PH, JAPAN SIGN LOAN AGREEMENT FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Senior Vice President Nakazawa Keiichiro signed the loan agreement of the Post Disaster Stand-by Loan Phase 3 in Tokyo.

The loan supports swift recovery after natural disasters by promoting policy actions on disaster risk reduction and management, and strengthening disaster preparedness by providing funds that can be released quickly.

The loan agreement was signed during the 14th Philippines-Japan High-Level Joint Committee Meeting on Infrastructure Development and Economic Cooperation, where the two countries review the key accomplishments of their bilateral cooperation.

Japan is the Philippines’s largest Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider of loan and grant commitments, amounting to around $12.92 billion--about 40.5 percent of the country’s total ODA portfolio.

Japan also funded key railway projects in the country, like the North-South Commuter Railway Project and the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Line 3 Rehabilitation Project. All in all, their financing for Philippine railway projects has reached JPY 394.4 billion.

JICA is also currently supporting the implementation of 28 ongoing loans with the Philippine government.

PHILIPPINES, US, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA 'NOT GANGING UP' ON CHINA OVER JOINT DRILLS: AFP

MANILA — The Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia are not "ganging up" on China, the Philippine military chief said Monday, as the four countries hold joint naval drills in the South China Sea.

“Japan, US, Australia and the Philippines are not—I repeat—not ganging up on China. We are doing this for our own interests,” said Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

"Pati ang mga bansa na ito they have their own interests. And when we get together as like-minded nations, we achieve more," Brawner told reporters at the sidelines of the National Heroes' Day commemoration rites at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

The joint naval exercises came weeks after a confrontation at the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal of the West Philippine Sea earlier in August, when the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) blocked and sprayed water cannons at Philippine Coast Guard vessels attempting to resupply Filipino troops garrisoned in the hotly contested territory.

While the US, Japan, and Australia had declared support for the Philippines and condemned Beijing's actions following the incident, Brawner was quick to clarify that the joint drills were not new to the Philippine military and that they were "not addressed to one specific country."

"It is very good that we interact with other militaries because in that way, we develop our capabilities, in terms of training, especially in the use of modern weapons, tactics, at bukod doon nagiging interoperable tayo," Brawner said.

Meanwhile, Brawner said that the AFP would no longer send military officers to China for training in response to Beijing's continued encroachment in the West Philippine Sea.

STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOLS AS PHILIPPINES SET TO TEST NEW K TO 10 CURRICULUM

MANILA — Millions of public school students in the Philippines returned to classrooms Tuesday as the government is set to test a new curriculum seen to boost the performance of kindergarten to Grade 10 learners.

More than 22.676 million students were officially enrolled for the school year 2023-2024, data from the Department of Education (DepEd) showed.

The DepEd expects 28 million registrants for the fresh school year, which has already begun a few weeks ago for some private schools.

Some 30 schools in 6 regions will join the pilot implementation of the revised K to 10 program, called the "Matatag Curriculum," this school year following the completion of a 2-year study.

Jocelyn Andaya, director of the DepEd's Bureau of Curriculum Development, said the test would be launched 2 weeks after the August 29 class opening when the pilot schools are selected. For this school year, kindergarten and Grades 1, 4, and 7 would be initially covered.

The revamped K to 10 curriculum, to be adopted in phases until 2028, will "decongest" the current curriculum, focusing on students' literacy and math skills.

In fact, according to Andaya, 70 percent of the learning competencies under the current K to 10 program have been removed.

Learning areas were also reduced to 5 from 7 under the adjusted K to 10. It now covers Language, Reading and Literacy, Mathematics, as well as subjects promoting patriotism and good manners.

Education officials believe that revising the country's basic education or the K to 12 program is the long-term solution to students' poor performance exacerbated by pandemic school closures.

The curriculum review for Grades 11 to 12 or senior high school is underway.

'HALF OF ANGAT DAM': LWUA ADDRESSING WATER WASTAGE AS EL NIÑO HITS

MANILA — The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) on Tuesday said it was addressing water wastage outside of Metro Manila, which was hitting 488 million metric tons or about half of Angat Dam yearly, as the El Niño phenomenon starts.

"Sobrang taas," LWUA chairman Ronnie Ong told ANC's "Headstart" when asked about the rate of water wastage outside of the capital region.

"When I assumed office 2 months ago, ako mismo nagulat. We are averaging around 488 million metric tons na tinatapon natin yearly. That's half of Angat Dam."

The LWUA handles water districts outside of Metro Manila.

According to Ong, the worldwide average for water wastage is around 20 percent. But the Philippines, he said, is averaging 30 percent.

"We have around 532 water districts under LWUA. And out of the 532, we have around 244 who have numbers higher than 30 percent. And out of the 244, 20 [percent] of them have 21 percent up to 71 percent ang percentage na tinatapon na tubig (of wasted water)," Ong said.

"Do you know that some water districts na 'yung pipes nila panahon pa ng Japanese? Asbestos type. There's also sanitation that comes in. Kailangan po talaga nating tingnan," he added.

TEACHERS WHO VIOLATE BARE WALLS POLICY COULD FACE SANCTIONS: DEPED

Will the Department of Education impose sanctions on teachers who violate DepEd's bare walls policy?

According to DepEd spokesman Michael Wesley Poa, the department has yet to receive reports of teachers who have not complied with Vice-President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte's order for public schools to remove visual aids, pictures of national heroes and even past and present presidents from classroom walls.

"Nag comply naman ang mga teachers...Kung hindi sumunod siyempre po we can always say it is a violation of our rules. Hindi naman tayo naghahanap talaga to penalize our teachers," he said.

"Kung merong hindi sumunod, we will analyze it on a case to case basis and maybe speak with the school head kung anong nangyari pero hindi naman tayo agad agaran magpapataw," he added.

"Kung meron hindi sumunod, we will find out first before natin kasuhan ang teacher."

The spokesman earlier said visual aids can still be used but only during the time of the lesson.

GCASH TO CHARGE CONVENIENCE FEES FOR BPI, UNIONBANK CASH-INS FROM OCTOBER

MANILA — GCash will start charging a P5 convenience fee for cash-in transactions made through Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and UnionBank in October.

In a statement, the mobile wallet said the fee was still “much lower” than the P25 that banks and other financial institutions usually charge for cash transfers.

Gcash said the fee would cover the rising operating costs of its partners.

“The P5 convenience fee is only 1/5 of what is normally charged by other financial institutions," GCash President and chief executive officer Martha Sazon noted.

"Even with this fee, we will continue to subsidize part of the operating cost for cash-ins as we remain committed to keeping our services accessible to many Filipinos,” she stressed.

Cash-in via linked bank accounts is one way to add funds to a GCash account. Over-the-counter cash-in is also available through machines, partner convenience stores, pawnshops, supermarkets, department stores, drug stores, gas stations, sari-sari stores and retail stores, among others.

The Ayala-led fintech said fees for micro-merchants who use the scan-to-pay service, would be waived until the end-of-2023.

NEW STORM TO ENTER PH THIS WEEK AS ‘GORING’ WEAKENS INTO TYPHOON

“Goring” has now weakened into a typhoon but a new tropical cyclone is likely to enter this week, the weather bureau said Monday.

PAGASA said a tropical storm was tracked 2,230 km east of Northern Luzon, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

The agency said it may enter PAR by Wednesday night or Thursday morning and will be assigned the local name “Hanna.”

In its 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday, PAGASA also said Goring was around 260 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour near the center.

PAGASA said the typhoon is expected to dump between 50 to 100 millimeter of rainfall over Babuyan Islands and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan until Tuesday afternoon.

“Under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards,” the agency said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remained hoisted over Batanes; the northern and eastern portions of mainland Cagayan (Camalaniugan, Pamplona, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Baggao, Buguey, Santa Ana, Claveria, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Sanchez-Mira, Santa Praxedes, Allacapan, Lal-Lo, Lasam, Peñablanca, Iguig, Amulung, Gattaran, Alcala), including Babuyan Islands; and the eastern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Ilagan City, Tumauini, San Pablo, Cabagan, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan).

PAGASA said Goring will make close approach to Batanes between Wednesday morning and evening. It did not rule out a landfall scenario.

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FISHING VESSEL WITH 70,000 LITERS OF OIL SINKS OFF CALATAGAN COAST

A fishing boat with 70,000 liters of diesel sank off the coast of Calatagan, Batangas on Sunday,

At least 13 crew members of the Anita DJ II fishing boat were rescued, the Philippine Coast Guard said on Monday.

The Anita DJ II sank around seven nautical miles off Cape Santiago, Barangay Bagong Silang on Sunday morning.

The PCG said the multi-role vessel BRP Bacagay was dispatched to respond to the distressed vessel that sank at around 3:17 p.m. on Sunday.

According to the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the vessel bound for Palawan was sealed, which may prevent an oil spill.

“Six months after MT Princess Empress, we are threatened with another oil spill that may poison the vulnerable ecosystem of Verde Island Passage (VIP) even as issues from the previous spill remain unresolved,” said Fr. Edwin Gariguez, Protect VIP Convenor.

“The cargo carried by Anita DJ II is much smaller than that of MT Princess Empress and there seem to be seals that would prevent a spill, but the government must still act fast to ensure that these seals hold and do not cause another ecological disaster,” he added.

MMDA TRAINS TRAFFIC ENFORCERS ON STS DEVICES

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority  (MMDA) has trained 100 traffic enforcers on the proper use of handheld ticketing devices for the implementation of the Single Ticketing System (STS).

“We want them to become familiar with the features of the device, such as ticket issuance, ticket reprint, tow truck request, number coding, traffic report, LTO verification, road clearing report, road accident report, and public concern,” said MMDA chairman Romando Artes.

“This is one of the innovations made by the agency to make the process of paying traffic-related violations easier and more convenient, which is the main benefit of STS,” he said.

The STS devices could print citation tickets, validate and authenticate driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations, check if the driver has incurred demerit points or if his or her license or vehicle registration is suspended, canceled, or has an existing alarm, and accept cashless payments of fines, among others.

The STS enables interconnectivity among government agencies involved in traffic management through a single system of fines and penalties. It also aimed to help cut red tape, limit opportunities for corruption and eradicate forms of negotiation between the motorist and the apprehending officer.

Local traffic enforcers have already been trained on how to enforce the Metro Manila Traffic Code of 2023 that serves as guidelines for the new system, which “may also be implemented nationwide, if successful.”

The MMDA had signed agreements with the Land Transportation Office for the interconnectivity of LGUs in Metro Manila with the agency’s Land Transportation Management System.

DFA: 4TH FILIPINO FATALITY IN MAUI FIRES IDENTIFIED

The death toll among Filipinos in the Maui, Hawaii wildfires has now reached four, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Rogelio Mabalot, a 68-year-old resident of Lahaina in Maui, is the latest Filipino casualty in the wildfires. The US Department of State – Office of Foreign Missions confirmed Mabalot's death on August 25, and the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu has offered condolences and assistance to his next-of-kin.

Previously, Salvador Coloma, 77; Alfredo Galinato, 79; and Rodolfo Rocutan, 76 were identified as the other Filipino victims among the more than 100 casualties in the wildfires.

The consulate is still verifying the nationality of two other reported fatalities: Pablo Pagdilao III, 75, and Coleen Jones, 59, as they did not yield conclusive results in consular records. Information from social media suggests that Pablo Pagdilao may have originated from Ilocos Norte, Philippines.

The Department of Foreign Affairs encourages relatives of affected Filipinos to contact the Consulate via their hotline number at +1808-253-944 for assistance.

QCPD FILES ALARM AND SCANDAL RAPS VS EX-COP IN ROAD RAGE INCIDENT

MANILA — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Tuesday said it would file an alarm and scandal case against Wilfredo Gonzales, a former police officer who was caught on viral video slapping and brandishing a firearm against a cyclist earlier this month.

QCPD Director Nicolas Torre III said his personnel from Police Station 11 (Galas) were already at the City Hall of Justice to file the case. Cops at this police station stood as complainants, he added.

"Ang ating basehan ay ang video na lumabas noong Sunday, Aug. 27, at ang baril na iniwan niya noong siya ay nadala sa istasyon para sa altercation together with the biker noong Aug. 8," Torre said over Teleradyo Serbisyo.

"Sa ngayon, nag-file muna kami ng kaso at hinihintay namin ang magiging guidance ng mga piskal paano natin mapalakas ang kaso na isinampa natin," he added.

Even if the two had an earlier amicable settlement, he said the alarm and scandal was not covered.

"Kung sila ay nagka-amicable settlement man, nasa kanilang dalawa 'yun sa krimen na maaaring nag-transpire in between them. Hindi covered 'yung alarm and scandal," the local police chief said.

"Kami ay humihingi ng tulong sa iba pa nating kababayan para mapalakas ito, na sana 'yung ibang kababayan natin especially sana 'yung siklista o nandoon 'yung abogado... at 'yung cycling community na humihingi ng hustisya sa insidente na ito ay makipagtulungan," he added.

Torre said they were looking at the possibility of filing grave threat and attempted homicide cases too, as long as the cyclist involved in the video would come forward.

Police will need the personal complaint from the aggrieved party, he stressed.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

RIVAL NOONTIME HOSTS KIM CHIU, VIC SOTTO SIT DOWN IN RARE INTERVIEW

MANILA — Rival noontime show hosts Vic Sotto and Kim Chiu sat down for a rare interview.

In Kim's YouTube channel, the "It's Showtime" host asked the "EAT" host various questions, including about politics and personal life.

Kim asked Vic if he ever thought of running for a government post.

“Hindi. Although si Tito Sen (his brother Tito Sotto) nasa pulitika. 'Yung isang anak ko nasa pulitika (Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto). Pero ako, marami nang nagtanong sa akin kung interesado ako kahit na nu'ng araw pa, even before na makapasok sa pulitika si Tito,” Vic answered.

“Sa akin naman, pwede ka namang maging public servant na hindi ka namumulitika. Never kong in-entertain. Okay na akong ‘ra ra boys' lang, alalay lang, tagakampanya lang,” he added.

Kim also asked how much Vic is earning but he refused to answer the question.

“Sakto lang, komportable lang sa buhay. Through the years naman, palaki nang palaki 'yun. Siyempre tumataas din ang cost of living ng mga Pilipino, so sumasabay lang 'yun. Basta komportable lang," he said.

When asked by Kim what was the most valuable gift he gave to his wife Pauleen Luna, Vic said: "unconditional love."

Vic also shared the most valuable lesson he wanted to tell his daughter Tali.

“Siguro 'yung pagkapasensyoso. Siguro sa buhay, kailangan patient ka. Hindi lahat ng gusto mo, ibibigay ng Panginoon o ng tadhana. Kapag hindi mo nakuha, you have to be patient na siguro balang araw, dadating. Kung hindi man, may rason 'yun,” he said.

“It’s one virtue na gusto kong matutunan ni Tali. Sa ngayon impatient eh. Kapag matagal 'yung pagkain, umiinit ang ulo eh.”

SPORTS

FIBA: GILAS PILIPINAS FACES 'MT. EVEREST' CLIMB VS ITALY - ANALYST

Gilas Pilipinas isn't just facing an uphill climb when it takes on World No. 10 Italy in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup.

"Hindi ito uphill climb, Mount Everest climb ang kinakaharap nito...Mabigat ang odds," sports analyst Atty. Ed Tolentino said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

Gilas has lost both its matchups against Dominican Republic and Angola. And yet, hope springs eternal for the Philippine squad if it beats Italy by at least 12 points, which would lead to a possible triple tie.

"Meron pwedeng mangyari na pwedeng maging susi na makapasok sa 2nd round," Tolentino said.

KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS, MANNY PACQUIAO CATCH UP

Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and Dominican NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns got to catch up over the weekend, during the latter's brief break from shooting hoops in the ongoing FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Towns visited the former senator at his home in Makati City on Saturday, August 26, two years after the two last met in person during Pacquiao's training camp for his bout with Yordenis Ugas in the USA in 2021.

In an interview on Sunday, Towns shared he has long been acquainted with Pacquiao, whom he regards as a "sports legend."

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Life is not fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not. - Oscar Wilde