CSB Lady Blazers survive Lady Pirates’ fierce challenge in 5 sets

May 5, 2024 | 7:42 pm

Games Tuesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
7:30 a.m. — Mapua vs San Beda (men)
10 a.m. — Mapua vs San Beda (women)
2 p.m. — AU vs JRU (women)
5 p.m. — AU vs JRU (men)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) and the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD)carved out a pair of elimination round sweeps to barge straight to the NCAA Season 99 volleyball finals at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

The Lady Blazers survived a fierce challenge from familiar rivals Lyceum of the Philippines University’s (LPU) Lady Pirates and escaped with a 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-21, 15-7 victory, their ninth consecutive, that catapulted the former to their third finals appearance in a row.

The Altas, for their part, bested the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Generals, 25-23, 25-23, 25-23, to pull off a nine-game sweep of the men’s side and also advance to the finals set May 19.

It was also CSB’s 38^th straight victory that included a pair of 11-game title sweeps the past two years.

The Lady Blazers have a chance for another one as they go for a three-peat sweep feat.

But they almost blew this one up after trailing by a set twice before coming through in the fourth and fifth set in weathering the LPU storm and preserving the magnificent run of triumphs.

“That has been what we were worried about, we’re preparing for complacency,” said CSB coach Jerry Yee.

For UPHSD, it was its fifth straight elimination round sweep that resulted in three championships.

It could have been four when it swept in the 2020 elims before COVID-19 cut short the season and denied the Las Pinas-based school one crown.

The Altas though will have a chance to win a fourth straight title.

LPU fell to 6-3 while EAC slipped to 8-1. — Joey Villar

Golden Spikers sweep Tamaraws to force a rubber match

May 5, 2024 | 7:42 pm

JOSH YBAÑEZ — JOSH YBAÑEZ — UAAP MEDIA TEAM/NICOLE HERNANDEZ

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) flaunted its veteran pedigree and playoff poise with an emphatic 25-23, 25-19, 28-26 sweep of the top-ranked and twice-to-beat Far Eastern University (FEU) to force a rubber match in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball Final Four on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez showed the way by firing 16 points on 15 hits with 13 receptions and six digs as the No. 4 Golden Spikers, who finished runner-up to three-time champion National University (NU) last season, finally scored one on the Tamaraws after being swept in their two elimination-round games.

Mr. Ybañez’s left baseline hit iced the deal for the Golden Spikers while captain Gboy De Vega kept them afloat with three straight points beforehand in the extended set to deny the FEU Tamaraws a quick finals entry.

Game 2 is on Wednesday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum with the winner marching on to the best-of-three championship series this weekend against either No. 2 seed National University or De La Salle. University

NU and De La Salle begin their own duel also on Wednesday after a playoff on Saturday won by the Bulldogs in five thrilling sets, 19-25, 25-21, 25-13, 21-25, 16-14, to clinch the last twice-to-beat bonus.

And the Golden Spikers, with help from John Sherwin Umandal (14), Edlyn Paul Colinares (10) and De Vega (10), put out a statement win to stay in that picture.

Santo Tomas spikers obliged, keeping FEU at bay amid its near comeback from 21-23 deficit in the third set before Mr. De Vega restored order with consecutive hits for the match point at 27-26.

Mr. Ybañez then sealed it.

Zhydryx Saavedra and Martin Bugaoan had 14 and 10 points, respectively, to pace FEU in a wild sweeping loss to lose its advantage and allow a KO game.

It was a reversal of roles for the Tamaraws, whose women’s counterparts at No. 4 seed pulled off a 25-23, 25-17, 25-23 stunner of No. 1 NU to force Game 2.

Second-seeded Santo Tomas and reigning champion De La Salle, at No. 3, were to play at press time in the other pairing of the women’s Final Four. — John Bryan Ulanday

DLSU Green Archers eye to continue unbeaten run against CEU in PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup

May 5, 2024 | 7:41 pm

Game Monday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre, San Juan)
7:30 p.m. — EcoOil-De La Salle vs CEU

HISTORY meets destiny as three-peat seeking EcoOil-De La Salle University and surprise finalist Centro Escolar University (CEU) battle in Game 1 of an interesting best-of-three title showdown in the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup on Monday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Game time is at 7:30 p.m. with the Green Archers, also UAAP champions, eyeing to continue their unbeaten campaign to zero in on a historic third straight crown in the PBA’s developmental ranks.

Standing in their way are the determined Scorpions in their first finals appearance in five years — and third overall — for a goal of capturing their breakthrough championship.

Both squads took contrasting paths to the Last Dance with De La Salle sweeping its way against Go Torakku-St. Clare, 2-0, in the semifinals for its seventh straight win in as many games.

The back-to-back UCAL champion CEU, for its part, shot a bevy of birds with one stone in a 78-56 statement win over Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda University in the do-or-die Game 3.

The Scorpions denied Marinero a finals ticket for the fourth straight edition and in the process spoiled an anticipated rematch with De La Salle for the third straight time.

And CEU, after gunning for the heads of the NCAA champions, wants more.

“Hopefully, we can take down another Goliath in La Salle. We just have to put in extra work. We still have another round to inspire other people and small schools,” said coach Jeff Perlas.

But that would not be an easy mountain to climb against the mighty De La Salle, which is out to become the only second team to win three straight titles in the D-League after NLEX had a four-peat in the 2010s.

“There are still games to be played. We still have to win two games to get the championship,” said assistant coach Gian Nazario, tasked by head coach Topex Robinson to handle the Green Archers’ D-League campaign. — John Bryan Ulanday

Real Madrid secures La Liga title after Girona thrashes Barcelona 4-2

May 5, 2024 | 7:40 pm

REAL MADRID claimed a record-extending 36^th LaLiga title on Saturday after Girona fought-back to beat Barcelona 4-2, a result that left Carlo Ancelotti’s side with an unassailable lead in the standings.

Real Madrid, who have lost only once in the league this season, beat lowly Cadiz earlier on Saturday. They hold a 13-point advantage over second-placed Girona while Barcelona dropped to third with four matches remaining.

Real Madrid now can turn their attention to a LaLiga-Champions League double as they get ready to host Bayern Munich in the semifinal return leg on Wednesday after snatching a 2-2 draw in Germany last week.

It was an afternoon of celebration for Girona too as the win secured them a spot in Europe for the first time after they qualified for next season’s Champions League.

A brace from substitute Portu helped surprise package Girona to humble their Catalan rivals for the second time this season. Girona had also beaten Barca away in December by the same score.

On Saturday Andreas Christiansen gave Barca the lead in the third minute before Girona hit back a minute later with LaLiga top-scorer Artem Dovbyk heading in the equalizer.

Robert Lewandowski put the visitors back in front from the penalty spot after Lamine Yamal was fouled inside the box just before the break and a wasteful Barca missed several chances to extend their lead early in the second half.

However, in the 65^th minute, in his first action after coming off the bench, Portu netted the equalizer and Miguel Gutierrez scored from a rebound two minutes later to give Girona the lead. A stunning volley from Portu in the 74^th minute secured the win.

“It’s incredible to look at your shirt and experience this. There is nothing more beautiful than living this,” an emotional Portu told DAZN with tears rolling down his face.

“I had a thorn in my side with this club. A few years ago, I experienced the other side, which was relegation and I felt very responsible because I played a lot. Today I made amends with the fans and I can smile again.”

If Barcelona end up finishing outside the top two, it will be a further blow to the club which is facing mounting financial problems related to their massive wage bill, a 1.2 billion euro debt and a 1.6 billion euro Camp Nou stadium renovation project.

The champions and runners-up of the Copa del Rey and LaLiga contest the lucrative Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, with the winner bagging a potential 6.6 million euros.

With four matches remaining, Barca now rely on Girona slipping up if they are to have any chance of contesting the Super Cup.

“I am sad, disappointed. We have experienced both sides of the coin. Ineffectiveness have killed us once and again,” Barca manager Xavi Hernandez, who last week announced he will stay in charge for another season, told a press conference.

“I’m the first to be angry with this situation, I understand the fans. Before being a coach, I was a fan. I understand our people’s frustration.” — Reuters

World No. 1 Swiatek outlasts Sabalenka in marathon final to win Madrid Open

May 5, 2024 | 7:40 pm

MADRID — World number one Iga Swiatek edged Aryna Sabalenka 7-5 4-6 7-6(7) in a gripping and grueling Madrid Open final to win the title for the first time on Saturday in what was a repeat of last year’s summit clash at the WTA 1000 claycourt tournament.

Ms. Sabalenka had won the 2023 final in three sets but it was Ms. Swiatek who triumphed this time after saving three championship points to secure her 20^th career title and deny the Belarusian a third title on the red clay of the Spanish capital.

The match was the first contest of the season between the top two in the women’s rankings and it lived up to expectations, going down as the longest encounter between the two Grand Slam champions at three hours and 11 minutes.

Victory improved Ms. Swiatek’s record over her Belarusian rival to 7-3 as the three-times French Open champion bagged the only major claycourt title that was missing on her glittering resume.

In the opening set, Ms. Sabalenka used her powerful forehand to great effect, firing winners past Ms. Swiatek that had the crowd roaring their approval, but the Belarusian struggled to convert break points against the world number one.

In response, Ms. Swiatek was more measured in her approach to constructing points and made the decisive break at 5-5 before serving out the set, clinching it when Ms. Sabalenka’s return popped up off the netcord and set up an easy winner for the Pole.

Ms. Sabalenka raised her intensity in the second set and took a 2-0 lead and nearly went 3-0 up but her first double fault of the match opened the door for Ms. Swiatek to get on the board before she broke again to put the set back on serve.

“I tried to make this match as long as possible… Hopefully next year it goes to me,” Ms. Sabalenka said. — Reuters

On Nuggets’ loss

May 5, 2024 | 7:40 pm

Nikola Jokic was his usual measured self when he met members of the media in the aftermath of the Nuggets’ loss Sunday. Even as they gave away homecourt advantage on the very first match of their semifinal round series against the resplendent Timberwolves, he remained cognizant of their capacity to keep track of what avid followers of the pro scene would describe as time and score. Anything can happen in any given game, let alone a best-of-seven affair — and there’s still a lot of hoops left to be played.

Jokic is right, of course, and not simply because he’s slated to claim his third Most Valuable Player award in four years. In spearheading the cause of the Nuggets, he knows full well the value of the experience they have as defending champions vis-a-vis the relatively wet-behind-the-ears Timberwolves. It’s why he refuses to get too low following setbacks, or too high in the face of victories. That said, he’s no fool, and understands the severity of the hurdles they need to overcome if they are to succeed in their quest to retain their title.

Certainly, the Nuggets need to be at their best in order for them to take the measure of the competition. In a postseason where the typical names on the marquee — LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry included — have been compelled to take in the action from afar, the Timberwolves represent a veritable changing of the guard. The latter brandished broomsticks in the first round versus the vaunted Suns, with the outcome of Game One serving to extend a pristine slate in the 2024 Playoffs. And leading the charge is certified megastar Anthony Edwards, whose utter lack of fear belies his age and fuels his extraordinary skill set.

Which is why Jokic was equally complementary of the Timberwolves and optimistic of the Nuggets’ chances. After all, they did beat the upstarts twice in the regular season, with Edwards going scoreless in the final quarters of both outings. In other words, all they need to do is perform to potential under pressure. The rest will then follow. Easier said than done? Perhaps. But for as long as there are contests left to play, they — and especially he — deserve the benefit of the doubt.

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.

EO 59 streamlines approval process for flagship projects

May 5, 2024 | 7:35 pm

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE GOVERNMENT has issued an executive order (EO) streamlining the process for bringing over 180 big-ticket infrastructure projects to operational status faster.

In EO No. 59 dated April 30, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said all such projects with complete submissions are deemed approved if not acted upon by the prescribed period.

He said no other national or local permit or clearance may be required for flagship projects except for the environmental compliance certificate or certificate of non-coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; building or occupancy permit issued by a municipal official; excavation permit from the local government unit (LGU), and clearances from the National Commission for Culture and Arts, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Department of Public Works and Highways, and the Bases Conversion and Development Authority as applicable.

The order also cited “other requirements as mandated by the Constitution and existing laws.”

Should a government agency or LGU fail to act on an application or request for renewal of any requirement related to the implementation of flagship projects, the validity of the document “shall be deemed extended.”

“To be clear, the executive order continues to recognize the applicability of other laws which ensure social welfare and environment protection. As such, requirements for the resettlement of affected informal settler families in infrastructure projects subsist under Urban Development and Housing Act,” according to Terry L. Ridon, convenor of InfraWatch PH.

“The executive order also does not dispense with the free prior informed consent requirements for areas considered ancestral domain by indigenous peoples under the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act,” he said in a chat message.

The order covers all government instrumentalities including National Government agencies, government-owned or -controlled corporations, and LGUs.

It tasked agencies involved in the implementation of flagship infrastructure projects to review their citizens’ charters “to remove redundant and burdensome procedures and requirements” and ensure the accessibility of the revised procedures.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board has approved 185 flagship infrastructure projects, with the government seeking to spend the equivalent of 5%-6% of gross domestic product on infrastructure.

Last month, Mr. Marcos issued a similar order to speed up the implementation of national railway projects, which have been struggling with right-of-way issues.

Citing the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007, Mr. Marcos said in the April 30 order that the number of signatories in any document related to flagship infrastructure projects be limited to three signatures. He also ordered agencies to adopt a system for online submission and acceptance of applications.

The President also cited the Electronic Commerce Act, which promotes the universal use of electronic transactions in the government, and ordered agencies to accept electronic copies of documentary requirements and recognize digital signatures.

The order directed all National Government agencies and encouraged LGUs to offer digital payment options, through partnerships with public and private payment system providers regulated by the central bank.

It tasked all national agencies and LGUs to set up within their offices a one-stop shop for flagship infrastructure projects which may not duplicate existing centers with similar objectives.

The order directed all National Government agencies to automate and computerize their databases and asked LGUs to adopt platforms designed for them by the Department of Information and Communications Technology to expedite permitting.

The NEDA Board Committee on Infrastructure, in coordination with the Anti-Red Tape Authority and Interior and Local Government department, will oversee the order’s implementation.

Meanwhile, Mr. Marcos issued an administrative order creating an inter-agency coordinating council that will consolidate the master list of all government-owned land.

“To ensure the efficient and effective allocation and utilization of land resources for the country’s national development goals, it is necessary to consolidate a comprehensive list of all government lands,” he said in Administrative Order No. 21.

The council will be co-chaired by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. The Department of Agriculture will serve as vice chair.

Members of the council include the Office of the Executive Secretary, Department of Interior and Local Government, Office of the Solicitor General, Department of Justice, Land Registration Authority, Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Information and Communications.

The DENR-Land Management Bureau will serve as the Secretariat of the Coordinating Council.

Climate to push more Asians to emigrate — ADB

May 5, 2024 | 7:34 pm

climate-change-flood — A man walks through a mud-covered cornfield in Tuguegarao after heavy flooding due to Typhoon Ulysses, Nov. 19, 2020. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

MORE citizens of Asia-Pacific countries are expected to emigrate, forced out by the increasing vulnerability of many countries to climate change, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

“Up to 4% of the active Philippine labor force worked abroad in 2023. Some scenarios predict that these numbers could potentially increase as climate change worsens,” the ADB said in a blog.

International mobility in the Asia-Pacific has intensified in recent years given the region’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters.

“In Asia and the Pacific, international mobility is already particularly pronounced, with many workers migrating temporarily to Middle Eastern countries as construction workers or domestic helpers,” the ADB said.

Remittances from these migrants can “cushion income shocks” for their families back home, especially from risks like climate change impacts.

“In East Asia, and in the Pacific, these financial flows from overseas amounted to as much as ten times the annual overseas development assistance over the past decade, making them a critical component of risk-coping,” the ADB said.

However, increased emigration due to climate risks has pushed governments of host countries to impose stricter migration rules.

“By tightening border controls and increasing the selectivity of migrants, one important strategy for coping with disasters is being severely curtailed,” the ADB said.

The bank also noted that poverty in vulnerable regions rose by 13% amid restrictions in international migration.

At the same time, disasters also impact job opportunities back home for workers rendered incapable of emigrating, the bank said.

“When floods affect rural areas, regions reliant on agricultural production can no longer absorb workers who are unable to migrate due to the ban, creating a double burden for affected communities,” it said.

Source and host countries must enter into bilateral agreements to protect migrant rights, the ADB said.

It cited a 2013 labor agreement between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia guaranteeing protections for Filipino migrant workers.

“In addition to ensuring the safety of their citizens living abroad, governments should also create safe pathways for people forced to migrate due to climate change,” ADB said.

The bank also pushed for efforts to reduce transaction costs for post-disaster remittances, which are deemed crucial “for smoothing income shocks caused by disasters.” — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

EMS planning $800-M Batangas plant making consumer products for EU

May 5, 2024 | 7:33 pm

electronics assembly-worker — EMS.COM.PH

CONTRACT manufacturer EMS Group said it is expecting investors to put up $800 million for a plant in Batangas that will manufacture electronic products for the European consumer market.

“This is already 95% sure, and it will happen in the second half,” EMS Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ferdinand A. Ferrer told reporters on the sidelines of a plant tour on Friday.

Once operational, the plant will support 5,000 to 6,000 direct jobs.

“Bringing that company to the Philippines will open up other opportunities for other products that we can also manufacture here,” Mr. Ferrer said.

“Because of the technology that they will bring here, we will now be able to go to our other wishlist customers that we could have brought here four years ago,” he added.

The site selected in an economic zone in Batangas.

Mr. Ferrer did not disclose further details about the investor other than to say it has operations in another ASEAN country.

“This will complete their ecosystem here… Eventually, the majority of their operations will be here, and of course they will still have a European counterpart,” he added.

EMS is also expecting the entry of multinationals from Japan and the US which will be pulling out their operations from China.
“We are looking at a total package of investment of around $800 million. It’s for semiconductors. Part of that $800 million is already here, quietly. It’s already running, and the full-rate production will happen probably in 2026, as they are still testing the waters in the Philippines,” said Mr. Ferrer.

The two investments are expected to operate in a Philippine Economic Zone Authority-operated economic zone in Batangas and to generate up to 3,000 jobs.

Meanwhile, Mr. Ferrer said that the government and the private sector are working on a lab-scale wafer fabrication hub that will help train more engineers in wafer fabrication.

“Once we have a lab-scale wafer fab on the 6-inch and 8-inch wafer levels, maybe we can attract other designers to have (their products) designed here, and hopefully that will help grow our wafer fab industry,” he added.

Expected to cost P500 million, he said that the funding for the lab-scale hub will be sourced from official development assistance or through support from the US CHIPS and Science Act.

He said that full-size wafer fab plants usually cost $20–50 billion.

“This is a private sector-led project together with the government. Hopefully the government can help encourage other governments to support the lab-scale wafer fab,” he said.

“The good news is that our administration is on the radar of a lot of governments now,” he added.

He said that the lab-scale wafer fab will demonstrate the Philippines’ potential in wafer fabs to eventually attract more investments.

Asked about logistics issues, he said that the industry is still facing a 15-20% increase in logistics costs since the pandemic amid conflict in the Red Sea and the war in Ukraine. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Incentive package being readied for EV makers, buyers, PUV operators

May 5, 2024 | 7:33 pm

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is preparing a “comprehensive” package of incentives for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers, vehicle buyers, and public utility vehicle (PUV) operators.

Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Rafaelita M. Aldaba said the DTI hopes to present a draft to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. within the year.

“These are still under discussion within DTI, but the next plan is to discuss them with other agencies like the Department of Finance,” Ms. Aldaba told reporters on the sidelines of a German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry forum.

“This time around, in the case of the EV sector, what we are proposing is a more comprehensive package of incentives that would provide fiscal and non-fiscal support to both the demand and supply sides, to both the manufacturers as well as to the consumers,” she added.

The proposed incentive package will be a CARS (Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy)-like program with a focus on domestic production of e-PUVs, Ms. Aldaba said.

“We would like to replicate it in the EV industry. But the focus would actually be on e-PUVs. And we see this, the focus on the commercial EV market, as an opportunity because, with the new EV technology, it would require fewer and simpler parts,” she said.

“Hence, it would be easier for the Philippines to develop and export its own vehicle model” as the process becomes simpler, she added.

The DTI is also proposing a consumer subsidy program that aims to stimulate demand for EVs. The subsidy program is being planned around P500,000 per PUV, P10,000 per two-wheeler, and P20,000 per three-wheeler.

“For the battery manufacturers, we’re looking at giving out support of something like 50% off the capital expenditure, excluding land, and a maximum of P3 billion (subsidy) per 2-gigawatt plant. We’re targeting five plants,” Ms. Aldaba said.

“You might think that this is a very ambitious program. I’m presenting this because I also want to hear feedback from all of you and because we still want to further refine this program before piloting it,” she added.

The proposed EV incentive scheme is expected to result in the manufacture of around 4 million EVs in the next 10 years, which will be mostly eTrikes, ePUVs, and eBuses.

The fiscal and non-fiscal support to consumers under the incentive scheme includes purchase subsidies in the form of direct financial rebates or discounts, tax credits, value-added tax exemption or reduction, and fuel cost savings through special electricity rates for EV charging.

The scheme also proposes incentives to homeowners who install EV charging infrastructure at their residences, trade-in bonuses, and subsidies for EV renters.

Spending, remittances to fuel PHL growth, with climate seen as drag on economy

May 5, 2024 | 7:33 pm

THE Philippine economy is expected to grow stronger this year on the back of household spending and remittances, but climate-related disasters may temper any momentum, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said.

In an economic outlook, the OECD said an export boom in information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) and a recovery in tourism will also be major growth drivers.

“In 2024, the (Philippines) will continue its rapid economic recovery, driven by a robust household consumption, and an improved global growth outlook,” according to the report.

“Other key drivers supporting economic growth momentum in the near term include sustained remittance inflows, fast-growing exports in the IT-BPO sector and steady expansion of the tourism sector.”

The OECD noted that Emerging Asia economies, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and China and India, will be resilient throughout the year. However, growth risks include external headwinds, extreme weather, and elevated levels of debt.

“Economic growth in the region this year will be driven by robust domestic and regional demand and a continued recovery of the service sector, particularly tourism. However, the region still faces challenges such as weak external demand,” the OECD said.

Continued recovery in the region’s manufacturing activity is also expected to benefit high-technology exporters in ASEAN amid higher-for-longer interest rates, OECD said.

“The anticipated end of monetary tightening by OECD economies in the second half of the year should help boost investments adding fuel to a global trade rebound.”

Potential rate cuts could also boost high-tech automotive sectors and digital services in the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

Improved factory activity would also mean more foreign direct investment especially in ASEAN’s semiconductor and automotive manufacturing industries, the report said.

“ASEAN’s role as a manufacturing hub is expected to strengthen over the medium and long term as it continues to attract global investment despite reshoring trends elsewhere,” OECD said.

However, recovery in merchandise trade remains weak in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, it said.

Emerging Asia should remain wary of climate disasters, which are expected to “hinder sustainable development.”

The report emphasized the need to bolster institutional capacity, increase funding, and expand disaster risk financing options.

Governments should also push for disaster risk education, a responsive health system, private sector involvement, and more resilient infrastructure.

Climate change could weigh on the Philippines’ growth potential, the OECD said, leading to “significant social, economic, and environmental costs.”

“Both exposure and vulnerability are being exacerbated by an increasing number of urban poor communities in hazard-prone areas, linked to rapid and unplanned urbanization,” the OECD said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Industry official warns ban on ore exports will hurt miners

May 5, 2024 | 7:32 pm

AN Indonesia-style ban on ore exports will not work for the Philippines, which has fewer reserves of nickel that are also of lower quality, a mining executive said.

“An ore export ban will be detrimental to the industry, which is still reeling from the decade-long policy roadblocks,” Chamber of Mines of the Philippines Chairman Michael T. Toledo told BusinessWorld, referring to the uncertainty created by industry shutdowns to inspect miners for environmental compliance, as well as the non-issuance of mining permits as the government sought to arrive at an appropriate way to tax miners.

“Our nickel resources — mostly the limonite type — are also far smaller and with lower ore grades on average compared to Indonesia,” he added in an e-mail.

Indonesia banned nickel ore exports in 2020, propelling the Philippines to the top spot in nickel exports by 2022.

Indonesia cited the need to process more ore domestically to capture greater value-added from its natural resources.

The ban was imposed by Indonesia’s outgoing president, Joko Widodo. It is uncertain whether his successor will continue the policy.

Mr. Toledo said efforts to make Philippine mining more attractive to investors will hinge on improving the stability of power supply and making it less expensive.

The Philippines’ industrial electricity rates are the second highest in the region, making it less attractive for potential mining investors to set up shop in the country, he added.

“Power is a critical production input,” he said. “High energy costs and unstable power supply put the Philippines at a disadvantage vis-à-vis other mining jurisdictions.”

The unreliability of the energy supply as well as high production costs affect the profitability of domestic mining firms, scaring off potential investments, he said.

Mr. Toledo said the government should consider providing incentives for renewable energy developers to expand power generation.

“Developers of renewable energy facilities, including hybrid and cogeneration systems using both renewable energy sources and conventional energy… should continue to be encouraged with fiscal and non-fiscal incentives,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio