Author: malaysiang

MANILA: The approved basic rate hike for water concessionaires next year would fund projects to boost the water supply to mitigate the impact of the El Niño weather phenomenon, an official of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said on Thursday.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing, MWSS chief regulator Patrick Ty said the higher rates for the two concessionaires, Maynilad and Manila Water, would help fast-track the development of alternative water resources amid the El Niño dry spell.

“Kinausap natin ang Manila Water at Maynilad at ni-require natin sila na i-fast track po ang kanilang mga proyekto para po maibsan ang epekto ng El Niño (We already talked with Manila Water and Maynilad and we required them to fast-track their projects to cushion the impact of El Niño),” Ty said.

For the projects of Manila Water, Ty was pertaining to Wawa-Calawis Water Supply System in Antipolo, which is expected to provide a total of 518 million liters per day (MLD) of water, as well as the PHP7.84 billi
on East Bay Phase 2 water treatment plant (WTP) in Laguna, which is expected to provide 200 MLD as additional supply of potable water for Metro Manila’s East Zone.

For Maynilad, Ty said the modular treatment plant near Putatan Treatment Plant 1 in Muntinlupa will supply 20 MLD, and the Poblacion Water Treatment Plant that is designed to produce 150 MLD at full capacity.

The two concessionaires would also provide additional sewage treatment plants, he said.

“I can reassure the public that wala pong (there is no) water crisis in Metro Manila. Ito pong mga proyektong ito will mitigate the effects of El Niño. Pinagplanuhan po natin iyan (We have planned for this) and we have prepared since early this year ang pagdating ng (the coming of) El Niño (there is no water crisis in Metro Manila. These projects will mitigate the effects of El Niño. We carefully planned this and we have prepared for the El Niño phenomenon since early this year),” Ty said.

Ty earlier announced that Manila Water will increase its charges
by PHP6.41 per cubic meter starting January 2024, while Maynilad will have an average rate hike of PHP7.87 per cubic meter.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Philippines has secured a seat on the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund, a fund created to help developing nations vulnerable to the effects of climate change, Environment Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said Thursday.

This developed amid President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s firm interest in having a seat on and hosting the Loss and Damage Fund Board to make the Philippines ‘the voice of developing countries that are vulnerable to climate change,’ Yulo-Loyzaga said in a Palace press briefing.

‘We are very fortunate and we are very lucky that through the hard work, of course, and the vision of the President, we have garnered a seat on the Board of the Loss and Damage Fund,’ she said.

Yulo-Loyzaga, however, said there would be term-sharing for three years, with the Philippines serving as a ‘full member’ in 2024 and 2026, and an ‘alternate member’ in 2026.

In 2025, she said, the Philippines would have a term-share with Pakistan, the other Asia-Pacific country that is also part of the board.

‘S
o, out of the three years, the Philippines will be sitting two years as full member and one year as an alternate member. Our next job, of course, is to work with the rest of the board to see how we can have a proper host for the board itself,’ Yulo-Loyzaga said.

‘And as such, you make expect, it comes to the point that we would take a vote. The Philippines may have to recuse itself from the vote because we are in fact vying for the hosting of the board.’

Yulo-Loyzaga said the ‘main gain’ for the Philippines in terms of being part of the board and hopefully hosting it is ‘to continue to represent the vulnerable countries in the world that are developing and need to have special consideration.’

She emphasized that the Philippines, being at the forefront as a member of the Loss and Damage Fund Board, could help the developing nations ‘thrive and survive the impacts of climate change.’

‘Each of the countries (has) unique needs and therefore, the climate-vulnerable developing countries, especially island and a
rchipelagic countries like our own, need to be able to articulate our needs and have an influenced climate policy in this way,’ she said.

Pledges ‘very far from enough’

Contributions from developed nations to the Loss and Damage Fund have reached more than USD700 million, Yulo-Loyzaga said.

She, however, admitted that the fund commitments remain to be ‘very far from enough.”

‘What has happened is it went above what was being expected. So, ngayon, nasa USD726 million na po ang capitalization ng fund (The capitalization of the fund has now reached USD726 million). Of course, these are still pledges because there needs to be a receptacle for the funds,’ Yulo-Loyzaga said.

‘(The pledges are) very far from enough because there are countries, for example, that are already losing their land area that have already started to look for land in other countries para malipatan ng mga population nila (where their populations could move). As you can see, there are many needs that cannot be met by ordinary types of fund
ing.’

She said the Philippines and all nations that are vulnerable to climate change must continue to pressure developed countries to contribute to the Loss and Damage Fund.

She also expressed hope that the fund would be made operational ‘as soon as possible.’

‘We hope within 2024, there will be some progress now in terms of the organization and the guidelines that will be made available to those that need to access the fund. The idea is there must be urgency, there must be country requirements met,’ Yulo-Loyzaga said.
Source: Philippines News Agency

CEBU: Passengers at two premier bus terminals in Cebu province will enjoy state-of-the-art toilet facilities after the capitol partnered with a Swiss-based company to develop convenient and more relaxing comfort rooms.

Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said Thursday she met with officials from Mister Loo Philippines to discuss the refurbishment and management of the toilets at the South Bus Terminal here and the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City.

The Switzerland company designs, builds, and manages public toilet facilities through its tech-enabled service platform at high-footfall locations in Asia.

At least 28 advanced technology toilet cubicles will be built. Twenty of them would be placed at the South Bus Terminal and the remaining eight at the North Bus Terminal.

The governor expected the newly refurbished toilets will be available for public use in time for the Sinulog Festival next year.

Sarah Pante, country manager of the Mister Loo, said the construction will be in four phases.

She said temporary toilets a
nd portalets have been installed for the passengers while the construction is ongoing.

The Cebu Provincial Economic and Enterprise Council has approved the project, Garcia said.
Source: Philippines News Agency

BACOLOD: This highly-urbanized city and the province of Negros Occidental will have higher annual budgetary allocations for 2024 with the increase in their respective National Tax Allotment (NTA) shares.

From PHP3.25 billion in 2023, Bacolod City will have a total appropriation of PHP3.6 billion next year, while Negros Occidental will have a budget of PHP5.43 billion in 2024, from only PHP5.14 billion this year.

The city’s 2024 budget is higher by PHP350 million, or about 9.7 percent than the current budget of PHP3.25 billion, which was just the same in 2022 due to the cut in the NTA share.

Councilor Jude Thaddeus Sayson, chair of the committee on appropriations and finance, said on Thursday that the annual 2024 budget, approved Wednesday afternoon, includes an increase in allocation for social services.

‘Social services have a substantial budget. The mayor (Alfredo Abelardo Benitez) emphasized his promise for the senior citizens, persons with disability, and health services,’ he said in an interview.

In
2023, Bacolod only had an NTA share of PHP1.85 billion. Next year, it will receive PHP1.97 billion, comprising 55 percent of the total budget, while 45 percent or PHP1.63 billion will come from local sources.

Benitez said in his budget message that 36 percent, or PHP1.32 billion, has been earmarked for general public services, comprising the executive and legislative services.

The allocation for the social services sector is PHP1.24 billion or 34.61 percent, mainly for education and manpower development, health services, housing and community projects, and social welfare.

Some PHP710 million, or 19.73 percent, is for other services, and PHP317.9 million, or 8.83 percent, for economic services.

‘By prioritizing our commitment to the city and our constituents, our efforts at providing basic services, improved public use facilities, and development projects have remained uninterrupted and unwavering,’ Benitez said.

In Negros Occidental, the PHP5.43 billion annual budget for next year, which was approved by
the provincial board last week, has an increase of 5.66 percent from this year’s PHP5.14 billion due to its higher NTA share.

Lower NTA share reduced the province’s 2023 annual budget by 12.87 percent, or about PHP780 million, from PHP5.908 billion in 2022.

Of the total PHP5.43 billion allocation for 2024, some PHP5.24 million will be for the general fund and PHP190 million for the Economic Enterprise Development Department.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The local index and the Philippine peso finished the day strong on Thursday following the dovish outlook of the United States’ central bank.

‘This Thursday, the local market rose by 154.74 points (2.47 percent) to 6,410.48 as investors cheered the Federal Reserve’s dovish outlook after it held policy rates unchanged in its recent meeting,’ Philstocks Financial, Inc. research and engagement officer Mikhail Plopenio said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, likewise, kept its policy rates during the Monetary Board meeting on Thursday.

All Shares also increased by 55.82 points to 3,394.96.

Except for Services, all sectoral indices closed in the green territory.

‘The Federal Reserve stated that they anticipate three possible rate cuts for 2024, to be done in 25 basis points increments. This gave hope that the Fed may ease their policies soon after more than a year-long combat against inflation,’ Plopenio added.

The market net value turnover increased to PHP6.01 billion, higher than the year-to-date ave
rage of PHP4.87 billion.

Meanwhile, the peso closed strong to 55.80 to a US dollar from 56.06 in the previous trading.

It opened at 55.75 and traded from a low of 55.62 to a high of 55.80, bringing the average level for the day at 55.69 to the greenback.

The trade volume slipped to USD1.48 billion from USD1.6 billion.
Source: Philippines News Agency

WASHINGTON: The UN will launch an inquiry to investigate agency personnel who were killed and the damage to its facilities after the conflict in the Gaza Strip ends, an official said Wednesday.

“We have seen reports of a UNRWA (Palestinian Refugee Agency) school being destroyed,’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.

‘After the conflict, there will need to be a board of inquiry from the UN to look at the loss of property and the loss of UN lives. But those things can only happen after the conflict is ended,” he said.

His remarks came one day after UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said he saw videos of an agency’s school blown up in northern Gaza.

“It is outrageous,” said Lazzarini, who added that all public facilities, including hospitals and UN schools, are protected under international law.

Israel has bombarded the Gaza Strip from the air and land, imposed a siege, and mounted a ground offensive in retaliation for a cross-border attack by the Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, on Oct. 7.

At least
18,608 Palestinians have since been killed and 50,594 injured in the Israeli onslaught, according to Gaza’s health authorities.

The official Israeli death toll in the Hamas attack stands at 1,200, while about 139 hostages remain in captivity, according to official figures.
Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Tennis player Eric Jed Olivarez has his mind set on winning every tournament he joins, following last Sunday’s victory in the men’s singles and doubles categories at the Rep. Edwin Olivarez Cup in Sucat, Parañaque City.

The tournament top seed outclassed No. 4 Fritz Cris Verdad, 6-2, 6-0, to claim his third singles titles, and teamed up with Nilo Ledama in the doubles, beating No. 7 seeds Verdad and Rolly John Saga, 6-3, 4-6, 10-5.

“This year has been my best year in terms of my results here locally in the men’s Open tournaments,” said the 25-year-old champion in an interview on Thursday.

“I’m very proud of my performance and achievements this year. I hope I can bring it with me next year as I plan to travel and play more international men’s tournaments,” added Olivarez, who graduated with a degree in accountancy (magna cum laude) at the Western Michigan University.

Last week’s title showdown with Verdad was a repeat of their final clash at the Metro Iloilo Tennis Federation (MITF) Open in Iloilo
City on November 20, with Olivarez prevailing, 6-3, 6-4.

Playing at the Olivarez Sports Center indoor clay courts he calls home only served to be more inspired, he said.

“I played a lot better this time at the Olivarez Cup against Verdad. My forehands played the biggest part in my win. I think I was more inspired to win at the Olivarez Cup because it is my home court where I grew up playing tennis. Also, my family was here this time to support and watch me play,” said Olivarez, a semifinalist in men’s singles and runner-up in men’s doubles at the 2019 PCA Open.

He rallied past Joshua Kinaadman, 5-7, 6-2, 6-2, to win the Cong. Edward Hagedorn Open in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan last August. He ousted 10-time PCA Open champion Johnny Arcilla in the semifinal, 6-3, 6-3.

Olivarez secured two more doubles title with Kinaadman. They prevailed over Alberto Lim Jr. and Lance Fernandez, 6-3, 6-3, at the Araw ng Davao Occidental National Open in Malita (October) and outplayed Elbert Anasta and Noel Damian, 6-7, 6
-3, 10-5, at the MITF Open.

Based on the Palawan Pawnshop National Tennis Championships rankings as of November 28, Olivarez is at No. 1 in the men’s singles with 2775 points followed by Jose Maria Pague (2550), Arcilla (2475), Anasta (1725), Kinaadman (1500), Lim (1240), Alexis Acabo (1165), Ledama (945), Verdad (900) and Eric Jay Tangub (830).

In the doubles, he is No. 2 with 1500 points behind Arcilla (1575 points). Ledama is third with 1012.5 points followed by Kinaadman (975), Pague and Anasta (937.5), Tangub (787.5), Jude Ceniza (675), and Bryan Saarenas and Dave Sebastian Mosqueda (525).

Meanwhile, Olivarez will try to keep his winning form at the Dagitab Festival National Open slated Dec. 15-22 at the Naga City indoor clay courts in Cebu.

He only made it to the quarterfinal round last year but won the doubles with Kinaadman, beating Anasta and Arcilla, 6-7, 6-1, 10-7.

Arcilla bagged the singles title after pulling off a 7-5, 6-3 win over Jan Godfrey Seno.
Source: Philippines News Agency