Philippine Team Hauls Silver, Bronze at Prestigious International Math Olympiad

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippine contingent to the 60th International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) claimed an impressive win as all six members of the team won a medal in the oldest and most prestigious of the international scientific olympiads.

The national team held strong by bringing home one silver and five bronzes against more than 600 other contestants in the competition held in Bath, United Kingdom from July 11-22, 2019.

This is only the second time, after the 58th IMO in 2017, that all six representatives won a medal. The Philippines also ranked 31st out of 112 countries, up from last year’s 38th out of 107 countries.

Leading the medal haul is Sean Anderson Ty of Zamboanga Chong Hua High School who nabbed a Silver Medal. This is his second medal in the IMO, following a Bronze in 2017 and an Honorable Mention in 2018.

Math whiz Andres Rico Gonzales III of De La Salle University Integrated School secured a Bronze Medal on his second IMO. He received an Honorable Mention in 2018.

The rest of the team, all first-timers, also won Bronze Medals: Immanuel Josiah Balete of St Stephen’s High School, Vincent Dela Cruz of Valenzuela City School of Mathematics and Science, Dion Stephan Ong of Ateneo de Manila Senior High School, and 2019 Philippine Mathematical Olympiad Champion Bryce Ainsley Sanchez of Grace Christian College.

The competition at the University of Bath saw contestants attempt to solve individually six challenging and original problems for a total of 9 hours spread over the two official days of competition. Each country can send at most only 6 contestants. Medals are then awarded to students based on the individual scores they earned from their written solutions. A non-medalist who completely solves one problem is awarded an Honorable Mention. This year, only six students were able to get the perfect score of 42.

The team arrived from Bath, United Kingdom on Wednesday, July 24, 2019 with Team Leader Dr. Richard Eden and Deputy Leader Dr. Christian Paul Chan Shio, both of Ateneo de Manila University, and Trainer Mr. Russelle Guadalupe of the University of the Philippines – Diliman who guided the students in the competition.

Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) Director, Dr. Josette Biyo, congratulated the team for maintaining Team Philippines’ winning streak in the IMO. “This is a huge victory for the country, knowing how difficult it is to get a medal in the IMO. But we are more awed by the fact that most of the participants are first-timers and still managed to seize this incredible achievement,” she said.

Dr. Biyo also thanked the families of the participants and the Mathematical Society of the Philippines (MSP) for tirelessly pursuing a stronger presence for the country in international mathematics competitions. “We are excited to see the extent of our students’ mathematical prowess given more training, experience and support,” she added.

DOST-SEI, along with MSP, jointly organized the country’s participation to the IMO, as well as the Math Olympiad Summer Camp held mostly in April and May that served as the training ground for the team. There, 22 national finalists from the 2019 Philippine Mathematical Olympiad were screened for slots in the Philippine Team. The major sponsors of the team are Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) Foundation and Manulife Business Processing Services.

LTFRB Reshuffles Cashiers, Relieves Security Guards, Directs RDs to Undergo Lifestyle Check

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Pending completion of a thorough investigation on corruption-related concerns, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Martin B. Delgra III today ordered the reshuffling of all cashiers assigned at the LTFRB Central Office, as well as the relieving of all security complement in the same office.

This was directed following an entrapment operation conducted by the composite team from the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA), the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on 26 July 2019 wherein an alleged “fixer” was apprehended within the premises of the agency.

Further, Chairman Delgra issued yesterday, 29 July 2019, a memorandum directing all its Regional Directors to subject themselves to a lifestyle check, wherein they are obliged to surrender a copy of their SALNs and other documents that may be required for reference.

“We will undertake all necessary measures to reassure the public of LTFRB’s commitment to transparent, accountable and corruption-free service to our stakeholders. ‘Yan ang nais ni Pangulong Duterte. ‘Yan din ang mahigpit na utos ni Secretary Tugade. Wala po tayong palalampasin dito,” Chairman Delgra said.

The LTFRB will continue to aggressively push its anti-corruption campaign, and shall remain unrelenting in investigating and conducting audits on its employees and officials. It will not spare anyone from administrative sanctions if found guilty of graft and corruption.

DOTr Inspects Major Transport Hubs in Batanes After Deadly Quakes

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered to fast-track transport infrastructure development in Batanes, following the deadly earthquakes that struck the province on Saturday, 27 July 2019.

This directive came on the heels of a series of inspections conducted yesterday, 29 July 2019, by the DOTr Composite Team, headed by Secretary Arthur P. Tugade.

The inspections proceeded from the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte to departments and agencies to attend to the needs of the people of Batanes and to ensure the immediate restoration of transport mobility and connectivity in quake-stricken areas. 

The DOTr Composite Team also coordinated with local officials to ascertain that major transportation hubs can help effectively facilitate the distribution of relief goods to affected residents.

Secretary Tugade noted that the inspections of the DOTr Team is only the start of targeted assistance for the recovery and rehabilitation of Batanes.

“The inspections are concrete proof that the government cares for the people of Batanes. In this trying time for the province, we want to know that they are not alone. We immediately conducted steps to secure ease of movement of goods and people so that the recovery of the province will also come in swiftly,” Secretary Tugade expressed.

Officials comprising the Composite Team include DOTr Undersecretary for Maritime Fernando Juan Perez, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Jay Santiago, and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino.


Airports

Upon arrival, transport officials inspected the Itbayat Airport, which has an ongoing runway extension project. Based on the assessment, CAAP DG Sydiongco proposed to improve the gateway’s viability for commercial, security and disaster relief purposes by having its runway extended from the current 942 meters to 1,200 up to 1,500 meters, if the terrain is conducive.

The Composite Team also inspected the Basco Airport. The DOTr and CAAP are jointly finalizing plans and designs to further extend the runway of this gateway by 120 meters, subject to the verification by a survey that will examine terrain and slope grade constraints.

At Basco Airport, as well, Secretary Tugade met with Batanes Governor Marilou Cayco and committed to extend the runways at both the Basco and Itbayat Airports. To expedite plans, CAAP engineers and personnel will be deployed to Batanes to conduct situation assessment in the province’s gateways.


Seaports

The DOTr Team also proceeded to the Mauyen Port. Officials witnessed firsthand that access to the said port is made difficult due to landslides brought about by the quakes. As a result, PPA GM Santiago recommended looking for another location for the Port of Mauyen.

Officials also inspected Valanga Port, which is primarily used to transport people and goods to Itbayat Island. Additionally, Valanga Port is the only seaport that links Basco and Itbayat. Based on the assessment of the PPA chief, Valanga Port needs further improvements, such as expansion of backup area, berthing facility, and the provision of a passenger shed.

The third and final port visited was Basco Port. While it was not affected by the recent earthquakes, its backup area sustained damages from the recent Typhoon Falcon that hit the province midway this month. Additional structural engineers will be sent by the PPA to evaluate the damage. They will also look into prospective locations for the proposed breakwater of the said seaport.

During the inspection, Secretary Tugade assured that port repairs will commence shortly. He also tasked the PCG to deploy rubber boats to Itbayat, Basco, and Sabang Islands.