It’s possible to love our enemies

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

MAKE no mistake about this. We are clearly commanded by Christ to love our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us, to pray for those who mistreat us, etc. (cfr. Lk 6,27-38)

That may sound impossible to do, given the way we are, humanly speaking. But it really is not. God’s grace will always be available. Thus, what may appear impossible to us becomes possible and doable. When we find ourselves in situations where we have to contend with some enemies or conflicts, let’s remember that the first thing to do is to go to Christ, to ask for grace, to make our identification with him even tighter.

Especially during this election season when we are seeing a lot of fault-finding, insulting, mocking, and all other forms of negativity, we need to strengthen our belief in this one particular injunction Christ gave us—to love our enemies. This is one golden opportunity for us to become like Christ, as we ought to be, since he is the pattern of humanity and the savior of our damaged humanity.

This obviously will require a lot of virtues—humility, patience, magnanimity, fortitude, to mention a few. We have to learn how to discipline our emotions and passions, and to be most careful with what we say. We have to be quick to purify our thoughts and intentions whenever some negative elements enter into them.

Let’s remember that the greatest evil and the worst injustice have already been committed, and that is the killing of Christ by man. But such evil and injustice did not elicit another evil reaction from Christ. On the contrary, he offered forgiveness. We do not correct a wrong with another wrong. As one saint would put it, we have to drown evil with an abundance of good.

During this election season, we can have our own choices. We can be partisan. But it does not entitle us to fall into lack of charity against those who may disagree with our choices. Thus, I think it is preferable that we study all the issues quietly, and make our decisions quietly as well. There is no need to create a lot of noise which can only be toxic to everyone.

Let’s always remember what was said at the end of the gospel cited above. “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”

It’s very gratifying to note that Christ clearly promised that if we follow this commandment of his, we will be rewarded much more than what we appear to have sacrificed for the sake of this commandment. Yes, God cannot be outdone in generosity.

Let us brace ourselves to face this challenge of becoming true Christians. Let’s make our Christianity really work, especially in difficult moments. Christ never abandons us, and he is willing to go through the experience with us. We just have to do our part, that is, to go to him, and follow him as best that we can.

Indeed, loving enemies is a sure mark of a true Christian!

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Why do Filipino languages have several Spanish words?

 

Mara Barbra Nanaman

Proud Filipino, citizen of the world

theater enthusiast, bookworm, English teacher, proud parent, Potterhead, butterfly chaser.

The Philippines was colonized by Spain for 333 years from 1565 to 1898, although the first Spaniards (led by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan) landed in 1521. Inevitably, parts of the Spanish language, culture, traditions became imbued into the Filipino culture. This is particularly apparent in the influences in food and language. The modern-day Filipino is very familiar with Spanish fare (or at least Spanish-influenced food) such as mechado, afritada, calamares, paella, chicharon and leche flan, for example. More to the question, we also share a lot of similar words. Here’s a random list of everyday words in Filipino and Spanish:

Filipino - Spanish - English

mesa - mesa - table

silya - silla - chair

kutsara - cuchara - spoon

tinidor - tenedor - fork

kumusta - como estas - how are you?

plato - plato - plate

gwapa - guapa - beautiful/pretty (female)

gwapo - guapo - good-looking/attractive (male)

gabinete - gabinete - cabinet (both the one in government and the furniture)

biyahe - viaje - trip

trabaho - trabajo

Names of colors (azul, verde, rosa, etc), actual names of people (Juan, Miguel, Maria, etc) and the numbers (uno, dos, tres, etc) are also very similar (in some cases, exactly the same) as well. You get the picture. Obviously, a LOT of countries speak Spanish and each of their cultures is different so we might or might not share these similarities with those countries as well.

Edit: Updated how some of the Filipino words are spelled! Thanks for the feedback!

More Pinoys quit jobs even in midst of pandemic – study

by Bernie Cahiles-Magkilat, Manila Bulletin

Even in the midst of the pandemic, 4.6 million workers quit their jobs with the Philippines experiencing a whopping 176 percent increase in voluntary resignation across all industries in a phenomenon called “The Great Resignation”, according to a recent study.

Sprout Solutions, a Filipino Software as a Service (SaaS) company, cited studies showing that in November alone 4.5 million people globally have left their jobs voluntarily. In the Philippines, Sprout said, its study showed voluntary resignation increased by 176 percent during the pandemic.

“The average voluntary attrition rate in 2020 was 1.31 percent. In 2021, it rose to 2.27 percent, a 73 percent increase in average voluntary attrition across different industries, that’s almost double,” said Kislay Chandra, Sprout Solutions’ Chief Product Officer.

The top industries most affected by this phenomenon comparing them to the average voluntary attrition rate in 2020 are professional, scientific, and technical services industry, which increased its attrition rate by 274 percent while the construction increased by 120 percent. The arts, entertainment, and recreation industry experienced 207 percent increase and the water supply, sewerage, waste management, and remediation activities industry increased by 185 percent, while the information and communication industry experienced a 117.14 percent increase.

There are various factors that influenced an employee’s decision to resign. Some of the reasons behind the spike in attrition include abrupt changes in the working setup, a lack of work-life balance, and uncertainty over the pandemic. These have taken a toll on some employees, especially on their mental health. Management decisions such as lay-offs, salary cuts, and other cost-cutting measures also had a role to play.

The pandemic also led people to assess their current situations, giving them more time to think about what they truly wanted. “Some were encouraged to pursue their dream jobs, while others had other plans like being a stay-at-home parent,” explained Sprout’s Chief People & Customer Officer, Atty. Arlene De Castro.

“There are various possible reasons why these industries were hit the hardest, but we can’t definitely say it without data. This is what we are looking into with our second study on The Great Resignation in the Philippines, where we will be deep diving on the reasons why employees are leaving their current posts,” shared Atty. De Castro.

Respondents of the study also cited safety reasons for leaving their jobs. Some workers are still concerned about the virus and their health, especially if their workplace plans to return to on-site work.

It showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the transformation of the current traditional work model, making the hybrid workplace the viable option.

De Castro also cited a Cisco Workforce of the Future Study conducted in the Philippines, which showed that 18 percent of the respondents had been working from home already prior to the pandemic, but during the pandemic, the number rose to 93 percent.

For on-site workers in the Philippines who still report for in-office work during the pandemic, they have been reevaluating their priorities and now want the best of both worlds. “In order for the hybrid model to work in the Philippine setting, it must be inclusive, flexible, secure, and well-managed,” said De Castro.

According to Sprout‘s study on The Future of Work, 47 percent of work from office leaders want to adopt the hybrid work model and 62 percent of work from office leaders see hybrid or remote work as the future. The 42 percent of work from office employees respondents are enthusiastic about adopting a hybrid working environment and in fact, 34 percent of them prefer hybrid over their current work from office setup.

Those who are on a work from home arrangement likewise see the value of going hybrid, with 52 percent of work from home employees saying that implementing a hybrid workplace is extremely important with 82 percent saying they love their setup because they save expenses on travel/commute.

Of the respondents, only 36 percent of work-from-home employees feel excited to return to the office.

“The shift to a hybrid model isn’t as established within different organizations from different industries. What works best — especially for at-office teams — will still depend on various factors such as their sector, size, and structure,” added Sprout Solutions’ Head of Business Development and HR Evangelist Atty. Lester Ople.

“Most companies are on the same page when it comes to making the post-pandemic office as flexible and less burnout-prone as possible.”

The study also revealed that 64 percent of HR admins working in the office are seeing a hybrid workplace in the future even post-pandemic. They agree that the time spent at the office may end up being more productive, deliberate, and collaborative and this can be achieved with the right tools.

De Castro said that safety is the number one priority of workers. “If you give them a sense of stability and security, they will be grateful and happy, especially with the ongoing pandemic. Your employees will demand safety and would want to see protocols in place to help them work productively at the same time in a safe place. Implementing a hybrid workplace address this in the current world we live in, it enables them to have an option to work from home or work in the office, whichever they prefer,” she said.

When the pandemic hit, Sprout stepped in and helped companies to implement a remote work setup for companies who needed to implement them, Sprout ensured secure 201 files from its cloud-based system and assured a seamless transition to remote work.

Sprout Solutions is Philippines’ first people platform designed for the future of work. Its goal is to help small, medium-sized, and large enterprise Philippine businesses grow through its suite of backend solutions that address end-to-end HR challenges – especially with the new normal of hybrid work. It enables businesses to bring their People Experience to the next level with analytics, engagement, performance and learning management, recruitment automation, and benefits like salary advance and wellness services.

Contemplation and Relaxation

 

By Carlos Cornejo *

The food of the soul is contemplation.  Contemplation means looking and doing things thoughtfully or pondering on the important things in life.  Contemplation is a lost art nowadays because many people prefer the frenzy of feeding the senses especially with apps and social media.   Contemplation on the other hand is feeding the intellect and the will rather than the senses.  

The satisfaction derived from contemplation is always superior to those of feeding the senses because contemplation makes us more human and even more divine because it is helping the intellect and will to grow.  Our intellect and will is what differentiate us from the animals but most importantly it is what makes us beings “created in the image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26).   It is our soul with its intellect and will that makes us more like God and it is our bodies that makes us more like animals.  Thus, feeding the senses makes us more like animals but feeding the soul makes us more like God.  Aristotle said that feeding the senses is what animals do (eating, sleeping, playing, etc.) to make their lives happy so to speak.  If we humans do the same thing (making it our ultimate source of satisfaction), we will be frustrated because our nature and calling is higher.  It is through the nurturing of our intellect and will that we achieve our joy because it makes us more like God who has called us to be “partakers of His Divine Nature” (2 Peter 1:4) of which by the way is the ultimate purpose of the Christian life.

The activities of contemplation that feed the soul are reading, praying, contemplating nature, enjoying the company of our friends and relatives, gardening, cooking, playing a musical instrument, watching our kids play, etc.  What is common among these activities that makes it contemplative in nature?  They are not done in a hurry.  They are done deliberately and purposefully enriching the mind and the spirit that no computer games, or internet app can replace.  What kills the contemplative spirit is feeding only the senses as well as the attitude of a hurried life.  Being always in a hurry in our work or leisure would be like watching a movie in fast forward.  You would never enjoy it. “There are those who work and struggle and hurry, but are so much the more in want.” (Sirach 11:11)

We also have to learn the art of alternating work and rest.  Work is a practical activity for a greater end.  The reason why we work is to have the basic necessities in life such as food, clothing, shelter, etc. as well as to express our creative spirit, practice camaraderie with others, serve society, along with the exercise of the other virtues.  But once we have done our days’ work, we have to learn the art of relaxing with our family.  Rest is a seemingly useless activity but is an end in itself.  Rest is an end in itself because it gives us joy.  Work is a means to an end and that end is joy.  We work because it contributes to our happiness and not the other way around.

There are individuals who seem lost and don’t know what to do once their daily occupation is done.  These are usually workaholics who have gotten addicted to the efficiency and results of their labor.  The means have become an end for them.  It’s like falling in love with the brush instead of the product of the brush which is the painting on the canvas. For workaholics’ life is equal to work.  But the real purpose of work is to provide for the necessities as well as the leisure time for our family.  The purpose of our work is our family.  Thus, we should enjoy the company of our family after a days’ work.  When we learn that art of leisure with our family, it becomes an energizer and a rejuvenator to our spirits that makes us enthusiastically go back to work again.  Work and rest would then feed each other.  

* cvcornejo87@gmail.com

Miss Philippines Earth 2022 returns to physical pageant, opens applications

Miss Earth 2017 winner Karen Ibasco of the Philippines (second from right) is flanked by (from left) Miss Air Nina Josie Robertson of Australia, Miss Fire Lada Akimova of Russia and Miss Water Juliana Franco of Colombia during the pageant's coronation night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Miss Philippines Earth organization and Carousel Productions have marked the opening of the 2022 pageant season by announcing their national search for the next batch of earth warriors.

After two years of holding virtual competitions, the Miss Philippines Earth pageant is finally gunning for an on-site coronation for its 22nd edition.

The online screening of prospective candidates will start on March 1. Aside from local regions, the Miss Philippines Earth will also screen global applicants, notably from Filipino communities in Dubai in the Middle East, as well as the United States. Some pre-pageant competitions will also be judged online before the Top 20 overseas candidates are chosen.

For this year's edition, Miss Philippines Earth takes on the theme "ME Loves Fauna," set to emphasize the importance of animal life. The theme also gives awareness on how animals - both wildlife and domestic - are integral members of the biosphere that must be given spaces to live in and an ecosystem to thrive.

Outgoing queen Miss Philippines Earth 2021 Naelah Alshorbaji, together with her court of elemental queens - Miss Philippines Air 2021 Ameera Almamari, Miss Philippines Water 2021 Rocel Angelah Songano, Miss Philippines Fire 2021 Roni Meneses, and Miss Philippines Eco-Tourism 2021 Sofiia Lopez Galve - will be relinquishing their crowns to a new set of earth warriors.

The 2021 edition saw 66 aspirants competing for the national crowns. Will there be more this year? Or will that number dwindle?

Local and overseas aspirants can download the entry forms via http://www.missphilippines-earth.com. Fill out the form and email to secretariat.missphilippines@gmail.com.

Dragon 'babies' to delight fans across the globe

by Robert Requintina, Manila Bulletin

They have the looks, talent, and ready to conquer the entertainment scene! And these new breed of youngsters who will delight fans all over the world will be launched by Dragon Artists Management soon.

Managed by partners celebrity makeup artist Bambbi Fuentes and businesswoman Christine Areola, owner of Bait Lehem bakery, these fresh faces will showcase their skills in dancing, singing, modelling, and acting.

It’s a dream come true for Bambbi to finally fulfill her dream of managing the careers of newcomers. While she is successfully known as the makeup artist to the stars (Marian Rivera, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aiko Melendez, Janice de Belen, Dawn Zulueta, Ai-Ai Delas Alas, Julie Anne San Jose, etc.), this hardworking stylist revealed she has been offered to manage upcoming showbiz talents on many occasions in the past.

“I was turning down artists from way back. During that time, I really fell in love with makeup, and I was busy then with Kris Aquino,” Bambbi recalled, during an interview at her salon in Timog, Quezon City recently. “But did you know that in those years, there were two artists who later became popular in the entertainment scene? Umakyat talaga sila sa tugatog ng tagumpay. Isang banda at isang female singer.” She refused to reveal these celebrities.

Those were the days. Bambbi said she was happy about the success of these two entertainers. And she doesn’t have regrets in rejecting the chance to become the manager of these entertainers.

“Walang pag-sisisi because I was doing makeup left and right with the artistas. And besides, hilaw pa talaga ako noon. I haven’t connected with the right people,” Bambbi said. So she decided to forego her dreams of managing talents.

Then came the pandemic, leading up to the lockdown. The business establishments were severely affected. It was at this point that Bambbi decided to revive her dream of establishing a management agency.

“I told myself, ‘I want to give it a try!’ One thing led to another. Our first baby was Khai Flores. Then came with a few talents and there were referrals hanggang sa nakabuo na kami,” said Bambbi.

She added: “Some people thought we were having auditions. Hindi naman namin puwedeng kunin lahat sila so we were like a corporate company rejecting people. Sinabi na lang namin sa iba we will just call you.”

One of their latest talents is the all-girl group called Gandaras whose members can sing, dance, and act. Gandaras is composed of Shira Tweg, Emcel Abuso, Christa Joson, Mosh Gerodias, Mira Aquino and Ash Carpio.

“At the height of the pandemic, these girls were locked-in in the building of Christine Areola. They just practiced how to dance, sing and act. Praise the Lord that these girls are so nice. Despite having different personalities, they did not give us headaches. They really bonded together during the pandemic, so now they’re like sisters,”Bambbi said.

The Gandaras has already appeared on several programs. In 2021, the group joined Pop Pinoy where they made it to the top 8 finalists during the finale. “For me, it’s a big achievement already, considering they are newcomers. They have also performed on Lunch Out Loud several times.”

Indeed, Bambbi knows a promising talent when she sees one. “Dragon” has also enlisted four young gentlemen for its upcoming projects. Aside from Flores, there’s Esteven Dayrit, RJ Ariar, and Leone Adriano.

Bambbi said that her friendship with Christine began when they met at a wedding of a common friend. Since then, they became close. “Marami na rin kaming pinagdaan and now we’re business partners,” Christine said.

Yet for now, the biggest achievement of the management company is the short film “Sugat Sa Dugo,” which already reaped recognition at the 2021 International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM Autumn) in New York. “I am so proud of Janice De Belen, who won the best actress in this film.”

Bambbi continued: “We’re so blessed for this recognition. It’s a dark film on love, life, and death that tackles AIDS. The movie is so heavy that I made it so scary.”

This marked the first time that Bambbi has written a screenplay and became an executive producer. With the success of the short film, Bambbi said that her team has decided to shoot a full-length version of “Sugat Sa Dugo” which they just finished. It is directed by Danni Ugali.

Some of her “babies” are expected to make an appearance in the new version of “Sugat.” After that, they will shoot a horror flick entitled “Nasugbu.” Bambbi also revealed plans to make a series on different platforms.

Asked about the best advice she could give to these showbiz newbies, Bambbi said: “Kahit lumaki na ang pangalan nila, they should stay humble. They have to remember where they came from. Also, they should appreciate the things the management is doing for them.”

Araw ng Dabaw still online for 3rd year

By RALPH LAWRENCE G. LLEMIT, SunStar

DESPITE the lifting of the ban on face-to-face events organized by government offices in Davao City, the 85th celebration of the Araw ng Dabaw will still be held virtually.

City Tourism Operations Office Head Generose Tecson said in a radio interview on Wednesday morning, February 16, a hybrid celebration or a mix of physical and virtual activities is not possible because organizers have already made the preparations months prior.

"Since alam niyo naman na naka-prepare na po kami ng virtual celebration, 'yun na po 'yung mangyayari kasi alam niyo naman sa gobyerno, andami-daming processes, so hindi natin matse-change kaagad, but we prepared a one day celebration for everybody," Tecson said in an interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.

(Since you know that we already prepared for the virtual celebration, changing it won’t be easy considering that it is a government event, it requires various processes, so we won’t be able to change it instantly, but we prepared a one-day celebration for everybody.)

The Araw celebrations were among the government-initiated activities affected when Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued Executive Order (EO) 69 in 2021, prohibiting face-to-face city and national government activities held within the territorial jurisdiction of the city.

However, on Monday, February 14, Duterte-Carpio issued EO 6, easing the regulations covering events by government offices in the barangay, local, and national level, including government-owned and controlled corporation events.

EO 6 now allows face-to-face, hybrid, or online facilitation of events like inauguration, anniversary, thanksgiving, ribbon-cutting, blessing, turnover, groundbreaking activity, launching program, salo-salo, birthday, press conference, oath-taking program, photo opportunity, retirement honors, welcome honors, testimonial program, summer outing, team building, training events, seminars, and other similar activities.

The mayor said in her EO that the easing of restrictions covering events is due to “the decrease in the number of cases reported, the active vaccination rollout within the city, and the availability of the Molnupiravir drug.”

Tecson, however, said the city is not being complacent despite the downtrend in Covid-19 cases.

"Because in the first place, even if bumaba na po 'yung ating mga (there is an easing of) restrictions, we have to remember that Covid is very much around," the official said.

She also said parades would attract crowds, which would be vulnerable to the transmission of the virus.

"We don't want that. Ang gusto natin is something na mag-celebrate tayo together pero (that we can celebrate together but) which will take us back to the new normal. We will set the example," Tecson said.

The complete lineup of activities has yet to be announced.

This would be the third year the city would forego the traditional celebration of the city's founding anniversary.

The Good News about suffering

By Fr. Roy Cimagala *

THE fact that Christ immediately talked about his impending passion and death after being rightly identified by Peter as the “the Christ” (cfr. Mk 8,27-33) tells us that suffering and death, which are unavoidable in our life here on earth, are actually good news to all of us. If understood and experienced properly, they identify us with Christ and attain for us our own eternal salvation.

This gospel episode, of course, tells us that if we truly follow Christ, then like him, we should not only expect suffering and death but also welcome them. That’s because in the first place we cannot avoid suffering and death in this life, no matter how much we try. But more importantly, if we have the same attitude Christ had toward his suffering and death, we know that our own would have a positive and redemptive value.

This is what Christian suffering and death is all about. It is a consequence of all our sins but is now converted into a means of our salvation, that is, if we suffer and die with Christ.

We need to understand this basic truth of our faith so that we can avoid suffering unduly or suffering more than we ought. In other words, this truth of our faith enables us to suffer and die properly.

We all need to be reminded that all our suffering has a positive and favorable aspect. It’s not all entirely bad and negative, though in itself it will always be bad. But if viewed and lived through our Christian faith, that is, with Christ, there is something in it that can give us a greater good. 

Our pains and suffering are always the result of sin, ours and those of others. They are the necessary consequence of our separation, whether temporary or permanent, from God from whom all good things come. (cfr. Ps 16,2; James 1,17) We may not be the direct cause of our own suffering, but in this world, we cannot escape the effects of sin, and so we must be ready for them just the same.

We have to remind ourselves that we are not meant to suffer. Our original as well as our ideal definitive state in heaven excludes suffering. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, were in the state of original justice, where everything was in order and in harmony. No pain and suffering touched them, until they fell into sin.

We have to remind everyone that when we suffer, we should see to it that we avoid suffering by our own lonesome. That would make our suffering, whatever may be its cause, whether it is self-inflicted or caused by others, a useless and purely negative event.

Truth is our suffering can have tremendous meaning and positive effect on us if we go through it always with Christ. If we go by our Christian faith, we are sure that Christ is ever willing to suffer for us and with us, and to convert our suffering into the very means of our salvation, in fact.

There is no human suffering that Christ is not willing to make also as his own. And he does it because he loves us, he wants to save us, he wants to bring us back to him. Let’s remember that his love is first of all gratuitous. He loves us first before we can learn to love him in return. 

* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

Covid: Austria and Germany decide to ease rules

 

Covid restrictions have meant limited attendances in Germany's Bundesliga but that will gradually change.

Austria and Germany have both announced plans to relax Covid-19 measures, weeks after pushing for compulsory vaccinations to curb infections.

Although unvaccinated people will still face restrictions, Germans are being promised a "freedom day" on 20 March while most measures will be dropped in Austria on 5 March.

The Omicron variant has not led to a feared surge in hospital admissions.

However, Germany's chancellor still aims to make vaccinations mandatory.

"The pandemic isn't over," said Olaf Scholz after a summit with Germany's 16 states. Legislation on compulsory jabs has been left for parliament to decide but the chancellor said it remained important especially ahead of next autumn and winter.

Austria passed a law earlier this month that made vaccination against Covid-19 mandatory, the first country in Europe to do so.

However, no-one will be penalised for breaking the law until 16 March, and the government has until then to decide whether to suspend the requirement. Chancellor Karl Nehammer said an advisory commission would recommend how best to proceed.

Much of Europe has already announced plans to loosen Covid restrictions as infections fall. Switzerland has announced that from Thursday Covid certificates are not needed to enter bars, restaurants or other indoor venues.

The Netherlands is to lift most measures by 25 February, with bars returning to normal hours and masks no longer compulsory in most settings

France has already scrapped mask requirements outdoors and aims to drop the measure indoors from mid-March if conditions allow

Norway lifted its last measures on 12 February, declaring coronavirus "no longer a major health threat to most of us"

Most restrictions have been lifted in England and some measures remain in Scotland and Wales.

Germany's leaders agreed on Wednesday to a three-step plan, starting with a raising of numbers of vaccinated and recovered people allowed to hold private indoor meetings, as well as Covid checks in non-essential shops.

From 4 March, anyone who has been vaccinated or who has recovered from Covid will be allowed into bars and hotels without a test while unvaccinated people will be let in with a test.

Then from 20 March most other restrictions will be scrapped, apart from rules on masks. Attendances at major outdoor events will go up from 10,000 to up to 25,000 (or 75% capacity) on 4 March, with the prospect of full stadiums on 20 March.

Chancellor Scholz said it was a "very special day" and Germany could look to the future with greater confidence than before. Although case numbers on Wednesday were still almost 220,000 over 24 hours, the seven-day rate of infection has fallen.

In Austria, only highly vulnerable settings such as nursing homes and hospitals will retain Covid restrictions from 5 March. Catering will be allowed overnight and Covid passes will not be needed, although masks will be needed on public transport and in essential shops.

As early as Saturday, anyone who has not been vaccinated will be allowed to enter places limited in recent months to those showing proof of vaccination or recovery.

Palace institutionalizes acceptance of PhilID in all transactions

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, Manila Bulletin

Malacañang has ordered the acceptance of the Philippine Identification (PhilID) or Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) Number (PSN) as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions.

File Photo of President Duterte giving the thumbs up after checking one of the printed national Identification cards following his submission in the registration process for the National Identification System administered by the Philippine Statistics Authority at the Malacañang Palace on January 21, 2021. (Malacañang photo)

Executive Order (EO) No. 162 was signed, by the authority of President Duterte, by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Feb. 14, 2022.

In issuing the EO, Duterte cited the urgent need to institutionalize the acceptance of the PhilID or PSN, as authenticated, as sufficient proof of identity and age in all government and private transactions, to improve efficiency in the delivery of social services, strengthen financial inclusion, and promote the ease of doing business.

 

PhilSys is the single national identification system for citizens and resident aliens of the country. Republic Act (RA) 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act provides that the PSN shall be honored and accepted in print, electronic, or any other authenticated form as sufficient proof of identity for transacting business with any government agency or private sector.

As per EO 162, the PhilID shall serve as the official government-issued identification document and official proof of identity of cardholders in dealing with all government and private sector identities.

Meanwhile, the PSN or an authenticated PSN Derivative of an individual shall be honored and accepted in transactions with the government and private sector entities, notwithstanding the non-presentation of the PhilID.

Duterte said in his EO that the presentation of the PhilID, PSN, or authenticated PSN Derivative, shall be sufficient proof of identification and of all other personal details stated therein, without the need for presentation of other identification documents.

The EO allows the PhilID, PSN, or PSN Derivative to be presented in lieu of a birth certificate for transactions that require individuals to establish their age, including but not limited to:

Applications for a marriage license

Applications for student driver’s permit or conductor’s license with the Land Transportation Office (LTO)

Enrollment of students in public and private schools or registration for the Philippine Educational Placement Test

Applications with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC)

Applications relative to voter’s registration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec)

With this, no additional proof of identity or age shall be required upon the presentation of the PhilID, PhilSys, or authenticated PSN Derivative.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) shall ensure that no cardholders or PSN holders shall be prejudiced if authentication cannot be performed through no fault on the part of the said persons. The EO also does not foreclose the recognition and acceptance of other government-issued IDs.

Government agencies are likewise tasked to amend their Citizen’s Charters to integrate the PhilSys Components and accommodate its features. The transacting public shall be informed of these amendments and private sector entities are enjoined to do the same.

On the other hand, banks and other financial institutions shall comply with the relevant issuances of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and other government regulatory agencies, and communicate to the public such policies and guidelines on the use of the PhilID, PSN, or PSN Derivative.