Good day. Here are the top stories of The Manila Times for Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023.
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READ: US revives Pacific airfield
IN the middle of the Pacific ocean, an abandoned US airfield once key to dropping the nuclear bomb on Japan — and nearly lost to history amid encroaching forest — is being revived. But as the Americans hack away at the jungle overgrowth at Tinian Island airfield and other old, World War 2-era bases across the region, it won't be with Japan on their mind. Rather, it's Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific that is spurring the recovery of a slew of abandoned runways on the 40-square-mile (100-square-kilometer) speck of land that makes up Tinian, part of the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands. But Washington's plans for what officials have described as "an extensive" facility on Tinian comes amid a serious military pivot to the Pacific in recent years — and as China builds its own new bases in the region, including in disputed waters. Tinian's old military airfield "has extensive pavement underneath the overgrown jungle. We'll be clearing that jungle out between now and summertime," Air Force General Kenneth Wilsbach recently told Japanese outlet Nikkei Asia. Meanwhile, military projects for "fuel and airfield development" at the island's nearby civilian airport are already underway, according to the Pacaf spokesman.
READ: Marcos speeds up Marawi rehab
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has institutionalized the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City to reduce delays caused by government bureaucracy, Malacañang said on Saturday. The President, through Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, signed on December 22 Administrative Order (AO) 14 streamlining the functions of government agencies involved in the recovery, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in order to speed up the implementation of programs in the city and other affected areas. Improving bureaucratic efficiency is one of the key pillars of the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028 and the Eight-Point Socioeconomic Agenda of the administration. Under AO 14, Marcos ordered all government agencies involved to expedite and ensure the completion of the projects and activities in coordination with the concerned local government units. The President ordered Task Force Bangon Marawi (TFBM), which oversaw the progress and completion of several programs and activities under the Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program, to wind up its operations on Dec. 31, 2023, and shall be deemed "functus officio" by March 31, 2024.
READ: Lack of funds leave endangered species in limbo
SINCE the passage of the Endangered Species Act 50 years ago, more than 1,700 plants, mammals, fish, insects and other species in the US have been listed as threatened or endangered with extinction. Yet federal government data reveals striking disparities in how much money is allocated to save various biological kingdoms. Of the roughly $1.2 billion a year spent on endangered and threatened species, about half goes toward recovery of just two types of fish: salmon and steelhead trout along the West Coast. Tens of millions of dollars go to other widely known animals including manatees, right whales, grizzly bears and spotted owls. But the large sums directed toward a handful of species means others have gone neglected, in some cases for decades, as they teeter on potential extinction. At the bottom of the spending list is the tiny Virginia fringed mountain snail, which had $100 spent on its behalf in 2020, according to the most recent data available. The underground-dwelling snail has been seen only once in the past 35 years, yet it remains a step ahead of more than 200 imperiled plants, animals, fish and other creatures that had nothing spent on their behalf. With climate change increasing threats to organisms around the planet and adding to the number that qualify for protection under the Endangered Species Act, government officials are struggling in many cases to execute recovery actions required under the law. Some scientists even argue for spending less on costly efforts that may not work and putting the money toward species with less expensive recovery plans that have languished.
READ: Bill seeks to protect workers vs AI 'threat'
QUEZON CITY 1st District Rep. Juan Carlos "Arjo" Atayde has filed a bill seeking to protect workers against displacement amid the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. Atayde filed House Bill 9448 on Nov. 7, 2023. Section 5 of HB 9448 states that "the use of Al and automation technologies to replace human workers resulting in displacement, loss of security of tenure, diminution of existing salaries or benefits, or unemployment is hereby prohibited unless an equivalent alternative employ Section 7 of the bill states, "This Act shall not apply to industries or positions where AI and automation technologies are deemed necessary for safety, efficiency, or the overall benefit of society, provided that appropriate measures are taken to mitigate job displacement. Also, Section 5 of the bill prohibits employers and recruitment entities from using AI or automated systems as their only or primary basis in hiring and terminating employees.
Topping Sunday Business & IT
READ: Top trends in customer data, engagement
EMPLOYEES' data literacy and consumer data privacy education will set the foundation for navigating Asia-Pacific's increasingly data-driven business landscape. Data privacy and compliance will become a shared responsibility across departments and teams, as evolving regulatory standards necessitate organizations to constantly balance data-driven strategies with ethical considerations. Businesses in the Philippines may need to work harder to build trust among customers, especially as 55 percent of Filipino marketers report reluctance from customers to share personal data with brands. Embodying a commitment to privacy while fostering trust among consumers, 2024 will see a renewed focus on transparency around data collection, use and sharing, holding organizations more accountable than ever before.
In Sports
READ: Orlando surprises New York
FRANZ Wagner had 32 points and nine rebounds, Paolo Banchero added 29 points and 10 rebounds and the Orlando Magic held off the New York Knicks 117-108 on Friday (Saturday in Manila). Jalen Suggs had 21 points and six assists before a franchise-record home crowd of 19,587. Wagner also had nine steals. Julius Randle had 38 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in New York's third loss in four games. Jalen Brunson added 20 points and eight assists, but shot 4 for 15 and missed all four of his 3-points shots. Both teams struggled from 3-point range, with New York shooting 6 for 30 and Orlando 7 for 33.
READ: Opinion/Editorial
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