UNEMPLOYMENT, UNDEREMPLOYMENT DECREASE IN AUGUST

MANILA - The Philippines witnessed improvements in unemployment and underemployment rates in August, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority. The unemployment rate dropped from 4.8% in July to 4.4% in August, with 60,000 fewer jobless Filipinos, totaling 2.21 million individuals. Additionally, the underemployment rate fell from 15.9% in July to 11.7% in August, resulting in 1.47 million fewer Filipino workers who perceived their jobs or wages as insufficient.

The labor force expanded in August, with approximately 3.38 million more Filipinos participating, leading to a labor force participation rate of 64.7%. Services remained the dominant employment sector, accounting for 57.3% of the total employed, while agriculture contributed 24.5%, and industry employed 18.2% of all workers.

Year-on-year data revealed that the industries adding the most jobs included fishing and aquaculture (572,000), construction (534,000), agriculture and forestry (378,000), human health and social work activities (153,000), and administration and support service activities (143,000). Conversely, industries with the highest job reductions included wholesale and retail trade, repair of motorcycles and vehicles (1.21 million), public administration and defense, and compulsory social security (228,000), financial and insurance activities (197,000), information and communication (134,000), and mining and quarrying (89,000).

Regarding occupations, more Filipinos found jobs as skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery workers (567,000), elementary occupations (551,000), plant and machine operators and assemblers (345,000), technicians and associate professionals (74,000), and clerical support workers (12,000). However, there was a decline in the number of Filipinos employed as service and sales workers (683,000), craft and related trade workers (397,000), managers (185,000), and professionals (88,000).

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) emphasized the need for further efforts to enhance job quality, particularly as the number of middle- and high-skilled occupations decreased by 354,000, while low-skilled occupations increased by 551,000 year-on-year. NEDA Secretary Arsenio Baliscan underscored the administration's commitment to creating an attractive business environment to attract investors capable of bringing high-quality and well-paying jobs to the country.

CHINA REITERATES CLAIM TO AYUNGIN AMID OUTCRY OVER DANGEROUS MANEUVERS

MANILA - China has reiterated its claims over Ayungin Shoal, as its expressed opposition to the latest resupply mission by Philippine vessels to BRP Sierra Madre.

In a statement, China Coast Guard spokesman Gan Yu claimed that two supply ships and 2 coast guard vessels from the Philippines “intruded into the adjacent waters of Ren'ai Reef in China's Nansha Islands without the permission of the Chinese government.” 

“The Chinese Coast Guard strictly warned the Philippine vessels in accordance with the law, tracked and monitored the vessels all the way, and effectively regulated them,” he added.

He reiterated China’s “indisputable sovereignty” over the waters of Nansha Island (part of the Spratly Islands), and its opposition to the “the illegal delivery of construction materials by the Philippines to the illegally grounded warship.”

“The Chinese Coast Guard will continue to carry out law enforcement activities in the sea areas under China's jurisdiction according to law,” Gan also said.

The office of Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri earlier released a video clip showing a Chinese ship cutting through the path of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Ayungin Shoal.

Ayungin Shoal lies 105 nautical miles (194 kilometers) west of the Palawan province in the Philippines, and is within the country's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Maritime security expert Ray Powell said 2 Chinese militia ships, the Qiong Sansha Yu 00008 and 00231, passed within a few meters of the BRP Sindangan and the BRP Cabra, both Parola-class vessels of the PCG.

HOUSE TO LAUNCH 'MALAYA RICE' SUBSIDY PROGRAM AMID HIGH INFLATION

MANILA — The House of Representatives will soon launch a rice subsidy program for poor Filipinos amid high prices of the staple.

The House aims to distribute up to P600 worth of rice and P1,000 cash assistance to 10,000 indigents, which will be piloted in 33 congressional districts in Metro Manila "within the next 2 weeks," House Speaker Martin Romualdez said Thursday night.

Senior citizens, solo parents, and persons with disabilities can apply for the program as long as they present a certificate of indigency, according to Romualdez.

"This will hopefully help alleviate the burden on the people, especially in the non-rice-producing areas," Romualdez said.

The House will partner with the social welfare department for the project, Romualdez said, noting his colleagues want the program to be replicated elsewhere in the country after the launch in the metro.

The Speaker also said that the project will buy palay from local producers to give them better prices.

PBBM, VP LAUD COUNTRY’S TEACHERS

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. extended his greetings to educators on World Teacher's Day, expressing gratitude for their invaluable contributions to the nation. He emphasized his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of teachers and their families, recognizing the sacrifices they make to educate the younger generation. Additionally, he reassured teachers that the government would continue addressing challenges in the education sector.

During a special event at Malacañang, President Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte honored teachers from across the country as part of the World Teacher's Day celebration. This annual observance, established by UNESCO and the International Labour Organization in 1994, acknowledges the efforts of teachers worldwide.

In response to the occasion, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian announced plans to update the Magna Carta for Public School Teachers (Republic Act No. 4670), which has been in place for 57 years. The proposed updates include granting a special hardship allowance to mobile teachers, including those in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The senator aims to protect teachers from out-of-pocket expenses and non-teaching tasks, as well as address issues related to teachers' basic rights and longevity pay. Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate committee on basic education, stressed the importance of fully implementing the law to enhance the living and working conditions of public school teachers, pointing out specific sections, such as Section 22, that have not been adequately followed, including entitlement to a free annual physical examination.

PBBM WANTS NEW COCONUT PLAN

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has instructed the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) to create a comprehensive plan for the development and revitalization of the country's coconut industry. During a meeting with PCA officials at Malacañang Palace, President Marcos discussed the proposed Coconut Planting and Replanting Project, which aims to plant 100 million coconut trees between 2023 and 2028.

President Marcos emphasized the need for a well-defined plan and stressed the importance of input from coconut industry leaders to create a long-term strategy that extends beyond his presidency. He encouraged the PCA not to focus on political terms but to ensure the project's continuity, even after his term ends.

The PCA recommended issuing a Memorandum Circular (MC) to direct national government agencies, instrumentalities, and local government units to support the project. Under the proposed program, the PCA plans to plant 20 to 25 million trees annually from 2023 to 2028, totaling 100 million trees.

The project, known as the Massive Coconut Planting and Replanting Project 2023-2028, aims to address the impact of senile coconut trees and typhoon damage to the industry. Due to budget constraints, the PCA has only managed to plant or replant 1 to 3 million coconut trees, far below the estimated 34 million needed for replanting. To achieve the goal of planting 100 million trees in the next five years, a whole-of-nation approach is necessary.

This initiative seeks to develop strategies for post-harvest, processing, and marketing interventions under the Coconut Farmers and Industry Development Plan. It also aims to meet the growing local and international demand for coconut products while maximizing the industry's economic benefits for Filipino coconut farmers.

SARA BRANDS CIF OPPOSITION AS ‘ENEMY OF STATE’

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte staunchly defended confidential funds, stating that those opposed to these funds are "naturally assumed to have insidious motivations." The Department of Budget and Management data revealed that the proposed 2024 budget includes a total of P10.142 billion for confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs).

Duterte, who oversees a combined confidential fund allocation of P650 million for the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, emphasized that anyone opposing funds for peace and order is against the protection and well-being of citizens. She asserted that such actions undermine national security and hinder progress.

Duterte also defended the Office of the Vice President's spending of P125 million in confidential funds in December 2022, as reported by the Commission on Audit. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding citizens, regardless of the timeframes for spending, and the need to provide necessary resources for security forces to fulfill their duties effectively.

The House of Representatives had earlier agreed to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds to agencies responsible for intelligence and surveillance activities in the West Philippine Sea, promising to create a small committee for the reallocation of funds from non-security departments.

LIKE A GIANT ICU: PGH SOUNDS ALARM ON EMERGENCY ROOM CONGESTION

The Philippine General Hospital is sounding the alarm on the condition of its emergency room following a report that some patients have to wait 3 days and up to 3 weeks just to get a bed.

PGH Director Gerardo Legaspi said the number of patients seeking emergency medical care have exceeded the PGH emergency room's capacity of 70 patients.

"Ang aming emergency room was designed only for 70 patients, Sa huli kong census na nakuha, 202 na ngayon ang nasa loob na nasa kama, 40 ang naka-respirator. Para siyang ICU na malaki," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He said the PGH implements an emergency severity score system to ensure that patients with the most immediate need are given immediate care.

"Kapag ikaw ay mamamatay within the hour or 2 hours, nandun ka sa ES 1. Kahit anong puno ng ospital ipapasok ka doon kasi kailangan ka malapatan ng resuscitation o paggamot," he said.

"Pag ikaw ay ES3, 'yung may bali sa buto, sugat na hindi naman life threatening, within six hours ma-a-attend."

Those with cough, colds and tummy aches are classified ES 4 and 5 and may wait even longer before being given treatment.

Legaspi noted the PGH needs to triage the patients according to the severity of emergency to ensure timeliness of care. "If you have limited resources, limited space, kailangang mamili kung sino ang pwedeng papasok," he said.

"Ang ating mga pasyente, kahit maghintay ng dalawang araw nandun sa mga ambulansya o sa mga upuan sa labas ay maghihintay po talaga. Ibig sabihin, hindi talaga sila emergency at gusto lang talaga na makita ng doctor sa PGH," he added.

He noted that the current nurse-patient ratio in the PGH is 1:20. "Isang nurse para sa 20 pasyente."

Other public hospitals are also facing the same problem, he said.

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ANOTHER OIL PRICE CUT LOOMS NEXT WEEK

Good news, Kapamilya! Another oil price cut is looming next week, which would be the third such price adjustment in the past couple of weeks.

DOE Assistant Director Rodela Romero said the price cuts include a P2 per liter cut in gasoline, more than P1 per liter price cut for kerosene and a P0.70 per liter cut in diesel prices.

Last Tuesday, oil companies implemented a decrease of P2.00/liter for gasoline and P0.50/liter for kerosene while diesel increased by P0.40/liter.

These price adjustments resulted in a year-to-date net increase of P15.30/liter for gasoline, P13.80/liter diesel and P8.94/liter for kerosene.

P2.1 BILLION WORTH OF SUSPECTED SHABU INTERCEPTED AT MANILA PORT

MANILA — Authorities seized some P2.1 billion worth of suspected shabu at the Manila International Container Port in Tondo, Manila on Thursday.

Around 1,109 pieces of plastic packs that contained a white crystalline substance believed to be shabu were found at the port's Container Freight Station 3, according to a report from the police Drug Enforcement Group.

The suspected illegal drugs were discovered inside boxes and individually wrapped in carbon paper and aluminum foil.

Authorities are investigating the point of origin of the alleged narcotics, their sender, and consignee.

The drug evidence will be turned over to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for laboratory examination.

SIGNAL NO. 1 STILL UP IN NORTH LUZON AS TYPHOON JENNY MOVES AWAY

MANILA — Tropical cyclone wind signal number 1 remained hoisted over northern Luzon provinces late Thursday as Typhoon Jenny (international name: Koinu) continues to move away from the country, the state weather bureau said.

Jenny, last spotted 330 kilometers west northwest of Itbayat town in Batanes at 10 p.m., was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour and up to 160 kph gusts, PAGASA said.

PAGASA raised signal number 1 over the following areas and warned of slight damage in some weak houses in 36 hours.

-Batanes

-Babuyan Islands

-Northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona)

-Northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Adams, Dumalneg, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin, Vintar)

According to PAGASA, Jenny is less likely to directly bring rainfall over the country throughout the forecast period.

Its effect on the southwest monsoon or habagat has also weakened, although the western section of Luzon may still experience some rainshowers.

Metro Manila, central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mimaropa may experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms within the next 24 hours due to the habagat.

The rest of the country, meanwhile, may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms also due to habagat and localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA said Jenny will continue to move westward slowly over Taiwan Strait and the coastal waters of southeastern China.

Meanwhile, a new low pressure area has developed 1,840 km east of Eastern Visayas outside the PAR. The weather disturbance may enter the PAR this weekend and develop into a tropical cyclone early next week.

It will be locally named Kabayan if it enters PAR.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

NOVA VILLA GRATEFUL FOR ABS-CBN COMEBACK WITH 'CAN'T BUY ME LOVE'

MANILA — Veteran actress Nova Villa expressed gratitude in her return to ABS-CBN with "Can't Buy Me Love" as the grandmother of Donny Pangilinan's character, Bingo.

In a press conference, Villa shared how long she has been with the Kapamilya network and hopes to give justice to her character, Nene.

"I'm very happy to be back at ABS-CBN, talaga po, iba 'yung feeling kasi 36 years ako sa ABS-CBN when I transferred to other stations and then andito po akong muli and napakaganda ng role na ibinigay nila sa akin," Villa said.

"I'm trying my best talaga na magampanan ko nang mahusay and napakaganda po ng role na 'yun sapagkat mga bida po ang kasama ko at ako ang kanilang lola. A typical Filipino lola na nagmamahal sa kanyang mga apo," she added.

Villa will be playing the role of Nene, Bingo's grandmother, who struggles with her eyesight.

Bingo will find ways in order to cure her grandmother but he will be facing a few roadblocks along the way.

Villa last appeared in ABS-CBN for a TV show "Kokey @ Ako" as Sor Aida Sanchez.

SPORTS

MEGGIE OCHOA CLINCHES PH'S 2ND ASIAD GOLD

Jiu-jitsu fighter Margarita "Meggie" Ochoa won the Philippines' second gold medal in the 19th Asian Games on Thursday at the XSL Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China.

The Filipina pride, who pulled off a comeback from her previous Asiad appearance, defeated Abdulla Balqees of the United Arab Emirates on points during the gold medal round of the women's under-48kg Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition.

Ochoa emerged as the victor on advantage after securing a superior position against Abdulla.

On her way to the finals, she beat Mongolia's Odgerel Baybayar, Kazahkstan's Nazgul Rakhayeva and Thailand's Kacie Tan.

Ochoa, who settled for a bronze in the 2018 edition of the Games, burst into tears after being announced as the winner.

It was the Philippines' second gold medal after EJ Obiena ruled the Asiad pole vault tournament.

"Sobrang overwhelming kasi ang daming nangyari. As in hanggang kahapon may trangkaso ako. Akala ko hindi ko na kaya," a teary-eyed Ochoa said in an interview on ONE Sports.

"Ang dami kong ininom na gamot para lang makalaban."

MARCIAL SETTLES FOR SILVER AS CHINESE FOE WINS VIA DECISION

Filipino boxer Eumir Marcial, already an Olympic qualifier, fell short in his bid for gold at the 19th Asian Games. He faced Chinese opponent Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan in the men's 80-kilogram division final, losing on points.

Marcial initially gained an advantage with his body-to-head combinations, prompting a standing eight count for Tuohetaerbieke. However, the Chinese boxer adjusted in the second round and turned the tide.

The third round was closely contested, but the judges awarded the gold medal to Tuohetaerbieke, leaving Marcial with a second-place finish in his debut in the 80kg class.

Before facing Tuohetaerbieke, Marcial secured two knockout victories to reach the gold medal match.

SAKURA ALFORTE NABS BRONZE IN KARATE, PH’S 13TH MEDAL

Sakura Alforte captured the bronze medal in women’s karate after beating Chinese Taipei’s Hui Hsuan Chien at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China on Thursday.

Alforte narrowly escaped Chien in the bronze medal match of women's individual kata with 41.90 points, just 0.6 points ahead of her opponent in the Games.

The Pinay athlete delivered the 13th medal of the Philippines in the quadrennial event – and the second podium finish for the day.

Earlier, national team veteran Meggie Ochoa surprised the Philippines with a golden performance in jiu-jitsu for the country’s second gold medal in the competition.

As of writing, the Philippines has already collected two gold, a silver, and 10 bronze finishes.

The country still awaits the gold medal matches of boxer Eumir Marcial later Thursday and Gilas Pilipinas on Friday.

MEDALS TALLY

Rank    Team/NOC       G         S          B          T          Rank by Total

22        Philippines        2          2          10        14        17

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.67

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Social values in general are incrementally variable: neither safety, diversity, rational articulation, nor morality is categorically a "good thing" to have more of, without limits.  All are subject to diminishing returns, and ultimately negative returns. - Thomas Sowell