Lawmaker bats for rainwater-catching facilities

April 7, 2024 | 8:17 pm

THE RISK of water scarcity in the summer months, especially due to El Niño this year, has magnified the urgency to pass measures for the creation of rainwater-catching facilities in the country, a congressman said on Sunday.

In a statement, Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund F. Villafuerte, Jr. said House Bill (HB) No. 5640, which mandates the construction of rainwater collection facilities in property developments, would augment the government’s goal of preventing water scarcity.

“With El Niño seemingly getting nastier by the year, the Congress can help Malacañang improve national water security… by writing legislation that would empower our LGUs (local government units) to compel commercial and residential estate developers to put up facilities for retaining rainwater in their respective properties,” said Mr. Villafuerte, who penned HB No. 5640.

While the country receives an average of 965 to 4,064 millimeters of rainwater annually, most of it goes to waste due to the lack of water catchment systems.

Mandating the creation of these facilities, he said, “is a sensible way for us to address the paradox of water scarcity and flash floods plaguing our country, especially in Metro Manila and cities outside the national capital.”

Last month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said at the inauguration of the completion of a water project that water scarcity is no longer a seasonal issue due to climate change.

“What this demonstrates is a proven approach to battling water scarcity — which is no longer a seasonal challenge but a perpetual threat that comes with climate change,” he said.

El Niño is expected to affect more than 70 provinces in the next three months, with the regions likely to be affected by dry spells and droughts, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Joey Villarama said in a press briefing last month.

The Department of Agriculture said last week that El Niño has already affected 54,203 farmers, causing P2.63 billion worth of agricultural damage across 53,879 hectares of farmland in 10 regions. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Traders urge PHL-China cooperation

April 7, 2024 | 8:15 pm

THE FEDERATION of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (FFCCCII) called for strengthened cooperation between the Philippines and China, urging the governments of both nations to set aside their differences amid brewing tensions over the South China Sea.

The key here is to set aside our differences,” FFCCCII President Cecilio K. Pedro told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of a briefing on Sunday. “Those that we cannot discuss, we cannot compromise, let’s not talk about that anymore. Let’s stay in the status quo. What we should talk about is what is possible, what we can do together.”

Mr. Pedro said the Philippines should focus on the country’s stability in order to attract more foreign investments.

“If we set aside the tension in the West Philippine Sea, several [investors] will come here. They’re afraid that a war might erupt due to the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

“There really is no need to go to war because the issue is small,” he added, citing how President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is not interested in waging war. “China also said it’s not going to war,” said Mr. Pedro.

To navigate the geopolitical tensions between the Philippines and China, the FFCCCII said it focuses on easing doing business in the country.

“Our competitors are our neighboring countries. If it’s easier to apply in Vietnam, Indonesia, or Thailand, we lose. Companies would be looking at where there is ease of doing business. It should be easy, there should be a concerted effort to make everything easier for investors to come in and invest,” Mr. Pedro told BusinessWorld.

The FFCCCII is also focusing on promoting power generation, such as wind, solar, and hydro, to attract more investors from China.

Infrastructure, security and defense, and education should be among the top priorities of the government to gain more investors.

“Infrastructure is important because when you look at the traffic situation in the Philippines, it’s too much, right? If we focus on some of these [key points], investors will see we are serious about [attracting] investments,” he said.

The FFCCCII leaders visited Beijing and Xiamen upon the invitation of the Chinese Embassy in Manila to “enlighten [them] on what’s happening in China and how they can help [Philippine businesses].”

He added they’re in “constant communication with the Embassy” to look for opportunities for cooperation.

Mr. Pedro also called for the promotion of industries to boost employment for the country to move forward. He compared the country’s growth to neighboring countries of Indonesia and Vietnam, which have already edged the Philippines in terms of economic gains.

“The tension between the Philippines and China is up to the President. What do we want [to focus on]? Business or intentions? It isn’t possible to mesh those two together because we will be burdened due to our size. We’re smaller compared to China,” he added.

Last month, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said we are “not poking the bear” and are instead focusing on “continuing dialogues.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Workplace safety from heat urged

April 7, 2024 | 8:15 pm

EMPLOYERS are urged to protect their workers from heat stress as summer temperatures reach dangerous highs due to El Niño, a lawmaker said on Sunday.

Citing a Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) advisory issued in 2023, Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles reminded employers to provide adequate ventilation systems and heat insulation in workplaces and adjust employee work breaks to reduce heat stress and other health risks.

Mr. Nograles, who chairs the House Labor and Employment Committee, said employers should monitor their employees’ occupational safety to prevent “productivity loss, accidents, and possible lawsuits due to violation of the law.”

Labor groups, among them Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), have said that extreme heat condition is a work hazard that must be addressed by employers. “Extreme heat… is a health and safety hazard that must be met with responsive measures,”

The state weather monitoring bureau’s heat index bulletin on Friday stated that Laoag City in Northern Luzon and six other cities and municipalities throughout the country may reach “dangerous” levels of heat on Monday.

A person exposed to a “dangerous” heat index between 42° and 51° Celsius could experience cramps and heat exhaustion, which could lead to heat stroke.

Federation of Free Workers – Mindanao said DoLE should implement occupational safety and health standards to mitigate heat stress risks amid hot weather.

The labor group urged DoLE to convene the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council so that both employees and workers can discuss possible measures that could ease heat stress.

“Through the National Tripartite Industrial Peace Council, workers and employers with the government may adopt or establish a unified and effective strategy to protect our workforce from heat-related hazards,” Joel Tongco, a president of a labor union attached to the Federation of Free Workers, said in a statement.

KMU also said workers should conduct “dialogues with their employers, local government units, and other agencies” to discuss measures that could ensure work safety amid scorching heat. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Mayor’s POGO connection probed

April 7, 2024 | 8:11 pm

THE PRESIDENTIAL Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Sunday that multi-agency investigations are underway to determine the alleged involvement of a mayor in Tarlac in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) raided last month.

“We’ve got documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, electric cooperative, housekeeping and manpower providers. All of these are addressed to the mayor. The DoJ (Department of Justice), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) are taking a look at how connected they are,” PAOCC Spokesperson Winston John R. Casio told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of a media forum on Sunday.

“At this point, it’s still allegations until we have probable cause to be able to charge the mayor. We don’t have a probable cause at this point, only conjectures and documentary connections. We need to verify those,” he added, noting that he expects the completion of the investigation in two weeks.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian last month accused a Tarlac mayor of illegal POGO connections, now called International Gaming Licensees (IGL), after obtaining documents from the raid of a Sangguniang Bayan (SB) resolution on September 2020; a car registered under the mayor’s name; and a statement of account from Tarlac Electric Corporation II with an electric bill of P15.11 million from September 2023 to February 2024.

PAOCC Undersecretary and Executive Director Gilbert DC Cruz said they are targeting bigger operators as the government is more steadfast in tracking illegal operations.

“We are being talked about outside [the country] because of these illegal scammers. The law enforcement in the Philippines is more serious in tracking down POGOs,” he said in Filipino.

A chunk of detained operators is Chinese, followed by Vietnamese.

Mr. Cruz said they are being detained “humanely” or deported to China or Vietnam, where they’re treated as criminals.

The PAOCC investigated around 100,000 cybercrimes committed last year, more than traditional crimes, such as robbery, rape, theft, and murder.

“These scammers don’t use the money they earn to build our economy; they’re not helping us build our country’s image. They’re staining our image as the biggest POGO hub operator, not just in Asia, but maybe in the entire world,” Mr. Cruz said. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Cop, soldier busted for gun sale

April 7, 2024 | 8:11 pm

Cop arrested-illegally traded guns — POLICE arrest a policewoman and a soldier who illegally traded guns in Cotabato last weekend. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — A policewoman and her boyfriend who is an Army corporal both landed in jail for selling firearms in Pigcawayan town, Cotabato province on Saturday afternoon.

Busted by police cover agents in an entrapment were Patrolwoman Irish L. Emoy, 28, and Corporal Jaafar D. Sabturaon, 33, now both in the custody of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region.

Lt. Col. Ariel T. Huesca, regional chief of CIDG-BAR, said on Sunday that Ms. Emoy and Mr. Sabturaon were arrested as they sold a .45-caliber pistol and M16 rifle for P100,000 in a sting staged in Barangay Tubon, Pigcawayan.

Brig. Gen. Prexy D. Tanggawohn, Bangsamoro police director, said they will be charged with illegal possession and sale of firearms.

Their arrest came a day after soldiers seized two M16 assault rifles, a grenade launcher and a machinegun left by local terrorists while fleeing from Barangay Kakar in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte.

Major Gen. Alex S. Rillera, commander of the Army’s 6^th Infantry Division, told reporters on Sunday that the military-type firearms were left by suspected members of the Dawlah Islamiya when they sensed that patrolling personnel of the 2^nd Mechanized Infantry Battalion were approaching their location in Barangay Kakar.

One of the weapons that soldiers found along the escape route of the terrorists is a crew-served .30-caliber machinegun.

Mr. Rillera said soldiers under the 1^st Mechanized Infantry Battalion under the 601^st Infantry Brigade are tightly guarding Barangay Kakar and nearby villages in Datu Odin Sinsuat against an outbreak of gunbattles. “Everything is being done to prevent them from coming back,” Mr. Rillera said. — John Felix M. Unson

Marcos consults public on traffic

April 7, 2024 | 8:10 pm

car-vehicles-traffic — Vehicles and motorcycles are stuck in traffic along EDSA in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

AHEAD of Wednesday’s multi-agency traffic summit to be held in San Juan City, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called on the public on Sunday to participate in threshing out ways to ease traffic conditions in the capital.

In his six-minute YouTube vlog, the President reassured the public that big-ticket infrastructure projects aimed at addressing traffic woes in and out of Metro Manila are already underway, but in the interim, the government is also out to offer motorists immediate relief.

“Participate, even through the comments section, to make us aware of your ideas and suggestions,” Mr. Marcos, speaking in Filipino, said as he encouraged public engagement in the upcoming event.

The traffic summit to be staged like a townhall meeting at FilOil EcoOil Center will be a venue for concerned agencies and local government units to discuss solutions to traffic congestion and improve mobility between the capital and its peripheral provinces.
He said the work-from-home setup and four-day workweek scheme to minimize the number of vehicles on the road could be discussed.

But he underscored the importance of discipline among motorists in obeying traffic rules and regulations to ensure the smooth flow of traffic. — Nate C. Barretto

Weightlifter Sarno virtually books a July Paris Olympic Games spot

April 7, 2024 | 7:42 pm

VANESSA SARNO will have a chance to prove her worth as the new heiress to Hidilyn Diaz after she virtually booked a spot to the Paris Olympics this July.

The 20-year-old wonder girl from Tagbilaran, Bohol, tipped to succeed Tokyo Olympics gold winner Ms. Diaz, topped the Group B of the women’s 71-kilogram division of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand by lifting 245kg on 110kg from snatch and 135kg from clean and jerk.

That lift in snatch also set a national record as it eclipsed the old one, 108kg, she set in the IWF Grand Prix in Doha, Qatar in December last year.

Ms. Sarno is ranked fifth in her class with a best total lift of 249kg, which she registered also from Doha.

If the Asian champion stays in the top 10 after all the lifters in Group A took their turns at press time, Ms. Sarno will join a group of Olympic-bound Filipino athletes including fellow lifters John Febuar Ceniza (men’s 61kg) and Elreen Ando (women’s 59kg), who have also virtually booked their Paris seats. Pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan and boxers Eumir Marcial, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were the other Filipinos seeing action in Paris.

Rosegie Ramos is still waiting to see if she will make the Olympic cut or not as she is currently 11^th in the women’s 49kg section. — Joey Villar

CSB Lady Blazers open NCAA women’s volleyball S99 with straight sets win against EAC Lady Generals

April 7, 2024 | 7:41 pm

Games Tuesday
(San Andres Gym)
7:30 a.m. — Mapua vs SSC-R (men’s)
10 a.m. — Mapua vs SSC-R (women’s)
2 p.m. — LPU vs San Beda (women’s)
5 p.m. — LPU vs San Beda (men’s)

FOR 29 straight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) games spanning four years, College of St. Benilde (CSB) was nothing short of immaculate.

Make it 30 in a row.

Brandishing the same deadly and unforgiving roster that netted them two straight title sweeps, the Lady Blazers walloped the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals, 25-15, 25-14, 25-23, Sunday that set in motion their three-peat feat goal in NCAA Season 99 women’s volleyball at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

It also extended CSB’s run of excellence as it has now won 30 consecutive outings — seven four years ago when the season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a pair of 11-game championship sweeps the last two seasons.

Mycah Go, the team’s former skipper and Most Valuable Player who was back after missing more than a year due to multiple knee injuries, however, said they’re not conscious with the numbers and just more concerned on achieving one goal — win another crown.

But the Lady Blazers lost concentration and faltered in the third set when they trailed the Lady Generals by two, 21-19.

Good thing CSB recovered its wits and recalibrated its attacking and defensive schemes in time to seize six of the last eight points to complete the triumph.

In men’s action earlier, EAC edged CSB, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 15-12, to launch its campaign in duplicating, if not eclipsing its Final Four finish last year.

Jan Ruther Abor came off the bench and fired a 26 points he spiked with 25 kills while Marvin Williams Romero and captain Kenneth Batiancila contributed 16 and 11 hits, respectively. — Joey Villar

Arsenal sends title message with a 3-0 rout of Brighton and Hove Albion; Man City beats Palace

April 7, 2024 | 7:40 pm

LONDON — Arsenal sent out a huge statement in a gripping Premier League title race with a 3-0 rout of Brighton and Hove Albion to go top after Manchester City’s 4-2 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Liverpool, who had begun the day on top of the table, will now be under immense pressure to respond when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Goals by Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard ensured Arsenal made it 10 wins from their last 11 league games with only last weekend’s 0-0 draw at Manchester City costing them points.

Mikel Arteta’s side, bidding to deliver a first English title since the 2003-04 season, have 71 points from 31 games with Liverpool, who have a game in hand, on 70. Reigning champions Manchester City also have 70 points.

In such a tight tussle Arsenal’s far superior goal difference, could prove crucial.

A 3-0 home defeat against Brighton in May last season ended any realistic title hopes Arsenal had, but they have made a massive improvement since.

From the moment Mr. Saka stroked home a penalty in the 33^rd minute they looked unshakeable, and second-half goals by Mr. Havertz and former Brighton man Mr. Trossard had the away fans singing loudly in the south coast rain.

“Really happy, a big performance,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. “Brighton hadn’t lost at home since August and that says everything really. Today we were outstanding and needed that level today.”

Arsenal have not conceded a goal in their last five away league games, while scoring 20 goals in the process, and City and Liverpool will know that Arteta’s team are not going away.

Earlier at Selhurst Park, Manchester City suffered an early shock as they fell behind to a goal by Jean-Philippe Mateta.

But Kevin De Bruyne struck twice with Rico Lewis and Erling Haaland also on target as City cruised home.

Odsonne Edouard grabbed a late consolation for Palace.

“It’s just like every other title race. We have to win every game,” the 19-year-old Mr. Lewis told TNT Sports. “There’s three teams in it and we have to be the strongest team.”

Mr. De Bruyne, who along with Mr. Haaland was rested for Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Aston Villa, produced a vintage display as he clocked up his 100^th goal for the club.

“Without him we would not be able to win this. You talk about managers but players like Kevin make this game easy,” Pep Guardiola, whose side is seeking a fourth successive Premier League title, said.

“He has been one of the best players in City’s history.”

Aston Villa dropped points in the battle for fourth place as they drew 3-3 at home to Brentford. Villa had been 2-0 up with goals by Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers, but Brentford scored three times in nine minutes through Mathias Jorgensen, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa to lead before Mr. Watkins grabbed his second to secure a point for the hosts.

“It’s frustrating, we lacked that big team mentality where they kill games off which is disappointing,” Mr. Watkins said.

Villa have 60 points to fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur’s 57 but Tottenham have two games in hand, the first of them being Sunday’s home game against Nottingham Forest.

Luton Town secured a massive three points in their bid to avoid relegation as they hit back to win 2-1 at Bournemouth.

Carlton Morris struck the late decider as third-from-bottom Luton claimed their first win since January to move to 25 points, the same as 17^th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Everton also claimed a vital victory as they won 1-0 against 19^th-placed Burnley, Dominic Calvert-Lewin profiting from a bad error by Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric.

It ended a 13-game Premier League winless streak for Everton who are four points above the relegation zone.

Newcastle United boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe as they won 1-0 at Fulham, while West Ham United claimed a 2-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers to stay seventh — their winner coming directly from a superb James Ward Prowse corner. — Reuters

Samsung Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024

April 7, 2024 | 7:39 pm

SAMSUNG Philippines and RunRio have banded together to take steps for a greener earth

Samsung Philippines in partnership with RunRio, is inviting you to take a collective step towards a greener, more sustainable planet by joining the Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024.

Happening on April 21 at the SM Mall of Asia Complex, Galaxy Watch Earth Day Run 2024 advocates for the preservation of our planet, recognizing the urgent need to address pressing environmental challenges. The run aims to shed light on critical environmental issues and to encourage and promote sustainable practices, eco-friendly choices, and responsible consumption, recognizing that small actions collectively contribute to significant positive impacts.

Runners can track their progress during the race in style with Samsung’s latest fitness tracker and avail of the limited edition Galaxy Fit3 Bundle, which offers 30% off on the race registration fees and the Galaxy Fit3. The bundle packs are priced at P3,899 for the 21K with a Galaxy Fit3, P3,479 for the 10K with a Galaxy Fit3, and P3,339 for the 5K and a Galaxy Fit3!

This partnership is very much in line with Samsung’s continued commitment to sustainability. The company strives to build sustainability into its product and technology experience and empower people in their own sustainability journey.

Athletic Bilbao beats Mallorca to win Copa del Rey and end 40-year trophy drought

April 7, 2024 | 7:39 pm

SEVILLE — Athletic Bilbao beat Mallorca 4-2 on penalties on Saturday to win their 24^th Copa del Rey title and their first since 1984 — ending a 40-year trophy drought in a nerve-wracking final in Seville.

Athletic have been through years of heartache, having lost their previous six consecutive Spanish cup finals and a Europa League final to Atletico Madrid in 2012.

But roared on by around 50,000 fans who invaded Seville and outnumbered Mallorca’s supporters at a sold-out La Cartuja stadium which holds 60,000 spectators, Athletic put all their trauma behind to pull out the long awaited victory in a hard-fought final.

Their 23-year-old keeper Julen Agirrezabala, who made a couple of brilliant saves during the game, saved one spot kick in the shootout from Mallorca’s Manu Morlanes, while Nemanja Radonjic skied his effort.

Athletic’s penalty takers meanwhile were flawless in their execution, scoring four in a row to secure the win that crown a brilliant season under the calm guidance of ex-Barca manager Ernesto Valverde, in which they are also bidding for a top-four LaLiga finish.

“I’m so happy to have made history at this club, the club of my life! I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time. I’ve given everything for my family, my friends…” an emotional man-of-the-match Nico Williams told TVE.

“The fans have always been with us and they deserve it, let’s enjoy it. It’s a dream to win with the club of my life. Everyone can enjoy it now and celebrate!”

The game had finished 1-1 after extra time. Despite Bilbao dominating proceedings with almost 70% of possession, Dani Rodriguez fired in a curling shot after a couple of other efforts had been charged down, giving Mallorca the lead in the 21^stminute.

But Ohian Sancet equalized in the 50^th minute before Bilbao laid siege to Mallorca’s goal, with keeper Dominik Greif working his magic to deny several efforts by the Basque players. — Reuters

One setback

April 7, 2024 | 7:38 pm

Paige Bueckers had a remarkably nuanced take on a critical call with 3.9 seconds left in their Final Four match that all but doomed the Huskies’ chances to triumph. They were down by one, but had the offense set up to get the ball in the hands of their transcendent star for a potential game winner. As she drove right off a screen from Aaliyah Edwards, however, the latter was called for an offensive foul for having illegally cut the path of defender Gabbie Marshall. “Everybody can make a big deal of that one single play, but not one single play wins a basketball game or loses a basketball game,” she said in her post-mortem.

Bueckers is right, to be sure. And, in connection with her view, it’s also significant to note that Edwards did set a moving pick to prevent Marshall from crowding her. Had the whistle not been blown, the Huskies would have been able to take a questionable stab at the basket as she curled for either a shot or a pass. If there’s any knock on the stoppage of play, it’s that the development denied players the opportunity to decide the outcome of the set-to for and by themselves. Unfortunately, there can be no escaping the criticism either way given the stakes and the intrinsic partisanship in hoops competitions.

Contests are zero-sum games, especially in the NCAA tournament. As good as the protagonists may be, one setback is all it takes to eliminate them from contention for the championship. For the Huskies, the good news is that Bueckers will be staying on for another campaign. And with a full roster, their March Madness experience in 2025 figures to be marked different. The fact that Caitlin Clarke will have moved on to the pros by then cannot be understated as well.

For now, though, the Huskies will have to content themselves watching the Hawkeyes do battle against the Gamecocks in the final. And as they ruminate on what could have been, they will, no doubt, draw on their disappointment to motivate them next year. The one controversial moment that did them in the other day may yet serve them in good stead moving forward.

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.