Author: malaysiang

Manila – Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is advocating for the expansion of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority’s (PFDA) charter to include the development and management of marine and agro-industrial estates across the country, with the aim of modernizing the fisheries sector and ensuring stable food supply.

According to Philippines News Agency, Laurel explained that this initiative aligns with the Philippine Rural Development Program (PRDP) and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s objective to modernize the agriculture sector. He envisions these estates as comprehensive hubs equipped with ports, cold-storage facilities, silos, and warehouses for storing various farm and marine products such as rice, sugar, vegetables, and palm oil, thereby ensuring a stable supply of these essential commodities.

Laurel drew inspiration for this model from successful implementations in South Korea and Japan, expressing hope that the World Bank could assist in realizing this vision. This proposal was mentioned during the World Bank’s presentation of its latest report on the PRDP on November 22. In the report, the World Bank identified potential funding sources for Philippine agriculture, including grants from the European Union and the Global Environment Facility, to support marine protected areas.

Additionally, Laurel emphasized the need for digital transformation in agriculture and improvements in the sector’s logistics, based on the World Bank’s recommendations. Recognizing a gap in logistics planning within the Department of Agriculture (DA), he plans to appoint an assistant secretary dedicated to logistics to ensure efficient use of public funds.

To enhance farm production and increase the incomes of farmers and fisherfolk, Laurel has been engaging with lawmakers to discuss possible adjustments to the 2024 budget. Despite agriculture providing employment for one in four Filipino workers, around 10 million farmers and fishermen live below the poverty line. Economic data reveal a decline in agriculture’s contribution to the national economy and a growing reliance on imports, especially for rice and meat products.

The agricultural trade deficit in 2022, primarily driven by high imports, reached PHP660 billion, approximately four times the DA’s budget for the following year. Laurel acknowledged the need for the DA to scale up and realign its priorities in the next three and a half years.

Laurel committed to accelerating efforts to achieve national food security and uplift agricultural workers from poverty, ensuring the proper implementation of these initiatives to benefit all Filipinos.

Alaminos City – The city government of Alaminos City announced revisions to its tourism code on Tuesday, aligning it with the standards set by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to enhance the experience for both tourists and workers.

According to Philippines News Agency, City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office assistant head Rose Aruelo, in a phone interview, shared that the new tourism code, effective from Dec. 1, will include a local accreditation system using a DOT-based registration form. Establishments will be categorized according to DOT standards. The city will now require businesses to obtain annual general liability insurance for guests, display a current rate schedule, and possess a safety declaration certificate complying with occupational safety and health standards.

The updated code also entails changes in fees at the Hundred Islands National Park (HINP). While some fees remain the same, others have increased to support the development and maintenance of the islands. The registration fee for day tours at HINP will rise by PHP20 to PHP120 per person, and overnight tours will cost PHP200 per person, covering environmental fees, entrance fees, and insurance.

Moreover, starting Dec. 1, HINP will offer an island exclusivity package, ranging from PHP80,000 to PHP150,000, depending on the island and schedule. This package will include services like security personnel, first aid, and assistance for guests on the islands.

Santa Rosa, Laguna – The Philippine leg of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge is set to begin at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna, featuring a host of Olympic and world champions, as well as top-ranked athletes from over 30 countries.

According to Philippines News Agency, The men’s division, starting Thursday, boasts a star-studded lineup headlined by reigning champions Anders Mol and Christian Sorum of Norway. Mol and Sorum, who are gold medalists at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and FIVB 2022 Beach Volleyball World Championships, also won the inaugural BPT Challenge in Doha, Qatar, last year.

Top-ranked players from Sweden, the Czech Republic, the United States, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Poland, and the Netherlands will be among Mol and Sorum’s challengers. All these countries are currently within the top 10 of the world beach volleyball rankings.

The main draw of the event includes 16 teams, featuring Philippine representatives Ran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton, plus eight additional squads progressing from the 32-team qualification round. James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, along with Anthony Arbasto and Alche Gupiteo, will also represent the Philippines in the qualifiers, capping off the Philippine National Volleyball Federation’s active 2023 calendar.

In the women’s division, reigning champions Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng of the United States, as well as world champions Eduarda Santos Lisboa and Ana Patricia Ramos of Brazil, will be absent. However, the main draw will be headlined by World No. 7 Barbara Seixas and Carol Solberg of Brazil, and World No. 9 Chen Xue and Xinyi Xia of China.

Filipina players Jen Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez are included in the 16-team main draw for the women, with Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella competing in the qualifiers. Japanese Olympian Miki Ishi, paired with Akiko Hasegawa, has already tested the venue’s courts.

The event will see participation from various countries, including Australia, Switzerland, France, England, Portugal, China, Chile, Austria, Lithuania, Estonia, Oman, Thailand, Latvia, Japan, New Zealand, Israel, Spain, Turkey, Gambia, Morocco, Malaysia, Finland, Slovenia, Ukraine, and Slovakia.

Tickets for the event, which promises thrilling beach volleyball action, are available online and onsite, with morning sessions priced at PHP100 and afternoon sessions at PHP200.

MANILA – The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has reaffirmed its commitment to providing the Libreng Sakay (free ride) service if another transport strike occurs. This assurance comes amidst threats of a new strike by public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and operators.

According to Philippines News Agency, The LTFRB stated that it would coordinate with relevant agencies and local government units as part of its standard operating procedure. The board urged strike participants not to obstruct PUV drivers who wish to continue working. The statement was in response to Manibela president Mar Valbuena’s announcement of a potential joint strike with Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) and other transport groups. The strike is intended to protest the Dec. 31 deadline for consolidation under the PUV modernization program (PUVMP).

Recent strikes by PISTON and Manibela led to dialogues with the LTFRB, resulting in the waiving of penalties for PUV drivers and operators, a five-year franchise validity extension, and amendments to some provisions in the Omnibus Franchising Guidelines (OFG) under the PUVMP. Despite these concessions, the LTFRB and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) maintain that the consolidation deadline is non-negotiable.

Cebu City – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines is preparing to deport two foreign nationals, an American and a British, who are wanted in their respective countries for child sexual abuse charges.

According to Philippines News Agency, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco announced on Tuesday that American national John Tomas Minor, 42, and British national Derek Gordon Heggie, 40, were apprehended in separate operations by the BI’s fugitive search unit in Cebu province on Monday. Both individuals are set to be deported following the issuance of summary deportation orders by the BI’s board of commissioners. Once deported, they will be included in the BI’s immigration blacklist to prevent their reentry into the Philippines.

Minor was arrested in a condominium unit at the Cebu Business Park in Cebu City, while Heggie was apprehended at a residential unit in Barangay Guadalupe, Bogo City. The arrests followed mission orders issued by Tansingco at the request of US and British authorities, who had informed the BI of the suspects’ criminal backgrounds.

According to US authorities, Minor is under an arrest warrant issued in May by a superior court in Spokane, Washington, for charges related to raping and molesting a child. The National Crime Agency of the United Kingdom informed that Heggie was convicted of sexual assault on August 10, 2005, and has committed several other sex crimes, including the rape of a domestic partner in 2018 and an ex-partner in 2013, along with alleged sexual activity with a minor.

British authorities alerted the BI about Heggie’s known violent behavior and extensive criminal history, which includes various forms of sexual abuse, damage to property, and possession of narcotic substances, among other serious offenses.

Both suspects are currently detained at the BI office in Mandaue City and are awaiting transfer to the BI warden facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

Commissioner Tansingco emphasized the importance of not allowing sex offenders to use the Philippines as a haven to escape arrest and prosecution for crimes committed in their home countries.

Mindanao – The University of the Philippines Mindanao (UPMin) is actively encouraging students to consider pursuing degrees in sports science, highlighting the growing relevance of sports-related careers.

According to Philippines News Agency, sports science degrees open a variety of career paths, including roles in professional, collegiate, and high school sports programs. Abarca emphasized the university’s goal to produce globally competitive graduates with intercultural skills, dedicated to promoting sports and human movement sciences in Mindanao through evidence-based instruction, research, extension, and public service.

The sports-related academic programs at UPMin are designed to provide students with knowledge in exercise physiology, human bioenergetics, sports performance, physical activity, and injury prevention. Abarca also noted that students are taught the socio-cultural aspects of sport and exercise to become well-rounded professionals in the field.

UPMin Chancellor Dr. Lyre Anni Murao highlighted the importance of integrating sports programs in higher education, offering students avenues to explore sports-related careers. Murao pointed out that sports should be seen as a viable career option alongside traditional paths such as engineering or medicine, and UPMin’s program allows students to incorporate sports into their professional trajectories.

The initiative comes as sports and fitness practitioners, coordinators, directors, and program heads in Mindanao gathered over the weekend to discuss strategic actions for sustainable sports development programs in the region.

Bacolod City – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), plans to install floodgates in five major rivers in Bacolod City as a flood mitigation strategy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez revealed on Tuesday that the DPWH’s program of works estimates the project’s cost at PHP500 million. The proposed floodgates, accompanied by pumping stations, are intended for the Banago River, Mandalagan River, Lupit River, Magsungay River, and Sum-ag River. These floodgates serve as barriers to control or regulate water flow, crucial for preventing flood overflows.

The mayor met with Yutaka Kokufu, chief of the Manila Representative Office of Pacific Consultants Co. Ltd., appointed by JICA for a study on flood mitigation. The consultation aims to identify effective flood control solutions, particularly managing river outlets in the city.

The project implementation is targeted for next year, pending budget approval by Congress’s bicameral conference committee. This development follows the August flooding caused by monsoon rains enhanced by Typhoon Goring, which impacted 33 of the city’s 61 barangays, displaced nearly 10,000 residents, and led to the declaration of a state of calamity.