BoJ to keep policy steady, raise outlook

January 17, 2020 | 12:02 am

TOKYO — The Bank of Japan (BoJ) is expected to keep monetary policy steady next week and nudge up its economic growth forecast, as the US-China trade deal and de-escalation in Middle East tensions take some pressure off the central bank for more stimulus.

But BoJ Governor Haruhiko Kuroda will likely voice his resolve to keep monetary policy ultra-loose as the economy continues to feel the strain from the trade war and October’s sales tax hike.

At the two-day rate review that ends on Tuesday, the BoJ is set to keep its short-term interest rate target at -0.1% and a pledge to guide 10-year government bond yields around 0%.

It is also seen maintaining a guidance that commits to keeping rates at current low levels, or even to cut them, until risks keeping it from achieving its 2% inflation goal subside.

“What the BoJ describes as the economy’s momentum for hitting its inflation target appears to be sustained,” said Mari Iwashita, chief market economist at Daiwa Securities.

“The BoJ will kick off 2020 by maintaining its current policy stance with a careful eye on developments.”

In a quarterly review of its forecasts, the BoJ is seen slightly revising up its growth projection for the fiscal year starting in April, helped by a boost from the government’s stimulus package, sources have told Reuters.

Under current projections made in October, the BoJ expects the economy to expand 0.7% in fiscal 2020 and 1.0% the following year.

AUTOS A CONCERN
Japan’s economy ground to a near halt in July-September and is likely to have contracted in the final quarter of last year as the US-China trade war knocked exports.

BoJ officials hope the government’s $122-billion fiscal package and robust capital expenditure will offset the hit from soft global demand and supply chain disruptions from last year’s typhoons that continue to weigh on factory output.

Policy makers are also more optimistic than late last year as technology firms clear inventory and Washington and Beijing have signed a first phase trade deal.

But pessimists in the BoJ fret that weak global auto demand and the drag on consumption from October’s sales tax hike to 10% from 8% may mean only a modest rebound in January-March growth.

The BoJ on Wednesday revised down its economic assessment of the Tokai central Japan region — home to auto giant Toyota Motor Corp. — as some manufacturers were forced to cut output on weak demand.

Markets are watching how Mr. Kuroda would assess such risks in his post-meeting briefing, for clues on the policy outlook.

The BoJ now estimates core consumer inflation to hit 1.1% in fiscal 2020 and 1.5% the following year. — Reuters

What to see this week

January 17, 2020 | 12:02 am

7 films to see on the week of January 17, 2020 — January 23, 2020

The Grudge

A DETECTIVE investigates the case of a young mother who murders her family in their own home. The detective then discovers that the house is cursed by a vengeful ghost which targets anyone who enters the house. Directed by Nicolas Pesce, the film stars Betty Gilpin, Andrea Riseborough, and William Sadler. Rolling Stone’s David Fear writes, “[T]hings keep devolving into a sort of ‘stock beats’ catalog of J-scares that goes from déjà vu to dullness to deadening as The Grudge’s running time marches on. It’s as if the director has been forced to spin an arrow to choose what comes next.” Rotten Tomatoes gives this remake a 17% rating.

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Jojo Rabbit

A SATIRE set in World War II, the story follows a lonely German boy Jojo whose views change when he discovers that his single mother is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. Jojo confronts his blind nationalism with the help of Adolf Hitler, his imaginary friend. Directed by Taika Waititi, the film stars Roman Griffin Davis, Thomasin McKenzie, Rebel Wilson, Sam Rockwell, and Scarlett Johansson. The Independent’s Clarisse Loughrey writes, “Jojo Rabbit plays heavily off of Waititi’s own goofy, freewheeling humor, with generous nods to the Nazi comedies of Charlie Chaplin, Ernst Lubitsch, and Mel Brooks. But it’s deployed here as a form of humanization — not to make the characters more sympathetic to audiences, but to illustrate how easily fascism feeds off banal human flaws. Some are indoctrinated, others merely complacent.”

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Kill Chain

A SHOOTOUT leads to an evening of murder and revenge amongst police, gangsters, and assassins. Directed by Ken Sanzel, the film stars Nicolas Cage, Enrico Colantoni, and Ryan Kwanten. Collider’s Chester C. Jones writes, “It got me wondering whether perhaps the point of Kill Chain is to let your eyes glaze over, half-listen, and make up whatever you want about the plot and characters. And, honestly, you won’t have to try too hard at that even if you’re paying close attention and continually rewinding the scenes to try to figure out what happened like I did.”

MTRCB Rating: R-13

The Last Warrior

A MAN fights to keep his family alive amidst a zombie apocalypse. Directed by Wych Kaosayananda, the film stars Mark Dacascos, Julie Condra, and Noelani Dacascos

MTRCB Rating: R-13

Arctic Justice (Arctic Dogs)

SWIFTY the Arctic Fox works in the mailroom of the Arctic Blast Delivery Service but yearns to become a Top Dog, the Arctic’s star husky couriers. To prove he deserves the position, he delivers a mysterious package to a secret location. Upon arrival there, he stumbles on a hidden fortress and begins an adventure. Directed by Aaron Woodley, this animated film features the voices of Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, and Heidi Klum.

MTRCB Rating: G

Richard Jewell

AMERICAN security guard Richard Jewell at the 1996 Olympics saved hundreds of people by finding a backpack of pipe bombs, alerting the police, and helping evacuate the area before they exploded. However, false reports made him the FBI’s primary suspect for terrorism. Directed by Clint Eastwood, the film stars Sam Rockwell, Paul Walter Hauser, and Kathy Bates.

MTRCB Rating: PG

Mia

THE alcoholic Mia is struggling after her fiancé’s death when she meets Jay, a geologist who tries to befriend her. Directed by Veronica Velasco, the film stars Colleen Garcia and Edgar Allan Guzman.

MTRCB Rating: PG

What’s the best employee benefit package?

January 17, 2020 | 12:01 am

I’m the human resource manager at a five-year old company trying to rationalize the benefits package for about 140 employees. As of the moment, we follow only what the law requires us to do, like the granting of five-day service leave, maternity leave, among other statutory requirements. We’re planning to improve our package to help stem the tide of people from leaving the organization as our turnover rate has zoomed to 17% in the past two years. Please give us your advice. — Water Lily

One morning, a 50-year-old woman (let’s call her Ellen) is looking into the mirror and carrying on a conversation with herself. She says: “My face is changing. It’s not the same — definitely not the same. It has become older. Maybe if I parted my hair on the side. Maybe if I were to rub a little more moisturizer around each eye.

“A little different colored blush perhaps? Nope, this is it. I look older and there’s nothing I can do about it. I remember my mother’s face looking like this. I remember how the lines crept around her mouth and her eyes. Yes, it’s my turn now to take on the look of the mature, older woman.”

Ellen gazes intently into the mirror, and then shouts on top of her voice: “I’m not ready!”

Just like Ellen, you’re thinking of many options on how to solve problems, except that she can’t possibly turn back the hands of time. In your case, however, you can manage the 17% attrition rate by improving your company’s benefit package, among other strategies. It’s difficult, but not impossible.

RATIONALIZING BENEFITS
To minimize, if not eliminate issues against your program, the most important approach is to anticipate worker complaints. And to do just that, here are some ideas that you can do, one after the other or simultaneously, depending on your management capacity and sense of urgency:

One, conduct an employee morale or satisfaction survey. That’s the first thing you should do as long as it covers majority of all employees and it is done anonymously, voluntarily, complete with demographics and departmental assignments. Whatever is the result, it should help you understand the reason or reasons why people leave their jobs. You may be surprised that the reason may have nothing to do with the company’s benefit package, but due to something else, like the workers’ difficult relationship with their bosses.

Two, analyze industry benchmarks and standards. If you’re in the manufacturing sector, you can’t simply copy the best practices of banks, telecom firms or business processing industries or vice versa. When people leave their jobs, normally they go to competitors, if not to allied companies. This alone is a good reason why you should be on alert for the pay and perks package of similarly-situated organizations. If you’re confident that your company offers above-industry rates, then educate your employees on how pesos and centavos are being spent on the benefit package in addition to their basic pay.

Three, offer a flexible benefits package. You can take the cue from the results of your morale survey. This is important since the employees have different needs and wants, depending much on their age, marital status, or related demographics. Even a comprehensive medical plan may be of less importance to young workers compared to workers who are nearing retirement. It doesn’t mean however, that if you have 140 employees you will provide 140 different types of benefits to each one. You have to be creative.

Four, give employees discounts for company products. This is particularly beneficial in certain industries like those offering basic consumer goods and pharmaceuticals. The banking industry offers employee loans that charge only minimal rates for housing, cars, and home appliances. In certain cases, some companies allow qualified and meritorious employees to use company amenities and facilities. To some extent, I know of certain auto car manufacturers allowing the use of vehicles for personal use during weekends, subject to certain rules.

Last, develop a review process to ensure success. Change is constant. It can happen anytime. This is a good reason why you must be attuned to the changing tastes of people, if not with the competitive offering of service providers like those in the health maintenance category. Subject to the provisions of the law on non-diminution of benefits, your management must be aware of the many changes that are happening in your industry and elsewhere and make necessary adjustments as you see it fitting.

CONCLUSION
In terms of educating the workers, you are always on the front line when it comes to human resources. Therefore, you should take every proactive effort to gather information that helps management and workers understand their benefits package, not limited to monetary value, but taking into account zero-cash equivalents as well. And when I talk of zero-cash motivational strategies, I mean paying close attention to how your line managers are treating their workers.

ELBONOMICS: The way your workers feel is the same way your customers feel.

Send anonymous questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting

Las Piñas flood control project completed

January 17, 2020 | 12:01 am

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Thursday announced the early completion of the P91.68-million flood control structure and roadway in Las Piñas City.

In a statement, the DPWH said it “completed the flood control structure and paved road along Las Piñas River five (5) months earlier than its expected completion.”

The implementation of the project had been “fast tracked” since it was launched in July last year, according to DPWH National Capital Region Manager Ador G. Canlas. The project is situated along Doña Julita to Naga Bridge in Barangay Pulang Lupa II in Las Piñas City.

The project, the DPWH said, includes 151-lineal meter structure with 5.4-meter high retaining wall and 191-lineal meter pavement road. The roadway will also serve as an alternate route for motorists passing by Las Piñas.

DPWH Secretary Mark A. Villar said: “Although initially targeted for completion in April 2020, DPWH Las Piñas-Muntinlupa intently finished construction works earlier to better prepare for possible flooding come the rainy season.”

According to the DPWH, the Las Piñas River, 12.8-kilometers long, is a major waterway that runs from the city to the bay of Manila. The DPWH is also constructing a P279.3-million slope protection structure along the Taguig River. It said the project is expected to be completed within the first half of the year. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Your Weekend Guide (January 17, 2020)

January 17, 2020 | 12:01 am

Ballet Manila’s Sleeping Beauty

BALLET Manila continues its 24^th performance season with Sleeping Beauty — the last installment of Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s the Princess Trilogy — on Jan. 18, 6 p.m., and Jan. 19, 3 p.m., at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila in Pasay City. Tickets are available through TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Odette Quesada in concert

AFTER 20 years, singer-songwriter Odette Quesada returns to the Philippines to perform in a two-night concert called Hopeless Romantic on Jan. 17 and 18, 8 p.m., at the BGC Arts Center in Taguig City. Special guests include Kuh Ledesma (Jan. 17), Sharon Cuneta (Jan. 18) and Arman Ferrer. Tickets are available through TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

Never the Strangers at Shangri-la Plaza

ALTERNATIVE rock band Never the Strangers rocks Shangri-La Plaza on Jan. 18, 7 p.m. at the mall’s Grand Atrium. Composed of lead vocalist and keyboardist Ace Libre, guitarist Bert Ong, and drummer Nash Ignacio, the band was discovered by Filipino rock icon Rico Blanco through the music-driven social networking site MySpace. Never the Strangers is known for singles “Alive” and “Bago Mahuli Ang Lahat,” as well as hit ad jingle “Moving Closer.” For inquiries, call 8370-2597 or 98 or visit www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial.

Rodomo: Lasallian City of Food, Arts, and Music

IN COMMEMORATION of the 300^th year of the life and legacy of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, over 3,000 students, educators, associates, alumni, and friends from various Lasallian institutions around the country will gather in a celebration of faith and culture in Rodomo: Lasallian City of Food, Arts, and Music to be held on Jan. 18 at the De La Salle University Laguna Campus, the home of the soon-to-rise first shrine in the Philippines of the Patron Saint of Teachers. The one-day event will feature a series of musical and dance numbers headlined by indie-pop group This Band and homegrown Benildean talents such as the band Nathan & Mercury. Joining them in the lineup are the Lasallian Youth Orchestra, De La Salle Innersoul, the DLSZ Orchestra, the DLSAU Animo Serenata, the LSGH Kundirana Music Ministry, and Coro San Benildo. Other performers include Lola Amour, Cholo Bismonte, singer-songwriter Miko Manguba, and DJ Pao Jaramillo, among others. The Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company, LSA Street Force, LSGH Airforce, DLSZ Dance Crew, and DLSL Green Jam will also perform. The grounds will be filled with unique food concepts chosen by Mercato Centrale and outdoor activities like the Sumo Suit Wrestling Challenge, Giant Archery, Mega Obstacle, Giant Rock Climb, joust arena, and ball pit. For more information, visit the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rodomoph.

Sinulog at Robinsons Galleria Cebu

ROBINSONS GALLERIA Cebu celebrates the Sinulog Festival with Robinsons Land Ambassador Maja Salvador performing on Jan. 18. Since the Sinulog is at its core a religious festival, there will be several live streams at the mall of the masses for those who cannot go to church personally, with the first at 5:30 a.m. and the last at 7 p.m. To ease the Sinulog traffic during this season, the mall has partnered with the City Government and Sinulog Governing Board to offer free bus rides for the devotees. The route is from Robinsons Galleria Cebu to Malacañang sa Sugbo and vice versa. First trip is at 9:30 a.m. and the last is at 8 p.m. Other Sinulog activities at the mall are: Jan. 19, Sinulog Concert; Feb. 2, Sinulog Photo and Short Film Awarding; Jan. 12 to 19, Sinulog SALE; Jan. 13 to 18, Andas Exhibit; Jan. 13 to 17, 5 p.m., Sinulog Dances; Jan. 13 to 31, Artesano Pop-up Store; Feb. 2 to 15, Sinulog Photo Exhibit.

The Quest for the Adarna

REPERTORY Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences presents a musical retelling of the Philippine folk tale “Ibong Adarna.” The Quest for the Adarna has performances until Jan. 26 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, in Makati. In the kingdom of Berbania, the king falls mysteriously ill and can only be healed by the song of the mythical bird, Adarna, which can be found in its mountain home. His three sons take turns attempting the dangerous journey to help their father. Tickets are available through TicketWorld (www.ticketworld.com.ph, 891-9999).

PDIC pays P1.18 billion in deposit insurance for closed banks in 2019

January 17, 2020 | 12:01 am

THE PHILIPPINE Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) paid a total of P1.18 billion in deposit insurance last year to 51,278 valid deposit accounts, it reported on Thursday.

In a statement yesterday, PDIC said the amount covered 92.25% of the total deposit insurance claims from the banks that were closed in 2019.

The state deposit insurer took over a total of 11 banks that the Monetary Board (MB) of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) ordered closed last year.

These banks were the Bagong Bangko Rural ng Malabang in Lanao del Sur, Inc., the Rural Bank of Mabitac in Laguna, Inc., The Palawan Bank (Palawan Development Bank), Inc., Valiant Bank, Inc. (A Rural Bank), the Rural Bank of Basey in Samar, Inc., the Rural Bank of Guihulngan in Negros Oriental, Inc., the East Coast Rural Bank of Hagonoy, Inc., the Rural Bank of Larena in Siquijor, Inc., the Rural Bank of Lemery, Inc., the AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong, Inc. and the Maximum Savings Bank, Inc.

“Deposit insurance claims were paid within the target turnaround time of 12 to 42 working days proportioned on the number of valid deposit accounts maintained in the closed bank,” it said.

In 2019 alone, PDIC estimated that insured deposits reached P1.27 billion from 76,650 accounts, based on the payout operations they conducted from 10 closed banks out of the total 11.

PDIC said it was not able to make payouts for the closed AMA Rural Bank of Mandaluyong, Inc. due to the 60-day temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the Court of Appeals (CA) on Nov. 25.

It said the TRO further delayed the payouts to depositors.

“Prior to the issuance of the TRO, PDIC was unable to immediately pay the claims of depositors of AMA Rural Bank for insured deposits due to the delay caused by the refusal of the bank’s directors and accountable officers and employees to turn over bank records to PDIC. The TRO has further delayed payouts to depositors,” it added.

As of June last year, AMA Rural Bank had total deposit liabilities of P1.4 billion for 8,434 deposit accounts. — B.M. Laforga

How does the Philippines compare with its regional peers in providing a stable electricity supply for businesses?

January 17, 2020 | 12:00 am

How PSEi member stocks performed — January 16, 2020

January 17, 2020 | 12:00 am

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, January 16, 2020.

Climate change seen reducing outdoor work, dampening growth

January 16, 2020 | 10:02 pm

EXTREME heat caused by climate change puts the Philippines at risk of losing many hours of outdoor work in industries like construction or farming, dampening economic growth, the McKinsey Global Institute said.

The report, Climate risk and response: Physical hazards and socioeconomic impacts, said that hot and humid countries, stand to lose an average of 8 percentage points in the annual share of effective outdoor working hours due to extreme heat and humidity until 2050.

Unlike significantly hotter and more humid countries like Bangladesh and India, however, heat and humidity in the Philippines does not exceed liveability thresholds, it said.

Globally, the annual outdoor working hours potentially lost to extreme heat and humidity could double to 15-20% of the total by 2050 from 10% currently. The effect of these losses on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was estimated as 2-3.5% by 2050 from 1.5% today, averaging $4 trillion and $6 trillion in GDP at risk annually.

Countries with lower per-capita GDP encounter more risk to their outdoor work, it said.

“Poorer regions often have climates that are closer to physical thresholds. They rely more on outdoor work and natural capital and have less financial means to adapt quickly,” the report said.

In contrast, northern European countries stand to benefit as tourism shifts in their direction.

The report said adaptation from companies and communities is coming at too slow a pace, as heat stress decreases individuals’ ability to work outdoors, sometimes putting their health and lives at risk.

“Heat reduces labor capacity because workers must take breaks to avoid heatstroke and because the body naturally limits its efforts to prevent overexertion. Increased temperatures could also shift disease vectors and thus affect human health.”

According to preliminary data, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) estimates that 22.9% of the 42.4 million employed Filipinos in 2019 work in agriculture. Construction workers make up 9.8% of the total, while mining and quarrying make up 0.4% of the total.

To protect people and assets, the report said companies can build cooling shelters and adjust work hours for outdoor workers.

Companies adapting to shifts in climate can also harden infrastructure, including raising the elevation level of buildings in flood-prone areas and develop mangrove plantations to protect from storms.

The report released on Thursday was a year-long research effort focusing on the physical risks of climate change.

“Much as thinking about information systems and cyber-risks has become integrated into corporate and public-sector decision making, climate change and its resulting risks will also need to feature as a major factor in decisions,” McKinsey Global Institute Director and Senior Partner of McKinsey Shanghai Jonathan Woetzel said in a statement.

“The intent of this report is to clarify and quantify the level of systemic physical risk that is currently accumulating, so that it can be taken into account by insurers, investors, lenders, governments, regulators, non-financial corporations and individuals as they make strategic decisions.” — Jenina P. Ibañez

DoF to seek lower DST, warns TIEZA could lose travel tax

January 16, 2020 | 10:01 pm

FINANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said Thursday he will seek to lower the documentary stamp tax (DST) to restore the Department of Finance’s original program when it proposed legislation that later became the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

Mr. Dominguez told members of the Rotary Club Manila during their meeting yesterday that the increase in DST was not part of the Finance Department’s proposals when it was lobbying for TRAIN, which took effect in 2018.

“The increase in the DST was not part of the tax reform program. It was inserted during the bicam (bicameral conference). During the time when you have a bicam the (Department of Finance) is not allowed to speak so that was inserted and unfortunately we were unable to register our objection on that. We definitely don’t agree with it and hope that in some future legislation the DST will be reduced,” he said.

He was responding to an issue raised by a participant at the meeting about higher DST slowing down business growth and raising the costs of doing businesses.

Mr. Dominuez said the DoF will “attempt to reduce it in the future” but since the “process for legislation is long and tedious,” he said “I can’t promise it now.”

Republic Act No. 10963 or the TRAIN Act, which came into force on Jan. 1, 2018, doubled the DST to P3 from P1 previously on documents, instruments, loan agreements and papers.

DST rates on debt instruments were hiked by 50% while the rates on property insurance, fidelity bonds and other insurance, indemnity bonds and deeds of sale, conveyance and donation of real property remained unchanged.

Collections from DST increased last year to P4.7 billion on the back of “higher transaction value and better collection efficiency,” the DoF reported earlier.

ELIMINATION OF TRAVEL TAX
Also during the same open forum, Mr. Dominguez said his department will look into the possibility of eliminating the travel tax, warning the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) to use up its funds and act faster in implementing programs “or the travel tax will be eliminated.”

“The travel tax is in place and definitely we will look at its elimination… In fact I had a meeting with the TIEZA people recently and I noted that they have P14 billion in their account. And I told them if they don’t spend it, I will take it away,” he said after a member of the Rotary Club raised the issue.

According to TIEZA’s website, full travel tax rates for economy and business class flights are at P1,620 currently while first class flights are taxed P2,700.

TIEZA receives half of the total revenue collected from travel tax while the Commission on Higher Education receives 40% and 10% goes to the National Commission for Culture and Arts.

TIEZA approved a total of P5 billion worth of infrastructure projects in December. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Cayetano commits to pass measure to lower shipping fees

January 16, 2020 | 10:00 pm

THE House of Representatives has committed to pass a measure to regulate shipping rates to ultimately lower costs for consumers, Speaker Alan Peter S. Cayetano said.

Mr. Cayetano said the measure will be drafted with major input from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

“Local producers who import raw materials are forced to pay these exorbitant shipping fees, which jack up their production costs, and, in the process, result in higher prices for domestic consumers. Ang pinoprotektahan natin dito in the end ay ang ating mga consumers. (In the end we want to protect consumers). This will also help the government improve its tax collection abilities” Mr. Cayetano said in a statement Thursday.

Mr. Cayetano’s advocacies center around the so-called Presyo, Trabaho, Kita (PTK) program, which focuses on prices, jobs, and earnings. Mr. Cayetano cited the need to pass laws that will have such impacts in the countryside in aid of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s promise to provide a “safe, secure and comfortable life for every Filipino.”

Mr. Cayetano said Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez plans to submit to the House a bill on shipping rates, which the chamber hopes to incorporate with similar pending measures filed with the 18^th Congress.

The DTI was planning to issue a Joint Administrative Order, together with the Department of Transportation and the Department of Finance, on the regulation of fees charged by foreign shipping lines, but later decided to ask the President to issue an Executive Order on the matter.

However, the lack of an enabling law covering the regulation of fees imposed by foreign shipping lines prompted the DTI to draft a bill to give more teeth to the measure.

At least two bills are pending in the House seeking to regulate and standardize fees imposed by foreign shipping lines operating in the country.

Rep. Bernadette R. Herrera-Dy of Bagong Henerasyon Party List filed House Bill (HB) 4316 which aims to standardize charges at both the origin and destination imposed by international shipping firms.

Meanwhile Ang Probinsyano Partylist Rep. Ronnie L. Ong’s HB 4462 proposes to authorize the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) to promote fair and transparent destination fees and other shipping charges collected by freight forwarders and agents of international shipping lines. — Genshen L. Espedido

Gov’t urged to find better destinations for OFWs

January 16, 2020 | 9:59 pm

SENATOR Sherwin T. Gatchalian said Thursday that the government needs to find other possible destinations which are safer for household workers following the death of another domestic helper in Kuwait.

“Dapat maghanap pa tayo ng ibang merkado para sa OFW (We need to find other markets for OFWs)“ Mr. Gatchalian said in a briefing, referring to Overseas Filipino Workers.

“May mga bansang mas binibigyang halaga ang ating OFW, doon ang dapat natin bigyan ng prioridad (We need to give priority to other countries that value our OFWs).” He cited the UK and France, among other potential destinations.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) imposed a total deployment ban on workers to Kuwait after the death of Jeanelyn Villavende. A Kuwaiti autopsy confirmed she died after sustaining multiple injuries. A Philippine autopsy found that in addition, she was sexually assaulted.

The government in 2018 declared a Kuwait deployment which lasted four months after the murder of domestic helper Joanna Demafelis. In May 2019 Malacañang pushed for the review of its memorandum of understanding with the Kuwaiti government after the killing of another Filipina, Constancia Dayag.

Mr. Gatchalian supports the ban, and proposes that it remain in effect until Kuwait addresses labor standards and delivers justice for the deceased OFWs.

“Para sa akin moratorium hanggang magkaroon ng linaw ang issue sa MoA at hustisya (I support a moratorium until we achieve clarity on the MoA and obtain justice),” he said.

He said employers of household workers continue to violate the rights of their workers by confiscating their passports and mobile phones and denying them days off.

Mr. Gatchalian, however, said that the moratorium do not need to cover highly-skilled Filipino workers in Kuwait, who are protected by an official contract.

Asked to comment on bills that will create an OFW Department, Mr. Gatchalian said he deems it is more necessary to focus on bilateral agreements.

“During the last hearing, ’di klaro kung ano ang dahilan kung bakit natin kailangan magpatayo ng Department of OFW dahil may mga ahensya na tayong gumagana. Ang importante lang ang mga bagay na magbibigay proteksyon sa mga OFW, like MoAs, bilateral agreements at mga batas ay pantay pantay para sa lahat (It was not made clear why we need an OFW department because we have functioning agencies looking after these workers. The important thing is agreements with the host countries and a fair justice system.)” — Charmaine A. Tadalan

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