1,531 NPA members, supporters in Panay yield in 2021

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

PANAY ISAND – The Philippine Army's 3ID through its 301st Infantry (Bayanihan) Brigade, bared that there were 1,531 individuals who publicly renounced their support and alliance from the CPP NPA NDF terrorist.

Of the 1,531 NPA members and supporters, 44 are regular NPA; 159 are Militia ng Bayan (MB); 143 are members of Sangay ng Partido sa Lokalidad (SPL); and 1,185 Underground Mass Organization (UGMO). 

There were also 120 high-powered and low-powered firearms that were turned in by NPA and MB surrenderees in 2021 in Panay Island alone.

"The influx of surrenders will not be possible without the intensified convergence of efforts from the various government agencies in accordance with the concept of Whole-of-Government approach," MGen Benedict Arevalo, Commander, 3ID said.

Arevalo lauded the effective and collective efforts of the Army in fighting the insurgency not only in Panay Island but also in the entire country.

Meanwhile, Lt/Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr. PA, the 65^th commanding general of the Philippine Army (PA) visited the 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division in Camp Peralta, Jamindan, Capiz on February 25 to show and extend his honors and support to the group for actively suppressing the spread of insurgency in the Panay Island.

    

       

Brawner was given the traditional military honors, briefing on the accomplishments and current thrust of the Command in in its designated Area of Responsibility (AOR) and he also led the ceremonial tree planting in and was given a tour to sceneries and facilities inside the Division Headquarters.

"The 3rd Infantry (Spearhead) Division, is one of the army units that has accomplished so much for the past year.  Us in the Headquarters Philippine Army will assure this Command that we will push all the needed resources to aide you in our campaign against insurgency in your AOR", Brawner said.

Arevalo on the other hand said the 3^rd Infantry is privileged with the visit of the commanding general and assured him of the utmost support and accomplishment of the soldiers in the Western and Central Visayas. (Photos: AFP-Visayas Media)

 

CCLEX is now 90% complete, installs RFID sites for stickers registration

 MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – The iconic Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX) is now on its last stretch with just 10 percent left before project completion and it has started to install the CCLEX radio frequency identification (RFID) stickers that motorists need to use the expressway.

In a project update posted on its Facebook page, the CCLEX management has currently installed seven installation sites for the CCLEX RFID and called on motorists to schedule their RFID registrations at https://mptc.outsystemsenterprise.com/ORRAS/ and pick a date and installation site.

These sites are located at the Outlets at Pueblo Verde in Lapu-Lapu City; Cordova Centennial Avenue in Cordova; Parkmall, Landers Superstore, Robinsons Galleria Cebu, SM Seaside City Cebu (Official), and IL Corso Lifemalls in Cebu City.

According to CCLEX management that to use the expressway, motorists must have the RFID sticker installed on the vehicle by a CCLEX RFID installer.  The RFIDS are needed to access the Expressway which is expected to open this year.  CCLEX’s toll plaza is on the Cordova side and will have eight toll lanes—four lanes in each direction.

The P30-billion CCLEX uses an all-electronic toll collection system to provide safe and seamless travel. The remaining 10 percent work now covers piping and ducting and construction of safety barriers at the CSCR on and off ramp; Cebu viaduct, main bridge, Cordova viaduct and causeway. Embankment works are also ongoing at the causeway, FB project updates read.

The CCLEX is the first toll road project outside Luzon of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) that highlights the iconic crosses on top of the twin pylons of the cable-stayed main bridge over the Mactan Channel.

MPTC said this the third link to Mactan Island from Cordova town to mainland Cebu City via the South Road Properties (SRP) with a design speed of 80 kilometers per hour and a navigational clearance or height of 51 meters to allow large vessels to pass underneath the bridge.

 

 

MPTC chairman Manuel Pangilinan was in Cebu last year to mark the main bridge deck connection and launched the online appointment system for the installation of the CCLEX RFID stickers for vehicles on October 29, 2021.

 The central span of the cable-stayed bridge was joined on October 5, 2021 to finally link Cebu City and the Municipality of Cordova, this is the longest and tallest bridge in the Philippines, spanning 8.9 kilometers and is now becoming a tourist attraction in Cebu City.

“We are happy to bring to Cebuanos this contactless and cashless payment through RFID when using our expressway as part of our vision to modernize the country’s transport sector and as part of our commitment to nation-building,” Pangilinan said in his message last year.

MPTC president Rodrigo Franco said that the introduction of RFID in Cebu is part of the tollways group’s expansion of its cashless system, driven by the evolving changes in the industry and the expansive use of digital technologies. (Photos: CCLEX FB)

 

 

PCOO salutes 150 women fronliners in Cebu

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY-- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) led by secretary Martin Andanar hailed women forntliners in Cebu in an awarding ceremony “Parangal for Women Forntliners” Thursday, February 24 at the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) as a sign of gratitude for their service to the Filipinos during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is now our turn to give back and to show you that that we are here for you. We hope this mitigates the burden you are carrying, thank you, our dear women frontliners,” Andanar, in his solidarity message expressed his gratitude to the service of these 150 women frontliners in Cebu rendered to the Filipinos.

Andanar said that the pandemic has proven to be a challenge for the Filipinos and these women frontliners stood up and heeded the call to fight this pandemic.  “We attribute these present achievements to you, our frontliners, especially the women, who continue to sacrifice everything just so we are kept out of harm’s way.”

Consistent with the PCOO’s commitment to advance women’s interests, PCOO is one with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in celebrating this year’s National Women’s Month in March, Andanar assured the women of PCOO’s utmost support to achieve gender equality and women empowerment in the country.

“Thank you for your selflessness and courage. You are our modern-day heroes,” Andanar said as he distributed box of groceries to each of the women frontliners in Cebu.

 Andanar also led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P300M proposed Visayas Media Hub (VMH) at Barangay Subangdaku, Mandaue City prior to the "Parangal." (Photos: PIA7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HHI study cites lack of resources, DRRM policies hinder resilience of small islands in PH

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY— Limited resources and few policies supporting the implementation of community-based disaster risk reduction and management (CBDRRM) are key factors that hinder community resilience in small islands in the Philippines.

This is according to a new study by the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI) in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas entitled “Community-based leadership in disaster resilience: The case of small island community in Hagonoy, Bulacan, Philippines” authored by Ateneo de Manila University’s Mark Anthony Abenir, and HHI’s Lea Ivy Manzanero and Dr. Bollettino.

The HHI study report highlighted the case of Pugad Island that applies to disaster-prone small island communities in the Asia-Pacific and equatorial regions. The study examined the factors that contribute to or impede the success of community-based leadership of the residents of disaster-prone Barangay Pugad, popularly known as “Pugad Island” in Bulacan Province in the Philippines to achieve disaster resilience. 

The report said that financial aid and DRRM policies are essential not only locally but also for all small island communities in the Asia-Pacific and equatorial regions which face similar disaster and climate-related challenges, especially when relocation to other safer areas is not a feasible option.

HHI Resilient Communities Program Director Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino said in a statement that support for low-lying island communities throughout the Asia-Pacific must be a priority for the international community.

“We know that these communities will have to bear a terrible burden for a climate crisis they had virtually no role in creating.  Larger states have both a strong moral and practical duty to support adaptation measures and think through feasible strategies to support communities where forced migration is inevitable,” Bollettino said.

According to HHI that the research used participatory action where the researchers formed the 10-15-member community disaster resilience assessment (CDRA) team in 2020. The team consisted of eight barangay officials and one leader or representative from organized sectors of the community such as women, fisherfolks, persons living with disabilities, youth, adults, and the local church.

All members of the CDRA team were above 21 years old and roughly half were females. The data gathering and focus group discussions, in the Filipino language, were held from February to April 2020.

 Report cites lack of budget and DRRM policies

The barangay officials and sectoral leaders or representatives in Pugad Island have voluntarily undergone DRRM capability training sessions and created their CBDRRM plans that have been well-integrated into their overall barangay development plan.

However, the study found that the community-based leadership in Pugad continues to struggle with limited funding for the effective implementation of their CBDRRM plans.  Pugad is not alone in this since the issue they face is but a mere reflection of scarce resources across the entire country.

The report cited that although there is an existence of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF), the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), and the Quick Response Fund (QRF) which is a portion of the NDRRMF, such financial resources are not proportionally allocated across provinces and tend to be heavily focused on disaster response rather than preparedness and resilience.

The report further explained that marginalized communities in the country such as small island communities are prone to routine destructive typhoons and being hit by only one can bring them to a disaster trap. Thus, it is increasingly important for the government at all levels to focus on pre-disaster investments.

The study report urges government units and agencies to take a closer look at the situation of small island communities under their jurisdiction because such communities need policy and financial support in their CBDRRM plans.

The report further said that it will be good to start with assisting such communities in terms of disaster risk financing and disaster insurance education, alongside a human rights-based approach (HRBA) to DRR and gender mainstreaming in disaster management.

HHI Study recommendations: The report recommends that when tapping into partnerships with development actors, Pugad’s community leaders must focus on generating resources for pre-disaster investments, such as disaster risk financing. It can include local government purchase of insurances to protect government assets and actively promoting disaster insurance education to grassroots communities through formal and informal strategies. 

Formal strategies can include developing policies to promote the use of disaster insurance in the public and private sectors, allocating more resources for making disaster insurance affordable, and integrating disaster insurance education in basic education. 

Informal strategies can include role models and testimony from local or community leaders, champions, and celebrities, and promotion of disaster insurance education via community-based organizations to reach the grassroots level.

For infrastructure, the study also proposed that the residents in Pugad must invest in stilted housing rather than spending much of their savings and external financial support they receive on regularly fixing their damaged houses due to floods and land subsidence.

Stilted housing can be the most effective type of adaptation strategy for people in small island communities in the Philippines who choose to stay over relocation measures, the report suggested.

The study also noted the following other key findings in Pugad that are crucial in CBDRRM: There is accountability, transparency, and maintenance of peace and security of their community leadership but getting the active participation of wider members in the community remains a challenge.

There is consciousness in upholding the right to life, liberty, and personal security but lacks policies and projects to make people fully aware and claim their rights.

There is the inclusion of vulnerable sectors, including women, in disaster risk reduction and management efforts through a convergence strategy, but gender hierarchy and division of labor still permeate in the community-based leadership. (Photos: HHI/Google Images)

 

 

Embraer partners with Widerøe, Rolls-Royce for zero-emission research

Embraer partners with Widerøe, Rolls-Royce for zero-emission research

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

SINGAPORE – Embraer, a global aerospace company inked partnership with Widerøe Zero and Rolls-Royce, Thursday, February 17 for a 12-month cooperation research study on a zero-emission regional aircraft in the context of pre-competitive research and development that addresses passenger requirements to stay connected in a post Covid-19 world, but do so sustainably and seeks to accelerate the knowledge of the technologies necessary for this transition.

According to the study plan, such technologies will allow national governments to continue to support passenger mobility while reusing most of the existing infrastructure in a more sustainable way.

Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation said, technological innovations can potentially enable clean and renewable energy to power a new era of regional aviation. “The aim of our collaboration is to create new flight solutions that serve expanded market segments in a sustainable manner. I strongly believe this could lead to fully sustainable connectivity, including (very) short haul intercity operations,” Meijer added.

Advances in scientific research can make clean and renewable energy a major enabler of a new era of regional aviation and the three companies will share their combined in-depth knowledge of aircraft design, market demand, operations and propulsion solutions to further develop their understanding of zero-emission technologies and how they can be matured and applied to future regional aircraft.

The study will cover a wide range of applications for new propulsion technologies to examine a range of potential solutions – including all-electric, hydrogen fuel cell or hydrogen fueled gas turbine powered aircraft.

Andreas Aks, CEO of Widerøe Zero, a subsidiary of Widerøe AS said, the company is excited to take part in this highly interesting research. “Working with the world’s leading aerospace technology firms, our aim is to understand how viable business can be built around zero emissions regional concepts, and to advise the manufacturers on operational requirements and customer expectations to design the best possible and sustainable air mobility service,” he said.

“This is an exciting project which will shape our thinking on solutions for net-zero regional operation. As pioneers of power, this is the kind of engineering challenge that we relish. We have an excellent working relationship with both Embraer and Wideroe, and look forward to deepening our collaboration,” Chris Cholerton, President – Civil Aerospace, Rolls-Royce said.

Embraer is a global aerospace company headquartered in Brazil with businesses in Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security and Agricultural Aviation.

Widerøe Zero is an Air Mobility Incubator set up for a revolution in aviation. Owned by the Aviation Group Widerøe AS and headquartered in Norway that tackles all the regulatory, commercial and financing challenges involved in purchasing and entering new aircraft concepts into revenue service.

Rolls-Royce Holdings pioneers the power that matters to connect, power and protect society that pledged to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by 2030, and that all its products are compatible with net zero by 2050. (Photos: Embraer/Google Images)

 

 

Honeywell launches mobile app for pilots’ flight efficiency

Honeywell launches mobile app for pilots’ flight efficiency

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

SINGAPORE-- Honeywell launched a new mobile app for pilots called “Forge Pilot Connect” designed to improve fuel savings while increasing crew interaction throughout the flight and better enable flight efficiency insights and recommendations.  The mobile app is available in the app store for Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency customers in March 2022.

Honeywell Forge Pilot Connect will provide improved situational awareness and give a clear overview of how it can boost flight efficiency. Combined with pilots’ collective flying experience, airlines will be able to seamlessly integrate fuel efficiency information into their flight briefing and debriefing process. The key advantage of the app is that airlines can customize the flight efficiency insights they share.

“The existing mobile app, formerly known as GoDirect Fuel Efficiency, allows flight efficiency managers to export dashboards from the data analytics portal to a mobile device. While this approach provides flexibility and customization, there is now an increasing need for the data insights to be presented in a more interactive manner that is aligned with the practical and immediate needs of the pilots,” Honeywell Aerospace Services and Connectivity president Philippe Chevrier said.

Chevrier added that the fully customizable Honeywell Forge Pilot Connect mobile app will not only include all of the features and functionalities of the existing app, but will also incorporate several new advanced enhancements to improve pilot engagement.

More than 3,000 aircraft rely on Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency, an enterprise performance management solution to improve flight efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. Key features of the platform are Advanced Trajectory Analytics, Deep Data Analysis and Emissions Reduction.

With Advanced Trajectory Analytics, machine learning algorithms can automatically detect flight events and procedures such as automated shortcut detection, holding detection, acceleration altitude reduction and continuous descent operations, among others.

Deep data analysis feature, airlines can use the platform to analyze multiple disparate sources of data simultaneously to measure performance and derive insights for more efficient operations. Users can either use the pre-defined analytics and reports or define their own custom queries.

Reducing fuel consumption is the best way for an airline to cut emissions while reducing operating costs. Honeywell Forge Flight Efficiency is designed to improve fuel efficiency, assisting with reducing direct fuel costs as well as the additional cost of offsetting carbon emissions.

Honeywell Forge software solutions serve the aircraft, building, industrial, worker and cybersecurity segments. Honeywell Forge often replaces multiple-point solutions, connecting stakeholders across an organization to provide a unified system of record for operations-related data.

US government hands nearly P10M worth of reading materials to MBHTE in Maguindanao

CEBU CITY -- The U.S. government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) handed over nearly Php10 million worth of early grade reading materials in the Magindanawn language to the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education (MBHTE) for the province of Maguindanao, Cotabato City and special geographic areas in the province of Cotabato.

“As education systems continue to rebuild amid the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID will continue working with partners to mitigate learning losses, equip educators and institutions to be more resilient and adaptive to the current situation, and ensure children have continuous access to quality education,” USAID Philippines Acting Office Director for Education Yvette Malcioln said at the handover event in Davao City on February 10.

The materials benefit nearly 100,000 children from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and more than 2,000 teachers in the region.  The digital versions of these materials will also be uploaded to the Department of Education’s (DepEd) online portal so Magindanawn children all over the country can access them.

MBHTE minister Mohagher Iqbal is grateful of the partnership with USAID, RTI International, and DepEd that resulted in a successful undertaking to improve the children’s reading comprehension through specially-designed and quality-assured early grade books in Magindanawn

USAID’s support to Magindanawn learners includes training 40 local Bangsamoro writers, illustrators, editors, and evaluators to develop early grade reading materials; developing and distributing 77 books in Magindanawn; and translating or adapting 45 titles into Magindanawn.

Through its ABC+: Advancing Basic Education in the Philippines project, USAID has distributed more than 9 million early grade reading materials, including books in various mother tongues, to over 600,000 students and 42,000 teachers.

In partnership with DepEd, the project aims to ensure young children in the Philippines will continue having access to quality education and learning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Globe continues its internet safety campaign, blocks 1.15B scam, spam messages in 2021

CEBU CITY— Globe Telecom vowed to continue its internet safety campaign to protect further customers amid increased online activity under the pandemic as it blocked 1.15 billion scam and spam messages, 7,000 mobile numbers linked to scammers and 2,000 unofficial social media accounts and phishing sites in 2021.

Globe chief information security officer Anton Bonifacio said that customer protection has always been a top priority for Globe. It is continuously strengthening its systems and processes to combat emerging security threats across the Globe Group of Companies while also pioneering better partnerships and coordination with the private sector as a whole.

Bonifacio bared that Globe invests in tools to proactively detect suspicious content on the internet to protect its employees and customers from online attacks. Reporting tools and processes were also enabled for employees, customers, and partners to immediately capture customer concerns on fraud and scams.

Fraud and security chatbots are also in place to assist employees with privacy and cybersecurity-related concerns. They provide a comprehensive archive of privacy and security terms and assessment guides, and respond to privacy and security requests.

Globe revealed that another key initiative of the company is the collaboration with all major commercial banks and online retailers in the country to ensure quick and efficient handling of spam and fraud. Partners are provided with a direct and round-the-clock communication channel to report malicious or fraudulent activities for immediate investigation and blocking.

Globe encourages the public to be more aware and vigilant of cybercriminal activity, as threats such as spam calls and messages, and fake promotions are beyond the company’s control.

Customers may report these concerns to the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group at https://acg.pnp.gov.ph/eComplaint/ or the National Telecommunications Commission at https://ntc.gov.ph/complaint-page-2/.  

Globe reminds customers to only transact with official channels to avoid falling victim to scams. Report scam messages to https://www.globe.com.ph/stop-spam or tampered modems to https://www.globe.com.ph/report-tampered-modem.html.  Customers may also get in touch with Globe at https://www.globe.com.ph/contact-us.

Globe continues to regularly provide its customers with relevant information about fraud, cybersecurity, and data privacy to boost awareness and help them protect themselves against these threats. Social media advisories are released periodically to quickly warn customers about the latest scams. (Photos: Globe/PRWorks)

 

 

BPO Partylist to push for 6-point agenda for online freelancers

CEBU CITY -- The Cebu-based Bangon Philippine Outsourcing, Inc. (BPO) Partylist kicked off its campaign with its 6-point agenda for online freelancers and the rest of those in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Industry.

BPO Partylist first nominee Mike Cubos said that online freelancing is the future of work. Business is now discovering this as a sustainable way to operate a business, he said during a virtual open forum with BPO Partylist hosted by Grace Locsin, CEO of Surge Freelancing Marketplace.

"The beauty of online freelancing is that there's a worldwide sharing of talents. The talent is not just limited to a certain area. For a certain a business, they can have the best talents that the world can offer by just outsourcing. It is now a trend and it seems it will continue growing for years to come," Cubos continued.

Cubos pledged to look after the welfare and work in the best interest of all those in the outsourcing industry. 
As a former online freelancer himself, Cubos firmly believes that the future of work will include freelancing activities especially at this time of pandemic where companies all over the world have discovered freelancing as a sustainable way to operate a business.

The BPO Partylist also trongly advocate and push for the promotion, development, sustainability, support, and advancement of Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM), Countryside Development, Startups and Online Filipino Workers in the Philippines.

Cubos sees a deep need for the government to pay much attention to the BPO circle being one of the biggest contributors of the country's economic growth and prosperity for the past three decades now.

"I realized that being in the call center industry and as a Filipino owner, there's a lot of limitations in terms of opportunities and support. I see we havs a lot of things to really focus on. That is why we need Congress representation," Cubos said.

Cubos added that the numbef one priority of thr BPO Partylist is the online freelancers. He sees online freelancing as the biggest answer to joblessness.  The country is facing a lot of displaced workers and new graduates finding difficulty in getting work.

With this in mind, Cubos and the BPO Partylist come up with a six-pronged agenda for the good of online freelancers in particular and the BPO family in general across the nation.

Foremost in its list is the creation of co-working hubs in different cities and towns in partnership with the local government units and concerned government agencies.

Secondly, he BPO Partylist also yearns to give online freelancers access to financial assistance especially for those who are just starting. 

Thirdly, Cubos said they will endeavor for free training and education. "We want the government to sponsor free training for all Filipinos nationwide. The barrier for displaced workers and those who are jobless will no longer be that high because the training is there. All they have to do is to invest their time and do their training and after that, they have a higher chance of getting work."

Fourthly, the BPO Partylist wants to push for the Digital Services Entrepreneurs' Advancement and Mentoring (DREAM) program to transform freelancers into entrepreneurs.

The DREAM program can help level up online freelancing to transition from reelancers to become entrepreneurs where they can provide more jobs, Cubos said.
The last two in the agenda are to push for a Digital Workers Center; and Special Government Agency for Freelancers.

The Digital Workers Center is a one-stop shop for everything that you need as a freelancer. It's a center for online freelancers to go to when they need help, when they need support, Cubos added.

Cubos said that lastly, the creatoin of a special government agency for freelancers is needed to controls and governs the online freelance industry, an industry that can provide millions of jobs in the next three years.

Cubos admitted that all the programs they want to enforce will not happen overnight but with unity and cooperation from all the stakeholders, it is doable and highly achievable.  "We want to make this big in the national level," Cubos said.

 

Malasakit Centers are superfluous with proper implementation of UHC

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Malasakit Centers become superfluous with the proper and strict implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC) that was signed into law in 2019, the best achievement of the Duterte administration, according to Dr. Minguita Padilla, a senatorial candidate for the May 2022 elections under the Partido Reforma.

“With the implementation of the UHC, the entire country is a functional Malasakit Center. As a practicing doctor, I want to push for the health for all Filipinos.  What we need today is to achieve the proper implementation of the UHC; ensure optimum response to the COVID pandemic and equip the country to be better prepared for coming pandemics and to urgently address the systemic problem inside PhilHealth,” Padilla said.

Padilla visited Cebu on the last week of January this year and met with various groups including media, mayors, barangay captains, women and youth groups to present and push for her 12-point agenda with focus on the implementation of the UHC, Agriculture and Food Security and special mention on the Mandanas Bill and Budget Reform Agenda for Village Empowerment or BRAVE when she is elected to the Senate.

She admitted that we need a doctor in the Senate because there are many issues on the country’s wellbeing, corruption within the health sector, addressing the chain management problem of medicines and medical supplies and the growing issues on mental health problems among the young generation.

 “There is a need to revisit the budget devolution and sharing with the local government units down to the barangays,” Padilla would push for budget reforms for village empowerment with the additional one billion pesos to each province per year; P100M additional to each City per year and P5M additional to each barangay per year.

Padilla said she will also revisit the political system of the country. First thing she’ll do in the Senate is to get the chairmanship of the health committee and to call the oversight committee on health to tackle the various healthcare issues in the country, she added.

“We need a very good executive department led by a strong honest, competent president. That’s why I’m running for the Senate to give hope to the younger generation in this country,” Padilla said.