Ahead of second SONA, experts call for BBM to prioritize Maritime Zones Law

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

On the occasion of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) next Monday, July 24, maritime security experts are calling for the President to prioritize the passage of the Maritime Zones Law.

The Maritime Zones Law will declare the Philippine maritime zones based on standards set by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). It will also clarify the geographical extent of the Philippine maritime domain and the legal powers that the Philippine government may exercise. The House of Representatives approved House Bill 7819 or the proposed Philippine Maritime Zones Act in May 2023, while several versions of the Maritime Zones Bill have been filed in the Senate.

The enactment of the Philippine Maritime Zones Act will be one of the most fundamental and important steps to implement the South China Sea Arbitration Award. In 2016, the Arbitral Ruling declared China’s “nine-dash line” and claim to historic rights in the South China Sea as unlawful, as well as certain maritime features and other activities in Philippine waters.

“The current administration has made progress in securing our territorial integrity and protecting our rights. It must be recalled that during Pres. Marcos’ first SONA, he mentioned that we will not give a square inch of territory to any foreign power. The maritime zones law will do just that and more,” said Julio Amador III, founder of Amador Research Services (ARS) and Senior Adviser for the Waypoints Project, during a media roundtable.

“The Maritime Zones Law will not only delineate the country’s maritime zones, but will also serve as a foundational policy that can help improve implementation of current and subsequent maritime laws. We strongly urge the president and congress to pass the maritime zones law within the year,” he continued.

The bill outlines a comprehensive framework in managing, protecting, regulating, and developing ocean resources and maritime spaces, consistent with the UNCLOS. Passing the law helps achieve the Philippine obligation to harmonize domestic law with the UNCLOS.

"The passing of the Maritime Zones Law could be a matter of personal significance to the President, who is the son of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. It was under Marcos Sr.'s presidency that the Philippines began asserting claims to these extended areas of maritime jurisdiction,” said Prof. Jay Batongbacal, Director of the Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea and Waypoints Senior Adviser. “The enactment of the Maritime Zones Law would complete his father’s legacy to the country.”

UNCLOS, considered as the constitution of the oceans, promotes and highlights the importance of having rules-based order in maritime governance and allocates maritime zones to coastal and archipelagic states. The Philippines ratified the UNCLOS in 1984 and is a State party to the Convention.


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The Waypoints Project would like to take this opportunity to extend an invitation to you for the event "Kasiguruhan sa Karagatan: Strengthening the Implementation of the South China Sea Arbitral Award" on July 27, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The event will take place at the UP Law Center, UP Diliman, Quezon City. To attend, please register through this link: www.bit.ly/waypointsregistration.

P.A. Properties turns over 43 housing communities to HOA's

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In Photos: Exciting milestones achieved as St. Joseph Village 7 Phase 5A and St. Joseph Ridgeview 1 witness successful completed project turnovers to homeowners associations

P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) has turned over a total of 43 projects to their respective homeowner's associations in Laguna, Batangas, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Pasay City recently.

Emphasizing the importance of sustainable and organized communities as a crucial and important part of home ownership, the property firm asserts its commitment to create a healthy living environment for both individuals and families as well as safeguarding and enhancing property values and fostering a sense of community among residents and stakeholders.

"We believe and recognize the significant benefits that Homeowners Associations (HOAs) could bring to development projects in the long term, said Lawyer Marianne Lina-Cruz, President and CEO of P.A. Properties.

"HOAs are key to shaping up and establishment of responsible community and neigborhood management," Cruz added.

After project completion and turn over, the HOAs are bound to ensure safety and security within the communities, as well as emergency preparedness in case of any disaster or calamity including the responsibility of overseeing the upkeep and maintenance of shared areas and facilities, such as parks and community centers.

By incorporating HOAs, P.A. Properties aim to foster security and confidence among prospective buyers and clients.

HOAs are likewise bound to ensure diligent management and long-term preservation of the area, thereby enhancing property values in the process.

P.A. Properties manages the formation of the HOAs for its developed projects. It supports the HOAs from formation to project turnover, abiding with regulatory requirements.

The company also provides the elected Board of Directors of each village guidance and consulting services on effective management of their HOAs and their respective communities.




About P.A. Properties

Situated in San Pedro, Laguna, P.A. Alvarez Properties and Development Corporation (P.A. Properties) is one of the largest developers of low to medium cost housing communities in Southern Luzon incorporated in 1994. Since then, they have built more than 20,000 housing units across major provinces in the Philippines, with plans to further build additional 20 housing communities within the next 5 years. P.A. Properties is committed to help ease the country’s housing backlog while contributing to the growth of the economy through projects that local government units (LGUs) can effectively utilize, such as donations for the construction of hospitals in Cabuyao; the donation of right of way in Pampanga to support their government civic center; and the establishment of SanJo’s markets in major provinces such as Laguna and Bulacan.

JUJU Lifestyle Opens Shops in Dubai and Vietnam

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JUJU Lifestyle, a local health and wellness company known for its TikTok viral line of effervescent supplements, will be opening offices and outlets in Dubai and Vietnam.

Jungie Gumiran, CEO and Founder of JUJU Lifestyle, sees these developments as significant milestones, saying, "Our expansion into Dubai and Vietnam reflects our commitment to bringing the benefits of our innovative effervescent tablets to busy individuals worldwide."

Customers in Dubai can now easily purchase JUJU Collagen and JUJU GlutaFair, which are available for delivery in the UAE. These products can also be purchased through the official JUJU Lifestyle website at www.jujulifestyle.ae or the dedicated JUJU Collagen and JUJU Gluta Fair Facebook Shops in the UAE. Additionally, the company is in the process of registering with Amazon UAE to further expand accessibility. Payment options include cash on delivery and cash on pick-up.

In Vietnam, JUJU Lifestyle has formed a partnership with Buy2sell, the country's largest B2B platform for imported goods. This partnership is nearing finalization, and it will make JUJU Collagen, JUJU GlutaFair, and JUJU EasySlim available in Vietnam later this year. JUJU products will be sold online and in retail stores of Buy2sell in Ho Chi Minh (Lotte Mart and Vivo City) and Hanoi (Vincom Mega City). JUJU Lifestyle is also considering participating in the Buy2Sell Health and Wellness Conference, which will gather over 500 local buyers from July 27th to 29th.

“These international expansions mark a significant achievement for JUJU Lifestyle, solidifying its position as a global player in the wellness industry. The brand remains dedicated to supporting individuals in maintaining their well-being and embracing a fun and convenient self-care routine,” stated Gumiran.

JUJU Lifestyle effervescent supplements have already gained significant traction on popular e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada. From April 2021 to February 2022, the brand achieved an impressive average monthly sales of 1 million on Shopee and 700,000 on Lazada. Furthermore, JUJU Collagen consistently reached 3 million sales on Shopee and 1.7 million sales on Lazada, leading to the brand receiving the Preferred Seller badge on Shopee and being included in Lazada's Lazmall. The product's highest sales were recorded during double-digit/payday sales, with an impressive 406,000 units sold.

JUJU Lifestyle is excited about the future prospects of its global expansion as it continues to empower individuals to prioritize self-care within their busy lifestyles.





About JUJU Lifestyle

JUJU Lifestyle is a health and wellness company inspired by real life that aims to help people live a more productive and healthy lifestyle through self-care powerhouse brands. Specializing in effervescent supplements, JUJU offers a convenient and effective way to make a self-care habit for people with different ways of living.

Their lineup includes JUJU Collagen for healthier skin, hair, and nails, JUJU Gluta Fair for clearer skin, JUJU Easy Slim for weight management, and Juju Easy Sports for energy and hydration. These products are available in delicious flavors and provide various benefits, such as reducing wrinkles, protecting against free radicals, and aiding in muscle recovery. JUJU Collagen differentiates itself by offering these supplements in convenient effervescent forms.

JUJU is innovating a way to take supplements that would make it easier for people to incorporate a healthy lifestyle and make self-care a habit in a fast-paced world.