Home Blog Page 10613

Economic manager suggests removing term limits under federal system

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan, Reporter
AN ECONOMIC MANAGER said the draft federal constitution submitted by the Consultative Committee (ConCom) to Review the 1987 Constitution may “not yet (be) ripe,” as he proposed such changes as removing term limits and streamlining the federated regions.
Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno described the draft federal charter as “hindi pa hinog” and “unclear.”
He said now that Congress has the draft, it should consider removing term limits in the draft federal charter for some government posts to address longstanding political dynasties.
“To me, under the new constitution, tatanggalin ko yung (I would remove) term limit, except for the president and vice-president. Because the term limit, it creates a lot of dynasty,” Mr. Diokno told reporters on Thursday.
Kasi pinoprogram mo na ‘yung asawa ‘yung tatakbo, ‘yung anak mo. So bata pa anak mo pinapatakbo mo na sa barangay,” Mr. Diokno said. (Because you are programming your wife to run, [or] your child. So your child is still young, you have him run in the barangay.)
He added: “If you are the only politically inclined with the family, wala naman masama if 50 years ka nasa politika (there’s nothing wrong if you’ve been in politics for 50 years)…so you don’t develop a whole clan.”
Mr. Diokno said the idea is possible in conjunction with an electoral system prone to corruption.
“It’s the people you elect. You have to improve the electoral system. And to me the most ideal electoral system is ‘yung di ka na aalis ng bahay mo (you don’t have to leave your house0. Kasi walang (Because there’s no) intimidation.”
“We really need to amend our Constitution. It’s really outdated,” he said, but added, “That’s not for me. That’s for the policymakers.”
Mr. Diokno also said the added layer of bureaucracy in the federated regions should be streamlined.
“They talk of another layer of bureaucracy. That means it’s expensive. You have state governors and provincial governors,” he said.
“And they replicated the existing regions. There are regions that can be consolidated. That’s more efficient. It should really be based on socioeconomic and political consideration, economies of scale. It could be 10, 12, less than 18,” he added.
He also said Congress should liberalize sectors for foreign investment such as education, mass media, and land ownership, among others.
The economic managers and the consultative committee met last week to clarify their different interpretations and assumptions of the draft federal charter, especially on the revenues and expenditures, where the National Economic and Development Authority estimated a transition cost of P156.6 billion to P243.5 billion, and P13 billion for the consultative committee.
Both agreed that the fiscal deficit cap of 3% of gross domestic product should be followed to maintain the country’s investment grade ratings of the country, but the ball is now in Congress to iron out the draft.

US says bilateral training with Japan conducted in South China Sea

THE United States and Japan on Friday, Aug. 31, conducted a “bilateral training…while underway in the South China Sea,” the US Navy said in a statement that day.
Taking part in the exercise were units from the Ronald Reagan Strike Group of the US and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Escort Flotilla 4 Battle Group. According to the statement, “the two maritime forces sailed in formation, participated in replenishment-at-sea training, exchanged Naval Liaison Officers and practiced maneuvering procedures.
Rear Adm. Karl O. Thomas, Commander, Task Force 70, and CTF 70 personnel met with JMSDF Rear Adm. Tatsuya Fukuda, Commander, Escort Flotilla 4, at the JS Kaga.
On Saturday, the ship docked at Alava Pier in Subic Bay, the Philippines’ Presidential News Desk said, adding that President Rodrigo R. Duterte himself had a tour of the ship before his meeting with Mr. Fukuda, as well as wtih Japanese Parliamentary Vice Minister of Defense Keitaro Ohno, and Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda.
“The teamwork and professionalism I have experienced by both CTF 70 and JMSDF sailors during this training operation has truly demonstrated how seamlessly we can integrate with our Japanese allies,” Mr. Thomas was quoted in the statement as saying of Friday’s bilateral training.
He added: “Training with Escort Flotilla 4 was a fantastic opportunity to bring together our strike group with the JMSDF battle group and further the interoperability we have been building for years between our forces.”
Ronald Reagan Strike Group units included in the bilateral training were the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69).
Escort Flotilla 4 Battle Group units included the helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH 184), the Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (DD 105) and the Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD 117).
The Ronald Reagan Strike Group is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the US Navy’s statement also said. — with Arjay L. Balinbin

Rice prices could pull down number of Filipinos satisfied with the way democracy works

THE NUMBER of Filipinos satisfied with the way democracy works under the administration of President Rodrigo R. Duterte has dropped to 78% as of March 2018 from 86% in Sept. 2016, but the average remains the highest among past leaders, a Social Weathers Survey (SWS) study reported. In a forum last Friday, Political Science Professor and Analyst Gene Lacza Pilapil said, “This satisfaction rating may be driven by instrumental reason.” He said, “This democratic satisfaction is connected with popularity… The popularity of Duterte isn’t political, it’s economical.” He cited SWS’ First Quarter 2018 Social Weather Report where 78% were “satisfied with how democracy works” and 60% prefer the democratic type of government. Under former presidents, the satisfaction ranges were: President Corazon C. Aquino, 45-50%; Fidel V. Ramos 46-70%, Joseph E. Estrada, 41-70%; Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, 28-68%; and Benigno S.C. Aquino III, 64-79%. Mr. Pilapil, however, noted that “The factors that affect his popularity are already weakening.” He cited the high prices of rice, saying, “The most important component of food for the poor is rice,” which could contribute to a possible weakening in the democratic satisfaction rating in the future. — Gillian M. Cortez

Ilocos suffers P441M in damage due to intensified monsoon rains

ILOCOS NORTE declared a state of calamity last week. — CMO

MORE THAN P441 million worth of damages due to weeks of monsoon rains intensified by tropical depressions and storms were reported by the Ilocos Norte Provincial Resiliency Office. The total covers agriculture, fisheries, livestock, and infrastructure. In a statement from the provincial media office, Lilian Rin, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, said food-for-work, cash-for-work, and self-employment assistance programs are available for the more than 10,300 families affected. “We have also identified landslide victims with damaged houses for emergency shelter assistance (ESA),” Ms. Rin added.
AGRICULTURE
MUNICIPAL AGRICULTURAL Officers (MAO) in the different towns have also been instructed to come up with a list of the immediate needs of the agricultural sector in their areas, which will be submitted for funding through private firms’ corporate social responsibility programs, provincial calamity fund, and other sources. Estimated damages in agriculture include P71.9 million in rice crops and P1.9 million in livestock. Provincial Agriculturist Norma Lagmay said each MAO should “have a master list of affected farmers in all eco-systems” so they can plan both medium-term and long-term solutions to the damages. “Kayo ang nakakaalam kung sino ‘yung mga nasiraan (You would know who are those affected). Talk to the people,” she said, “Let us work together as one team, with concerted effort, shared leadership, and cooperative management.”

Single-use trade


THE QUEZON City Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD) launched last Aug. 31 the trading of single-use PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles for reusable water containers, which will be undertaken every Friday at the QC Hall material recovery facility. A reusable bottle will be given for every one kilo of PET bottles. EPWMD head Frederika C. Rentoy thanked local government employees who were the main participants during the launch, where 152 kilos of PET bottles were collected.

Socialized housing developers in talks with Mandaue, others LGUs for partnerships

THE ORGANIZATION of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines Inc., (OSHDP) is now in talks with at least 15 local government units (LGUs) for partnerships on building low-cost housing projects. OSHDP President Marcelino C. Mendoza, in an interview, said the proposed collaborations are intended to help cities and municipalities build capabilities in providing affordable decent houses for the low-income segment. Among these LGUs is Mandaue City, which has a P1 billion budget for socialized housing. Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis “Luigi” R. Quisumbing said only P230 million has so far been utilized due to lack of available land for housing sites. The city recently broke ground for a multi-storey housing project. Mr. Mendoza said OSHDP is reaching out to more LGUs to fast-track the development of mass housing around the country. — The Freeman
>> See the full story on https://goo.gl/ADJUmD

MinDA: Federalism to foster more culture-responsive economies

THE MINDANAO Development Authority (MinDA) is advocating federalism, saying this form of government would foster localized economic policies that are more culturally responsive. Citing the recent rice shortage in the Zamboanga-Basilan-Sulu-Tawi-Tawi (ZamBaSulTa), Dr. Adrian M. Tamayo, MinDA’s public relations head, said the supply crisis should be assessed and understood within the context of the geographic and historical backgrounds of the area. “What happened is there’s already the cultural system of barter economy that occurs in Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi tawi. Some others call this as backdoor. But in the course of time, it is actually a cultural economic set up,” he said at the Habi at Kape media forum last week. Mr. Tamayo also pointed out that the centralized set-up of the National Food Authority as well as logisitical considerations slow down supply distribution. “Given the legal and the rest of the instruments mentioned coming from the top, all of those regular economic activities were hampered because the decisions again were consistent with a centralized set-up. But where are the cultural context of the economic activity.? These were not understood and addressed and so therefore federalism will provide a leeway how to make these things — the culture, economic, political, structure, and even internal security — be addressed, he said. — Maya M. Padillo

Davao mayor acknowledges rape cases, says intervention program has been in place

DAVAO CITY Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has acknowledged that the city has the highest number of rape cases among major cities in the country, but stressed that the local government and partner agencies have been implementing an intervention program to address the problem. “This fact has been taken up in the Davao City Peace and Order Council in 2017, where it was discovered that many of these cases were incestuous rape or rape by someone who has a close relationship with the victim such as a neighbor or a friend,” Ms. Carpio said in a statement over the weekend. The Davao City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) was tasked to conduct research and lead the implementation of programs. “One of these interventions, and the most effective of which, targeted communities where children are taught about sexuality and sexual abuse, including when a touch by a family member is no longer appropriate and acceptable,” she said. Davao City Police Director Alexander C. Tagum said “the CSSDO-led interventions resulted in a significant drop in the incidence of rape cases from 120 in 2017 to 95 in 2018, both in the same period of January to June.” Ms. Carpio, daughter of the President, said this positive effect of local government action “should not be lost in the repertoire of the President and the attacks by those who hate President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s guts and humor.” — Carmencita A. Carillo

Nation at a Glance — (09/03/18)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Davao mining-free zone bill hurdles House on 3rd reading

A BILL declaring Davao City a mining-free zone passed unanimously on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.
Voting 204-0-0, the chamber approved House Bill 7871, prohibiting all forms of mining in the city, both large-scale and small-scale.
If enacted, the measure means Republic Act 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, and RA 7076, the People’s Small-scale Mining Act of 1991, among other related laws, will no longer apply within the city.
Small-scale mining contracts, will be cancelled upon effectivity of the law and the contractors will be given just one year to undertake rehabilitation, regeneration and reforestation of the mining areas.
The government will also be banned from entering into new agreements allowing exploration; but existing mining contracts and permits will continue until they expire.
Dormant exploration permits will also be cancelled.
Under the measure, quarry permits will continue to be recognized, while quarry permits issued by local governments will be subject to review by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
“The DENR shall impose strict regulations in ensuring that not more than one quarry permit is granted to the same person, corporation, its affiliates, subsidiary or any entity that has essentially the same legal personality as the applicant or holder of an existing quarry permit in the City,” according to the measure.
Penalties for offenses range between P1 million and P10 million and 6-12 years’ imprisonment. For juridical entities, the penalties apply to the highest ranking official and the members of the board that authorized the violation.
The bill was authored by Representatives Alberto T. Ungab, Mylene J. Garcia-Albano, Jose Antonio R. Sy-Alvarado and Arnel U. Ty. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

LNG law being drafted ahead of Malampaya supply crunch

By Victor V. Saulon, Sub-Editor
THE Energy department and the Senate energy committee will draft a law covering the natural gas industry in preparation for a “critical” period next year when an integrated liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility should have started construction in preparation for the depletion of the country’s sole domestic source of the fossil fuel.
However, the Senate panel continues to have doubts about a provision that will allow the Department of Energy (DoE) to step in and initiate the project. For its part, the DoE has yet to agree to a counter-proposal that calls for it to formulate an energy mix that favors natural gas.
“We’ve been working closely with Senator [Sherwin T.] Gatchalian, the chairman of the [Senate] Committee on Energy. We’re currently talking about advocating the passage of a natural gas law wherein some of the salient points would be to address those concerns regarding the construction or the establishment of an LNG regas[ification] facility in the interim,” Leonido J. Pulido III, assistant secretary at the DoE, told reporters.
Separately, Mr. Gatchalian confirmed that his office is in the process of working with the DoE on a comprehensive LNG law, which will become “the ultimate framework of the LNG industry.”
“We want to make sure that the future of LNG will be viable and sustainable. We will have a framework to regulate the importation of LNG, the terminal activities of LNG, and also the liquefaction of LNG,” he said.
Imported natural gas is liquefied for ease of shipping, then regasified or reverted to its former state in the country of destination.
“Most of this is midstream,” he said, referring to the importation and trading section of the LNG value chain. He said the downstream or the exploration part will be discussed later.
Mr. Gatchalian said his counter-proposal to the DoE’s stand to undertake the project is to strengthen the DoE’s power to dictate the energy mix, which the industry must follow.
“Now, the market will be dictated and guided by the energy mix so instead of government spending taxpayers’ money on the project, you are actually creating space for the investors to come in,” he said.
He previously expressed doubts about the government, in general, entering in a business venture given past instances of corporate mismanagement and inefficiency.
Mr. Gatchalian said when the government enters a business and spends money for it, the risks are high, especially if it fails to make money or worse, if it loses taxpayers money.
“Hopefully, within six months the framework will be completed. It will take time,” Mr. Gatchalian said.
Mr. Pulido said about 13 companies have signified their intention to build an integrated LNG facility but none has so far submitted a formal proposal.
He said the biggest challenge is the size of the investment required to fund the project — around $300 million to $400 million if the facility is a floating storage regasification unit, or FSRU, and about $1 billion if it is onshore.
However, lenders will need assurance that the imported fuel will have a ready market, he said. Five gas-fired power plants in Batangas province, with a combined capacity of 3,211 megawatts, are the main customers of the Malampaya gas find. The offshore Palawan project is expected to be depleted by 2022 to 2024.
The five plants sell their power to Manila Electric Co. under different power supply agreements, one of which has already expired. The rest will lapse in 2022, 2024 and 2027, Mr. Pulido said.
He said lenders would want to see off-take agreements that are valid for 15 to 20 years.
“It is such an issue. We need to fix that as early as now so that these investors can get the financing they need,” he said.
He said a provision that would allow the DoE to come in and nominate one of its commercial arms to undertake the project either under a public-private partnership or a build-operate transfer scheme would ensure the continuity of the LNG facility.
“We think that the critical period would be middle to late 2019,” he said, given the length of time to build the facility.

ADB approves Malolos-Clark rail assistance package

THE ASIAN DEVELOPMENT Bank (ADB) has approved a $2-million technical assistance grant for the 51-kilometer Malolos-Clark railway.
The ADB approved the Railway Project Implementation Support and Institutional Strengthening project on Aug. 22, drawn from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, according to ADB documents.
The grant seeks to “help the government to prepare project implementation and project management, establish the institutional structure as required under the policy framework for the future railway sector in the Philippines and develop the capacity to manage operation and maintain the ensuing project.”
This includes consulting services to support the Department of Transportation (DoTr) in land acquisition, resettlement and livelihood skills development activities for persons affected by the project; consulting services to support procurement activities; consulting services to develop and implement a public communication strategy with project affected persons; consulting services to develop and implement gender mainstreaming activities under the gender action plan; and other support by consultants and training as required to accelerate project implementation.
The Philippine National Railway (PNR) North 2 Malolos-Clark railway is among the government’s flagship infrastructure projects to decongest Manila, which will link Malolos, Bulacan to Clark International Airport and Clark Green City.
According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the project will cost P211.43 billion, and will be co-financed by the ADB and the Japanese government.
The project is targeted to start construction by the third quarter next year, and completed by 2024.
NEDA said right-of-way clearing is ongoing, and detailed engineering design is expected to be completed by March or April next year.
The Philippine government also expects the exchange of notes and signing of the loan agreement with Japan in the fourth quarter this year.
The government is relying largely on infrastructure to boost economic growth to 7-8% until 2022, and reduce poverty rate to 14% by then. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan