Home Blog Page 10216

Health, public works, social welfare budgets to face Senate scrutiny

By Camille A. Aguinaldo
Reporter
THE SENATE will examine closely the proposed budget of three government agencies once the proposed P3.757 billion national budget is transmitted to the chamber by the House of Representatives this week, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said on Sunday.
“DoH (Department of Health), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) budgets,” Mr. Sotto told BusinessWorld in a text message, when asked which items of the proposed budget the Senate will scrutinize.
The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) slashed the budget of the DoH to P71 billion under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) from the P107.3 billion last year.
The 2019 budget allocation for the Health Facilities Enhancement Programs (HFEP) also fell to P50 million from the P30.26 billion previously.
Senators have raised concerns over the budget cut, saying this may affect the implementation of the universal health care program next year and may lead to job losses among government health workers.
Unsettled road right of way issues also hound the proposed budget of the DPWH for 2019. Senator Panfilo M. Lacson has said he may propose the deletion of the P16 billion right of way appropriations in the 2019 budget if the DPWH fails to explain and address the unsettled claims.
The total proposed budget of the DPWH is P555.7 billion for 2019, lower than the P637 billion previously.
As for the DSWD budget, Mr. Sotto said senators are expected to scrutinize the “proper disposition of the PPP (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino) programs” under the agency.
It was revealed during the Senate budget hearing of the DSWD last October that two million Filipino families had not received their monthly allowances under the agency’s PPP program in December 2017. Unclaimed cash grants were also raised.
A total of P173.3 billion has been allocated to the DSWD in the 2019 budget, higher than the P141 billion previously.
For his part, Mr. Lacson on Sunday said he may repeat his previous actions during last year’s budget deliberations and pursue the deletion of items in the proposed 2019 budget, which, as he claimed, remains “pork”-riddled.
“We will study it and let’s see if (it’s) just like before with the P8 billion parked in DPWH, then it was implemented for ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). I questioned that on the floor because that was not allowed because it is an organic act….What the Senate did, we removed it and placed it in the free tuition,” he said in a radio interview.
The House of Representatives has yet to transmit to the Senate the proposed national budget, which the chamber passed on third reading last Nov. 20.
The Senate has only nine session days left to scrutinize the proposed budget before it goes on break on Dec. 14. Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said they targeting to pass the crucial measure on Dec. 12, but he also raised the possibility that deliberations may extend to January.
Mr. Lacson said he received initial information, which he has yet to validate, that representatives in the lower chamber received P60 million, which was sourced from the P51 billion originally allocated to the DPWH but was realigned to other agencies.
“Even if they say there is no pork, it’s clear that there is pork. The initial information, subject to validation, is that all congressmen were given P60 million,” he said.
“But that would have to pass by the Senate for us to find. Although I have initial figures that the House of Representatives changed, so we will validate this,” he added.

World Bank cites need to improve Listahanan database

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
Reporter
THE WORLD BANK (WB) said the Philippine government needs to modernize the database on poor Filipinos qualified to receive social protection programs and speed up its response to their needs.
“To stay relevant, Listahanan operations need to catch up with technological innovations to adapt to the increasing need for faster response. After two rounds of implementation, the Listahanan system is mature enough to undergo big and necessary changes in order to adapt to the changing needs of the clients it serves,” the World Bank said in a policy note.
The Listahanan is a national household targeting system created by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in 2007 that identifies poor Filipinos who avail themselves of government social assistance programs such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conditional cash transfer and the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation’s universal health care program.
WB noted that more government agencies have been using the Listahanan to reach the poorest communities in new social development projects.
“This, in turn, increases the demand for better and faster updating of the Listahanan registry. The system has to adapt to the need for more dynamic information, wider use of computer-assisted or mobile-based technologies for faster data collection and processing, more secure data storage and sharing facilities and protocols that balance protecting information and faster sharing in times of actual need,” the Washington-based multilateral lender said.
“In addition, the Listahanan has to start planning to link up with the Philippines national identification system, which is another new and big reform that is expected to drive big changes in the landscape of service delivery in the country,” the policy note read.
However, the lender described the program as “a story of success,” adding that “multiple programs have been introduced over many decades across various agencies and programs but none has been as effective as when the Listahanan was introduced.”
Moreover, the World Bank said in a separate implementation status and results report that the Philippines National Community Driven Development Program has already achieved some key performance indicators.
The projects seeks to “empower communities in targeted municipalities to achieve improved access to services and to participate in more inclusive local planning, budgeting and implementation.”
It provides planning grants to the community, investment grants to support local projects such as roads, bridges, schools, day care centers, and capacity building support for municipal local government units, and facilitate the overall implementation of the projects
The report said that the access and utilization of major investments in covered municipalities have reached an average of 8% across different community sub-projects, near the 10% target.
It also said that the participation of households in the barangay level is at 80%, exceeding the 70% target.
“The Project continued to make progress in achieving its development objectives.”
The project provides a $479-million loan, and 83% or $399.22 million has already been disbursed.

House panel OKs bill on waiving job requirement fees for graduates

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporter
THE HOUSE Committee on Labor and Employment has approved the bill seeking to provide assistance to new graduates by waiving government fees charged from pre-employment requirements.
“Kapag new graduate ka, may fees na hinihingi ang government, within one year dapat free,” Committee Chair Randolph S. Ting of the 3rd district of Cagayan told BusinessWorld over phone interview on Sunday. (When you’re a new graduate, there are fees charged by the government, which through this bill should be free within one year).
House Bill No. 172 proposes to waive said fees, provided that documents are filed in connection with job applications and must be within one year from graduation from high school, college or any vocational or technical course.
This will cover government issued documents such as police clearance, National Bureau of Investigation clearance, and Social Security System ID, among others.
The benefit, however, will not be waived if the application is for the issuance of a Philippine passport or for the purpose of taking professional licensure examinations conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission.
Sought for comment, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said it supports the measure, which is seen to open “wider opportunities” for new graduates.
“The bill removes sheets of major layers that encumbers and discourages fresh graduates, particularly those who spring from poor but striving families and highly skilled from entering the workforce and become productive citizens,” ALU-TUCP Spokesperson Alan A. Tanjusay told BusinessWorld over phone message, Sunday.
“In the past decades, maraming fresh graduates na magagaling at highly qualified to work in the formal economy pero hindi natanggap at first few instances dahil walang pambayad at walang pambili ng government IDs and documents,” he also said. (In the past decades, there were a number of fresh graduates who were good and highly qualified to work in the formal economy but were not accepted in the first few instances because they couldn’t afford government IDs and documents).

DENR open to amendments to Minahang Bayan program

THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is open to amendments on the Minahang Bayan program, as proposed by the Philippine Mine Safety and Environment Association (PMSEA).
DENR Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said: “Of course, kasi hindi pa masyado nai-implement properly. Tulad ng processing, may nakalagay na things na mahihirapan din sila gawin, especially pag-process. Titignan namin lahat. They have to sell the gold to the government, hindi naman nila ginagawa. They have to pay taxes, hindi naman.” (Of course, it’s not yet properly implemented. Like in processing, there are things they will find difficult to [implement] especially in processing. We’ll look at everything. They have to sell the gold to the government, but they’re not doing it. They have to pay taxes, which they’re not).
The Minahang Bayan is an area dedicated to serve small-scale miners, subject to government regulation.
“As we go along, we have to make some changes,” Mr. Cimatu said.
PMSEA president Walter B. Brown earlier said the association believes that all Minahang Bayan in the country should be closed down because it would be disadvantageous to the industry.
“They should close all existing Minahang Bayan and institute a program which we propose, what we call the big brother approach where we get the established big mining company that’s working in the area that would work in coordination with the government and with the small-scale miners,” Mr. Brown said.
“You have to take a unified approach. Some of them you can integrate into mines but deal with the established mining companies because the small also have small capital to comply. In the mining industry now, the first thing we do before we begin to mine is to look where we can build a new acceptable tailing span,” Mr. Brown said, adding that a big brother approach has already been started in Compostela Valley which is working well for the sector.
Mr. Cimatu said adaptation of the big brother approach is a case-to-case basis.
“It is case-to-case. Some instances na nahihirapan sila mag-process (Some instances, the small-scale minders have difficulty processing). They can sell their ore to the big mine. Bayaran lang nila (They just pay the large-scale miners). Mas mabuti nga iyon para ma-count (That’s better so it counts). Kasi ngayon (For now), they process it then wala na (that’s it), they will just sell it outside. Pero ‘pag ilagay sa big brother, babayaran lang nila ‘yung ore then ‘yung big mine, i-report nila (But under big brother, the big mine pays the ore and reports it),” Mr. Cimatu said. — R.J.N. Ignacio

PECO rebukes Razon claims as ‘exaggerated, misleading’

THE CLAIMS of businessman Enrique K. Razon Jr. against Panay Electric Co., Inc. (PECO) are “exaggerated and misleading,” and based on false data, the Iloilo City distribution utility yesterday said in response to his assertions Friday.
Mr. Razon, in Nov. 23 statement, enumerated the alleged shortcomings of the utility, including subjecting four generations of Ilonggos to high power rates, poor service, and constant power failure.
“Our company stands out among over 140 distribution utilities in the Philippines, a fact duly recognized by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) when we were awarded 100% Fully Compliant in securing and insuring reliability of power supply in our franchise area,” PECO said, noting that only four other distribution utilities have received such award.
PECO also said that it has been providing the needs of Iloilo City’s households and business establishments for nearly a century, and Mr. Razon’s mining company is simply attempting to take over PECO’s franchise through questionable means.
Mr. Razon earlier said his company, Monte Oro Resources & Energy, Inc., has a track record of success in start-ups and large-scale projects not only in the Philippines but globally.
PECO also questioned the businessman’s claim of 1,800 registered customer complaints lodged against it.
«In fact, there were only 194 validated complaints with the ERC out of 64,000 customers, or .003% of total subscribers. To-date, only 25 are pending ERC decisions with some involving power pilferage,» it said.
It cited ERC records indicating that as of 2017, PECO’s retail rates without value-added tax per kilowatt-hour was P8.2079, much lower than Siquijor Electric Coop. Inc.’s P14.0763, which it said was the most expensive in the Visayas, and just slightly higher than Visayan Electric Co. (VECO) of Cebu at P8.1387
“Mr. Razon can easily check data from the Distribution Management Committee of the ERC regarding the electric reliability figures of the country,” PECO said.
ERC data show, PECO said, that the country’s system average interruption duration index (SAIDI) is 5,135.43 minutes, contrary to Mr. Razon’s claims of 54 minutes. It also said the system average interruption frequency index (SAIFI) at 40.31 incidents is contrary to his figure of 2.18 incidents.
The figure puts Iloilo City’s total SAIDI of 1552.86 minutes and SAIFI of 31.71 far below the national averages, PECO said.
Also, PECO said its system’s loss for 2017 was at 8.37%, below the ERC cap of 8.5%.
The company also countered Mr. Razon’s claim that it uses 95-year-old equipment, saying that it had fitted out 450 kilometers of electrical lines, 20,000 poles, and 1,300 distribution transformers that serve over 64,000 homes and businesses of Iloilo City.
It said the assets are regularly upgraded, replaced, and added to, as system needs change.
“Mr, Razon is now resorting to feeding the public wrong information to justify his railroading in congress that could lead to the illegal take-over,” it said.
It said what the public does not see is the apparent disregard of the law by some legislators who rushed the approval of MORE’s franchise application, “without consultation with stakeholders, banking on false statements by some local politicians.”
PECO said despite its compliance with the House committee’s requirements for the franchise renewal, legislators sat on the company’s application.
It added that in contrast, MORE applied for a franchise only on Aug. 22, 2018 and was approved by the House of Representatives on Oct. 8, 2018, or less than two months after filing. — Victor V. Saulon

23 soldiers honored for battles vs Abu Sayyaf

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte on Saturday, Nov. 24, conferred the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the rank of Kampilan on 23 soldiers who were seriously wounded in recent clashes with the kidnap-for-ranson Abu Sayyaf Group in Jolo, Sulu. These medals are awarded to both government personnel and private individuals for bravery and exceptional contributions. The soldiers who received the recognition during Mr. Duterte’s visit to Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City were: 2Lt. Michael Vincent Benito, SSg. Rex Cureg, Sgt. Romeo Barbon, Sgt. Jerson Barasi, Sgt. Reynante Ruma, Cpl. Geneus Calamlam, Cpl. Bingbong Salvador, Cpl. Felix Jay Castillo, Cpl. Denver Lambino, Cpl. Eugene Corpuz, Pfc. London Longawis, Pfc. Aldrin Paj-Dio, Pfc. Kriel Manaligod, Pfc. Jordan Magundayao, Pfc. Ruben Bulayang, Pfc. Harvie Soriano, Pfc. Marnel Piduana, Pfc. Sandoval Ludivico, Pfc. John Paul Layugan, Pfc. Gevil Lorenzo, Pvt. Jayferson Balac, Pvt. Jaime Boco, Jr., and Pvt. Rizalde Tierro. “Another soldier, Pvt. Murphy Cuntapay, was flown from Mindanao and currently confined at the AFP Medical Center in Quezon City,” the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) said in a statement on Sunday. The President also pledged P300 million for the construction of a new two-storey hospital inside the camp. “He told the hospital management that it could use the P27 million remaining fund initially earmarked for the new Camp Navarro General Hospital to buy medical equipment,” the PCOO said. — Arjay L. Balinbin
See related story on https://goo.gl/JnVbyz

Dino: Cebu seaport congestion getting ‘absurd’

CONGESTION at the Cebu International Port (CIP) is starting to become “absurd,” and could soon adversely affect import-export activities, according to Presidential Assistant for Visayas Michael Lloyd L. Dino. “Our existing container port is situated in a congested corridor of the city center,” Mr. Dino said in a recent event in Talisay City, Cebu, where a new container port will be built starting next year by a private company, with target completion in three years. “You can see for yourself how clogged our existing port is,” he said, “Pier 1 to 6 for domestic vessels are co-located with the Cebu International Port. He added, “I do not know if you agree with me that such situation is becoming absurd, especially now that we need to be globally competitive.” Mr. Dino said that if Cebu does not develop a container port outside of Cebu City, like what is planned in Talisay City, the import and export industries “will surely be stalled.” — The Freeman

Private joint venture prepares to take over Zamcelco on Jan. 1

CROWN DESCO, the joint venture of Crown Investments Holdings, Inc. and Desco Co., is now preparing to take over the financially-troubled Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zamcelco) starting Jan. 1. 2019. Crown Investments President Jomar Castillo, in a dialogue with the city council last week, said, “We are doing audit and assessment and conducting financial and technical system check.” Crown Desco, which won the bidding for the Zamcelco Investment Management Contract in Sept., is pouring in P2.5. billion to lower systems loss, settle obligations, and improve operations efficiency. Zamcelco has more than P2 billion in debts to its power suppliers. — Albert F. Arcilla

Apo Agua breaks ground today for bulk water supply project

THE P10-billion bulk water supply project for Davao City, awarded in mid-2014, is finally having its formal groundbreaking today, Nov. 26. The project, which will tap the Tamugan River and provide 300 million liters of water per day to the Davao City Water District (DCWD), is being undertaken by Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (AAII), a joint venture between the Aboitiz Group and J.V. Angeles Construction Corp. Project implementation has been delayed due to permitting procedures, particularly the use of the river, which is part of a declared watershed area. The facility includes a weir, a small hydropower plant, and pipelines to the water treatment facility and existing reservoirs of DCWD.

Ateneo routs FEU, 80-61, returns to the UAAP finals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles are heading back to the finals of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines after topping the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, 80-61, in their Final Four matchup on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Carrying a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals, the Eagles showed they had no intention of making use of it as they were dominant right from the opening tip and did not allow the Tamaraws to gain much traction in their attempts to come back.
The victory thrust Ateneo to its third straight finals appearance and an opportunity to win back-to-back titles.
Thirdy Ravena got the Ateneo offense to an electrifying start, going for back-to-back breakaway dunks to help the Eagles to an 8-0 lead in the first three minutes of the opening quarter.
It was a momentum that Ateneo would continue to ride on after to build a 17-9 advantage at the end of the first 10 minutes of the game.
FEU tried to get going to start the second quarter but Ateneo was quick to nip any rally in the bud.
With points coming from different directions, the Eagles soared to a 26-13 separation at the 6:14 mark of the canto.
Alec Stockton infused some life into the attack of the Tamaraws but with minimal success as Ateneo kept pounding on them.
When the opening half ended, the Eagles were ahead, 38-24.
Ateneo jump-started things in the third quarter with a 7-0 run to stretch its lead to 45-24 with two and a half minutes lapsing.
Play was momentarily halted when Stockton was assessed with a disqualifying foul on Ravena, who was sprawled on the floor after being hit with an elbow to the face.
Stockton was ejected from the contest with still 7:12 left in the quarter.
The Tamaraws saw only the proceedings get worse for them, as Ravena and the Eagles sped to a 31-point distance, 59-28, with a little under three minutes to play in the third.
They eventually trimmed their deficit to 23 points, 59-36, heading into the fourth quarter.
With its season on the line, FEU scrambled at the start of the payoff quarter led by its bench.
Ateneo though answered everything that the Tamaraws threw at them.
The score was at 72-45 for the Eagles with five minutes remaining.
FEU still showed fight the rest of the way but could not complete a comeback as they made their way to the exit.
Ravena led Ateneo with 22 points with Ange Kouame finishing with a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
Barkley Ebona paced FEU with nine points with Ronnel Ramirez and Prince Orizu adding seven points each.
“We knew entering the game that we are up against a tough team in FEU which was coming off two great games. At the start of the game we really wanted to be locked in defensively. We got to a good start and just sustained it,” said Ateneo deputy Sandy Arespacochaga speaking on behalf of coach Tab Baldwin in the postgame press conference.
Ateneo now awaits the winner between the Adamson Soaring Falcons and University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the other semifinal pairing.
The UAAP Finals begin on Dec. 1.

Filipinos continue to blaze a trail at ONE Championship

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE foothold of Filipino fighters at ONE Championship was further enhanced on Friday night when the number of current world champions from the Philippines in Asia’s largest sports media property increased to five.
Eduard “Landslide” Folayang of Team Lakay reclaimed the world lightweight title he lost last year by dominating Singaporean Amir Khan in winning by unanimous decision the erstwhile vacant world championship while Brandon “The Truth” Vera retained the ONE heavyweight title by stopping Italian challenger Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli in the opening round by way of knockout at the event dubbed ONE: Conquest of Champions at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The twin victories raised the number of Filipino champions at ONE Championship to five out of 11 divisions, in addition to champions Geje “Gravity” Eustaquio (flyweight), Joshua “The Passion” Pacio (strawweight) and Kevin “The Silencer” Belingon (bantamweight).
Mr. Folayang, 35, dominated the younger Khan, 24, from start to finish, punishing him with a variety of striking combinations featuring spinning heel kicks and sharp elbows. Khan tried his best to counter Folayang’s offense, but appeared a step slower and couldn’t pin down Folayang’s timing. In the end, all three judges saw the bout in favor of the veteran Filipino fighter who improved to 20-6 with the victory.
Filipino-American Vera, 41, meanwhile, made quick work of Italy’s Cerilli, stopping the latter with a well-placed left hook counter to the jaw that turned the lights out on the Italian at the 1:04 mark of the first round. It was a successful return to the cage for Mr. Vera (16-7) after nearly two years of not fighting.
The impressive performances of Messrs. Folayang and Vera did not go unnoticed and was welcomed with much appreciation and awe by the huge crowd that trekked to the Mall of Asia Arena.
“If there was a show stealer last Friday night, definitely, it’s Eduard Folayang. With a shot at history and redemption, Folayang capitalized on the chance to prove that he is not yet done in the sport,” said local fight analyst Nissi Icasiano when asked by BusinessWorld for his thoughts on what transpired on Nov. 23.
“Drawing shades of his vintage form, Eduard did turn back the clock last Friday.
“Like a phoenix, Folayang rose from the rubbles of defeat, proving that there is intrinsic value in every ounce of perseverance. It has often been said that no one can put a good man down, especially more so, if you are Eduard Folayang,” the analyst said.

ONE Championship 2
Eduard Folayang is once again ONE Championship world lightweight champion with a unanimous decision victory over Singaporean Amir Khan in their title clash. — ALVIN S. GO

Mr. Icasiano also gave props to Mr. Vera for not only winning despite the long layoff but more so notching the victory in impressive fashion.
With five world titles at ONE Championship, Mr. Icasiano said it is big testament to the caliber of Filipinos in mixed martial arts, and martial arts in general, at the world stage.
He made special mention of Team Lakay, which champions Folayang, Eustaquio, Pacio and Belingon are members of, for showing the way.
“It really says a lot about the work ethic and dedication of Team Lakay. With Team Lakay at the helm, the Philippines holds the unprecedented record for most title wins in the nascent seven-year history of ONE Championship. In spite of the camp’s limited resources and meager budget, Team Lakay managed to turn its critics into believers,” he said.
“Team Lakay is the flag bearer of the MMA scene in the country. I just hope that other members of the growing Philippine MMA community will follow suit. We haven’t seen that yet,” Mr. Icasiano added.
Following their latest conquests, Mr. Icasiano said he does not see Messrs. Folayang and Vera slowing down anytime soon.
“For Folayang, it’s going to be interesting in the coming weeks. Shinya Aoki is the official No. 1 contender for the lightweight crown. Eddie Alvarez will be part of the World Grand Prix. A lot of great options for the celebrated Filipino champion, and I don’t think that he is going to wait for a long time. We will see him back in action soon,” he said.
“For Brandon Vera, he needs a real opponent to validate ONE Championship’s heavyweight division and his position as champion. ONE Championship should explore the real free agent market for Brandon Vera’s next foe. There are a lot of heavyweight talents out there,” Mr. Icasiano added.
Other Filipino winners at Conquest of Champions were lightweight Honorio Banario over Rahul Raju of India by unanimous decision and strawweight Jeremy Miado by second-round technical knockout over Peng Xue Wen of China.

Philippines back in the Suzuki Cup semifinals

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE Philippine men’s national football team will make its way back to the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup after hacking out a 0-0 draw against Indonesia on the final day of group play on Sunday at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.
Needing at least a draw to advance to the next round of the regional tournament, the Philippine Azkals still tried to get a win but eventually settled for a draw after the host team came out fighting despite already out of the race in Group B heading into the contest.
The two teams started the match aggressively, putting themselves in solid scoring opportunities in the opening half but could not complete them.
Unfortunately for the Azkals they would lose captain Phil Younghusband in the first half after clashing heads with an Indonesian player.
He was taken off the field then brought to the hospital after.
In the second half, the back-and-forth between the two teams continued.
But like in the opening 45 minutes no goals would be scored en route to the nil-nil draw.
The Philippines’ cause was helped by the 3-0 defeat of third-running Singapore at the hands of Group B leader Thailand, played near simultaneously as that between the Azkals and Indonesia.
“We did not play well but the most important thing is won the game,” said Azkals coach Sven-Goran Eriksson post-game.
“I think we have a week before our next game and it will be good for us,” added the coach, whose wards are set to face Vietnam in the home-and-away semifinals starting on Dec. 2.
In the last AFF Suzuki Cup in 2016, the Philippines, which was a co-host then, failed to go beyond the group stage, halting a streak of three appearances in the semifinals of the biennial tournament dating back to 2010.