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DHSUD resolves all 2024 cases

DHSUD

THE DEPARTMENT of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) said it has garnered a 100% resolution rate in addressing complaints in 2024.

The agency received a total of 758 concerns from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2024 and was able to deal with the majority of the cases within the 72-hour period, according to a report from the Office of the President’s 8888 Citizen’s Complaint Center (CCC).

DHSUD also recorded a 98.55% rate for the 72-hour compliance period.

Of all the cases handled, 255 were related to private developers, while 245 complaints were about homeowners’ associations, DHSUD said in a statement.

Only 11 cases were not addressed within the three-day period, it noted.

“This shall serve as an inspiration for all of us to strive better. Let us keep improving the high quality and quick services to Filipinos,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar said in a statement.

In the first half of the year, the agency also recorded a 100% resolution rate, addressing most of the 433 concerns received from January to July.

The 8888-CCC complaints are being handled by the agency’s Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Service, in collaboration with its PASPAS Serbisyo Aksyon Officers, as well as its regional offices. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Bill reforming DND filed

A BILL seeking to modernize the Philippine defense establishment by overhauling the mandate and authority of the Department of National Defense (DND) was filed at the House of Representatives last month.

Laws governing the DND and the military were promulgated in the 1930s, according to House Bill (HB) No. 11208. “The statutes that govern these agencies, however, were promulgated way back from the Commonwealth.”

“It is incumbent upon this Chamber to provide the legislative basis for a comprehensive national defense policy reflective of the current security situation in both the regional and the international stage,” according to the bill’s explanatory note, which was filed by Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro on Dec. 16.

The government is currently modernizing its military assets and defense capabilities amid Chinese incursions into Philippine maritime waters.

“The defense establishment shall be maintained to maximize its effectiveness for guarding against external and internal threats to national peace and security,” the bill stated.

The DND should formulate the country’s defense policies, strategies, plans, and programs for the sake of preserving Philippine sovereignty, according to the bill.

It should also craft a self-reliant defense posture to “guarantee the enhancement of responsive and progressive capabilities and maximum utilization of resources.”

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in Oct. 2024 signed into law a measure requiring the government to pursue a defense posture reliant on local manufacturers to enable the country to develop technologies capable of countering “unconventional threats.”

The Defense department should also implement Manila’s military treaties and security commitments with other countries, according to HB No. 11208.

“The [DND] is hereby authorized to enter into, make, perform, and carry out contracts of every class, kind, and description which are necessary or incidental to the performance of its mandate… with any person, firm or corporation, public or private, and with foreign government entities,” the bill stated.

The purchasing of military equipment would also be exempted from procurement laws “when the acquisition… involves special defense equipment.”

“All acquisition of defense materiel by the Department and its bureaus shall be exempt from import and other licenses imposed by other agencies of the government,” it added. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

SEC opens Laoag City office

BAGUIO CITY — The Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) first extension office in Northwestern Luzon has opened in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

Governor Matthew J. Marcos Manotoc and SEC Chairperson Emilio B. Aquino, both emphasized during the opening “the importance (of the office) in further boosting the economic performance of the provinces (in the area).”

The SEC Laoag extension office, located on the 5th floor of the Dap-Ayan Commercial Center, will accommodate the registration, compliance processes, and other SEC-related transactions of businesses across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan, ensuring the timely and efficient delivery of services.

It will also facilitate the Commission’s investor protection and education programs to safeguard businesses against scams and other fraudulent schemes. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Baguio, Benguet power rates dip in January

BENECO FB PAGE

BAGUIO CITY — Power rates in Baguio City and Benguet province dipped this January, the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) said.

BENECO’s January 2025 rate of P10.7718 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is lesser by P0.2025 compared to P10.9743/kWh in December.

This led to a total of P1,077.18 for households that consumed 100 kWh.

Fraiser P. Angayen, Non-Network Services Department manager at BENECO, explained that the lower rates were due to the reduction of the power cost that the cooperative purchased from the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

The power purchased from WESM represents 12.09% of BENECO’s total power requirement as the bulk of the power supply, which is 87.37%, comes from Limay Power Inc. (LPI).

The LPI is the electric cooperative’s major power supplier while the WESM is the country’s spot market for power supply.

“The decrease in coal price in the global market had a bigger impact in our generation rate, despite the noted increase in foreign exchange rate,” Mr. Angayen further explained.

According also to Mr. Angayen, the cost of power purchased from WESM and LPI compose the blended generation rate of BENECO that is passed on to consumers every month as generation cost.

“Had we bought all our power supply from the WESM, our generation rate could have been less than P4 per kWh since the spot market prices were low for the period,” Melchor S. Licoben, general manager explained, noting that buying all power requirements from the WESM would not be possible in view of the Emergency Power Supply Agreement with LPI.

Mr. Licoben further stressed, “Ideally, bilateral contracts are better to ensure a continuous and stable supply of electricity. The prices this month at WESM could be cheaper but in the long run, the prices could increase.”  He added, “WESM is a volatile market that cannot guarantee a stable power supply. Relying on the WESM as a source of power supply will be risky.”

He further noted that WESM is there to stabilize supply whenever imbalances in the grid emerge. “But we are not sure of the power cost,” Mr. Licoben said. — Artemio A. Dumlao

PDEA-12 arrests 3 drug peddlers

COTABATO CITY — Three drug peddlers, long wanted for distributing narcotics near school campuses and in far-flung farming enclaves, were arrested in an entrapment operation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-12 (PDEA-12) in Tacurong City on Wednesday.

Benjamin C. Recites III, director of the PDEA-12, told reporters on Thursday that the now-detained suspects, one of them a woman, will be prosecuted for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Mr. Recites said the suspects yielded peacefully when they sensed that they had sold P680,000 worth of crystal meth (shabu) to non-uniformed PDEA-12 agents and policemen during a tradeoff along a stretch of a highway in Barangay Poblacion in Tacurong City.

Mr. Recites said their agents involved in the operation found out that all three suspects were residents of a town in Maguindanao del Norte, close to Cotabato City.

Barangay officials in their hometown told reporters all three suspects distributed shabu to retailers operating near school campuses and in interior areas in towns in Maguindanao del Norte. — John Felix M. Unson

Iga Swiatek leads top seeds into third round of Australian Open

IGA SWIATEK — AUSOPEN.COM

MELBOURNE — Second-seed Iga Swiatek waltzed into the third round of the Australian Open on Thursday with fellow Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Elena Rybakina also winners on a bright and sunny day at Melbourne Park.

A day after intermittent rain dampened the spirits, five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek shot out of the blocks on Rod Laver Arena to crush Rebecca Sramkova 6-0, 6-2 and set up a clash with Raducanu.

“I felt pretty confident, and I started the match well so I just kept going,” said Swiatek. “It was good to play in such an efficient way and just finish it quick.”

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina overcame a second-set wobble to beat 17-year-old American wildcard Iva Jovic 6-0, 6-3, the second teenager she has sent packing from the tournament.

Raducanu, who has struggled with a string of injuries since her 2021 US Open triumph, required an off-court medical timeout for an apparent left hip issue at 0-3 in the second set against Amanda Anisimova, before seeing off the American 6-3, 7-5.

“I’m very happy,” said Raducanu. “I thought I played really well in some big moments in that match.”

On the men’s side, fourth-seed Taylor Fritz romped past qualifier Cristian Garin 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 and Ben Shelton took out Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4, making three Americans in the third round with more possibly to come.

Fritz has given up only eight games in his two matches so far and will next face 38-year-old Frenchman Gael Monfils, who earned his spot in the third round with a 7-5, 6-3, 7-6(3) win over German Daniel Altmaier.

While Andre Agassi was the last American man to win the Melbourne Park title back in 2003, Australia’s wait for a homegrown men’s champion goes back to 1976.

Alex de Minaur, the eighth-seed, is their best hope of breaking that long drought this year and he kept those hopes alive by beating American qualifier Tristan Boyer 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 on Rod Laver Arena.

Defending men’s champion Jannik Sinner will kick off the evening session, while fellow Italians Jasmine Paolini and Matteo Berrettini feature on an action-packed fifth day at the year’s first major.

Lorenzo Musetti got the Italians off to a strong start by reaching the third round in Melbourne for the first time with a 7-6(3), 7-6(6), 6-2 victory over Denis Shapovalov.

Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur, on a mission to become the first African and Arab woman to win a major, moved past Camila Osorio 7-5, 6-3 but was in tears during a medical timeout as she kept touching her chest area and coughing.

Swiatek’s fellow Pole Hubert Hurkacz was another player who needed attention as he struggled with blisters on his left foot before falling 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 to Miomir Kecmanovic.

Eighth-seeded American Emma Navarro needed three sets to get past Wang Xiyu 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, while ninth-seed Daria Kasatkina powered into the next round with a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Wang Yafan.

Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska, a semifinalist as a qualifier last year, thumped Danka Kovinic 6-0 6-1 to set up a clash with 2023 finalist Rybakina. — Reuters

Chris Koon joins SGA in Dubai international basketball tournament

CHRIS KOON — UAAP

FORMER Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Chris Koon will start his professional career with Strong Group Athletics (SGA) in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2.

Mr. Koon’s addition completed SGA’s roster for its redemption tour in the bustling Middle East city following a runner-up finish last year.

A 6-foot-5 guard, Mr. Koon is coming off his final year with the Blue Eagles in the UAAP Season 87 behind averages of 7.58 points, 4.17 rebounds and 1.83 assists as the once-powerhouse Ateneo program absorbed a surprising early exit at the bottom spot.

“He has good size as a wing, can shoot, can defend. I think he will be a good role player for us. And we all know he’s been well coached and comes from a great school and program, so it’s good to have him,” said head coach Charles Tiu.

The Fil-American ace will join a formidable local crew led by his Ateneo former teammate Dave Ildefonso, Rhenz Abando, Mikey Williams and Jason Brickman alongside Mr. Tiu’s College of St. Benilde players in NCAA MVP Allen Liwag, Tony Ynot and Justine Sanchez.

Reinforcing the Philippine club are American imports DeMarcus Cousins, Malachi Richardson and Terry Larrier as well as Gilas Pilipinas naturalized players Andray Blatche and Ange Kouame.

SGA, then led by Dwight Howard, swept its way through to the Dubai finale only to taste a buzzer-beating defeat to Lebanon’s Al Riyadi, 77-74. — John Bryan Ulanday

Teener Dormitorio wins gold in UCI Thailand Mountain Bike Cup

JUST like her elder sister Ariana, Lexi Dormitorio once dreamed of reaping honors for the country in the international scene one day.

That day came on Wednesday when the 16-year-old Ms. Dormitorio struck gold in the women’s junior cross-country of the 2025 UCI Thailand Mountain Bike Cup in Kanchanaburi.

There, she clocked 50 minutes and 51.914 seconds, leaving Thailand’s Pinpak Chiengsuan eating dust after the latter checked in at 59:38.765 and settled for the silver.

It was another feat the country received from a Dormitorio similar to what the elder sibling, Ariana, had done so in the past after snaring an Asian Continental Championship Under-23 gold and a Southeast Asian Games silver.

Ms. Dormitorio’s golden moments was one of the four medals copped the country in the two-day race.

It came from Thirdy Manaay, who pocketed a silver in the men’s junior cross-country, Adrian Nacario, who snatched a silver in the men’s U23 cross-country, and John Andre Aguja, who took a bronze in the men’s U23 cross-country.

Another Filipino, Justine Anastacio, was fifth in the men’s U23 cross-country. — Joey Villar

Damian Lillard puts up 30 points as Milwaukee Bucks rout Orlando

DAMIAN LILLARD scored 30 points and Giannis Antetokounmpo added 26 points and 11 boards to lead the host Milwaukee Bucks to a dominant 122-93 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday.

Khris Middleton and Bobby Portis each added 14 points off the bench for Milwaukee, which won for the fifth time in six games. Brook Lopez scored 13 points and blocked five shots.

Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 22 points on 8-for-20 shooting. Wendell Carter Jr. added 12 points and 10 boards as the Magic took their fourth loss in six games. Trevelin Queen scored 13 points, Cole Anthony had 11 and Anthony Black contributed 10.

Milwaukee dominated the first quarter while building a 34-16 lead. Orlando went on a stretch of five minutes without scoring.

In the second, the Magic only got as close as 13 points before the Bucks led 62-41 at halftime.

Orlando threw up 23 3-point attempts in the half and made just four. Milwaukee was 3-for-6 from long ranger before the break, while Lillard led the Bucks with 18 points.

Milwaukee guard Andre Jackson Jr. left this game just before halftime in some clear discomfort after getting hit on his right side. After trying to warm up during the break, he was ruled out because of a right hip contusion.

In the third, it was more of the same from the Bucks, who shot 62.5% from the floor in the period and led 92-68 going into the fourth.

Lillard put his final stamp on the game at the start of the final quarter with two steals against Banchero and a deep step-back 3-pointer. That helped Milwaukee eventually get to its largest lead of 32.

Antetokounmpo had his streak of seven consecutive games of scoring over 30-plus points against the Magic come to an end when he did not play in the fourth quarter.

Still, Antetokounmpo passed Walter Davis (19,521) to move up to No. 55 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Antetokounmpo ended the night with 19,535 career points.

The Bucks clinched the four-game season series against Orlando with their third consecutive win. The teams meet again on March 8 in Milwaukee. — Reuters

Los Angeles Lakers snap three-game skid with win over Miami Heat

ANTHONY DAVIS scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, LeBron James added 22 points with nine assists and the Los Angeles Lakers ended a three-game losing streak by rallying for a 117-108 victory on Wednesday over the visiting Miami Heat.

Rui Hachimura scored a team-high 23 points, Max Christie had 16 and Austin Reaves added 14 points and 14 assists for the Lakers, who improved to 1-1 since they had two games postponed because of deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Tyler Herro scored 34 points for the Heat on a torrid shooting night that saw him go 12 of 18 from the floor and 7 of 12 from 3-point range. Haywood Highsmith and Nikola Jovic each scored 12 points for Miami, which dropped to 3-4 since Jimmy Butler was suspended for seven games for conduct detrimental to the team.

The Lakers trailed by as many as 12 points in the third quarter before finally finding their stride. Los Angeles was down 83-73 with 3:46 remaining in the third before going on a 15-4 run to take an 88-87 lead with 10:47 remaining after a 3-pointer from Vincent.

Miami tied the game 94-94 with 8:13 remaining on a driving layup from Duncan Robinson and was within 108-106 with 3:51 to play on a 3-pointer from Jovic.

Lakers took control with a 7-0 run to take a 115-106 lead with 1:52 remaining on a fadeaway jumper from James. The Lakers outscored the Heat 63-42 in the second half, including 34-23 in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers ended the game shooting 52.2% from the floor after shooting 59.5% in the second half.

The Heat outscored the Lakers 66-54 in the first half behind 58.3% shooting from the floor, including 10 of 18 from 3-point range. Herro was 7-of-8 shooting in the first half, including 5 of 5 from 3-point range and had 22 points. — Reuters

Jokic the difference

Elbow inflammation sidelined Nikola Jokic on Thursday, and the effect of his absence was as expected for the Nuggets; a debilitating loss to the Rockets at home. The irony was that he couldn’t even show up for tipoff, what with him catching the injury bug during warmups. And, immediately, his teammates wound up playing catch-up ball; apart from a 3-3 tie, they were on the wrong end of the score until the final buzzer. Which was why a number of observers could not quite fathom how and why estimation of his worth seemed to have gone down in the eyes of the media, whose members just so happen to vote for the Most Valuable Player award.

Perhaps it was too much to expect the Nuggets to keep pace with the Rockets, currently second in the highly competitive West without Jokic on tap. Not that they were bad. For the match, they shot a more than respectable 53.3% from the field, and made close to half their attempts from three-point territory. Their numbers were, no doubt, a reflection of the return to form of starting guard Jamal Murray, who had hitherto been unable to live up to a whopping four-year, $208-million contract extension in the offseason. Unfortunately, their lack of a stable frontline — with Aaron Gordon likewise convalescing — told on their competitiveness.

Indeed, defense was where the Nuggets stood wanting. Beyond Jokic’s near triple-double average for the 2024-25 campaign to date is his role as their defensive anchor, which their platoon of warm bodies could not fulfill on Thursday. And as good as Russell Westbrook may have been of late, the willingness of the spirit ultimately failed to offset the weakness of the flesh. The Rockets pounded the ball with trademark physicality and saw little to no opposition, hence the heightened frequency in getting leather and nylon to meet.

If there’s anything Thursday’s debacle has underscored, it’s that the Nuggets are able to take the measure of the best of the best only because of Jokic. Without him, they invariably scrape the bottom of the barrel. His influence on both ends of the court is simply too much to make up for by the rest of the blue, yellow, and red. He supplies the sauce that makes the ingredients work. Murray or no, Gordon or no, Westbrook or no, he doesn’t only make the difference; he is the difference.

 

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.

DigiPlus introduces tools for players to control gaming time and bets

DigiPlus Interactive Corp., the company behind leading platforms BingoPlus, ArenaPlus, and GameZone, has raised the bar for responsible gaming in the Philippines by launching an advanced Responsible Gaming tab within its platform. This groundbreaking feature provides players with a powerful set of tools to take control of their gaming habits. With options to set daily gaming durations, customize specific gaming schedules, and establish daily loss limits, DigiPlus ensures that players can enjoy gaming responsibly, within boundaries they define for themselves.

For example, players can now set a gaming duration that ensures their gaming is confined to specific hours, such as during evenings, or lunch breaks, without interfering with work or family commitments. Players can also set a daily loss limit, such as not exceeding P1,000, ensuring they never risk more than they are comfortable with. These self-defined features allow players to enjoy the fun and excitement of gaming while ensuring that it never becomes a source of stress or financial strain.

The Responsible Gaming feature is at par with global standards, reflecting DigiPlus’ leadership in adopting best practices for player welfare. These self-exclusion measures, commonly implemented by leading international gaming operators, empower players to prioritize their well-being while enjoying the fun and excitement of gaming. By integrating these tools directly into the app, DigiPlus guarantees easy accessibility and seamless user experience, demonstrating a proactive commitment to protecting players from potential harm.

“The launch of the Responsible Gaming tab in our platforms reflects our deep commitment to our players’ welfare,” said DigiPlus Interactive Chairman Eusebio Tanco. “We believe gaming should always remain a safe and enjoyable activity. By giving our players the tools to manage their gaming habits responsibly, we’re setting a new benchmark for responsible gaming, one that aligns with global standards and emphasizes our care for every individual who engages with our platforms.”

This new and innovative feature is complemented by DigiPlus’ broader responsible gaming initiatives through its social development arm, BingoPlus Foundation. The “Tamang Laro, Tamang Panalo” webinar series provides education on maintaining a healthy gaming-life balance, managing emotional and mental health, and recognizing when to seek intervention. Personalized financial coaching sessions are also offered to guide players in making sound financial decisions, as demonstrated in the support provided to the jackpot winners, the most recent one being the P312-million Lucky Spin winner.

DigiPlus’ self-exclusion tools and educational programs align with PAGCOR’s mission to promote responsible gaming and create a safer environment for players. This latest advancement in responsible gaming is a testament to DigiPlus’ vision of creating a sustainable and enjoyable gaming ecosystem that puts people first.

About DigiPlus Interactive Corp.

DigiPlus Interactive Corp. pioneered digital entertainment in the Philippines. It introduced leading platforms BingoPlus and ArenaPlus, widely known for their engaging experiences in interactive gaming and sports entertainment. DigiPlus also operates PeryaGame, Tongits+, and GameZone, with more to come. For more information, visit www.digiplus.com.ph.

 

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