MARCH INFLATION CLIMBS TO 3.7% DUE TO SOARING FOOD, TRANSPORT COSTS

MANILA — The country's inflation accelerated to 3.7%, driven by increased food and transportation costs, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority's report on Friday.

During a press briefing on Friday, National Statistician and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) chief Claire Dennis Mapa said that inflation ballooned to 3.7% in March 2024, up from 3.4% in February 2024.

March's inflation falls within the forecast range of 3.4% to 4.2% by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Mapa attributed the increased inflation to a faster rise in the prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages, which climbed to 5.6% from the previous month's 4.6%.

The deceleration in the price drop of vegetables, tubers, cooking bananas and others, marked by a -2.5% inflation rate, significantly contributed to the uptick of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The prices of meat, cereals and cereal products, especially rice, also contributed to the acceleration of inflation for food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Transportation costs also contributed to the upward trend, with inflation reaching 2.1%, up from 1.2% in February.

Mapa also attributed the rapid increase in transportation costs' inflation rates to the 3.6% inflation in passenger transport and the rise in oil prices.

The inflation rate for gasoline stood at 0.8%, while diesel recorded -0.1%, both factors contributing to the upward trend in transportation costs' inflation.

Core inflation, however, slowed to 3.4% in March 2024, marking a decrease from the previous month's 3.6% and significantly lower than March 2023's 8.0%.

Meanwhile, food prices surged this month, reaching 5.7%, up from February's 4.8%. This marks the highest recorded food inflation since November 2023, which stood at 5.8%.

Rice inflation stays high at 24.4%, slightly up from last month's 23.7%.

According to Mapa, the country's rice inflation is expected to rise until July due to the "base effect."

MARCOS JR. WANTS HOLISTIC PLAN TO SOLVE METRO MANILA TRAFFIC WOES

MANILA — With traffic gridlocks costing the economy billions of pesos, President Marcos has called for a “comprehensive” solution to the country’s traffic woes and has directed agencies to come up with work adjustment plans, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said yesterday.

“What the President really wants is a comprehensive, holistic approach to solving the traffic problem – not the piecemeal approach as has been the case all these years,” Balisacan said.

He cited the need to look at intermodal transport systems and see how they operate efficiently as a whole. He noted that the government is building a subway, expressways and bridges linking provinces.

Such projects, he said, have to be seen in the context of all other transport systems including bicycle lanes, motorcycle lanes and feeder roads, as well as the location of industries and residences.

“If there is a chokepoint in one, it affects the whole system. That’s why we really look at it as a system. And that’s the direction of the President,” Balisacan said.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said the government has several ongoing infrastructure projects connecting Metro Manila cities to nearby provinces, including the North-South Railway project linking Metro Manila to Bulacan, Pampanga and Laguna; the Central Luzon Expressway connecting North Luzon Expressway, and the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.

A 2018 study by the Japan International Cooperation Agency estimated that traffic congestion in Metro Manila is costing the Philippines P3.5 billion a day.

US, PHILIPPINES, JAPAN TO TACKLE SOUTH CHINA SEA INCIDENTS IN TRILATERAL SUMMIT, SAYS DFA EXEC

MANILA — A trilateral summit between the United States, Japan, and the Philippines will include a discussion of recent incidents in the South China Sea, Manila’s foreign ministry said on Friday.

The summit set for next week is not directed at any third country, Philippines‘ acting foreign affairs undersecretary Hans Mohaimin Siriban told a press conference.

DBM RELEASES P5.8 BILLION TO BUILD NEW CLASSROOMS

MANILA — The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P5.8 billion for the construction of nearly 2,000 classrooms across the country.

Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman approved a special allotment release order to the Department of Education (DepEd) following a joint request with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

The amount will be used to build, replace or complete the construction of kindergarten, elementary and secondary school buildings as well as technical-vocational laboratories in 216 areas.

It will also cover the installation and upgrade of disability access facilities to ensure compliance with DPWH’s accessible and universal design principles.

The construction of water and sanitation facilities along with site improvements are included to enhance educational infrastructure.

The amount is part of DepEd’s Basic Education Facilities Fund. It covers the improvement and maintenance of school facilities such as the provision of classroom and workshop buildings, replacement of old and dilapidated buildings, provision of furniture and electrification.

The construction of new classrooms aims to address gaps in high-priority schools as enrollment increases by an average of two percent per year.

This is equivalent to an additional 10,000 classrooms annually.

NAIA POWER SHUTDOWNS SCHEDULED UNTIL MAY 28

MANILA — Power interruptions due to preventive maintenance will take place at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 until May 28.

This is to allow the replacement of deteriorated medium voltage switchgear components across eight electrical substations within Terminal 3, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

“This is a continuation of the electrical systems upgrade project, which commenced last year. The power interruptions may last until May 28,” the MIAA said.

The power shutdowns will affect the terminal’s open and multilevel parking, substations in the south and north concourses and the main substation of Terminal 3.

“Maintenance activities will start at midnight when the least number of flights is scheduled,” the MIAA said.

The management assured NAIA passengers that standby generators would be available at each substation to provide uninterrupted power supply to critical airport systems, ensuring continuous processing of passengers and flights.

Travelers, however, should expect reduced air-conditioning supply in some parts of Terminal 3 as well as malfunctioning escalators from time to time, the MIAA said.

“The MIAA remains steadfast in completing these necessary upgrades while having to deal with inevitable power interruptions in the course of the project,” the agency said.

MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines appealed for understanding from passengers and other airport stakeholders.

LTO REMINDS MOTORISTS TO RENEW DRIVER’S LICENSES

MANILA — The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has advised motorists with expiring licenses this month to renew their driver’s permit before April 30.

LTO chief Vigor Mendoza said motorists should comply with the renewal schedules issued by the agency to expedite the release of plastic card licenses.

Driver’s licenses that expired from April 1 to Aug. 31, 2023 and expiring from April 1 to 30, 2024 should be renewed from April 15 to 30 to avoid fines, according to the LTO.

Motorists with expiring licenses from  Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, and from May 1 to 31, 2024 are scheduled for renewal in May.

Driver’s licenses that expired from Jan. 1 to March 31, and June 1 to 30 will be scheduled for renewal in June.

The LTO will start the issuance of plastic card licenses on April 15, Mendoza said.

At least one million plastic cards have been delivered to the LTO after the Court of Appeals lifted the preliminary injunction issued by a Quezon City court last month.

VOTING MACHINE CUSTOMIZATION STARTS APRIL 18 – COMELEC

MANILA — The customization of vote counting machines for the May 2025 midterm elections will start on April 18, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.

The poll body is sending a team to South Korea to observe the start of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit and Count project, according to Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

“Part of the contract is the observer mission to determine the capability of Miru to manufacture the vote counting machines and its readiness to fulfill its obligation,” Garcia said.

The joint venture led by South Korean firm Miru Systems will customize the 110,000 automated counting machines, he noted.

The delegation will observe the customization and test specifications as provided under the terms of reference, he said.

The Comelec previously issued a resolution allowing the hardware customization of automated counting machines (ACM).

Among the customizations adopted are changes in the position of the camera at the top portion of the ballot entrance, screen enlargement from 13.3 to 14 inches, and privacy screens with an additional three centimeters on both sides of the ACM screen.

The cable tie metal holder or hasp for the placement of serially numbered plastic tie security seal will also be extended.

The relocation of the ACM’s real-time clock battery to the secure digital slot location and the removal of the SD slot were also approved.

The ACMs will have a unique serial number readable by a barcode reader, the poll body said.

PALACE DECLARES APRIL 10 A REGULAR HOLIDAY FOR EID’L FITR

MANILA -- Malacañang on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared April 10 as a regular holiday in the country in observance of Eid’l Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long Ramadan.

The declaration of April 10 as a holiday was made through Proclamation No. 514, according to the Palace.

In signing the proclamation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the holiday seeks to "bring the religious and cultural significance of the Eid' Fitr to the fore of national consciousness” and to “allow the entire Filipino nation to join their Muslim brothers and sisters in peace and harmony in observance and celebration of Eid’l Fitr.”

Eid’l Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and is celebrated during the first three days of Shawwal, the 10th month of the Islamic calendar.

Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is observed by over 1.7 billion Muslims across the world through fasting and praying.

During this holy month, Muslims, from sunrise to sunset, refrain from eating and drinking, with some exceptions, especially for those who have health problems.

THE REST

========

MMDA TO ALLOW 24-HOUR ROAD WORKS BY DPWH UNTIL APRIL 11

MANILA — The MMDA will allow 24-hour road works by the DPWH until April 11, affecting several areas in Metro Manila. This decision comes after private contractors left some road works unfinished last Holy Week. The affected areas include Tandang Sora Avenue, Bonny Serrano Avenue, EDSA in Mandaluyong, Roxas Boulevard in Pasay and Manila, IBP – San Mateo Road, Luzon Avenue, Mindanao Avenue, Payatas Road, and G. Araneta Avenue.

The DPWH will be fined for unfinished road works during the Lenten break. Additionally, the MMDA assured the public of necessary traffic management for the retrofitting of the EDSA Kamuning Flyover Southbound starting April 25, using Mabuhay Lanes as alternate routes. The project is expected to last nearly a year.

2 QUIBOLOY AIDES SURRENDER

MANILA — Two members of Apollo Quiboloy’s religious sect ordered arrested on Wednesday along with him and three others by a Davao court have surrendered.

Jackielyn Roy and Ingrid Canada, both personal assistants of Quiboloy in the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), surrendered yesterday to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) a day after they were issued warrants of arrest by Judge Dante Baguio of the Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 12 for violation of Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination.

Three other KOJC members – Paulene and Cresente Canada and Sylvia Camanes – posted P80,000 bail last Wednesday after their arrest at the Jose Maria College campus in Davao City and in the Samal and Tamayong properties of the KOJC. The NBI said it is negotiating with Quiboloy’s camp for his surrender.

“Right now we are negotiating his surrender through his counsel,” NBI XI regional director Arcelito Albao told The STAR.

Manhunt for the sect leader continues after authorities failed to find him in any of his properties in Davao. A team from the NBI, the Police Regional Office, and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group XI is spearheading the search for the sect leader.

NPA REBEL KILLED, ANOTHER NABBED IN NORTHERN SAMAR CLASH

CATBALOGAN, Samar — A New People’s Army (NPA) rebel was killed while another was arrested following an encounter with government troopers in Barangay Osmeña in Las Navas, Northern Samar early yesterday.

The fatality was identified as Adel Cabides, alias Hipolito.

Jessie Robinacio, alias Tadok, who was wounded, was arrested and given first aid by soldiers.

The military said members of the 19th Infantry Battalion of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) were dispatched in the area after receiving reports on the presence of armed men who were extorting from residents.

Capt. Jefferson Mariano, spokesperson for the 8th ID, said the rebels are believed to be members of the NPA’s Visayas Regional Party Committee.

Two M16 rifles and personal belongings of the rebels were recovered at the scene.

WESTERN VISAYAS EL NIÑO AGRICULTURAL DAMAGE NOW P770.5 MILLION

BACOLOD CITY — Damage to agriculture in Western Visayas due to El Niño has increased to P770.5 million as of April 1, according to the Office of Civil Defense.

The OCD said more than 20,000 farmers have been affected by drought.

Despite the losses, OCD-Western Visayas regional office head Raul Fernandez said the criteria to declare a state of calamity due to El Niño in affected areas have not been met.

Fernandez said Iloilo province has been most affected, with losses amounting to P519 million, followed by Antique, P130 million; Negros Occidental, P78 million; Aklan, P30 million, and Capiz, P12 million.

There was no reported damage to agriculture in Guimaras.

Fernandez said water supply in Western Visayas remains stable, except in Himamaylan City, where water rationing has started in some barangays.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has released more than P11 million in assistance to families affected by El Niño in the region.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

KATHRYN BERNARDO ALLEGEDLY STOPPED FROM DOING 'HELLO LOVE GOODBYE' SEQUEL; DANIEL PADILLA MUM

MANILA — Daniel Padilla allegedly prohibited Kathryn Bernardo from doing "Hello Love Goodbye" (HLG) sequel with Alden Richards.

Veteran entertainment reporter Reggee Bonoan reported in Bandera that a source told her that the blockbuster movie's sequel was in the works right after it became successful when it was released in 2019, but Daniel allegedly prohibited his then girlfriend Kathryn to do it.

“Nu’ng kumita ang HLG, may follow-up agad sana at naka-set na kaso nagkaroon ng pandemya kaya 2021 dapat sinimulan. Eh, umarya ang lolo Daniel mo at binawalan si Kathryn na ‘wag gawin kaya hindi natuloy,” the source allagedly told Bonoan.

Now that Daniel and Kathryn are already separated, the sequel will possibly be in the works, the source added.

“Eh, ngayong hiwalay na, itinuloy na. Wala nang bawal-bawal kay Kathryn ngayon. Gagawin niya ang alam niyang makagaganda sa career niya at saka kaibigan niya si Alden noon pa,” the source said.

"Hello Love Goodbye" was once the top grossing Filipino movie of all time with P880 million in revenues, until Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera's 2023 movie, "Rewind," topped it with P900 million.

QUEZON CITY BET WITHDRAWS FROM MISS UNIVERSE PHILIPPINES 2024

MANILA — Quezon City's Lorraine Ojimba, the representative of the city in the upcoming Miss Universe Philippines, backed out from the competition due to health reasons.

In its official Facebook page, Miss Universe Philippines-Quezon City announced that Lorraine withdrew because of personal matters that took toll on her mental and physical well-being.

"We understand how difficult it can be to withdraw from something you have worked hard for, and our heart goes out to Lorraine and everyone who supported her during her MUPh 2024 journey," the statement said.

"We want to assure everyone that this decision was made after careful consideration, prioritizing Lorraine's health above all. We are grateful for your understanding and kindness during this time, and we hope to have your continued support as Lorraine navigates on to her new journey," it added.

The MUPH Quezon City extended its support to Lorraine despite the setback.

The Miss Universe Philippines 2024 coronation night will be held on May 22 in SM Mall of Asia Arena.

SPORTS

NBA SCORES OF APRIL 3, 2024

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Lakers

44-33

39        28        34        24        125

Wizards

15-62

29        31        26        34        120

Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

A. Davis LAL C

35 PTS , 18 REB , 1 AST

J. Poole WAS SG

29 PTS , 2 REB , 5 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Trail Blazers

20-56

30        15        22        22        89

Hornets

18-58

21        23        22        20        86

Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. Ayton POR C

24 PTS , 15 REB , 2 AST

B. Miller CHA SG

21 PTS , 3 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pistons

13-63

23        27        29        34        113

Hawks

36-40

28        31        33        29        121

State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

M. Flynn DET PG

50 PTS , 6 REB , 5 AST

J. Johnson ATL SF

28 PTS , 14 REB , 11 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Pacers

43-34

31        31        25        24        111

Nets

30-47

19        42        27        27        115

Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

P. Siakam IND PF

26 PTS , 9 REB , 3 AST

C. Thomas BKN SG

27 PTS , 4 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Thunder

52-24

23        24        36        17        100

Celtics

60-16

30        31        32        42        135

TD Garden , Boston, MA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Giddey OKC PG

17 PTS , 6 REB , 2 AST

K. Porzingis BOS C

27 PTS , 12 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Grizzlies

26-50

26        27        26        32        111

Bucks

47-29

22        27        29        23        101

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

J. Jackson Jr. MEM PF

35 PTS , 3 REB , 4 AST

B. Lopez MIL C

25 PTS , 10 REB , 1 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Magic

45-31

24        34        33        26        117

Pelicans

45-31

26        29        21        32        108

Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

P. Banchero ORL PF

32 PTS , 6 REB , 4 AST

C. McCollum NO PG

36 PTS , 10 REB , 4 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Raptors

23-53

19        23        18        25        85

Timberwolves

53-23

23        35        33        42        133

Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

G. Dick TOR SG

16 PTS , 8 REB

A. Edwards MIN SG

28 PTS , 3 REB , 6 AST

Final

1          2          3          4          T

Cavaliers

46-31

20        27        30        24        101

Suns

45-31

34        38        26        24        122

Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

PLAYERS OF THE GAME

D. Mitchell CLE SG

24 PTS , 3 REB , 2 AST

D. Booker PHO SG

40 PTS , 1 REB , 8 AST

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 56.35

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Beauty is excrescence, superabundance, random ebullience, and sheer delightful waste to be enjoyed in its own right. Remember that the most beautiful things in the world are the most useless; peacocks and lilies, for example.