INFLATION FURTHER EASES TO 4.7 PERCENT IN JULY

MANILA -- Inflation further eased for a sixth consecutive month in July, the state statistics bureau said Friday.

The consumer price index rose 4.7 percent last month, which was slower than the 5.4 percent inflation rate reported in June, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

This was also within the 4.1 to 4.9 percent forecast of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

However, it was still above the 2 to 4 percent target range of economic managers.

National Statistician and Undersecretary Dennis Mapa said the main contributors to slowing down inflation were slower increases in the prices of housing, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Food price hikes also slowed down at 6.3 percent in July 2023 from 6.7 percent in the previous month, the PSA said.

“The third main source of deceleration was transport, recording a faster annual decrease of -4.7 percent during the month from -3.1 percent in June 2023.”

The average inflation rate from January to July 2023 stood at 6.8 percent.

In June, economic managers revised their inflation forecast for 2023 to between 5 and 6 percent, which was lower than the 5 to 7 percent assumption they gave in April.

Inflation has been easing since hitting a 14-year high of 8.7 percent in January.

Mapa said core inflation, which strips out volatile food and fuel items, also slowed to to 6.7 percent in July from 7.4 percent in June.

“This brings the average core inflation from January to July 2023 to 7.6 percent’” the PSA said.

'ONE TIME, BIG TIME' EDSA REPAIRS START FRIDAY NIGHT DESPITE POSSIBLE RAINS

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reminded motorists that it would start on Friday night its nearly weeklong emergency repairs along EDSA, which could spawn heavy traffic.

The agency will conduct asphalt overlay and reblocking in 15 EDSA sites from 10 p.m. of August 4 until 5 a.m. of August 9, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) earlier said.

"I hope that the weather will continue improving para makapag-repair naman kami ng mga potholes caused by yung inundation ngayon, lalong-lalo na sa mga main highways natin," DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said.

"Sisimulan na namin mamayang gabi ang pagkukumpuni ng mga potholes natin. Ready naman yung mga maintenance crew at saka quick response teams namin. Tuloy naman, kaya lang ‘pag umuulan, hindi naman kami makapag-patch…hindi naman puwede mag-asphalt [overlay] ‘pag umuulan," he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

The DPWH eyes "a more permanent solution" to fix damaged sections of EDSA by next year, Bonoan said.

"Para hindi yung every weekend nagre-reblocking, under our engineering ways and technologies that are now available, lane by lane puwede nating gawin…and magagamit na after a few days," the official said.

The MMDA earlier urged commuters to avoid EDSA or take the MRT during the Aug. 4 to 9 repairs.

CAAP CONFIRMS MISSING CESSNA 152 FOUND IN APAYAO; 2 DEAD

MANILA - After two days of search, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines confirmed Thursday that the wreckage of the missing Cessna 152 has been found by search teams in Luna, Apayao.

The location of the training aircraft is approximately 50 kilometers from its intended destination, the Tuguegarao Airport.

The search teams retrieved the bodies of the pilot and student pilot on board the training aircraft around Thursday noon in Sitio Matad, Brgy. Salvacion.

The CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation and Inquiry Board (AIIB) dispatched a team of investigators to the crash site.

The AAIIB investigators will examine the wreckage, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to determine the cause of the crash.

Their findings will be crucial in understanding the circumstances that led to the incident.

The aircraft, with registration number RP-C8958, went missing on August 1 after departing from the Laoag International Airport at 12:16 p.m. It was scheduled to arrive at Tuguegarao Airport at 3:16 p.m.

The Cessna 152 is a popular American two-seater, fixed-tricycle-gear, general aviation airplane primarily used for flight training and personal use.

CAAP said it will provide updates on the progress of the investigation as these become available.

This is the fifth air incident this year and the third involving a Cessna aircraft. The first Cessna plane that crashed this year was last January 24, 2023 in Isabela, and the second Cessna air incident happened last February 18 in Albay.

‘LOOK KINDLY’ ON PH, CHINA TOLD

Former President Rodrigo Duterte told Chinese President Xi Jinping “to look kindly on the Philippines” on the issue of the West Philippine Sea when they met last month, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said Thursday, quoting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

President Marcos met with Duterte on Wednesday night to discuss his predecessor’s meeting with the Chinese leader, the Presidential Communications Office confirmed Thursday.

While the Palace said the two leaders talked about the meeting, it provided no details of what was said. Duterte did not say what Xi’s response was, as Mr. Marcos had a “casual dinner” with senators after meeting with his predecessor, Zubiri said.

Speaking to CNN Philippines, Zubiri said Mr. Marcos told them that Duterte had asked Xi “to look kindly on the Philippines”

Meanwhile, a visiting United States senator said the Philippines is expected to benefit from the $9 billion in initiatives that will be launched by the United States in response to China’s continued aggression in the region.

Unlike Duterte who spurned the Americans in favor of better relations with Beijing, Mr. Marcos has forged closer defense ties with the US—a stance that the former president has spoken out against.

Upon his arrival at the Palace at 6:15 p.m., Duterte had a one-on-one meeting with the President, before Cabinet members and the former chief executive’s companions joined them.

WEATHER TO GRADUALLY IMPROVE AS HABAGAT WEAKENS: PAGASA

MANILA — Metro Manila and other parts of the country will see better weather on Friday after several days of rains due to the southwest monsoon or habagat enhanced by typhoon Khanun (formerly Falcon), PAGASA said.

Khanun left the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday and was last spotted 715 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes at 3 a.m. on Friday.

"Yung dating si bagyong Falcon ay patuloy pong kumikilos, though mabagal…papalayo ng ating area of responsibility kaya yung epekto po ng habagat kahit papaano ay nababawasan sa ilang bahagi ng ating bansa," PAGASA weather forecaster Ana Clauren Jorda told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

The habagat will still bring occasional rains in Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan, Jorda said.

Cloudy weather expected in the Cordilleras, Batanes, Babuyan islands, Occidental Mindoro, parts of Ilocos region, and Central Luzon, she added.

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will experience “gradual improve of weather,” Jorda said.

PAGASA has not monitored any low pressure area that could affect the country in the next 3 to 5 days, she said.

EGAY, HABAGAT LEAVE P7-B WORTH OF DAMAGE TO ROADS, BRIDGES: DPWH

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has released a partial report on the devastating impact of the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay as of August 3, 2023.

The Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has been the hardest hit, incurring a partial cost of damages amounting to P2.3 billion. Among the provinces in CAR, Abra has suffered the most considerable damages, with costs reaching P1.5 billion.

According to the DPWH report, 16 roads and bridges remain closed to the public due to various damages caused by recent weather disturbances. These damages include landslides, fallen trees, rocks, scoured bridge abutments, and flooding. Out of the 16 damaged and closed roads and bridges, ten are located in CAR, making it the region with the highest number of closed roads based on DPWH data.

Following closely behind CAR is Region 1, which has incurred a partial cost of damage amounting to P2.2 billion. Similarly, 8 of the 16 damaged and closed roads and bridges are located in Region 1.

The DPWH said they are currently assessing the extent of the damages and expediting the necessary repairs and rehabilitation efforts. They have deployed teams to the affected areas to conduct assessments and provide immediate assistance to affected communities.

The closure of these vital roads and bridges affected the transportation and mobility of residents in the areas affected.

DPWH FLOOD SOLUTION: RIVER DREDGING, SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PLAN, REFORESTATION

MANILA — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Friday said it would dredge and de-silt rivers to prevent a repeat of the recent floods that swamped parts of Luzon, a problem that also required reforestation and better subdivision drainage plans.

DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan noted that some areas were flooded after rain-swollen rivers burst their banks.

"Mababaw na yung mga riverbeds, hindi na makayanan ang ulan na dumating d’yan sa area na ‘yan so bumaha," he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

"Ang programa namin dito is kailangan na de-silt, i-dredge yung mga main rivers d’yan sa may Bulacan o kaya sa Pampanga area. Lalaliman natin para yung carrying capacity nila ‘pag ganyang malalakas na ulan, mas madaling dumaloy ang tubig-baha."

The DPWH also needs help from local governments and the environment department to strengthen reforestation because soil erosion contributes to flooding, Bonoan said.

"Yung erosion from the mountain slopes dito sa may Bulacan area ay very loose na. Siyempre yung erosion ng lupa d’yan pumupunta sa ilog, kaya [bumababaw] rin talaga yung riverbeds," he said.

The lack of comprehensive drainage programs in some subdivisions and towns "is exacerbating the situation," Bonoan said.

"Siyempre ‘pag umapaw yung tubig-baha sa ilog, it will remain doon sa kanilang lugar [dahil walang drainage plan]," the DPWH chief said.

"Again, I think land use program is also very important para makita natin yung mga drainage system at saka kung saan dapat magkaroon ng mga developments para maibsan natin yung mga ganyang problema. Kasi alam na natin na flooded areas yung mga lugar na ‘yan and yet, kung minsan pinapagayan pa rin natin ipapatayo mga subdivisions," he continued.

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CLASSES FOR SY 2023-2024 TO BEGIN ON AUGUST 29: DEPED

MANILA — Classes in all public elementary and high schools in the Philippines for School Year 2023-2024 will begin on August 29, the Department of Education (DepEd) announced Thursday.

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 11480, private schools may decide to begin their classes on any date starting the “first Monday of June but not later than last day of August," the department said in its advisory.

The announcement came despite calls from lawmakers, teachers' groups, and other stakeholders to reimplement the old school calendar that was in force before the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was to address concerns such as heat exhaustion experienced by students and teachers during the dry season.

Before the coronavirus, classes opened in June and ended in March.

A Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian last July showed 80 percent of Filipinos wanted to bring back the school break to April and May.

The DepEd earlier said it was studying the proposal and admitted that should it approve the recommendation, it might take 3-5 years to slowly transition to the old school schedule.

STORMS, ‘HABAGAT’ CREATE BIG RAINFALL HIKE IN NCR, 10 PROVINCES OVER JULY

The state weather bureau has reported an increase in rainfall for the month of June to July, esspecially in Metro Manila.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said rainfall in the National Capital Region (NCR) increased from 295.6 mm in June to 328.4 mm in July.

“We can attribute the increase in rainfall to the passage of (typhoons) Egay and Falcon as well as the arrival of the southwest monsoon,” Ana Liza S. Solis, chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, said.

Ten provinces received an above-normal amount of rainfall in July than the previous month: La Union, Batanes, Palawan, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Camiguin, Davao De Oro, Davao Del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Agusan Del Sur–with Southern Leyte receiving 156.9 percent of rainfall above normal at 275.7 mm.

For the month of July, the five provinces of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao Del Sur also received above-normal rainfall — topped by Catanduanes at 142 percent of the normal level, with 348.4 mm.

For August, the agency predicted a moderate to high probability that rainfall was to exceed 100 mm over the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, NCR, Cavite, and Occidental Mindoro.

“There is a high probability that there will be above-normal rainfall for August for the northern Luzon Area,” Solis said.

RAINS RAISE ANGAT DAM WATER LEVEL BY 20 METERS

MANILA — The water level in Angat Dam rose by 20 meters in less than three weeks amid heavy rainfall spawned by Typhoons Egay and Falcon as well as the southwest monsoon.

Angat’s water level was recorded at 198.99 meters as of 8 a.m. yesterday compared to the previous day’s 196.75 meters, records from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office showed.

National Water Resources Board Executive Director Sevillo David Jr. noted that on July 14, the dam’s water elevation was only 178 meters.

“We can say that Angat Dam is now within its normal operating level. This is a good development, especially with our preparation for the possible El Niño phenomenon at the end of the year,” David said.

BIR AFFIRMS MANDATORY DISCOUNTS FOR ELDERLY, PWDS

MANILA — Internal Revenue Commissioner Romeo Lumagui Jr. has categorically declared the mandatory nature of the benefits granted to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD) for qualified purchases made online or through mobile applications.

The declarations are provided under Revenue Regulations No. 8-2023 recently issued by Lumagui.

The BIR said the signature of senior citizens or PWDs is not required in online purchases. The senior citizen or PWD’s identification card number is still required when making online purchases.

The regulation is intended to provide excellent taxpayer service, which is among Lumagui’s goals in making the bureau a service-oriented agency.

CRIME RATE DOWN 6.69 PERCENT IN Q2 – PNP

MANILA — The crime rate in the country dropped by nearly seven percent during the second quarter of the year, according to the Philippine National Police.

The PNP Crime Research Analysis Center recorded 52,163 crimes from April 24 to July 30.

The figure is lower by 6.69 percent compared to 55,900 incidents during the same period last year.

Luzon and Mindanao recorded a decline in crimes at 10.51 percent and 9.51 percent, respectively.

Crimes in the Visayas, on the other hand, increased by 8.42 percent.

Focus crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, robbery, theft, rape and car theft decreased by 17.11 percent. Non-index crimes or violations of special laws dropped by 3.97 percent.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

MARCOS ASKS ARTISTS TO CONTINUE RAISING STANDARDS OF PH FILMS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged Filipino artists to continue to strive to raise the standard of Philippine films as they work to secure the well-being of their colleagues.

The President made the statement during the oath-taking of the newly-elected officers of the Katipunan ng mga Artistang Pilipino sa Pelikula at Telebisyon in a brief ceremony held in Malacañang.

In his speech, Marcos expressed his wish that Filipino artists also “make use and maximize the advantages brought about by new tools, new technologies, new platforms to showcase Filipino excellence and artistry on the world stage.”

“Through the effective combinations of these technological developments in your craft you have greater opportunities to share our tradition and values further than ever, even as you continue to mold, to influence and to shape the society that we live in,” he said.

The Philippine leader also assured the artists of his government’s efforts to support the local creative industry which has been hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Napakabigat ng tama ng pandemiya sa ating mga creatives, at saka sa creative industry. Hindi ko lang pinag-uusapan ang mga nakikita sa mga telebisyon, 'yung mga artista, 'yung mga sikat na director, kung hindi 'yung mga workers, 'yung mga caterer, 'yung mga drayber, talagang lahat sila natamaan,” he said.

“Kaya’t napakalaking bagay para sa amin na suportahan ng mabuti, dahil hindi lamang dahil tinamaan ang industrya ng napakalakas dahil sa pandemiya... for us it is very very important not only internationally but also nationally na maging malakas ang boses ng ating mga creative industry.”

He also noted the importance of the industry in defining the culture of the Philippines.

“Kapag pinatibay natin, 'pag pinapaganda natin at binibigyan natin ng suiporta lahat ng ating creatives, ito ay pagsusuporta sa ating pagiging Pilipino. Dahil when you say what is it to be a Filipino, you point to our culture, because a culture is a shared consciousness,” he said.

“Kaya’t mahalaga sa ating mga Pilipino na sabihin ganyan kami mga Pinoy, 'yan ang mga sine na ganyan, totoo 'yan, ganyan talaga ang buhay ng Pilipino. Makita mo 'yan 'yung kanta gawa ng Pilpino 'yan, ganyan kami gumuwa ng kanta. Ganyan kami uamrte, ganyan kami gumawa ng palabas.”

SPORTS

PALACE TO HONOR PH ATHLETES IN UPCOMING 'KONSYERTO SA PALASYO'

MANILA – Malacañang will mount the second installment of the “Konsyerto sa Palasyo” on Sunday, August 6, 2023, honoring Filipino artists.

The Presidential Communications Office said around 300 Filipino athletes would be part of the audience in the Kalayaan Grounds. The concert will be livestreamed on the social media pages of the Konsyerto sa Palasyo and Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM).

Among those expected to perform on Sunday are powerhouse vocalists Chloe Redondo, Emman Buñao, Jopper Ril and Kevin Traqueña. Beatbox artists Adrian "AD BEAT" Ferrer and Neil Rey Llanes.

Pinopela, an acapela group, and The Voice France 4-chair turner Aivan Mendoza are also expected to have a special performance.

“The featured performers have mostly had viral videos on social media and were chosen for their remarkable talent and artistry,” the statement read.

The concert is a project of the Office of the President, Presidential Communications Office, and RTVM.

The inaugural Palace concert was held on April 22, recognizing the efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Malacañang earlier said the concert series was initiated by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Find out just what people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. - Frederick Douglass