Good day. Here are the stories of The Manila Times for Saturday, December 31, 2022, New Year's Eve.
READ: Private sector eyed for airport rehab
THE government will tap the private sector to help in the expansion, operation and maintenance of regional airports throughout the country. At least 10 regional airports are being eyed to be upgraded, expanded and operated under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme. The projects include Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental, Panglao-Bohol International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Davao International Airport, Bacolod-Silay Airport, Busuanga Airport in Coron, Puerto Princesa International Airport and Kalibo International Airport.
READ: PH eyes to boost trade with China
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) aims to enhance the country's bilateral trade with China. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s state visit to China early next year is a recognition that it is an important trading and investment partner of the Philippines, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said in a statement. Despite soaring Covid-19 cases in China, the President will still push through with his state visit to Beijing next week, from January 3 to 5. The state visit is upon the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
READ: Added Covid protocols for foreign tourists sought
SEN. Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros urged the government to impose added layers of health security and safety protocols for foreign tourists amid the spike in Covid-19 cases abroad. The senator said the government should come up with such protocols before President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. leaves for China next week for a three-day state visit. She called on the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to immediately "assess and update our color-coded travel restrictions" amid the expected influx of tourists. Malacañang should also study different ways to ensure the safety of the Filipino people, the senator said.
READ: Nearly 1,700 journalists killed in 20 years – report
NEARLY 1,700 journalists have been killed worldwide over the past 20 years, an average of more than 80 a year, with the Philippines the fourth deadliest country, according to an analysis published by Reporters Without Borders. The two decades between 2003 and 2022 were "especially deadly decades for those in the service of the right to inform," said the Paris-based media rights campaigners. Iraq and Syria were the most dangerous countries to work as a journalist, accounting for "a combined total of 578 journalists killed in the past 20 years, or more than a third of the worldwide total," RSF said. They are followed by Mexico (125 killed), the Philippines (107), Pakistan (93), Afghanistan (81) and Somalia (78). The "darkest years" were 2012 and 2013, "due in large measure to the war in Syria." There were 144 killings in 2012 and 142 the year after, the report said. This peak was "followed by a gradual fall and then historically low figures from 2019 onwards."
BUSINESS: PH Q3 net external liability up $30.1B
Topping business, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) announced that the country's net international investment position registered a net liability position of $30.1 billion as of the period ending in September 2022, 8 percent higher than the $27.9 billion recorded in end-June 2022. This development was driven mainly by the 3.5-percent contraction in the country's total external financial assets, which outpaced the 2.3-percent decline in its total external financial liabilities. As of end-September 2022, total outstanding external financial assets stood at $221.5 billion, while total outstanding external financial liabilities amounted to $251.6 billion. The contraction in the country's stock of external financial assets quarter on quarter was attributed primarily to the decline in reserve assets held by the BSP and other investments.
SPORTS: Magnolia taps McCree as import
In sports, Magnolia coach Chito Victolero said the Hotshots are bringing in European League veteran Eric McCree as their import for the PBA Governors' Cup, which is set to start some time in January 2023. A standout of Louisiana Tech, the 29-year-old American had a brief stint with the Utah Jazz in the 2017-18 NBA season. He played for the Sioux Falls Skyforce and Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League before toiling overseas with stops in Italy, France, Denmark, Greece and Japan. Given his vast experience in European leagues, Victolero believes the former Murray State and Louisiana Tech alum can fit into the team's system.
Antonio Contreras, Yen Makabenta and Danton Remoto are today's front page columnists. Contreras shares his 2023 wish list, Makabenta analyzes the problems with China's zero-Covid policy while Remoto discusses his English translation of the Amado V. Hernandez novel, The Preying Birds.
Today's editorial welcomes the privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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On behalf of The Manila Times, this is Aric John Sy Cua reporting. Have a safe New Year weekend.