)
2 p. m. — SSC-R vs EAC (women)
5 p. m. — SSC-R vs EAC (men)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde’s (CSB)indomitable streak continues.

It extended via a swift, unforgiving 25-19, 25-23, 25-8 decimation of Mapua University on Sunday that kept CSB undefeated in the last four years in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The win, the Lady Blazers’ seventh in as many games this season, booked them the first Final Four seat.

If they could end up beating University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) and Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) in their last two and sweeping the elimination round eventually, they would barge straight to the best-of-three finals for the third season in a row and in the process keeping them on course at third straight 11-game title sweep.

Most impressively, it was CSB’s 36^th straight triumph that started in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

Wielyn Estoque delivered the mightiest of blows with 19 points, she spiked with 14 kills while Gayle Pascual contributed 12 hits.

The Lady Cardinals succumbed to 4-3.

Earlier, Arellano University (AU) slew University of Perpetual Help, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-12, to breathe life to its Final Four bid.

Pauline de Guzman led the way with 17 points while Laika Tudlasan and Fhaye Mangubat chipped in 16 and 14 hits, respectively, as the Lady Chiefs improved to 4-3, the same slate of the Lady Altas. — Joey Villar

Bucks’ tough 1^st round

April 28, 2024 | 7:14 pm

To contend that the Bucks expect more from their 2023-24 season would be to understate the obvious. They swung big prior to the start of their campaign, netting Damian Lillard at the expense of continuity alongside a coaching change they believed would enable them to meet their ultimate objective. Their reasoning was clear: They didn’t want to engage in insanity by doing the same thing over again while expecting a different result. Unfortunately, their impatience got the better of them; 43 games in, they saw fit to get Adrian Griffin out of the hot seat in favor of Doc Rivers. Never mind that they were then in possession of the second-best record in the National Basketball Association. The upheaval resulted in a middling second half that relegated them to third in the East and set them up for a tough first-round battle against the Pacers.

Under the circumstances, it can be fairly argued that fortune did not favor the Bucks heading into the playoffs. They lost eight of their last 11 outings, including three straight against the lowly Wizards, Grizzlies, and Raptors. As their reward for the tumult, they drew the dangerous Pacers, who just so happened to match up well against them; not for nothing did they previously claim a single triumph in five meetings versus their stylistic foils. And to literally add injury to insult, they will likely be navigating the remainder of the series with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard at far less than a hundred percent — assuming that the top dogs even get to suit up.

Perhaps the Bucks would be in a worse situation with Griffin at the helm. The front office certainly saw and felt enough in the first half of the season to give him the pink slip despite initial support from Antetokounmpo. Perhaps they would then have been better off hiring anyone other than Rivers, more known for playoff debacles than successes in recent memory. And so on and so forth. Which leads to an important point: When protagonists begin ruminating on the past and indulging in What Ifs, discontent has already set in.

True, the Bucks still have a lot going for them. On paper, they have the depth to continue being competitive. Meanwhile, Rivers is, if nothing else, familiar with the pressure of mentoring under the klieg lights. The flipside, of course, is that the Pacers boast of the same strengths — and momentum to boot. Game Three was a deflating loss for the green and white, and it all but makes Game Four a must win. How well they stay confident of their chances will determine whether or not they can take the measure of the competition and keep their title hopes alive.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

Senate seeks to pass 20 priority bills by June as Congress resumes sessions

April 28, 2024 | 7:03 pm

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

THE PHILIPPINE Senate seeks to pass at least 20 priority measures of the Marcos government before Congress adjourns in late May, including a measure that seeks to impose a 12% value-added tax on digital transactions, the Senate president said on Sunday.

“We will focus all our energies on these 20 measures before we adjourn for the third regular session,” Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said in a statement. “After that, it is the President’s state of the nation address again and the national budget season.”

Congress will resume sessions on Monday after a monthlong break. It will adjourn sine die on May 24 and lawmakers won’t be back until July 22.

Senators and congressmen are expected to be sidetracked as many of them campaign for reelection later this year for midterm elections in May 2025.

Mr. Zubiri noted that apart from the digital tax measure, eight other bills are pending approval for second reading, including one that seeks tougher penalties on online investment scams and the proposed New Government Procurement Act.

Also up for approval is the proposed Blue Economy Act, a bill overhauling the military pension system, another that seeks to revive compulsory military training for college students and the proposed Enterprise-based Education and Training Program Act.

Also up for second reading approval is a bill that will amend the Universal Healthcare Act and another that will create a national energy policy framework for facilities using waste-to-energy technologies.

“We are confident we can fulfill all of our legislative commitments to the President and to the people before this year ends,” Mr. Zubiri said.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said the House of Representatives passed the 20 priority bills before their Holy Week break in March, surpassing the June approval target.

“This achievement not only highlights the House’s dedication to promptly addressing critical legislative matters but also paves the way for a renewed emphasis on oversight functions,” he said in a statement.

“Through rigorous oversight, the House will actively engage in scrutinizing government actions, addressing inefficiencies and safeguarding the integrity of our democratic institutions,” he added.

Last year, the Senate passed measures seeking stricter penalties on farm smugglers, the proposed Self Reliant Defense Posture Act and the Academic Recovery and Accessible Learning Program bill, which are set for bicameral approval.

Both Houses earlier ratified the bicameral conference committee reports on a bill seeking to boost the monitoring of real property sales, the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act and another measure establishing the Negros Island region.

Mr. Zubiri said a bill that seeks to set up a national accounting system on ecosystems, forests, watersheds and coastal areas only needs President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s signature. The Senate approved it on third reading in November.

Senate committees are also set to tackle a bill on e-governance, another that will create a Department of Water Resources and a measure that seeks to strengthen the country’s internet infrastructure.

The Create More bill, which seeks to cut the corporate income tax to 20% from 25%, was passed by the House of Representatives on final reading last month has been transmitted to the Senate for deliberations, Mr. Zubiri said. “Four of the 20 measures are nearing enactment into law already.”

“The rest are for bicameral committee approval, for second and final reading approval or awaiting committee approval. We are confident we can finish deliberations on these bills in their final stages before we adjourn sine die on May 24.”

‘SENSIBLE STRATEGY’
Meanwhile, political analysts said the House should focus on bills that seek to strengthen local industries, not just the country’s defense amid growing tensions with China. Developing industries would cut the country’s reliance on Chinese products, they added.

“While I agree on defense spending, I insist on treating… industry development budgets in equal vein as they comprise a sensible strategy in reducing our dependence on Chinese supply chains,” Hansley A. Juliano, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

“Reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains would effectively free us to further pursue our territorial interests in the Western Philippine Sea,” he added.

Speaker Romualdez earlier said they would focus on bills that aim to strengthen national security and spur economic growth once Congress resumes on Monday.

Mr. Juliano urged the House to focus on bills supporting agriculture and local manufacturing. “Continued imports only enrich our neighbors at our expense. It’s bad economics.”

Bills that seek to strengthen human capital should also be prioritized, Arjan P. Aguirre, an assistant professor of political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, told BusinessWorld via Messenger chat.

Economic and environmental bills should also be given the same attention as national security bills to “address economic growth, waste and resource management, and health and nutritional needs.”

Defense and national security bills should focus on rationalizing the defense budget, including allotting more to military branches dealing with Chinese encroachment in the South China Sea, Mr. Juliano said.

Congress is expected to hasten debates on remaining administration priority bills, including one that seeks to establish the country’s defense industry, Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a policy analyst and senior research fellow at the Ateneo Policy Center, said via Messenger chat.

“I expect national security will be the main focus of this administration for the next state of the nation address,” he added.

Mr. Aguirre noted that while the House has passed all 20 priority bills, it is “underperforming” by failing to pass measures on health security, environmental sustainability and enhanced social protection. “These concerns have a more direct impact on the economy than Charter change.”

Jeepney consolidation may force more Pinoys to use motorcycle taxis

April 28, 2024 | 7:02 pm

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana

MOTORCYCLE taxis and ride-hailing services are expected to become more expensive in the Philippines once an order calling for the consolidation of jeepeney drivers and operators takes effect on April 30, according to transport experts.

“Commuting is a daily struggle,” Rene S. Santiago, a founding member of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines, told BusinessWorld in a Viber message. “Fewer jeepneys on the road mean a shift to more expensive alternatives, like motorcycle taxis.”

Alyssa B. Belda, a committee head at Tanggol Pasada Network said fewer jeepneys on the road would lead to more jampacked buses and trains especially in Manila and nearby cities.

“Commuters will shift to other transport modes, such as buses and trains, which we know are already overflowing with passengers,” she said. “This also means that more people are shifting to private vehicles.”

Jeepney drivers and operators have until April 30 to consolidate by forming cooperatives as part of the government’s transport modernization program.

About 76% of jeepneys nationwide have not consolidated, according to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) website.

Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) Deputy Secretary-General Ruben G. Baylon said 28 million Filipino commuters would suffer as the consolidated franchise takes effect.

“Around 250,000 drivers and operators will be affected, while 28 million commuters who rely on public transport will suffer, he said in Filipino.

Ms. Belda said 395 routes in the National Capital Region would disappear, while 337 routes would not reach the 60% consolidation rate. Almost 2,000 transport routes nationwide will cease to exist.

She noted that since the modernization program started in 2017, the country’s transport supply nationwide has been halved to 150,000 units

In the capital region alone, 23,000 units will be phased out. “Transport workers are leaving the industry because they cannot cover the cost of modernization,” she added.

An imported modern jeepney costs about P2 million.

Despite the threat of arrest and citation tickets, Mr. Baylon said drivers and operators would choose to continue operating because they don’t have other means of livelihood.

“Consolidation is not an end by itself, but a means to an end,” Mr. Santiago said. “If properly implemented, in the long run, it would benefit Filipinos.”

AltMobility PH Director Ira F. Cruz said consolidation, the main component of the modernization program, would improve service and help drivers earn more if done right.

But there is a problem in the sequence of events to enforce the consolidation, he pointed out.

“The government should first complete the various local public transport route plans and route rationalization before requiring consolidation,” he said in a Viber message.

On Saturday PISTON announced another round of transport strikes to fight the deadline and the modernization plan.

Alabang, Baclaran, Sucat, Taft Avenue, Agoncillo, Monumento, Novaliches, Litex, Anonas, Katipunan and Philcoa were identified as key assembly points for the protest.

Greenpeace urges PHL gov’t to institutionalize reuse

April 28, 2024 | 7:02 pm

beach-trash-4914412_1280 — STOCK PHOTO | Image by Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. https://Terms.Law from Pixabay

GREENPEACE Philippines on Sunday urged the Philippine government to craft programs that would institutionalize reuse and refill systems while forcing companies to cut plastic use, after the country called for plastic reduction targets guided by science at a recent global negotiation in Canada.

In a statement, the group welcomed Manila’s commitment to plastic reduction at the Global Plastics Treaty negotiation, which calls for the reduction of primary plastic polymers, global aggregate targets and national phase-down schedules.

“In the next few days, we hope to see the Philippine delegation take on an equally progressive stance on other aspects of the treaty, such as targets for reuse and refill solutions, the rejection of harmful technologies and greater accountability mechanisms for corporations,” Greenpeace Philippines Zero Waste Campaigner Marian Ledesma said.

“We are also calling on the Philippine government to ensure that these positions are reflected in policies within the country.”

In its April 25 position paper submitted to the treaty negotiation in Canada, the Philippine government said “a reduction of primary plastic polymers, global aggregate targets and national phase-down schedules are essential elements for sustainable production and consumption under the international and legally binding instrument.”

“A reduction in plastic production is the most effective scenario to prevent the tripling of plastic waste going to the environment by 2060,” it said.

Manila said it is alarmed about recent scientific studies showing that “it will be extremely difficult, perhaps almost impossible, to achieve the 1.5C goal under the Paris Agreement if there are no reductions in primary plastic polymer production.”

“The latest study by the US National Laboratories showed that about 75% of the greenhouse gas emissions from plastics happen even before the production of polymers,” the government said.

A February poll commissioned by Greenpeace International and conducted by Censuswide in more than 20 countries showed that 94% of Filipinos thought a cap on plastic production would stop plastic pollution, prevent biodiversity loss and limit global warming to 1.5C.

Greenpeace Philippines said the government should ensure a strong regulatory framework that addresses plastic pollution at the root.

It should ban sachets and other single-use plastics, support the establishment of reuse and refill systems and mandate corporations to reduce and eventually eliminate the production of disposable plastic packaging and products, the group said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

CA ruling on GMOs may worsen malnutrition

April 28, 2024 | 6:59 pm

THE RECENT Court of Appeals (CA) ruling that revoked the biosafety permits of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) Bt eggplant and Golden Rice halts scientific studies that may help curb severe malnutrition affecting Filipinos, an economist said.

“The most important impact of the CA ruling with regard to golden rice is the frustration of a promising and cost-effective approach to the severe malnutrition afflicting Filipinos, especially children and mothers,” V. Bruce J. Tolentino, Monetary Board member and former deputy director-general of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.

“The ruling is halting important science on a promising approach to dealing with malnutrition,” he added.

The CA followed an order of the Supreme Court (SC) to repeal the biosafety permits for the commercial use of Bt Eggplant and Golden Rice due to the potential risks to the environment and health of consumers.

The Golden Rice is a Vitamin A-enriched crop developed to address Vitamin A deficiency (VAD).

The Philippines in 2021 became the first country in the world to propagate Golden Rice commercially, according to the IRRI.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had said that Vitamin A deficiency may result in night blindness due to the drying of the cornea.

“An estimated 250,000–500,000 children who are vitamin A-deficient become blind every year, and half of them die within 12 months of losing their sight,” its website said.

Mr. Tolentino criticized the decision of the two courts, calling them “shortsighted” and “reflect an inadequate appreciation for advances in biotechnology.”

He bewailed how “advanced biotechnology for the improvement of crop yields and the development of climate change resilient varieties is being significantly delayed.”

However, Center for International Law President Joel R. Butuyan in a Messenger chat with BusinessWorld said the ruling should “serve as a wake-up call” for the government to take “health and healthful ecology” seriously.

“The ruling also recognizes the fact that GMOs cannot go side by side with organic farming and [the] government should address the problem of GMOs’ possible contamination of organic plants,” he added.

In a WhatsApp message to BusinessWorld, Greenpeace Country Director Lea B. Guerrero said: “The DA should instead support ecological farming techniques that value farmer knowledge and rights to seeds, promotes biodiversity instead of monocultures, and is not dependent on agrochemicals.”

Greenpeace is one of the petitioners in the case. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Marcos deepfake probe sought

April 28, 2024 | 6:57 pm

LEADERS of the House of Representatives urged the government on Sunday to investigate a fake video clip of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. issuing orders for the military to attack China.

Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Rep. Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr. said the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center should get to the bottom of the deepfake video.

Deepfakes are manipulated forms of content made through artificial intelligence (AI) to show any individual saying or doing something he or she never actually did or say.

“This matter involves national security and the malicious dissemination of fabricated information,” Mr. Gonzales said in a statement.

After the Presidential Communications Office already dismissed the deepfake video’s authenticity last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Saturday that it had been working with the DICT to unmask those responsible for it.

“We have identified a possible source behind the deepfake audio, but as to the extent of their involvement, that is still the subject of our investigation,” PNP Spokesperson Jean S. Fajardo told a media briefing.

“It should not be difficult for them to identify the origin of the deepfake and those behind it,” Deputy Speaker and Quezon Rep. David C. Suarez said in the same statement.

Mr. Suarez said he suspects the deepfake clip originated from “somewhere in the south of the country.”

Authorities should provide a period report of the investigation’s progress, he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

P1.3B alloted to Mindanao airports

April 28, 2024 | 6:52 pm

Central-Mindanao-Airport-CMA-MLANG.GOV.PH — MLANG.GOV.PH

THE GOVERNMENT has allotted P1.3 billion for the infrastructure works to develop a total of seven airports in Mindanao this year, a congressman said on Sunday.

The infrastructure development fund will be used to rehabilitate or construct new runways and taxiways, passenger terminals, and perimeter fencing, among other necessary developments, said Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny T. Pimentel.

These airports are the Bukidnon Airport (P320 million), Central Mindanao M’lang Airport (P300 million), New Zamboanga International Airport (P300 million), Tandag Airport (P100 million), Jolo Airport (P100 million), Mati Airport (P100 million) and Surigao Airport (P80 million).

“Congress has provided new money for the upgrading of commercial aviation hubs all over Mindanao,” said Mr. Pimentel, noting a new regional airline was established last week.

Bangsamoro Airways will initially field planes capable of carrying six to ten passengers flying from Cotabato City to Zamboanga City, and Jolo, and vice versa.

“Improved airports in the provinces will facilitate the transfer of people and goods, bring in more tourists, support the growth of small businesses, and help create new jobs,” Mr. Pimentel said.

FAST-TRACK INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS — LAWMAKER
Meanwhile, Party-list Representative Elizaldy S. Co urged government agencies to fast-track infrastructure development projects amid the dry season to ensure on-time completion.

“Prioritize the development of infrastructure developments and other capital outlays while there is no rain,” Mr. Co said in a statement in Filipino. “You have a long dry season to build all of the projects.”

The congressman cited how in many budget hearings in the past, unfinished infrastructure development projects had been repeatedly blamed on construction delays due to rainy weather.

“We look at not just the percentages of absorptive capacity and project completion, but also at the huge peso values of delays,” he said.

The National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) expects to accomplish 19 infrastructure projects listed on the agency’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects under the Build Better More program this year.

“Those programs and projects were approved for this year because there are urgent needs to be met,” Mr. Co said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio