BIONEWS SCRIPT

DATE: September 10, 2019

FIL-SNG report
The relationship between the Philippines and Singapore has never been stronger as it reaches
its 50th year marked by the two countries’ “mutual trust, respect, and abiding amity,”
Malacañang said yesterday on the occasion of Singapore President Halimah Yacob’s visit.

Halimah arrived in Manila Sunday for a four-day state visit and is set to go to Davao
City tomorrow for a dialogue with Mindanao youth and visit the Philippine Eagle Center
in Malagos, Calinan District.

The two leaders committed to further intensify trade and investment links, mindful of the
goals they have set under the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan or PSAP.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is set to host a dinner for Halimah before she flies
back to Singapore on Thursday afternoon. This is Gelian Bastian, reporting on BSB News.

US- CHINA TRADE WAR report

Economic managers are pushing for the passage of two bills to mitigate the impact of the
trade war between the US and China.

The National Economic and Development Authority and the trade department discussed
the effects of the trade dispute during a Cabinet meeting last Wednesday, presidential
spokesman Salvador Panelo said yesterday.

In addition to Panelo’s statement, he said that While the Philippines is not as vulnerable
in the trade war, in the long run, any prolonged trade war will have negative effects.

The amendments to the Foreign Investment Act seek to lure investors and create more
jobs by recognizing the importance of technological advancements and global realities to
the local economy.

The Cabinet also cited the need to intensify investment campaigns in East Asia, expedite
business processes and reduce processing time in exports, among other measures.

Last June, President Duterte expressed concern on the effects of the US-China trade war on
the global economy and urged the two super powIers to resolve their differences.^^^^6
RICE TARIFFICATION report

The opposition Liberal Party (LP) yesterday called for the amendment of the Rice Tariffication
Law to help farmers amid falling prices of palay while retail prices of rice remain high.

Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte, who is LP secretary general, said he and
his party-mates in the House of Representatives would push for the adoption of a
resolution that would help the government explore more sources of funds for direct cash
transfers for farmers.

Belmonte said the resolution seeks the amendment of the law to allow the use of up to
P13 billion as immediate assistance to rice farmers.

Another LP lawmaker, Josephine Sato of rice-producing Mindoro Occidental, said her

“We need to move quickly to help our farmers who are in a dire situation. They are
gearing up for the worst harvest season in the history of palay production this September
and October and we should be able to assist them in their most difficult time,” she said.

Other congressmen called for the inclusion of rice farmers in the government’s Pantawid
Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.

AMBULANCES vs TRAFFIC report

Gridlock in Manila is costing lives as ambulances stuck in traffic face severe delays in the
race against the clock to reach the city's hospitals, medics warn.

Special lanes for emergency vehicles are not enforced, the infrastructure is outdated, and
local drivers are often unwilling or unable to make way -- a situation experts say is
causing patients to die en route.

"You feel empty. It is as if you were not given a chance to do everything in your capacity
to help," ambulance driver and paramedic Joseph Laylo told AFP.

Driver Adriel Aragon is still haunted after losing a critically ill patient when it took 40
minutes to reach the hospital -- the journey should have taken half that time.
 "No matter how hard we honk, even if we use our siren, if the vehicles are not moving it
doesn't matter," he said.

"That's what happened that time," Aragon added of the 2014 tragedy.

At peak hours, the main arteries of Manila are clogged with idling cars -- a 25-kilometre
(16-mile) end to end drive through the main highway can take as long as three hours.

Home to some 13 million, there is nearly one vehicle registered per person. The resulting
gridlock costs the city $67 million daily in lost productivity, according to a 2017 Japanese
government-funded study.

Pia Wurtzbach dazzles at New York Fashion Week in gown with 2,880 crystals
Pia Wurtzbach proved she is queen of the runway—the universe rather—when she showcased Albert
Andrada's majestic white ball gown at the New York Fashion Week on September 7, 2019.

She was the star of Albert's show finale held on the second day of the two-day event curated at the National
Geographic Encounter Odyssey in New York City

A day after the event, Pia wowed her Instagram followers with photos of Albert's princess-like masterpiece.

The gown, according to Albert, was made with white tulle embellished with Swarovski crystals totaling more or
less 20 gross or 2,880 pieces.

It was inspired by the universe.

The designer told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "Pia's gown in tulle was my own interpretation of
the universe, filled with crystals like the thousand stars that show its radiance."

It was part of his 15-piece all-white Illuminati Holiday Collection that, similar to Pia's gown, was inspired by
"heavens, clouds, and angels."

Aside from that, Albert also put a lot of effort into perfecting this gown along with the other 14 dresses.

On 15 August 2019, OLFU once again affirmed its commitment through the blessing and inauguration of the
Research, Innovation, Science and Enterprise Tower, better known as the RISE Tower. Situated in Marulas,
Valenzuela City, the RISE is a highly advanced facility housing simulation laboratories and collaborative areas
with cutting-edge equipment and technologies.

“This facility was envisioned to serve as an integrated academic space where theories taught in the four walls of
the classroom will be experienced and put into play”, University President Dr. Caroline Marian S. Enriquez said.
Notably, the eight-story building features the Clinical Simulation Center furnished with training units and hi-fi
manikins that teach pediatric care, obstetrics care, intensive care, surgical procedures, IV therapy and more; the
Air Fatima, a mock airplane cabin; the Seven on the 6th, a mock hotel; and the Robotics Center, among others.

Another highlight is the Learning Commons which is a series of learning spaces for study, research,
collaboration and discussion, as well as a repository of print and digital resources. Some of its amenities are the
amphitheater-styled Lecture Hall, a spacious Reading Area, and Discussion Rooms. It is also home to the
Research Development and Innovation Center, the University’s capital for new discoveries.

Several distinguished guests graced the event, including Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian; Valenzuela City
officials, Mayor Rexlon “Rex” Gatchalian, Vice Mayor Lorena “Lorie” Natividad-Borja, District 1 Congressman
Weslie “Wes” Gatchalian; Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Commissioner Aldrin Darilag, and CHED NCR
Regional Director IV, Dr. Virginia Akiate.

Senator Gatchalian applauded the facility’s ability to provide “hands-on experience”, counting it as “one of the
most advanced facilities in the entire country”.

He likewise acknowledged how the City of Valenzuela and OLFU are historically intertwined since the school’s
foundation in 1967. “As Fatima progresses, develops, and expands, so does Valenzuela”, he said.