Unawarded rice import contracts to be rebid soon
AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said that the rebidding for unawarded lots in the first batch of rice imports will be conducted “right away” alongside the subsequent batches amounting to 500,000 metric tons.
Foreigner-hiring bill to require technology transfer, raise penalties
A BILL strengthening the penalties for improperly employing foreign nationals and requiring them to transfer technology to Filipino employees has cleared the House Committee on Labor and Employment.
Energy dep’t reports gov’t agencies to police over unpaid power bills
THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it reported to the police various government agencies that have failed to settle electricity bills owed to distribution utilities.
DICT to redistribute frequency after selection of new telco
THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will seek to redistribute frequency spectrum fairly among the telecommunications incumbents, PLDT, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT, Inc. as well as the new industry entrant, the so-called “third player.”
Palace threatens to take over ‘3rd player’ selection
MALACAÑANG said the selection of a so-called “third player” for the telecommunications industry will be taken over by the Office of the President if a new entrant is not named by November.
PEZA hoping expansions will offset expected decline in new project proposals this year
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said registered investments for new projects are expected to decline in 2018 but is hoping expansion proposals will help take up the slack.
DoE threatens to revoke firm’s rights to Palawan exploration concession
THE Department of Energy (DoE) threatened to revoke the rights of Colossal Petroleum Corp. to a service area off the Palawan coast if it does not submit its work plan after winning Area 5 during the department’s last petroleum contracting round in 2014.
Ease of doing business law misses October deadline for IRR
THE government has missed its Oct. 22 deadline to approve the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) law.
Sorghum touted as response to rising feed demand, prices
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) will promote sorghum planting next year to supplement the supply of animal feed, which is currently dependent on yellow corn, Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said on Monday.
Fuel excise suspension subject to review in 2019 — DoF
THE DEPARTMENT of Finance (DoF) said that reimposing the fuel tax hike scheduled for 2019, which the government has committed to suspend, will be reviewed at any three-month period that year rather than during the fourth quarter.
House panel says 3 priority measures enacted since third session in July
THREE MEASURES identified as government priorities have been enacted since the 17th Congress opened its third regular session on July 23, the House Rules Committee said in a report.
Planting calendar changes must be site-specific, academic says
ADJUSTMENTS to the planting calendar require detailed consultation with farmers to account for local differences in crop growth, a University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) academic said.