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Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022.
READ: PH signs defense, job deals with Singapore
THE Philippines on Wednesday forged defense, security and employment agreements with Singapore to further boost its intelligence gathering, data privacy capacity building and counterterrorism efforts within and outside its borders, Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said. The agreements were signed in the presence of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Shien Loong. One deal signed will enable the government to deploy a team to the regional counterterrorism information facility in Singapore. A memorandum of understanding for personal data protection was also signed, as well as an agreement in the field of digital cooperation between the Department of Information Communications and Technology (DICT) and the Ministry of Communications and Information of Singapore. A deal to develop the New Clark City through technology transfer and partnerships in urban and smart city solutions was also signed and seen to further boost trade and investment flows. Both parties are also working to expand their existing bilateral Air Transport Agreement, a move seen to increase connectivity and opportunities for growth.
READ: 25 MT of garlic in Batanes unsold
AT least 25 metric tons (MT) of garlic in Batanes could rot if these were not sold immediately, the provincial government said. In an interview with The Manila Times, Batanes Provincial Agriculture Officer Cesar Justallero said that only 25 MT of the 50 MT of garlic harvest in the province were sold and the remaining half is in warehouses. The retail price of garlic was pegged at P120 per kilo. Earlier, the DA reported a shortage in the garlic supply in the country, saying for 2022, the agency expects at least 63,000 MT of deficit in the agriculture commodity. During the hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, the DA said that the total garlic supply for 2022 was pegged at 82,950 MT. Based on the daily market monitoring of the DA, the retail price of imported garlic in Metro Manila ranges from P100 to P160 per kilo.
READ: DepEd to find ways to help private schools
AS it gears for recovery from the impact of the pandemic, the Department of Education (DepEd) is reviewing the K to 12 curriculum to ensure graduates of the program are competent and employable, Education spokesman Michael Poa said during The Manila Times education forum "After modules and modems: Education Revolution" held on Wednesday. The review aims to decongest the learning competencies and focus on the most essential learning areas of Mathematics, Science, English and Literacy. The other initiatives of DepEd to address learning recovery include psychosocial support activities, reading intervention, and remediation measures across schools. These initiatives will be done using the strategic framework from the Basic Education Development Plan 2030.
READ: PopCom: 2021 deadliest year ever
THE country reported more than 879,000 deaths in 2021, considered to be the deadliest year in its history, the Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) said. In its annual report on causes of death, the Philippine Statistics Authority said that the 879,429 deaths reported last year was higher than the 613,936 reported in 2020, representing a 43 percent increase. This is equivalent to over 2,000 deaths per day. It also eclipsed the 2019 record for the highest number of mortalities in a 12-month period, which was at 620,414, or an average of 1,700 deaths per day. PopCom said that in "normal years" the rise in the number of deaths was only around 1 to 5 percent.
READ: Aguilar named TMTC vice president for administration
THE Manila Times College (TMTC) appointed Jerry Aguilar, PhD as its vice president for administration and marketing. Aguilar brings with him a wealth of experience in the fields of education, marketing and administration. He served as vice president for marketing and academic support at the Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities. He joined the academe in 1995 as administrative officer of Southville International School and Colleges. Aguilar finished his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Accounting at the Philippine Christian University. He earned his Master in Business Administration from the same school. Last year, he completed an online professional development on College-Going Identity and Student Success from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.
Topping Business
READ: PH to outperform regional peers
PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said the Philippine economy is expected to outperform its regional peers. During the Philippine Economic Briefing in Singapore, President Marcos said his administration is committed to establishing an even more competitive business climate conducive to high-value investments. The President said more investments translate to more jobs and a better life for all Filipinos, adding that the Philippines is on a steady path to a strong recovery from the pandemic and robust economic expansion.President Marcos said the Philippines is implementing an eight-point socioeconomic agenda that underscores that commitment through broad-based job creation, expansion of the digital infrastructure and promotion of research across the country.
In Sports
READ: PH Blu Boys claim World Cup berth
THE Philippine men's baseball team accomplished its mission in Japan as the Blu Boys claimed a berth for the 2022 World Cup.
The Philippines booked a ticket to the Men's Softball World Cup slated in Auckland, New Zealand from November 26 to December 4 after reaching the finals against Japan in the Asian Qualifying Tournament. The Blu Boys, however, bowed to top seed Japan, 2-9, in the final match on Tuesday, September 6. Reaching the finals was not easy as the Blu Boys only finished second to Singapore in Group B but bounced back to make the championship round. It was the 9th time of 11 tries that the Philippines has qualified to the World Cup where its best finish was fourth place way back in 1968.
READ: Jabeur, Garcia reach US Open semis
Tunisia's Ons Jabeur became the first African woman in history to reach the semifinals of the US Open on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) as France's Caroline Garcia ended the hopes of American teenager Coco Gauff to advance to the last four. Jabeur, who also claimed a notable first in July as the first woman from Africa to reach the final at Wimbledon, scored a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic. The 28-year-old will now face Garcia in the semifinals after the in-form 17th seed dispatched the 18-year-old Gauff 6-3, 6-4 in Tuesday's other quarterfinal. Tomljanovic had landed in the quarterfinals after a run which included a third round victory over Serena Williams, in what was most likely the 23-time Grand Slam champion's final singles match before retirement.
The Times, in its Editorial, asks should the ERC be abolished? Read the full version on print, digital edition or listen to The Voice of the Times.
Featured columnists on the front page are Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto. Contreras writes about the House of gaffes; Makabenta says the Blue ribbon panel cannot compel the Executive Secretaru to testify without the President's consent; and Remoto on the deep dive in Bohol and Negros Oriental.
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This is Pete Llevares reporting.