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Salah hat-trick helps Liverpool to thrash Rangers 7-1 to near last 16

GLASGOW, Scotland — Substitute Mohamed Salah scored the fastest hat-trick in Champions League history as Liverpool came from behind to thrash Rangers 7-1 on Wednesday and put themselves on the verge of qualification for the competition’s knockout stages.

Salah came off the bench in the second half with Liverpool leading 3-1 and fired a treble timed at six minutes and 12 seconds between the first and third goals to turn a hard-fought win into a rout.

Roberto Firmino had dragged Liverpool back into the contest with a double strike and Darwin Nunez was also on the scoresheet before Harvey Elliott rounded off the scoring following Salah’s goals.

It appeared a much-changed Liverpool were in for further frustration in a disappointing season so far as they fell behind for the eighth time in all competitions after Scott Arfield slotted home 17 minutes in to lift the roof off Ibrox.

That lead lasted less than eight minutes, however, as Firmino continued his prolific season with a near-post header to level things up from a corner.

Liverpool were much the better team right from the off in the second half and deservedly edged back in front 10 minutes after the interval, Firmino converting Joe Gomez’s pinpoint low cross to take his goal tally to eight in all competitions.

With Rangers chasing the game, a fine finish from close-season signing Nunez put the game beyond the hosts before Salah took center stage.

Elliott added to the home side’s embarrassment with a late seventh, putting the seal on a victory that means Liverpool are second in Group A, and need just one point from their final two matches to be sure of a spot in the knockout stages, while Rangers are bottom, without a point.

“We were really just on it and meeting us in the wrong moment is not cool (for opponents),” Liverpool boss Juergen Klopp said.

“All the goals we scored were exceptional. Mo (Salah) came on and is on fire and interprets the position really well. It is a night where things work out for us.

“In the end we needed to get clear in the final third, which obviously worked out, all the goals were great, how we played them and set them up and finished them.”

RANGERS MISSED CHANCES
Coming into the match, of the 45 teams to have played at least 50 games in the Champions League, only Anderlecht had a lower win rate than Rangers’ 12 victories in 65 games.

However, you would not have thought it at Ibrox, given how Rangers started. Former Liverpool forward Ryan Kent fired just over before Arfield found the bottom corner for Rangers’ first Champions League goal of the season, and first in 383 minutes in the competition.

The defending from the home side left much to be desired as Liverpool levelled through Firmino, but that was as good as it got for the visitors in the opening period, with Rangers missing several chances to retake the lead.

The second half was a different story altogether, and Rangers completely crumbled as Liverpool improved.

Nunez’s goal was as much to do with the hosts’ poor defending, while Salah was presented with gift after gift having come off the bench for only the final 22 minutes.

Salah’s incredible treble took him to 38 Champions League goals for Liverpool, now the most by any player for an English club in the competition, surpassing Didier Drogba for Chelsea and Sergio Aguero for Manchester City, who both have 36.

The stadium was empty as Elliott stroked home to complete a flattering scoreline for Liverpool, given they had struggled for much of the opening period.

“It is very hard to explain, to process,” Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst said. “I am still processing the game, especially the second half.

“The first half and the last half-an-hour was night and day, how we played and that difference in level, that is too much in Champions League. I cannot explain it right now.” — Reuters

Kyle Wright, Braves blank Phillies, level NLDS 1-1

THE ONLY 20-game game winner in the major leagues came through in the Atlanta Braves’ time of need on Wednesday.

Kyle Wright pitched six scoreless innings as the Braves beat the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 3-0 to even their National League Division Series (NLDS) at one game apiece.

The Phillies won the opener 7-6 on Tuesday, and with the second game scoreless into the sixth inning, they had thoughts of heading home with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series.

Wright (1-0) made sure that didn’t happen.

The 27-year-old right-hander, who went 21-5 during the regular season, allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six. He threw 83 pitches, 52 of them for strikes. It was his seventh scoreless start of the year.

While the Braves were winning a World Series championship last year, Wright made just two postseason appearances. Both came in relief during the Fall Classic against the Houston Astros, when he pitched to a 1.59 ERA.

“I had success in the postseason last year, but to do it as a start, that was pretty cool to me,” Wright said. “I think I’ve worked on a lot of things this year. Really just goes back to confidence.

“I feel I had the confidence to pitch at this stage. (The Phillies have) a really good lineup and I knew that. But I knew if I executed then I was going to give myself a chance, and I really believe that.”

The Braves’ bullpen closed out a three-hitter. A.J Minter pitched a perfect seventh, Raisel Iglesias worked around a hit in the eighth and Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the ninth to earn a save. It was Jansen’s 20th career postseason save.

Atlanta produced all three of the game’s runs in the sixth inning on two-out RBI singles from Matt Olson, Austin Riley and Travis d’Arnaud.

The series moves to Philadelphia for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Saturday. The two teams split 10 games in Philadelphia this year. Game 5, if necessary, would be back in Atlanta on Sunday.

The start of Game 2 was delayed by 2 hours, 55 minutes after heavy rain moved into the Atlanta area in the morning.

“To weather the rain delay and the way (Wright) went about it was huge for us,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “We need to be able to get to our back-end guys. What he did tonight was pretty impressive.”

The Braves were able to defeat nemesis Zack Wheeler (0-1), who beat the Braves twice during the regular season. In six innings, the Atlanta-area native gave up three runs on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

Wheeler didn’t allow a hit until Ronald Acuna Jr.’s leadoff single in the fourth inning and was in a groove until the sixth inning. After retiring the first two batters, the momentum changed when he hit Acuna with a pitch on the arm. Wheeler had to wait several minutes while trainers attended to Acuna, who was able to remain in the game.

“That may have sparked something in the crowd, in the dugout,” Atlanta’s Austin Riley said. “That fight and knowing anything can happen at any time.”

Wheeler wasn’t the same when the game resumed. After Dansby Swanson walked, Olson lined a single to right that glanced off the glove of first baseman Rhys Hoskins and allowed Acuna to score.

Swanson scored on Riley’s infield hit, a perfectly placed soft roller up the third base line, and d’Arnaud singled to center to plate Olson and complete the three-run rally.

“I thought Wheels was outstanding,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said. “He had everything going. I don’t whether the hit batsman threw him off a little bit, but he walks Swanson and then there’s a play we should make, and then an infield hit and another hit up the middle. So just kind of unraveled.”

The Atlanta defense turned in two stellar plays. Swanson, the shortstop, made a running, over-the-shoulder catch to end the sixth inning. Riley, the third baseman, ran down a foul ball in the eighth inning and caught it after crashing into the tarp and falling down.

“Dansby’s catch was unbelievable and Austin’s, too, on the tarp,” Snitker said. “They could be showing both of those for the next year. They were unbelievable plays.” — Reuters

Green not suspended

“Exhaustive” was head coach Steve Kerr’s description of the process that led to the Warriors’ decision to fine and not suspend starting forward Draymond Green for throwing — and, more importantly, landing — a punch during practice last week. Given how the bench tactician looked yesterday, and how much of the intervening time was spent “in deep discussions with all of our key figures in the organization,” including acknowledged leader Stephen Curry and haymaker recipient Jordan Poole, he might as well have used “exhausting.” And, indeed, the adjective would also have fit the instigator to a T.

Perhaps no one should have been surprised that Green got away without being banned from the court. After all, the Warriors need him if they truly want to go deep in the playoffs, let alone defend the title. For all their individual talent and capacity to squeeze even more out of themselves collectively, they’re up against unprecedented depth in the National Basketball Association; pundits have them winning just a tad over 50 games for the season, and that’s without taking into consideration the internal strife that could yet prove to be their biggest obstacle to continued success.

In short, Green is the one double-edged sword the Warriors will have to keep relying on for the foreseeable future. He makes them hum on the court when he’s on, as he often is. That said, there will be times when he’s not, and the impetus is on Kerr to ensure that he’s contained whenever he becomes a liability. It’s a constant dance that compels them to ignore its tiring nature and keep focused on the ultimate goal.

Green may have escaped a harsh penalty, with his immediate display of contrition no doubt deemed a mitigating factor. Nonetheless, all signs point to him wearing out his welcome, and not simply because he’s angling for a maximum contract despite his advancing age and waning skill set. The Warriors are hard-pressed to shed salary, what with the repeater tax threatening to make them carry a whopping $600-million payroll. And with the likes of Poole and 2020 second overall pick James Wiseman on board, they’re equipped to handle his prospective absence. No one plays quite like him, but, if nothing else, his latest implosion has them angling for addition by subtraction.

It’s fair to project Green being at his best behavior following his transgression. If he’s looking to cut cleanly, he would do well to show that he can play nice with a modicum of consistency. Else, he’ll be left with limited options, not to mention needing to restore the luster to his name.

 

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.

Diokno: Developing countries need help funding climate efforts

A participant stands near a logo of the International Monetary Fund at the annual meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia, Oct. 12, 2018. — REUTERS/JOHANNES P. CHRISTO/FILE PHOTO

DEVELOPING countries are heavily dependent on outside financing to execute their climate-change mitigation plans, Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno said at the annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in Washington, DC.

“We strongly support the call for the World Bank, the IMF, and all other multilateral institutions to continue providing technical and financial assistance that will cater to emerging and developing countries on a much greater scale. This will provide us with better opportunities to access funding that is tailored to fit each country’s needs,” Mr. Diokno said on Tuesday.

Mr. Diokno was addressing the 108th Meeting of Ministers and Governors of the Intergovernmental Group of 24 on International Monetary Affairs and Development (G-24), according to a statement carrying his remarks issued by the Department of Finance (DoF).

The World Bank Group has said that it is ready to increase its support for the Philippines in the areas of agriculture, education, tourism, water and energy.

Approved commitments for this year amount to $1.5781 billion. As of March, the World Bank was the Philippines’ third-largest source of official development assistance, with loans and grants accounting for 23.38% of the total.

“At present, the World Bank Group has a Global Crises Response Package to help countries navigate multiple crises, including food and energy security, learning losses due to school closures during the pandemic, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and other long-term development challenges,” the DoF said.

Last year, the World Bank, also known as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, provided $1.376 billion in budget support loans to the Philippines, accounting for 12% of that year’s external financing.

During an intervention before the constituency members of World Bank Executive Director Erivaldo Gomes, Mr. Diokno outlined several of the Philippine government’s policy interventions against rising inflation.

“To cushion the effects of inflation, the Philippine government continues to extend targeted support to the most vulnerable sectors, including public transport workers, farmers, fisherfolk, and indigent senior citizens,” Mr. Diokno said. “We are also investing in improvements to local food production, ensuring the timely importation of goods, improving distribution efficiency, ensuring adequate power supply, and carefully monitoring policy considerations on wage and transport fare hike petitions.”

“We expect inflation to remain elevated as long as world prices of oil remain high,” he added. “Nevertheless, with our combination of fiscal and monetary policies, we are optimistic that the average inflation rate will be within our target of 4.5% to 5.5% for 2022.”

On the monetary side, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has so far raised borrowing costs by 225 basis points since May.

Concerning climate change, Mr. Diokno said that the integrated green, resilient, and inclusive development (GRID) strategies baked into its post-pandemic recovery plans.

Mr. Diokno affirmed Philippine commitments under the Paris Agreement, specifically the adoption of its first nationally determined contribution (NDC) of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 75% by 2030, among others.

“As in other countries, these NDC actions are heavily reliant on external financing. We see the key role of the World Bank Group — the largest multilateral provider of climate finance — in mobilizing more international public and private finance to accelerate GRID programs,” Mr. Diokno said.

Last month, Mr. Diokno said that he was not concerned about the tight prevailing fiscal conditions as he sought to finance the government’s climate change initiatives. In the P5.268-trillion proposed budget for 2023, the climate change adaptation budget has increased to P453.1 billion from P289.7 billion this year.

At the end of the second quarter, the Philippines’ debt-to-gross domestic product ratio was 62.1%, above the prescribed 60% threshold multilateral lenders recommend for developing economies. Its rise from 39.6% at the end of 2019 reflects the debt taken on to finance pandemic containment measures.

Mr. Diokno has said that the government intends to keep foreign borrowing at 25% of the total, falling eventually to 20%, in order to minimize foreign exchange risk. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

DPWH promises fewer infra delays caused by lack of project studies

DPWH

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Thursday that it has improved its processes for determining the feasibility of infrastructure works, which were found to have contributed to delays in a number of projects.

The DPWH was queried at the Senate Finance Committee on findings by the Commission on Audit (CoA) that 3,440 infrastructure projects did not proceed or were delayed by the failure to clearly establish feasibility or technical viability beforehand.

Senator Francis N. Tolentino said at the hearing, citing CoA, that “the DPWH was not able to cite the technical viability of projects during the feasibility and preliminary engineering study, which resulted in delayed completion and non-implementation of 3,440 infrastructure projects worth at least P245 billion.”

The auditors, he added, also concluded that the DPWH completed only one out of 12 foreign-funded projects worth a combined P1.151 billion.

“I can assure the good Senator that under my watch we would have a stricter planning process,” Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan said. “Other than the central office, we also have planning services at the district and regional levels.”

Mr. Tolentino made the remarks in the context of a DPWH request for more funding for support functions like conducting project studies.

“You are asking for an increase of your STO (support to operations) budget for fiscal year 2023 and one of the reasons for the increase is a P14.8 billion increase in the budget for the conduct of full-scale feasibility studies,” Mr. Tolentino said.

“I can assure you that the budget we are asking now for preliminary feasibility study and preliminary detailed engineering will substantially address the preparation of our projects in 2023, even at the district level,” Mr. Bonoan replied.

“For 2022, I think the budget proposal for preliminary feasibility study and preliminary detailed engineering was actually P15.82 billion but what has come out of the 2022 budget was a mere P1.17 billion,” he added, “but this level of investment is necessary in order to provide the necessary budget for our operating offices to make the preparations.”

The funding will support staffing for planning services at the district and regional levels, he added.

As for the delays in completing and implementing projects in 2021, Mr. Bonoan said: “I understand that there had been some intervening reasons such as projects included in the 2021 budget that were for later release, and this is up for the approval of the Office of the President. It took some time for these to be processed and approved.”

Mr. Bonoan described the process for making even small changes to project contracts funded by the General Appropriations Act involved preliminary work at the district level and then approval by the Office of the Secretary, adding that such modifications were needed because “many of the projects were incorporated in the budget without preliminary (studies).”

“It took some time for the department to make the necessary preliminary engineering (studies) that are needed for actual contract execution,” he added.

Mr. Tolentino said that he has received reports that some district engineers would rely or delegate the function of planning to contractors, thus making the projects “contractor-initiated,” without regard for the real needs of the local government units or the field planning office of the DPWH. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

PHL assures Norway, France of compliance with convention on seafarer training norms

MARINA FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Transportation department said on Thursday that it expressed to European governments the Philippines’ commitment to complying with seafarer training standards.

“I briefed the ambassador of France… the other day. Yesterday, I met the ambassador of Norway,” Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista told reporters on the sidelines of the Norway-Philippines Maritime & Energy Conference.

“I will meet some other ambassadors to assure them that the government is committed to complying with the requirements of the STCW (Standards of Training, Certification & Watchkeeping for Seafarers),” he added.

The European Union (EU) has told the Philippines to bring seafarer training up to the norms required by the STCW convention.

Following an inspection conducted in 2020, the European Commission notified the Philippines of a number of deficiencies — including serious ones — identified in the education, training, and certification system for Philippine seafarers.

The EU has noted that “inconsistencies have been identified in relation to the competencies covered by the education and training programs leading to the issuing of officers’ certificates, as well as in several approved programs regarding teaching and examination methods, facilities and equipment.”

“Inconsistencies have also been identified in the monitoring of inspections and evaluations of the schools. In addition, there have been concerning findings as regards simulators and on-board training,” it added.

Mr. Bautista said the Philippines is “addressing the issues.”

“We will just continue to communicate with EMSA (European Maritime Safety Agency) kung ano na ’yung status nung mga action plans (on the status of the action plans),” he added.

“The plan is to have regular diplomatic briefings, which I have started,” he added.

He said the department is roping in the Commission on Higher Education, maritime schools, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Maritime Industry Authority to address the issues.

Mr. Bautista said that the government is keen to collaborate with the Norwegian shipping industry to employ more Filipino seafarers.

“There are 25,000 Filipino seafarers who are on board Norwegian ships. We will continue that. We will encourage more Filipinos to work with the Norwegian shipping industry,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

GOCC for renewable energy proposed to manage Agus-Pulangi hydro

AGUS-PULANGI hydropower complex — PSALM.GOV.PH

A BILL has been filed at the House of Representatives calling for the creation of a new government-owned and -controlled corporation (GOCC) specializing in renewable energy which will be tasked to run Mindanao’s largest hydroelectric power complex.

House Bill 4205 proposes to concentrate the government’s efforts to promote renewable energy in the Philippine Renewable Energy Corp., the establishment of which will involve the takeover of functions currently exercised by a unit of the Philippine National Oil Corp. (PNOC), PNOC Renewables Corp.

“It is imperative for the government to take a more active role in assuring adequate supply of electricity with the use of RE sources, thereby reducing the country’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and mitigate the impact of climate change,” Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez said in the bill’s explanatory note. 

The proposed GOCC will operate the Agus-Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plant complex, effectively keeping Agus-Pulangi in government hands, contrary to the broader trend of privatization of the power industry. Mindanao business leaders favor keeping the complex in government hands because it generates cheap power for the southern island.

The bill proposes a P7 billion initial appropriation to capitalize the new GOCC. — Matthew Carl L. Montecillo

VAT exemption for key commodities seen as negative for peso

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A BILL seeking to exempt key commodities from value-added tax (VAT) carries the risk of weakening the peso by calling into doubt the government’s capacity to meet its obligations, a senior legislator said.

“(The proposed measure) is going to make things worse, not better,” Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda told reporters via Viber message. “That’s because tax cuts cast a shadow of doubt on the ability of a state to maintain its operations and honor its debts.”

With a weaker peso, “we will have to pay more for our imports, and our imported inputs, like fuel, will also be more expensive in peso terms. So, we have to be careful about a VAT cut,” he added.

Mr. Salceda was responding to the Makabayan bloc-sponsored House Bill 5504, which seeks to remove VAT sales of basic food commodities like bread, canned goods, instant noodles, biscuits, sugar, oil, salt, candles and drugs.

“Much of the inclusions in the Makabayan bloc proposal are already VAT exempt,” he added. “That includes sugar, beef, fish, salt, charcoal, and firewood.”

The removal of VAT will result in foregone revenue of P86.4 billion, he added.

Mr. Salceda, who also chairs the committee on ways and means, put forward a fertilizer subsidy, farmer aid and imports of 300,000 metric tons (MT) of refined sugar as alternative solutions.

“We can make sugar cheaper by importing 300,000 MT of refined sugar, which is more or less our structural deficit. (This will) also make biscuits and bread cheaper,” he said.

China Banking Corp. Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said she prefers targeted subsidies to relieve the pressure from high prices.

“The problem with an across-the-board removal of a certain tax is that first, it erodes much-needed revenue, and, second, it benefits even those who can afford to pay for it,” she said in a Viber message. “In the recent world economic outlook, the International Monetary Fund even recommended the use of targeted subsidies in (dealing with) this cost-of-living crisis.”

Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa, ING Bank N.V. Manila senior economist, said that although the proposed measure can alleviate price pressures for basic goods, it may run counter to fiscal authorities’ efforts to consolidate their debt given the impact of such on the government’s revenue stream.

“One compromise would be to intensify and expand existing subsidies for targeted households which may not cover all those who may need but could possibly strike a balance to still chase fiscal consolidation while still recognizing the need to provide support to our citizenry,” he said in an e-mail.

The proposed measure was filed on Oct. 10 by Party-list Representatives Arlene D. Brosas, France L. Castro and Raoul Danniel A. Manuel. — Kyanna Angela Bulan

ERC working to clear backlog in capex applications 

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said it will work with power plant operators to clear a backlog in applications from the industry to undertake capital investments to upgrade their operations.

In a statement on Thursday, the ERC said it will work with the Private Electric Power Operators Association (PEPOA) to reduce application delays. The industry must seek permission from the ERC to undertake capital expenditures (capex).

The ERC must also clear all power supply agreement, under the authority granted it by Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act. 

In a Viber message on Thursday, Floresinda Baldo G. Digal, an ERC commissioner, told BusinessWorld that distribution utility cases before the commission totaled 309, of which 80 were capex applications.

The ERC added that it has also discussed with PEPOA the rate reset process under performance-based regulation.

Last month, during a Senate Committee on Energy hearing, Senator Rafael T. Tulfo blamed slow ERC approvals for capex applications for recurring power outages in provinces.

ERC Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer Monalisa C. Dimalanta has said that the ERC is trying to clear its application backlog.

The ERC has 270 calendar days to act on valid applications filed with the energy virtual one-stop shop, which was establish by the Department of Energy to streamline the permit process for energy projects. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

BoC establishes office to monitor firearms, explosives shipments

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said on Thursday that it has established a new unit to monitor shipments of firearms and the raw materials needed for the manufacture of ammunition, firecrackers, and explosives.

Customs Memorandum Order No. 27-2022 creates the Customs Firearms and Explosives Unit (CFEU), under the control of the Enforcement and Security Service – Enforcement Group (ESS-EG).

“The CFEU is an ad interim unit that will effectively monitor the importation and exportation of firearms and major/minor parts thereof, accessories, ammunition, and controlled chemicals used in manufacturing ammunition, firecrackers, and explosives under Presidential Decree No. 1866,” the BoC said in a statement, adding that it will also help oversee the implementation of Republic Act No. 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.

The CFEU will be headed by a chief and an assistant chief. The former is accorded to the rank equivalent to special police captain.

The new unit will also be composed of a firearms custodian, two armorers, a range officer, and two staff members.

Meanwhile, personnel from the ESS will be assigned to 17 ports of entry to serve as contact persons to the CFEU and other law enforcement agencies. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

White onions in markets likely smuggled, DA says

PIXABAY

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said white onions circulating in markets are likely to have been smuggled and pose a food safety risk, because it has issued no import permits for the commodity.

“There are no import permits for white onions. There should be no white onions. There are also no white onions in the cold storage,” Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Y. Evangelista told reporters on Thursday.

“If a product is smuggled, it did not go through food safety protocols. It is not safe for consumers. That’s where our regulatory body enters. We need to investigate and find out who the supplier is,” she added.

Earlier this week, the DA set a suggested retail price (SRP) of P170/kilogram for red onion sold in wet markets in the National Capital Region.

According to Ms. Evangelista, the DA will assist retailers in finding cheaper sources of onions to help them observe the SRP.

“We have found people still selling onions at a higher price but we understand that what they are selling is stock from a while ago, one week at the most. What we are doing is looking for a cheaper supplier so they can follow the SRP,” she said.

“We have to temper the prices of our commodities.  We want to help our retailers and consumers to find products at the right price,” she added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

New storm to bring more rains in northern Luzon; thousands evacuated in Cagayan due to Maymay

A TROPICAL depression that entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday afternoon was expected to bring rains over parts of northern Luzon, according to the state weather bureau PAGASA.

The tropical depression, which was designated the local name Neneng, was monitored 1,265 km east of extreme northern Luzon, the agency said.  

Neneng, which had maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometer per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 km/h, was forecasted to move west-southwestward to westward beginning tomorrow through Saturday before turning west-northwestward towards the extreme Northern Luzon on Sunday.    

It is expected to become a tropical storm by Saturday. It might further intensify prior to its close approach to the northernmost region.  

Tropical cyclone wind signals are expected to be hoisted over Batanes Islands and several other provinces in northern Luzon, including Cagayan which is still reeling from floods triggered by tropical depression Maymay this week.   

According to PAGASA, the passage of Neneng over extreme northern Luzon could trigger heavy rainfall over the area beginning Saturday.  

“This may also bring rough to very rough seas over the northern and eastern seaboards of Luzon beginning late Friday or Saturday,” it said. “Such conditions may be risky for those using small sea crafts.”  

Meanwhile, tropical depression Maymay, which weakened into a low-pressure area on Wednesday, left a trail of floods across 14 towns in Cagayan, according to the provincial government.   

Citing reports from the provincial disaster management council, it said 4,867 families composed of 17,673 individuals were affected as of Thursday morning.   

Two fishermen from different towns have also been confirmed to have died after they set out to sea amid the storm.   

Maymay was last spotted over the coastal waters of Casiguran, Aurora, moving at a speed of 15 km/h, PAGASA weather forecaster Benison Jay Estreja said at a weather forecast on Thursday morning.  

Maymay and Neneng are the 13th and 14th typhoons to enter the Philippines this year. PAGASA officials have said another five storms could hit the country until December.  

The Philippines, an archipelago within the Pacific typhoon belt, experiences an average of 20 storms annually. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

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