CALLS FOR CONCRETE SOLUTIONS TO CLIMATE CRISIS AS LEADERS GATHER AT G20 SUMMIT, COP27

BALI, Indonesia — As world leaders gather in resort cities of Indonesia and Egypt this week, groups across Asia called on wealthy economies to deliver real solutions to the world’s biggest problems: a rapidly warming planet, and food and energy crises.

Here in Bali, leaders of G20 or the world’s 20 largest economies, meet in an attempt to deliver concrete solutions that can help the world in its economic recovery. The bloc’s biggest meeting is held under the shadow of the climate crisis, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and strained China-United States relations.

Over 9,000 kilometers away from this tropical paradise, in the Red Sea resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, COP27 entered its final week, with nearly 200 nations racing to strike a deal to slow global warming and scale up finance for communities battered by climate disasters.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Monday evening that G20 nations — responsible for 80% global greenhouse gas emissions — should take additional efforts to keep alive a target of limiting global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“Action — or inaction — by the G20 will determine whether every member of our human family has a chance to live sustainably and peacefully, on a healthy planet,” Guterres said.

Bukluran ng mga Pilipino chairperson Leody de Guzman called for a wealth tax to cover the cost of climate impacts and support the poor.

“They should pay for climate debt and be held accountable for the suffering of communities by imposing wealth tax,” he said.

For Freedom from Debt coalition’s Rovik Obanil, the fight for climate justice goes beyond holding wealthy nations and corporations accountable for causing the climate crisis.

“This must include addressing worsening inequalities and widespread poverty because these multiply vulnerabilities,” he said.

Groups across Asia will hold protest actions on Wednesday to demand leaders attending the COP27 and G20 summits to deliver climate and economic justice.

DND OIC SAYS PH MILITARY CAPABILITY 'ONE OF THE WEAKEST IN THE REGION'

Department of National Defense Officer-in-Charge Jose Faustino Jr. admitted before the House Committee on National Defense and Security on Monday that the military capability of the Philippines is among the weakest in the region, after some lawmakers questioned the failure of the Armed Forces to prevent China from building structures in the West Philippine Sea.

To help fund the AFP’s modernization program, Faustino said he is open to enter into a joint venture in using idle military lands, but stressed that the properties will not be sold.

"Paano nakapagtayo ng military facility ang China? ‘Di po ba mayroon tayong intelligence funds? Isn’t that part of your intelligence functions? Kasi hindi naman isang araw lang itinayo ang bases na ‘yun doon,” Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers asked.

"We are very careful in dealing with this using military action action, because we might be subjecting ourselves to mistakes and miscalculations… But rest assured, the constructions, we were aware of it. There were hundreds of diplomatic protests,” Faustino replied.

"The best way is to show them that we are no push-over,” Barbers suggested.

"There seems to be so much development going on on the islands that we claim… Is it because we’re like a push over when it comes to defending our claims in that area? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent such a thing?” Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores asked again.

“I would not say that we are a push-over. Admittedly, our military capability is one of the weakest in the region. It is exactly why we are trying to modernize right now. We are trying to strengthen our position… we align with our treaty partners, allies, like-minded countries. We would like to have a rules-based international order in those areas,” Faustino replied.

He assured the public that the Armed Forces will continue to conduct patrols and maintain presence in the West Philippine Sea with available resources.

HOUSE APPROVES BILL TAXING SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

MANILA — The Philippines’ lower house of Congress approved on Monday a measure that would slap taxes on single-use plastics, in step with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s commitment to tackle ocean pollution.

A tax of 100 pesos ($1.75) would be levied on firms for every kilogram of single-use plastics that they produce or import, the bill said, and it would rise by 4% annually starting in 2026 to discourage usage and protect the environment.

Roughly 80% of global ocean plastic comes from Asian rivers, and the Philippines alone contributes a third of that total, according to a 2021 report by Oxford University’s Our World in Data.

Single-use plastics are ubiquitous in the Philippines, which uses a staggering 163 million sachets a day, according to a 2016 study by environment group The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives.

The tax measure, which needs to be approved by the Senate before a reconciled bill is sent to Marcos for signature, is expected to raise 9.3 billion pesos in revenues annually, which will be used to fund solid waste management projects.

HOUSE CONSOLIDATES 49 BILLS BENEFITING BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS

MANILA — A committee of the House of Representatives has approved the consolidation of 49 measures that will benefit hardworking yet underpaid barangay health workers (BHWs), who served as frontliners during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The House committee on local government chaired by Valenzuela Rep. Rex Gatchalian consolidated the measures into a “substitute bill.”

“It is time to recognize the vital role that BHWs play in the delivery of services in the communities, especially in the rural areas,” Gatchalian said. “Our collective efforts to ensure the passage of the Magna Carta for BHWs will be our expression of gratitude for their diligence and sacrifice.”

Once enacted into law, BHWs will be entitled to incentives such as hazard allowance, subsistence allowance, one-time retirement cash incentive, health benefits, insurance coverage, sick leaves as well as access to training, education and career enrichment programs.

Gatchalian said the amount needed for the implementation of the measure would come from the National Tax Allotment of local government units and the special health funding under Republic Act 11223 or the Universal Health Care Act.

A similar measure providing a Magna Carta for BHWs was approved by the House during the 18th Congress.

With the bill now on its way to the plenary, Gatchalian expressed hope that it would be enacted into law during the 19th Congress, citing the noble efforts of the lawmakers who resolutely pushed for its passage.

GRADE 9 STUDENT TAGGED IN SCHOOL BOMB THREAT

MANILA — Police have identified a Grade 9 student as the one responsible for a hoax bomb threat at a school in Taguig City last week.

Lt. Col. Jay Guillermo of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group said they were able to trace the cell phone prepaid number used by the person behind the Facebook account “Sofia Smith” who posted that students of Taguig Signal Village National High School would be killed in an explosion.

The school management immediately suspended classes following the bomb threat.

“Social media user named Sofia Smith is a 16-year-old girl,” Guillermo said.

Police said they requested for a cybercrime warrant to pin down the suspect.

The cell phones of the family members of the suspect were also confiscated and subjected to forensic examination, according to Guillermo.

Police said they were also able to lock in the IP address and grid coordinates used by the suspect.

Authorities found that the Facebook accounts of various individuals were used to log in and out using the same IP address.

Col. Robert Baesa, Taguig City police chief, said they believe that there are other persons behind the bomb threat other than the Grade 9 student.

“We found that the suspects have a grudge against one of the teachers. One of them is a street sweeper of the city government, who was fired,” Baesa said.

NO 'EXTRAORDINARILY COMPELLING REASON' TO GIVE DEPED CONFIDENTIAL FUNDS: HONTIVEROS

MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Monday protested the confidential funds sought by the Department of Education (DepEd) for 2023, saying there was "no extraordinarily compelling reasons" for such allocation.

During the Senate's plenary deliberations on the DepEd's proposed P676.24 billion budget next year, Hontiveros called for the realignment of its P150 million confidential funds.

"Mas magagamit natin ang confidential funds sa mas mahalagang prayoridad para sa mga batang mag-aaral," Hontiveros said.

"After all, we should enable and empower school authorities to collaborate with national and local agencies to address and respond to their peace and order, law enforcement, and security needs," she added.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte earlier said the confidential fund would be used for programs against "sexual grooming," "active shooter copycats," "insurgency recruitment" of children, and drug involvement of learners.

Duterte also said she leaves it to the Congress to decide on whether they will approve or reject their proposal for a confidential fund.

Aside from Hontiveros, fellow minority bloc senator Koko Pimentel is also objecting to the DepEd's confidential fund.

Hontiveros said she will formally move for the realignment of DepEd's P150 million confidential fund at the "proper time."

TUGADE’S SON APPOINTED AS LTO CHIEF

MANILA — Lawyer Jose Art Tugade, son of former transportation secretary Arthur Tugade, has been appointed as head of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), putting an end to the confusion about his position at the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

“I come here today to announce the appointment of Attorney Jose Art ‘Jay Art’ Tugade as the new chief of the Land Transportation Office,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a statement to reporters yesterday.

A source said the LTO would hold the turnover ceremony today with the new LTO chief.

Bautista said he has talked with President Marcos about what Tugade can do to address the problems at the LTO.

VAT ON NETFLIX, SPOTIFY OTHER DIGITAL SERVICES APPROVED BY HOUSE ON FINAL READING

MANILA - Streaming apps like Netflix and Spotify, as well as other digital services, may soon be slapped with a 12 percent value-added tax.

The House of Representatives on Monday voted 253-4-1, to approve on third and final reading House Bill 4122, imposing VAT on nonresident digital service providers (DSPs).

Under the bill, a 12 percent VAT is imposed on registered nonresident DSPs except for those providing services to the government which will need to pay only 5 percent VAT.

Nonresident DSPs are required to register for VAT if gross sales or receipts for the past year have exceeded P3 million.

Subscription-based digital services, online advertisement services, and other electronic services that can be delivered through the internet are covered.

Meanwhile, it exempts educational services including online courses and webinars of private institutions from VAT, as well as the sale of online subscription-based services to educational institutions recognized by the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education, and state universities and colleges.

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QUEZON CITY BACKS CALL FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

MANILA — The Quezon City government has expressed its support for local advocacy groups and civil society organizations pushing for climate justice as world leaders, including the Philippine delegation, are currently gathered in Egypt for the United Nations 27th Session of Conference of the Parties (COP27).

“We welcome all forms of freedom of expression, especially in our advocacy in promoting climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives. The city is strongly encouraging people’s participation for this cause as everyone, regardless of their age or economic status, is affected by global climate change,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

Belmonte issued the statement as advocacy groups and civil society organizations are set to gather at the Quezon City Memorial Circle tomorrow to urge government officials attending the COP27 in Egypt as well as the 17th Group of 20 (G20) Summit in Indonesia to “deliver solutions to the global climate and economic crises.”

Quezon City is known as one of the leading cities in the Philippines pushing for climate resilience and use of clean energy.

In 2019, the city declared a climate emergency, which initiated the establishment of clean, sustainable and environment-friendly programs.

It is also the only city in the Philippines which belongs to the C40 Cities, a global network of mayors taking urgent action to confront the climate crisis and create a future where everyone can thrive.

MAYNILAD STARTS DISTRIBUTION OF ‘NEW WATER’ IN PARAÑAQUE

MANILA — Maynilad Water Services Inc. is looking to put up more facilities that treat used water as its customers in Parañaque City received additional supply from recycled water after securing government permits.

Maynilad said it has started the piped-in distribution of its “new water,” or potable supply sourced from treated used water, to two barangays in the city after getting a Conditional Operational Permit (COP) from the Department of Health (DOH) Metro Manila Center for Health Development.

The COP was issued by the DOH after new water passed a series of tests that proved its adherence to the Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water and met the World Health Organization guidelines on potable reuse.

The permit is valid for 12 months and will be changed to a permanent permit once Maynilad consistently meets all the conditions set in the COP on the supply of new water within the period, under the strict monitoring of the DOH.

Prior to the COP issuance, new water had been given a Certificate of Potability by the Parañaque City health office.

Maynilad’s New Water is the first implementation of potable water reuse in the Philippines.

“The DOH’s issuance of a permit to commence piped-in distribution of new water is a major milestone for the local water industry. This is the first time that recycled water will be tapped as an alternative supply source to address shortage,” Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez said.

LGU QUESTIONS SALE OF LA UNION POWER PLANT

BAUANG, La Union — The vice mayor of this town has questioned the alleged sale of a 225-megawatt power plant by former officials of the provincial government to a private company.

Vice Mayor Henry Bacurnay said the municipal government could lose P60 million in yearly income if the Bauang Private Power Corp. (BPPC) was indeed sold to the 1590 Energy Corp. for P1.8 billion.

He said he filed a resolution asking the provincial government to shed light on the matter.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'THE IRON HEART' PILOT: RICHARD GUTIERREZ IS NEW PRIMETIME ACTION STAR

ABS-CBN’s new action-drama series “The Iron Heart” debuted on primetime television Monday, tracing the origin of the secret agent portrayed by lead star Richard Gutierrez.

In the pilot episode, Apollo (Kyle Echarri) is shown to be a morally upright student who uses his mysterious super strength to defend others, and for the good. This leads him to forming a special bond with Cassandra (Karina Bautista), whom he helps against bullies at their school.

Raised by only his father (Al Tantay), who is struggling to make ends meet, Apollo applies for a university scholarship, but is unable to get the grant. He surmises that the background check on his family — particularly his well-off uncle’s (Roi Vinzon) reputation as a drug dealer — cost him the opportunity.

On a bus ride to the city, Apollo and his father are caught in a holdup, leading to the latter’s death. Orphaned, Apollo is taken in by his uncle, whom he grows to resent for being indirectly to blame for the drug-induced violence of the robbers.

Through the changes in his life, Apollo has been secretly observed by a woman (Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan), who later offers him a scholarship at the university — with no condition but to excel and to improve himself mentally and physically.

As an adult, Apollo (Gutierrez) is seen in rigorous training, and still with his childhood sweetheart, Cassandra (Maja Salvador), at his side.

The pilot’s opening scene — set farther down the storyline — offers a glimpse of Apollo as a dapper agent on a mission, blowing up a chopper and expertly evading and fighting off gunmen.

Directed by Richard Arellano and Lester Pimentel Ong, “The Iron Heart” airs weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, and iWantTFC.

SPORTS

FIBA WORLD CUP QUALIFIER: GILAS PILIPINAS BEATS SAUDI ARABIA

MANILA—Roughened up early, Gilas Pilipinas cranked things up in the middle quarters and then kept it together the rest of the way for a 76-63 victory over host Saudi Arabia in the Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers in Jeddah.

Veteran marksman Roger Pogoy and cornerstone Dwight Ramos had 13 points each to lead the charge at King Abdullah Sports City, ultimately helping the Philippines to a 5-3 record for its first sweep of a window in the showcase being used to prepare for the global meet set here on August next year.

“I thought they came hard, came with a very good game plan and we expected it,” national coach Chot Reyes said in the post-game presser.

“We knew the high quality of this team so we mentally prepared ourselves to struggle, especially after coming from a tough game in Jordan. Luckily we stayed patient through our early struggles,” he went on.

Kai Sotto and CJ Perez came up big once again. Sotto turned in 11 points, nine rebounds, and five blocks, while Perez had 10 and four.

A 12-0 run bridging the middle quarters allowed Gilas to take control, padding leads as big as 16 points.

Saudi Arabia, however, proved to be pesky at home. Behind the heroics of Mathna Almarwani and Khalid Abdel Gabar, the hosts pulled within 61-69 with 2:08.

The Nationals, however, kept it together as the game wound down, dooming the Saudis to a 2-6 record while pocketing another victory even without Filipino-American ace Jordan Clarkson, who is neck-deep in backstopping the Utah Jazz in the young NBA season.

The Scores:

PHILIPPINES 76 — Ramos 13, Pogoy 13, Sotto 11, Perez 10, Thompson 9, Parks 8, Aguilar 6, Kouame 5, Malonzo 1, Oftana 0, Erram 0, Quiambao 0.

SAUDI ARABIA 63 — Ma. Almarwani 19, Abdel Gabar 16, Mo. Almarwani 8, Kadi 6, Aljohar 5, Ashoor 4, Shubayli 2, Mohammed 2, Belal 1, Saleh 0, Almuwallad 0, Albargawi 0.

Quarters: 16-16, 31-25, 55-45, 76-63.

INDICATORS

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not; it is the first lesson that ought to be learned. - Thomas H. Huxley