Tag: PNA.gov.ph

Australia’s Mileham and Philippines’ Burgos win 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship elite titles

Australia’s Mileham and Philippines’ Burgos win 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship elite titles

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This past weekend at the New Clark City Sports Complex in Pampanga, Samuel Mileham of Australia and Erika Burgos of the Philippines won the elite titles of the 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship (also referred to as Asian Duathlon Championship), according to a sports news report published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news report. Some parts in boldface…

Australian Samuel Mileham topped the men’s elite category of the 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championships at New Clark City Sports Complex here Sunday.

The 25-year-old native of Perth finished the 10K (run)-40K (bike)-5K (run) race in 1 hour, 53 minutes and 7 seconds.

“I’m lucky to be given the opportunity to join this competition and I’m happy I won,” said the 6-foot-1 Mileham, who finished second behind Uzbekistan’s Ayan Beisenbayev during the 2022 edition of the tournament in Bahrain.

Bahrain’s Moussa Karich settled for the silver medal with a time of 1:54:49, improving on his fourth-place finish last year.

“This is my first tournament after my injury so I’m satisfied with my performance,” Karich said, referring to (his) previous back problem.

Mileham and Karich are setting their sights on the 2024 World Triathlon Multisport Championship scheduled Aug. 15 to 25 in Townsville, a coastal city in northeastern Queensland, Australia.

“Yes, it would be nice to win again,” Mileham, a duathlete for 13 years now, said.

Mileham’s teammate, Matt Smith, grabbed the bronze medal in 1:55:19.

Cambodian Mickael Chaumond (1:55:37) and Japanese Fumiya Tanaka (1:55:47), ranked fourth and fifth, respectively.

Philippine team members Raymund Torio and John Chicano also made it to the top 10 of the tournament organized by the Triathlon Philippines (TriPhil) headed by Ramon Marchan.

Torio (1:56:05) placed sixth, while the two-time Southeast Asian Games champion Chicano (1:56:46) was 10th among 22 entries.

“I’m glad because God gave me the chance to be the No. 1 Filipino finisher in this race,” said the 35-year-old Torio, who was born and raised in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini (Iran) clocked 1:56:30 for seventh place, Saud Alzaabi (United Arab Emirates) was eighth in 1:56:36, and Edward Langdon (Australia) ninth in 1:56:37.

Meanwhile, the Philippines had a 1-2 finish in the women’s elite category.

Erika Burgos bagged the gold medal in 2:17:48 while Merry Joy Trupa took the silver in 2:18:55.

Indonesians Maharani Azhri Wahyuningtyas (2:21:30), Zahra Bulan (2:23:28), and Eva Desiana (2:24:25) placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

The 2023 Asia Triathlon Duathlon Championship was organized by Triathlon Philippines (formerly Triathlon Association of the Philippines) in cooperation with BCDA and NCC. Sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission, Asian Center for Insulation, Gatorade – our official hydration partner, Standard Insurance, Fitbar and Medical City Clark.

For future events and key updates from Triathlon Philippines visit https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

America-Philippines nuclear deal opens opportunities for investments and energy

America-Philippines nuclear deal opens opportunities for investments and energy

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Recently a landmark deal about nuclear power for peaceful purposes was signed between the United States of America and the Philippines which opens up opportunities for investments and energy that the Filipino people can benefit from, according to separate news stories (click here and here) published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things into perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA story pertaining to investments. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday (Manila time) expressed elation over the signing of the much-awaited “123 Agreement” on nuclear cooperation between the governments of the Philippines and the United States.

This was after Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken signed the nuclear cooperation agreement that will facilitate the collaboration between the two countries on technical exchanges, scientific research, and initiatives to ensure the safe operation of nuclear power installations.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Marcos’ participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco, California.

“I am most pleased to be here today to join you this afternoon to witness another milestone towards a more energy-secure and green Philippines,” Marcos said, noting that the move was in line with his plans to ensure an “affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy supply” for the Philippines.

Marcos expressed optimism that the signing of the nuclear deal would encourage more foreign investors to pursue nuclear power projects in the Philippines.

The nuclear power cooperation, he said, would enable the country to meet its growing energy demands and provide a “more investor- and consumer-friendly environment.”

“The signing of the Philippines – United States Agreement for Cooperation Concerning Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy or the 123 Agreement is the first major step in this major regard, taking our cooperation on capacity-building further and actually opening the doors for US companies to invest and participate in nuclear power projects in the country,” Marcos said.

The 123 Agreement will establish a legal framework that allows the export of nuclear fuel, reactors, equipment, and special nuclear material from the US to the Philippines.

The agreement will allow the Philippines to use US nuclear technology, not for war, but for energy security and climate goals.

The President noted that apart from the 123 nuclear deal, Meralco and Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. also signed a cooperation agreement to undertake a Pre-Feasibility Study on Micro-Modular Reactors (MMRs) to explore clean and sustainable energy options in the country.

Under the agreement, a feasibility study will be conducted for the potential deployment of MMRs to Meralco sites to enforce the sustainable energy agenda and provide affordable and dependable access to power, particularly to the underserved and off-grid areas for economic empowerment.

“I know our companies are eager to advance discussions on potential projects. Just yesterday, the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between Meralco and Ultra Safe Nuclear Cooperation was also presented to me. So, I believe congratulations are in order for the work of our respective negotiating teams, especially to the team from the United States,” Marcos said.

“I look forward to seeing this agreement in action in the years to come. Nuclear energy is one area where we can show that the Philippines-US alliance and partnership truly works, for our peoples, our economies, and the environment.”

For the PNA story pertaining to energy and modular reactors, below is the excerpt. Some parts in boldface…

The historic nuclear cooperation deal between the United States and Philippines would allow the Philippines to secure US-developed nuclear technologies, including small modular reactors.

Manila and Washington D.C. signed the civil nuclear cooperation deal, commonly known as a 123 Agreement, at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in San Francisco on Nov. 16 (US time).

The agreement will facilitate and enhance cooperation on clean energy security and strengthen the two nations’ alliance, the US State Department said.

“With access to US material and equipment, the US and the Philippines will be able to work together to deploy advanced new technologies, including small modular reactors, to support climate goals as well as critical energy security and baseload power needs within the Philippines,” it said.

The signing marks the successful culmination of the negotiation process launched by Vice President Kamala Harris during her trip to the Philippines in November 2022.

The deal, the State Department said, also spells out limitations on enriching, reprocessing, and transferring specific items without the other party’s consent.

“This agreement lays out a comprehensive framework for peaceful nuclear cooperation between the Philippines and United States based on a mutual commitment to nuclear nonproliferation and is required by US law to allow for the transfer of nuclear equipment and material for peaceful uses,” it said.

The name 123 Agreement is derived from Section 123 of the US Atomic Energy Act, which requires the US to have an agreement with a country before it can conduct nuclear export.

Section 123 establishes nine nonproliferation criteria that 123 Agreements must include and signatories must uphold.

Last May, US nuclear energy firm NuScale Power Corporation has expressed interest to invest in the Philippines and bared its plan to conduct a study to locate a site in the country.

Oregon-based NuScale is known for developing a small nuclear power system, described as safe, modular and scalable.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about these recent developments? Can you imagine what a nuclear-powered Philippines would be like in the years to come? Are there still people in your local community who are afraid of anything related to nuclear power? Do you admire the efforts of the Marcos administration when it comes to modernizing the Philippines with nuclear technology and power?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

President Marcos tells American business community that Philippines is ready to take off as Asia’s leading investment destination

President Marcos tells American business community that Philippines is ready to take off as Asia’s leading investment destination

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Recently in the United States, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., met with members of the American business community and enticed them to invest in the Philippines stating that a wealth of opportunity awaits them and the country is set to take off as a major Asian investment destination, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is all set to become the “leading” investment destination in Asia, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Thursday (Manila time).

“With a solid reform agenda and unabating growth amid headwinds, the Philippines is ready to take off as a leading investment hub in Asia,” Marcos said during the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in San Francisco, California, as he enticed the business community in the United States (US) to invest in the Philippines.

“A wealth of opportunity awaits you in the Philippines, and we are ready to explore new horizons with your investments in the coming years,” he added.

Marcos assured the US businesses of a favorable business environment in the Philippines, adding that his administration is committed to promoting high-value investments.

He said an influx of highly-desirable investments in strategic sectors of the Philippine economy is expected, considering the amendments to the Public Service Act, Foreign Investments Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Renewable Energy Act.

He noted that the government has also introduced reforms to the Philippines’ fiscal incentives structure through the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act to attract both domestic and global firms to invest in strategically important sectors.

“Investments in rural areas and highly-advanced and technology-enabled projects and activities are given top priority and, consequently, greater and longer incentives,” Marcos said.

“Investments in the digital space are also highly prioritized. Incentives are given to projects covering research and development and those adopting advanced digital production technologies such as, for example, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, data analytics, cloud computing, and nanotechnology,” he added.

Marcos said the public-private partnerships (PPP) framework has also been modified to simplify the approval processes, ensure the viability and bankability of PPP projects, cut red tape, and pave the way for quality infrastructure development.

“These reforms support the Philippines’ massive infrastructure drive. We are prioritizing the implementation of 197 infrastructure flagship projects worth around USD155 billion, with a sharp focus on upgrading physical and digital connectivity, water, agriculture, health, transport, and energy,” he said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think a huge amount of investments from American businesses into the Philippines will be realized in due time? What do you think the government should do to keep attracting more foreign investors as the Philippines is now in the post-pandemic age?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Muntinlupa City Government congratulates local resident Napolis for winning 2023 World Combat Games women’s jiu-jitsu gold medal

Muntinlupa City Government congratulates local resident Napolis for winning 2023 World Combat Games women’s jiu-jitsu gold medal

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Recently, the City Government of Muntinlupa congratulated local resident Kaila Napolis for winning the 52Kg women’s jiu-jitsu gold medal in the 2023 World Combat Games that took place in Saudi Arabia.

The congratulatory message was done through the City Government’s official Facebook page on October 28 with a picture post. For the newcomers reading this, this is not the first time Napolis made big achievements in international sports events and has been congratulated by the City Government before (read my past blog posts by clicking here, here, here and here).

From the official Facebook page of Muntinlupa City.

Napolis is a resident of Barangay Poblacion. The full details of her latest achievement can be read in the Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) sports news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news article. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines claimed its first gold medal in the 2023 World Combat Games following the triumph of ju-jitsu fighter Kaila Jenna Napolis at the King Saud University Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

“It’s my first time to qualify in such an event. It feels surreal to be able to get a gold medal especially here in the World Combat Games,” the 25-year-old Napolis told the Philippine News Agency on Thursday.

She scored a 2-0 victory over Anael Pannetier of France in the final of the women’s -52kg Ne-Waza.

“She looks intimidating by her stance and she’s a bit bigger than me so I’m very nervous going into the match. I feel like throwing up but I had to focus and give it my all because it is finals already,” shared Napolis, who defeated Adriana Cruz of Colombia, 6-0, in the quarterfinal and Mongljin Ganbaatar of Mongolia via submission in the semifinal.

“When I stepped on the mat, my mind was cleared already. I just wanna execute my techniques first and have a very good control on her,” added the 2023 Cambodia SEA Games gold medalist and Hangzhou Asian Games silver medalist.

Napolis was grateful to national coach John Baylon for accompanying her in the tournament.

“It’s my first time to travel alone without a teammate so I’m super thankful to coach John for helping me with the training here, assisting me with the schedules, being my corner man and masseur,” said Napolis, a member of the Paranaque-based Checkmat Manila Club headed by coach Manny Jimenez.

“Kaila deserved the gold medal, she trained hard and came here prepared,” said Baylon, a nine-time judo gold medalist in the SEA Games. He also competed in the 1988 (Seoul) and 1992 (Barcelona) Olympics.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? If you are a resident of Muntinlupa City, are you very delighted to learn about the latest gold medal victory of Napolis? Does Napolis inspire people in your local community to engage in sports competitions?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

PNP and COMELEC formally sign data sharing agreement related to BSKE

PNP and COMELEC formally sign data sharing agreement related to BSKE

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With the anticipated Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) all set for October 30, 2023 (a declared non-working day), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) recently signed a formal agreement on data sharing related to the said elections, according to a news article published by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine National Police (PNP) entered into a data sharing agreement (DSA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure the integrity and transparency of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., director for operations Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco and Comelec officials led by Chairperson George Garcia, Commissioner Nelson Celis and Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. graced the signing rites at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday, the PNP said in a news release Tuesday.

The pact grants Comelec access to the PNP’s Election Monitoring Systems and subsystems and outlines specific areas of collaboration aimed at bolstering the electoral process, pursuant to Republic Act 10173 or the Data Privacy Act.

Key components include access to the PNP Personnel Deployment, Surrendered Firearms, Voting Center Assistance, Election Status, Candidates, Party-lists, Voting Center, Treasurer’s Office, Unlawful Election Materials, Gun Ban Details, Violations thereof, and other critical data related to the elections.

The agreement also allows access to various subsystems within the PNP Election Monitoring System including geo-tagging for vote-buying, a separate subsystem for vote-buying, and another for Task Force Kontra Fake News, following the Comelec’s specifications.

“We will make a difference in ensuring that the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections of 2023 serve as a shining example of democracy in action,” Acorda said.

He also urged the public to trust the electoral process, assuring them that all measures are being taken to guarantee a smooth, secure, and credible BSKE 2023.

“Suffrage is more than just voting; it represents the heart of democracy. It gives individuals the power to shape their nation and participate in its governance. The BSKE is an integral part of our electoral system, providing a platform for citizens to exercise this valued right,” Acorda said.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What do you think about this recent development? Do you think the data sharing agreement between the COMELEC and the PNP will help preserve the integrity of the BSKE?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

AFP says Communist insurgents have been greatly weakened

AFP says Communist insurgents have been greatly weakened

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Let’s be clear here – the Left is inherently evil. That being said, we should focus on the current state of conflict between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Left as the military announced recently that the Communists have been greatly weakened during the first eight months of this year, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

The New People’s Army (NPA) and its allies have been greatly weakened after suffering heavy losses from January to August this year, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said Thursday.

In a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (FOCAP), Brawner said the AFP has neutralized 2,658 NPA members and their supporters from Jan. 1 to Aug. 17 this year.

Of this number, 124 were killed during encounters with military forces, while 87 were arrested and 2,447 surrendered to the government, he said.

“As far as the communist terrorist group is concerned, we are again happy to report that we have already neutralized most of the guerrilla fronts operating in the country. We have weakened a lot of them and there are now just a few armed elements operating in the country,” Brawner said.

With these constant losses, he said, they are seeing a “downward trend of the number of communist coddlers” caused by the neutralization of many of their ranking leaders.

“We are very happy because since last year, with the neutralization of their top, their key leaders, we have seen a widespread surrender of fighters, and also with the death of (Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria) ‘Joma’ Sison, now we see that they (are) losing the ideology,” Brawner said.

“And with this decline, many of the surviving NPAs could be just classified as bandits as they are engaged in extortion rackets.”

He noted the possibility of the AFP “neutralizing” the NPA by the end of the year.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the Satanic Left here in the Philippines are still a threat to your family and your local community? Are there many Leftists living in your local community right now? Are you aware that mainstream news outlets like CNN, The New York Times and MSNBC all emphasize Leftist concepts in their so-called news reports? Are you aware that Democrats in America are inspiring young Filipinos to become socialists, Marxists, Communists, SJWs, homosexuals and terrorist supporters?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

October 30 a special non-working day for BSKE

October 30 a special non-working day for BSKE

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October 30, 2023 (Monday) has officially been declared a special non-working day which would give people an advantage when it comes to voting in the much-anticipated Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) that day, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) report.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has declared Oct. 30, a Monday, a special non-working day to allow Filipinos to cast their votes in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.

“It is imperative that the people be given the full opportunity to participate in the said elections and exercise their right of suffrage,” according to his proclamation, which was made public on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court has greenlighted the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to proceed with the conduct of the BSKE scheduled on Oct. 30, 2023, as previously provided for under Republic Act (RA) 11935.

RA 11935, signed by Marcos on Oct. 10 last year, moves the holding of BSKE from Dec. 5, 2023 to the last Monday of October 2023.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Will you be voting in the BSKE on October 30? How many people in your local community expressed willingness to vote on October 30?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Remolino and Ellis rule elite contests of National Age Group Aquathlon 2023 at Vermosa

Remolino and Ellis rule elite contests of National Age Group Aquathlon 2023 at Vermosa

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Yesterday at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite, Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) medalists Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu and Kira Ellis of Laguna topped the elite contests of the National Age Group Aquathlon 2023 event, according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) sports news article.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA sports news report. Some parts in boldface…

Andrew Kim Remolino of Cebu and Kira Ellis of Laguna emerged champions in the elite category of the National Age Group Aquathlon at the Vermosa Sports Hub in Cavite on Sunday.

Remolino, a silver medalist in the Cambodia Southeast Asian Games last May, clocked 16 minutes and 20 seconds in the 500-meter swim/2.5-km run event to beat fellow Cebuanos Matthew Justine Hermosa (16:26) and Joshua Ramos (16:41).

Ellis registered 16:58 to claim the gold medal in the women’s division of the event organized by the Triathlon Association of the Philippines, headed by Ramon Marchan, and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.

Cebuanos Raven Faith Alcoseba (17:34) and Karen Manayon (18:02) bagged the silver and bronze medals, respectively.

The top three finishers in the men’s 16-19 category were Daniel Nazarro (17:32), Johnwayne Ybanez (17:50) and AJ Caoile (18:02), while in the women’s division were Diana Victoria Seda-Lomboy (19:30), Juliana Laine Lagula (21:29) and Naomi Felicity (21:55).

In the youth 13-15 category (300-m swim/2.5-km run), Darell Johnson Bada of Olongapo City won the boys’ division in 14 minutes. Peter Sancho Del Rosario was second in 14:01 while Euan Arrow Ramos was third in 14:14.

Eleora Caelle Avanzado topped the girls’ division, crossing the finish line with a time of 16:30 followed by Maria Zabelle Eugenio (16:41) and Yvaine Osias (16:45).

For future events, race results and key updates from the Triathlon Association of the Philippines (TRAP), visit https://www.facebook.com/TriPhil. For future events and the newest updates about Vermosa, visit  https://www.facebook.com/VermosaPH

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

For more South Metro Manila community news and developments, come back here soon. Also say NO to fake news, NO to irresponsible journalism, NO to misinformation, NO to plagiarists, NO to reckless publishers and NO to sinister propaganda when it comes to news and developments. For South Metro Manila community developments, member engagements, commerce and other relevant updates, join the growing South Metro Manila Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/342183059992673

DTI says cash aid and price monitoring related to rice to continue

DTI says cash aid and price monitoring related to rice to continue

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Recently President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., lifted the mandatory price caps on rice (regular milled and well-milled specifically). Even though this has happened, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) confirmed that cash aid and price monitoring will still continue, according to a news article by the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news article. Some parts in boldface…

Financial aid distribution to rice retailers and monitoring of rice prices will continue despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s announcement Wednesday about the lifting of the price cap on regular and well-milled rice.

Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, in a press conference in Makati City Wednesday, said the government will still release the financial aid to small retailers selling the said rice varieties who have not received the PHP15,000 cash assistance.

As of Sept. 29, the government, through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), has released a total of PHP217.2 million under the Sustainable Livelihood Program-Economic Relief Subsidy to 14,480 out of the 19,685 targeted rice retailers nationwide.

DTI has helped the DSWD in identifying, profiling, and validating the beneficiaries of the cash aid.

Since Executive Order 39, which set price ceilings of PHP41 per kilo for regular-milled rice and PHP45 a kilo for well-milled rice, took effect last September 5, the Trade Chief said the compliance rate of retailers nationwide was high at 81.46 percent as of Sept.28.

“There’s (a) good number of sellers selling within those price(s),” Pascual said, adding that prices of these rice varieties in Regions 2 (Cagayan Valley) and 3 (Central Luzon), the country’s rice granary, are even lower at around PHP38 per kilo.

He noted that since rice is being produced in these regions, logistics costs are much lower.

Fair Trade and Enforcement Bureau (FTEB) Director Fhillip Sawali, during the same briefing, also assured that DTI will continue monitoring rice prices, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, despite the lifting of the price cap on rice.

“We will see the full force of the market because the PHP41 and PHP45 (price caps) are no longer mandated,” he said.

“There is a continuing role for the DTI to play post-EO 39” since there is a need to “see if they (rice traders) continue to follow or nearing their prices at PHP41 and PHP45,” he added.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there will be drastic changes happening with the prices of rice grain sold in markets here in the Philippines? How much did you spend on rice grain in recent times?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Philippine economic growth for 2023 could hit 5.5%

Philippine economic growth for 2023 could hit 5.5%

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In the views of the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), the economy of the Philippines could grow by 5.5% for the year, according to a news article by Philippine News Agency (PNA). 2023 has been an economically challenging year and many anticipated that the national economy won’t grow as high as it did in 2022.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the PNA news report. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippine economy is projected to grow by 5.5 percent this year, driven by the growth in government spending, a report released by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P) said.

In the September issue of The Market Call released on Wednesday, FMIC and UA&P said Philippine economic growth in the third quarter of the year will likely reach 5.0 to 5.2 percent.

For the fourth quarter of this year, FMIC and UA&P project the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6 percent.

This would bring the full year GDP growth to 5.5 percent which is slightly below the government’s 6 to 7 percent target for this year.

“Despite the weak July-August, we think the NG will accelerate further its spending on infrastructure and transportation for the rest of the year, and employment will have strong rebound in September,” the report said.

The Philippine economy grew by 4.3 percent in the second quarter of this year. During the quarter, government expenditure contracted by 7.1 percent.

FMIC and UA&P however expect government spending to accelerate in the second half of the year.

“National Government took up the slack in July spending as it ramped up expenditures by 16.2 percent year-on-year in July through higher social protection and infrastructure outlays,” the report said.

Aside from government spending, FMIC and UA&P also expect manufacturing and construction to drive growth.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think the national economy can do better than the 5.5% growth foreseen by the First Metro Investment Corporation (FMIC) and the University of the Asia and the Pacific (UA&P)?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at  @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco