MARCOS: KEEP BAYANIHAN SPIRIT ALIVE IN 2023

As the nation welcomed the New Year, President Marcos called on Filipinos to keep the bayanihan spirit alive, saying it would enable them to hurdle the nation’s trials and achieve their common aspirations.

“I join the entire Filipino nation with hope and optimism in welcoming the New Year. As we reflect on the events that transpired in the previous year, I hope that we will draw strength and inspiration from what truly binds us together – our genuine love for our fellow Filipinos and our country,” Marcos said in his first New Year message as President.

Marcos said the love for the country and for its people is the essence of his call for unity and the impetus for his continued invitation “to work together for the realization of our shared aspirations as a people.”

“It is in this understanding that we need, now more than ever, to embody the true meaning of solidarity. The innate bayanihan spirit in all of us is what will keep us going amidst all adversities that will continue to test our fortitude as a nation,” the President said.

“Together, let us move full-steam ahead towards our goal of giving a better life to every Filipino family. I am confident that, by coming together, we can withstand and overcome all challenges and bring our nation to greater heights,” he added.

Marcos, whose central message during the 2022 presidential race was unity, urged Filipinos to remain steadfast as they aspire for a better future.

“As we look forward to a fruitful and hopeful New Year, let us remain steadfast and united as ever as we ask for the Almighty’s continued guidance in our journey toward a better, brighter and more prosperous future for our nation,” the Chief Executive said.

Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio hoped that Filipinos would continue to be resilient and carry with them the sense of nationhood and “bayanihan” spirit this 2023.

In her New Year message, Duterte called on the nation to “embody our collective resolve and fortitude to begin anew” despite the challenges brought by the previous year.

NAIA OPERATIONS BACK TO NORMAL FOLLOWING NEW YEAR’S DAY CRISIS

MANILA -- Air traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is now back to normal following the technical issues experienced on Sunday, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said.

In a statement, DOTr said airport operations resumed partially at 4 p.m, and normal operations resumed as of 5:50 p.m.

The Air Traffic Management Center went down due to power outage at 9:49 a.m. Equipment restoration is still ongoing, DOTr added.

The first flight that landed after the six-hour delay was from Brisbane, Australia. The first flight to depart was bound for Hong Kong, leaving the airport seven-and-a-half hours since the technical issue happened.

The wide-ranging delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were caused by “technical issues” at the air navigation facilities of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the group confirmed in its apology issued January 1.

A total of 282 flights departing and arriving in the Manila have been affected, with majority, or 268 of the flights being cancelled, according to a list released by the Manila International Airport Airport Authority (MIAA), Sunday afternoon.

CAAP said they have already coordinated with airlines in order to accommodate the affected passengers. Authorities also said they will be allowing 24/7 operations of the runways to allow airlines to mount more flights.

It might take around 72 hours for airport operations to go back to normal, authorities added.

Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Cesar Chiong said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is preparing for some 700 flights on Monday after the power outage caused flight cancellations from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, affecting thousands of passengers.

"[NAIA is] not really fully (operational). Prior to yesterday, we accept about 20 arrivals per hour. Right now, we are only accepting 15 arrivals per hour but there are no limits on the departures," he said in an ANC Rundown interview.

Chiong said that based on previous experience, it will take at least 72 hours to normalize flights after a major disruption such as a typhoon.

Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told ANC that the New Year's Day crisis affected some 16,000 domestic passengers as well as 8,000 international travelers, but added that the hiccup was just temporary.

NEW YEAR FIASCO UNDERSCORES NEED FOR AIRPORT UPGRADES: BUSINESS GROUP

MANILA - The technical issue which immobilized the country's airports for a certain period on New Year's Day highlights the need for airport improvements, a business group leader said on Monday.

The Civil Aviation Authority's Air Traffic Management Center experienced a technical issue on Jan. 1. For some time on New Year's Day, the Philippine airspace was clear of flights due to the issue.

Operations of the Air Traffic Management Center was restored past 5 p.m. on Sunday but hundreds of flights and thousands of domestic and international passengers were affected.

According to the Department of Transportation, the air navigation system is used by the aviation authorities to monitor the location of planes and to man the traffic for those entering and leaving the country's airspace.

The DOTr said the upgraded system was inaugurated in 2018.

The delays left foreign travelers "disappointed," Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President George Barcelon said in a statement.

"The airport incident definitely has a negative impact on our image. My flight was delayed by this and the comments I heard from foreign travelers, [there] were disappointment, coupled with frustration that this happened to a supposedly progressive nation," Barcelon said.

"It's a wake up call to improve our nation's airport because a recent survey ranked us quite low. I hope back-up and disaster recovery systems can be installed," he added.

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport was ranked as a 3-star airport by global ranking agency Skytrax in 2021.

BEIJING PUTS ‘HIGH IMPORTANCE’ ON PBBM’S STATE VISIT TO CHINA

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is the first world leader to be welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2023—a sign of the “high importance” accorded by both Manila and Beijing to bilateral relations, according to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin.

“President Marcos will be the first foreign head of state China will receive in the new year,” Wang said in a press briefing in Beijing.

“This will be President Marcos’s first visit to China after taking office and his first official visit to a non-ASEAN country. It fully demonstrates the high importance China and the Philippines attach to bilateral relations,” he added.

Wang said the bilateral meeting between the two leaders during Mr. Marcos’ three-day state visit from Jan. 3 to 5 will allow them to” jointly chart the course forward for our relationship.”

“Leaders of the two sides will have in-depth exchanges of views on bilateral relations and regional and international issues of mutual interest,” he said.

HOUSE PANEL TO HOLD ‘MARATHON HEARINGS’ ON CHA-CHA

MANILA — The House of Representatives’ committee on constitutional amendments will start holding “marathon hearings” this month to speed up the approval of eight bills and resolutions that aim to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“We will start our hearings shortly after we resume sessions on Jan. 23, so we will start on Jan. 26 and every other week thereafter,” Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who chairs the committee, told his colleagues in a previous hearing.

“Anyway, (Charter change discussions have) been passed thoroughly in the past seven Congresses. Our people should not worry at all because this will not be rushed,” Rodriguez added.

Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante supported the move, just like the rest, along with Representatives Arlene Brosas and Raoul Manuel of militant party-list groups Gabriela and Kabataan, respectively, who were also present during the hearing at the Belmonte Hall of the South Wing Annex building.

“We should hold a marathon hearing on this as early as possible. We ought to fast-track this because if we wait for another year or so, the people will not believe us anymore. We need this, the 1987 Constitution needs to be changed,” Abante said.

Rodriguez, along with Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., who authored a bill allowing the President to enjoy reelection but only for two five-year terms, said resource persons or legal experts should also be invited to the panel.

Gonzales prefers, though, that resource persons be “physically present” when hearings resume this year, unlike lawmakers who have the option to attend via the Zoom app or join their colleagues in face-to-face discussions.

DEATH TOLL FROM FLOODING UP TO 49, MISSING 22, INJURED 16

The reported death toll from the flooding that hit parts of Mindanao, Bicol, and Visayas has risen to 49, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

Most of the deaths were from Northern Mindanao, the council said in its latest report issued at 6 a.m. Sunday. The floods also left 16 wounded and 22 missing.

The NDRRMC also said more than 141,000 families or 553,000 people were affected by the floods caused by the shear line across 10 regions.

Nine roads and three bridges, mostly in the Mimaropa region, remain impassable as of Sunday.

The NDRRMC estimated infrastructure damage at P1.13 billion and agricultural damage at more than P243 million.

Northern Mindanao bore the brunt of the flooding, with damage to infrastructure and agriculture there alone amounting to P1.11 billion and P172 million, respectively.

Seven cities and towns in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao were also placed under a state of calamity.

The government has so far given up to P48 million worth of assistance.

About P32 million of these were distributed through food packs and non-food items.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said it has provided more than P28.1 million worth of cash assistance to the families affected by flash floods and landslides brought about by the shear line in the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental.

TRASH PILES UP IN METRO MANILA AFTER NEW YEAR REVELRY

MANILA — Environmental watchdog EcoWaste Coalition has called on local government units (LGUs) to improve the implementation of environmental laws as it expressed dismay over the heaps of garbage that piled up on the streets of Metro Manila following the New Year’s Eve revelry.

During an ocular monitoring yesterday, the group’s “Basura Patrollers” observed mounds of garbage consisting of leftover food, disposable beverage, food containers as well as other discards from parties such as firecracker and fireworks debris, especially in populated residential neighborhoods.

EcoWaste also noted that public areas not designated by authorities as firecracker zones were also strewn with burnt firecrackers.

“The mixed garbage piled up along roads and sidewalks is a stark reminder of the need to step up efforts at all levels to counter the throw-away culture with a sustainable lifestyle that will, among other things, respect and care for Mother Earth, conserve resources, safeguard human health and, of course, prevent and reduce trash,” EcoWaste Zero Waste campaigner Jove Benosa said.

“Our society cannot continue depleting the Earth’s diminishing resources and churning out waste with little or no regard to their consequences,” he added.

Benosa noted that the national and international Zero Waste Month is being observed this January, so it is an opportune time for the public to learn zero waste strategies by “cutting back on what we dispose of, turn waste into resources and promote green jobs without incineration while reducing the emission of dangerous pollutants such as dioxins, greenhouse gases and heavy metals.”

THE REST

========

COVID-19 CASES EXPECTED TO RISE AFTER HOLIDAYS: DOH

The Department of Health (DOH) is expecting a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the increased people mobility during the holidays.

“Kung sakasali man na medyo tataas ang kaso in the coming days, that is expected kasi nag-holidays tayo. Lumabas ang mga tao, nagtipon-tipon sa parties, pero hopefully at sa tingin natin 'di naman ganun kataas,” DOH officer-in-charge Rosario Vergeire said during a media forum in Baguio Sunday.

“'Di na aalis si COVID-19. Ang kailangan lang natin maintindihan, cases will always happen. Hindi tayo magzi-zero at this point pero ang pinaka-importante, tayo ay laging handa, ang ating mga ospital, kung tumaas ang cases natin makakapagbukas po tayo ng additional beds,” Vergeire said.

She also assured that the DOH is ready to handle the surge of COVID-19 cases should it happen. Aside from beds, hospitals have prepared for medicines to use in severe COVID-19 cases.

Ninety-four percent of the country’s population is also fully vaccinated.

"Ngunit 'di po natatapos diyan. Kailangan lahat pa rin tayo magpapa-booster shots para mas mapataas ang proteksyon ng ating mga sarili,” Vergeire said.

The continuous wearing of face masks of the Filipinos may help.

METRO MANILA CRIME RATE DOWN – NCPRO

MANILA — The number of focus crimes recorded in Metro Manila decreased last year compared to 2021, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported yester-day.

According to the NCRPO, the focus crimes are murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, carjacking and theft.

Data from the NCRPO showed there were 468 murder cases registered in 2022, lower by 22 compared to 490 cases in 2021.

Rape cases recorded by the NCRPO decreased from 997 in 2021 to 946 in 2022, for a drop of 51 cases.

Homicide cases dropped by 13 incidents, from 143 in 2021 to 130 in 2022.

The cases of physical injuries also went down to 688 in 2022 from 741 in 2021.

The number of robbery cases posted by the NCRPO also dropped from 1,286 in 2021 to 1239 in 2022. Cases of car theft went down to 93 from 115

However, theft cases increased from 3,094 in 2021 to 3,142 in 2022. Motorcycle theft incidents also rose from 516 to 531 cases.

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo attributed the decrease in the number of focus crimes to the intensified implementation of different anti-crime approaches and the people’s support.

“We look forward with optimism as we assure our countrymen that the Philippine National Police is facing 2023 better prepared, more equipped and confident to address the challenges ahead. Our experiences and shortcomings in 2022 will be our guiding principles to do the best for the people we swore to serve,” Estomo said.

Last year, the NCRPO arrested 57 high-value drug suspects, 3,647 street level drug suspects and 704 other drug offenders.

Anti-narcotics operatives of the NCRPO confiscated P348,390,716.20 worth of illegal drugs.

Police also apprehended 21,983 suspects in the campaign against illegal gambling in Metro Manila, according to Estomo.

FIRECRACKER INJURIES DOUBLE AT JRRMMC

MANILA —  Injuries due to firecrackers doubled at the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC) in Manila as of yesterday.

At least 27 people were injured due to firecrackers as of 2:52 p.m. yesterday, according to a census of the injuries displayed outside the Manila-based hospital.

Of the figure, 16 are adults and 11 are minors.

Injured people only started coming into the hospital on New Year’s Eve. At least 23 injuries were recorded on New Year’s Day alone.

The injuries were caused by prohibited firecrackers such as “Judas Belt,” “5 Star,” “Whistlebomb,” “Goodbye Philippines,” among others, according to the census.

A 15-year-old boy’s fingers were mangled after a pyrotechnic product called “crying cow” exploded in his hand, according to a tweet by GMA News.

The number of injured New Year revelers this year went up from only 10 recorded in 2021 and 19 in 2020.

It was still relatively lower than the 38 injuries in 2019, 37 in 2018, 56 in 2017 and 67 in 2016.

The prior years’ data covered the period Dec. 21 until Jan. 5. The census showed that the 27 latest injuries occurred on New Year’s Eve and Day only.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

WHAT BREAKUP? HEART EVANGELISTA, CHIZ ESCUDERO WELCOME 2023 TOGETHER

MANILA — Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero have finally put an end to months-long speculation surrounding their marriage, as they posed Saturday for a family photo to welcome the New Year.

“Happy 2023,” the actress-socialite greeted her followers on Instagram, with snaps of her with her senator-husband and the latter’s children.

One of the photos shows Evangelista and a beaming Escudero holding hands, indicating the two remain very much together despite persistent rumors that they have separated.

Evangelista earlier hinted at her holiday reunion with Escudero, when she tagged him in an Instagram post last week, writing, “See you soon.”

Evangelista has been flying between the Philippines and France for work in recent months, during which she bought an apartment in the European country. The new property, plus Evangelista and Escudero prolonged silence about their alleged split, only fueled speculation.

The actress’ subsequent updates in October (or lack thereof), for some of her fans, were further indication of the rumored separation. For one, Evangelista made no public greeting for Escudero on his birthday, after years of being openly affectionate online. She then opened up about being “learning to be independent” in Paris.

Rumors of the breakup trace back to Evangelista’s September pronouncement of being “in search of happiness,” as well as her move to omit Escudero’s surname from her social media pages.

But with their New Year family picture, they once and for all gave a clear answer as to where they stand — still a couple, and still Mr. and Mrs. Escudero.

SPORTS

FOOTBALL: NO MESSI, NO NEYMAR AS PSG SUFFER FIRST LOSS OF SEASON

A Paris St Germain side missing Lionel Messi and Neymar suffered their first defeat of the season as they lost 3-1 to nearest Ligue 1 rivals Lens.

With their Argentinian World Cup winner still to return from celebrations in his homeland and Neymar serving a ban for his red card on Wednesday it was left to Kylian Mbappe, as the one star forward present, to lead the line.

But even he was upstaged as it was Hugo Ekitike who scored PSG’s early equaliser to cancel out Przemyslaw Frankowski’s fifth-minute opener.

However, that was not enough to stop second-placed Lens as further goals from Lois Openda and, early in the second half, Alex Claude-Maurice saw the home side cut PSG’s lead at the top to just four points.

Monaco moved into fourth place with a 1-0 win at home to Brest courtesy of Aleksandr Golovin’s 54th-minute goal.

Lyon’s stuttering form continues post-World Cup as the seventh-placed side lost 1-0 to Clermont after midfielder Muhammed-Cham Saracevic’s converted an 87th-minute penalty.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Perseverance, secret of all triumphs. - Victor Hugo