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DoH aims for 6,000 health facilities

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) aims to build at least 6,000 functioning primary healthcare facilities nationwide by 2028 to boost the delivery of healthcare services, a health official told senators on Tuesday.

At a Senate hearing, DoH Director of Health Facility Development Melissa T. Sena said that as of end-2023, the country has 2,624 primary health care facilities and 131 specialty centers, adding: “By 2028, the target for primary healthcare facilities is a little over 6,000 to address the needs of the population.”

Last year, the DoH greenlit the establishment of 333 of these facilities — 31 of which were then under construction.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go led the hearing aimed at crafting bills that would mandate the building of more health facilities and upgrade local hospitals.

Earlier, Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri called for a probe on the lack of medical facilities and healthcare experts in top tourist destinations in the Philippines.

“It is crucial to know the priorities of the DoH and the DBM (Department of Budget and Management) in funding the construction, repair and rehabilitation of various health facilities,” Mr. Go said at the hearing.

The United States Agency for International Development has said the Philippines must invest more in development and modernizing local healthcare facilities to encourage nurses and other healthcare professionals to stay in the country instead of seeking work abroad.

“The process of making it attractive (for health workers) to stay here is about building strong centers where people can feel rewarded, serve their communities and feel that they have the supplies,” USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health Atul Gawande said during his visit to Manila in January. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

CoA told to resolve hotel claims

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has ordered the Commission on Audit (CoA) to resolve a hotel owner’s money claims against the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) in a consolidated resolution that also reinstated a regional trial court’s ruling determining the cost owed by PAGCOR amounting to over P102 million.

Affirming a 2006 ruling by a Regional Trial Court (RTC), the Supreme Court en banc ordered CoA to settle the money claims made by Silahis International Hotel, Inc. (SIHI), operator of the Grand Boulevard Hotel.

The 2006 RTC Decision sided with the hotel, ordering PAGCOR to pay its restoration dues as it entered into a Contract of Lease on the second and third floors of the hotel for its casino from 2000 to 2004.

After a series of court battles, the SC reinstated the lower court’s decision that entitled SIHI to claim restoration costs from PAGCOR and reversed a 2015 Court of Appeals (CA) decision that voided the RTC ruling on the grounds that a third party — Pacific Wide Holdings Corp. — had an intervening claim as the new owner of the hotel. 

In the 19-page decision penned by Justice Ma. Filomena D. Singh, the SC reversed the 2015 CA decision and determined that Pacific Wide was not an “indispensable party” to the case since the rulings were based on the Contract of Lease between PAGCOR and SIHI, which had expired years before Pacific Wide came into the picture.

As for CoA, the SC determined that “SIHI’s money claim against PAGCOR is now a liquidated claim over which the CoA has jurisdiction.”

While the SC remanded that money claim to CoA, it ruled that CoA’s action of rejecting the money claim determined by the RTC was not a “grave abuse of discretion.”

“The CoA properly denied SIHI’s money claim. SIHI’s claim was anchored on the 2006 RTC Decision, as modified by the 2012 CA Decision, which could not be executed precisely because the 2015 CA Decision nullified it,” it read.

In the end, the SC ruled that “SIHI’s contractual right to receive payment from PAGCOR does not affect Pacific Wide’s later ownership of the leased property.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Baguio booking scam exposed

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio City government has reiterated its warning against a scam on bookings at popular accommodation facilities here through unverified online channels.

The Office of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong noted an increase of incidents in which unsuspecting tourists are being conned, among them an actor who recently got scammed by a social media page that offered him a reservation at a Camp John Hay Forest Homes Cabin.

Upon checking, the Camp John Hay Forest Homes Cabin social media page had 11,000 followers, giving the public an impression of legitimacy, the mayor’s office said.

The actor’s experience was reported to Baguio City police’s anti-cybercrime unit, which is now conducting an investigation to unmask the scammers.

The city government advised the public to verify with visita.baguio.gov.ph or call the Permits and Licensing Division at (074) 619-3184 to confirm if they are transacting with legitimate parties.

The list of accredited accommodation establishments in the city can also be checked through https://www.facebook.com/325190721363838/posts/764765384073034/?extid=0&. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Cigarettes intercepted in Indanan

PIXABAY

COTABATO CITY — Another batch of smuggled cigarettes amounting to more than half a million pesos was confiscated last Sunday by police in Indanan town, Sulu.

Brig. Gen. Prexy D. Tanggawohn, Bangsamoro police director, said the seizure of 45 large boxes of cigarettes from Indonesia valued at P540,000 was made a day after a bigger haul worth P21 million was intercepted in Glan, Sarangani.

Local officials said the latest seizure of smuggled cigarettes consigned to traders in Indanan and Jolo town, was the result of a tip from Tausug community leaders and barangay officials.

A team composed of personnel from the Sulu Provincial Police Office and the Indanan Municipal Police Station intercepted the contraband as smugglers were offloading the boxes of cigarettes from a watercraft in Barangay Kajatian, Indanan. — John Felix M. Unson

UAAP women volleyball resumes Final Four drive after 10-day break

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY LADY BULLDOGS — FACEBOOK.COM/WEARETHEUAAP

Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. — NU vs UE (men)
12 noon — UST vs AdU (men)
2 p.m. — NU vs UE (women)
4 p.m. — UST vs AdU (women)

NATIONAL University (NU)and University of Santo Tomas (UST) shore up their drive for a Top-Two finish and the twice-to-beat incentives against separate counterparts as the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament returns from a 10-day break today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Lady Bulldogs, who dealt the Golden Tigresses their first defeat before the UAAP break in observance of the Holy Week, rides on the momentum versus the University of the East (UE) at 2 p.m. followed by the UST-Adamson University (AdU) duel at 4 p.m. 

NU is at 7-2, a stone throw’s away from UST (8-1) and reigning champion La Salle (7-1) in a wild finish for the coveted Top 2 spots laced by win-once bonuses in the Final Four nearing the homestretch of the two-round preliminaries. UE and Adamson, for their part, sport similar 2-6 slates entering a key tiff to stay in Final Four contention as Far Eastern University (4-4) and Ateneo de Manila University (3-6) pace the race for the last spot.

Former MVP Bella Belen said that NU is not keen on presssing the break even against the lowly UE squad led by super rookie Casiey Monique Dongallo.

The same goes for the ertswhile pristine Golden Tigresses, who are out to hold the fort at No. 1 despite absorbing their first loss that paved the way for traditional Final Four format instead of a potential stepladder one.

In the men’s play, second-running and three-time champion NU (7-2) takes on UE (1-7) at 10 a.m. while UST (5-4) and Adamson (4-4) battle in the big game between Final Four contendets at 12 noon. — John Bryan Ulanday

Fil-Am Ethan Alvano named MVP in Korean hoop league

ETHAN ALVANO — FACEBOOK.COM/KBLSNS

FILIPINO-AMERICAN guard Ethan Alvano etched history by becoming the first non-Korean Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Korean Basketball League (KBL) since its foundation in 1997.

The California standout averaged 15.0 points on an impressive 40.9 three-point clip laced by 6.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 steals as his squad Wonju DB Promy topped the elimination round with a 41-13 slate.

Mr. Alvano, serving as an import under the Asian Quota Player program, was formally recognized in the awarding ceremony on Monday night, adding another feather in the cap of Filipino imports abroad. RJ Abarrientos with former team Ulsan Hyundai albeit now with the Japan B. League’s Shinshu won the Rookie of the Year honor while Anyang’s Rhenz Abando reigned as the Slam Dunk Contest king in the KBL All-Stars last year.

Joining Mr. Alvano in the All-KBL team were his teammates Kang Sangjae and Dedric Lawson, who’s also the KBL Import MVP, as well as Suwon’s Paris Bass and Seoul Samsung’s Lee Junghyun.

Mr. Alvano, 27, previously played in Germany, Thailand and the Philippines with Alab Pilipinas in the ASEAN Basketball League under the tutelage of now NBA’s Sacramento Kings assistant coach Jimmy Alapag. — John Bryan Ulanday

Four teams start making big moves on their PBA bids

MERALCO BOLTS — PBA.PH

Games Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4:30 p.m. — Meralco vs Terrafirma
7:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Converge

FOUR teams that struggled in the early goings of the PBA Philippine Cup look to start making big moves to push their respective playoffs drives.

Meralco (2-3) and Terrafirma (3-2) clash while Rain or Shine or ROS (1-4) and Converge (0-5) face off as they resume their campaigns in today’s double-header at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Bolts hope to return to action recharged by the two-week break and buoyed by their 91-73 romp over Ginebra last March 15 that ended back-to-back losses to NorthPort and NLEX prior. “Our focus is to win each game because we have three losses. Our backs are against the wall,” said Meralco star Allein Maliksi after notching their second win in five outings.

The Dyip themselves are riding on a morale-boosting victory just before the All-Filipino halted play to give way to the mid-season All Star Weekend and Holy Week.

Last March 16, the Dyip fought back from 19 points down and banked on Juami Tiongson’s winning three-pointer to steal it against Blackwater, 92-91, and get win no. 3.

“I think these next few days or couple of weeks will kind of define the teams,” said Meralco counterpart Luigi Trillo. “Everybody’s looking for placing. So some teams at the top can cement themselves in their positions, and some of the lower teams can come back to life.”

Like Meralco and Terrafirma, ROS aims to build on its 100-85 conference breakthrough over Phoenix in the first half of hostilities heading to its 7:30 p.m. duel with winless Converge in play resumption.

“We looked at it (hiatus) as a time to reset, a time to bring this team together, look at what transpired in the first five games and see where we can improve on,” said Rain or Shine tactician Yeng Guiao.

Notes: Amid noise on social media about supposedly bolting Meralco, ace playmaker Chris Newsome declared his full commitment to the Bolts. “I’m 100 percent committed. Ever since the day I got drafted by Meralco, I’ve always dreamt of getting Meralco its first PBA championship and I’m still fighting for that ‘til this day,” he said on the team’s Facebook page. — Olmin Leyba

Filipinas play a pair of friendlies against South Korea

THE Philippine women’s football team hones up for future competition and integrates new faces as it plays a pair of international friendlies against Asian power South Korea in Icheon City.

The 39th-ranked Filipinas battle the No. 20 Koreans on April 5 and April 8 at the Icheon Sports Complex as a highlight of their training camp in South Korea.

Coach Mark Torcaso has assembled a 29-strong squad led by FIFA World Cup veterans Sarina Bolden, Liv McDaniel, Sara Eggesvik and Katrina Guillou for the faceoff with the Koreans, the Filipinas’ tormentor in the semifinals of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup in India.

At the same time, Mr. Torcaso has brought along Under-17 (U17) stalwarts Gabrielle Baker, Aiselyn Sia, Alexa Pino and Nina Mathelus, new additions Alessandria Carpio and Chayse Ying and returning Cathrine Graversen and Charisa Lemoran for integration.

“It’s always a great opportunity to have our Filipinas come together and rally behind the country to play against our Asian counterparts like one of the top national teams like South Korea,” said Mr. Torcaso.

“We also welcome the new faces of Filipinas to our national team. Matches like this prepare our players for major events next year and continue to develop our team and our players,” he added.

The Filipinas look to make the most of the chance to get back at the Koreans, who beat them in the 2022 WAC semis, 2-0, and in the battle for fifth in the 2018 edition, 5-0. — Olmin Leyba

Inter Milan closes in on title with win over Empoli

MILAN — Runaway leaders Inter Milan continued their seemingly unstoppable march to the Serie A title after an early goal from Federico Dimarco and a late effort from Alexis Sanchez secured a 2-0 win at home against Empoli on Monday.

Inter are top of the table with 79 points, 14 ahead of city rivals AC Milan in second place with eight matches left to play. Their sizeable lead means that Inter could potentially clinch the Scudetto during the city derby against Milan on April 22.

The result pushed 18th-placed Empoli into the relegation zone, level on 25 points with Frosinone in 17th and one point ahead of 19th-placed Sassuolo.

Inter manager Simone Inzaghi, who celebrated his 100th victory with the club, lost his voice during the match, with assistant coach Massimiliano Farris taking over the post-match duties.

“The tactics are working very well, the mobility of our defenders, but also the ability of the midfielders to cover the spaces when the defenders go forward, that is all teamwork,” Mr. Farris told DAZN.

“We did better in the second half and the substitutions gave us a big hand to bring home the result, confirming the strength in depth of this squad.”

EARLY GOAL
Mr. Dimarco broke the deadlock for Inter in the sixth minute when he fired the ball left-footed into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The rest of the first half ebbed and flowed, with Inter pressing to extend their lead, and Empoli goalkeeper Elia Caprile standing firm to deny them. Yet Empoli gained momentum towards the end of the half, creating chances that were narrowly off target.

Inter came back with renewed vigor after the break and Nicolo Barella was inches away from scoring after beating three Empoli defenders.

Substitute Mr. Sanchez was left unmarked to tap home Denzel Dumfries’ cross and double Inter’s lead in the 81st minute after a flowing passing move from the hosts.

Davide Frattesi almost grabbed a third for Inter with the last kick of the match, but the ball slipped just past the post.

Inter will next play Udinese away on Monday while Empoli host Torino on Saturday. — Reuters

Ateneo’s Jhaz Joson signs with Goldfields Giants in Australia NBL1

ANOTHER Filipina cager is off to the Land Down Under.

After Jack Animam, Jhaz Joson of Ateneo de Manila University takes her turn in flying the flag high abroad after signing with the Goldfields Giants in the Australia’s National Basketball League 1.

Titan Management Group, the agency of Ms. Joson, and the Giants announced the signing on Monday night. “Congratulations to Jhaz Joson for signing with NBL1 team Goldfields Giants, an NBL1 West club based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The Giants got a good one,” said TMG.

“Giants sign Filipino rising star Ms. Joson. A week out from the start of their season, the Northern Star Resources Goldfields Giants women’s team has bolstered their roster with the inclusion of Filipino player Jhazmin Joson,” said Goldfields.

Ms. Joson is coming off a solid stint with Gilas Pilipinas 3×3 that finished in the quarterfinals of the FIBA 3×3 Asia Cup in Singapore.

She was a Mythical Team member in her final year with the Blue Eagles, whom she towed to a Final Four finish in the UAAP Season 86 women’s basketball tournament.

Ms. Joson and the Goldfields play in the Western Conference of NBL1 as her Gilas teammate Animam, who signed with the Ringwood Hawks is in the South Conference.

Gilas men anchor Kai Sotto, who’s now with Yokohama in the Japan B. League, was the first Filipino to play in the NBL with the Adelaide 36ers for two seasons. — John Bryan Ulanday

Boston Celtics rough up Charlotte Hornets to cap road trip

JAYSON TATUM scored 25 points, Sam Hauser sank seven 3-pointers off the bench and also finished with 25 points and the Boston Celtics completed a solid road trip by defeating the host Charlotte Hornets 118-104 on Monday night.

Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points for the NBA-leading Celtics (59-16), who went 4-2 on their last multi-game trip of the regular season. Derrick White provided 19 points and nine rebounds, and Al Horford chipped in with 15 points.

Boston made 19 shots from 3-point range to outscore the Hornets 57-39 from beyond the arc. The teams had similar percentages from deep (35.8 percent for Boston, 35.1 percent for Charlotte), but the Celtics launched 53 treys among their 89 field-goal attempts. Mr. Hauser was 7-for-11 on threes and 2-for-2 on 2-pointers.

Miles Bridges scored 26 points and Grant Williams, who was in the starting lineup, had 23 for Charlotte (18-57), which fell for the eighth time in nine games. Brandon Miller added 19 points and, despite dealing with a shoulder contusion, Vasilije Micic supplied 13 points and nine assists.

Mr. Tatum, who also grabbed 10 rebounds, went 9-for-19 from the field, draining four 3-pointers. Mr. Porzingis had seven boards and five assists. The Celtics stretched a 59-53 halftime lead to 16 points in the third quarter on the way to avenging a November overtime loss in Charlotte. Things were tied at 53-all with 1:37 to go in the second quarter, but Mr. Tatum scored four points during a 6-0 Boston run to close the first half.

Mr. Bridges canned a pair of free throws to pull the Hornets within 72-64 with 7:33 remaining in the third, but the Celtics scored nine of the next 12 points to make it 81-67.

The visitors took a 95-79 advantage into the fourth, and Charlotte never threatened the rest of the way.

The Hornets limited Boston’s transition game, but it didn’t matter too much, as the Celtics leaned on their perimeter offense whenever they needed a boost. — Reuters

Suns’ fate

To argue that the Suns needed to win yesterday would be to understate the obvious. It wasn’t simply that they aimed to avoid the ignominy of a swoon into a play-in berth. It was that they faced the resurgent Pelicans, at sixth one spot above them in West standings. Given the depth in the conference, qualifying outright for the playoffs would be a welcome development, in terms of both avoiding risk and generating confidence. And they certainly need it in light of their middling play of late.

The Suns most definitely harbor title aspirations, an offshoot of the otherworldly talent in their stable. Any roster that has all-time great Kevin Durant on it should expect no less. And since he shares the court with fellow marquee names Devin Booker and Bradley Beal, the projection becomes even more pronounced. Unfortunately, they haven’t exactly been humming with consistency under new head coach Frank Vogel. To be sure, part of their struggles can be traced to a cacophony of injuries that have prevented them from establishing the esprit de corps required of champion teams.

That said, even valid reasons turn into excuses in the face of the Suns’ undeniable firepower. Durant is the best scorer in National Basketball Association history, backstopped by the dynamic Booker and Beal. And, still, they could not do better than sport a 9-7 slate in March, if nothing else a reflection of their marked inability to generate points exactly when needed. For some reason, they’re the worst in the league in fourth quarter scoring — leading casual observers and hoops habitues alike to wonder why.

The Suns certainly have their work cut out for them. All their opponents in the remainder of their regular season schedule have winning records. They face the Pelicans anew, the Timberwolves and Clippers twice, and the Cavaliers and Kings — a veritable Murderer’s Row that figures to test their character. Conventional wisdom has them doing well for as long as they meet potential. But therein lies the rub: They haven’t done so with any semblance of confidence. So will they go up? Or down? Or stay in place? Their fate is theirs to carve.

 

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.

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