Motor Image Pilipinas debuts 5^th-gen Subaru WRX, WRX Wagon

June 13, 2022 | 12:03 am

The Subaru WRX retains the signature (and functional) hood scoop to help the turbocharged 2.4-liter boxer engine breathe. — PHOTO FROM MOTOR IMAGE PILIPINAS

1 of 3

THE ALL-NEW Subaru WRX and WRX Wagon are now in the Philippines. Exclusive country distributor Motor Image Pilipinas (MIP) debuted the twin models at an event attended by Subaru car clubs, bank partners, and members of the media.

In a release, MIP said that the latest WRX models “join the equally fresh second-generation BRZ coupe to make Subaru’s 2022 sports car lineup truly thrilling for petrolheads who wish to drive something special.” Said Tan Chong International Limited Deputy Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Tan, “The all-new WRX is here to ignite your senses. From its stunning exterior and premium interior, to the sporty sound and powerful performance of its new 2.4-liter turbo boxer engine, the invigorating smell of the exhaust and the exciting handling, the WRX gives a raw driving experience that makes burning rubber fun. I am very confident that both the all-new WRX and WRX Wagon will totally ignite your senses, and remain crowd favorites that are much-loved by Subaru enthusiasts here.”

On the outside, the new WRX models embody the “Dynamic x Solid” design philosophy of Subaru through a bolder reimagining. The WRX is 75mm longer, 30mm wider, and 10mm lower than the outgoing model. It also adds 25mm to its wheelbase, at 2,675mm. Meanwhile, the WRX Wagon is a full 65mm longer, 15mm wider, and 10mm taller than the outgoing Levorg. It gains 20mm in its wheelbase (2,670mm).

Both models rise on the newest version of the Subaru Global Platform, with full inner frame construction and expanded application of structural adhesive to greatly improve the car’s rigidity. According to the automaker, the torsional stiffness of the chassis is up by 28% for the new WRX and 44% for the new WRX Wagon.

A version of the all-new WRX’s styling was first seen at the Viziv Performance Concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show and the Viziv Tourer Concept at the 2018 Geneva International Motor Show.

The Viziv’s “forward-thrusting body with low center of gravity,” “dynamic flare of the muscular fenders,” and “bold glimpse of the exhaust in the rear bumper” now appear in the production of WRX.

The WRX gets a hexagonal grille, with its honeycomb pattern repeated neatly above the fog lamps. The grille is flanked by sleek LED headlamps with Subaru’s C-shaped light signature. The classic WRX trademark, a functional scoop, is still present — feeding fresh air to the intercooler of the turbocharged boxer engine. On the sides, fender extensions visually convey the all-wheel-drive power, and blacked-out lower sections to accentuate the road-hugging stance. Subaru affixes 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/40 high-performance tires onto the WRX.

In the rear, there are two pairs of exhaust tailpipes, and a fog lamp in the center. A boot-lid spoiler, trunk garnish, and LED combination lamps with their magma-inspired lighting effects complete the “Tokyo turbojet” look.

The WRX pays stylistic tribute to rallying — especially through its flashy special color Solar Orange, while the WRX Wagon is purveyed as a classy sports tourer, available with a choice of chic white paintwork, either Ceramic White (both body styles) or Crystal White Pearl (wagon only). Design differences between the WRX and WRX Wagon include the sedan’s dramatic black cladding, more elaborate main grille, and four muffler tailpipes instead of two. The WRX Wagon rides on 225/45 R18 tires.

The most noticeable aero measures on the bodywork of the WRX are the side sill spoilers and rear spoiler, along with the air outlets behind the front fenders and on the outer corners of the rear bumper. The air outlets eject the air vortex from inside the wheel housings and rear bumper, respectively, for better airflow and increased stability. Also assisting with this are the air slits at the forward edge of the front wheel arches.

The Subaru WRX models receive a turbocharged FA24 boxer engine with 2.4 liters of swept volume. The horizontally opposed four-cylinder, 16-valve direct-injection unit is said to be engineered to provide exceptional driving enjoyment for road and track alike. The main mechanical changes are the increased displacement (from 1,998cc to 2,387cc) and a superior turbocharger — still a twin-scroll, but now with computer-controlled valves for the wastegate and air bypass to enhance the turbo’s efficiency. The engine produces 275ps at 5,600rpm and 350Nm at 2,000rpm to 5,200rpm. It provides ample torque from low crankshaft speeds and vigorous acceleration across the rev range, with the powerful output tapering moderately as the tachometer needle approaches the 6,100rpm redline.

Two transmissions are available for the WRX. The sedan variant gets either a six-speed manual or souped-up eight-speed Lineartronic CVT, while the wagon variant, in keeping with its “super cruiser” character, is only available as an automatic. This old-school option is paired with a viscous-coupling locking center differential to split the torque evenly, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, unless there is slippage which would make the system transfer the torque to the appropriate wheels for maximum traction. The Lineartronic CVT, workhorse of the Subaru model range, has become a racehorse in the new WRX.

Inside, the WRX retains the D-shape steering wheel, but the inner circumference of the wheel now has a flat area for better grip by the driver’s hands, the leather wrap has racy red stitching, and there is a carbon-effect “WRX” ornament decorating the central spoke.

The instrument cluster adopts a classic two-gauge layout, with the tachometer on the left and the speedometer on the right. Between the meters is a 4.2-inch high-res LCD combination display for crucial driving-related information, accessed through the cluster of buttons below the left spoke of the steering wheel. A digital boost gauge which records the peak psi value can be called up for some entertainment.

The new WRX gets an 11.6-inch touchscreen display, which collects and manages the infotainment, climate control, vehicle settings and other important functions in a user-friendly manner. This new-age Subaru system is also used to great effect in the regional flagship model, Outback.

Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, voice recognition and front dual USB ports are available for connectivity.

WRX CVT variants are equipped with EyeSight version 4, Subaru’s unique driver assist technology that relies on innovative stereo cameras. Significant improvements to the hardware and software make this state-of-the-art safety system even more helpful as an attentive “co-driver.”

Available on indent order are the top-spec WRX tS and WRX tS Wagon, which fully realize their high-performance potential with Drive Mode Select.

The all-new Subaru WRX and WRX Wagon are now available for order, with pricing as follows: WRX M/T (P2.508 million), WRX CVT (P2.658 million), WRX tS CVT (P2.808 million), WRX CVT Wagon (P2.558 million), WRX tS Wagon CVT (P2.708 million). For more information, visit www.subaru.asia/ph/en/vehicles/wrx/ or call +632-8880-9898.

K-pop group BTS promotes new album with New York pop-up shop

June 13, 2022 | 12:03 am

D6azA6AW4AUcQAT — PHOTO FROM TWITTER.COM/BTS_BIGHIT

SOUTH KOREAN K-pop boy band BTS are promoting the release of their new album with pop-up shops in New York City and Los Angeles.

Fans lined up from 7 a.m. on Friday to be among the first to purchase exclusive items created just for New York.

“It’s hardly ever in New York, it’s mostly LA — so, for them to do it here, it was just like, had to come,” said fan Adriana Guzman.

Daniel Ealacios was directed to the store by his sister in Texas who was hoping her brother would snag her some merch. T-shirts will sell for $55, with hoodies priced at $120, and posters $18.

The group released their new album Proof on Friday in a highly anticipated return to the music scene as they celebrate the ninth anniversary of their debut.

The seven-member group last year became the first Asian band to win artist of the year at the American Music Awards. Last week, they met US President Joseph R. Biden at the White House to discuss hate crimes targeting Asians. — Reuters

TnT wins fourth leg of PBA 3×3 tourney, beating Terrafirma

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

TNT — WINNERS of the first and third stops, the Tropang Giga turned in another golden performance capped by a masterful 21-15 victory over first-time finalist Terrafirma. — PBA IMAGES

TNT continued its rampage in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 3×3 Third Conference as it annexed the Leg 4 top honors for its third triumph overall.

Winners of the first and third stops, the Tropang Giga turned in another golden performance capped by a masterful 21-15 victory over first-time finalist Terrafirma on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Almond Vosotros rifled in nine, including two two-pointers that sparked his team to an 18-12 cushion, to power the league leaders to their latest feat worth P100,000.

Samboy de Leon, back in the fold after missing the Leg 3 conquest, added five points in the clincher. Lervin Flores also shot five while Ping Exciminiano chipped in two, aside from hounding and limiting Dyip gunner Shaq Alanes to six in the finale.

“Sobrang hard-working talaga itong team na ito, especially sa practice, at heto, nagbunga,” said Mr. Vosotros.

The Tropang Giga have won back-to-back legs for the first time and now own three first-place finishes in the season-ending conference for five overall counting their Leg 1 wins in the first two conferences.

With the runner-up honors, Mr. Alanes, Jeremiah Taladua, Red Cachuela and Jebb Bulawan gave Terrafirma its best finish in the three-a-side league so far and banked P50,000.

TnT clinched a familiar spot in the gold medal match by outplaying San Miguel Beer in the semis, 16-10, while Terrafirma advanced after a 21-17 verdict over Limitless.

The Beermen claimed third place worth P30,000 with a 21-17 dispatching of the Appmasters. — Olmin Leyba

Fertilizer subsidies seen as solution to rising rice prices

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

sack-rice-seed-with-white-rice — JCOMP/FREEPIK

FERTILIZER SUBSIDIES can help temper the possibility of higher rice prices amid rising input costs, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

“If rice prices go up in the global market, local rice prices will follow. If production declines this main wet season due to high fertilizer and petrol prices, and global rice price rise, we will see significant increases in rice prices by the end of this year,” DA Undersecretary Fermin D. Adriano said in a statement.

“Thus, it is imperative for the government to give fertilizer and petrol subsidies to farmers now, to prevent productivity decline,” he added.

Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar said that the department currently has P3 billion in fertilizer subsidies for rice and corn farmers, but that it requires more than this to accommodate the needs of farmers during the wet planting season.

“We need more, and that’s why we have requested the National Government to give us about P6 billion more — so a total of P9 billion is needed to give us [a] fertilizer subsidy this wet season planting… any opportunity to level up local rice production is necessary,” he said in a virtual briefing on Thursday.

“Otherwise, the decrease in production may happen because the farmers are not able to apply the levels of fertilization they had last year,” he added.

Mr. Dar said the DA is also working on broadening its sources of rice imports to meet demand.

“So that we can still buy the same prices now that are very affordable. India is one of the markets where we can buy [that] price,” he added.

P20/KILO RICE
The agriculture secretary said that President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s proposal to lower the price of one kilo of rice to P20 would be supported by the department, though this would require time and research to accomplish.

“I like the aspiration of our President-elect and we are looking at every possibility we have to work this out with various stakeholders. We have to identify the gaps, the challenges, and put up a program designed towards that,” he said.

“It will take some time before we can go to the near P20. I am saying publicly, I am for working for the program design and solutions through a value chain approach to go near the P20,” he added.

REDUCED TARIFF
In May, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 135, which reduces the tariffs on rice imports from non-ASEAN countries from 50% to 35% for a period of one year in order to reduce the country’s dependence on Vietnam and other ASEAN rice exporters.

The farmers group the Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) said in a statement that the reduced tariffs will not result in lower prices for rice.

“There was no urgent need to issue the EO. Rice prices and inventories have been stable. Imports have continued to come in and even increased during the first quarter of the year. Clearly, Mr. Duterte, at the instance of his economic managers, simply wanted to preempt Congress before it resumed its sessions,” FFF National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said.

UnionBank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said that these tariff policies can affect rice prices and subsequently, inflation.

“Rice has been a major component of inflation and has caused huge increases in inflation levels in the past. So far, rice inflation has been stable and has not been a major factor in recent spikes in inflation. Although controlling prices is not the end-all be-all, we have to look at the impact of this kind of policy especially during these very volatile times in the global economy,” he said in an e-mail.

“The government has to be very careful and be product-specific in its responses to the change in policy. However, I still believe that the government has to go to longer-term solutions versus quick-fix responses like this,” he added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Philippines ranks 88^th and 93^rd in freedom and prosperity lists

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

The Philippines placed 88th and 93rd out of 174 countries in US-based think tank Atlantic Council’s inaugural 2021 Freedom and Prosperity Indexes. The Freedom Index measures economic, attempts to capture both the average level of prosperity (through the levels of income, life expectancy, and happiness of the average citizen) and shared prosperity (as measured by minority-group wellbeing and environmental standards). The Philippines both placed 5th both in the freedom and prosperity among the 11 Southeast Asian countries included in the report. Out of possible 100 points, it scored 55.3 and 47.7 in freedom and prosperity indices, respectively.

Yields increase on May inflation print

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

YIELDS on government securities (GS) went up last week after inflation soared to its fastest in three and a half years in May.

GS yields, which move opposite to prices, rose by an average of 6.44 basis points (bps) week on week, based on the PHP Bloomberg Valuation Service Reference Rates as of June 10 published on the Philippines Dealing System’s website.

Rates across the yield curve increased week on week on June 10 except for the one-year debt, which declined by 11.32 bps to fetch 2.1071%.

Yields on the 91- and 182-day Treasury bills (T-bills) rose by 3.99 bps and 6.87 bps, respectively, to 1.4863% and 1.8785%.

The belly of the curve likewise increased as rates on the two-, three-, four-, five-, and seven-year Treasury bonds (T-bonds) climbed by 6.14 bps (to 4.2028%), 10.53 bps (4.9159%), 12.69 bps (5.4828%), 13.98 bps (5.9056%), and 13.98 bps (6.4506%), respectively.

Similarly, the long end inched up with the 10-, 20-, 25-year debt papers expanded by 4.64 bps (6.7776%), 4.73 bps (6.7493%), and 4.57 bps (6.7554%).

GS volume totaled to P6.112 billion on Friday, thinner than P13.580 billion on June 3.

In an e-mail, Security Bank Corp. Chief Investment Officer for Trust and Asset Management Group Noel S. Reyes attributed the yield performance on the release of May inflation data.

“CPI (consumer price index) came out as expected which provided some support interest to the new supply from the auctions amid consolidation of yields within the curve,” Mr. Reyes said.

“However, a feared second-round effects of inflation on transport costs and merchandise goods and more aggressive hikes by the Fed, faster than the BSP led to the peso to depreciate and demand for GS to become timid and keeping within its current yield range,” he added.

“GS yields were mostly sideways as market players are waiting for the upcoming FOMC (Federal Open Market Committee) meeting on Thursday and next week’s BSP meeting,” a bond trader said in a Viber message.

The bond trader said that the market players are still waiting for clues on future moves following the central bank’s planned rate hikes.

Headline inflation rose to a three-and-a-half year high of 5.4% in May as food and transport costs soared amid high oil prices, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday. It was the quickest pace since the 6.1% recorded in November 2018.

May’s print matched the median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll and within the 5-5.8% forecast range of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the month. However, it marked the second straight month that inflation breached the 2-4% target band of the central bank for the year.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of the Treasury raised just P25.189 billion from the reissued seven-year papers on Tuesday after market players asked for higher yield as May’s inflation hit above 5%.

The amount raised was below the P35-billion program despite total tenders reaching P48.80 billion.

The reissued papers, which have a remaining life of three years and eight months, were awarded at an average yield of 5.514%, 78.2 bps higher than the 4.732% quoted for the paper when it was last offered on Jan. 21, 2020.

These papers would have yielded an average rate of 5.579% had the Treasury made a full award last Tuesday.

For this week, Mr. Reyes expects market players to remain cautious and the GS yield curve to remain flat as the BSP is expected to announce two more hikes and a more aggressive policy rate increase from the US Federal Reserve.

US inflation surged to its fastest in 40-and-a-half years to 8.6% in May as food prices soared, fueling bets that the Fed could continue with its 50-bp interest rate hikes up to September to rein in rising consumer prices, Reuters reported.

The Fed’s policy-making body FOMC is scheduled to meet on June 14-15.

Meanwhile, the BSP’s incoming governor signaled at least two more interest rate hikes starting this month to temper inflation.

In a Bloomberg interview on Tuesday, Monetary Board (MB) member Felipe M. Medalla said it is a “sure thing” that the BSP will hike this month. He will serve the remaining term of Benjamin E. Diokno, the incoming Finance chief of President-elect Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., until July 2023.

Mr. Medalla also signaled a “90% chance” of a rate hike in August and hinted at a possibility for more.

The MB, the central bank’s policy-making body, will meet on June 23.

“Market will try and demand higher yields for [this] week’s auction which will be watched carefully,” Mr. Reyes said.

On Tuesday, the Treasury is scheduled to offer another reissued seven-year papers, with a remaining life of six years and 11 months, worth P35 billion.

The bond trader also sees continued upward pressure on local yields following the expected rate hikes of the central banks. — M. I. U. Catilogo with Reuters

Cebu Pacific cancels flights amid Mt. Bulusan eruption

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific announced that it is canceling select Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights due to the Mt. Bulusan eruption in Sorsogon.

As of June 12, the canceled flights include: 5J325/326 Manila – Legazpi – Manila; 5J327/328 Manila – Legazpi – Manila; DG6111/6112 Manila – Naga – Manila; and DG6117/6118 Manila – Naga – Manila.

According to the carrier’s advisory, affected passengers may rebook, refund, or store their travel fund in a virtual wallet to use later on.

Passengers can rebook for travel within 60 days at no additional cost, following Cebu Pacific’s permanent removal of change fees and a waived fare difference.

They may also opt to store the amount in a virtual Cebu Pacific wallet valid for six months and use this to either book a new flight or pay for add-ons. If they choose the refund option, the process may take up to two months from the date of request.

“Passengers are advised to check the travel requirements, safety protocols, and frequently asked questions on the Cebu Pacific website,” the carrier said.

“For other questions or concerns, passengers may send a message via Charlie the Chatbot on the Cebu Pacific website. We will provide updates as necessary,” it added.

Mt. Bulusan erupted on Sunday morning and spewed ash, lasting for about 17 minutes, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Toyota Rush GR-S marks ‘Gazoo-fication’ of subcompact SUV model

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

PHOTO FROM TOYOTA MOTOR PHILIPPINES CORP.

1 of 2

FOLLOWING the launches of the all-new Avanza and Veloz, Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. (TMP) sends a strong message about its intentions for the Rush, which occupies a similar niche in the Toyota portfolio here. Obviously, it’s not going away anytime soon, as TMP revealed the latest addition to the subcompact SUV model’s lineup.

The new Toyota Rush GR-S (Gazoo Racing-Sport) now takes its place as the line’s top variant. The Rush is said to be a favorite “among customers who are intending to buy their first seven-seater SUV,” and the 2022 motorsports-inspired grade is now styled with the official emblem and enhancements from Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR).

“The Toyota Rush has been a preferred SUV for young people seeking to fully live their active lifestyle with a car that can keep up with their desire to break away from the everyday,” said TMP First Vice-President for Vehicle Sales Operations Sherwin Chualim. “That is why it is very fitting that the Rush now comes with a GR-S variant that follows TGR’s philosophy of pushing the limits for better. For our customers, this means added thrill, excitement, and style in their everyday drives.”

The Toyota Rush GR-S gets a GR-branded front bumper spoiler, rear bumper spoiler, and side body molding. It comes in three TGR-matching colors: Dark Red Mica Metallic, Black Metallic 1, and White 2. Under the hood is a gasoline-fed engine with four-speed automatic transmission. This Rush features Smart Entry functionality and a seven-inch display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility for its infotainment system; eight speakers give it expression. Standard safety and security features include anti-lock brakes, vehicle stability control, hill-start assist control, Toyota Vehicle Security System and more, plus other items like a camera and back sonar.

The new Toyota Rush GR-S sells for P1.176 million and is now available in Toyota’s 72 dealerships nationwide.

For more information, visit the official website at toyota.com.ph or follow the social media channels Toyota Motor Philippines (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube) or ToyotaMotorPH (Twitter). Toyota fans and customers may also access information or manage their Toyota vehicle via the myToyota PH app available for Android and iOS.

Ex-judge Roy Moore presses defamation appeal against Sacha Baron Cohen

June 13, 2022 | 12:02 am

NEW YORK — A US appeals court in Manhattan on Friday appeared unlikely to revive former Alabama judge Roy Moore’s lawsuit accusing Sacha Baron Cohen of defamation for falsely portraying him as a sex offender on the British comedian’s show Who Is America?

Mr. Moore, 75, sued for $95 million in September 2018 over an interview in Washington, D.C., where the former Republican chief justice of Alabama’s Supreme Court and US Senate candidate expected to receive an award for supporting Israel.

Instead, Mr. Baron Cohen, 50, disguised as fictional Israeli anti-terrorism expert Erran Morad, waved a wand-like device that purportedly detected pedophiles, and which beeped when waved near Moore.

The interview occurred after Mr. Moore had lost his 2017 Senate race in heavily Republican Alabama, following accusations that Mr. Moore committed sexual misconduct toward female teenagers while in his 30s.

Mr. Moore has denied those accusations, and Mr. Baron Cohen’s lawyers have called the device “completely fake.”

During oral arguments before the 2^nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, Circuit Judge Gerard Lynch suggested that the interview was merely a commentary on the accusations.

“Is there a plausibility to the idea that this magic wand detects pedophiles?” Mr. Lynch asked Mr. Moore’s lawyer, Larry Klayman. “That’s what Cohen adds to this story. Otherwise he’s just saying, ‘These are accusations that were made against this man.’”

Mr. Klayman countered that calling someone a pedophile was a “smear” worse than labeling him a murderer.

He asked the three-judge panel “to sit in the shoes of Judge Moore, whatever you may think about him … and to say: Would you want to be branded a pedophile like this, on international television?”

Mr. Baron Cohen’s lawyer, Elizabeth McNamara, argued, with little interruption from the panel, that Mr. Moore waived his claims by signing a consent agreement to be interviewed, and the claims were barred under the US Constitution’s First Amendment.

“As the court below found, this was clearly a joke, and no reasonable viewer could have seen it otherwise,” she said. “Whether you found it funny or not, this was clearly satirical commentary.”

Who Is America? was broadcast on Paramount Global’s Showtime network, a co-defendant.

Mr. Baron Cohen previously prevailed in several lawsuits over his 2006 mockumentary Borat! Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

The case is Moore et al v Cohen et al, 2^nd US Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 21-1702. — Reuters

Unsigned Kiefer bides time with Gilas warm-up stint

June 13, 2022 | 12:01 am

WHILE his PBA comeback is in limbo due to a contract impasse with NLEX, Kiefer Ravena will strut his stuff for Gilas Pilipinas in the meantime.

Mr. Ravena was among the 12 players tapped by coach Nenad Vučinić for the Nationals’ scheduled friendlies against South Korea on June 17 and 18 at the Anyang Gymnasium in Gyeonggi-do.

Along with fellow Japan B.League veteran Dwight Ramos, the 28-year-old Mr. Ravena will lend leadership to the relatively young crew of RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, Geo Chiu, Dave Ildefonso, Ange Kouame, Lebron Lopez, Will Navarro, Carl Tamayo, Rhenz Abando, and Kevin Quiambao.

The matches in South Korea will serve as part of Gilas’ preparations for the third window of the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers set on June 30 against New Zealand and on July 3 against India.

This stint will also provide competitive action for Mr. Ravena, who has been unable to play for the Road Warriors as yet in the one-week-old Philippine Cup.

Mr. Ravena and management still have to agree on a new contract after his Japan stint, with the playmaker seeking a one-conference deal while NLEX is trying to sign him for a full season. — Olmin Leyba

DA launches P234-million center for animal diseases

June 13, 2022 | 12:01 am

PRESENT at the official opening of the country’s first Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases were (L-R) the center’s Project Leader Virginia M. Venturina, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar, and Central Luzon State University President Edgar A. Orden.

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has launched the country’s first Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases (CenTrAD) in Central Luzon State University (CLSU) worth P234 million.

The center will focus on the emergency management of transboundary animal diseases through surveillance, detection, mapping, diagnosis, analysis, prevention and control, following international standards.

During the inauguration ceremony on June 11, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar pointed out that African Swine Fever (ASF) nearly wiped out the country’s hog industry in 2019.

“Let us learn from ASF. We cannot anymore put our animal industry at risk like that. We have to have a mindset that another outbreak can always come anytime like the ASF, so we must be prepared,” he said.

CenTrAD will also serve as the country’s “premier hub for animal health innovation,” focusing on accelerating the development of vaccines against transboundary and emerging animal diseases.

Mr. Dar also recommended other strategies in operationalizing CenTrAD, which include building a network of partners involving other academic and scientific institutions to expand human capital; putting up a fellowship program for various research activities; and establishing adjunct scientist appointments, comprised of willing and able retired experts and scientists within and outside the university.

The center also has P90 million worth of cutting-edge equipment to provide “timely, rapid, and accurate disease reporting to institute early response from detection to containment.”

CenTrAD is a joint project between the DA through its Bureau of Animal Industry and the CLSU.

Major academic partners of CLSU in the implementation of CenTrAD include Cavite State University, Central Bicol State University, Central Mindanao University, Isabela State University, Visayas State University, Tarlac State University, Cagayan State University, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University, and Pampanga State Agricultural University. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Philippine labor force situation

June 13, 2022 | 12:01 am

The unemployment rate in April slowed to its lowest since the start of the pandemic as the size of the workforce shrank amid the disruptions caused by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Read the full story.