DENR directed to revise 2022 budget allocation to provide more for protected areas, waste management

October 21, 2021 | 8:00 pm

Twin-lakes-protected-area-BMB.GOV.PH — BMB.GOV.PH

THE SENATE Finance Committee ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revise its 2022 proposed budget with a bigger allocation for protected areas and waste management.

During Thursday’s hearing, DENR presented a P25 billion budget for next year, including P9 billion for personal services, P3 billion for maintenance and operating expenses, and P4.8 billion for capital outlay.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, pointed out that almost 75% or P16.8 billion of the department’s planned expenditure was for bureaucracy purposes, leaving only 25% or about P8.2 billion for projects.

Ms. Villar said based on her knowledge and consultation with the Budget department, overhead costs should not account for more than 50% of the total budget.

She also said that the DENR’s budget proposal does not clearly indicate funds for specific programs and projects such as protected area management, and wildlife conservation, among others.

Ms. Villar also questioned why declared protected areas across the country are only getting P1.2 billion.

“Fix this because I cannot agree to that,” she said.

“What they’re giving is too small, even though it was what we declared by legislation and presidential proclamation that really needs to be protected,” she said in English and Filipino. “Shouldn’t the bulk of DENR’s budget be sent here… and almost all provinces have a protected area.”

Meanwhile, the DENR allocated only P876 million for solid waste management, of which P774 million will go to a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in Davao City.

“Please reassure us that a budget will be provided for marine litter because for your budget, all will be sent to Davao, so none will be left,” Ms. Villar said.

Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, meanwhile, questioned whether a WTE plant is an “environmentally correct” project.

Ms. Villar added that a WTE project should be covered by the Department of Energy.

DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Director William P. Cuñado said the project is still under discussion with the Energy department and has yet to be given final approval. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

House bill filed on guidelines, funding for resumption of face-to-face classes

October 21, 2021 | 8:00 pm

Remote-learning-PHILSTARfile-MIGUELDEGUZMAN — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A LAWMAKER has filed a bill in the House of Representatives that would require the government to immediately rollout a program to enable the gradual reopening of face-to-face classes in public and private schools at all levels nationwide.

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago filed Wednesday a yet to be numbered bill that would be known as the proposed Safe Schools Reopening Bill.

The measure calls for the national government, through the task force managing the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) response, to support educational institutions in crafting prevention and mitigation strategies for safe and phased reopening of physical classes.

“A community-based, people-oriented, grassroots-level response to the pandemic shall be in place. The students shall also be included and involved in all levels of education-related pandemic response and recovery steps,” according to the bill.

Local government units and education stakeholders should coordinate to conduct thorough and scientific risk assessments. This would include ramping up free, efficient, and safe COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and vaccination for schools in high-risk areas.

Schools should also be provided with adequate water supply, handwashing facilities, ventilated classrooms, and free face masks and alcohol, and a contingency plan for probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases, among others.

School facilities such as laboratories, computers, and libraries are encouraged to be opened as part of the initial phase of reopening of schools.

As the reopening of schools will be done in phases, the measure would also require continued assistance for distance learning such as free gadgets and internet connection along with an implementation of academic ease measures such as flexibility on deadline of requirements.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to hold a pilot implementation of face-to-face classes starting Nov. 15 with only 30 public schools participating. Another 70 are undergoing validation for readiness based on DepEd guidelines.

In September this year, the Philippines and Venezuela were the last two countries that have yet to resume physical classes.

BUDGET
The bill also proposes the allocation of P184.49 billion to DepEd, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to fund programs such as regular COVID-19 testing, hiring health professionals and procuring adequate supplies in schools, and hazard pay for teachers, among others.

These funds would be appropriated from savings and unprogrammed funds under the 2021 General Appropriations Act and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, excess revenues from government-owned corporations, unused funds for debt servicing, and unutilized special purpose funds.

“We really need (these funds) to fast-track and thorough preparation of facilities and personnel in order to ensure the good health and welfare of students, teachers, and staff during the gradual opening of schools,” Ms. Elago said.

The measure would also prohibit imposing additional rates on tuition fees under a state of calamity or public health emergency, and allow state forces to enter school premises. — Russell Louis C. Ku

LTO says mandatory inspection at PMVICs still suspended

October 21, 2021 | 7:59 pm

THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said the mandatory inspection of motor vehicles at private motor vehicle inspection centers or PMVICs remains suspended.

“Motor vehicle owners still have the option to have their vehicles tested for roadworthiness and compliance with the Clean Air Act either at a PMVIC or at a private emission testing center (PETC) with the required LTO visual inspection,” the agency said in a statement.

The agency also said that PMVICs are now charging the same amount of testing or inspection fee with that of PETCs to address earlier concerns over higher cost. They have also waived the reinspection or retest fees.

Citing LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante, the Transportation department said the agency issued the statement because “vehicle owners might have misinterpreted the LTO’s rollout of a new information technology system linking PMVICs with LTO offices with the aim of optimizing the agency’s motor vehicle inspection and registration system as a return of the mandatory vehicle inspections at the PMVICs.”

The new IT system also “aims to gather sufficient baseline data to assess the status of motor vehicles in the country in terms of roadworthiness and safety,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Maring farm losses rise further to P2.26B

October 21, 2021 | 7:59 pm

TyphoonMarinf-rescue-pig-PHILIPPINE-COAST-GUARD — PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

AGRICULTURAL losses brought by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) increased to P2.26 billion compared to the P2.17 billion previously estimated, the Agriculture department said.

In its latest bulletin issued on Oct. 20, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said 105,943 metric tons (MT) of production volume were lost due to Maring.

Affected farm commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Losses were also incurred in irrigation and agricultural facilities.

The number of affected farmers and fishers reached 79,014, while 88,062 hectares of agricultural areas were damaged.

Of the total reported losses, the DA said rice had the highest losses at P1.5 billion. Affected farm areas totaled 76,456 hectares while lost production volume reached 87,028 MT.

High-value crops losses amounted to P249.5 million. Lost production volume totaled 10,012 MT while affected agricultural areas reached 2,948 hectares.

Damage to corn was valued at P149.6 million. A total of 8,903 MT of production volume were lost while 8,658 hectares of farm areas were affected.

Reported losses to fisheries and livestock reached P122.8 million and P84.8 million, respectively.

Damage to irrigation and agricultural facilities amounted to P140.6 million.

Affected regions include the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN.

“These values are subject to validation. The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting assessment and validation of damage and losses brought by Severe Tropical Storm Maring in the agri-fisheries sector,” the bulletin said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Baguio City gov’t proposes dredging of Balili River; about 1,000 structures blocking waterways identified

October 21, 2021 | 7:59 pm

Baguio-flood-20211011-PIO-BAGUIO-CITY — PIO BAGUIO CITY

BAGUIO is asking the national government’s help in dredging the Balili River and other waterways to prevent perennial flooding in low-lying areas of the mountain city.

In a statement released by the information office on Thursday, City Administrator Bonifacio I. dela Peña said “appropriate measures must already be undertaken to ensure its dredging to allow the river system to accommodate the huge volume of water flowing into it during the height of the rainy season.”

Balili, one of the major river systems in Baguio and neighboring province Benguet, is the main discharge area of various tributaries from elevated areas in the city, he said.

Citing data from state weather agency PAGASA, he said Baguio “always receives the highest rainfall annually.”

The city reported flooding and landslides last week as severe tropical storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) dumped heavy rain across northern Luzon areas.

Mr. Dela Peña also said the city government is undertaking clearing of waterways as well as addressing the problem of illegal structures that block flow and have violated the three-meter easement rule.

He admitted, however, that “the clearing of the waterways and easements might take some time” as due process will have to be given to the structures’ owners.

The City Buildings and Architecture Office is currently conducting ocular inspection on waterways and identifying easement violations.

It has so far found about 1,000 illegal structures. — MSJ

TnT Tropang Giga try to take 2-0 lead over Magnolia in finals

October 21, 2021 | 7:36 pm

Pogoy — THE TnT Tropang Giga go for a 2-0 lead over the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series when they reengage for Game Two on Friday in Pampanga. — PBA IMAGES

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE TnT Tropang Giga go for a 2-0 lead over the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup finals series when they reengage for Game Two on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University (DHVSU) Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Lorded it over the Hotshots in the series-opener, 88-70, the Tropang Giga are looking to sustain the momentum they have built and propel further their push for the title in the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Rookie Mikey Williams led the way for TnT in the Game One victory, which saw them go to a fast start and never seriously threatened after.

The fourth overall pick in this year’s rookie draft finished with all-around numbers of 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.

The Tropang Giga opened the proceedings with a 7-0 run in the first two minutes of the match, which it used to build a 24-14 advantage after the first quarter.

In the second frame, the Hotshots continued with their offensive struggles and TnT capitalized on it to build an even bigger lead by the half time break, 53-34.

TnT’s juggernaut continued at the start of the second half, with the team outscoring Magnolia, 20-7, in the opening seven minutes of the third quarter to extend its lead to 32 points, 73-41.

Magnolia would not recover after that.

Big man JP Erram had 14 points, seven rebounds and three blocks for TnT while Kelly Williams had 10 points.

“We wanted our focus, our energy, our preparation to be according to the rhythm we’ve established. Our concern now is to be better. We wanted to be better in the finals than in the semis. I thought if we came into the finals and just put the same game we put in the semifinals, we would be in trouble,” said TnT coach Chot Reyes, in the postgame press conference, of the mindset they have in the finals.

A concern though for the team is the status of Kelly Williams, who failed to finish the game after reportedly straining his back. The former league most valuable player was going for a dunk when he got hurt. He was brought out of the DHVSU Gym after the game on a stretcher.

Mr. Reyes said Mr. Williams was up for assessment and that they would just adjust playing without him in Game Two if ever.

Magnolia, for its part, is seeking to bounce back big time after absorbing a thorough beat-up in Game One.

As a team, the Hotshots only shot 27% (16-of-53) on the field, which according to the league was one of the worst in PBA finals history.

Paul Lee and Jackson Corpuz top-scored for Magnolia with 12 points each while Calvin Abueva had a double-double of 11 points and 11 boards.

After them, no other Hotshot scored in double digits, including starters Ian Sangalang (five points) and Mark Barroca (four points).

It was reported, however, that Mr. Sangalang suffered back spasm, which was why he was limited to just 10 minutes of play. His status for Game Two is still to be determined as of this writing.

Game Two of the PBA finals is at 6 p.m.

New York Knicks outlast Boston Celtics, 138-134, in double overtime season opener

October 21, 2021 | 7:36 pm

EVAN Fournier scored a career-high 32 points and hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56.1 seconds left in the second overtime on Wednesday night for the host New York Knicks, who squandered an 11-point lead late in the fourth quarter before edging the Boston Celtics, 138-134, in an entertaining season opener for both teams.

Fournier, who spent last season with the Celtics, scored 17 points in the fourth quarter and both overtimes as he became the first player in Knicks history to score 30 points in his debut for the team.

Jaylen Brown, who was activated from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) list prior to the game, scored a career-high 46 points for the Celtics — the most by a player in a season opener in franchise history and one point shy of Larry Bird’s record for the most points scored by a Boston player against New York.

Julius Randle scored 35 points and added nine assists and eight rebounds for the Knicks, who made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2012-2013. Mitchell Robinson (11 points, 17 rebounds) had a double-double while RJ Barrett had 19 points, all after half time. Obi Toppin scored 14 points off the bench and Kemba Walker, who also played for the Celtics last year, added 10 points.

Jayson Tatum (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Robert Williams III (16 points, 10 rebounds) each had double-doubles for the Celtics, who played their first game under new head coach Ime Udoka. Grant Williams and Marcus Smart had 15 points each while Dennis Schröder (12 points) and Romeo Langford (10 points) each got into double figures off the bench.

The Knicks took their biggest lead on Randle’s dunk with 4:28 left in the fourth quarter before the Celtics stormed back, ended regulation on an 18-7 run and forced overtime when Smart hit a wide-open corner 3 as time expired.

Brown and Fournier traded 3-pointers to open overtime. The teams combined to hit four 3-pointers — two apiece — in a 44-second span before going scoreless over the final 2:58, a stretch in which they missed 10 shots, including an off-balance jumper hoisted just before the buzzer by Smart.

Brown began the second overtime with a 3-pointer. The teams traded the lead on three-point plays by Randle and Tatum before Fournier answered the latter with his go-ahead 3-pointer. Tatum missed a layup on the Celtics’ next trip and Derrick Rose banked one off the glass with 22.2 seconds left before Boston missed three 3-pointers on its final possession. — Reuters

Medal opportunities for gymnast Caloy Yulo at worlds this weekend

October 21, 2021 | 7:35 pm

FILIPINO gymnast Carlos “Caloy” H. Yulo has a number of opportunities to win medals at the 50th International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Japan following a solid showing in the men’s all-around qualifiers on Wednesday night.

Twenty-one-year old Mr. Yulo, who represented the Philippines in this year’s Olympic Games, advanced to the finals of three events in the ongoing gymnastics meet happening at the Kitakyushu City Gymnasium.

Mr. Yulo is through to the finals of the floor exercise, where he is the defending champion, as well as in the parallel bars and the vault.

The Philippine bet landed in the top eight in each of the three events to book his place in the medal round.

He topped the floor exercise with 15.166 points, ahead of Italy’s Nicola Bartolini (14.966) and Japan’s Minami Kazuki (14.966).

It is the same event that he ruled in 2019 in Stuttgart, Germany, which also secured him a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The finals of the floor exercise in the 2021 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships is set for Saturday.

Mr. Yulo also topped the qualifiers in the parallel bars with 15.566 points, ahead of China’s Zhang Boheng (15.300) and Hu Xuwei (15.233).

He placed third in the vault with 14.808 points.

The finals for both the parallel bars and vault are on Sunday.

Mr. Yulo made it known that the world championships is part of his redemption tour after a disappointing showing in the Tokyo Olympics where he only qualified for one event (vault). — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Manila HeiHei tops Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3 Invitational

October 21, 2021 | 7:35 pm

CHOOKS-to-Go Pilipinas successfully held its 3×3 Invitational tournament on Wednesday in Pampanga, with Manila HeiHei claiming the title.

Led by Mac Tallo, the Manila squad defeated the Pasig Kingpins in the finals, 21-6, with still 5:19 to spare, to emerge as the champion of the one-day tournament held at the Laus Events Center in San Fernando.

Mr. Tallo, a second-generation professional basketball player, tallied 13 points in the championship game. He jump-started things for his team, scoring seven of their first eight points to take a commanding 8-1 lead.

They would not be threatened after en route to the huge win.

Zach Huang finished with five points for Manila, with Cameroonian Mike Nzeusseu adding two points and veteran Chico Lanete one point.

For Pasig, it was Toba Eugene who led with three points, with Ryan and Nikki Monteclaro and Jaypee Belencion adding a point each.

Essen Immunoboost Sarangani finished third.

“Happy that this tournament happened,” said Manila head trainer Aldin Ayo as the team is set to compete in the 2021 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) 3×3 World Tour Abu Dhabi Masters on Oct. 29.

“I hope that they were able to get the confidence and the rhythm they need. It’s important that we simulate the actual situations and we can’t do that in practice,” he added.

For winning the invitational tournament, Manila took home the P100,000 top prize.

The tournament was held under strict health and safety protocols. It was regulated by the Games and Amusements Board and endorsed by FIBA 3×3 as well as supported by Gatorade, Chooks!, Uling Roasters, and Adobo Connection.

It marked the return of Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas after a one-year hiatus because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

Sixth AIMAG in Thailand moved to November 2023

October 21, 2021 | 7:34 pm

THE sixth edition of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) supposedly taking place in Thailand in the first quarter next year has been moved to November 2023.

This was confirmed by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham N. Tolentino on Thursday after receiving official word from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).

The Thailand government and its national Olympic committee (NOC) sought for deferment of the sporting meet — originally set for March 10 to 19, 2022 — on COVID pandemic-related concerns.

“The OCA fully understands and respects the decision of the NOC of Thailand, Thailand AIMAG Organizing Committee and the Royal Thai government to postpone [the Games]… due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic,” said OCA acting president Raja Randhir Singh on the postponement of the quadrennial continental competition.

With the postponement, Mr. Tolentino said they would use the added time to good use.

“The postponement would allow our athletes to be better prepared for the AIMAG, which ranks as one of the most important multi-sport competitions in the continent,” the POC head said.

Earlier, the POC planned to send a 160-athlete delegation to the Thailand AIMAG, competing in 21 of the 31 sports programmed by organizers.

The Thai edition of the AIMAG is to be hosted by Bangkok and Chonburi.

In 2017 in Turkmenistan, the Philippines won a total of 30 medals — two gold, 14 silver and 14 bronze medals.

The gold medals were care of jiu-jitsu athletes Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez. — MASM

Astros bash Red Sox again, head home up 3-2 in ALCS

October 21, 2021 | 7:29 pm

BOSTON — Framber Valdez gave the Houston Astros the kind of start they desperately needed in their biggest moment of the season on Wednesday night.

Valdez kept the Boston bats at bay with eight innings of one-run, three-hit ball as Houston coasted to a 9-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox to take a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Prior to Valdez’s outing, the Astros’ starters had allowed 16 runs (14 earned) in a combined 6 2/3 innings over the first four games of the series. None of the four — including Valdez himself in Game 1 — had made it past the third inning.

In his Game 1 start, Valdez yielded three runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks in 2 2/3 innings during an eventual 5-4 Houston win.

“I felt humiliated after that first outing and I set my mind on not letting that happen again,” Valdez said through an interpreter. “I did everything I could to work as hard as I possibly could to come back and have success in this outing, because I didn’t want to feel something like that again.”

At age 27, Valdez (1-0) became the youngest starter to log eight or more innings while allowing one run or none in a postseason starts since Madison Bumgarner did so for the San Francisco Giants in 2016.

Yordan Alvarez (3-for-5) provided the offensive punch for the Astros, hitting a second-inning solo homer before adding a two-run double in Houston’s five-run sixth. Yuli Gurriel also had three RBIs while Jose Siri had a two-run single and Michael Brantley drove in a run.

Houston will look to close out the best-of-seven series when it shifts back to Texas for Game 6 on Friday night. Game 7, if necessary, would be played on Saturday.

Game 5 winners in best-of-seven postseason series that were tied after four games have gone on to win the series 70% (44 of 63) of the time.

“We lost the (Game 3), but we were able to get the next two,” Alvarez said through an interpreter regarding the Astros’ three-game run in Boston. “Now, we’ve got to go home and just look for one game, and we hope to be able to do it to win it all.”

Rafael Devers had a solo homer and a single for the Red Sox. It was the eighth career postseason home run for the 24-year-old third baseman, who tied Mickey Mantle, Albert Pujols and Houston’s Carlos Correa for the most ever before turning 25.

After totaling five hits in a 9-2 loss in Game 4 on Tuesday, the Red Sox finished with just three on Wednesday. Boston racked up 22 hits and outscored Houston 21-8 while winning Games 2 and 3.

“We got to win two games to go to the World Series. That’s the bottom line,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It’s not the first time we’ve been in this situation that is a must-win. We did it in (game) 162, and we did it in the wild card game.”

Sale fell to 1-3 in his postseason career after allowing four runs (two earned) on three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

“I was good for five (innings), and then I sucked for one,” Sale said. “(We’re) not in a good spot going back to Houston. There’s no denying that, but this team has won two games in the playoffs back-to-back before, and we think we can do it again.”

Alvarez’s sixth-inning double made it 3-0 before Gurriel added an RBI double and Siri smacked a two-run single.

Brantley’s RBI single in the seventh made it 7-0 before Devers homered later in the inning. Gurriel’s two-out, two-run single in the ninth capped the scoring. — Reuters

Déjà vu: Braves take 3-1 NLCS lead on Dodgers

October 21, 2021 | 7:27 pm

LOS ANGELES — Eddie Rosario had two home runs among his four hits and the Atlanta Braves moved one game from their first World Series berth since 1999 with a 9-2 victory on Wednesday over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rosario finished a double shy of the cycle while Adam Duvall and Freddie Freeman added home runs as the Braves took a 3-1 lead in the National League Championship Series (NLCS). Atlanta would wrap up the best-of-seven series with a victory in Game 5 on Thursday at Dodger Stadium.

The Braves also had a 3-1 NLCS lead on the Dodgers last season, but were unable to get one last victory as Los Angeles moved on and eventually won the World Series.

AJ Pollock had a two-run single for the Dodgers, who were held without a hit until the fifth inning.

Los Angeles starter Julio Urias (0-1) gave up three home runs in five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits. He walked two and struck out three. Urias also coughed up a two-run Dodgers lead in the eighth inning of Game 2 during a relief assignment.

Braves right-hander Huascar Ynoa was scheduled to start on Wednesday’s bullpen game, but was removed from the roster because of shoulder inflammation. Jesse Chavez started instead and pitched a scoreless first inning.

Drew Smyly (1-0) gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings and was credited with the win. He was the second of six Braves pitchers who shut down Los Angeles.

Rosario and Duvall got the offense started, hitting consecutive home runs to open the second inning. It was the first time Atlanta hit back-to-back long balls in a playoff game since Javy Lopez and Vinny Castilla in the 2002 NL Division Series.

Freeman made it 3-0 in the third inning with his home run to right-center field. Joc Pederson haunted his former team again with an RBI single in the third, and Duvall gave Atlanta a 5-0 lead in the fifth on a sacrifice fly.

Pederson, who helped the Dodgers earn the title last season, has five hits and four RBIs in the series.

Pollock’s two-run single in the fifth got the Dodgers within 5-2, but unlike Game 3, Los Angeles was not able to rally from the same deficit. Freeman’s RBI double in the ninth was followed by Rosario’s second home run to give him four RBIs.

Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner departed after the seventh inning with an apparent left leg injury. — Reuters