August 1, 2024Leave a commentBymbm_admin
HEADLINES
Oil prices rise amid spiraling Middle East violence
China says Philippines risks ‘greater insecurity’ after US military aid pledge
Abandoned Cargo Ship Suspected of Oil Smuggling Grounds in Philippines
NYK’s STS bunkering boom for ammonia gets ClassNK’s nod
New Strike Threats Loom in August Over Canada’s West Coast Ports and Rails
Philippines, US navies hold joint exercise in South China Sea
PhilHealth to push for premium rate cut
DA: Supply of veggie, fish remains stable despite Carina, habagat
Oil spill: 8 Cavite towns declare calamity
EU, US, UAE release aid for typhoon victims
MMDA, DPWH crafting 50-year drainage master plan
P45 per kilo rice to be sold in select Kadiwa Stores starting today
Enrollment for SY 2024-2025 reaches 22.4M – DepEd
‘Eat Bulaga’ celebrates 45th anniversary with assistance to flood victims
Niana Guerrero on being called a global youth icon
G-Force’s Teacher Georcelle: Dance is beneficial
Carlo Paalam advances to boxing quarterfinals
Carlos Yulo places 12th in men’s all-around gymnastics finals
Hergie Bacyadan falls to China’s Li, ends Paris stint
5 Tips to Save Money While Enjoying Life
FULL NEWSPAPER
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Oil prices rise amid spiraling Middle East violence
BEIJING, China, August 1 —— The price of oil jumped more than $2 a barrel just hours after Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an early morning air strike, as jittery investors keep an eye on spiraling violence in the Middle East. U.S. benchmark oil prices rose $2.64 to $77.38 per barrel, while Brent crude climbed $2.38 to $80.45 per barrel.
Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran’s capital after he attended the inauguration of the country’s new president, the militant group said. Iranian officials and Hamas have blamed Israel for the strike that killed Haniyeh. Israel has not confirmed that it killed the Hamas chief, but a U.S. official told CBS News’ Margaret Brennan on that the U.S. determined that both Haniyeh and top Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr were killed in Israeli strikes. Israel had vowed to kill Haniyeh and other senior Hamas figures over the group’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, which saw the militants kill some 1,200 people and take about 240 others hostage. The attack sparked the war in Gaza, a densely populated Palestinian territory run for almost two decades by Hamas, which has long been designated a terrorist organization by Israel and the U.S.
Investors are closely watching conflicts in the Middle East for signs that escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran could threaten global oil supplies and drive up energy prices. More than half of all crude oil reserves are in the region, according to current estimates from the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Neither Israel, which just two oil refineries and production capacity of just under 300,000 barrels per day, nor the Palestinian territories are key oil producers, data from the Energy Information Administration shows. But analysts fear a widening conflict risks involving other Middle East nations that are major producers.
Impact on gas prices?
Despite the jump in oil prices, analysts said they don’t expect the latest regional hostilities to lead to higher gas prices for Americans. The national average gas price for regular unleaded as of Wednesday was $3.49 a gallon, down nearly 25 cents from the same period a year ago, according to AAA.
Oil prices are one of many other factors that ultimately determine what motorists will pay at the pump. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, noted that oil prices dropped Tuesday amid concerns that China’s economic slowdown would last longer than expected. Today’s oil price jumps have largely offset the dip earlier this week, he said. “We shouldn’t necessarily see gas prices bounce up yet, if at all,” De Haan told CBS MoneyWatch. “Oil would likely have to climb past $80-$82 to see a real impact at the pump.”
Source: cbsnews.com
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China says Philippines risks ‘greater insecurity’ after US military aid pledge
BEIJING, China, August 1 —— China warned the Philippines it risks “greater insecurity for itself”, after the United States said it would provide $500 million in additional military funding to Manila in the face of Beijing’s growing assertiveness.
In Manila on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled what he called a “once in a generation investment” to help modernize the Philippine armed forces and coast guard. Asked about the announcement, Beijing’s foreign ministry on Wednesday warned Manila that “wooing countries from outside the region to provoke confrontation in the South China Sea will only undermine regional stability and aggravate tensions”. “Trying to introduce external forces to protect its own security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself, and it might even become someone else’s pawn,” spokesman Lin Jian said.
The latest high-level US visit follows a series of escalating confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed waterway that have raised concern that Washington could be dragged into a conflict due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila.
The Philippines’ proximity to the hotly contested South China Sea, as well as self-ruled Taiwan, would make it a key partner for the United States if a conflict were to break out in the region. Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis, and considers democratic Taiwan to be part of its territory.
Source: philstar.com
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MARITIME NEWS
Abandoned Cargo Ship Suspected of Oil Smuggling Grounds in Philippines
August 1 —— Officials in the Philippines are dealing with a mystery as a decrepit old cargo ship was found aground on the shores of Bataan Island west of the entrance to Manila Bay. While there is some concern about an oil leak from the grounded ship, the Philippine Coast Guard emphasized its focus remains on the primary causalities, the sunken tanker Terranova and the second tanker Jason Bradley which grounded. The Philippine Coast Guard said that it had reports of the small cargo ship Mirola-1 (400 dwt) last week just before the typhoon. Today, the National Bureau of Investigation’s Naval Intelligence Unit reports it found the 45-year-old vessel ashore on the west side of Bataan severely tilted. An initial survey showed there was no one aboard the vessel and they are still working to identify its owners.
Built in 1979 in Japan, the cargo ship which is 177 feet (54 meters) in length appears to have been in operations around the Philippines since 2011. Pictures of the vessel aground show it to be in a dilapidated condition with heavy rust and one section of the deck house collapsed. The vessel has a history with the Coast Guard. In January 2023, the Coast Guard detained 18 crewmembers and the vessel when they discovered her offloading oil to three smaller boats. They suspected smuggling and fuel pilferage of as much as 30,000 liters of diesel fuel.
The Coast Guard initially planned to do an aerial survey of the grounded ship and go aboard to take samples. Officials were working to determine how much fuel was aboard the vessel but decided not to take the samples due to fears of possible leaks and the condition of the vessel.
They are reporting a minimal oil sheen and a light smell of diesel oil in the area. People who got aboard posted videos of two oil drums floating in water on the deck of the ship. Coast Guard officials said it was a light diesel that would dissipate in the weather and water. They said they did not want to spread their resources too thin and remain focused on the Terranova but would monitor the Mirola-1.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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NYK’s STS bunkering boom for ammonia gets ClassNK’s nod
August 1 —— Japanese shipping major NYK, together with TB Global Technologies, has received approval in principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for a ship-to-ship bunkering boom for ammonia fuel. TBG is Japan’s manufacturer of cargo-handling equipment for crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and other liquids. NYK and TBG expect to enhance the safety of supplying ships with ammonia, which is highly toxic, by employing TBG’s technology to ensure the liquid does not leak. The approval, dubbed the “world’s first”, was received on July 31, 2024.
According to NYK, the most distinctive feature of the boom is a TBG-developed emergency-release system that allows the connection between an ammonia-fueled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) to be disconnected instantly in an emergency. In acquiring the AiP, NYK provided design data for its in-house developed ABV. In addition, to improve the safety and operability of the equipment, NYK provided knowledge on the handling of ammonia gained by NYK from its ammonia-transport business and knowledge gained from Kaguya,
Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel. Kaguya is operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Corporation, of which NYK is the largest shareholder.
Ammonia-fueled vessels are being researched and developed worldwide as next-generation fuel vessels friendly to the natural environment. One such vessel, an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026, is being developed by a consortium that includes NYK. To be built at the Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) Ariake Shipyard, the 40,000 cbm type ammonia fuel ammonia carrier is scheduled for delivery in November 2026. Japan Engine Corporation will be in charge of the ship’s main engine, producing ammonia fuel dual-fuel two-stroke engine, while IHI Power System will provide the auxiliary engine.
The prototype vessel obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) in September 2022 after a safety verification process that included confirmation of the safety concept and risk assessment by ClassNK. The bunkering boom is being developed for installation on ammonia-fueled vessels that are expected to become popular worldwide starting in the late 20s.
Source: offshore-energy.biz
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New Strike Threats Loom in August Over Canada’s West Coast Ports and Rails
August 1 —— Labor disputes impacting both the operations of Canada’s West Coast ports and the two leading railroads are due to come to a head in August. Experts warn of the potential of more disruptions as Canada is already dealing with the impact of wildfires near the main rail line in Jasper in western Alberta province which is already causing problems and expectations of port and vessel delays.
The Canadian Industrial Relations Board is involved with both the dispute for the dockworkers in British Columbia and labor disputes impacting both CN Rail and Canadian Pacific Kansas City. The board is due to issue a ruling by August 9 on the rail labor issue which could open the window for a strike or possibly extend the cooling off period. Also, from August 6 to 9, the board is conducting a hearing on the ILWU dispute with DP World Canada which has threatened to spread into a strike for all West Coast port operations.
The ILWU Local 514 which represents 730 forepersons for the docks is increasing the pressure. After a meeting with the B.C. Maritime Employers Association and the CIRB last week, union lawyers notified the employers that they are conducting a new strike vote. They will not act before the CIRB hearing but said they expect to complete the vote on August 9.
The BCMEA asserts it previously offered a 19.2 percent wage increase and remains committed to achieving a fair settlement. The union cites the pressure by DP World to introduce automation at its Vancouver container terminal which they contend will take away union member jobs. The union proposed a new manning scale which BCMEA alleges is illegal and presented in bad faith.
The longshoremen’s foremen planned to go on strike on July 8 against DP World while the employers’ association said they would be locking out union members at all port facilities if the strike proceeded. At the last minute, CIRB ruled the strike notice was illegal. The union withdrew the strike notice delaying a strike till now. For both the port foreman and the rail employees, the unions would have to serve a 72-hour notice before they took any actions. Business associations are already warning of the potential of crippling strikes in mid-August.
Last year, the port employees went on strike effectively closing down container and some break bulk operations on the West Coast. The government expressed dissatisfaction but initially did not intervene. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau became involved by organizing ministers and that prompted the union to withdraw further strikes leading to a settlement.
Government and business leaders called for an investigation and taking steps to prevent future strikes. The Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters association estimated last year that the port strike disrupted C$500 million (US$380 million) a day in trade, with analysts saying a rail strike could be even more devastating for the Canadian economy.
Source: maritime-executive.com
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PHILIPPINE NEWS
Philippines, US navies hold joint exercise in South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines, August 1 —— The Philippines and United States navies conducted a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea, the Philippine armed forces said. The two allies began joint maritime activities in November to enhance how their militaries could operate in tandem at a time of growing tensions with China in the South China Sea.
The latest exercise, held inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, included two vessels and was designed to enhance communication and operational coordination between the two navies, Manila’s military said in a statement. “These joint exercises with our ally are crucial in enhancing our naval capabilities and ensuring that we can effectively collaborate to safeguard our maritime interests,” Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner was quoted as saying in the statement.
On Tuesday, US State Secretary Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held talks with their Philippine counterparts in which Washington pledged funding of $500 million to beef up Manila’s military and coast guard. Security engagements between the treaty partners have increased under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has pivoted closer to Washington and away from his predecessor’s foreign policy stance of deepening relations with China.
More funds could come next year, a diplomatic source told Reuters on Wednesday. “There is a possibility that next year there might be additional budget for the air force,” said the source, who asked not to be named for lack of authority to speak publicly on the matter. The Philippines defense department has expressed interest to purchase US F-16 jets, the source added.
Source: rappler.com
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PhilHealth to push for premium rate cut
August 1 —— PHILIPPINE Health Corp. (PhilHealth) CEO and President Emmanuel Ledesma Jr. promised to recommend reducing premium rate contributions for members, Sen. Bong Go said. He said the commitment was made during the latest hearing on the Universal Health Care Act (RA 11223). The premium cut recommendation arose in light of revelations on the substantial PhilHealth Reserve Fund (roughly around P500 billion) and the transfer of the excess government subsidy of P90 billion to the National Treasury.
Go requested that PhilHealth suspend the implementation of the 5 percent increase in premium contributions, which began on Jan. 1, 2024. “If PhilHealth has excess funds, it should refrain from collecting contributions from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) or avoid raising contributions for direct contributors,” he said, adding that a premium hike was deferred at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Go is a co-author and co-sponsor of Senate Bill 2620, which adjusts premium contribution rates and mandates that unpaid contributions of distressed migrant workers should not be collected upon their return to the country. The senator has raised concerns about PhilHealth’s funds, questioning why resources intended to assist Filipinos suffering from ailments remain unused. “It’s unacceptable that funds are sitting there unused while they could be helping every Filipino member of PhilHealth,” he said.
Part of the Senate inquiry aims to seek an explanation from Ledesma on unused funds while many patients struggle to pay for hospitalization and medical bills. Despite the legality of returning the P89.9-billion excess funds to the National Treasury, Go found it morally unacceptable. He expressed dismay over the discovery of the excess funds, which, he said, should have been used to further expand the benefit packages that could help, especially the poor Filipino people. “It was indeed morally unacceptable to know that PhilHealth had billions of pesos in excess funds which could have been made available to help sick Filipinos,” said Go, who chairs the Senate Health and Demography Committee.
Source: manilatimes.net
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DA: Supply of veggie, fish remains stable despite Carina, habagat
MANILA, August 1 —— Supply of vegetables, fish and other agricultural commodities, including rice, remains stable in the aftermath of the enhanced southwest monsoon and Super Typhoon Carina, the Department of Agriculture (DA) assured. This came after agricultural damage rose to PHP1.21 billion for 22,088 metric tons (MT) of volume loss, affecting 46,625 farmers and fishers, according to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center bulletin no. 14.
In an interview, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa allayed concerns over the possible price spikes of highland and lowland vegetables. “We are happy na hindi masyadong naapektuhan iyong Calabarzon. Kasi Calabarzon, iyan iyong malapit sa Metro Manila na source ng gulay natin, lalo na pakbet,” he said. For high-value crops, the DA-DRRM reported around 2,044 MT volume loss amounting to PHP88.81 million. Areas affected include parts of the Cordilleras and Mimaropa. “Iyong part ng Banahaw doon sa ating upland vegetables, we are not much worried. May kaunting pagtaas siguro but hindi masyado,” De Mesa added.
De Mesa also assured of “minimal” price adjustments in fish products despite the effects of both enhanced southwest monsoon and the threat of oil spill in several waters. “Iyong presyo siguro mag-a-adjust nang very minimal pero we are not expecting ng malaking pagbabago sa mga presyo,” he said. “Ang closed fishing season pa natin ay November so makaka-recover pa rin naman,” De Mesa said as the fisheries sector incurred around PHP360.80 million worth of damage affecting 3,334 fishers, mostly in Pampanga and Bulacan.
For rice, the DA maintained there is no reason for a retail price hike considering stable supply from both dry season harvest and rice imports. As of July 20, the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) reported the arrival of 56,000 MT of rice under the lowered tariff of 15 percent.
The DA, meanwhile, assured immediate aid to affected rice farmers. “On the production side, ang utos ni Secretary (Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr.) upon the instruction of the President (Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) na iyong mga areas especially Region III, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bulacan na naapektuhan ay mabigyan agad ng binhi for quick turnaround,” De Mesa said, citing recovery for the wet season harvest from October to November. To date, the damage incurred in the rice sector climbed to PHP635.17 million, or 10,639 MT in volume.
Source: pna.gov.ph
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Oil spill: 8 Cavite towns declare calamity
MANILA, Philippines, August 1 —— Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla declared a state of calamity in the towns of Bacoor, Kawit, Noveleta, Rosario, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate following the sinking of oil tankers in the neighboring province of Bataan. A no-catch zone has been implemented for all shellfish in the province. The provincial government is meeting for the immediate distribution of relief goods for 25,000 affected fisherfolk, Remulla said.
Meanwhile, a seven-man team of marine environment and weather experts from the US will arrive this weekend to assist the Philippines in responding to the oil spill in Manila Bay, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Experts from the US Coast Guard (USCG) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will visit the site of the oil spill in Limay, Bataan, PCG spokesman Rear Admiral Armand Balilo said yesterday.
On July 25, oil tanker Terra Nova, carrying 1.4 million liters of industrial fuel, submerged 3.6 nautical miles off Lamao Point in Limay. “They will be going to ‘ground zero’ probably on Aug. 5. If I am not mistaken, this is composed of the marine environmental protection team of the USCG and NOAA,” Balilo said. “They intend to lend their expertise on the conduct of the salvage operations,” he added. There is no information on whether the USCG would bring any equipment with them, Balilo said. “It might just be small equipment that they could use for testing,” he noted.
The experts’ presence does not mean that salvaging operations would be faster, he maintained. “They will lend their expertise, maybe in the aftermath of the oil spill and the coastal management. NOAA will advise us on the kind of weather and what would be the best strategy to apply, given the kind of weather that we have in the country. They will be the ones that could help us in these aspects,” Balilo said.
Divers of salvor Harbor Star have not yet completed the sealing and capping of all 24 valves and pipes of the 65-meter Terra Nova, according to PCG Bataan station commander Lieutenant Commander Michael John Encina. He said that a barge carrying the siphoning equipment, as well as Terra Nova’s sister ship MT Helena Marie, are already at the site.
Around 300,000 liters of industrial fuel would be transferred from Terra Nova to Helena Marie, which would be enough for the sunken ship to float and be towed to shore. The siphoning process would then continue, removing around 50,000 to 60,000 liters of industrial fuel a day. It could take seven to 10 days. As for reports that MV Mirola 1 is leaking after it ran aground in Mariveles, Bataan, Encina said Terra Nova is their primary concern. Mirola 1 is only carrying its working fuel, diesel, which dissipates on water or sunlight exposure, he noted.
Based on a GMA News Online report, the National Bureau of Investigation said Mirola 1’s crew allegedly pilfered more than 30,000 liters of diesel last year. Since Terra Nova’s oil leak has been minimal, or less than one liter per hour, Encina said that oil spill booms intended for Terra Nova had been placed around Mirola 1 as a precaution. As for MT Jason Bradley, which sank in Mariveles, Bataan, authorities are waiting for the arrival of a tugboat that would siphon 5,500 liters of diesel.
Source: philstar.com
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EU, US, UAE release aid for typhoon victims
MANILA, Philippines, August 1 —— The European Union has released 1.2 million euros or P76 million in humanitarian aid for victims of floods in Mindanao in the past month. EU Commissioner for crisis management said the funding would help address the most pressing needs of people in Mindanao that was hit the hardest. The allocation will be used to provide emergency relief to the most vulnerable families in heavily affected areas, focusing on food assistance, access to safe water and sanitation facilities and other essential services.
This new funding comes in addition to the 3.1 million euros already allocated in humanitarian assistance to the Philippines earlier this year to respond to the protracted crisis in Mindanao and to the floods that affected other parts of the island in February. The United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have also provided assistance to the Philippines for Typhoon Carina victims.
The UAE turned over its donations in a ceremony at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 on Tuesday. The donation included 2,464 packs of milk powder, wheat flour, tea powder, rice, cooking oil, red lentils, peas, dates, juice, oats, tomato paste, sugar and salt. The UAE government also provided 4,928 packs of pasta and other basic food items. Meanwhile, the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing P55 million in humanitarian aid to communities affected by widespread flooding.
Announced by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Manila on Tuesday, this assistance will address the needs of affected and vulnerable communities in Bulacan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Maguindanao del Sur, the National Capital Region and Pampanga. Through this funding, USAID, in partnership with Catholic Relief Services and Action Against Hunger, will provide families with access to food aid, hygiene kits, emergency shelter kits, clean water and one-time cash transfers that will allow them to recover from the disaster safely and with dignity. “The United States is providing $1 million to ensure life-saving assistance reaches families across the archipelago who have been devastated by severe flooding and landslides,” said USAID acting mission director Betty Chung.
Since July 16, USAID has been providing logistical assistance to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development in response to catastrophic floods and rains in Mindanao and Central Luzon. USAID also supported the International Organization for Migration in distributing 700 shelter-grade tarpaulins and the World Food Program in transporting 30,000 family food packs to communities in Mindanao.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s latest assessments, Typhoon Carina enhanced the southwest monsoon and caused heavy rainfall, massive flooding and landslides across the Philippines that killed at least 14 people and displaced more than 700,000.
Source: philstar.com
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MMDA, DPWH crafting 50-year drainage master plan
August 1 —— The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) are crafting a 50-year drainage master plan for the National Capital Region (NCR).
In a hearing of the House committee on public works and highways on Wednesday, MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said the plan includes an upgrade and expansion of the drainage network. “We need to completely rehabilitate all the internal drainage systems of Metro Manila, considering, as I mentioned, almost all of them were built during the 1970s,” Lipana said. Aside from the long-term master plan, Lipana said the MMDA will also build new pumping stations that can handle higher volumes of water during heavy rainfall or storm surges.
An additional Malabon-Navotas floodgate will be constructed to provide better control over water levels in the flood-prone areas in the two cities, according to Lipana. Lipana presented to the House panel the MMDA’s plan for flood mitigation following the recent massive flooding in Metro Manila due to the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat and Super Typhoon Carina.
The MMDA attributed the flooding to the outdated and insufficient drainage infrastructure in the region, among other factors. Meanwhile, DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the department is implementing some of the components of the World Bank-assisted master plan for the Pasig Marikina River Enhancement Flood Control Program for Metro Manila. “I was informed that in terms of percentage of the total components of the master plan, unfortunately, almost only about 30% of the total program has been implemented,” Bonoan said. “But there are projects that are still ongoing at this point. A case in point is that, as you pointed out, I think one of the major programs that could have mitigated the flooding in Metro Manila is the construction of the Marikina Dam,” he added.
On July 24, Metro Manila was placed under a state of calamity due to the massive flooding caused by Habagat and Carina.
Source: gmanetwork.com
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P45 per kilo rice to be sold in select Kadiwa Stores starting today
MANILA, August 1 —— Consumers will be able to buy well-milled rice at P45 per kilo in some Kadiwa Stores starting August 1, the Department of Agriculture said. DA Assistant Secretary Arnel De Mesa announced the official launch of the government’s Rice for All Program which aims to sell rice at prices lower than prevailing market prices. “Ang presyo, ikukumpara natin, ‘yong commercial well-milled rice na imported ay P51 to P55. ‘Yong local natin is P45 to P55. So nasa lower range tayo noongk inuya ay P45 per kilo,” De Mesa explained.
Well-milled rice priced at P45 per kilo will initially be available in four Kadiwa sites: FTI Taguig, Caloocan, Barangay Potrero in Malabon, and Bureau of Plant Industry in Manila, the DA said. Buyers are limited to 25 kilos each to avoid hoarding rice stocks. De Mesa said stocks for well-milled rice to be sold in Kadiwa sites will be from commercial stakeholders. “Could be imported, could be local depende sa mga traders na magpa-participate… Kung ano ‘yong well-milled na nakikita natin sa palengke na magandang kalse, ‘yon ‘yong well-milled for Rice for All, unlike itong P29 natin na aging NFA stocks,” De Mesa said.
The said sites will also sell premium rice at P52 per kilo. Lower rice prices are offered in Kadiwa sites as goods are directly sourced from farmers, according to De Mesa. “Wala kami ‘yong procurement. Kung baga, ano to, usapan between DA, FTI, at saka nitong mga traders. Kasi, through Kadiwa ito. Similar doon sa mga farmers natin na directly nagtitinda sa Kadiwa itong procurement. Hindi kami nag-procure ng bigas,” De Mesa said.
The schedule for selling rice with lower prices in Kadiwa sites has been moved to Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Currently, 17 Kadiwa sites offer P29 per kilo sourced from aging stocks of the National Food Authority. Rice inflation also slowed slightly to 22.5 percent in June, from 23 percent in May.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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Enrollment for SY 2024-2025 reaches 22.4M – DepEd
August 1 —— The Department of Education (DepEd) reported that the total enrollment for School Year 2024-2025 has reached 22,440,747 as of Wednesday. Of this number, 19,612,591 students are enrolled in public schools, while 2,548,838 learners are registered in private institutions. In addition, 33,798 learners are enrolled in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Local Universities and Colleges (LUCs) offering basic education, while 245,520 students are registered in the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Based on DepEd data, the elementary level has the highest enrollment with 12,386,316 students, followed by junior high school with 6,676,031 students, and senior high school with 3,132,880 learners. Across regions, Calabarzon led with 3,239,173 enrollees, followed by Central Luzon with 2,364,821, and the National Capital Region with 2,337,348. The Cordillera Administrative Region has the smallest enrollment with 366,252, followed by Mimaropa with 571,019.
DepEd has set a target of 27,722,835 enrollees for the current school year. Meanwhile, the total enrollment for SY 2023-2024 was 27,584,240.
Source: mb.com.ph
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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
‘Eat Bulaga’ celebrates 45th anniversary with assistance to flood victims
MANILA, Philippines, August 1 —— Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey De Leon answered the question as to why there was no “big venue” for Eat Bulaga’s 45th anniversary celebration during the show’s live telecast. According to “Bossing” Vic Sotto, contrary to their previous grand celebrations, they decided to do something more meaningful and help the victims devastated by Typhoon Carina than spend the special occasion in big stages like in the Philippine Arena or Mall of Asia Arena.
Vic said that they originally planned a big show, but they saw three reasons why it must be discontinued and instead, allotted the budget to a bigger cause. “Una na diyan dahil sa hamon ng panahon, mas mahalaga na magpadala tayo ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” he said. With this, the “Dabarkads” flexed nearly 15 closed vans that will deliver relief goods to the families ravaged by the typhoon in different parts of Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Vic continued with the second reason, “Isa pang dahilan. Karapat-dapat sigurong magtulungan tayo upang ibangon ang kabuhayan ng mga pamilya na gutong makaahon araw-araw.”
De Leon took the floor and announced that they would now give away bigger livelihood packages to select letter senders of their upgraded “‘Dear Eat Bulaga” segment, which was fulfilling the small requests of their viewers. As for the third and most important reason, Vic proudly presented the continuation of “EBest Scholars,” EB’s scholarship program that has helped and was still helping many Filipino students. For their 45th anniversary, they will give out another 30 scholarship grants to deserving students.
A touching moment ensued when the scholars who were helped during the Covid-19 pandemic—now professional doctors and engineers gave testimonials and expressed their gratitude to the show. Netizens showered praise to the longest-running noontime show, hoping that they will continue to help more Filipinos.
Source: manilatimes.net
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Niana Guerrero on being called a global youth icon
August 1 —— Being one of the icons for the youth, especially when it comes to dancing, is a “humbling” experience, yet a “big responsibility” for Niana Guerrero, one that she is not taking lightly. During her launch as a new endorser of a cosmetic brand, she had a brief interview with Guerrero where she expressed her gratitude for being referred to as a global youth icon. She also took the opportunity to advise fellow young ladies to make the right choices even in the face of adversities or receive criticism for expressing themselves. “It’s amazing and also humbling. I think it’s a big – great – responsibility, and it’s also an opportunity to inspire young people, which I’m very grateful for,” she expressed.
In the era where young ladies are primed for self-expression, but often get criticized for their choices, the 18-year-old content creator encouraged fellow ladies to continue choosing what’s best for them. “It’s important that you make your own choices for yourself. You can’t really win everybody. Have friends who support you in everything you do. Whatever makes you happy, at the end of the day, that’s what’s important,” said the social media star.
Guerrero rose to fame with her incredible dance covers which she posts on social media. Over the years, the young internet personality has met and collaborated with different international celebrities, including Troye Sivan, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, and Meghan Trainor, among others. As the most-followed Filipino TikToker, Guerrero has had some interesting interactions with celebrities on social media. For instance, Jungkook of K-pop sensation BTS follows her on TikTok and has praised her dancing skills, including EXO member Chanyeol. She was also almost cast as a talent by one of South Korea’s biggest agencies, SM Entertainment, the management behind many popular K-pop groups including Super Junior, Girls’ Generation, EXO, Red Velvet, and aespa, among others.
Source: inquirer.net
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G-Force’s Teacher Georcelle: Dance is beneficial
August 1 —— Georcelle also encouraged everyone to dance which she said is very beneficial. “Kaya love ko ang TikTok, hindi siya intimidating. It’s so inviting. My advice is not to be intimidated. Through TikTok, marami ang nag embrace ng dance. There’s dancing for all, and there’s also a dance studio where you can learn how to dance. “So, if your goal in dancing is to lose weight, then dance. If your goal is to be happy, then dance. If you want to become a professional dancer, do it seriously. “Dance is very beneficial. Papasayahin ka and it’s very healthy kasi gagalaw ka. And you will meet a lot of friends,” Georcelle said.
G-Force Artistic Director Georcelle Dapat-Sy is on cloud nine following the success of the G-Force Dance Project 2024, which was held at The Theater Solaire in Paranaque City on July 28. After two sold-out recitals on July 7 and 28, Georcelle announced that G-Force would be embarking on a tour in Canada and the Middle East, marking their global expansion. “We’ve been touring the Philippines. This August, pupunta naman ang G-Force sa Canada. What’s great about this tour is the Filipino touch. Whenever Filipinos see G-Force, they feel like they’re home,” Teacher Georcelle said. “Ang dami kong gustong mangyari. So we had a one-month brainstorming meeting. And we are going global. We will be in the Middle East in November.”
Georcelle also said G-Force is set to introduce swing dance among the current generation of dancers. “Nag-swing ang Gen Z (kanina sa stage). This is us introducing the movements from before. Bakit hindi natin ituro sa kanila at bigyan nila ng bagong interpretation? I recently reconnected with my first mentor, Eric Edralin. I started in this business at an early age. “Then, I started professionally at the Sharon Cuneta Show when I was 14 years old, and I reconnected with Eric Edralin. He is the choreographer of Sharon and The Penthouse Live! Pops Fernandez and Sharon Cuneta. I’m just excited that this is all happening,” she said.
Georcelle stated that G-Force is renowned for training celebrities who want to learn how to dance. “With the competitions and what we’re doing, they see G-Force in TV shows and social media, so they see G-Force as trainers of celebrities. “For you to be trained by the trainers of Kathryn Bernardo, they also want to be taught the same way kung paano tinuruan ang kanilang mga idols. Sabi nga ng ating special guest Ling Zhang sa aking mga students, lahat sila are superstars,” she said.
When G-Force began 19 years ago, the letter G in G-Force only meant Georcelle. However, it has since evolved with different meanings for the letter G in G-Force. “G was for Georcelle when we started. But now, it’s a global force. And now, with Gen Zs, it has become an operational force. Throughout the years, nag-iiba na ang meaning ng letter G.”
Source: mb.com.ph
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SPORTS NEWS
Carlo Paalam advances to boxing quarterfinals
August 1 —— Carlo Paalam came out smoking and did enough to hammer out a unanimous decision victory over Ireland’s Jude Gallagher in the men’s boxing 57-kilogram division in the Paris Olympics. Paalam advanced to the quarterfinals with the win, where he used his speed against the taller Irishman, who was surprisingly game and quick on his feet.
Both fighters willingly mixed it up in breathless exchanges and although Paalam landed huge shots, Gallagher managed to find his target every now and then. The scorecards certainly reflected the battle: Although Paalam won on all five judges’ scorecards, four judges had him ahead by just one round. The Tokyo Olympics silver medalist thus got a taste of what awaits him as he seeks another podium finish while fighting in a bigger division.
Paalam was a flyweight when he won his silver three years ago. He’s campaigning against bigger and more natural featherweights at North Paris Arena because of the condensed divisions in the boxing event. Still in the hunt along with Paalam are fellow Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas.
Source: inquirer.net
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Carlos Yulo places 12th in men’s all-around gymnastics finals
August 1 —— CARLOS Yulo ended up without a medal in the men’s individual all-around on Tuesday, but he still has plenty of reasons to be optimistic to win one, or maybe even two medals, in the coming days of the 2024 Paris Olympics artistic gymnastics competition in Bercy Arena. Yulo, as expected even by him, failed to land a podium finish by placing 12th with a total score of 83.032 after six apparatuses in the first of three final events in this Games.
Even though he came up empty handed after Tuesday’s competition, the Filipino star gymnast got a good workout ahead for his two final events in the floor exercise and vault, registering decent scores in those apparatuses. A fall in the pommel horse in his first rotation while approaching his dismount cost him a chance at an unlikely medal in the all-around won by Oka Shinnosuke of Japan. But overall, the 24-year-old Yulo had a respectable effort, atoning for his disastrous performance in Tokyo where he ranked No. 47 in the qualification and failed to advance.
During the men’s all-around final, Yulo had the fourth-best score in the vault with a 14.766, and only Jake Jarman of Great Britain (15.166) had the best tally among the gymnasts that he will be battling for a gold in the apparatus. Yulo didn’t have a clean routine in the floor exercise, and placed seventh with a score of 14.333. Jarman topped the apparatus again with 14.900, followed by Illia Kovtun of Ukraine with 14.700, and the two will face Yulo again in the final. Yulo still has time to make adjustments and clean up his routines in the coming days.
The floor exercise final will be on Saturday, while the vault is scheduled on Sunday, also at the Bercy Arena. With a score of 11.900 in the pommel horse following the fall, Yulo started at dead last among the 24 finalists but began to climb his way in the standings. Yulo did well in the rings where he had a 13.933, which eventually became the third-best score in the apparatus. He had 14.500 in the parallel bars in rotation four to move up to No. 12, while registering 13.600 in the horizontal bar.
The Filipino gymnast finished at seventh in the parallel bars and 12th in the high bar, making up for the disastrous pommel horse where he eventually ranked at 22nd. Shinnosuke got the gold with a total score of 86.832, with Zhang Boteng of China settling for a silver with 86.599. Xiao Ruoteng of China took the bronze with 86.364.
Source: spin.ph
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Hergie Bacyadan falls to China’s Li, ends Paris stint
August 1 —— The Igorot boxer had a tough challenge after all, as he was up against top seed China’s Li Qian, a silver medalist in the 2020 Tokyo Games and bronze finisher in the 2016 Rio Olympics, in the round of 16 of the women’s 75kg division at the North Paris Arena in France.
All five judges scored 30-27 in favor of Li, as Bacyadan lost via unanimous decision. Combination shots from the Chinese boxer earned her points from the judges in rounds 1 and 2, while Bacyadan could not answer back and struggled against his opponent’s jab. Bacyadan finally landed combination shots against Li in the third round — his best showing in the match — and even put the Chinese bet on the ropes, but the latter would eventually recover to conclude the quick three-round bout.
The pride of Kalinga is the second Pinoy boxer to bow out of contention in France after Eumir Marcial succumbed against Uzbekistan’s Turabek Khabibullaev in the round of 16 of the men’s 80kg division. Hope’s not all lost as Carlo Paalam takes on Jude Gallagher of Ireland in round of 16 in men’s 57kg division later today at 9:30 p.m. (Manila time).
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
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FEATURED ARTICLE
5 Tips to Save Money While Enjoying Life
Saving, spending, or both? How to effectively save money has always been a hard question to a lot of people. While #YOLO (You Only Live Once) is trends more recently on social media, we learn from books that the future depends on what we do today. Although none of us know what would happen tomorrow, we all want to secure a peaceful and carefree life in our later years. Here are some tips to save money while you enjoy life:
1. Understand family spending habits
You have to be clear about your family’s source of income. Before you decide whether to save money or to spend more, first you need to understand the spending habits of your family members. Make a plan and check how much you spend weekly. This will help you find out which expenses you overspent on to adjust your spending properly. Checking only once a month is not effective enough as it might be too late to realize if you’ve spent far more than planned.
2. Think twice before you shop
There’s nothing wrong with thinking twice before making any purchase. For instance, buying a car is not a one-off deal, especially when you choose to pay in installments. Fuel prices that go up and down, parking, maintenance fees, unpredictable expenses for repair… Are you able to handle the extra amount you have to budget for that are not included in the price tag of this new car? Think twice.
3. Learn to say “no” to unnecessary expenses
You’ll need clear short-term and long-term goals that help you allocate your expenses appropriately. For example, if you plan to send your child to study abroad, you should start reducing costly family activities such as dining out in expensive restaurants regularly, buying expensive brands… You’ll discover there are other fun choices that are more affordable like watching netflix at home and ordering food from your friends online! (#supportlocal) You may also check out this article that tells you what you can do to get most while staying at home without costing a lot. Keep your goal in mind, and you’ll be able to manage your expense within the budget by making these small changes in life.
4. Savings for each specific goal
In addition to a general savings plan, there are options like buying savings insurance or setting up multiple savings accounts that help you with your different goals. Every month, you deposit a certain amount of savings into the fund and the money will grow over time. Remember that you can start a separate plan for each of your specific goals. For example, an account to spend for traveling in Europe, an account to save for child education… By doing this you are making sure you don’t miss any of your goals, and that you will be able to keep track of the progress you make.
5. Plan for incurred expenses
This sounds contradictory, but it’s essential. To manage your family finance effectively, you set aside an amount for expenses incurred during the month. Calculate and keep your compulsory expenses such as electricity and water bills in record. After deducting your compulsory expense and your saving goal from the overall income, you’ll have an idea of how much you could spend at most for the month. If you already have an amount of money to spend, you won’t need to touch the savings in your account.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about tips to save money, it’s time to take action! Pay a little more attention to your daily habit and start with making small changes. Sit down, spend some time to plan ahead taking both your earnings and spendings into account.
Source: www.manulife.com.ph
