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Group: Taiwan events affect PHL

TAIPEI — FILIPINOS should follow the events on the escalating tensions between China and Taiwan as the conflict would likely trickle down to the Philippines, which is only about a thousand kilometers away, a representative of a pro-democracy group said over the weekend.

“Taiwan is our neighbor to the north and anything that happens to Taiwan will eventually trickle down towards the Philippines, especially if China launches a very brash offensive,” Girard Mariano L. Lopez, a Filipino student in Taiwan and representative of the Asian pro-democracy group Milk Tea Alliance, told BusinessWorld.    

He noted that a lot of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) will be affected if a possible invasion of Taiwan occurs.

“There are more Filipinos that work in Taiwan than in mainland China itself,” said Mr. Lopez.

“Our kababayans’ loss of revenue or being able to fend for their family and their very lives [will be] endangered because bombs don’t discriminate when they land, as we see with the current Gaza crisis or with eastern Ukraine,” he added.   

The Philippine government remains subscribed to the One China Policy, which recognizes Taiwan as part of China.

In April, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that “those who play with fire on Taiwan will eventually get themselves burned.”   

In the same month, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian asked the Philippines to oppose Taiwan’s independence if the country “cares genuinely” about the welfare of more than 150,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) there. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Students develop smart trash bin

BAGUIO CITY — Three computer engineering students in Baguio City are seeking help to finally finish developing their local innovation: a smart trash bin that encourages people to properly dispose of their garbage.

The three students — Kyle Russell Lucero, Aryk John Mosquete, and Samuel Sta Cruz, soon to be computer engineers from the University of the Cordilleras (UC) — unveiled their “Smart Garbage Bin” in June and installed it at the Rose Garden of Burnham Park.

Equipped with built-in sensors, the trash bin’s lid automatically opens every time a person comes near it. It will not close until one’s trash is put into the bin.

The trash bin also transmits signals to the smart command center at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center when it is full and needs to be hauled, facilitating the timely collection of garbage.

The student innovators are asking the city government of Baguio, the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), and other agencies to help them produce more of these to help keep the city clean and environment friendly. — Artemio A. Dumlao

DTI-Davao cites exporters’ gains

DAVAO CITY — The regional office of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-Davao) reported that under the Exports and Investments, DTI-Davao has assisted 243 exporters regionwide, posting regional domestic sales amounting to P775.17 million for this year.

Citing data from the Preliminary Annual Physical Bottomlines from January to November 2023, DTI-Davao said the regional sales were attributed to market matching and facilitation, pasalubong center sales, trade fair sales, and firm-level monitoring among assisted micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Davao Region.

The DTI-Davao conducted and participated in 21 export investment promotion activities nationwide and these activities contributed to assisting the regional exporters as well as 190 other investors nationwide. — Maya M. Padillo

Road aids Nueva Vizcaya tourism

BAGUIO CITY — The public works department has completed a local road project now serving as a gateway to tourist spots and speeds up the transport of goods in Quezon, Nueva Vizcaya.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Nueva Vizcaya First District Engineer Marifel T. Andes said the P19.3-million Jacinto-Esquivel Road Project funded under the 2023 General Appropriations Act (GAA) is an 860-meter concrete paved road in Barangay Baresbes, Quezon town.

“With the road spanning from (Baresbes, Quezon) to market centers, the improved access will benefit local businesses,” said the DPWH official.

Also, local and international tourists can now easily access tourists spots in the area, particularly the Plaza Patring Falls, enhancing the overall tourism experience. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Crown back to Mendiola

THE SAN BEDA RED LIONS completed their grand return to the pedestal with a sleek, emphatic 76-66 Game Three victory over the Mapua Cardinals. — PHILIPPINES STAR/JUN MENDOZA

SAN Beda University needed just five years to reclaim its old place on top of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

For Mapua University, it would have to wait another year to end its three-decade drought.

On Sunday, the Red Lions completed their grand return to the pedestal with a sleek, emphatic 76-66 Game Three victory over the Cardinals that sealed the former the Season 99 senior basketball crown before a mammoth Smart Araneta Coliseum crowd.

It was the Benedictine school’s first crown since reigning supreme in 2018 and a league record 23rd overall that put it three championships ahead of closest pursuer Letran (20).

The glorious coronation was witnessed by 23,077 fans, which included the Red Lions’ top patron Manny V. Pangilinan.

It surpassed the season-high 22,465 that trooped to Game Two at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City.

Impressively, it wasn’t even King Lion Jacob Cortez who delivered the biggest of blows.

It was Yuki Andrada in the deciding Game Three with his 20 titanic points including nine in the decisive fourth quarter breakaway.

His five thunderous triples were like rays of sunshine on a gloomy day. If the Finals Most Valuable Player award would count impact as one factor and not purely on statistics, Mr. Andrada would have won it. It went to James Payosing, the unassuming forward from Surigao del Sur who was content to just work from behind the scenes doing most of the dirty work and heavy lifting.

He didn’t even expect the precious trophy would land in his grasp.

But it did.

It wasn’t as if Mr. Cortez, the 21-year-old son of former PBA and De La Salle University stalwarts, didn’t do anything big.

He did as he took the burden of carrying the brunt of drawing most of Mapua’s marauding defense and even had to sit out for a long stretch after succumbing to cramps.

Mr. Cortez would eventually return and wound up with eight points, eight assists and three rebounds.

Due to cramps, Mr. Cortez missed out on winning his first individual award but it was undeniable that, without his presence, the Red Lions wouldn’t have gotten this far.

Without Mr. Cortez’s 21-point effort in a series-knotting, Game Three-forcing 71-65 Game Two win last week at MOA, San Beda would have been already sulking and crying in their Mendiola dormitories because of opportunities lost.

Mr. Cortez just practically carried San Beda on his back.

“My players are good,” said San Beda coach Yuri Escueta. “When we were struggling in the second round, they’re the ones who wanted to go to the other round and they told me they want to go this way and this our round.”

While the Red Lions basked in glory, the Cardinals just couldn’t control their emotions and wept after coming one game away from claiming their first crown since winning it all 32 years ago.

It was so close, yet so far. — Joey Villar

The scores:

San Beda 76 — Andrada 20, Payosing 11, Gonzales 10, Cortez 8, Royo 6, Jopia 6, Tagle 4, Alfaro 4, Puno 3, Visser 2, Cuntapay 2

Mapua 66 — Recto 18, Escamis 13, Rosillo 10, Hernandez 6, Cuenco 5, Dalisay 5, Bonifacio 4, Soriano 3, Fornis 2, Bancale 0, Sabsalon 0

Quarterscores: 24-15; 36-35; 53-57; 76-66

Tots Carlos quick to share PVL Finals MVP trophy with all her teammates

TOTS CARLOS received her Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy right after Creamline’s historic Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference title sweep before a mammoth Smart Araneta Coliseum crowd Saturday night, and she was quick to share it with all her teammates. — PVL.PH

WHEN Tots Carlos received her Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy right after Creamline’s historic Premier Volleyball League  (PVL) All-Filipino Conference title sweep before a mammoth Smart Araneta Coliseum crowd Saturday night, she was quick to share it with all her teammates.

It encapsulated how the Cool Smashers’ magical season went — winning via old-fashioned collective team effort.

Creamline had to dig deeper to its already loaded bench after losing two key cogs from its championship runs in the past in cerebral setter Jia de Guzman and lethal middle blocker Ced Domingo, who brought their talents abroad.

It started with Kyle Atienza, who admirably filled in for the gargantuan task of succeeding Ms. De Guzman.

There were also no shortages in plugging in the equally gaping hole left by Ms. Domingo up front as Pangs Panaga, Risa Sato and fresh Game Two hero Lorie Bernardo all admirably answered the call.

And Creamline captain Alyssa Valdez, the unchallenged leader of the band, was all praises of her squad.

“No words can express how proud I am with the effort on Saturday and every single game of this conference,” said Ms. Valdez, who was the catalyst in the mighty and proud franchise’s dynastic reign.

Ms. Valdez said their mantra of taking it a step at a time worked wonders.

“Our mantra this conference, one game at a time, one point at a time literally,” she said. “Everyone had their moment this conference, that’s one thing our coaches prepared us for.”

For Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, he’s just happy they won and they are healthy. — Joey Villar

PHL battles Indonesia in MLBB esports world championship at RMC

IT’S PHILIPPINES vs Indonesia for all the marbles of the M5 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) World Championship.

Home bet AP Bren dispatched a compatriot squad to earn a shot at Onic Esports Indonesia in the grand finals of the MLBB esports world tilt over the weekend before a sizeable crowd at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum (RMC) in Manila

AP Bren, the champion of the MLBB Pro League Philippines (MPL-PH), swept past local rival and former world champion Blacklist International in the lower bracket finals to advance to the grand finals against the Indonesian counterpart.

It was Onic Indonesia that relegated AP Bren, the M2 world champion, to the lower bracket after ruling the upper bracket finals with a similar 3-0 win for the first grand final ticket.

But the vengeful AP Bren, mentored by Francis “Duckey” Glindro, proved undeterred and vented its ire on fellow Philippine bet Blacklist to still stay in M5 world title contention.

Rowgien “Owgwen” Unigo, with pet heroes Mathilda and Arlott, starred in the Hornets’ sweep of Blacklist by capturing two MVP honors in three matches.

Marco “Super Marco” Requitiano and Michael “KyleTzy” Sayson, then took over in the series-clinching Game 3 with solid coverage from David “Flaptzy” Canon and team captain Angelo “Pheww” Arcangel.

AP Bren also steered the Philippines to the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games MLBB esports event in Cambodia with a 3-0 win over the Malaysian counterparts last summer.

That win capped a three-peat for the Filipinos since the introduction of esports as an official medal event in the SEA Games in 2019 here in Manila, where Bren also made up the team core led by captain Arcangel for the inaugural title.

Right after, AP Bren scored a 4-1 romp of Blacklist to reign supreme in the MPL-PH Season 12 finals and clinch a ticket in the M5 in a bid to win another world title after capturing the second edition of the world esports championships.

As the Philippines’ second placer, Blacklist was also rewarded with a world tilt slot only to fall short against AP Bren anew for its worst finish at third.

Blacklist won the M3 world championship before finishing runner-up in M4 to another local stalwart in Echo Philippines. — John Bryan Ulanday

Bachmann affirms Batang Pinoy’s crucial role in shaping future stars

PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann reasserted his unwavering faith and dedication to the Batang Pinoy (BP), highlighting its crucial role in unearthing potential members of the country’s future elite athletes.

“I am hoping that many of our young athletes participating in Batang Pinoy will be identified and discovered by our National Sports Associations (NSAs). I am delighted to witness numerous young athletes playing in our facilities,” said Mr. Bachmann after attending the opening of Batang Pinoy lawn tennis event at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Court on Sunday morning.

“Our national government, through the PSC, is and will always be committed to fostering an environment where every aspiring athlete has the opportunity to flourish,” Mr. Bachmann said during his speech in the opening ceremonies at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Mr. Bachmann took the opportunity to inspect various venues within the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, including those for weightlifting, swimming, badminton, and 3×3 basketball, the latter to be hosted at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Batang Pinoy, initiated in 1999, serves as the flagship grassroots program of the PSC, providing a national sports platform for athletes aged 15 and below. Notable figures like Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz began their athletic journey in Batang Pinoy, with Ms. Diaz participating for the first time in 2002 in Puerto Princesa.

This year’s Batang Pinoy covers 25 sports and action in weightlifting gets going with nine gold medals contested in various weight and age categories, including the 12U Boys 32kg., 12U Boys 37kg., 12U Girls 30kg., 13-15 Boys 37kg., 12U Boys 43kg., 16-17 Men’s 43kg., 13-15 Boys 43kg., 12U Girls 35kg., at 13-15 Girls 35kg.

Elimination rounds in lawn tennis kicked off on Sunday with Lorenz De Jesus of Rizal Province picking up the first victory of the day at the expense of Kyle Andrei Saga of Bukidnon, 6-4,6-1 while Sabine Dasha Chan See of Pasig, defeated 6-3, 6-0, Maria Janine Cadiz of Caoayan, Isabela, 6-3, 6-0.

Lance Kim Lesaca of Zambales blanked Glo John Manito of Cebu City, 6-0, 6-0; Cyrus Nathaniel Ogaob of Zamboanga Del Sur thrashed Mark Lorence of Marikina, 6-0-6-1; Adam Dane Tiongson of Nueva Viscaya survived Daniel Jose Neri of Mandaue City after a tie break, 4-6, 7-6 (10-9); and Christine Mae Gula-Gula of Dapitan trumped Jasmine Jaran of La Carlota, 6-4, 6-3.

With a massive delegation of over 18,000 participants expected for both the Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games (PNG), Mr. Bachmann is ensuring their well-being and accommodation.

Over 14,700 sleeping mats have been distributed to different billeting areas across Manila, Makati City, San Juan City, Pasig City, Pasay City, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Tagaytay City, and Indang, Cavite. An additional 1,200 mats were provided to early arrivals at Philsports billeting rooms in Pasig.

Shai-led Thunder

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander most definitely wanted to redeem himself against the Nuggets yesterday. It wasn’t simply that they lost to the defending champions in the first week of the season. It was that they did so by a whopping 33 points, with his poor play more than causing the blowout; he had only seven points on two-of-six shooting from the field in 28 minutes on the court. Considering his atrocious outing, he rightly marked yesterday’s rematch on the Thunder’s calendar. To argue that he was looking for payback would be an understatement.

Fast forward to the final buzzer, and Gilgeous-Alexander could not have been happier with the outcome. The set-to went back and forth from opening tip, but his game-winning turnaround jumper in the paint with 1.1 seconds left on the game clock gave the Thunder the victory with the slimmest of margins. And this time around, he made sure to fill up the board; he finished with 25 points (including 11 in the playoff period, hitting nine of 20 shots overall), six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals — all reflecting a line closer to his 2023-24 campaign norms.

The triumph ensured that the Thunder would remain ahead of the Nuggets in the Northwest Division, behind only the league-leading Timberwolves. It’s likewise their fifth in the last seven contests, providing them with some measure of momentum heading into their encounter with the Grizzlies. The latter would otherwise be fodder, but may well find confidence in the return of Ja Morant from a lengthy suspension. They will then be locking horns with a series of tough opponents in the Clippers, Lakers, Timberwolves, Knicks, Nuggets, Nets, and Celtics.

In short, the Thunder will have their work cut out for them in the foreseeable future. And, needless to say, they will expect Gilgeous-Alexander to lead the charge. They go where he goes, and if his output yesterday is any indication, they’ll be doing just fine.

 

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.

Gov’t urged to invest in offshore wind projects

REUTERS

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter

THE GOVERNMENT needs to consider coming in as an investor in offshore wind energy projects, an industry official said.

“Offshore wind is a big undertaking. Maybe the government wants to also have a stake there because… it’s huge in scale,” Jose M. Layug, Jr., president of the Developers of Renewable Energy for Advancement, Inc., said on the sidelines of a launch event last week.

Mr. Layug noted that PNOC Exploration Corp., a subsidiary of the state-owned Philippine National Oil Co., holds a 10% interest in Service Contract 38, or the Malampaya gas field development project.

“Maybe, government might want to be part of that first offshore wind project. I raised that earlier so the government could consider it,” he said.

Asked to comment, Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said any government venture into offshore wind would depend on the availability of funds.

“It depends on the availability of financing, but there are other ways where government can assist,” he said at the same event.

Mr. Lotilla said that the government can assist in terms of rights acquisition for users of submarine resources, the sea floor, and offshore areas.

“Where government can facilitate, we should be open to consider facilitating,” he said.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has awarded 82 offshore wind energy service contracts, with a potential capacity of 63.359 gigawatts (GW).

These projects are located in the north of Luzon, west of Metro Manila, north and south of Mindoro, Panay, and the Guimaras Strait. All these projects are currently in the pre-development stage, with proponents conducting assessments on resource volumes, site suitability, and project viability.

The DoE and the Asian Development Bank initially identified at least nine ports which can be upgraded or repurposed to service offshore wind operators.

Under the Philippine Offshore Wind Roadmap, the Philippines has an estimated potential capacity of 178 GW from offshore wind resources.

This is expected to help the Philippines achieve its aim of increasing the share of renewables to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

GSIS sets aside over P843 billion for public school fire insurance coverage

PHILIPPINE STAR/ BOY SANTOS

THE Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has set aside P843.11 billion to provide fire insurance cover for public school buildings starting next year.

The pension fund for government employees will provide for one year fire, lightning, and natural catastrophe cover for more than 132,000 public school buildings effective Jan. 1, 2024, the GSIS said in a statement on Sunday.

“With the rising frequency of natural calamities, protecting public school buildings becomes a priority of the government. Our partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) is a step towards ensuring financial resilience in support of its MATATAG agenda,” GSIS President and General Manager Jose Arnulfo A. Veloso said.

The funds were put together by the GSIS and the Bureau of the Treasury under the Treasury’s National Indemnity Insurance Program (NIIP).

The NIIP aims to provide insurance protection to critical government assets such as schools, hospitals, roads, and bridges, the GSIS said.

The GSIS has also provided 24/7 personal accident insurance cover for the death and medical expenses of all DepEd personnel.

“We are committed to look after the well-being of our DepEd members by providing them with strong insurance protection,” Mr. Veloso said. 

GSIS net income rose 117% year on year to P80 billion in the first 10 months, driven by revenue from financial assets.

This accounted for 66.67% of the net income target for 2023, as announced by GSIS Executive Vice-President Michael M. Praxedes in August. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Foreign chambers express support for FDI-friendly charter amendments

REUTERS

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THREE foreign chambers have expressed their support for a proposal in Congress to amend economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution next year to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI).

American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham) Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe said that the chamber has always recommended the removal of ownership restrictions in the Constitution.

Article 12 of the Constitution limits foreign ownership of land and businesses to 40%, while the remaining 60% set aside exclusively for Philippine citizens or corporations.

“If repeal is not possible, we have also supported proposals to insert the phrase ‘unless otherwise provided by law’ to allow Congresses to deliberate on and pass reforms,” Mr. Hinchliffe told BusinessWorld in a Viber message.

He said that the removal of the restrictions will attract more investment to the Philippines.

“Certainly, there will be more investment (once the restrictions are) repealed or amended. Anything that can make it easier to invest here and fewer restrictions will attract FDI,” he said.

During the second Aquino administration, the House failed to approve the Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) No. 1 on final reading.

Introduced by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, RBH No. 1 aimed to include the phrase “unless provided by law” in Sections 2, 3, 7, 10, and 11 of Article 12 of the Constitution.

The resolution will also include the phrase in Section 4 of Article 14 and Section 11 of Article 16 of the Constitution.

In 2021, RBH No. 2 was passed on the third and final reading which also proposed to amend sections of Articles 12, 14 and 16.

Written by Speaker Lord Allan Q. Velasco, RBH No. 2 also proposed to add the phrase “unless otherwise provided by law” which Mr. Velasco said is meant to free up the economy to foreign investors as the needs of the time dictate.

British Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive Director Chris Nelson said that the chamber believes the 60-40 ownership rule makes some foreign investors reluctant to invest.

“As you know, there are some businesses where you can only have 40% or minority ownership for foreign entities, and that obviously creates a reluctance in some investors,” Mr. Nelson said in a phone interview.

He said that there is a need to look at certain industries with low foreign participation. He also expressed support for the government’s decision to allow 100% foreign ownership in renewable energy (RE) projects.

“The public service sector should look at those industries and sectors which foreign investors still can’t get into,” he said.

“Clearly, removing those barriers will send a signal to foreign investors as the Philippines is moving even more forward,” he added.

Last year, the implementing rules and regulations of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 were amended to allow 100% foreign capital in RE projects. Previously, foreign ownership in RE projects was limited to 40%.

German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) President Stefan Schmitz said amendments easing restrictions for foreign investment will be positive for FDI.

“We believe that easing these restrictions will significantly enhance investment flexibility, crucial in attracting substantial FDI,” Mr. Schmitz said in a Viber message. 

“This influx of FDI is not only expected to generate numerous job opportunities for Filipinos but also essential for the Philippines to maintain its competitive edge in the rapidly evolving ASEAN market,” he added.

He said that the chamber’s support for these reforms reflects the findings of the Fall 2023 AHK (German Chamber of Commerce) Business Outlook Survey in which economic policy conditions in the Philippines were named as a primary concern among German companies.

“The relaxation of these economic restrictions on foreign investors is thus seen as a significant change that can substantially benefit our business community,” Mr. Schmitz said.

He said that the GPCCI realizes that reforms will be complex process and thus commits to supporting initiatives that will lead to a more dynamic, inclusive, and robust Philippine economy.

“We recognize that reforming constitutional economic provisions is a lengthy process. However, the GPCCI is steadfast in advocating for a thoughtful, inclusive, and efficient amendment process,” he added.

Net inflows of FDI slumped to $422 million in September, the lowest level in over three years. This was 42.2% lower than the $731-million FDI inflow seen a year earlier and 46.5% lower than the $790 million a month prior.

 This brought the nine-month FDI net inflow to $5.9 billion, representing a 15.9% decline from the $7 billion a year earlier.