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Working to eradicate cervical cancer

FREEPIK

As the world observes the Cervical Cancer Elimination Day of Action, the Philippines has once again reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating one of the most preventable cancers: cervical cancer.

In an event titled “Together for Health: The Progress Made and What More Needs to Be Done for Cervical Cancer Elimination,” key stakeholders from national and local government units, the private sector, and patient advocacy groups came together to celebrate the strides made thus far and outline the road ahead.

The stakes are high. Cervical cancer, which is primarily caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), remains one of the leading health challenges for Filipino women. Every year, it claims the lives of approximately 12 women per day in the Philippines, making it the second most common cancer among women in the country. This harsh reality underscores the critical importance of prevention — particularly through vaccination and early screening — to protect women and future generations.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set an ambitious yet achievable target: to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030. This goal hinges on three main pillars: vaccination, screening, and treatment. The WHO’s targets include vaccinating 90% of girls against HPV by the age of 15, ensuring that 70% of women undergo cervical screening by ages 35 and 45, and providing treatment to 90% of women with pre-cancerous lesions or invasive cervical cancer.

In the Philippines, efforts are underway to address cervical cancer, with the resumption of the School-Based Immunization Program and the Centralized Laboratory Model for HPV Screening (CLAMS) leading the charge.

The Philippine government’s School-Based Immunization Program has been a cornerstone in the fight against cervical cancer. Since 2015, this initiative has been providing essential vaccines to schoolchildren, particularly targeting girls aged nine to 14. By offering the HPV vaccine in a familiar, trusted setting, the program ensures that young girls are protected from the virus that causes cervical cancer, thereby reducing future health risks.

This program plays a critical role in helping the Philippines meet the WHO’s lofty 2030 target of vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15. By vaccinating girls, the country is taking crucial steps toward safeguarding women from cervical cancer.

“We are focused on placing women at the heart of healthcare efforts, creating access to the best vaccines and cancer care resources,” added Andreas Riedel, President and Managing Director of MSD in the Philippines. “By uniting our expertise and resources, we can reach more Filipinas and make cervical cancer prevention, screening, and education widely accessible.”

To complement vaccination efforts, the CLAMS project provides an innovative approach to cervical cancer screening. The CLAMS project utilizes centralized laboratories in urban centers to process HPV samples collected through self-collection kits. This streamlined process reduces barriers to screening and helps women access life-saving diagnostic tools.

“Roche Diagnostics is at the forefront of developing quality screening, triage, and diagnostic solutions for cervical cancer. We are committed to the global strategy to eradicate cervical cancer and work with governments, associations, international organizations, and society to increase awareness and ensure access to accurate screening and care for all women — no matter where they live,” said Marco Antonio Valencia Sanchez, Country Manager, Roche Diagnostics.

The involvement of Local Government Units (LGUs) is also critical in ensuring the success of vaccination and screening programs. In rural areas where healthcare access is more limited, LGUs have the power to bridge gaps by prioritizing health education, ensuring resource allocation, and making vaccines accessible to all.

Active LGU participation has the potential to drastically increase the reach of these life-saving programs. By providing logistical support, raising awareness, and integrating cervical cancer prevention into community health initiatives, LGUs play a pivotal role in reducing cervical cancer rates.

Another key factor in accelerating the Philippines’ progress toward cervical cancer elimination is the power of public-private partnerships. Collaborations between organizations belonging to the biopharmaceutical sector strengthen the country’s National Integrated Cancer Control Program (NICCP), expanding access to vaccines, screenings, and life-saving treatments.

Ending cervical cancer in the Philippines requires a strong, multi-stakeholder approach, drawing on the strengths of government, healthcare providers, and the private sector alike.

As the Philippines works toward eliminating cervical cancer, continued collaboration among all sectors — government, healthcare providers, private partners, and local communities — will be key. With the collective efforts of stakeholders across the nation, the country is taking significant strides toward coming close to the 90-70-90 targets set by the WHO.

The journey to a cervical cancer-free future for the Philippines will not be easy. With sustained commitment, a unified effort, and continued investment in health infrastructure, the Philippines can help save the lives of girls and women. Through education, prevention, and early detection, children, sisters, and mothers can be given an equal fighting chances against cervical cancer.

 

Teodoro B. Padilla is the executive director of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines which represents the biopharmaceutical medicines and vaccines industry in the country. Its members are in the forefront of research and development efforts for COVID-19 and other diseases that affect Filipinos.

How PSEi member stocks performed — November 29, 2024

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Friday, November 29, 2024.


Analysts’ November inflation rate estimates

HEADLINE INFLATION may have picked up in November as prices of key food items rose due to the impact of several typhoons, analysts said. Read the full story.

Analysts’ November inflation rate estimates

Stocks to move sideways on Trump uncertainty

REUTERS

PHILIPPINE SHARES could trade sideways this week on bargain hunting following the market’s recent decline and amid continued uncertainties over the policy direction of US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s administration.

On Friday, the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) declined for a fourth straight session, dropping by 0.37% or 24.69 points to end at 6,613.85, while the broader all shares index gained by 0.11% or 4.14 points to 3,739.08.

This was the PSEi’s lowest close in over two weeks or since Nov. 14’s finish of 6,557.09.

Week on week, the PSEi fell by 2.5% or 166.28 points from its 6,780.13 close on Nov. 22.

“Local equities stayed inside last week’s trading band, unmoved by the lack of strong positive catalysts amid the Thanksgiving break in the United States,” online brokerage firm 2TradeAsia.com said in a market note.

“The local market is once again on a decline after failing to break above its 200-day exponential moving average. In the process, the market has broken below the 6,700-6,800 support range. Its MACD (moving average convergence/divergence) line has crossed below the signal line, implying bearish momentum in the short term,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Senior Research Analyst Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

For this week, Mr. Tantiangco said Philippine stocks may continue to move sideways.

“With the market at attractive levels, we may see some episodes of bargain hunting. However, we also expect lingering concerns to continue weighing on sentiment,” he said. “These include Mr. Trump’s planned protectionist policies and its impact on global economic prospects, as well as the uncertainties on the Federal Reserve’s policy outlook.”

“Investors are also expected to watch out for our upcoming November inflation data for clues on the BSP’s (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas) policy direction. Investors may also watch out for the upcoming S&P Global Philippines manufacturing PMI (purchasing managers’ index) and labor market data for clues on the local economy,” Mr. Tantiangco added.

He placed the PSEi’s support at the 6,400 level and resistance at 6,700-6,800.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort put the market’s immediate major support at 6,600 and resistance at 7,000.

“During the next local policy rate-setting meeting on Dec. 19, the BSP could do a further 25-bp (basis point) local policy rate cut as signaled by some local monetary authorities recently and could match the latest 25-bp Fed rate cut on Nov. 7 and a possible 25-bp rate cut on Dec. 18,” he said.

2TradeAsia.com placed the PSEi’s immediate support at 6,500 and resistance at 7,000.

“With 2025 looming on the horizon, markets are to deal with uncertainties that are likely to keep prices down in the short run. [It is] better that they are priced in now as ignoring uncertainties will not make them go away,” the online brokerage said. — R.M.D. Ochave with Reuters

Peso may move sideways before key US reports

ANGIE REYES-PEXELS

THE PESO could trade sideways against the dollar this week as markets await the release of key US economic data that could affect the US Federal Reserve’s policy path.

The local unit closed at P58.62 per dollar on Friday, strengthening by 5.1 centavos from its P58.671 finish on Tuesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

This was a near three-week high for the peso as this was its best close since Nov. 11’s P58.595.

Week on week, the peso appreciated by 25 centavos from its P58.87 finish on Nov. 22.

The peso gained against the dollar on Friday as the greenback consolidated following its surge, which was driven by safe-haven demand due to US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s tariff threats, a trader said by phone.

The dollar was generally weaker on Friday after Mr. Trump and Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum agreed to “maintain a good relationship,” easing global trade war concerns, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort likewise said in a Viber message.

The dollar eased on Friday amid prospects for firmer rates in Japan and easing in Europe, Reuters reported.

Speculation about Japanese rate hikes drove a rebound for the yen, which ended with the biggest weekly gain versus the buck since July. The dollar fell 1.25% on the day to 149.65 yen. It delved 149.46 yen in late trade, the lowest since Oct. 21, under pressure after Japan’s government finalized a stimulus budget and inflation in Tokyo came in hotter than economists expected.

The dollar index, which measures the currency against six major rivals, fell 0.26% to 105.79, ending the week 1.4% lower thanks to a sudden rebound for the euro, which had been lurching towards the key $1 marker on tariff fears and a bleak euro zone outlook

The outlook for lower US rates has also weighed on the dollar. Mr. Trump’s import tariffs could boost US inflation, Federal Reserve officials have turned cautious on rate cuts while futures traders put odds that the Fed will cut rates another 25 basis points at December’s meeting at 65%. However, for 2025 they see less chance that the central bank will continue to bring rates down at the same pace as this year.

Mr. Trump has pledged immediate 25% tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada when he takes office in January and an additional 10% on imports from China, a major trading partner for Asian economies and euro zone export powerhouse Germany.

For this week, the trader said the market will monitor key US economic data releases, including the nonfarm payrolls, Institute for Supply Management manufacturing purchasing managers’ index, and ADP employment reports.

Mr. Ricafort added that lower global crude prices recently could support the peso.

The trader sees the peso moving between P58.50 and P59 per dollar this week, while Mr. Ricafort expects the local unit to range from P58.30 to P58.80. — A.M.C. Sy with Reuters

Mapua Cardinals draw first blood in NCAA S100 Finals

MAPUA CARDINALS’ CLINT ESCAMIS (0) — FACEBOOK.COM/NCAA.ORG.PH

Games on Saturday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. – Awarding Ceremony
2:30 p.m. – CSB vs Mapua

CLINT ESCAMIS delivered an MVP effort as Mapua University overpowered College of St. Benilde, 84-73, on Sunday to move on the verge of claiming its first NCAA senior basketball championship in more than three decades in Season 100 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Riding the crest of his career 33-point performance in an 89-79 victory over the Lyceum of the Philippines University Pirates on Nov. 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome, Mr. Escamis sizzled for 30 points on this one in carrying the Mapua Cardinals to a 1-0 lead and a win closer to claiming their first crown since last going all the way 33 years ago.

But unlike a season ago, there was no euphoria in Mapua’s Game One triumph knowing the job is unfinished.

Instead, the Cardinals’ celebration was muted as they, at least most of them, went straight to the locker room in preparation of a bigger, harder battle ahead in Game Two set on Saturday at the same venue.

And, of course, the memory of last year’s heartbreaking experience still lingers with Mr. Escamis and his lot after also going 1-0 in the finals where they over celebrated before ending up losing the next two and eventually the championship that they longed for to San Beda University.

“You don’t win a championship in Game One, so the job is not yet finished,” said a somber Mr. Escamis.

CSB just completely and flatly failed in stopping, even slowing down, the red-hot Mr. Escamis.

Worse, the Blazers just couldn’t find their offensive flow that helped them book a return trip to the finals.

They did find Allen Liwag doing most of the work with 18 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals, but outside him, there was really none.

CSB, eyeing its second crown since a breakthrough crown 24 years ago, will have a chance to rectify all its mistakes and go all out for that Game Two win and force a decider slated Dec. 14 at the Big Dome.

If not, it will be Mapua doing the celebration. — Joey Villar


The scores:

Mapua 84 – Escamis 30, Recto 15, Hubilla 9, Mangubat 8, Jabonete 8, Cuenco 4, Concepcion 4, Bancale 3, Igliane 3, Ryan 0, Abdulla 0

CSB 73 – Liwag 18, Cometa 13, Ancheta 10, Sangco 9, Sanchez 9, Ynot 7, Oli 3, Torres 2, Eusebio 2, Morales 0

Quarterscores: 26-20; 42-37; 57-48; 84-73

Pasig, the new overall champion in Batang Pinoy

CITY OF PASIG won as the overall champion in the 2024 Batang Pinoy at RVM Sports Complex on Thursday.

THE City of Pasig has been named the new overall champion in the official list of winning medals to complete the 2024 edition of the Batang Pinoy National Championships held in Puerto Princesa in Palawan.

Pasig City collected 105 golds, 64 silvers and 116 bronzes to become the new overall champion in Batang Pinoy and cut off four consecutive wins in the Baguio City championship tournament for all young people under the age of 17.

Pasig has sent a total of 771 athletes to swimming, winning 11 golds, 9 silvers and 11 bronzes for 31 medals while it also collected more golds in 29 other sports to cut a few straight second places in the title stripped City of Baguio.

Former champion Baguio City came second with 92-72-89 (gold-silver-bronze) for a total of 253 medals while Quezon City came third with 59-55-53=167 medals. Davao City is fourth with 39-44-37=120 and General Santos City is fifth with 36-30-40=106 medals.

The City of Pasig will bring home P5 million incentive to become champion while P4 million for Baguio. Quezon City has P3 million while P2 million for Davao. General Santos has P1 million.

Baguio City Sports Administration chief Gaudencio Jimenez Gonzales said he was grateful for being second after he surpassed their medal winning last year.

“It was a good fight. We have a medal output higher than last year with 82 golds, 52 silvers, 59 bronzes: 193 total,” Mr. Gonzales said.

“Whatever the result is or whether we come second this year and fail to win the 5-peat Overall Championship we are still happy and proud because we know that Team Baguio fought until the last day of the game with Team Pasig which has been ranked first from the start,” Mr. Gonzales said.

NCSAP hosts 46th SEASA Shooting Championship

MARISSA FLOIRENDO

THE National Clay Shooting Association of the Philippines (NCSAP) is hosting the sporting clays event of the 46th Southeast Asian Shooting Association (SEASA) Shooting Championship and the 1st Sporting Clays Philippine Open from Nov. 30 to Dec. 8.

The event will draw around 50 shooters from neighboring countries like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and even representatives from Australia and the United States of America.

“The spirit of the tournament is to celebrate regional friendship and cooperation over a shared passion for shooting.” says NCSAP President Desi Laperal. “What makes shooting so special is that it’s a sport of pure skill — a level playing field for all. In shooting, there is no height, weight, age or reach advantage, and is a discipline Filipinos can and do excel in.”

The lady shooters of the Philippines, composed of Reena Aguilar, Des Dimagiba, Marissa Floirendo, Tet Lara and, Sev Lopez, is the team to beat, defending a potential 4-peat victory this year.

While te Philippine Men’s team, anchored by Rep. Richard Gomez, Carlo Baltonado, and Antonio Brias will be up battling for gold against the reigning champions Team Thailand.

“Our team members and the shooting community have been working tirelessly and preparing for this tournament the entire year. Their performance here will set the tone for the high quality of shooting we expect for the 2025 SEA Games hosted by Thailand,” added Mr. Laperal.

Sporting Clays is one of the fastest growing shotgun shooting disciplines which simulates bird shooting using clay targets launched at a variety of angles, speeds, distances, and elevations. The courses are laid out over natural terrain that uses natural features for added challenge. A total of 200 targets presented across 8 courses will be shot in each 2-day event. A hit is counted as one point, while a miss yields zero. Individual scores are tallied at the end of each course, and added up to form team scores. The individual, and the team that scores the highest number of hits will be declared the winner.

To learn more about clay shooting, visit the Facebook page of the National Clay Shooting Association of the Philippines.

Chiefs first to clinch playoff spot after edging Raiders

PATRICK MAHOMES — CHIEFS.COM

PATRICK MAHOMES passed for 306 yards and became Kansas City’s career leader in touchdown passes and the Chiefs clinched an AFC playoff spot with a 19-17 victory over the visiting Las Vegas Raiders on Friday.

Kansas City (11-1) has played in a slew of close games this season and wrapped up this win when Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson unexpectedly snapped the ball. It caromed off the upper right arm of quarterback Aidan O’Connell, and Nick Bolton of the Chiefs recovered it at the Kansas City 37-yard line with 11 seconds left.

Mahomes threw one scoring pass to become the franchise leader with 238, surpassing Hall of Famer Len Dawson. Fill-in kicker Matthew Wright matched his career high of four field goals for the Chiefs, who became the first team to wrap up a postseason berth this year.

Brock Bowers and Tre Tucker caught touchdown passes for Las Vegas (2-10), which dropped its eighth straight game. Bowers, a rookie, had 10 receptions for a career-best 140 yards.

O’Connell completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for the Raiders. It was his first appearance since he broke his right (throwing) thumb in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams.

O’Connell was pressed into duty after Gardner Minshew sustained a season-ending broken collarbone on Sunday in a 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Wright kicked a 32-yard field goal with 9:53 left in the game to give Kansas City a 19-17 lead.

The Raiders had a chance to take the lead but Daniel Carlson was short on a 58-yard field goal attempt with 2:17 remaining. Carlson also missed attempts from 56 and 55 yards.

Carlson looked in line for one final chance before the errant snap on a play from the Kansas City 32.

The Raiders trailed by 13 before stunning the Chiefs with two touchdowns in a span of 1:48.

Las Vegas moved within six when O’Connell tossed a 33-yard scoring pass to Bowers with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter. The score was set up by a 68-yard kickoff return by Ameer Abdullah.

Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, O’Donnell threw deep and connected with Tucker on a 58-yard touchdown to give the Raiders a 17-16 edge.

Mahomes passed the mark of Dawson, who retired after the 1975 season, with a 6-yard scoring pass to Justin Watson to give the Chiefs a 10-3 lead with 2:14 left in the first half.

Wright kicked field goals of 42 and 35 yards in the third quarter to boost Kansas City’s lead to 16-3. Wright was signed this week to handle placekicking duties with Harrison Butker and last week’s hero, Spencer Shrader, sidelined due to injuries. — Reuters

LeBron James

For a long, long while now, fans have seen fit to speculate how long LeBron James can continue to be counted among the best of the best in the National Basketball Association. And all the second-guessing has been markedly pronounced, his stellar numbers notwithstanding. In fact, the rumination has become nothing short of a ritual; as soon as a new season comes along, even his most avid followers wonder how long he can keep retirement at bay.

Such was certainly the case heading into the Lakers’ 2024-25 campaign. As James prepped for his record-tying 22nd season, all and sundry asked if they were finally going to see a significant dip in his production — not unlike every single player before him. With his 40th birthday in the horizon, how much wear and tear could he still absorb? And it wasn’t as if he used the offseason to recharge; he stayed extremely busy, leading Team USA to hoops gold in the Paris Olympics.

To be fair, the Lakers prepared for a transition that had James taking in less load and ceding the role of primary option to fellow All-Star Anthony Davis. The plan was for him to dramatically reduce his usage rate in favor of freshness for the projected playoff grind. And, early on, the idea looked sound; he handled the ball less, facilitated more, and gladly took in the wins while letting his erstwhile sidekick claim more of the spotlight.

Unfortunately, any good intentions the Lakers had when it came to James’ exposure went out the window as soon as they encountered adversity. Once they began to absorb more losses, their reliance on him increased — and to the point of mirroring last year’s minutes. His productivity has sagged alarmingly over the last four games, with his norms of 16, eight, and eight on 42.2% shooting from the field telling only part of the story. Even the eye test has been unkind to him; his turnovers — five per game through the same period — have featured a shocking level of sloppiness that can no longer be ignored or excused.

Has James doomed himself to a season of mediocrity by chasing greatness over the summer? Or is he at last succumbing to the vagaries of age? By all accounts, he’s healthy enough to suit up; he has not missed a contest so far, and vows to play every single one — as if to underscore his fitness. If nothing else, though, his pedestrian showing in recent memory calls into question the soundness of his aim. Why go for quantity at the expense of quality? His shots, even at the rim where was hitherto all but automatic, have been short, and his mobility seems compromised.

To be sure, James deserves the benefit of the doubt. He has, after all, been the NBA’s version of Thanos since being drafted first overall in 2003; he is inevitable. If the past is any indication, he will get better as the months go by and the postseason draws near. That said, how much better is anybody’s guess at this point. And in some little corner somewhere, Father Time is slowly breaking into a smile.

 

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.

World Bank-Philippine partnership framework due in early 2025

REUTERS

THE World Bank said it is close to completing the new country partnership framework (CPF) for the Philippines, which is due by the first half of 2025.

“We are in the process of finalizing (the framework),” Zafer Mustafaoğlu, country director for the Philippines, Malaysia, and Brunei told reporters on the sidelines of the BusinessWorld Forecast 2025 Forum last week.

The CPF, which covers 2025-2028 will identify key objectives, results, and programs it intends to support in the Philippines, with the broader aim of spreading prosperity and reducing poverty.

“We are right now preparing this country partnership framework. We have been doing some consultations with government agencies, NGOs, private sector,” he said.

Asked about the kinds of loans and assistance the bank is looking to extend to the Philippines, Mr. Mustafaoğlu said the World Bank is evaluating projects aimed at improving health services.

“We are also investing a lot in social protections and the conditional cash transfer, supporting poor families and reducing poverty,” he said.

In addition, the World Bank said it has a “big agenda” for agriculture.

“We are preparing one now to increase the productivity of agriculture and incomes,” he added.

In a briefing on Nov. 25, Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesman Arnel V. de Mesa said the department is close to securing financing of $1 billion for its Philippine Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project. 

Mr. De Mesa said the project is expected to be signed by June and will run for five years. Full implementation of the project is expected by July.

Mr. De Mesa added that the World Bank has sent a pre-appraisal mission to evaluate the project.

The DA is also looking at $300-million loan from the World Bank to support micro, small and medium enterprises in accessing financing for climate resiliency projects. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

IPOPHL targets completion of IP valuation model by next year

THE Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said it hopes to complete an intellectual property (IP) valuation model next year to help creators access financing.

“We are going to study the different models of valuation around the world, and then we will determine which is best fitting for the Philippines,” IPOPHL Director General Rowel S. Barba told reporters late Thursday.

“This is already part of the budget next year … We hope launch it by the middle of next year,” he added.

According to Mr. Barba, IP valuation and commercialization are among the immediate priorities of the IPOPHL under its Philippine IP Strategy (PHIPS) 2025-2030.

“Our most immediate priority is to capacitate IPOPHL on how to value IP. Then next is IP financing so we can talk to the banks to fund the IP creations and accept the valuation as collateral,” he said.

“After that, (the creation) will be financed and commercialized so that the creator can earn money,” he added.

He said that the issue of getting financing for IP creations is a recurring problem with banks not universally accepting IPs as collateral.

“In the first place, (banks) also do not have the capacity to value, unlike land, which has zonal values and market values,” he said.

“So far, jurisdictions with advanced models in valuation are Japan, South Korea, and Canada. And the advantage of Japan and South Korea is that their state banks support IPs,” he added.

He said game developers first asked the IPOPHL how to value their games when selling at an overseas fair.

“In the case of lagundi (a plant with medicinal properties with applications in asthma and cough treatments), which was discovered by UP Manila, because they did not know the value, they just enter into a technology transfer agreement or a license agreement with a pharmaceutical company,” he added.

He said using this route, creators get a smaller share of revenue — about 35% of gross sales.

Mr. Barba said that the Philippines can no longer afford to wait for third parties to value Philippine IP. — Justine Irish D. Tabile