Day: April 6, 2024

CEBU CITY: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is now giving Cebu’s provincial government full authority to implement the Metro Cebu Expressway (MCE) project through a public-private partnership scheme.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia on Saturday announced that the agency has delisted the MCE project from its Priority Infrastructure Flagship Programs (IFPs)/ Public Investment Program and is formally turning it over to the provincial government.

A letter was sent to Garcia, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Arsenio Balisacan, and Public-Private Partnership Center (PPPC) Executive Director Ma. Cynthia Hernandez, stating that the DPWH is ‘fully supporting Cebu province in its bid to lead the completion of the MCE project through available means, such as a Capitol-led public-private partnership.’

‘This is to respectfully inform (you) that the Department (DPWH) is delisting the MCE project from the list of Priority Infrastructure Flagship Programs (IFPs) / Public Investment Progr
am (PIP),’ DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan said in his letter.

Garcia said the development would pave the way for the Provincial Economic Enterprise Council, which she chairs, to start welcoming proposals from the private sector interested in the Metro Cebu Expressway construction.

Lawyer Arjay Peralta, of the DPWH Public-Private Partnership Service Office based in Manila, said the agency would still assist the province.

He added there is no need for the provincial government to concur with the agency before it begins the project.

‘The participation of the local government is very important in the sense that on their own, they can ask for investors or they can look for any proponents who want to implement this project,’ Peralta said.

The Metro Cebu Expressway is a PHP94 billion infrastructure project covering 56.9 km. stretching from Naga City to Danao City, an alternative route to escape heavy traffic along main roads in the metropolis.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ISTANBUL: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) food price index rose 1.3 points, or 1.1 percent, to 118.3 points in March compared to February, increasing for the first time after a seven-month downward trend.

According to the FAO’s press release on Friday, the increase in food prices was driven mainly by vegetable oils, dairy products, and meat.

Meanwhile, the index posted an annual decline of 9.9 points, or 7.7 percent, in March, despite the monthly overall rise.

The cereal price index fell 2.6 percent to 110.8 points from February and 20 percent from March 2023.

The index for vegetable oil rose 8 percent to 130.6 points in March month on month.

In its sixth consecutive monthly increase, the dairy price index increased 2.9 percent to 124.2 points in March from February.

The meat price index was up by 1.7 percent to 113 points, its second consecutive monthly increase.

The sugar price index went down 5.4 percent to 133.1 points from February to March but rose 4.8 percent from March 2023.

So
urce: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Princess Superal is excited to be back on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour (LPGT), joining a highly competitive field in the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship set to be held at the Caliraya Springs Golf Club in Cavinti, Laguna on April 9.

Also competing in the event, which offers PHP1 million in cash prizes, are LPGT leg winners Sarah Ababa and Harmie Constantino, along with Lois Kaye Go and Mafy Singson, Chihiro Ikeda, Florence Bisera, Marvi Monsalve, Annika Cedo, Velinda Vestil, Rev Alcantara, and the multi-titled Chanelle Avaricio.

Superal said she is more focused on improving her driving technique than the results.

‘The goal is always to win. But since I am working on my long game, I want to focus first on the process more than the results,’ said the 2014 US Girls’ Junior Championship winner.

Under the guidance of swing coach Bong Lopez at Manila Southwoods, Superal has prepared herself for the tough challenge ahead in Caliraya.

‘I play four times a week, then practice at the range and work
on my short game,’ shared Superal, who will resume her campaign at the Japan Step Up Tour next month.

Superal is the first amateur to win an LPGT event at John Hay in 2013.

Her last title victory in the circuit was at Eagle Ridge in 2021. The following year, she lost the Hallow Ridge title to Avaricio in sudden death.

Superal also won the 2022 Asia Pacific Cup in Indonesia, upstaging the likes of major winners So Yeon Ryu and Hyo Joo Kim of Korea and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the adoption and implementation of the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 to strengthen the security and resilience of Philippine cyberspace.

Under Executive Order (EO) 58 inked by Marcos on April 4, the NCSP 2023-2028 crafted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will serve as a ‘whole-of-nation roadmap for the integrated development and strategic direction of the country’s cybersecurity.’

EO 58 mandates all national government agencies and instrumentalities to formulate, adopt and implement their cybersecurity plans and strategies that are relevant to their respective mandates, in accordance with the NCSP 2023-2028.

Local government units (LGUs) are encouraged to do the same.

‘Pursuant to its mandate under Section 15 of RA (Republic Act) 10844, the DICT formulated the National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028, which outlines the country’s policy direction and provides operational guidelines towards a trust
ed, secured, and resilient cyberspace for every Filipino,’ the EO reads.

‘It is imperative for all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities, and local government units, to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028,’ it added.

The DICT is directed to adopt a system for the effective implementation, monitoring, and review of the NCSP 2023-2028, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations.

EO 58 also orders the DICT to cooperate with the private sector in providing the necessary technical assistance to other government agencies and offices for the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028.

According to the EO, the DICT must submit to the President, through the Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee, a bi-annual report on the status and progress of the implementation of the NCSP 2023-2028.

The budget needed for the implementation of EO 58 will be charged against current and available appropriations of
concerned agencies, subject to pertinent budgeting, accounting, and auditing laws, rules and regulations.

The funding requirements necessary for the continued implementation of the order will be included in the General Appropriations Act, subject to the usual budget preparation process.

The strengthening of security and resilience of the country’s cyberspace is one of the key strategies to ensure safety and security in cyber and physical spaces under the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028.

A copy of EO 58 was released on Saturday. The order takes effect immediately upon the document’s publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Saturday disclosed that Fastboxph would dispatch another batch of Philippine mangoes to Australia this month.

The move further highlights the trade relations between the two nations, according to Trade Secretary Frederico Pascual.

In a press release, Pascual noted that trade levels between the two nations have soared beyond pre-pandemic figures.

In 2023 alone, their trade volume surged to USD4.1 billion, representing a 20 percent increase from the previous year’s USD3.4 billion.

“The continued growth in our bilateral trade underscores the vast potential for our products in the Australian market. The successful export of our mangoes exemplifies the significant strides we’re making in facilitating agricultural trade, which is pivotal for our economic agenda,’ Pascual said.

FastboxPH, the logistics firm entrusted with the recent mango shipment, reported a surge in demand within the Australian market, attributing it to the unparalleled taste and quality o
f Philippine mangoes.

With Philippine mango exports to Australia adhering to stringent biosecurity regulations, and successfully navigating documentation and inspection procedures, FastboxPH said it is poised to expand its presence across Australia.

The company aims to establish partnerships with additional retailers and distributors nationwide, ensuring wider accessibility of Philippine mangoes to Australian consumers.

Source: Philippines News Agency

WASHINGTON: A briefing in the UN Security Council came to a brief halt when an earthquake struck the eastern US on Friday.

Janti Soeripto, president of Save the Children US, was addressing a council meeting on the situation in the Middle East when a 4.8 magnitude earthquake shook the northeastern US states of New Jersey and New York.

Sitting next to Soeripto, Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour quipped: ‘You’re making the ground shake.’

Soeripto told the council that in the conflict, 14,000 children have been “needlessly and violently” killed, and thousands more are missing, presumed buried under the rubble.

“If I were to sit here and read the name and age of every Israeli and Palestinian child who has died on and since Oct. 7, it would take me over 18 hours,’ she added.

Following the meeting, Soeripto said the earthquake may have disrupted her remarks at the council.

‘But what I called for is far from earth-shattering. On behalf of all children in Gaza, I demanded action. The world has the tools to addr
ess this crisis. It merely lacks the political will to use them,’ she said on X.

The epicenter of the 4.8-magnitude earthquake was registered in New Jersey’s Hunterdon County, just west of the island of Manhattan where the UN’s New York headquarters is located.

No casualties or damage have been reported so far.

Source: Philippines News Agency