MARINA Conducts Workshop on Modernization of Domestic Shipping Industry

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) conducts an institutional support mechanism workshop to promote the modernization of the domestic shipping industry, specifically the replacement of wooden-hulled ships with technologically-improved hull materials, as envisioned in the 10-year maritime industry development plan (MIDP) on 01-02 August 2019.

At the two-day event, the MARINA updates stakeholders on the policies concerning the phasing-out of wooden-hulled ships and the acquisition of authority to operate, including reduced processes and procedures. The results of the feasibility study conducted by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on technologically-improved hull materials for domestic ships are also presented.

Meanwhile, participating boat builders are given opportunities to present their respective water taxi and water bus designs, passenger ferry fast craft design and construction, as well as their packages for the replacement of wooden-hulled ships with technologically-improved hull materials.

The use of abaca fiber for the construction of modernized boats is also discussed by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to stakeholders.

Moreover, the MARINA, together with its partner agencies including the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP), Office of Transport Cooperatives (OTC), and the Board of Investments (BOI), tackles the financing packages that the stakeholders may avail of for their boat replacements, the establishment of shipping operators and boat builders cooperative, and the available modernization incentives for said stakeholders.

After series of discussion, government agencies, private partners, and stakeholders may also do individual consultations to address specific concerns and challenges relating to the replacement of wooden-hulled ships with technologically-advanced hull materials for the modernization of the domestic shipping industry.

At the last day of the event, the participants will undergo a technical visit and immersion by travelling from Batangas to Puerto Galera via water taxi.

The MARINA continues to conduct awareness raising campaigns as one of the lines of effort under the maritime safety plan of the MARINA and as part of the modernization of the domestic shipping industry. It is done to encourage stakeholders to partner with the efforts of the government for the safe operations of all seagoing ships in the Philippines.

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.