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Review of agri production system pushed to reduce import dependence

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE National Government should look at reviewing the agricultural production system amid the country’s growing dependence on imports, a congressional think tank said.

The Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said in its November report the country’s reliance on food imports risks food security amid climate change and geopolitical tensions.

“Given the increasing dependence on imports to meet local food requirements, it is important to review and revisit the agricultural production system particularly in light of increasing risks beyond our control, such as the impact of climate change and ongoing geopolitical tensions,” it said.

“The country is highly vulnerable to the impact of geopolitical tensions,” it added.

The Philippines heavily relies on imported rice to meet domestic consumer demand, the CPBRD said, adding that local production of pork, chicken, and round scad (galunggong) remain insufficient in covering the food requirement of Filipinos.

As of Nov. 14, Philippine rice imports have amounted to 4.06 million metric tons (MMT), surpassing the 3.61 MMT reported for the full year of 2023, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.

The US Department of Agriculture, in November, said the Philippines is projected to import about 5.1 MMT in 2025.

The state should look at regulating food importation by improving the reliability of its agricultural databases, helping push for “evidence-based policy making” for importation decisions. 

“There is a need to foster dialogue among users and generators of statistics on the supply and demand for commodities which are vital for determining the volume of imports,” the think tank said.

Moreover, the think tank raised the need for a “strong institution” to facilitate more investments into the agriculture sector, which could help spur agricultural development and improve domestic food production.

The CPBRD recommended a genuine organizational review of the Department of Agriculture, including related functions in other agencies, to identify areas for improvement and facilitate the crafting of appropriate strategies.

Addressing institutional “bottlenecks” could also help address food smuggling, which undermines agricultural production. “As farmers would have difficulty competing with smuggled commodities due to their relatively lower prices, it will eventually reduce local production,” the report stated.

The state should also promote collective farming to help streamline government support services to Filipino farmers.

“Conversion of rice land to other uses, backward rice farming, deteriorating irrigation systems, and lack of farm credit and even faulty government policies have been identified as the reasons for low rice production, thus, high importation,” the CPBRD said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Senator calls for transparency in 2025 budget deliberations

BW FILE PHOTO

SENATOR Maria Imelda R. Marcos on Monday urged lawmakers to work closely with various sectoral stakeholders during the final stretch of deliberations and amendments for the proposed P6.325-trillion budget this week.

Citing a letter addressed to Senate President Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero and Senator and Finance Committee Chairperson Mary Grace Natividad S. Poe-Llamanzares, Ms. Marcos in a statement warned against last minute insertions and line items not in line with the government’s development priorities.

“All stakeholders must have the opportunity to weigh in on significant amendments to ensure we address the real needs of the Filipino people,” she said.

“There should be transparency for the P6.532-trillion budget for 2025, and we must avoid at all costs, last minute insertions, and unpleasant surprises in our nation’s budget,” she added, citing the scheduled Bicameral Conference Committee deliberations on the national budget on November 28 to 30.

Senators are set to start proposing amendments to the proposed spending plan this week.

The Senate aims to approve the national budget by the second week of December at the latest, in time to submit it to the Palace before Congress goes on break on Dec. 21.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has certified the proposed 2025 national budget as urgent, which would do away with the mandated three-day interval between bill readings.

Ms. Poe-Llamanzares earlier told the Senate floor that her colleagues would focus on ensuring additional funding for health, education, and livelihood. She also said defense agencies would get budget hikes next year.

The House approved the 2025 general appropriations bill in September. It was transmitted to the Senate on Oct. 25.

“It is critical that we adopt a collaborative and transparent approach in creating the General Appropriations Bill,” Ms. Marcos, the president’s sister, said.

“This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about shaping the future of our country.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

10,000 prisoners to be freed

PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

THE Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) said about 10,000 prisoners would be freed before Christmas, following the finalization of the implementing rules and regulations for the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA), which now also applies to those convicted of heinous crimes.

During a culminating event at the Social Hall of the BuCor Administrative Building within the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) Compound on Monday, BuCor Director General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. said between 5,000-10,000 convicts would be home for the holidays.

Earlier this year, the Supreme Court en banc ruled that any prisoner is entitled to GCTA if the convict is in a penal institution, rehabilitation or detention center, or any local jail.

In a statement, Mr. Catapang emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration with other government agencies in areas where prisoners would be integrated.

Some BuCor partners include the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Commission on Higher Education, Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Labor and Employment, and Department of Social Welfare and Development.

The event on Monday celebrated the release of 500 prisoners between October 22 and November 25, including 104 who attended the ceremony on Monday.

Out of the 500,347 completed their maximum sentences, 110 were acquitted, 21 were given probation, 20 were granted parole, one was released on bail, and another was freed through habeas corpus. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

TUPAD beneficiaries training urged

CITYOFSANPEDROLAGUNA.GOV.PH

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) should provide the beneficiaries of its employment aid program an avenue to upskill and improve their labor skill set through training programs, a congressman said on Monday.

The Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged or Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program is a safety net scheme that provides temporary employment to unemployed, underemployed, and seasonal workers.

“We can improve the value of the TUPAD program by providing our beneficiaries with opportunities to gain new knowledge that would give them a better chance at finding employment or starting small businesses,” Rizal Rep. Juan Fidel Felipe F. Nograles said in a statement.

“Beneficiaries can only avail of the program once a year, so we have to think about what comes after. If a training program is attached to the short-term work, we can double the value of this program,” he added in mixed English and Filipino.

The government allotted about P28 billion under the employment program for this year, but the National Expenditure Program proposed to cut its funding, earmarking just P14.9 billion for next year.

Mr. Nograles, who heads the House of Representatives labor panel, said DoLE should partner with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to come up with training modules to be used for his proposal. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

LTFRB keeps motorcycle taxi limit

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said the cap for motorcycle (MC) taxis remained at 45,000 in Metro Manila amid decline in ridership.

“The LTFRB did not increase the number of MC taxis in the National Capital Region. It was pegged at 45,000 three years ago. It still stands at 45,000,” LTFRB Chairman Teofilo E. Guadiz III said in a media release on Monday.

LTFRB said that an increase in MC taxi slots is for Central Luzon, and Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (Calabarzon) provinces at an additional 4,000 for regions.

Mr. Guadiz also said that LTFRB observed a decrease in ridership which was attributed to a change in behavior pattern among passengers as a result of change in work pattern among employees.

“Decrease in ridership was the result of the change in work pattern (work from home, asynchronous academic schedule for schools, increase in use of mass transport like trains and buses),” Mr. Guadiz said.

Further, LTFRB has also denied allegations that the technical working group (TWG) did not submit the result of the motorcycle pilot study to Congress. 

“The TWG had submitted the result of its study to the House Committee on Transport and to the Senate Committee on Transportation. The TWG report was the basis for the passage of the bill by the House solons,” Mr. Guadiz said.

In 2019, the Transportation department directed the LTFRB to form a technical working group to oversee the rollout of motorcycle taxi services offered by Angkas, JoyRide and Move It.

The study will generate recommendations on safety, security, franchising, and regulatory procedures. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Heart and bone disease risks rise with menopause

UNSPLASH

WOMEN in their 40s and 50s should prioritize strengthening their overall health as they transition to their later years, according to a medical expert.

The risk for heart and bone disease rises after menopause, or the stage when a woman’s menstruation ceases, said Annebelle D. Aherrera, an obstetrician-gynecologist.

“Osteoporosis [a disease that weakens one’s bones] is the single most important health hazard for women past menopause,” Ms. Aherrera said at a Nov. 20 event by Pro Age Beauty, a company that provides wellness products for perimenopausal and menopausal women.

The female hormone estrogen, which helps prevent bones from getting weaker by slowing their natural breakdown, decreases during menopause.

Estrogen, Ms. Aherrera said, also has a protective effect on the heart, which is why the risk for a heart attack or stroke increases when its levels fall.

Women would benefit from intensifying cardiovascular prevention efforts in the years leading up to menopause, also said JoAnn Manson, chief of preventive medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

“That stage of life is a window of opportunity for making lifestyle changes,” she said in a February 2023 post by the American Heart Association.

The most effective ways to prevent heart disease include physical activity, a healthy diet, a healthy weight, good sleep, and smoking cessation. It also involves keeping one’s cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels under control.

Conversations surrounding menopause should be normalized, according to Pro Age Beauty founder Claudine F. Viquiera.

Ms. Viquiera said that — despite growing up in a household with nine daughters — menopause wasn’t discussed like menarche (the onset of menses) was.

The company’s social media communities and products were created specifically for women in this demographic, she said at the Nov. 20 event.

Have a better perspective about aging, Ms. Aherrera told the event audience.

This, she said, includes accepting each and every life stage as normal.

“Remain active, create positive life changes, and cultivate better relationships,” she added. — Patricia B. Mirasol

P6.8-M drugs seized from CAFGU member

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

COTABATO CITY — Non-uniformed police agents seized P6.8 million worth of crystal meth (shabu) from a government militiaman entrapped in Barangay Zone II in Zamboanga City at almost midnight Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Bowenn Joey M. Masauding, director of the Police Regional Office-9 (PRO-9), told reporters on Monday that they are now in custody of the suspect, Jalai Abirin Sabdadi, a resident of Barangay Buton in Tuburan town in Basilan.

Mr. Sabdadi is a Basilan-based member of the Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU).

Mr. Sabdadi was immediately arrested by agents of PRO-9’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit and operatives of the Zamboanga City Police office after selling to them a kilo of shabu in an entrapment operation.

Mr. Masauding said they will prosecute Mr. Sabdadi for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

He said they will also recommend to the military’s Western Mindanao Command, whose headquarters is in Calarian in Zamboanga City, Mr. Sabdadi’s dishonorable discharge from the CAFGU service. — John Felix M. Unson

Operations vs illegal small-scale miners in central Mindanao relaunched

REUTERS

COTABATO CITY — The police and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-12 (DENR-12) relaunched their operations against small-scale illegal gold miners in the hinterland borders of two mineral-rich Central Mindanao towns.

Radio stations in the cities of Koronadal, General Santos, Cotabato and Tacurong on Monday morning stated that the DENR-12, the Police Regional Office-12 and local executives will stop the clandestine small-scale gold mining in mountain ranges in Tampakan in South Cotabato and in Columbio in Sultan Kudarat, after waters flowing downstream from two rivers that spring from both areas became murky last week.

Experts in the DENR-12 were quoted in radio reports as saying that they are still investigating assertions by local residents that soil dug from small illegal mine pits was swept down by heavy rains early on, causing the discoloration of the waters in both rivers.

Leaders of the Blaan communities in tribal domains in Tampakan, estimated to have at least $200 billion worth of copper and gold deposits based on studies by geologists in the DENR central office and mining engineers in Europe, said they will support the anti-illegal mining crackdown by their provincial governor, Reynaldo S. Tamayo, Jr., the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office and the Police Regional Office-12.

Mr. Tamayo said there are indeed small-scale gold mining operations in Tampakan. “There is no legal large-scale copper and gold mining yet in Tampakan. What we have there are illegal, small-scale mining operations,” he told reporters.

An appointed tribal representative to the Tampakan municipal council, the Blaan chieftain Domingo N. Collado, said they want an absolute ban on what they call “banlas,” or small-scale gold mining operations in their ancestral lands in their municipality.

“We want all of these stopped,” Mr. Collado said. — John Felix M. Unson

Belen wins MVP award in Shakey’s Collegiate pre-season tourney

BELLA BELEN

BELLA BELEN further stamped her stature as the country’s best collegiate volleyball player today, winning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum as National University (NU) completed a three-peat in the Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-Season Championship.

Just months after winning her second MVP award in the UAAP, Ms. Belen added another crown to her growing list of trophy case by towing NU to 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-20 win over rival De La Salle University in Game 2 to complete a finals sweep over the weekend at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ms. Belen followed the back-to-back MVP citations of Alyssa Solomon in the Lady Bulldogs’ first two championships via sweep.

NU at one point had a 28-game winning run but La Salle snapped it in the elimination rounds this season before the Lady Bulldogs gained a sweet revenge in the biggest stage.

Ms. Belen, the UAAP Rookie-MVP in Season 84 was also hailed as the Best Outside Spiker with Ms. Solomon clinching the Best Opposite Spiker for the third straight year.

Other awardees included Angge Poyos (2nd Best Outside Spiker) of fourth-placer University of Santo Tomas, Amie Provido (1st Best Middle Blocker) of runner-up La Salle, Jaz Ellarina (2nd Best Middle Blocker) of bronze medalist Far Eastern University, NU’s Shaira Jardio (Best Libero) and Lams Lamina (Best Setter).

Now, the Lady Bulldogs shift their focus to a title repeat bid in the UAAP with celebrated mentor Sherwin Meneses at helm and who did not disappoint in his NU debut tourney. — John Bryan Ulanday

PLDT eyes solo PVL lead against Capital1

PLDT HIGH SPEED HITTERS — PVL

Games on Tuesday
(PhilSports Arena)
4 p.m. – PLDT vs Capital1
6:30 p.m. – Chery Tiggo vs Nxled

PLDT shoots for the solo lead while Capital1 aims for a first victory as the two tackle each other Tuesday in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

The High Speed Hitters are currently in a logjam for first place with the four-peat-seeking Creamline Cool Smashers and the Cignal HD Spikers on immaculate 2-0 records but a win in their 4 p.m. duel with the Solar Spikers would resend them alone on top.

The Solar Spikers, for their part, have dropped their first two outings — the first a five-set defeat to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers and the other a four-set loss to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans — and should go all out to snare that first win.

PLDT is expecting a tough showdown against a much-improved Capital1 side.

“Angat na level ng liga, lahat.”

Savannah Davison will be the player to watch again for PLDT after a masterful 28-point effort in that 27-25, 25-22, 25-23 win over Galeries Tower a week back.

Choco Mucho, meanwhile, shoots for a third win in four outings as it tangles with Nxled (0-2) at 6:30 p.m. — Joey Villar

Gilas Pilipinas to wrap up FIBA Asia Cup bid with road games against Chinese Taipei, New Zealand

Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone — FIBA.BASKETBALL

“YEAR ONE” is on the books but as early as now, Gilas Pilipinas coach Tim Cone is already thinking about how to further the growth of the 15-man pool in its next international sorties.

The Nationals will reassemble in February 2025 to wrap up their campaign in the third and final window of FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) with back-to-back gigs on hostile ground against Chinese Taipei and New Zealand (NZ).

Though their place in the Asia Cup tournament proper to be hosted by Jeddah is secured regardless of those games’ results, Mr. Cone reiterated the challenging trips to the territories of the Taiwanese and the Tall Blacks will help toughen the side moving forward.

“We’re going on the road and that’s good going to be important for us because we’re going to have to learn how to play on the road and win on the road,” Mr. Cone said after Gilas completed a 2-0 sweep of New Zealand (93-89) and Hong Kong (HK) (93-54) in this week’s second window at the MOA Arena en route to 4-0 overall in Group B.

“It’s always great to have our fans and full houses here, it’s awesome, but when we get on the road, we ought to be able to play at the same level. All our tournaments (now) are going to be on the road so we’ve got to learn how to play well on the road.”

Mr. Cone and his handpicked 12 regulars and three alternates are breaking camp after a fruitful start to their four-year program aimed at qualifying for the 2028 LA Olympics.

Highlights of the 2024 campaign were the historic upset of world No. 6 and host Latvia and strong stands against No. 24 Georgia and No. 12 Brazil in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament last July and the reversal over No. 22 NZ in the ACQ Window 2 last Thursday at home. The Nationals are unbeaten in four matches in the race for tickets to the Continental meet.

For the next battles, Mr. Cone said Gilas should work on defending the three-point shot better — a  glaring flaw in the twin home victories versus NZ and HK.

“That’s a concern we have obviously over this window because we’ve given up a lot of three-point shots,” he noted.  “You know we should get out there because we’ve got protection behind us in June Mar (Fajardo) and Kai (Sotto).”

As to suggestions to expand the pool, Mr. Cone prefers to stick with his small group to preserve continuity.

“I am less likely to want to increase the pool because the more you increase the pool, the more teaching you have to do. If you can keep a core going all the time and really focus on that core, keep it a tight group, then that core is going to get better. If you start expanding the pool, you have to go back to zero and start teaching all over again,” he said.

“Everything’s going to be assessed by year end but hopefully, the higher ups are pleased with what’s been going on and they’re going to want to keep a continuous program going. But that doesn’t mean we won’t make a tweak here or there, personnel-wise, system-wise, whatever. We could very easily make a tweak here and there, anything that can make us better moving forward.”

Notes: Amid loud chants of “We want, Dwight” in the second half of Gilas Pilipinas’ game against Hong Kong, coach Tim Cone politely said “no” to the egging crowd and kept the injured Dwight (calf) on the bench until the final buzzer.  “I’m like all the girls — I love Dwight (Ramos). I just love him for different reasons. I love him for his basketball mind and his talent, the girls love him for his looks… I would have loved to have played him but I was under orders from the training staff that he should not play. So I gotta do what’s best for him even though I know the crowd would have loved (to see Ramos in action).” — Olmin Leyba

San Miguel Beermen acquire Tiongson and Cahilig from Terrafirma

SAN MIGUEL BEER (SMB) added fresh legs ahead of its title defense in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, acquiring Juami Tiongson and Andreas Cahilig from Terrafirma.

The Beermen shipped veterans Terrence Romeo and Vic Manuel to the Dyip in return in a trade deal approved by the pro league yesterday.

In Mr. Tiongson, 33, the multi-titled franchise found another sweet-shooting guard from long range who can form a lethal tandem with three-point king Marcio Lassiter.  Mr. Tiongson is coming off a hamstring injury that limited his stint with the Dyip to four games in the recent Governors’ Cup, where he averaged 9.5 points with a 26.67 clip from three-point territory to go with 3 assists.

The 6-foot-3 Mr. Cahilig, who is also 33, offers his defensive skills and hustle plays to an SMB squad raring to bring its winning ways back after losing the Philippine Cup crown to Meralco last season and failing to get past the semis of the recent Governors’ Cup.

Meanwhile, Mr. Romeo, 32, and Mr.  Manuel, 37, may get their second wind at Terrafirma after bouts  spending the previous conference as off-the-bench players for San Miguel and battling injuries.

It’s not immediately known if the two will already make their maiden appearances for the Dyip on Wednesday when they launch their bid in the mid-season Commissioner’s versus Converge at the PhilSports Arena. — Olmin Leyba

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