Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 11130

House, Senate bills filed seeking to amend TRAIN

By Camille A. Aguinaldo
and Charmaine A. Tadalan
SENATOR PAOLO Benigno A. Aquino IV on Thursday filed a bill amending Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law which would impose an automatic suspension of excise taxes on fuel when the inflation rate exceeds the target set by the government.
At the House of Representatives, the Makabayan bloc on Thursday said it has filed a bill seeking to repeal certain provisions of the TRAIN law.
Senate Bill No. 1798 states that excise taxes on fuel under TRAIN will automatically be suspended when the average inflation rate surpasses the annual inflation target set by the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) over a three-month period.
The bill also indicated that excise taxes on fuel prior to the effectivity of the tax reform law shall remain in force during the period of suspension.
If the inflation rate returns to the government’s target, the Department of Finance (DoF) may lift the suspension and reimpose the excise taxes based on its rate at the time of suspension.
Under the present tax reform law, excise taxes on fuel would be suspended if the average Dubai crude oil price for three months prior to the scheduled increase reaches or exceeds $80 per barrel.
TRAIN imposed an increase in tax on gasoline and diesel to P7 per liter and P2.50 per liter, respectively
In his explanatory note, Mr. Aquino said the bill seeks to protect “underprivileged Filipino families” from rising prices of fuel and their effect on the prices of goods and services.
“While we have little control over global fuel prices, the imposition of excise taxes is in our hands. It is our responsibility to be flexible and responsive when the weight of inflation becomes too heavy for the poor Filipino families to bear,” Mr. Aquino said.
House Bill (HB) 7653, on the other hand, aims to repeal “regressive taxes including the expansion of VAT coverage, additional excise taxes on petroleum products and the excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages,” as stated in the bill’s explanatory note.
The bill proposes to repeal Section 47 on the said beverages and Section 82 on appropriations to the government’s infrastructure and social programs.
Also included in the bill are provisions restoring personal tax exemption worth P50,000 for individual taxpayers and an additional exemption of P25,000 for dependents not exceeding four.
Value Added Tax (VAT) exemptions on electricity will also be restored, as well as the 3% tax exemption for cooperatives, self-employed, and professionals with gross receipts of P2 million and below.
“This bill should not be seen as a hindrance by the administration and taken as a means to assuage the suffering of our poor countrymen. We hope that this bill will be fast-tracked by Congress because the economic suffering being endured by our countrymen (caused by) the TRAIN law is very real and should be addressed (at) the soonest time possible,” Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani T. Zarate said.

New charges vs Aquino, Duque over Dengvaxia

By Charmaine A. Tadalan
LAWYER FERDINAND S. Topacio on Thursday filed before the Office of the Ombudsman plunder and malversation complaints against former president Benigno S.C. Aquino III and 21 others over alleged irregularities in the procurement of the Dengvaxia vaccine.
Meanwhile, current Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III and 36 others were slapped with new complaints over the dengue vaccination program.
Mr. Topacio said he filed the complaint against Mr. Aquino and the others precisely after the Senate investigation, with the aim of having its testimonies submitted as supporting documents.
“This is a conspiracy,” he said. “P3.5 billion was approved in ten days… Can you imagine how efficient they were in trying to plunder the national treasury?”
Mr. Topacio said he filed the complaint as a private individual. He is also the legal counsel of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC).
For his part, co-complainant and Citizen Crime Watch president Diego L. Magpantay accused the previous administration of procuring the vaccines to use the funds for the 2016 election campaign.
“Ito’y minadali. Sa tingin namin hindi talaga nangangailangan ng Dengvaxia, kundi kailangan nila ng pera dahil mag-eeleksyon,” Mr. Magpantay said. (This was rushed. We think there was no need for a Dengvaxia vaccine, but they needed the money for the election.)
Mr. Topacio, for his part, said further: “The entire immunization program of DoH (Department of Health) for that year, 2015, was only P3.2 billion. Buong taon na ‘yun, lahat na ng sakit ‘yun. (that’s for the whole year, covering all kinds of illness).”
He added: “Itong Dengvaxia, isang sakit lamang….Ilang buwan lang ang programa, P3.5 billion.” (Dengvaxia, is just for one disease. The program only covered a few months, P3.5 billion.)
Also charged were Mr. Aquino’s former officials in his Cabinet, former budget secretary Florencio B. Abad, former health secretary Janette L. Garin, and former executive secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr.
Also included among the respondents are: Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño, Gerardo V. Bayugo, Lilibeth C. David, Mario C. Villaverde, Lyndon L. Lee Suy, Nestor F. Santiago Jr., Laureano C. Cruz, Dr. Irma L. Asuncion, Maria Joyce U. Ducusin, Mar Wynn C. Bello, Leonita P. Gorgolon, Rio L. Magpantay, Ariel I. Valencia, Dr. Julius A. Lecciones, Nemesio T. Gako, Vicente Y. Belizario, Jr., Kenneth Y. Hartigan-Go, and Yolanda E. Oliveros.
This is the third case on Dengvaxia against Mr. Aquino following complaints of plunder and mass murder by former lawmaker Augusto Syjuco and graft charges by Gabriela Women’s Party.
On the charges against Mr. Duque and company, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida V. Rueda-Acosta said the three complaints were similar to the six previously filed accusing Mr. Duque, Ms. Garin, and officials of Sanofi Pasteur, Inc. and Zuellig Pharma of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code and violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.
Mr. Duque was included as the DoH incumbent.
Two of the complaints had the additional charge of obstruction of justice against the respondents.
Sought for comment, Mr. Duque said: “The cases filed are malicious, vexatious, libelous, meant to harass me! Again she did not implead former secretary (Paulyn Jean B. Rosell) Ubial who actually signed the documents to continue and even expand the Dengvaxia immunization program initiated by Garin.”
He added: “Acosta also did not implead Aquino and Abad! Bakit kaya? (How come?) I will file my counter affidavits and answer their complaints point by point once I receive copy of complaints.” — with Dane Angelo M. Enerio

10 companies and proprietors face tax raps

BIR bldg
BW FILE PHOTO

By Dane Angelo M. Enerio
THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in separate statements on Thursday said it has filed with the Department of Justice (DoJ) tax evasion complaints against 10 companies and proprietors.
Computer products trader Arthur Agustin Villalba was charged in connection with his tax liability in 2016 amounting to P596.4 million.
”The instant case (against Mr. Villalba) stemmed from news accounts of alleged smuggling of high profile vehicles…using his Gamma Gray Marketing,” BIR said, adding:
”In the course of investigation, it was discovered that respondent VILLALBA did not file his Income Tax Return for the second (2nd) Quarter of taxable year 2016 and Annual Income Tax Return for taxable 2016. Although he filed his Income Tax Return for the first (1st) Quarter of taxable year 2016, he did not declare any sales.”
”Also, although he filed his Income Tax Return for the third (3rd) Quarter of 2016, he only declared a meager amount of sales in the amount of P965,938.81. Likewise, he did not file his Quarterly VAT Returns for the first (1st) and second (2nd) Quarters of taxable year 2016. Although he filed his Quarterly VAT Returns for the third (3rd) and fourth (4th) Quarters of taxable year 2016, he declared no sales,” BIR also said.
”Further, based on the records of the Bureau of Customs, respondent VILLALBA made importations in 2016 in the total amount of PhP913,347,386.00 which were not disclosed in his Income Tax Returns and VAT Returns for the said period.”
Also charged were Manila-based enterprises A-Mark Trading & General Merchandise (A-Mark) and its owner Isabelita Osorio Mauricio; Joteo Hardware & Construction Supply Inc. (Joteo) and its president Antonio V. Mercado and treasurer Elizabeth E. Mercado; and Microlifters International Corp. (Microlifters) and its president Lourdes J. Gonzales and treasurer Dennis U. Gonzales.
According to a statement by BIR, Ms. Mauricio “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2011 amounting to P23,833,169.21, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P16,861,480.82; and (VAT) — P6,971,688.39.”
Joteo and its officers were “ sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2010 amounting to P7,142,121.12, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P3,931,381.30; (VAT) — P3,144,042.30; and Improperly Accumulated Earnings Tax (IAET) — P66,697.52.”
Microfilters and its officers were “sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2010 amounting to P8,006,291.74, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P4,907,530.60; and (VAT) — P3,098,761.14.”
Charged too were Quezon City-based companies Dopilpatru, Inc. (Dopilpatru) and its president Dolores P. Palispis; New Culion Builders Corporation (New Culion) and its president Adoracion Marietta B. Iting; and Systems Energizer Corporation and its president Felipe S. Diaz, Jr. and treasurer Ma. Vivian M. Diaz.
Dopilpatru “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2011 amounting to P13,020,554.52, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P6,939,472.90; (VAT) — P4,781,369.62; Expanded Withholding Tax (EWT) — P110,651.12; and (IAET) — P1,189,105.88.”
New Culion “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2010 amounting to P14,516,149.69, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P7,433,534.95; and (VAT) — P7,082,614.74.”
Systems Energizer “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2011 amounting to P28,164,474.32, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P6,590,174.03; (VAT) — P21,026,897.08; (EWT) — P27,115.92; (IAET) — P462,007.97; and Documentary Stamp Tax (DST) — P58,279.32.”
Charged as well were Pasig City-based company Huile Corporation (Huile) and its president Arnold P. Duay and treasurer Emilie DC. Duay, Makati City-based company Lifedata Systems, Inc. (Lifedata) and its president Maria Lorena S. Florendo and treasurer James L. Tiu, and Cavite-based company Drillcorp Philippines, Inc. (Drillcorps) and its responsible corporate officers Kenneth Wilkes, Maricris Saniel, Ip Swee Bin, and Edward Bacus.
Huile “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2009 amounting to P8,727,118.20, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P6,454,436.30; (VAT) — P2,254,133.35; and (EWT) — P18,548.55.”
Lifedata “is being sued for a total deficiency tax liability for taxable year 2012 amounting to P30,573,097.52, inclusive of increments, broken down into: (IT) — P17,902,822.79; (VAT) — P11,530,303.60; (EWT) — P29,092.32; and (WTC) — P1,110,878.81.”
Drillcorp was found to have “consistently filed tax returns through the Electronic Filing and Payment System (eFPS) without paying the corresponding taxes due on various dates from 2013 to 2018” and “is liable for the aggregate amount of P12,812,123.96 for the period 2013-2018, inclusive of surcharges and interest.”
Respondents were sought for comment but some did not have publicly listed contact numbers and others did not respond to calls.

PDEA tests drones for anti-drug operations

By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz, Reporter

PDEA.GOV.PH

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Thursday tested 20 drones for its anti-drug operations.
“This will enhance our operational capability in PDEA,” Director General Aaron N. Aquino said in a media briefing.
He said the drones are already in use nationwide but noted that further training was needed for these equipment.
The drones would help provide real-time intelligence and can be used in operations where agents cannot enter or reach their targets, Mr. Aquino said.
The drones can automatically follow the controller and subject without a tracker or bracelet, avoid obstacles with dual satellite camera, connect with up to 20 satellites, and capture aerial vision of a subject. They are also useful for geographic mapping.
The drones, priced at P100,000 per unit, were procured from Dubai for a total of P2 million, according to Mr. Aquino.
Two PDEA officers per region were trained by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in basic drone pilot handling and operation.
“The CAAP will then issue License to Operate the remote-controlled aircraft/drone, making PDEA the first national government agency to produce CAAP-certified drone controllers,” PDEA said.
“Having a license for flying a drone is very important. You can use your license anywhere and pag may license ka, tama ‘yung pag-o-operate mo ng drone eh (if you have a license, it means you can operate a drone properly),” Mr. Aquino noted.
He said another 20 are due next month and will be distributed in the national and regional headquarters.
“By that time, we will have an additional training with CAAP for more enhancement of capability,” Mr. Aquino said.
PDEA officers also familiarized themselves with 100 new body cameras, 86 units of digital forensic equipment and 166 handheld radios.

Nationwide Round-Up

Police, DILG flag BSKE election violence

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) on Thursday reported 20 incidents of election-related violence, four days ahead of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls on May 14.
Of the 20 incidents, recorded from April 14 to May 9, only two are validated to be election-related while the rest are still being verified, according to PNP Spokesperson PCSupt. John C. Bulalacao.
The PNP also counted 19 shooting incidents despite the gun ban in effect during the election period, and one kidnapping incident.
The death toll has reached 24 individuals, 13 of whom are elected government officials, three candidates, one former official, one appointed government personnel, and six civilians. Meanwhile, six were wounded and three involved were unharmed.
Four of these cases are already under prosecution, three have been filed in court, and 13 are under investigation.
Three of the suspects in the incidents have be arrested, 21 have been identified, while 52 have yet to be identified.
Mr. Bulalacao said this election is an “improvement” from the 2013 elections, wherein 57 violent incidents with 33 deaths from Sept. 28 to Nov. 12, 2013, were recorded.
As of May 6, there were 7,915 election hot spots nationwide. Of this, 2,345 areas are under the yellow category, 4,971 under orange, and 619 under red.
Areas listed under yellow category are places with recorded violent incident in the past election, recorded violent incident in this year’s election, intense political rivalry, barangay previously declared under Commission on Elections (Comelec) control, and existence of private armed groups.
The orange category, on the other hand, are areas with the
existence of threat groups such as New People’s Army (NPA), Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighter (BIFF), coupled with the parameters in the yellow category.
Red category is a combination of all the factors present in yellow and orange.
The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) holds the most number of election hot spots at 1,415, followed by Bicol with 1,304, and SOCCSKSARGEN with 661.
Mr. Bulalacao said that this number may still increase “if the COMELEC will be coming out with another list” but added that it “should pass through the validation process.”
Meanwhile, Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin D. Diño warned officials who are reportedly harassing candidates and voters, or engaging in vote buying.
“We receive a lot of reports and complaints and we have a direct coordination with Comelec… until now, there are harassment coming from local mayors, congressmen, and governors,” Mr. Diño said in Filipino.
He added that those caught and proven guilty could face perpetual disqualification from public office.
In a separate media briefing, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron N. Aquino recommended to the PNP to knock-and-plead, locally dubbed as the tokhang campaign, on barangay officials included in the narco-list.
PDEA and DILG recently released a “validated” list of 207 barangay officials involved in illegal drug operations, following a directive from President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
The PDEA is set to file administrative and criminal charges today against one of the barangay officials in the narco-list before the Office of the Ombudsman. — Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

Rep Biazon files resolution to probe China missile system deployment

REPRESENTATIVE ROZZANO Rufino B. Biazon filed on Wednesday a resolution urging the House national defense and security committee, where he is vice-chair, to conduct an inquiry on China’s deployment of missile systems in the Spratly Islands. “This deployment of military assets no doubt have national security implications on the Philippines, a matter that should be taken seriously as a threat,” Mr. Biazon said in a statement issued Thursday. The resolution was filed following recent reports that China deployed weapons, which theoretically enables it to “interdict shipping in an arc stretching from the coast off central Vietnam, to eastern Malaysia’s Sabah state and the Philippines’ Palawan island. The deployment “not only directly affects our sovereignty and national security, but our country’s trade and economy as well,” Mr. Biazon said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

HRW says ex-police chief will answer for ‘bloody campaign’ on drugs

HUMAN RIGHTS Watch (HRW), in an online article published on Thursday, said Ronald M. Dela Rosa, the retired police chief who has now been appointed as head of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor), may sooner or later “be held to account for his ongoing role in the bloody campaign” of President Rodrigo R. Duterte against illegal drugs. HRW Deputy Director for Asia Division Phelim Kine wrote that Mr. Dela Rosa “continues to zealously endorse” human rights threats with his rhetoric of executing detained drug lords inside the New Bilibid Prison. “Dela Rosa’s comments suggest he will apply the same disregard for rule of law and accountability that defined his tenure as police director general in his new role… but he should be on notice that the International Criminal Court has begun a preliminary examination into the drug war killings,” Mr. Kine wrote. Mr. Dela Rosa did not respond when sought for comment. — Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Tie a red ribbon

THE Supreme Court premises in Manila is strewn with red ribbons and streamers put up by members of the Supreme Court Employees Association, in protest of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno’s continued tenure. Text and photo by Dane Angelo M. Enerio

Kuwaiti government to release detained Filipino diplomats — Roque

The Kuwaiti government assured that the “release” of the three Filipino diplomats facing kidnapping charges are “now being worked out,” presidential spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said Thursday evening, May 10.
In a statement, Mr. Roque further said the diplomats were expected to be released in two- to three days.
“The Philippine delegation also met with Kuwait’s Deputy Foreign Minister H.E. (His Excellency) Al-Khaled Sulaiman Al-Jarallah, who assured the visiting Filipino officials that the release of the three Filipino diplomats are now being worked out with the Interior Ministry,” he said.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier mentioned that three diplomats were issued warrants of arrest in Kuwait last April. DFA Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano also disclosed that the diplomats faced kidnapping charges following the Embassy’s rescue operations on distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). While an arrest order had been issued by the Kuwaiti government, the diplomats remained inside the Philippine embassy.
Mr. Roque added that the Kuwaiti government also allowed the repatriation of over 500 undocumented OFWs at its expense.
The presidential spokesperson is currently in Kuwait along with Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III, former Labor Secretary Marianito Roque, Labor Attache Rustico dela Fuente, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait Mohd Noordin Lomondot.
He said the memorandum of agreement (MoA) between the Philippines and Kuwait on OFWs’ protection was expected to be signed on Friday, May 11.
The Philippine delegation also met with top officials of the Kuwaiti government to discuss the welfare of OFWs residing in the Persian Gulf State.
During the meetings, Kuwait’s Labor Minister Hind Sabeeh Barrak Al-Sabeeh disclosed the Kuwaiti government’s plan to formulate a model employment contract for all foreign domestic workers in line with the country’s goal to be known as a “center for humanitarian concerns.”
“Under the model contract, workers would enjoy the following: one day off, a 12-hour sleep or rest period, protection from physical abuse, and the right to a decent meal,” Mr. Roque said
The Labor Minister also informed the Philippine delegation that the jurisdiction over household domestic workers were also transferred in her department from the Ministry of Interior. This meant that household domestic workers in Kuwait are now subject “to the same terms and conditions offered to skilled and semi-skilled workers.”
Messrs. Roque and Bello also met with a member of the Al-Sabah family, who asked the presidential spokesperson to deliver a personal message to President Rodrigo R. Duterte. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

PEZA cheers revived underwater park plan

By Janina C. Lim
PEZA logo
THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has welcomed the revived plan to construct an underwater theme park in Palawan, a project that has been shelved amid opposition from the local community and environmental groups.
PEZA Director-General Charito B. Plaza said Coral World Park International Resorts, Inc., the developer of the proposed project , “is now preparing submission of application to PEZA” after getting the application documents of the agency on Wednesday.
“They learned about PEZA and our incentives when they heard my presentation in Singapore with the European Industries of Asia as participants,” Ms. Plaza said in a text message on Thursday.
“Earlier, they don’t know which agency to run to which can give them the best incentives and support from government,” she added.
NOT VIACOM
Asked if the project will still be in partnership with Viacom International Media Networks, the owner of American children’s television network Nickelodeon, the PEZA chief replied in the positive.
However, Viacom said it has no involvement in the renewed theme park plan.
“On 22 August 2017, we issued a statement indicating Viacom International Media Networks has mutually agreed with Coral World Park to discontinue the IP licensing agreement for the Nickelodeon-branded attraction and resort that was intended to be part of Coral World Park’s planned development in the western Philippine province of Palawan. Therefore, we have not been involved with this proposed development since then,” Adeline Ong, vice-president for Corporate Communications of Asia Pacific Viacom International Media Networks, wrote in an email reply to BusinessWorld.
Coral World has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Ms. Plaza said the company is looking to apply for the development of a mixed ecozone as the firm expressed plans to also set up a facility to manufacture air vehicles, among other business operations, in the proposed island site.
“The island they’re using is a former mining area so the place is stripped of trees. But in the their Nickelodeon theme park, it should be nature rich, so they will plant trees,” the official said in a phone interview.
Asked about the company’s target date for filing its application, the PEZA chief said Coral World is looking at submitting “ASAP” (as soon as possible) and may perhaps take place within the year.
To get the nod of the investment promotion agency, Coral World will first have to seal the approval of several other agencies, including the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development — the administrative body that serves to guide the local government of Palawan in its projects for the province; the Securities and Exchange Commission; and the Environment Department for its environmental compliance certificate, among others.
Once received, the PEZA board can approve the application immediately while the request to have the proposed ecozone declared will be elevated to the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Existing laws allow the establishment of an ecozone only through a proclamation order issued by the President.
Earlier, Viacom expressed intent to build a theme park in Coron, Palawan island. This will be part of a 400-hectare undersea development six meters below sea level.
Coron, which forms part of the Calamianes Group of Islands, is tagged a key marine biodiversity area of the country.
It is also the ancestral domain of the indigenous people of the Tagbanua tribe.
Aside from environment groups such as Greenpeace Philippines, former Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez has also thumbed down the project, citing its potential damage to Palawan’s biodiversity.

Cebu BPO sector anticipates more big players after Amazon entry

THE PRESENCE of Amazon.com in Cebu could encourage more business process outsourcing (BPO) firms to set up shop in the city, an industry official said. Amazon.com, the world’s largest online retailer, launched its first customer service center in the Philippines in Cebu City earlier this week. “Other very big names are coming to Cebu, but this will be through a third party provider,” Cebu IT-BPM Organization (CIB.O) Managing Director Wilfredo Sa-a, Jr. told The Freeman.
NCR OFFICE
Meanwhile, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has given amazon.com the go signal to put up its P1.12 billion customer service office in Metro Manila, its second shop in the country. PEZA Director-General Charito B. Plaza said the agency recently approved the facility, to be located at the Three E-com Center in Pasay City, which could be ready to open middle of this year. — The Freeman and Janina C. Lim

Flood rescue

Members of the North Cotabato Emergency Response Team (NCERT) and other responders from different municipalities participate in the four-day Swift Water and Flooding Training Course from May 7-10 held at the 602nd Brigade camp in Carmen. The training, spearheaded by the provincial government, aims to equip the responders with knowledge on swift water rescue, and capacitate them with more advanced rope-based and water skills.

Displaced Marawi entrepreneurs to get subsidy during month-long Ramadan Fair 2018

THE ANNUAL Ramadan Trade Fair is set to open Friday, May 11, with 75 booths featuring local goods, the Department of Trade and Industry-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao announced. Twenty of these booths will be dedicated to hosting the businesses of those who are still displaced by last year’s conflict in Marawi City. Their booths will be subsidized by the Office of the Regional Governor, along with food and accommodation during their stay in Cotabato City throughout the trade fair. “We will be giving them grants of P30,000 for capital and P10,000 for the tools they will be needing as they take their business here to Cotabato City for the Ramadhan fair,” Norkhalila Mae Mambuay-Campong, the regional governor’s staff chief-of-staff said in a statement. The fair will feature both food and non-food products, geared towards endorsing and renewing interest in the local goods available across the region. The trade fair is expected to run until June 15, the projected end of Ramadan, which will start May 16 or 17, depending on the moon sighting.

World Migratory Bird Day on May 12

BEGINNING THIS year, the World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated globally twice, every second Saturday of May and October, in recognition of the different migration seasons. The United Nations Environment Programme/UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), in a statement, said more than 300 events in more than 60 countries have been lined up, including bird festivals, education programs, bird watching trips, and a benefit concert to raise funds for international nature conservation. For more information, visit www.worldmigratorybirdday.org.

1...11,12911,13011,131...12,754Page 11,130 of 12,754
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin Twitter Youtube