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PwC’s expansion to create thousands of Jobs in the PH, bolstering BPO and Tech Sectors

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WASHINGTON, D.C.–Acknowledging the continued confidence of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Fred Pascual welcomed PwC Philippines’ planned Global Acceleration Center project, set to generate at least 5,000 new jobs for Filipinos. This meeting was one of the DTI chief’s sideline engagements during the US-Ja-pan-Philippines trilateral meeting in the United States on April 12.


The PwC Global Acceleration Center in the Philippines underscores the country’s growing role as a prime destination for innovative business process outsourcing (BPO) operations.
The project will focus on high-value BPO in consulting spaces, including artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and cybersecurity, slated to create 54,000 new jobs within a three- to four-year timeframe.


An additional 1,000 to 2,000 workers are also projected by Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network, to support the manpower needed for the project, translating to an estimated PHP 2 billion in additional revenue for the Philippines annually.

PwC’s decision to launch this new project in the Philippines and their continuing confidence in our country as a global BPO partner,” Secretary Pascual stated.
He emphasized the critical role of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector for the Philippines, aligning with the Technology, Media, and Telecommunications Cluster identified in DTI’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) industrial strategy.


“The DTI recognizes the transformative potential of AI for the Philippine economy. Hence, we strongly advocate for building AI capabilities to meet the evolving needs of businesses, such as PwC’s Global Acceleration Center,” he added. The Secretary also extended an invitation for PwC to collaborate with DTI for the National Innovation Hub.
In encouraging PwC to support the government’s workforce development programs aimed at further enhancing the skills of Filipinos, Secretary Pascual reiterated that the DTI and its agencies stand as steadfast partners to PwC and are fully dedicated to bolstering the company’s business growth in the Philippines.| – BALIKAS News

Steam-driven eruption naitala sa Bulkang Taal

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TALISAY, Batangas – MULING nagtala ng steam-driven ophreatic eruption ang main cra-ter ng Bulkang Taal nitong Bi-yernes ng umaga, Abril 12, ayon sa ulat ng Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phi-volcs).


Sa ipinalabas na anunsyo ng ahensya, naitala umano ang pag-putok mula alas-5:11 hanggang alas 5:24 ng umaga at nagbuga ng may hanggang 2,400 metrong taas ng plume.


Ito marahil ay bunga ng pat-uloy na pagbubuga ng mainit na volcanic gases sa main crater ng Bulkang Taal, at maari ring sun-dan pa ng mas malalakas na phre-atic activity, ayon pa sa. advisory ng PHIVOLCS.

Sa mga nakalipas na araw mula pa noong Enero 2024, pat-uloy na nakakapagtala ng pag-bubuga ng sulfur dioxide (SO2) ang Bulkang Taal, sa average na 10,248 tons kada araw. Nitong Huwebes, ang SO2 emission ay naitala sa average na 9,677 tons.


Magkagayunpaman, sinabi ng Phivolcs na ang ipinakikitang abnormalidad ng bulkan, mag-ing ang unti-unting pagbaba-gong-anyo ng lupa sa isla ng bul-kan ay hindi pa nagpapahiwatig ng pagkakaroon ng mas malakas na pagputok ng bulkan.


Dahil dito, nananatili pa rin sa Alert Level 1 ang bulkan. Maaari pa ring magkaroon ng biglaang pagputok at pagbubuga ng pyro-clastic materials, magkaroon ng ashfall at iba pang debris sa mga lugar na malapit sa Taal Volcano Island (TVI), o sa kabuuan ng per-manent danger zone.


Patuloy rin ang banta ng pag-buga ng makapal na abo at sodium dioxide na malaking banta naman sa kalusugan ng mga komunidad sa palibot ng Taal Caldera.
Dahil dito ay muling nagpaa-laala ang Phivolcs na mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang pagpunta sa pulo ng bulkan, lalo’t higit sa bis-inidad ng Main Crater at Daang Kastila.
Pinaaalalahanan din ang mga local na pamahalaan na patuloy na magmonitor sa kanilang mga nasasakupan lao na sa kalalagay-ang pangkalusugan ng mga mam-amayan.
Pinaaalalahanan din ang mga piloto na iwasang dumaan malapit sa tapat ng bulkan upang maiwan ang mga peligrong dala ng biglaang pagbuga ng abo at ballistic fragments dulot ng pag-putok ng bulkan.


Samantala, nanawagan naman ang Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) ng Batangas sa publiko na maging mapagmatyag.
“There is no indication of eruption… the eruption this morning did not involve magma although there is still another pos-sibility that it will happen again. With this development, everyone must be very vigilant,” pahayag ni PDRRMO head Dr. Amor Ca-layan.| – Joenald Medina Rayos

Boracay readies security, safety measures for tourists this summer

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ILOILO CITY – The Malay local government has activated its municipal incident management team to monitor tourist arrivals in Boracay Island this summer.

“In terms of preparation, we consider our peace and order and security, medical and emergency preparedness, as well as our solid waste management. So far, we are in place already,” Malay chief tourism operations officer Felix delos Santos Jr. said on Monday.

Delos Santos said that for this summer, among the big events they are preparing are Love Boracay and a series of international events, sports tourism, and beach activities that are expected to usher more tourists to the island.

Love Boracay is the biggest and most highly anticipated annual party season on the island, emphasizing environmental conservation through a series of activities from April 26 to May 1.

In the last week of April, there are two international events –the beach volleyball and dragon boat competitions.

While they have no target number of arrivals, delos Santos said based on the pre-pandemic data, it could reach a total of 200,000 during the summer months of April to May.

“We consider that as the super peak,” he said.

Meanwhile, during the Holy Week, the tourism office recorded 56,134 tourist arrivals, the highest on Maundy Thursday with 13,898. This was a bit lower compared with last year’s 62,241 arrivals, of which over 16,000 was during Maundy Thursday.

While lower than last year, delos Santos said the arrivals were highest compared with the pre-pandemic period, especially in 2019.

“Today, the PNP (Philippine National Police) declared that we are generally peaceful and have zero incidents. So thank you for coming to Boracay, but this is also an invitation for them to come back,” he added.

After the pandemic, around 70 percent of the arrivals are domestic, and 30 percent are foreign tourists, delos Santos said.|– Jean Malanum / pna

Rising temperatures heighten health risks, experts warn

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ISTANBUL – Rising temperatures associated with climate change are leading to more diseases transmitted by animals and longer periods of seasonal illnesses such as the flu, according to experts.

Dr. Emine Didem Evci Kiraz of Adnan Menderes University Medical School in Aydin, Türkiye said rising temperatures could lead to significant increases in the effects from ultraviolet radiation from the sun, changes in food and water quality-related diseases, infectious disease agents and their transmissions, animal-derived diseases, and mental health issues.

She also highlighted the potential emergence of new diseases, underscoring the vulnerability of our health to climate change.

Kiraz said the average body temperature for a human ranges from 36.1°C (96.7F) to 37.8 °C (100F), with mechanisms such as sweating and heat transfer in place to maintain it.

Increased temperatures stress the heart and blood vessels, cause fluid loss in tissues and cells, and affect kidney function, she said.

Stressing the potential development of metabolic syndromes and disruptions in organ balance under stress, Kiraz warned of emergencies such as drops in blood pressure and sudden fainting due to heat.

Prolonged heat and water loss can render a person immobile and lead to death, she added, while sudden heat waves can also cause mental health issues, violence, and unsafe behavior.

Kiraz highlighted that temperatures around 37 °C provide a conducive environment for rapid bacterial growth, making the body more vulnerable to unhygienic conditions and increasing the risk of food and waterborne diseases.

Climate change-induced events like floods and power outages can exacerbate water and foodborne illnesses and increase food poisoning cases.

On animals transmitting new diseases and infections due to climate change, Kiraz mentioned the rise in diseases such as arboviruses, dengue fever, Chikungunya fever, and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever.

Kiraz stressed the need not to overlook the impact of climate change on diseases like allergies and asthma, citing events such as air pollution, floods, wildfires, and dust storms that can alter pollen structure and increase disease-causing factors, leading to higher frequencies of conditions like asthma, rhinosinusitis, COPD, and respiratory infections due to extended pollen seasons.|Anadolu

Batangas City waste diversion increases,ENRO aims more through initiatives

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By Caleb James Baldo, Herleen Cagatulla, & Janessa Xylene Macaraig

Proclamation 1482, s. 2008 was signed into law as a declaration of the year 2008 as the “Year of Planet Earth” and April as the “Earth Month”. With its 16th year anniversary, Batangas City Environmental and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO) prepared activities and events for the upcoming Earth Month 2024 with the theme “Planet vs. Plastics”.

Importance of Proclamation 1482, s. 2008 as legal basis. Proclamation 1482 s. 2008 states the willingness of the Philippines to be part of promoting greater public awareness and understanding of the essence of earth sciences in changing the quality of life of Filipinos.

By this, it requires the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other Local Government Units (LGUs), Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other civic and religion organization to supervise the implementation of the proclamation and to conduct activities that will highlight the promotion of its goals.

Environmental Code of Batangas City. In line with this, Batangas City Government promulgated Ordinance No. 16, s. 2010 which aims to lessen the use of plastic in establishments, communities and of the different concerned Batangueños.

This ordinance also aims to regulate the waste generation of Batangas City that has reached 167 metric tons of waste per day, or about 0.50 kilograms per capita.
Currently, Batangas City has been making improvements since this code was implemented.
Waste diversion rate from 2021 to 2023 has an increase of 5.33% (from 60.86% to 66.19%). This is the result of the local government efforts of diverting and redirecting waste from landfills through reusing and recycling.

“… sa Batangas City is hindi na pwede ang plastics, so lower waste generation every year since bawal na nga yung plastics sa Batangas City. So far, since 2010 nga yung batas namin, 2024 na ngayon, so far naman, na-achieve naman namin yung goal. Tuloy tuloy lang..” said Ms. Julie Ann Kay Aguba, Project Development Coordinator of City ENRO, as she explained the status of Batangas City in lowering waste generation.

Batangas City past initiatives for Earth Month
“So, we do coastal clean ups, city- wide clean up, and information dissemination especially on climate change and solid waste management.” as Ms. Aguba highlighted different events they have conducted for the past years.

Batangas City Government conducts different activities to reach their goal in different sectors of their communities. Their events are tailored-fit to the theme and the needs/trends of the community of that specific year.

In 2015, themed “It’s Our Turn To Lead”, Batangas City ENRO launched “Bike for the Earth”,
which is a Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) bike ride conducted by the City
Government of Batangas in partnership with the USAID – B-LEADERS Project.

Additionally in 2019, themed “Protect Our Species”, one of the highlights of their events is the launching of Bantay Ilog Calumpang Movement (BICMOVE) which aims to rehabilitate and protect the Calumpang River.

What to look forward this Earth Month 2024 . Now, as the month of April has already started, Batangas City ENRO has different events prepared for the Batangueños. Ms Aguba as she stated the event highlight that will take place this April.

Through the exhibit, Batangas City ENRO will let the Batangueños know the current situation of the environment of their community since the pandemic. Other than the exhibit, Batangas City ENRO will also conduct a city-wide clean-up.

Call for Participation of people of Batangas City. As stated in the Environmental Code of Batangas City “people of Batangas City put high premium value on environment and natural resources as a pillar of community development;”, the government of Batangas emphasized the crucial role of people to this event.

“…kase every year na lang cine-celebrate sya, so titignan mo yung naging impact ng ginawa mo last year, crucial talaga sya.” Ms. Aguba as she pointed out the importance of celebrating Earth Month and the importance of Batangas City people participation.
This year’s Earth Month celebration with the theme “Planet vs. Plastics”, Batangas City
Government will also focus on the implementation of the environmental code and will further oversee the effectiveness of the said ordinance.|

#EtoNaNga | Vice Mayor Junjun Trinidad, bukas tumakbong City Mayor ng Tanauan City

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Balikas Online
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SI Vice Mayor Junjun Trinidad habang kinakapanayam nina Joenald M. Rayos at Edgar Rodelas ng Balikas News.| - Kuha ni Jayson Aguilon

#EtoNaNga Posibleng magbagong linya ng paglilingkod sa bayan si Vice Mayor Herminigildo ‘Junjun’ Trinidad Jr. mula sa lehislatibo patungo sa ehekutibo sa susunod na hallan.

Kaugnay nito, inihayag ng bise alkalde na bukas siya sa hamon para sa mas mataas na antas ng paglilingkod kaya inihayag niya ang posibleng pagtakbo bilang City Mayor ng Lungsod ng Tanauan sa 2025 elections.

Narito ang ating eksklusibong panayam kay Vice Mayor Trinidad:

Para kay Atty. Junjun Trinidad, maging sinuman ang kaniyang makaka-tandem, hindi niya ikinokonsidera sa kaniyang desisyon kung sino ang makakalaban, kundi tanging ang hangaring maitaas pa ang antas ng paglilingkod sa mga Tanaueño.

At #ItoAngBalita

#EtoNaNga – Presyo ng produktong petrolyo, muling magtataas

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MULING magtataas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo ngayong papasok na linggo, ayon sa pagtaya ng Department of Energy.

#EtoNaNga – Palyadong supply ng kuryente sa Lobo, isinisisi sa BATELEC II

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NAGPATAWAG ng emergency stakeholders meeting ang pamahalaang lokal ng Lobo, Batangas kaugnay ng palyadong serbisyo ng kuryente noong nakaraang Mahal na Araw.| Larawang kuha ni LObo Public Information Office

LOBO, Batangas — UMALMA ang daan-daang mga negosyo, beach resorts at kabahayan sa Lobo, Batangas matapos na maperwisyo ng paulit-ulit na brownout noong nakaraang Semana Santa. Inireklamo ng mga taga-Lobo at maging ng lokal na pamahalaan nito ang anila’y palyadong serbisyo ng BATELEC II (Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc.) sa kanilang lugar na nagdulot ng perwisyo hindi lamang sa pamumuhay ng mga residente kundi maging sa lokal na ekonomiya ng Lobo.

Ayon sa mga residente at negosyante, pinaghandaan nila ang Semana Santa lalo na at dagsa ang mga turista sa lugar sa ganoong panahon. Isa sa mga paghahanda ng halos 200 na resorts sa bayan upang salubungin ang estimated na 200,000 na turista sa Semana Santa ay ang pakikipag-usap mismo sa BATELEC II upang masiguro ang sapat na supply ng kuryente at maiwasan ang brownout na makakapagdulot ng abala sa mga bakasyunista.

Ayon kay Vanessa Mae Castillo, Lobo Senior Tourism Officer, nakipagpulong ang Lobo Tourism Office at Lobo Resort Owners and Caretakers Association (LOROCA) sa BATELEC II upang masiguro na stable ang power supply sa panahong maraming mga turista at maiwasan ang kadalasang pagkawala ng kuryente sa lugar. Isinangguni diumano ng BATELEC II sa mga resort owners na bumili ng transformers sa kanila upang makasiguro ng sapat na supply ng kuryente at sinunod naman ito ng mayorya.

Sa serye nang pakikipagpulong sa BATELEC II, siniguro ng Lobo LGU (local government unit) kung mayroon pang ibang kakailanganin at sinabi naman diumano ng kooperatiba na wala nang iba pa at makakaasa ang mga tao ng sapat na supply.

Ayon kay Castillo, hindi natupad ng BATELEC II ang pangako dahil Lunes pa lang ng Semana Santa ay nagkaroon na ng rotational brownout sa mga barangay at nagtuloy-tuloy ang sitwasyon na ito sa buong Semana Santa.

Dahil dito, pinutol agad ng maraming customers at turista ang kanilang bakasyon sa Lobo, Batangas at humingi ang mga ito ng refunds sa mga resorts. Hindi na muna tumanggap ng bagong mga bisita at bookings ang mga resorts noong Semana Santa matapos ang insidente. Nakatanggap din ng maraming negatibong komento sa social media pages ng mga resort at tourism group pages ang naganap sa Lobo, Batangas. Ikinabahala ito ng mga resort owners dahil maaaring maapektuhan nito ang mga parating na bookings at negosyo para sa kanila.

Sinabi ni Neri G. Amparo ng LDRRMO (Lobo Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) II na lubusang naapektuhan din ang water supply sa lugar na nakaasa sa kuryente dahil sa sunod-sunod na power outages.

Nagpatawag ang Lobo LGU ng emergency meeting sa BATELEC II noong Biyernes Santo at dito na diumano sinisi ng BATELEC II ang mga resort owners na hindi kumuha ng transformers at idinahilan pa na nasa “dulo ng Batangas” ang Lobo kaya’t hindi nila ito mabigyan ng sapat na kuryente.

Idiniin ni Amparo na hindi tumupad ang BATELEC II sa ipinangakong supply ng kuryente at hindi rin umano nito naayos ang problema.

Matatandaan na nagpadala na ng liham noong nakaraaang taon si Lobo Municipal Mayor Lota L. Manalo kay ERC (Energy Regulatory Commission) Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta upang humiling ng imbestigasyon tungkol sa operasyon ng BATELEC II. Isinaad din sa malaman na liham ang palpak na serbisyo nito dahil sa palagiang brownout, mga walang babala o anunsyo nang matagal na pagkawala ng kuryente, biglaang voltage fluctuations na nakakasira ng mga appliances at ang mga reklamo at apela na hindi umano binigyan ng atensyon ng BATELEC II.

Humingi na rin ng tulong si Lobo Mayor Manalo sa pamunuan ng Meralco upang magbigay ng supply ng kuryente sa bayan. Sinagot naman ito ng Meralco sa pamamagitan ng dayalogo kasama ang LGU tungkol sa supply at distribusyon ng kuryente sa bayan.| – Marlon Luistro

DOST, DOE forge partnership to expedite Renewable Energy Trust Fund project implementation

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THE Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Energy (DOE) have officially sealed a collaborative agreement on the implementation of the Renewable Energy Trust Fund (RETF) projects.

The establishment of the RETF is mandated by Section 28 of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008, with the primary objective of fostering the greater utilization of renewable energy sources. Since its inception, the RETF has gained momentum, particularly with the issuance of Department Circular No. DC2022-06-0018, which provided the essential guidelines and procedures for the fund sourcing, accounting, and audit processes.

The RETF, administered by the DOE, has commenced collection from various sources, including a percentage of the net annual income of institutions such as the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Despite the potential for other fund sources as outlined in the Renewable Energy Act and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, the DOE has so far collected primarily from the aforementioned sources, amassing a balance of Php 209,984,504.22.

To expedite the operationalization of the RETF and ensure its objectives are met, the DOST and DOE have entered into MOA detailing areas of cooperation and mechanisms for fund utilization. The partnership will leverage DOST’s expertise in science, technology, and innovation to drive the development and adoption of renewable energy solutions. Through this collaboration, the parties aim to conduct scientific studies, demonstrate cutting-edge technologies, and pilot test innovative approaches that will propel the renewable energy sector forward.

During the signing ceremony, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the shared commitment of both agencies to advance renewable energy initiatives. Secretary Solidum emphasized DOST’s dedication to supporting research and development endeavors that will shape the future of the Philippine innovation system, underscoring the Department’s unwavering commitment to providing solutions and opening opportunities. Meanwhile, DOE Secretary Raphael Perpetuo Lotilla affirmed DOE’s commitment to providing full cooperation with DOST.

With this milestone collaboration between DOST and DOE, stakeholders in the renewable energy sector can anticipate accelerated progress towards a sustainable and energy-efficient future for the Philippines.|

Banggaan ng barge at MV FastCat M19 sa Isla Verde, sinisiyasat ng PCG

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Balikas Online
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INIIMBESTIGAHAN ngayon ng Philippine Coast Guard sa utos ni Commandant CG Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, ang insidente ng banggaan ng isang pampasaherong fastcraft at isang barge sa laot ng Barangay San Agapito, Isla Verde, Batangas City nitong Miyerkules ng madaling-araw.

Sa ulat ng PCG Station sa Batangas City, nabatid na naglalayag ang MV Fastcat M19 sa layong dalawang milya mula sa Brgy. San Agapito nang makabangga nito ang Barge Krizza Rica, na hinihila ng Motor Tug Migi na may 17 tripulante.

Lulan ng MV Fastcat M19 ang 47 tripulante, 41 pasahero mula sa Port of Batangas at patungong Port of Calapan (Oriental Mindoro) samantalang kargado naman ng 300 sakong semento ang barge na galing sa Port of Calaca (Batangas) at patungong Semirara Island sa Caluya, Antique.

Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, hindi pa mabatid kung aling sasakyang pandagat ang may pagkakamali sa naturang insidente.

Bunga ng naturang banggaan, nagkasira ang hulihang bahagi ng kamarote (passenger deck starboard) ng MV Fastcat M19, samantalang nagkaroon din naman ng galos o scratches ang pruwa (port bow) ng Barge Krizza Rica.

Ayon kay CG Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, tagapagsalita ng PCG, isang lalaking pasahero ng MV Fastcat M19 na 26 taong gulang at residente ng Santa Fe, Romblon, ang nagtamo ng hiwa sa gawing itaas ng kanang mata at galos sa may itaas ng kanang nguso.

Kasunod nito, ipinag-utos ng PCG na humimpil muna sa Calapan Anchorage Area ang Barge Krizza Rica  habang isinasagawa ang iba pang imbestigasyon.

Samantala, lahat naman ng pasahero ng MV Fastcat M19 ay ligtas na nakababa sa Port of Calapan.

Patuloy na sisinsagawa ng PCG Southern Tagalog ang karagdagang imbestigasyon sa insidente samantalang wala namang naiulat na oil spill sa lugar na pinangyarihan ng insidente.| – Joenald Medina Rayos

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BALIKAS NEWS NETWORK (BNN) is a growing mass media company in the Philippines with editorial and business office in Batangas City. BNN is enagged in both print and online platforms. It's weekly newspaper, Pahayagang Balikas, is now on its 26th year of circulation in Southern Luzon provinces; while its online news and information portal, Balikas.net has been on the net since 2015. Soon, the BNN will serve the Mimaropa provinces via The Mimaropa News.
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