NEW LAW SETS AUTOMATIC INCOME CLASSIFICATION FOR PROVINCES, CITIES, TOWNS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. has signed a new law that establishes an automatic income classification for provinces, cities, and municipalities, a document showed on Friday.

Marcos Jr. signed Republic Act No. 11964 on Oct. 26, 2023, which was made public Friday.

Income classification can be used to determine financial grants and other assistance to localities, as well as their financial capacity to take on priority programs, Marcos said in signing the measure.

The classification will serve as basis for the annual or supplemental allotment for an area's personal services and the possible creation of a new local government unit "provided that the division and merger of an existing LGU shall not downgrade the income classification of the original unit pursuant to Section 8 of Republic Act No. 7160."

The income classification will also determine the number of elective members in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and the Sangguniang Bayan and the compensation of local government personnel.

The first general income reclassification will happen within 6 months after the law's effectivity and every 3 years after.

"The first income reclassification of provinces, cities, and municipalities will take effect on January 1st of the immediately succeeding year following the issuance of the table of income classification by the Finance Secretary," Press Secretary Cheloy Garafil said.

DOJ EYES USING TERM ‘SEA OF ASIA’ IN ENVIRONMENTAL CASE VS CHINA

The Philippine justice department coined a new term as it pushes for an environmental case against China’s destruction of corals in the West Philippine Sea.

It wants to refer to the waters as the “Sea of Asia” to better engage the international community.

DOJ: PHILIPPINES TO PURSUE CASE VS CHINA OVER CORAL DAMAGE

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced the Philippines' decision to file an environmental case against China for the damage inflicted on the Philippine environment. Remulla stated that the case aims to hold China accountable for its actions. The decision followed a meeting with legal experts and representatives from the Philippine Coast Guard-West Philippine Sea. They aim to file the case before an international tribunal in early 2024 or by March at the latest. The evidence for the case includes satellite imaging, cinematography, and location-based photographs. Remulla emphasized the importance of world opinion and raising awareness about China's actions.

JAPAN, PHILIPPINES MULL STARTING TALKS ON NEW SECURITY PACT

Tokyo: Japan and the Philippines are considering negotiations on a new bilateral treaty to enhance security cooperation, including facilitating joint drills and exchanges of defense personnel. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are expected to greenlight negotiations for a "reciprocal access agreement" (RAA) during their November summit, aimed at strengthening security cooperation. Japan's RAA with the Philippines would be the third such agreement following those with Australia and Britain. The two nations aim to enhance deterrence against China's territorial claims in the East and South China Seas and promote trilateral security cooperation involving the United States.

BIGGEST BATCH OF FILIPINO REPATRIATES FROM ISRAEL TO ARRIVE BY END OF OCTOBER

MANILA — A fourth batch of Filipino repatriates fleeing Israel's war with Hamas will come home towards the end of October, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Friday.

"May napipinto tayong fourth batch [ng repatriates mula Israel]… padating ng Monday, malaki-laking grupo, sa ngayon higit-kumulang 50. Pinakamalaking grupo ito," DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

At least 4 Filipinos were killed in the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, which left around 1,400 people dead. More than 200 others were kidnapped.

Israel's retaliatory bombardment of Hamas-run Gaza has killed more than 7,000 people -- a toll expected to rise substantially if Israeli troops massed near the border move into the Palestinian territory.

At least 3 Filipinos were still in Gaza City, which bore the brunt of the Israeli strikes, officials said.

Around 78 Filipinos in other parts of the blockaded Gaza Strip have sought assistance to return to the Philippines.

Some Filipinos in Lebanon are also seeking repatriation as fighting continued between Hamas-linked Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops, Cacdac said.

"Sa Lebanon, nagpapatala tayo at so far, meron nang mga nagpalista. Inihahanda na rin yung first batch mula Lebanon, hindi na rin ito magtatagal, mga ilang araw. Mayroon lang talaga tayong challenge in terms of flight bookings," the official said.

"May cases na undocumented sa Lebanon kaya mayroon pang kailangan ayusin sa immigration authorities," he added.

The Philippine government said it stands firm against negotiating for the release of two Filipinos believed to be held hostage by Hamas militants in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government pledges its full support for the families of four Filipinos killed in its war with Hamas.

HAMAS LISTS SOME 7,000 NAMES OF GAZA 'DEAD'

Hamas on Thursday released a list of almost 7,000 names of Gazans it said had been killed in Israeli strikes after the US president cast doubt on its toll figures.

The Palestinian Islamist group says that 7,028 people have now been killed in Gaza since its October 7 attacks which Israel says left 1,400 dead, mainly civilians.

The Hamas list of 6,747 names, released by its health ministry, gave the sex, age and identity card number of each of the victims. It said 281 bodies had not yet been identified.

The ministry said in a statement that the United States had "brazenly cast doubt on the truth of the announced toll".

"We have decided to announce the details of the names to the whole world so that the truth is known about the genocide perpetrated by the Israeli occupation against our people."

US President Joe Biden said on Wednesday that he had "no confidence" in the militant group's death toll figures.

"What they say to me is I have no notion that the Palestinians are telling the truth about how many people are killed. I'm sure innocents have been killed, and it’s the price of waging a war," Biden told a White House press conference.

Biden has, however, been among several Western leaders to caution Israel over the civilian toll. Israel "should be incredibly careful to be sure that they're focusing on going after the folks that (are) propagating this war," he said.

Questioned about Hamas tolls on Thursday, Israeli military spokesman Richard Hecht said that "when the Hamas health ministry comes out with the numbers just take them with a pinch of salt."

AIRBNB BOOKINGS GIVE P45.7 MILLION BOOST TO PHILIPPINE GDP, EMPLOYMENT IN 2022 — REPORT

A recent report by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Airbnb, revealed that Airbnb activities significantly boosted the Philippine economy in 2022. The report indicated that Airbnb-related activities contributed P45.7 million (US $480 million) to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This, in turn, supported around 103,800 jobs, with one in 77 tourism sector jobs associated with the platform. Airbnb guests spent P47.7 million (US $876 million) in the country, benefiting various businesses like restaurants, retail stores, and transportation. Domestic tourism alone saw Airbnb guests spending P24.2 million (US $445 million) in the Philippines in 2022. The research also highlighted changes in tourist travel behavior influenced by COVID-19, with some opting for destinations away from urban areas and long-term stays due to flexible work arrangements.

PALACE TRANSFERS DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY OF PH UNDER NEDA

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the transfer of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) from the Office of the President to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).

Created in 1973 during the administration of Marcos Jr.'s father, former President Ferdinand Sr., DAP carries out human resource development programs for key government and economic sectors.

DAP's transfer under NEDA is part of the Marcos Jr. administration's rightsizing policy, according to Executive Order No. 45 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

"“Pursuant to the rightsizing policy of the national government, it is imperative to streamline and rationalize the functional relationships of agencies with complementary mandates to promote coordination, efficiency, and organizational coherence in the bureaucracy," Bersamin said.

"A strong organizational link between the NEDA and DAP is necessary to bolster the development and implementation of the latter's human resource development programs, research, data collection, and information services, as well as to ensure consistency of its research, education and training with the National Government's socioeconomic agenda," he added.

The transfer will also pave the way for policy and program coordination between the two entities.

Bersamin signed the EO on Oct. 25, 2023. It was made public on Thursday.

MAYON VOLCANO RESTIVENESS - UPDATES

MANILA — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised on June 8 the status of Mayon Volcano in Albay to Alert Level 3 after it showed an “increased tendency towards a hazardous eruption.”

In the past 24 hours as of 5 a.m. Friday, Phivolcs has recorded the following:

Alert level 3 is maintained over Mayon.

Slow effusion of lava flow from the crater to lengths of 3.4 kilometers, 2.8 km, and 1.1 km along Bonga, Mi-isi, and Basud Gullies, respectively, and lava collapse up to 4 km from the crater

99 volcanic earthquakes including 93 volcanic tremors (1-38 minutes long) + 219 rockfall events + 3 Pyroclastic Density Current events

Mayon Volcano's daily sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) reached 1030 tonnes / day (26 October 2023)

The volcano's emissions are 600 meters tall, weak; display general west drift

Mayon Volcano's edifice is showing signs of short-term inflation

THE REST

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INFLUX OF UNDAS TRAVELERS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON FRIDAY

MANILA - Major transport terminals in Metro Manila are expecting the annual All Saints Day exodus to provinces to begin on Friday, Oct. 27.

The Manila International Airport Authority said it expects 120,000 to 130,000 passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport per day. This is an 8 to 10 percent hike compared to ordinary days.

Many Filipinos will also be going home to their provinces for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

MIAA Officer-in-Charge Bryan Co said they expect a total of 1.2 million passengers in total, mostly in the 3 days and last 3 days.

But Co clarified that the number is still manageable for the airport because of the long holiday break, wherein passengers have more options when they would like to travel.

“We do not expect any significant surge in terms of the number of passengers we are processing per day. Because na spread out ang holidays, it means na spread out rin options ng passengers natin,” said Co.

But all preparations and improvements are still being done. Help desks with so-called "malasakit kits" are set up where passengers can seek assistance.

Co said the baggage handling system reliability rate is up 77 percent from 62 percent a few months ago. 18 out of 20 passenger boarding gates at NAIA Terminal 3 are operating normally, up from the previous only 7-8.

Security also remains a priority at the airport even if there are no threats detected so far.

“Normal security conditions that we have. There are no unforeseen threats on part of the MIAA,” said BGen Manuel Gonzales, AGM Security and Emergency Services of MIAA.

Meanwhile, around 1.6 million passengers are expected to flock the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) starting Friday until November 6, as authorities expect travelers to take advantage of the long holiday weekend.

MALLS TO ADJUST OPERATING HOURS FOR CHRISTMAS SEASON

MANILA — Three of the biggest mall operators in the country said Friday their operating hours would start at 11 a.m. from November 13 until the end of the Christmas holiday season.

Ayala Malls will be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. its marketing and communications head Chrissy Roa told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

SM Malls will also be open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., though they are mulling closing at midnight as Christmas draws nearer, said SM North Edsa senior assistant vice president for operations Jocelyn Clarino.

Robinsons Malls will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but they are considering closing at 11 p.m. once more people receive their Christmas bonuses, operations director Myron Yao said.

Roa and Clarino said their malls would not hold weekday sales until the end of the holiday season.

"Actually pinag-uusapan pa namin ano, pero for EDSA malls, definitely no for Galleria, hindi muna tayo magse-sale," Robinsons Malls' Yao said.

Clarino noted that supermarkets and government offices inside malls would be allowed to open earlier than 11 a.m.

Roa said adjusting mall operating could boost the sales of their stores.

"Actually it’s alright because you give them (customers) a longer opportunity to shop," she said.

CEBU GOVERNOR SAYS PROVINCE TO SELL NFA RICE AT P20/KILO SOON

MANILA – Cebu province will be the first to sell rice from the National Food Authority (NFA) at P20 per kilo, Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia announced Wednesday.

Garcia made the announcement, which if implemented will “fulfill President Ferdinand Marcos’ campaign promise”, during a formal meeting of all mayors of the province at the Cebu capitol building

The Cebu governor stressed that her province will be the first to sell NFA rice at P20 per kilo. The sale, subsidized by the province, will be offered first to indigent families.

“It will be Cebu that will be the first to be able to sell NFA rice at P20 per kilo, fulfilling the President's promise,” Governor Garcia announced amid the rice harvest season.

The Cebu provincial government allocated a budget of P100 million to buy NFA rice, in line with President Marcos’ program for the NFA to buy palay at a higher farmgate price.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

SAN DIEGO FILM FEST HONORS PAST AND PRESENT PHILIPPINE CINEMA

It was a big week for Philippine and Filipino-American Cinema in San Diego, as the San Diego Filipino Film Festival returns for its third year.

The festival and the nonprofit group San Diego Filipino Cinema look to empower young Filipino filmmakers year round by helping them create award-winning pieces.

"It’s been really lovely to see how much this festival has grown into this really lively community space that we’ve needed for ages," said filmmmaker Kayla Abuda Galang.

And while the future looks bright, they also make sure to honor the past.

This year, they screened “Pagbalik,” the final film of the late Philippine actress Gloria Sevilla.

Her family was on hand to receive a Posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award.

"This is very very special," said Suzette Ranillo, Sevilla's daughter. "These last two films were our mother's last films before she passed away. Thank you very much, San Diego."

The group's co-founder Dr. Ben Camacho said they also want to give credit to movie icons.

"We're all inclusive. It's not only the new filmmakers we are giving credit for," he said. "It's time to remember them and give them their tribute."

The ABS-CBN-co-produced film "Asian Persuasion" by Fil-Am Jhett Tolentino closed out the event.

And while the physical festival is over at theaters, the San Diego Filipino Film Festival will give the audience more chances to celebrate the films and winners with a Virtual Cinema Selects program.

SPORTS

OBIENA'S ACCUSER SAYS SORRY OVER DOPING CLAIM

Anais Lavillenie, wife of a former world record holder in men’s pole vaulting, has apologized to EJ Obiena for her disparaging online remarks regarding the Filipino pole vaulter's successes.

Lavillenie previously claimed through a comment on Vaulter’s Magazine’s Facebook page that Obiena’s rise was a result of doping.

"Obeina [sic] doped and it'll fall like Braz. Same coach, Same plan, same objective!" the comment read.

Lavillenie, wife of former world record-holder and 2012 Olympics gold medalist Renaud Lavillenie of France, made a public apology a couple of weeks later after being threatened with legal action.

“I would like to offer publicly my sincere apologies for writing untruthful words on Vaulter Magazine’s Facebook post about you and your coach Vitaly Petrov,” she said in a letter shared publicly by Obiena.

Lavillenie said she made a “stupid” decision by posting such remark.

“That’s why I deleted the comment after the fact but the damage was done. I am sincerely sorry,” she said.

“I am aware that I have disrespected you and your coach and I deeply regret my act.”

Obiena said he now considers the issue a "closed matter."

The world's No. 2 pole vaulter and newly crowned Asian Games champion said he is moving forward to his Paris Olympics campaign.

"I would also like to deeply thank all the netizens who supported me, Maraming salamat po."

He also urged netizens to refrain from harassing Lavillenie and her husband over the issue.

MIAMI'S MESSI NAMED FINALIST FOR MLS NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Lionel Messi is a finalist for the MLS Newcomer of the Year award despite playing only six league matches for Inter Milan. Messi powered Miami to the Leagues Cup title in August but couldn't secure an MLS playoff spot due to injury. His rivals for the newcomer award are Giorgos Giakoumakis of Atlanta United and Eduard Lowen of St. Louis City. Messi was also nominated for the MLS Most Valuable Player award, with finalists Denis Bouanga, Luciano Acosta, and Thiago Almada.

PHILIPPINES PARA CHESSERS WIN 3 GOLDS 

MANILA — Menandro Redor delivered two of the Philippines’ three chess gold medals yesterday that hiked the country’s total to four in the Hangzhou Asian Para Games yesterday.

Redor, a partially blind 49-year-old many-time ASEAN Para Games gold winner, drew his seventh and final round duel with top seed Aydogdy Atabayev of Turkmenistan and bested Amir Rabbi Khorasgani of India via tiebreaker after they ended up tied with 5.5 points each to claim the individual rapid B2-B3 mint.

The Filipinos later claimed the team gold after Arman Subaste and Darry Bernardo finished with four and 3.5 points, respectively.

Cheyzer Mendoza, for her part, ruled the women’s P1 division despite a last-round defeat to Mongolian Mijgee Khishigbayar to add to the country’s golden harvest.

Mendoza, a lawyer by profession, wound up with 5.5 points and tied with Indonesia’s Yuni, but the former won via higher tiebreaker.

The country could have raked in more but FIDE Master Sander Severino lost to Indonesian International Master Tirto and settled for the individual bronze and team silver in the men’s P1.

Henry Lopez snatched the individual silver.

The Filipino woodpushers are expected to replicate, if not eclipse, their five-gold result in the 2018 Jakarta Games.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.96

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Solitude- a good place to visit but a poor place to stay. - Josh Billings