Category: Philippine Star

The Public Private Partnership (PPP) Center and the Cebu provincial government have teamed up to develop a pipeline of projects to be implemented as PPPs.

In a statement, the PPP Center said that a memorandum of agreement (MOA) was signed by Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro and PPP Center deputy executive director Eleazar Ricote for the collaboration.

Under the MOA, the PPP Center will assist the Cebu provincial government in identifying, evaluating, structuring and preparing projects that may be implemented as PPPs.

Through the PPP mode of project implementation, the government taps the private sector for the delivery of infrastructure and development projects typically provided by the public sector.

Under this arrangement, the parties share the associated risks, while the private sector’s investment recovery is tied to its performance.

As part of the MOA, the PPP Center will help the provincial government throughout the project approval, procurement and implementation stages.

In addition, the PPP Center will help the provincial government determine which potential PPP projects may qualify for support from the Project Development and Monitoring Facility (PDMF).

Managed by the PPP Center, the PDMF is a revolving fund that implementing agencies, including local government units (LGUs), can tap for PPP project development, procurement and implementation.

For its part, the Cebu provincial government will establish a PPP unit to work with the PPP Center.

The Cebu provincial government has identified the Solar Energy Program for Cebu Provincial Hospitals as a possible PPP project.

The proposed project aims to reduce electricity cost and improve selected provincial hospitals’ energy resilience.

As part of the MOA, the PPP Center and Cebu provincial government are also looking at the possible development of inter-LGU and regional projects to improve connectivity and promote investments and economic development in Cebu and Central Visayas.

The government expects unemployment to ease in the second half as overall economic activity improves and infrastructure spending picks up, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev).

‘We expect some recovery in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. So that should improve,’ DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan told reporters when asked for an outlook on unemployment.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that the unemployment rate rose to six percent in July, the highest since January and February 2022, when it reached 6.4 percent.

The unemployment rate translated to 3.14 million jobless Filipinos in July, higher than the 2.59 million in the previous month and in the same month last year.

Balisacan said that the deterioration in the labor market situation reflects the slowdown in economic growth observed in the second quarter.

Economic growth in the second quarter slowed to 2.3 percent, the weakest performance in five years, amid high inflation that dampened consumption and slower public infrastructure spending following the flood control controversy.

Balisacan said he expects better labor market conditions in the second half as economic activity improves.

‘In the third quarter, hopefully we can manage to go up a bit. But with the improvement in the economic activity in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter, I think the labor market will also adjust,’ he said.

He said that problems related to the slowdown in public construction are expected to be resolved as government infrastructure spending picks up.

Flood control corruption issues have led to the government’s stricter project review and delays in public infrastructure spending and project execution.

‘That is now gradually being unclogged,’ Balisacan said.

For GlobalSource Partners country analysts Diwa Guinigundo and Wilhelmina Manalac, the latest unemployment result should be treated by the government as an early warning signal, with the economy growing at a pace that may no longer be enough to comfortably absorb a rising labor force, while inflation remains elevated.

‘The policy priority should be to revive investment and productivity, strengthen sectors capable of creating quality employment and ensure that growth translates into better jobs and real income gains for Filipino households,’ Guinigundo and Manalac said in a report.

Management Association of the Philippines president Donald Lim said that hiring activity is guided by businesses’ outlook on the economy.

‘Business will always operate on a level of predictability and stability. If it is unpredictable and unstable, you will be conservative. Conservative means you will not hire first,’ he said.

He said that the country’s economic performance may be a reason why businesses are not hiring more workers.

Even if the economy recovers, he said that businesses are unlikely to immediately increase staff numbers.

He said that the emergence of new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) is helping some employees perform the work without the need to hire additional staff.

While AI use is also expected to help create new jobs, he said that companies are currently in the transition period and these new jobs are still being determined.

Balisacan said the information technology – business process management industry is currently using AI to tap opportunities to provide higher value services.

‘That means that they’re working closely with other sectors, including the public sector, in upscaling their workforce. If we succeed in upscaling them, I don’t think that, and this is supported by the industry itself, that they (employees) will be replaced,’ he said.

Lim said that the country’s labor laws are also among the reasons that may be affecting hiring activity.

‘I think our labor laws are quite challenging versus other countries,’ he said.

Local labor laws protect employees’ security of tenure. As such, companies cannot just make immediate workforce adjustments or let employees go without complying with certain processes.

Lim said the minimum wage hike adjustment in the National Capital Region may also be another factor affecting hiring decisions, particularly of small and medium enterprises.

‘Business in general, maybe with technology and maybe whatever benefits the economy will give them, can give them a boost. But it does not now equate to hiring because hiring in the Philippines is hard. There are many conditions,’ he said.

Edgie Arances and Anisha Caluya turned in standout performances to claim top honors in the Filipino Elite Category of the Damosa Land 5150 Triathlon on Sunday, emerging as the leading Filipino performers in the demanding Olympic-distance race here in Davao del Norte.

Arances was particularly dominant, combining a strong swim, blistering bike leg and steady run to capture the Filipino Elite crown in two hours, 13 minutes and five seconds, beating Al-Rasheim Saggap (2:13:58) and Earl James Ting (2:22:57).

The seasoned endurance campaigner, who has gained valuable experience from competing in major local and international races, completed the 1.5-km swim in 24:01, powered through the 40-km bike leg in 1:05:49, then closed out the 10-km run in 40:34.

His performance underscored the combination of power, speed and stamina that has made him one of the country’s rising endurance talents.

Reflecting on the emotional weight of his victory, Arances emphasized the grueling journey that preceded it. “This win means a lot to me; it represents far more than just a medal or a final result. It’s a true reflection of the immense sacrifices, rigorous training, and personal challenges I overcame to reach the starting line.”

He acknowledged the severe physical demands of the event, noting that mental resilience ultimately carried him through.

“The race was incredibly demanding. The rolling course tested my limits, particularly during the bike and run segments. Even when physical exhaustion set in, I had to constantly remind myself to maintain focus and refuse to give up,” he said.

Despite the mounting exhaustion, a late-stage surge allowed him to close out the competition with a dominant performance. “I believe my performance truly peaked during the run. I managed to push past the heavy fatigue, leaving absolutely everything out on the course as I fought toward the finish line,” said Arances.

Caluya likewise lived up to the pre-race expectations, ruling the women’s Filipino Elite field in 2:29:19 after a balanced effort of 23:34 in the swim, 1:17:35 on the bike and 45:37 in the run.

Her victory was another strong statement following her gold-medal performance in the Sprint Junior Elite Women’s category of the 2026 national age group aquathlon, showing that she could carry her speed and confidence into the longer Olympic-distance format.

Also making their mark were James Van Ramoga and Natalie Doromal-Lim, who topped their respective age groups and claimed overall championships in their categories.

Van Ramoga was the first age-group finisher overall in men’s division, clocking 2:22:44 on splits of 25:56 in the swim, 1:09:24 on the bike and 44:46 in the run.

He bested Xak Tupas, Jr. (2:31:38) and Gio Juaneza (2:35:06).

Doromal-Lim, meanwhile, successfully defended her title in the women’s side, posting 2:43:58 to finish first among the female age-group contenders and complete back-to-back victories in Samal after also ruling the category last year.

She had split times of 29:57-1:15:54-54:01, dominating Annabelle Torres (2:49:43) and Althaea Benignos (3:30:47).

The race opened under overcast skies and finished in humid midday conditions, with cloud cover shielding the athletes from the full heat of the sun. The manageable conditions nevertheless did little to ease the demands of a course that tested the field across three disciplines.

Arances and Caluya stood out in a deep field of competitors in the second staging of the Damosa Land 5150, reinforcing Samal Island’s growing reputation as an emerging hub for triathlon and endurance racing in the Philippines.

The Filipino Elite Category forms part of the Philippine Sports Commission’s continuing effort to strengthen the country’s high-performance sports program, while major competitions such as the Damosa Land 5150 also provide a platform to promote national pride and sports tourism.

Organized by Sunrise Events Inc., the second Damosa Land 5150, supported and hosted by Cary Lagdameo, president of Damosa Land, and Samal Mayor Lemuel Reyes, also brought down the curtain on the inaugural four-leg 5150 Triathlon Islands of the Philippines Series, which has taken elite-level racing to some of the country’s most scenic sporting destinations, including Guimaras, Camiguin and Bohol.

The performances of Arances, Caluya, Van Ramoga and Doromal-Lim capped a showcase of endurance racing that blended elite competition, emerging Filipino talent and the scenic appeal of Samal Island.

Administrative charges have been filed against three municipal police chiefs in Cavite in connection with a shooting incident in Maragondon, which resulted in the death of a policeman and an aide of a mayor.

Majors Ian Lexter Loyola, Melvin Isidro and Henry Salazar of the Maragondon, Ternate and Magallanes police, respectively, were charged with neglect and simple irregularity in the performance of duty along with a master sergeant, three staff sergeants and a patrolman.

Seven others including two executive master sergeants, a chief master sergeant, two staff sergeants and two corporals were charged with grave neglect of duty.

The charges were filed before the Cavite police Internal Affairs Service.

A criminal complaint was filed against Cpl. Rolando Periodico Jr. of the Trece Martires police, the alleged gunman in the killing of S/Sgt. Junmark Sisante of the Magallanes police and Arjay Mojica, aide of the mayor of Maragondon.

Records showed that Periodico allegedly shot dead Sisante and Mojica during an argument at a resort in Barangay San Miguel A on Aug. 12.

Periodico is also facing administrative charges.

National Police Commission-Calabarzon chief Owen de Luna ordered Cavite police director Col. Ariel Red and Trece Martires police chief Lt. Col. Bryan Merino as well as Loyola, Isidro and Salazar to submit a comprehensive report and the names of officers implicated in the incident.

East West Banking Corp. of the Gotianun family has partnered with financial comparison platform Moneymax to reach more borrowers through an online channel for comparing and applying for personal loans.

The arrangement allows consumers to view EastWest’s personal loan offerings, or financing for individual borrowing needs, alongside other options on Moneymax and begin their applications through the platform.

Applicants complete an online form, with their details digitally transmitted to EastWest for processing and approval. Lending decisions remain with the bank.

The partnership expands the loan options available on Moneymax, the Philippine platform of Nasdaq-listed MoneyHero Ltd., while supporting EastWest’s efforts to attract customers through digital channels.

MoneyHero Group chief commercial officer Shravan Thakur said the collaboration would strengthen the platform’s personal loan offerings in the country.

‘By working with EastWest, we are able to connect more Filipinos with established lenders through a clear and efficient application journey,’ Thakur said.

Latest data from the central bank showed that consumer loans grew by 17.1 percent to P2.06 trillion in July from P1.76 trillion a year ago. Growth was driven by continued expansion in credit card and motor vehicle loans.

EastWest CEO Jerry Ngo said the arrangement would bring the bank’s products to consumers while they assess potential sources of credit.

‘Our partnership with Moneymax allows us to bring this approach to customers at the point where they are actively exploring financing options, connecting them to personal loan solutions that are supported by the service strength of a full-service universal bank,’ Ngo said.

Moneymax offers comparison services across credit cards, loans and insurance. Its parent MoneyHero operates in Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the Philippines.

EastWest is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp., whose businesses include property, banking, hospitality and power generation.

Angelo Que returns to the Philippine Golf Tour spotlight with his sights set on another championship, while Aidric Chan and multi-titled Clyde Mondilla also rejoin the hunt as a formidable field converges for the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic beginning Monday, September 21, at the Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club here.

Fresh from a 1-2 finish at Summit Point last week, Que and Chan had been uncertain about their participation in the sixth leg of the PGT as they were also campaigning in Taiwan. But after both failed to make the weekend cut, the two are expected to make the trip home in time for the opening round of the P2.5-million championship.

Mondilla, meanwhile, skipped the Summit Point stop to honor a previous commitment but has confirmed his return this week, further deepening an already talent-packed cast for the 10-leg circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

With three of the tour’s big guns back in the fold, defending champion Rupert Zaragosa’s bid for a third straight championship here faces another stern test at the tight and demanding Marapara layout.

Zaragosa headlines a field that also includes five-time Order of Merit winner Tony Lascuña, Jhonnel Ababa, Reymon Jaraula, Zanieboy Gilaon, Guido van der Valk, Fidel Concepcion and Jeffren Lumbo – a group whose contrasting styles and experience could make for another intriguing four-day battle.

The Marapara course is expected to put a premium on precision and course management, with its tight confines leaving little room for wayward shots. And with partly cloudy conditions, scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms forecast throughout the tournament week, the elements could further complicate the challenge.

Wind, in particular, could become a significant factor, forcing the players to constantly adjust their shot selection and strategy as they negotiate the layout over four rounds.

All that sets the stage for another wide-open title fight, with several players eager to make their move in the second half of the season.

Chan remains one of the biggest names to watch as he continues his search for his breakthrough PGT victory. The young shotmaker, who already won an Asian Development Tour leg, will again be tested against a deep field that includes Russell Bautista, Dino Villanueva, Elee Bisera, Nilo Salahog and Arnold Villacencio, along with foreign contenders Collin Wheeler, Ha Taewon, Kim Tae Soo, Lee Song and Jiseung Cheon.

Filipino-American Ivan Yabut also hopes to turn around a string of disappointing results and finally make a serious run at the championship after struggling to impose his game on the country’s demanding layouts.

Former leg winners Jay Bayron, Mars Pucay, Gerald Rosales, Jerson Balasabas, Ira Alido and Michael Bibat are likewise looking to rediscover the form that once made them regular title threats on the circuit.

The younger generation will also be out to make its presence felt, led by Gab Manotoc, Kristoffer Arevalo, Josh Jorge, Jonas Magcalayo and Leandro Bagtas. All five have shown flashes of potential and will be eager to get into contention early and sustain the pressure as the week progresses.

But much of the attention will inevitably center on Que.

At 47, the veteran remains as hungry as ever, and his recent results suggest that his competitive fire has hardly dimmed. A three-time Asian Tour winner, Que captured the Caliraya Springs leg in dramatic fashion, edging Lascuña by one stroke before following it up with another impressive victory at Summit Point, where he beat Chan by two.

Those triumphs have placed Que firmly in the spotlight as he goes after a third victory of the season – and another strong push toward retaining the Order of Merit crown.

More than anything, however, Que’s recent run has underscored the depth of his experience and his ability to adapt, qualities that could prove invaluable on a Marapara course where patience and precision are likely to be just as important as power.

For Zaragosa, the challenge is to keep his winning streak alive against a field that has become considerably stronger with the return of Que, Chan and Mondilla.

For the rest, it is an opportunity to seize the momentum as the PGT enters the second half of its 10-leg campaign.

And with the wind expected to swirl, rain potentially altering conditions and a loaded field ready to pounce, the Negros Occidental Classic could once again come down to who can best keep his game – and nerves – under control when the pressure mounts.

Movem Electric Inc., the sustainable mobility arm of Manila Electric Co., has teamed up with the Filinvest Group to set up an electric vehicle (EV) charging facility at Festival Mall in Muntinlupa.

The partnership between Movem and Filinvest Malls brings EV charging closer to motorists while supporting the shift toward cleaner mobility and helping create more EV-ready communities.

Located at the Alabang-Zapote parking area of Festival Mall, the project combines EV charging infrastructure with a digital advertising platform.

The charging station is supported by ChargeM, Movem’s mobile application that allows EV users to conveniently access, monitor and manage their charging sessions.

‘At Movem, we believe EV charging should fit naturally into people’s daily routines. Our partnership with Filinvest at Festival Mall brings reliable and convenient charging closer to where people live, work and spend their time,’ Movem president and CEO Ralph Menchavez said.

‘As a destination where people come together for their everyday activities, Festival Mall provides a natural setting for EV charging to be part of the customer experience,’ he added.

Beyond Festival Mall, Movem also intends to expand its EV charging support across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments.

Earlier, Movem turned over two fully electric shuttles to Barangay Bel-Air in Makati, giving residents a cleaner and more sustainable transportation option within the community.

The shuttles offer longer driving range, faster charging turnaround and improved passenger safety and comfort features. Each unit can accommodate up to 14 passengers and travel up to 150 kilometers on a single charge.

The Philippines hasn’t collected more than four gold medals in the last 15 editions of the Asian Games or since a haul of seven mints in 1962. The largest harvest was 14 at the 1954 Asiad in Manila. The target for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is eight golds which the country brought back from the Tokyo conclave in 1958. If the Philippines bags eight this year, it will be historic. A golden eight will mark the best finish in 64 years and match the second-best finish ever in 68 years.

Is snaring eight golds doable? In the previous Asiad, the collection was four golds, two silvers and 12 bronzes for a total of 18 medals. The golds were more than what Southeast Asian neighbors Singapore and Vietnam garnered. Claiming golds for the Philippines were pole vaulter EJ Obiena, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of jiu jitsu and the men’s 5×5 basketball team. The silver medalists were boxer Eumir Marcial and wushu’s Arnel Mandal. Ochoa and Mandal are now retired from active competition. Obiena and Ramirez are back for another run. Marcial will return but it depends on the outcome of his eight-round fight against Omar Huerta in San Diego on Sept. 19. If Marcial emerges unscathed, he’ll fly straight to Nagoya where his first bout is set on Sept. 23.

Two-time Olympic and three-time world champion Carlos Yulo heads the cast of gold prospects. Yulo, 26, could account for multiple golds as he’s entered in eight events, including team, all-around, floor and vault. Tennis star Alex Eala, 21, is another gold favorite. Only two Asians are ranked above Eala in the WTA ladder but No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and No. 17 Naomi Osaka of Japan aren’t competing in Nagoya. Indonesia’s No. 51 Janice Tien is also skipping the event. China’s No. 40 Wang Xinyu and No. 52 Zheng Qinwen aren’t expected because the Asian Games schedule is conflicted with the Beijing Open.

Eala’s decision to play in Nagoya comes at a stiff price as she faces sanction from WTA for declining her slot in a mandatory 1000 tournament. Her dedication to represent the country is laudable and perhaps, the $10,000 fine expected from WTA could be shouldered by government. That kind of devotion should rub off on basketball players who agree to suit up for the national team only if the price is right.

Obiena, 30, is determined to pocket a second Asiad gold in his third appearance. In the previous Asian Games, he set a meet record with a jump of 5.90m. This year, Obiena has cleared 5.90m and 5.91m. The World No. 11 vaulter will be challenged by No. 15 Seifeldin Abdelsalam of Qatar. Other gold hopefuls are the comebacking Ramirez, jiu jitsu world champion Kim Custodio, Olympic boxing medalists Marcial (if available), Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, Team Sibol vying in six of 11 esports games, mixed martial artists Jean Claude Saclag, Gina Araos and Carlos Alvarez and contenders from wushu, taekwondo and weightlifting. The eight golds or maybe even more could come from this pool. The target is certainly achievable.

Metro Cebu’s air quality deteriorated anew yesterday, September 19, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 264, classified as ‘acutely unhealthy,’ amid continuing transboundary haze from wildfires in Indonesia.

The Environmental Management Bureau Region VII (EMB-7) recorded an AQI of 264 at its Metro Cebu monitoring station as of 11 a.m. on Sept. 19.

The latest reading marked a sharp reversal from the improvement recorded earlier this week, when Metro Cebu’s AQI was classified as fair.

On Sept. 16, the Metro Cebu station recorded an AQI of 57, classified as fair, while the Barangay Cabitoonan station in Toledo City registered 17, classified as good.

By September 18, however, Metro Cebu’s air quality began deteriorating, with the AQI reaching 146 at 11 p.m., classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ The reading rose further to 264 by 11 a.m. on September 19, placing Metro Cebu in the ‘acutely unhealthy’ category.

In Toledo City, the AQI was recorded at 33 at 11 p.m. on Sept. 18, classified as good. However, the reading later increased to 103, classified as ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’

The September 19 Metro Cebu reading was 207 points higher than the September 16 reading, or an increase of about 363 percent.

The latest reading also surpassed the previous peak of 251 recorded on September 3, making September 19 the highest AQI recorded in the monitoring data provided since the haze episode began.

Earlier monitoring showed how rapidly air quality had fluctuated this month. Metro Cebu’s AQI was 173, or very unhealthy, on September 1 before worsening to 251, or acutely unhealthy, on September 3.

Air quality subsequently improved, reaching the fair category by September 10 and remaining fair through September 16.

The improvement was interrupted on September 12, when the AQI climbed to 154, classified as very unhealthy, before dropping again to 57 on September 16.

EMB-7 said it is actively monitoring local ambient air quality as transboundary haze from Indonesian wildfires affects the region. The renewed deterioration also comes as Indonesia continues to deal with severe wildfires and transboundary haze.

The haze has been associated with wildfire activity in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

EMB-7 earlier identified elevated fine particulate matter, or PM2.5, as a concern during the haze episode.

With Metro Cebu now under the acutely unhealthy classification, EMB-7 advised the public to limit outdoor exertion.

People with heart or respiratory diseases, including those with asthma, were advised to stay indoors and rest as much as possible.

The bureau also advised residents to postpone unnecessary trips. Depending on the severity and persistence of the pollution, motor vehicle use may be restricted and industrial activities may be curtailed.

The public is urged to continue monitoring official air quality advisories and updates from EMB-7, as conditions may change depending on haze movement and prevailing weather conditions.

The Philippines hasn’t collected more than four gold medals in the last 15 editions of the Asian Games or since a haul of seven mints in 1962. The largest harvest was 14 at the 1954 Asiad in Manila. The target for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games is eight golds which the country brought back from the Tokyo conclave in 1958. If the Philippines bags eight this year, it will be historic. A golden eight will mark the best finish in 64 years and match the second-best finish ever in 68 years.

Is snaring eight golds doable? In the previous Asiad, the collection was four golds, two silvers and 12 bronzes for a total of 18 medals. The golds were more than what Southeast Asian neighbors Singapore and Vietnam garnered. Claiming golds for the Philippines were pole vaulter EJ Obiena, Meggie Ochoa and Annie Ramirez of jiu jitsu and the men’s 5×5 basketball team. The silver medalists were boxer Eumir Marcial and wushu’s Arnel Mandal. Ochoa and Mandal are now retired from active competition. Obiena and Ramirez are back for another run. Marcial will return but it depends on the outcome of his eight-round fight against Omar Huerta in San Diego on Sept. 19. If Marcial emerges unscathed, he’ll fly straight to Nagoya where his first bout is set on Sept. 23.

Two-time Olympic and three-time world champion Carlos Yulo heads the cast of gold prospects. Yulo, 26, could account for multiple golds as he’s entered in eight events, including team, all-around, floor and vault. Tennis star Alex Eala, 21, is another gold favorite. Only two Asians are ranked above Eala in the WTA ladder but No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan and No. 17 Naomi Osaka of Japan aren’t competing in Nagoya. Indonesia’s No. 51 Janice Tien is also skipping the event. China’s No. 40 Wang Xinyu and No. 52 Zheng Qinwen aren’t expected because the Asian Games schedule is conflicted with the Beijing Open.

Eala’s decision to play in Nagoya comes at a stiff price as she faces sanction from WTA for declining her slot in a mandatory 1000 tournament. Her dedication to represent the country is laudable and perhaps, the $10,000 fine expected from WTA could be shouldered by government. That kind of devotion should rub off on basketball players who agree to suit up for the national team only if the price is right.

Obiena, 30, is determined to pocket a second Asiad gold in his third appearance. In the previous Asian Games, he set a meet record with a jump of 5.90m. This year, Obiena has cleared 5.90m and 5.91m. The World No. 11 vaulter will be challenged by No. 15 Seifeldin Abdelsalam of Qatar. Other gold hopefuls are the comebacking Ramirez, jiu jitsu world champion Kim Custodio, Olympic boxing medalists Marcial (if available), Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas, Team Sibol vying in six of 11 esports games, mixed martial artists Jean Claude Saclag, Gina Araos and Carlos Alvarez and contenders from wushu, taekwondo and weightlifting. The eight golds or maybe even more could come from this pool. The target is certainly achievable.