Good day. Here are the stories for The Manila Times for Friday, August 25, 2023.
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READ: Marcos pitches for federalism
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the Philippines has taken the "first step" toward a federal form of government that would make the country's political structure "more stable." In his speech during the oath-taking ceremony of new members of his political party, Partido Federal ng Pilipinas in Malacañang, the President said the seemingly federal setup will continue by bringing more power centers to other parts of the country.
READ: Japan releases wastewater into Pacific Ocean
JAPAN began releasing wastewater from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean on Thursday, prompting a furious China to ban all seafood imports from its neighbor. The start of the discharge of around 540 Olympic swimming pools' worth of water over several decades is a big step in decommissioning the still highly dangerous site, 12 years after one of the world's worst nuclear accidents. Live video provided by plant operator Tepco showed two engineers clicking on computer mouses and an official saying — after a countdown — that the "valves near the seawater transport pumps are opening." Japan has repeatedly insisted the wastewater is treated and will be harmless; a position backed by the United Nations atomic watchdog the International Atomic Energy Agency.
READ: House terminates DMW budget briefing
THE House Committee on Appropriations has terminated the briefing on the budget of the Department of Migrant Workers out of respect to its head, Secretary Maria Susana "Toots" Ople, who died on Tuesday. House Minority Leader and 4P's party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan moved to terminate the hearings so that the officers of the D.M.W. can attend the necrological services of Ople, which was seconded by the members of the committee. D.M.W. Undersecretary Maria Antonette Velasco-Alones fought back tears during her presentation of the department's budget for 2024.
READ: Gilas opens World Cup quest vs Dominican Republic
AFTER over two months of preparation, Gilas Pilipinas begins its FIBA World Cup quest by taking on the Dominican Republic tonight, August 25, before an expected record crowd at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. National coach Chot Reyes refused to speculate on the chance that Gilas Pilipinas could post an upset against the KarlAnthony Towns-led team that shocked World Cup title favorite Canada, 94-88, in their final buildup for the tournament in Granada, Spain. The Dominicanos also gave world No. 1 Spain a scare before eventually dropping an 86-77 decision a few days later.
READ: Like father, like son: Marcos makes FIBA toss
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will do what his father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., did 45 years ago: toss the ball at the FIBA World Cup. The President will attend the opening of the biggest basketball spectacle today, August 25, at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan. His father graced the opening ceremonies in 1978 when the country first hosted the games. Then known as the FIBA World Championship, Marcos Sr. did the ceremonial toss for the openers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Marcos Jr. was then 20 years old. During the courtesy call of the members of the FIBA Central Board and delegates from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas in Malacañang in April, the President said he was excited to "reenact" his father's ceremonial jump ball toss.
SPORTS: 1978 PH team invited at World Cup opening
THE Philippine national team that participated in the 1978 FIBA World Championship may have ended the tournament without a win, but no one will ever dispute how hard the players fought for glory in front of their countrymen. Culled from different MICAA teams, the team was led by skipper Alex Clariño. The offense was to come from Ramon Cruz, Leopoldo "Pol" Herrera, and Federico "Bokyo" Lauchengco of Frigidaire, and Steve Watson and Bernardo "Joy" Carpio of Crispa Shirt Factory. For the opening day of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on August 25, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president and head of the local organizing committee for the tournament, Alfredo S. Panlilio, personally invited the members of the 1978 fighting World Championship R.P. Team to be present at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, to witness the opening game of this year's edition of National Team players, Gilas Pilipinas.
BUSINESS: Solar manufacturing seen boosting economy
Over to business, scaling up solar photovoltaic manufacturing could lead to substantial economic and social gains for the Philippines, the Asian Development Bank said on Thursday. The Philippines, in particular, could see a $100 to $175 million "uplift" to the gross domestic product by 2030 should the country decide to push the development of solar P.V. manufacturing. The goal should be establishing 3 to 5 gigawatts of scaled module assembly facilities, with approximately 50 percent of output used to meet domestic demand, at a cost of $150 to $250 million over three to five years. Three to 5 gigawatts will be enough to achieve economies of scale alongside skills transfer and workforce training to ensure operational excellence, the A.D.B. said. Of the $100 to $175 million contribution to G.D.P., $115 million will be direct, $23 to $43 million will be indirect and $13 to $20 million induced, the lender said. Moreover, around 8,000 to 12,000 jobs are expected to be created, 4,000 to 7,000 of which would be direct, 3,000 indirect and 1,000 to 2,000 induced. The A.D.B. explained the types of impact as direct or from construction, equipment purchase and operations; indirect via supply chains, with the potential impact higher the more localized the supply chain is; and induced with increased spending driven by income changes of employees in the value chain. Cost savings from operational improvements, meanwhile, could hit $100 to $140 million per year for the country. The A.D.B. noted that building domestic demand would help provide stability for the industry and cited the Philippines' success in building its semiconductor sector.
READ: Opinion and editorial
Rigoberto Tiglao and Francisco Tatad are today's front page columnists. Tiglao wants Filipinos to move on from the Ayungin Shoal incident, while Tatad discusses the recent trilateral meet among Seoul, Tokyo, and Washington at Camp David.
Today's editorial discusses the upcoming FIBA World Cup. Read the full version in the paper's opinion section or listen to the Voice of the Times.
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