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Microsoft to help France showcase Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral in digital replica

NOTREDAMEDEPARIS.FR

MICROSOFT is teaming up with the French government to create a digital replica of Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral, France’s most visited monument, the US tech company’s president, Brad Smith, said on Monday.

The 862-year-old Gothic masterpiece was reopened last December after a five-year restoration following a devastating fire in 2019.

A digital replica will serve as a record of the building’s architectural details, Microsoft said. It will also provide a virtual experience for visitors and those unable to visit.

The cathedral became a symbol of Paris and France after Victor Hugo used it as a setting for his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney adaptation, and in musicals.

Last year, Microsoft worked with Iconem, a French company that specializes in digitalization of heritage sites, on a digital replica of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.

“One of the things we learned from the work at St. Peter’s is how a digital twin can help support the ongoing maintenance of a building. Because you capture a digital record of every centimeter and what is there and what it’s supposed to look like,” Mr. Smith told Reuters.

“The ability to create a digital twin right now I think will provide an enormously valuable digital record that I believe people are going to be using 100 years from now,” he said.

Since 2019, Microsoft has digitally preserved heritage sites and events including Ancient Olympia in Greece, Mont Saint-Michel in France, and the 80th Anniversary of the Allied Beach Landings in Normandy. — Reuters

Arts & Culture (07/23/25)

Santiago Bose book launch in Baguio 

THE book Santiago Bose: Painter, Magician, written by Lilledeshan Bose and Patrick Flores and published in 2024 by ArtAsiaPacific in Hong Kong, will have an official launch in Baguio City this week. The book provides a glimpse into the life and artistic practice of artist, educator, and community organizer Santiago Bose. His legacy will be celebrated at the book launch on July 24, 4:30 p.m., at Balanghai ni Ikeng Independent Cinema in Ili-Likha, Baguio City. It will feature a conversation between the two authors. The book is available for purchase in Silverlens Manila and Silverlens New York.  

Filipino music concert at Yuchengco Museum 

TO celebrate Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino, the concert DILAAB at the Yuchengco Museum will offer an evening surrounded by over a thousand candles and the warm, nostalgic sounds of the Musiko Filipino Rondalla. The group will perform beloved Filipino folk, traditional, and pop songs. It will take place on July 26, with two performances at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at the Main Gallery, YSpace at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Presented by Sanghimig Performing Arts Events, each show will have limited seats. Guests must reserve online beforehand, with tickets costing P2,000 at regular price, P1,600 for seniors and persons with disabilities, and P1,000 for students.  

National Theatre Live’s Hamlet, A Streetcar Named Desire 

THE CCP National Theatre Live program is set to premiere another pair of cutting-edge plays on screen this July: Hamlet and A Streetcar Named Desire. The former follows Prince Hamlet’s slow descent to madness after his father’s ghosts reveal the truth about his own death. The play stars Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular character. This Shakespeare play was directed by Lyndsey Turner in 2015. It will be screened on July 29, 6 p.m., at Glorietta 4, Cinema 4, in Makati City. Meanwhile, Gillian Anderson, Vanessa Kirby, and Ben Foster lead the cast in Tennessee Williams’ masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire. It centers on a Southern belle who seeks refuge with her sister and her brother-in-law. From director Benedict Andrews, this production was filmed in 2014. It will be screened at Ayala Malls Vertis North, Quezon City, and Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu, both on July 29, 6 p.m. Regular ticket prices are P300 in Makati and Cebu, and P350 in Vertis North, with student ticket prices at P150 upon presentation of valid ID.   

Student discounts for Peter and the Wolf  

STUDENTS can avail of a 50% discount on tickets for the Aug. 3, 7 p.m., show of Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, a co-production of Ballet Philippines, Repertory Philippines, and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. The show will be a fusion of music, drama, and dance. The first part, Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, has each character represented by a corresponding instrument in the orchestra. The second part, the ballet Little Red Riding Hood, features the compositions of French conductor Camille Saint-Saens and Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. To avail of the discount, visit TicketWorld and enter the following promo code upon purchase: PETERAUG37PMSTUDENT50. A valid ID must be shown upon entry.  

Dance production examines the power of algorithm  

SET to explore the connection between education, artistry, and social media in the field of dance, the upcoming show Echoes: Moving Beyond the Current will present choreographic experimentation. This thesis production by students from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Arts, Culture, and Performance is a 90-minute show that will be staged at the 5F Theater of the Benilde Design + Arts Campus. Performances will be on Aug. 8 and 9, at 4 p.m. and 11 a.m., respectively. Tickets are priced at P300 for Benildeans and P350 for visitors. Register via tinyurl.com/ECHOESMovingBeyondTheCurrent.    

MSO to stage Brazilian guitar and cello concert 

THE concert Brazilian Guitar and Cello will be held on Aug. 9, 7:30 p.m., at the Bayanihan Hall, Creative Arts Centre of British School Manila, BGC, Taguig City. The featured artists are guitarist Fabio Zanon, cellist Fabio Presgave, and soprano Stephanie Quinton, with Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) conductor Marlon Chen at the helm. This is a presentation of the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation, Inc. and Standard Insurance, in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil through the Guimarães Rosa Institute and the Embassy of Brazil. Tickets, priced from P800 to P3,500, are available via TicketWorld.  

BOGT Philippines production goes to Monaco  

BE OUR GUEST Theatricals (BOGT) Philippines is staging its production, 13th of September, at the 18th Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco, marking its fourth time on an international stage. It first went to Canada in 2019 and Germany in 2021 and 2022. Set for Aug. 20 to 27, the production was adapted by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc from Lanie Robertson’s The Insanity of Mary Girard. It will be directed by Riki Benedicto, with Andoy Ranay in the lead role of Mary Girard, and Lao Rodriguez and Drew Espenocilla as co-stars.  

GMG announces Dear Evan Hansen tour cast 

GMG PRODUCTIONS has announced the full cast for the Manila leg of the international tour of the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. The UK touring production of the award-winning musical is set to open this September at The Theatre at Solaire in Parañaque City. Ellis Kirk will star as Evan Hansen, with Rebecca McKinnis as Heidi Hansen, Zoë Athena as Zoë Murphy, Helen Anker as Cynthia Murphy, Hal Fowler as Larry Murphy, Rhys Hopkins as Connor Murphy, Tom Dickerson as Jared Kleinman, and Olivia-Faith Kamau as Alana Beck. The production also extended its run to a full month and will now run from Sept. 4 to Oct. 5 at Solaire.

Most Filipino MSMEs start businesses to support family — BCG

BW FILE PHOTO

MOST micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Philippines start a business to support their families, according to Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

“Our main finding is that most Filipino MSMEs are in business for deeply personal reasons,” Jamie Bawalan, a principal at BCG, told BusinessWorld. “Sixty-four percent say they started their business to achieve financial independence for their family.”

Filipinos also go into business to pursue their passion (41%), while 38% do so to support their children’s education, according to BCG’s survey with the Trade department conducted in the last quarter of last year.

These motivations set Filipino MSMEs apart from their Southeast Asian counterparts. For instance, a similar survey in Indonesia found that 77% of MSMEs there were motivated by a desire to empower their communities.

“Filipino MSMEs see business as a way to protect their families and secure their future,” Ms. Bawalan said. “It’s less about building empires and more about building stability.”

BCG surveyed more than 3,000 local MSMEs across various sectors including manufacturing, retail and food services.

For many Filipino MSMEs, growth is predominantly measured by revenue, with 60% of entrepreneurs identifying it as their primary indicator of success. Other growth strategies such as cost reduction, technology investment or workforce expansion were less frequently cited.

“This suggests many MSMEs are still in survival mode,” Ms. Bawalan said. “They’re focused on staying afloat and keeping the business moving. Profit margins are tight. Cashflow is still king.”

She noted that market volatility has made local MSMEs more cautious in their business decisions — whether it’s managing expenses, expanding operations or even taking out loans.

Despite the central role that access to financing plays in business growth, only 33% of Filipino MSMEs are positive about the financial support available for their ventures.

Ms. Bawalan said many continue to rely on personal savings, family and friends or informal lenders despite the fact that formal loans often come with low and reasonable interest rates.

Forty-two percent of MSMEs have not applied for loans, citing fear of debt, while others cited high interest rates (34%) or the belief that borrowing is unnecessary (21%).

“We didn’t expect the gap between fear and reality when it comes to financing,” she said, citing the widespread hesitancy toward formal financial institutions.

To address this gap, Ms. Bawalan suggested offering tailored credit solutions such as small, low-risk loans linked to business behavior.

These loans could help MSMEs gradually build trust in formal financial channels, ultimately bridging the financing gap that many businesses face, she added. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

Delivering amnesty to unauthorized delivery operators

STOCK PHOTO | Image from Freepik

The e-Conomy SEA 2024 study by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Co.* indicates that Philippines’ e-commerce gross merchandise value reached $31 billion, with e-commerce contributing $21 billion to that total. It is forecast that by 2030, the Philippines’ e-commerce will reach $60 billion.

In this digital age where anything can be delivered anywhere, e-commerce platforms have created a ripple effect, leading to the proliferation of logistics companies, specifically private express and messengerial delivery services (PEMEDES) firms. PEMEDES firms play a crucial role in the logistical operations of e-commerce platforms. Without these delivery operators, our parcels cannot be delivered to us.

As defined by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Circular No. HRA-002 dated June 26, a PEMEDES firm includes every natural or juridical person that owns, operates, manages, or controls in the Philippines, for hire or compensation, with general or limited clientele, whether permanent, occasional, or accidental, and for general business purposes, any service for the personal delivery to other persons, of written messages and any mail matter, except telegrams. A person who takes messages, letters, or parcels from one person or place to another, on behalf of a PEMEDES firm is called a Messenger. For better context, the delivery rider is the Messenger, whereas the entity which the delivery rider works for is the PEMEDES firm.

While PEMEDES firms provide a public service, they are not among the enumerated public utilities under Republic Act No. 11659, which amended the Public Service Act.

As PEMEDES firms cater to the public, they are regulated by the DICT pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 240 and Republic Act No. 10844 or the Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2015.

Before a PEMEDES firm operates its business, an Authority to Operate private express and/or messengerial delivery service shall first be obtained from the DICT.

To apply for Authority to Operate the delivery service, the applicant/petitioner must file a verified petition and submit several requirements ranging from its SEC Registration, By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation/Partnership, to sketches of its office location and office lay-out.

PEMEDES firms that run their business without a valid license/authority to operate, or whose authority has been revoked or has expired are called as “colorum.” To date, 200 suspected colorum PEMEDES operators have been flagged down by the DICT. (“From the Shadows to the System: DICT Offers Second Chance to Underground Delivery Operators,” May 8, https://dict.gov.ph/news-and-updates/19793).

DICT Circular No. HRA-002 aims to implement an amnesty program for colorum firms to legitimize their operations without penalty. The amnesty covers unassessed fines and penalties imposed by the DICT for the colorum firm’s failure to obtain an Authority to Operate and will run for a period of six months. When the DICT issues the notice of effectivity of the PEMEDES Portal, that will be the start of the six-month amnesty period. The PEMEDES Portal is still to be established by the DICT.

In applying for amnesty, applicants have to provide following information to the PEMEDES Portal:

A. Statement that the applicant is: (i) currently operating without Authority to Operate, (ii) currently operating in areas outside the coverage of its Authority to Operate, (iii) currently operating under a revoked, suspended, or expired Authority to Operate and was not able to properly file a petition for extension or renewal before the expiration, and intends to apply for the DICT Amnesty Program;

B. The duration or length of time the applicant has been in operation;

C. The total number of messengers employed or engaged by the applicant at the time of the application; and,

D. A description of the clientele or entities to whom the applicant provides delivery services.

In addition to these, applicants have to submit the following additional documentary requirements: an Affidavit of Undertaking specific to amnesty compliance; and a Waiver of right to contest post-deadline penalties.

Once the applicant completes all the required submissions and fees, a Provisional Authority to Operate PEMEDES will be issued. The Provisional Authority to Operate PEMEDES will be valid for six months from the date of issuance. Colorum PEMEDES firms that fail to apply during the six-month amnesty period will be subject to cease-and-desist orders and administrative penalties under relevant rules and regulations.

To emphasize, the application for amnesty under DICT Department Circular No. HRA-002 is separate and distinct from the application for Authority to Operate PEMEDES firms.

The amnesty program represents a significant gesture by the DICT to foster compliance and stability within the growing PEMEDES sector. For colorum PEMEDES firms, it is an invaluable opportunity to transition into the formal economy, ensuring not only their own operational security but also contributing to the broader development and trustworthiness of the e-commerce logistics ecosystem. The time to act on this benefit is now.

* Florian Hoppe, Willy Chang, Aadarsh Baijal, Sapna Chadna, and Fock Wai Hoong, e-Conomy SEA 2024

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author. This article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not offered as and does not constitute legal advice or legal opinion.

 

Jerona Krystel R. Boston is an associate of the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALAW), Davao Branch.

(6382) 224-0996

jrboston@accralaw.com

mWell opens first tech-powered primary care facility in Bacoor

METRO PACIFIC Investments Corp.’s (MPIC) digital healthcare arm, mWell, has launched its first primary care facility (PCF) at Main Square Mall in Bacoor City.

The PCF provides a technology-enhanced experience with digital patient records, shorter wait times, and more efficient operations, mWell said in an e-mailed statement late Monday.

“While mWell began as a digital platform, we’ve always believed that true impact lies in integration — where technology meets real, on-the-ground care. This PCF brings that vision to life. It’s a tangible step toward a more inclusive healthcare system, one that ensures that every Filipino — whether online or on-site — has a clear path to better health,” said MPIC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and mWell Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.

Established in partnership with 1Life, Inc., the PCF offers medical consultations, diagnostic testing, maternal and childcare, immunization, minor procedures, lifestyle and nutrition counseling, and pre-employment medical exams.

The PCF also features mWell’s digital health suite, particularly its clinic management system and the digital health ID.

“Through digital innovation, we’re creating a system that supports early detection, empowers preventive care, and delivers continuity of care. PCF will utilize our HealthSuite, a range of enterprise health solutions including clinic management systems and the digital Health ID, which is designed to elevate the healthcare experience,” mWell President and CEO Chaye A. Cabal-Revilla said.

The PCF’s laboratory services are available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while primary care services operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Part of the MPIC group, mWell offers telemedicine, health and wellness programs, and e-commerce in an integrated, tech-based digital healthcare ecosystem.

MPIC is one of the three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., alongside Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of the PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., holds a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Surfshark: Philippines 16th most breached country in Q2 2025

The Philippines placed 16th out of 250 countries and territories with a total of 302,443 breached accounts in the second quarter, latest data from Surfshark’s Data Breach Statistics showed. This was higher by 32.7% from the first three months of the year. Among its peers in the East and Southeast Asian region, the Philippines was the third-most breached country/territory during the period.

Surfshark: Philippines 16<sup>th</sup> most breached country in Q2 2025

How PSEi member stocks performed — July 22, 2025

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.

Tropical Depression Dante forms; classes, gov’t work remain suspended

SATELLITE PHOTO of Tropical Depression Dante and the low-pressure area near Batanes. — PAGASA

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporters

THE LOW-PRESSURE area (LPA) east of Aurora province developed into a tropical depression on Tuesday, according to the state weather bureau, amid heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon in northern and central Philippines.

Classes and government work in Metro Manila and some provinces in Luzon and the Visayas were suspended again for Wednesday amid flooding.

As of 3 p.m., Tropical Depression Dante was estimated at 1,120 kilometers east of Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in a weather update.

It was moving north-northwestward at 20 kph. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area was spotted 155 kilometers east-southeast of Basco, Batanes.

Heavy rains caused the Marikina River’s water levels to reach the third and highest alarm, prompting the evacuation of more than 23,000 people in Metro Manila including Quezon City, the country’s largest city.

In Malabon, disaster officials pointed to a damaged floodgate in nearby Navotas as the cause of severe flooding.

As flooding persists, five dams in Luzon, including La Mesa Dam, have released water, with La Mesa’s water level breaching the 80.15-meter overflowing mark, PAGASA said on Tuesday morning.

Experts raised concerns over the Philippines’ disaster response, which they said remained reactive despite the country’s history of severe flooding.

“Clearly, what we’re seeing at the moment is that our flood preparedness and mitigation is not enough, despite the over P300 billion allocated for flood control this year,” Pamela Gloria Cajilig, a research fellow at the Resilience Development Initiative, said in an e-mailed reply to questions.

Amid public concerns over corruption, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vetoed P16.7 billion worth of flood control projects in the 2025 national budget.

Despite this, flood control still accounted for a third of this year’s infrastructure budget at P349.42 billion.

Party-list Rep. Terry L. Ridon, head of infrastructure think tank InfraWatch PH, urged the 20th Congress to review the delays in flood control projects.

“The delays should be subjected to a strict catch-up plan by concerned agencies in order to expedite completion within the most critical typhoon and monsoon months,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

The Commission on Audit (CoA) flagged delays in the Metro Manila Flood Management Project, with 22 of the 58 projects already behind schedule by up to 310 days as of December 2023.

CoA also said 29 other flood control projects worth P371.03 million had yet to be implemented due to issues such as delayed procurement and cancellations.

Experts said certain development projects might be contributing to worsening flooding. The Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier said the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach project, part of the Duterte administration’s initiative, blocked three major drainage outfalls, exacerbating floods in parts of Manila.

The Environment department, which oversees the project, has yet to respond to MMDA’s claim, but has attributed the flooding to the increasing volume of rainfall in the past decade.

‘SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CRISIS’
Mr. Ridon, who has filed a resolution for a House of Representatives probe into the Dolomite Beach project, cited the need for a holistic approach to flood management. “If reclamation projects significantly contribute to flooding, the government should put a stop to further approvals of future reclamation projects,” he added.

Mahar Lagmay, executive director of the Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH) project, noted that many of the flooded areas including Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City used to be natural waterways converted into roads.

Ms. Cajilig sought a shift in the country’s approach to flood management, urging officials to stop viewing flooding solely as a technological issue.

“We urgently need to stop thinking about flooding in purely technological terms and reframe it as a social and political crisis,” she said. “We need to see flooding as a systemic crisis of inequity and injustice.”

She added that while improvements like enhanced hazard monitoring and early warning systems are in place, they remain “reactive and focused on response” rather than proactive preparedness.

The role of poor communities in disaster preparedness remains minimal, Ms. Cajilig said, citing the need for greater inclusion.

“We need the voices, knowledge, and capacities of those experiencing the greatest disaster risks,” she said. “We need to recognize that those experiencing the problems directly have crucial insight into ways forward.”

Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political scientist who has researched the impact of disasters on communities, also called for reviews of the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010.

She urged lawmakers to prioritize addressing the root causes of flooding, including inadequate governance and a lack of climate adaptation measures.

Gary Ador Dionisio, dean of the Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, said flood control should be part of a broader strategy to mitigate climate change.

“Flood control should be accompanied by bigger plans related to climate mitigation,” he said via Messenger chat, citing the need for long-term strategies such as modernizing the agriculture sector, which sustained P57.78 billion in damage from disasters last year.

Meanwhile, the Philippines activated military bases in the Philippines to serve as relief hubs to support humanitarian operations, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. said in a video posted on Facebook.

The US Indo-Pacific Command would also deploy a “crisis action team” and military assets to bolster relief efforts by the Philippine military, he added.

“Using these forward-operating hubs allows us to deliver aid faster and more efficiently to our fellow Filipinos, especially in hard-hit and remote areas,” Philippine military chief General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said in a separate statement.

S. Korean envoy expects more PHL defense deals

KOREA Aerospace Industries FA-50 fighter jets — M.KOREAAERO.COM

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporters

SOUTH KOREA expects more defense contracts with the Philippines the latter tries to advance its military modernization efforts, Seoul’s top envoy to the Philippines said on Tuesday.

“We are expecting more,” South Korean Ambassador to the Philippines Lee Sang-hwa told reporters at an embassy event in the Philippine capital on Tuesday, but declined to provide details.

The Philippines has increasingly turned to South Korea as a key equipment dealer as it sets on a $35-billion (P2 trillion) military modernization program in the next decade amid increasing tensions in the South China Sea.

Manila’s Defense department had bought warships from South Korea-based HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. as part of efforts to boost its fleet of mostly hand-me-down ships from the US and UK, many of which are aging and lack advanced weaponry.

Three missile frigates have been delivered so far, with another missile frigate and six offshore patrol vessels still in the works.

The Philippines in June signed a P39.8-billion contract with Korea Aerospace Industries for the purchase of 12 FA-50 fighter jets, as it eyes to upgrade its air force, whose arsenal mostly consists of turboprops. The Philippine Air Force already has 11 of the light fighter planes serving as the country’s most advanced jets.

“It is natural that Korea stands as a reliable partner of the Philippines, particularly when we face deepening global instability — one that is fraught with fragmentation and uncertainty,” Mr. Lee said.

The South China Sea has become a regional flashpoint as Beijing continues to assert sovereignty over almost the entire sea, a vital global trade route that is believed to be rich in undersea gas and oil deposits.

In 2016, a United Nations-backed arbitral tribunal in The Hague voided China’s expansive claims, ruling in favor of the Philippines. China, however, has rejected the ruling and continues to maintain a large presence in disputed areas, including Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands.

“As fellow maritime nations, we share an abiding interest in peace and stability, as well as upholding a rules-based order in the South China Sea and beyond,” Mr. Lee said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines and India are considering holding joint naval drills in the contested waters, Colonel Xerxes A. Trinidad, chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs office, told a news briefing.

Four Indian Navy ships are set to make a port call in the Philippines later this month, and there are plans to conduct a joint sail with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea, Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shri Harsh Kuman Jain said last week.

India has supplied advanced cruise missiles to the Philippines while advocating for a code of conduct in the disputed waters that aligns with international law.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations and China pledged in 2002 to come up with a code of conduct on the South China Sea, a framework that seeks to prevent conflict through diplomatic means, but it has remained elusive due to slow progress. Manila hopes to finalize it when it hosts the regional grouping next year.

Like the Philippines, India has been entangled in border disputes with China along the Himalayan region. The two nuclear-armed nations share about 4,000 kilometers of border, much of which is contested.

In 2020, a skirmish between the neighboring countries erupted at the disputed Galwan Valley, leading to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and four Chinese troops, their first deadly military confrontation since 1975.

Also on Tuesday, Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent T. Trinidad said he expects China to increase its naval presence in the South China Sea after recent storms.

“The trend is after any weather disturbance, the numbers always increase,” he told a separate news briefing. “They go back to their regular, normal presence.”

The Philippine military early this month said Chinese presence at disputed shoals and atolls spiked to 49 ships in June, from the average of 29 China Coast Guard and People’s Liberation Army Navy vessels monitored per month in the first half.

‘COMMITMENT TO DETERRENCE’
Meanwhile, the Philippines and the US reaffirmed their “ironclad” alliance as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., separately met with Secretary of State Marco Antonio Rubio and Defense Secretary Peter Brian Hegseth in Washington, DC on July 21 to discuss regional security, China’s growing assertiveness and expanding military cooperation.

The meetings highlighted the importance of the alliance in maintaining peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific region, US State department spokesperson Tammy K. Bruce said in a statement posted on the agency’s website.

“They reaffirmed their shared commitment to deterrence and to upholding freedoms of navigation and overflight in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” she said.

The high-level meetings come as Manila seeks stronger security guarantees amid rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea, while the US looks to bolster regional alliances to counter China’s growing military and economic influence.

Ms. Bruce said the two leaders “discussed efforts to advance the United States’ and the Philippines’ shared prosperity, including through the Luzon Economic Corridor, by strengthening supply chains and delivering economic growth to both countries.”

The Luzon Economic Corridor was launched under the administration of Joseph “Joe” Robinette Biden, Jr.

In a separate meeting on July 21, Mr. Marcos met with Mr. Hegseth, who called the Asia-Pacific region the US’ “priority theater.”

“Together, we must forge a strong shield of real deterrence for peace, ensuring the long-term security and prosperity for our nations,” Mr. Hegseth said during the meeting, according to a transcript from his office.

For his part, Mr. Marcos underscored the importance of the alliance in advancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and enhancing joint military exercises.

Mr. Marcos was in Washington from July 20 to 22, the first Southeast Asian head of state to visit the White House under Mr. Trump’s second term.

Palace: All SONA preparations on hold amid monsoon rains

PHILIPPINE STAR/KJ ROSALES

By Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporter

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday suspended all preparations for President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), scheduled for July 28, as the southwest monsoon devastates parts of the Philippines, including its capital region.

Mr. Marcos has ordered all government agencies to exert their utmost efforts in serving Filipinos, with Malacañang announcing class and government work suspensions in some areas.

“All SONA-related preparations are hereby ordered immediately suspended,” Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said in a statement.

“The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), along with all concerned agencies, must put full attention and exclusive focus on flood response and relief operations,” he added.

This comes after personnel from the DPWH were photographed installing tarpaulins for Mr. Marcos, along Padre Burgos Avenue in Manila City, despite the heavy flooding in the area.

Mr. Bersamin noted that the President was “dismayed” by the action of the government staff.

Delivered every fourth Monday of July, the Philippine President’s SONA outlines the administration’s key achievements, policy priorities, and legislative agenda for the coming year.

It serves as a constitutional duty and a political moment that sets the tone for governance, reflects national challenges, and signals the government’s direction to Congress, stakeholders, and the Filipino public.

“The President’s directive is to focus all efforts on ensuring the safety and welfare of the Filipino people, especially during times of crisis,” he added. “All government agencies are expected to act accordingly.”

Speaking in a video statement from Washington, DC on Monday evening, Mr. Marcos assured the public that all frontline government agencies are mobilized to respond to the ongoing bad weather, with medical teams, relief supplies, and transportation already pre-positioned to assist residents in severely flooded areas needing evacuation.

Metro Manila and seven Luzon provinces were placed under an orange rainfall warning on Tuesday, signaling continued flood threats, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The agency said it is monitoring three low-pressure areas, two within the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) and one outside.

One of the LPAs inside PAR has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours, PAGASA added.

NO CLASSES
This has prompted the Palace to announce the suspension of classes at all levels and government work on July 23, through Memorandum Circular No. 90, signed by Mr. Bersamin.

The areas included: Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, llocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Laguna and Negros Occidental.

Government agencies providing essential and emergency services must remain operational despite work suspensions, while non-essential employees may work under approved alternative arrangements.

Local chief executives may suspend classes or government work in their areas as needed, while private companies can decide on work suspension at their own discretion.

A labor group on Tuesday urged local employers to suspend work in areas under storm warnings or those affected by dangerous travel conditions.

“As we enter the second day of government work suspension due to extreme weather, it is vital that all employers in the private sector follow suit and prioritize the safety and welfare of their workers,” Federation of Free Workers (FFW) President Jose Sonny G. Matula said.

The group also urged employers to provide extra incentives or hazard pay to essential personnel that are required to work during severe weather conditions.

The group cited Republic Act 11058, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Law, which allows workers the right to refuse unsafe work conditions.

It also noted that Labor Advisory No. 17 of 2022 allows employers and business establishment “not only due to imminent danger in the workplace, but also during weather disturbances.”

DISASTER RESPONSE
Mr. Marcos instructed the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to mobilize evacuation efforts, distribute relief goods, and set up temporary shelters in coordination with local government units.

According to DSWD Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian, around 500 evacuation centers have been opened across the country, housing more than 13,000 families.

Mr. Gatchalian reported in the same virtual briefing that over 92,000 family food packs have been distributed so far, with production continuing to replenish stocks to meet local government requests.

Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said free rides were provided on rail lines in Metro Manila to assist stranded commuters, while government buses and trucks continue to ferry residents in flooded areas.

He reported that hundreds of buses and trucks from the DoTr, Coast Guard, Armed Forces, Philippine National Police, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and the Office of the President have been deployed to ferry commuters safely across flooded areas in Metro Manila.

He also noted that San Miguel Corp. is addressing public concerns over floodwaters pouring from the Metro Manila Skyway.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health also prepositioned P31 million worth of emergency medicines, with additional supplies on standby.

Health Spokesman Albert Francis E. Domingo reminded Filipinos to immediately contact health practitioners after wading through flood waters for the risk of contracting leptospirosis.

He added drinking water must first be boiled for two minutes for consumption. — with Adrian H. Halili

Storm-hit Filipinos get P360-M aid

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

ABOUT P360 million worth of financial aid for indigent Filipinos affected by Severe Tropical Storm Wipha (Crising), a congressman said on Tuesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. instructed the release of the calamity assistance to indigent residents of Metro Manila and surrounding regions, according to Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, who facilitated the release.

“This is just the beginning of our coordinated disaster response,” he said in a statement.

The P360-million assistance fund will be distributed evenly to 36 congressional districts, and is sourced from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Ayuda Para sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) budget. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

90,000 suffer from power outages

MERALCO’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

AROUND 90,000 customers of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) are affected by power outages as of 2 p.m. brought by heavy rains caused by southwest monsoon.

In a statement on Tuesday, Meralco said that the number has been reduced from over 167,000 affected, as of 7 a.m.

Most of the affected customers reside in Metro Manila, Cavite, and Bulacan, while the rest are in Rizal, Quezon, Laguna, and Batangas. Around 86% of affected customers are in flooded areas, Meralco said.

“We continue to actively monitor the weather situation in light of persisting rains in parts of our franchise area. We ask our customers for patience and understanding as we have to prioritize safety during the conduct of power restoration activities,” Meralco Vice-President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe R. Zaldarriaga said.

Meralco said that its crews are working round-the-clock to restore power service as soon as it is safe to do so.

Meanwhile, in its energy situation report, the Department of Energy said that restorations are ongoing with two electric cooperatives in the Cordillera Administrative Region: Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Abra Electric Cooperative, Inc. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

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