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SSS releases rise by P4.8B in 5 months

PENSIONS released by Social Security System (SSS) rose by P4.84 billion from a year earlier to P62.19 billion as of May, it said in a statement.

The state pension fund traced the increase to more pensioners, which rose by 100,000 to 2.5 million.

SSS pension releases accounted for 78.6% of total benefit disbursements in the five months to May. The agency had more than 1.5 million retiree-pensioners, about 940,000 survivorship pensioners and 85,000 pensioners receiving disability benefits. SSS has three types of pensions — retirement, death and disability.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of SSS pensioners relying now on our pension loan program for their short-term and emergency needs instead of going to loan sharks,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said in the statement.

Retiree-pensioners are members who are 60 years or older with at least 120 monthly contributions before their retirement. Survivorship-pensioners are primary beneficiaries of a deceased member who paid at least 36 monthly contributions.

“We cannot overemphasize the importance of consistently paying monthly contributions to SSs so that in contingencies where there is loss of income, the SSS can provide them with assistance in the form of pension, cash allowances or loans,” Mr. Ignacio said. “If they also wish to have higher pensions, they must also save more with SSS.” — Beatrice M. Laforga

DENR-Cordillera sets July 29 public consultation on Baguio environmental issues

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) is holding a public consultation on key environmental concerns in Baguio City on July 29 at its office conference room. The Baguio City government, in a press release on Sunday, said the discussions will include the draft executive order setting a moratorium on the construction of high rise buildings. Other matters lined up are: Requirements and procedures for the issuance of tree-cutting permits and Environmental Clearance Certificate; geo-hazard status of the different areas in the city; and solid waste management. Last week, Mayor Benjamin S. Magalong said he had initial talks with DER Secretary Roy A. Cimatu and Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año on the possibility of having the President issue an executive order mandating the rehabilitation of Baguio City, a popular mountain tourist destination. The rehabilitation will involve a one-year moratorium on the construction of high rise buildings and a budget allocation for the expansion of the city’s sewerage treatment system.

Disaster response in action

EMERGENCY RESPONSE teams — composed of representatives from local government, national agencies, police, military, and non-government organizations — immediately got to work in the aftermath of the two strong earthquakes that struck Itbayat, Batanes in the morning of July 27.

Manpower, power supply problems leave P47.5M of medical equipment idle in Camarines Norte hospital

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT worth P47.53 million at the Camarines Norte Provincial Hospital (CNPH) are standing idle or not functioning, according to the Commission on Audit’s (CoA) annual report. “The Spiral CT Scan, five units of Dialysis Machine and Digital Mobile X-Ray Machine amounting P47.53 million were either idle or not functional,” said CoA in its audit report. The release of the medical equipment was covered by a memorandum of agreement approved by the Region 5 office of the Department of Health. In the report, the CNPH’s supply officer cited that the reasons for the delay in the use of the newly-acquired medical equipment were: the need for uninterruptible power supply, lack of space for installation, training of personnel, and shutdowns while in use due to power supply interruptions. The state auditors recommended that CNPH prioritize the following: training of personnel who will operate the equipment; funding for the installation of uninterruptible power supply; and immediately replace the defective X-Ray Machine Digital Mobile. In the same report, the CNPH said the CT scan machine is already functioning and a nephrologist has been hired for the dialysis center. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

DoH cautions against long-term school suspensions amid dengue outbreak

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) is not keen on proposals to declare long-term class suspensions in the Western Visayas amid the dengue outbreak in the region. “We don’t want to be disruptive,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque IIII said during a visit to Iloilo last week. “Unless we know the difference between the risks, it will be difficult to say that the schools are at higher risk and you send them into communities where there is stagnant water, so baka pinababalik mo lang sa mataas na (we might just be sending the children to areas with higher) risk,” he added. Mr. Duque suggested that school administrations and local governments conduct risk assessment together with Education and Health representatives to determine suspension recommendations on a “case-to-case basis.” Several schools in Iloilo province and Iloilo City have recently declared class suspensions to conduct clean-up and spraying activities. Mr. Duque said these mitigation activities in schools could be scheduled during the weekends. Iloilo Gov. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. also said that class suspensions should be guided by an evaluation if the disease is indeed coming from the school environment. “It (suspension) is an option if (we are) sure na ang dengue is nangagaling sa eskwela (that the mosquito-borne disease is spreading in the school),” he said. Both Iloilo province and the city have already declared a state of calamity due to dengue to tap into funds for response measures. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Davao City tourism stakeholders push for long-term masterplan

TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS in Davao City want the long-term masterplan — commissioned by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in 2017 — completed immediately to give a clearer direction for the industry’s development. City Tourism Officer Generose D. Tecson said a Davao City Tourism Masterplan would serve as a “bible” that would benefit not just the city but surrounding towns as well. “The masterplan will say (the) state of the industry… our strong points and weak points that we can improve on,” Ms. Tecson said during the Habi at Kape media forum last week. “Perhaps from there also we can create a tourism branding for Davao City, which we can all rally around, although we know what we want, our branding is really MICE (meetings, incentives, conference, and exhibition),” she added. Tourism players also aim to develop promotional campaigns that would include neighboring towns. “Para naman lahat nakikinabang (We want everyone to benefit) with Davao City being the gateway. That is what we want to see. What is our vision, mission for Davao tourism,” the city official said. Ms. Tecson said the Tourism Council of Davao City has already asked the Department of Tourism to help them in pushing TIEZA to deliver on the masterplan soon. The council includes representatives from the transportation sectors, hotels, tour guides, and travel agents. Ms. Tecson said they also eyeing the establishment of a Davao MICE board to lead that tourism sector. — Maya M. Padillo

Red tide alert up in Puerto Princesa, 8 other areas

THE RED tide alert is up at the Puerto Princesa Bay in Palawan, six areas in the Visayas and two in Mindanao, based on the latest Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) bulletin released last week. The Visayas areas are:

San Pedro Bay, Maqueda, Irong-irong, Silanga and Cambatutay Bays in Western Samar; and coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol. In Mindanao, the affected areas are: Lianga Bay in Surigao del Sur, and Balite Bay, Mati City in Davao Oriental.

Based on the latest laboratory results of the BFAR and local government units, these areas are positive for paralytic shellfish poison, or red tide toxin, that is beyond the regulatory limit. This means that all types of shellfish and alamang (Acetes sp.) harvested from these waters are not safe for human. BFAR’s advisory says other sea products from these areas such as fish, crabs, squid and shrimps are safe to eat provided these are washed thoroughly and the internal organs removed before cooking.

PBA: San Miguel tries to bury ROS into 2-0 hole

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE San Miguel Beermen try to go up 2-0 in their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters when action resumes today for Game Two at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Went a game up after taking the series opener on Saturday, 111-105, the Beermen, the Philippine Cup champions, go for another victory that would push them on the brink of making it to the finals of the midseason PBA tournament and a shot at another title and keep their Grand Slam aspirations alive.

San Miguel struggled in the first 24 minutes of Game One as it trailed Rain or Shine, which was shooting at a solid 51% clip, throughout.

It, however, picked things up in the second half, led by import Chris McCullough and big man Christian Standhardinger, overtaking the Elasto Painters and eventually racing to the come-from-behind victory.

Mr. McCullough led the Beermen with 32 points, 14 rebounds and five assists in 45 minutes of play on the floor.

Mr. Standhardinger came off the bench to tally 20 points and eight boards to cushion for the subpar game of reigning league most valuable player June Mar Fajardo, who finished with just nine points, a rebound, two assists and two blocks.

Guard Chris Ross finished with 19 points while backcourt mate Alex Cabagnot had 12 points and seven assists.

Terrence Romeo was the other Beerman in double digits with 10 points to go along with six dimes.

After the win, Mr. Standhardinger highlighted the recovery they had as key to claiming the series opener.

“We’re usually a slow starter, but we did a good job fighting back then breaking through and getting the victory,” said the Filipino-German Standhardinger postgame in describing how it went for them in the contest.

“We’ve been playing catch-up basketball in the conference. It’s good that we finally take the lead this time. But we have to keep going and we have to keep playing hard,” he added as he alluded to how they had a rough elimination round, that saw them making an import change midway into the tournament en route to finishing barely making it to the playoffs with a 5-6 record.

REMAINS POSITIVE
Despite ruing the lost opportunity they had in the first game, Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia said they remain positive that they would be able to bounce back from the setback they absorbed.

“I think we did a good job today. It’s just that we did not get the win. But we still remain positive that we could pull things off,” the Rain or Shine coach said following Game One.

“We just have to lessen our turnovers. If we are able to do that then we will have a good shot,” he added.

The Elasto Painters was led in the series opener by import Carl Montgomery who finished with 20 points, 17 rebounds and five assists.

Gabe Norwood had 16 points with Norbert Torres adding 13 and Javee Mocon and Rey Nambatac 12 points apiece.

James Yap returned from injury to play, finishing with five points, two rebounds and a block in seven limited minutes.

The winner of the San Miguel-Rain or Shine series moves on and battles the victor between the TNT KaTropa and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, which were to play Game Two of their own series later Sunday.

Cycling’s Tolentino is new POC chief

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

THE Philippine Olympic Committee has a new president in cycling’s Abraham Tolentino after he defeated athletics’ Philip Ella Juico in special elections held on Sunday at the Century Park Hotel in Pasay City.

Called to fill up the position left by boxing’s Ricky Vargas, Mr. Tolentino was elected president over Mr. Juico, 24-20.

A total of 45 eligible voters were present but only 44 voted with the Philippine Rugby Football Union deciding not to vote.

The voters also included two representatives from the Athletes Commission as well as International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski voted in the proceedings.

The election process was overseen by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia.

Also winning were handball’s Steve Hontiveros as chairman over taekwondo’s Robert Aventajado, 26-18, with archery’s Clint Aranas (24) and gymnastics Cynthia Carrion (23) elected as members of the executive board over weightlifting’s Monico Puntevella (21) and swimming’s Lani Velasco (19).

The elections yesterday marked the second time that the local Olympic body held and elections in just two years.

Mr. Vargas, who assumed the presidency in February 2018 after Jose Cojuangco, Jr., stepped down from his post in June to give way, he said, to other sports leaders “who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC.”

Prior to stepping down, Vargas made known that he has grown tired of the politics inside the Olympic body and the constant “maneuvering” among the people under him, which he described made it hard for him to dispense his duties and goals.

By virtue of succession, first vice-president Joey Romasanta assumed the POC presidency upon the exit of Mr. Vargas.

But while everybody thought the POC was ready to move on, things continued to be murky within the organization.

Contentions and allegations, including ones pertaining to the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games later this year, were flung left and right after.

Emergency meetings and press conferences and more resignations ensued, further exacerbating affairs in the POC.

Stepping in were the IOC and the OCA, seeking to have the POC leadership issue resolved at the soonest possible time lest the national sports body fall to further disarray, which would not be good for the standing of the country in the international sporting community in the long run.

The international Olympic bodies directed the POC to get a hold of itself and settle things among its members with a firmer resolution of the issue hounding it in mind.

They proposed a series of meetings by the POC, culminating in special elections of officers on July 28.

Now POC president, Mr. Tolentino, head of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) and congressman of the 7th district of Cavite, said he would continue the reforms started by the “immediate past president,” Mr. Vargas.

“I will continue the reforms started by the immediate president and will start working with the hosting of the SEA Games,” said Mr. Tolentino.

Mr. Juico, president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), meanwhile, extended his congratulations to Mr. Tolentino.

“I congratulate them for winning. At the same time I want to tell them that if they need our support we are just a text or call away. Now we can concentrate on our preparations for the SEA Games,” Mr. Juico said.

Members of the electoral board were Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV (chairman), Fr. Vic Calvo OP of Letran and Rep. Conrado Estrella III.

Airmen now in the win column of the PFL; Kaya routs Mendiola

PHILIPPINE Air Force FC is no longer winless in the Philippines Football League after breaking through with a 3-2 victory over Global Cebu FC on Saturday at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.

The lone team sans a win heading into last weekend’s PFL fixtures, the Airmen changed the landscape with a gutsy victory over struggling Global.

Also victorious last Saturday was Kaya FC-Iloilo, which routed Mendiola FC 1991, 5-0, in their match held at the Philippine Football Federation National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite.

Air Force got first on the scoreboard care of Darl Pedroso in the 20th minute and then went up, 2-0, 10 minutes later with Mark Anthony Ferrer on the scoring end.

It was a lead it would maintain all the way to the break.

Global though was able to narrow the gap to 2-1 in the 51st minute when Jerry Barbaso found the bottom of the net.

The two teams went back and forth after, looking to advance their respective causes.

Rodolf Bebanco made it a 3-1 lead for the Airmen when he connected in the 90th minute.

Global made one last-ditch effort to salvage a win or a tie in added time but could only come to within a point, 3-2, on a Marvin Bricenio goal, handing the win to Air Force.

With the victory, Air Force improved to 1-1-8 and four points for the PFL season, good for sixth place while Global (1-0-6) dropped to last place with three points.

Kaya, meanwhile, won back-to-back games when it beat Mendiola convincingly, 5-0, at the weekend.

Jordan Mintah scored a hat trick with Connor Tacagni and Jayson Panhay scoring a goal each in the big win.

The win jacked up Kaya’s record to 7-1-1 with 22 points, tied with league-leader Ceres-Negros FC (7-1-0).

Mendiola (2-1-6), for its part, stayed at fifth spot with seven points, behind third-running Stallion Laguna FC (5-2-2) with 17 points and Green Archers United FC (4-2-4) with 14 points.

Stallion and GAU were to meet later yesterday in Biñan. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

McIlroy leads Koepka by one in Memphis

MEMPHIS — Rory McIlroy grabbed a one-shot lead over Brooks Koepka in the third round at the WGC-St. Jude Invitational in Memphis on Saturday, setting up the prospect of a mouth-watering finale.

McIlroy finished in style with three successive birdies, coaxing in a 27-foot putt at the last to take the lead with an eight-under-par 62 in ideal conditions at TPC Southwind.

The Northern Irishman posted a 12-under 198 total, one stroke better than fellow four-times major champion Koepka, who had a seven-birdie 64.

Halfway leader Matthew Fitzpatrick of England slipped two shots off the pace with an inconsistent 69 in the World Golf Championships event.

Spaniard Jon Rahm, Australian Marc Leishman and Swede Alex Noren are three shots behind, certainly not out of it even though all eyes will be on the two frontrunners.

McIlroy and Koepka will be paired on Sunday, their first time playing together in the final round of a PGA Tour event.

McIlroy, who missed the cut last week at the British Open in his homeland at Royal Portrush, said precise wedge play had been the key to his score on Saturday.

“I had a lot of good (approach yardage) numbers where I could go ahead and make a full committed swing,” he told CBS television.

“I just dialled my distances in today with the wedges. It worked today. One of my goals was to hit it pin high and I hit it pin high most of the day.”

He also putted well.

“These greens are so pure if you get it on line and get it rolling properly,” he said. “I’ve holed a lot of putts this week.”

World number one Koepka hit 17 greens in regulation and converted many of his birdie chances.

“I saw some putts go in,” he said. “The hole seemed to open up for me today.”

Koepka, who has been second (Masters), first (PGA Championship), second (US Open) and fourth (British Open) in the majors this year, sounded typically relaxed and enthused about the prospect of taking on McIlroy.

“Rory is going to come out firing,” said the American. “You know he’s going to play a good one. I’m just going to have to take it deep.

“I feel every time I tee it up I’ve got a chance to make some history. It’s a neat place to be.

“I’m playing some incredible golf right now and I’m enjoying it while it lasts but tomorrow it’s going to be difficult.” — Reuters

Skyworth on board as 30TH SEA Games sponsor

A STEADY SUPPORTER of the Chinese national football team, electronics company Skyworth is stretching its wings in sponsorship, coming on board as one of the partners for the 30th Southeast Asian Games which the Philippines is hosting later this year.

Formally signed and unveiled in ceremonies held on July 23, Skyworth said it was very excited to ink the deal to be part of the SEA Games as well as the 10th ASEAN Para Games next year, seeing it as an opportunity to continue doing its share in championing camaraderie and good relations through sports as well as communicate what Skyworth is all about a brand to more people.

“Sports is a positive platform for change and we want to be part of that. And at the same time Southeast Asia is an important market for Skyworth and we saw the SEA Games as a good opportunity to communicate what the brand is all about,” said Jack Lee, Skyworth general manager of Southeast Asia, to members of media in an intimate roundtable discussion on July 25 at Shangri-la at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

A pioneer in big-screen Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) and a leading global television brand, Skyworth’s sponsorship of the 30th SEA Games, happening from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11 in various parts of the country, was made possible through Mediapro Asia, a Singapore-based sports rights agency that is fully dedicated in terms of bringing in more sponsors for the upcoming Games.

Ronald So, Skyworth marketing director, who joined Mr. Lee and Skyworth Philippines GM Martin Han in the roundtable discussion, said their partnership with the local organizing committee has been going well, with both groups receptive to ideas in making the link-up a success.

“Both groups are excited over the partnership. We have been talking with the organizers for activities and they have been receptive to them and vice versa,” said Mr. So.

As sponsor in the SEA Games, Skyworth will be actively involved in the run-up to the Games, including the torch relays in the Philippines and Malaysia, as well as the Game Hub and Fan Zones.

Mr. So also shared that they had been doing rounds of the various venues where the sporting events will be held and said they were impress with what they saw.

On the part of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, or PHISGOC, the addition of Skyworth as one of its partners was welcome development.

“We welcome Skyworth as the Official Television Partner for the 30th Southeast Asian Games. Our vision for this edition of the Games is to create the biggest and most-viewed edition of the Southeast Asian Games. Skyworth, as one of our Platinum Partners from the private sector, shares this vision and we look forward to working hand in hand to give the public just that — the biggest and most viewed Southeast Asian Games,” said PHISGOC chief operations officer Ramon Suzara in a statement.

Meanwhile, Skyworth also took time to share that the Philippines is one of the better-performing markets in Southeast Asia for the company.

They refused to divulge numbers but said their products are doing well here so much so that they intend to expand their offering in the country.

“Filipinos, we are delighted to say, like our products. So in the coming years will introduce new products like refrigerators and washing machines to our appliance line in the Philippines,” Mr. Han said. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo

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