THE PESO climbed on dovish remarks from Federal Reserve officials.
THE PESO sustained its strength on Tuesday to log a fresh five-month high as the dollar remained weak following dovish remarks from US Federal Reserve officials.
The peso ended the session at P52.39 versus the greenback on Tuesday, 18 centavos stronger than its P52.57 finish on Monday.
This was the peso’s best showing in more than five months or since it closed at P52.385 per dollar last June 6.
The peso opened the session stronger at P52.53 versus the dollar, soaring to as high as P52.39, which was also yesterday’s closing rate. Its intraday low, on the other hand, stood at P52.63 against the greenback.
Trading volume rose to $763.81 million from $561.81 million the previous day.
Traders interviewed yesterday said the peso sustained its strength amid a weaker dollar versus the other major currencies.
“We saw a continuation of the downtrend as the dollar index continued to trade lower on the back of dovish statements by two Fed officials the other day,” a trader said in a phone interview.
Fed Vice Chairman Richard Clarida acknowledged signs of slowing global growth which “is going to be relevant” for the outlook on the US economy, adding that the Fed is “close to being neutral” and that future rate hikes might be fewer in number.
“The peso closed at P52.39…after some Fed officials signalled lower global economic growth (more dovish) that could reduce the odds of Fed rate hikes on Dec. 19 and in 2019,” Michael L. Ricafort, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. economist, said in a text message.
He added that “lower global oil prices lingering among 11-month lows” as well as the narrower balance of payment (BoP) deficit also supported the latest peso gains.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas on Monday said the country’s BoP position logged a $458-million deficit in October, narrower than the $2.696-billion deficit in September which was the widest in four years.
For Wednesday, the first trader expects the peso to trade between P52.25 and P52.45, while the other gave a P52.30-P52.50 range.
“The peso might strengthen further due to expectations of softer US durable goods report for October that could heighten fears of a possible slowdown in the US economy,” the second trader said in an e-mail. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal
By Arra B. Francia, Reporter
THE MAIN INDEX extended its gains on Tuesday, as investors focused on Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the country.
The 30-member Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose 0.45% or 32.68 points to close at 7,302.94 yesterday, marking its fifth day in positive territory. The broader all-shares index also firmed up 0.26% or 11.52 points to 4,398.34.
“The main index saw a pullback in the morning session but was quickly turned around by the positivity of investors… Foreign funds snapped eight days of outflows with net-buying today at P526 million. This is a very good sign,” Eagle Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said in an e-mail on Tuesday.
Foreign investors turned buyers for the first time in eight sessions, recording net purchases worth P526.01 million yesterday versus net foreign outflows of P286.49 million on Monday.
Papa Securities Corp. trader Gabriel Jose F. Perez also attributed the uptick to the return of foreign funds to the local market, adding that “there was also strength behind [Tuesday’s] recovery given the substantial value turnover of P6.9 billion.”
The reentry of foreign funds into the market came amid Mr. Xi’s arrival in the Philippines on Tuesday morning, where he is set to sign agreements with President Rodrigo R. Duterte. The government is looking a signing investment deals for major infrastructure projects in the country, as promised during Mr. Duterte’s Beijing visit two years ago.
The PSEi shrugged off the weakness in US markets, as tech stocks dragged major indices lower. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1.56% or 395.78 points to 25,017.44. The S&P 500 index slipped 1.66% or 45.54 points to 2,690.73, while the Nasdaq Composite index fell 3.03% or 219.40 points to 7,028.48.
Most Asian markets also ended lower, reflecting the negativity in Wall Street.
Back home, sectoral indices were equally split between advancers and decliners. The property counter led advancers with a 0.97% or 33.79 points increase to 3,511.93. Holding firms went up 0.73% or 52.70 points to 7,224.97, while financials added 0.55% or 9.51 points to 1,710.83.
Meanwhile, mining and oil dropped 2.8% or 250.28 points to close at 8,679.64. Services shed 0.92% or 13.05 points to 1,402.84, and industrials slumped 0.62% or 66.62 points to 10,637.11.
Turnover slimmed to P6.92 billion after some 949.31 million issues switched hands, from P8.34 billion in the previous session.
Decliners beat advancers, 109 to 84, while 47 names ended flat.
“Continue to watch out for how US markets move [on Tuesday night] especially with how the PSEi tends to have a knee-jerk reaction…,” Papa Securities’ Mr. Perez said.
Eagle Equities’ Mr. Mangun placed the next resistance at 7,350, with immediate support steady at 7,200.
By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
THE PHILIPPINES and China on Tuesday signed at least 29 bilateral agreements, covering a wide range of development initiatives such as infrastructure, agriculture, trade, monetary and humanitarian assistance, on the occasion of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the Philippines.
The agreements include memoranda of understanding (MoU) on cooperation on oil and gas development; and cooperation on basic education, information and communications technology, and cultural exchange.
Also signed were MoU on the Panda bonds issuance and on key infrastructure projects in the Davao region.
There was also a signing of an agreement on the New Centennial Water Source-Kaliwa Dam Project and an exchange of letters on the China Aid Bridge and Road Project in Marawi.
An MoU on the cooperation between the Foreign Service Institute of the Republic of the Philippines and the China Foreign Affairs University of the People’s Republic of China was also signed.
Mr. Xi was welcomed by Mr. Duterte and his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Carpio-Duterte, and other government officials at Malacañang on Tuesday afternoon.
Schoolchildren holding Chinese and Philippine flags lined up outside Malacañang to greet Mr. Xi upon his arrival.
At a Palace briefing on Tuesday morning, a few hours before Mr. Xi’s arrival, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said Mr. Duterte was expected to “persuade” Mr. Xi to fulfill China’s loan pledges worth US$24 billion.
Mr. Panelo noted that this amount was promised two years ago during Mr. Duterte’s first visit to Beijing. “Only a fraction of it was given,” he said.
He mentioned that only around US$100 million was released, which covered the construction of two bridges in Manila, the Binondo-Intramuros Bridge and the Estrellia-Pantaleon Bridge, and the Chico River Pump Irrigation Facility in Northern Luzon. “There is bureaucracy, not only in this country but also in China, so it takes time. Hopefully we will hurdle [this],” he said.
In his arrival statement, Mr. Xi said: “As we speak, it is already winter in the northern part of the globe but here we are enjoying refreshing breeze and exceptional scenes. And this is exactly what the China-Philippine relationship is today.”
At Malacañang, Mr. Xi later touched on the matter of the South China Sea, saying, “China and the Philippines have a lot of common interests in the South China Sea. We will continue to manage contentious issues and promote maritime cooperation through friendly consultations. And we will work alongside other ASEAN countries towards the conclusion of the CoC (Code of Conduct) consultations based on consensus within three years, and contribute our share to peace, stability and welfare in the region.”
Mr. Panelo earlier said the 2016 Hague ruling on the Philippines’ maritime dispute with China is “useless for now.”
“The United Nations is not enforcing it. The United States is adamant in doing it too, so who will enforce it? Meanwhile, what are we going to do?” Mr. Panelo said.
Mr. Duterte for his part said, “In the past two years, we have worked hard to lay the cornerstones for the continued advancement of our beneficial cooperation in a wide range of areas.”
“A lot of work remains, but President Xi’s visit gives us new impetus to our mutual efforts to enhance collaboration in ensuring the well-being of our peoples and contributing to peace and stability in the region,” the Philippine leader also said.
By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
MAJORITY OF Filipinos reject the government’s “inaction” regarding China’s militarization activities in the West Philippine Sea, results from the latest survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) showed.
The noncommissioned Third Quarter 2018 SWS survey, conducted from Sept. 15 to 23, asked 1,500 Filipinos if three activities related to the issue is right or not right. Its results were published on the first day of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit in Manila.
The survey indicated that about 84% of Filipinos said it is not right to “leave China alone with its infrastructures and military presence in the claimed territories.” The figure was up by three points from the 81% reported in June.
Meanwhile, 86% of Filipinos believed it is right to “strengthen the military capability of the Philippines, especially the Navy.” The figure was up by six points from the 80% in June.
And lastly, 71% of Filipinos said it is right for the government “to bring the issue to international organizations, like the United Nations or Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for a diplomatic and peaceful negotiation with China about the claimed territories.” The figure was three points below the 74% in June.
Majority of Filipinos (87%) also believed that it is important for the Philippines to regain control of the China-occupied islands in the West Philippine Sea. ‘POOR’ NET TRUST IN CHINA
The survey showed higher trust among Filipinos towards the United States, compared to China. US had a net trust rating of +59 (labeled as “very good”), followed by Japan with +28, Malaysia with +15, and Israel +13 (all “moderate”), and China with -16 (“poor”).
SWS also noted that net trust in the United States has remained positive since they first surveyed it in December 1994. But the latest figure was six points below the reported +65 rating in June.
Meanwhile, net trust in China has been positive in nine out of 47 surveys since SWS started the survey in August 1994. However, its latest -16 rating was 19 points above the reported -35 rating in June.
As for other countries, Filipinos’ sentiments towards Japan was declining after its record-high rating of +54 last December 2017. Malaysia stayed at neutral to moderate levels throughout the past surveys. Israel also remained in the poor to moderate levels.
The survey also noted higher distrust in China among the respondents who were aware of issues in the West Philippine Sea.
On Filipinos’ awareness in the issue of the West Philippine Sea, the survey found that 65% are aware of the Chinese coast guard confiscating Filipino fishermen’s goods in the West Philippine Sea.
The September survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews with 1,500 adults nationwide: 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each in Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao, with sampling error margins ±3% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon and ±6% each for the remaining regions. PALACE QUESTIONS SURVEY
In a statement, Malacañang questioned the timing of the survey, adding it could be “wittingly or unwittingly used for partisan purposes.”
Presidential spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo also criticized the “flawed questionnaire design regarding China and the West Philippine Sea.”
“We consider the question skewed as it misleads the public to believe and suggests that the current government has not acted on China’s activities on the disputed areas in the West Philippine Sea. This is far from truth,” Mr. Panelo said, adding that the Duterte administration has been “consistent in its stance” on the issue.
“We, therefore, view the results with skepticism as the reliability of the data in question,” he added.
As for the public’s perception on China, US, and Japan, Mr. Panelo said it was expected for the US and Japan to have higher trust ratings since they were the country’s traditional allies.
“Our country’s renewed ties with our giant neighbor in the North provides us a welcome opportunity for the public to know and understand China better. It does not happen overnight but we are confident that a more favorable public appreciation of China could happen in the future,” he said.
By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed the appointment papers of former Customs chief Nicanor E. Faeldon as the new Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) director-general, Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said.
“Nicanor Faeldon’s appointment papers as director-general of the BUCOR have been signed by the President and ready for release by the Executive Secretary,” he told reporters in a text message.
Mr. Guevarra told reporters on Oct. 12 that the President appointed Mr. Faeldon as the new BuCor chief and the Department of Justice does not oppose the “proposed appointment.”
A month after the announcement of Mr. Faeldon’s appointment, Mr. Guevarra said the ex-customs chief has not “shown up” in the BuCor.
In response, Mr. Faeldon’s legal team issued a statement saying there has been no official announcement of his appointment to the bureau, noting that the Bureau of Corrections Act of 2013 states that the appointment of a director-general is made by the President.
“To begin with, there was/is no appointment to speak of,” the legal team said. “In fact, the DoJ Secretary himself was quite clear when he stated last 12 October 2018, that there was only a ‘proposed appointment’ and not an actual or official statement.”
The statement also added that Mr. Faeldon has “no record at all of being a ‘no-show’” in all of his public positions.
In his defense, Mr. Guevarra told reporters that the department requested the Civil Service Commission to evaluate and endorse Mr. Faeldon to the Office of the President as part of the legal requirements for the appointment.
He also noted that Mr. Faeldon cannot assume the position while the official appointment is still pending.
Mr. Faeldon now officially replaces Ronald M. Dela Rosa who filed his senatorial candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections.
Mr. Faeldon resigned as customs chief in August 2017 following the P6.4 billion-worth illegal drug shipment controversy that slipped past the bureau in May 2017.
He was then appointed by the President as deputy administrator III of the Office of Civil Defense in December 2017, before his next appointment as BuCor chief.
By Camille A. Aguinaldo, Reporter
THE bill creating judges-at-large positions in the lower courts was endorsed for plenary approval in the Senate last Monday.
Senate Bill No. 2065 or the proposed Judges-At-Large Act of 2018 seeks to amend Batas Pambansa Bilang 129 or the Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980.
The proposed measure creates 100 positions of regional trial judges-at-large and 50 municipal trial judges-at-large who may be temporarily assigned by the Supreme Court as acting or assisting judges.
In a statement, Senator Juan Edgardo M. Angara, one of the bill’s authors, said the judges at-large will help ensure the speedy resolution of cases and the unclogging of court dockets.
“This measure is but another step in our long-standing quest to make sure that justice is never delayed and denied in the Philippines,” he said.
He cited a study by the National Statistical Coordination Board from 2005 to 2010 which showed that the lower courts had an annual average load of 1,059,484 cases.
Under the bill, the length of the temporary assignment of the the judges-at- large shall not exceed six months without consent of the judge concerned.
The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) is tasked to recommend to the President the appointees to the judges-at-large positions. They may also recommend them for permanent sala.
They are also entitled to salaries, privileges, allowance, rank and title, and other benefits of their counterpart judges.
To compensate for their mobile nature, they will also be given “displacement allowances” to cover their housing, food, transportation, and other necessary expenses incurred during their detail to courts outside their places of residence.
Aside from Mr. Angara, Senators Sherwin T. Gatchalian, Richard J. Gordon and Loren B. Legarda are authors of the bill.
Its counterpart measure in the House of Representatives was passed in May 15.
NATIONAL Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Fidel V. Agcaoili said he cancelled his trip to Manila for security reasons.
“On November 18, I was told that the appointment with the President had been cancelled and that I would only be meeting with Sec. Panelo and Sec. Dureza but that such a meeting might not prove useful without a new perspective. As a consequence, we decided that I also forego with my trip scheduled for that evening for security consideration,” Mr. Agcaoili said in a statement on Tuesday, Nov. 20.
Mr. Agcaoili also said he and other NDFP leaders cancelled their trip to Manila after they were so advised by the government.
Presidential Peace Adviser Jesus G. Dureza and Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo were supposed to meet next week with NDFP leaders Messrs. Agcaoili and Luis Jalandoni to revive the peace talks.
Mr. Agcaoili also said in his statement, “On November 16, DILG Sec. Eduardo Año issued a statement that we would be arrested upon our arrival unless the President says otherwise. At around the same time on the same day, President Duterte said in Papua New Guinea that he was not yet prepared to resume talks with the revolutionary movement. As a consequence, we decided the following day to forego with the trip of Mr. Jalandoni and Ms. Ledesma whose names are in the so-called proscription case against the CPP (Communist Party of the Philippines) and NPA (New People’s Army).”
He added, “For the record, too, my name and that of Mr. Asterio Palima, as publicly known members of the NDFP Negotiating Panel, are not included in the list of 600 in the above-mentioned proscription case against the CPP and NPA. As far as I know, too, I have no outstanding case in any GRP courts.”
For his part, Mr. Panelo said, “The apprehension of the National Democratic Front (NDF) leader, Luis Jalandoni, that he would be arrested once he sets foot in Philippine soil is misplaced.”
He added, “Given that the President has opened a venue for informal talks with the NDF leaders to explore the possibility of resuming the peace talks, it goes without saying that no arrest shall be made during the days of informal talks.”
“Mr. Jalandoni’s intention in returning to the country is to promote the peace talks between their movement and the Philippine government. He is assured therefore that no arrest will be effected upon his person. To think otherwise is contrary to logic for certainly, a successful amicable discussion between the parties cannot be expected when one party’s liberty is…or (is) threatened to be…compromised,” Mr. Panelo also said. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras
PHILSTAR
SUPREME COURT (SC) Associate Justice Francis H. Jardeleza, a former longtime corporate lawyer, remains the richest magistrate for 2017 with a net worth of P261.08 million based on his statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), which was released yesterday by the SC.
A former senior vice president and general counsel of San Miguel Corporation from 1996 to 2010, Mr. Jardeleza’s net worth increased by P8.9 million from P252.17 million in 2016. His recorded real properties were P58.93 million and personal properties were P202.14 million without liabilities.
He also served as solicitor general from February 2012 until his appointment to the SC on Aug. 20, 2014.
The lowest SALN, meanwhile, was that of Associate Justice Marvic Mario Victor F. Leonen, with P2.96 million.
He reported a P479,102.65 increase from P2.49 million in 2016. His real properties were P3.44 million and his personal properties totalled P3.14 million, while his liabilities tallied P3.62 million.
Following Mr. Jardeleza is Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo with a P141.54 million net worth, which increased by P2.63 million from P138.91 million the previous year.
His real properties were P57.35 million and personal properties were P84.75 million with liabilities of P558,134.06.
Associate Justice Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa has a net worth of P123.8 million, higher by P2.25 million from P121.55 million in 2016. He has real properties worth P60.8 million and personal properties worth P63 million with no liabilities
Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio is fourth with P105.88 million.
His net worth increased the most in 2017 with an additional P23.24 million from P82.64 million in 2016. His real properties totalled P38.39 million and personal properties worth P67.56 million, and P75,000 in liabilities.
Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe’s net worth increased by P3 million to P81.3 million from P78.3 million in 2016. Her real properties were P55.73 million while her personal properties totalled P25.57 million. She has no liabilities.
Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta came sixth with P48.21 million, a P4.67 million increase from his 2016’s P43.54 million. His real properties amounted to P25.5 million and personal properties were P22.76 million with P50,000 liabilities.
Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin has a net worth of P44.45 million, a P3.14 million increase from P41.3 million in 2016. His real properties amounted to P33.15 million while his personal properties were P29.3 million. His liabilities were worth P18 million.
Former associate justice and now Ombudsman Samuel R. Martires’ net worth totalled P41.88 million. His real properties were P13.34 million while his personal properties were P28.54 million with no liabilities.
Ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes P.A. Sereno’s net worth increased by P3.09 million to P27.34 million from P24.25 million in 2016. Her real properties were P8.72 million and her personal properties were P18.87 million. She had P252,017 in liabilities.
Retired associate justice Presbitero J. Velasco, Jr.’s net worth was P22.08 million, an increase of P4.33 million from P17.75 million 2016. His real properties were P1.36 million while his personal properties were P20.73 million with no liabilities.
Recently retired chief justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro had a total net worth of P19.77 million in 2017, which is a P2.03 million jump from P17.73 million in 2016. Her total real properties accounted were P11.79 million and personal properties were P17.09 million. Her liabilities were P9.12 million.
Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam has a net worth of P19.1 million. His real properties amounted to P4 million while his personal properties were P15.11 million with P5,235.52-worth of liabilities.
Newest Associate Justices Andres B. Reyes, Jr. and Alexander G. Gesmundo had a total net worth of P5.7 million and P8.25 million, respectively. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas
IRR for occupational safety, health standards law out soon
THE IMPLEMENTING guidelines for the Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Law is scheduled to be released as early as next month, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) Secretary Silvestre H. Bello said.
In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, Mr. Bello said they will soon issue the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for Republic Act (RA) 11058 or An Act Strengthening Compliance with Compliance with Occupational Safety and health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations.
“We will give that in 60 days,” Mr. Bello said, adding that its submission could be even earlier.
Meanwhile, Senator Emmanuel Joel J. Villanueva, committee on labor chairman, said the labor secretary pledged to him that they will submit it next month.
“We are just waiting for the IRR which the Department of Labor and Employment promised that they will complete before their anniversary next month,” he told reporters, also on Tuesday.
The OSHS Law was signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte last August 17.
Section 32 of the law tasks DoLE to formulate the IRR within 90 days of the law’s effectivity.
Mr. Villanueva said the OSHS will apply to all sectors to ensure safety for all workers, regardless of industry.
“This (law) cuts all sectors whether you’re in construction or in agriculture or service, etc.,” he stressed.
Besides emphasizing the rights of works to a non-hazardous work environment, Mr. Villanueva said this law also specifies the role of the employer in terms of compliance with the standards.
“Claro ang (It’s clear what the) responsibility of the employers at claro din po sa (and it’s also clear for the) labor law compliance officers,” he said.
After the enactment of the OSHS Law, Mr. Villanueva said he now wants to focus on passing the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill.
The SOT is already on second reading at the Senate plenary. — Gillian M. Cortez
DA to allocate P150M for ice-making facilities in fishing villages
THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) will allocate at least P150 million as loan for ice-making facilities in 50 fishing communities, targeted for installation within the first two month of 2019, DA Secretary Emmanuel F. Piñol said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Mr. Piñol said each ice-making facility could produce between one to five tons of ice flakes daily, which could help in decreasing post-harvest losses by about 40% of the total daily catch.
Mr. Piñol said the installation of the machines would be in time for the lifting of the three-month moratorium on commercial fishing in March 2019.
“Under this program, the fishermen’s groups or organized wives and daughters of fishermen will be given access to loans equivalent to the cost of the Ice-Making Equipment and a minimal operational fund for a shed, electrical connections and working capital,” Mr. Piñol said.
“The groups will be allowed to choose the brand of Ice-Making Equipment thus giving them a leeway in acquiring a machine that fits their requirements,” he added.
The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) under the DA has identified the different fishing communities in need of the equipment.
The distribution of ice-making facilities will be conducted under the DA’s Agriculture and Fisheries Machinery and Equipment (AFME) loaning program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC), which has a 2% interest rate, payable in eight years.
“The next level of the campaign to lower post-harvest losses will be the establishment of cold storage facilities to enable fishermen to store their excess catch and release this to the market during the lean months to stabilize supply and prices,” Mr. Piñol said.
Earlier, BFAR National Director Eduardo B. Gongona said there is a need for cold storage facilities in the country to keep fish for later consumption and help avoid importation.
According to Mr. Piñol, President Rodrigo R. Duterte has approved the increase of DA’s rural credit funds to P3.4 billion. — Reicelene Joy N. Ignacio
TROPICAL DEPRESSION Samuel, the 19th typhoon to hit the country this year, disrupted sea and air travel in the Visayas, southern Luzon areas, and the northern parts of Mindanao before its expected landfall Tuesday evening. As of 8 a.m. on Nov. 20, the Philippine Coast Guard reported 5,656 passengers stranded in various ports in the Visayas islands and the regions of Northern Mindanao and Bicol as more than 900 vessels were not allowed to go out to sea. Several domestic flights from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport were also cancelled. As of the 5 p.m., Nov. 20 bulletin from weather bureau PAGASA, Samuel was forecasted to make landfall “in the area between the southern portion of Eastern Samar and Dinagat Islands…” Typhoon signal #1 was up over several areas and PAGASA warned against potential flooding and landslides. The Department of Social Welfare and Development, meanwhile, reported that it has 374,104 family food packs worth P1.37 million and non-food items amounting to P879 million ready for distribution. A P1.1 billion standby fund is also available for quick response operations.
A P1.3-billion sustainable fisheries project has been launched by the US government in partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR). Dubbed Fish Right, the five-year program under the US Agency for International Development (USAID) will focus on addressing biodiversity threats, improving marine ecosystem governance, and increasing number and weight of fish in the Calamianes Islands in Palawan, Visayan Seas, and south Negros. “We will continue to work together to advance human and ecological well-being in the Philippines and to support initiatives that enhance sustainable resource use and conserve biodiversity,” US Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission John C. Law said during the launch ceremony held in Iloilo City. BFAR Director Eduardo B. Gongona, for his part, said, “BFAR is pleased to continue its partnership with USAID through the Fish Right Program. We are at the forefront of the country’s fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, which to this day continues to imperil marine and aquatic resources and the livelihood of hundreds of thousands of fisherfolk.” — CAAGUINALDO
THE DEPARTMENT of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has returned the area clearance application for the reclamation component of a proposed international seaport in San Fernando town in Cebu. DENR-Central Visayas Regional Director Gilbert C. Gonzales, in a letter dated Sept. 17, 2018 to port developer Ruben Feliciano, said the application documents failed to comply with the recommendations of the Land Management Bureau. A memorandum dated June 8, 2018 issued by DENR Undersecretary for Field Operations Juan Miguel T. Cuna ordered the suspension of the processing of Mr. Feliciano’s application until compliance of recommendations of the LMB. “With the aforementioned directive, please be informed that this Office can no longer proceed with the processing of your application until compliance of the recommendations of the LMB Acting Director,” read Mr. Gonzales’ letter. The recommendations include the submission of the environmental compliance certificate (ECC); evaluation and concurrence of the Biodiversity Management Bureau; and settlement of issues with the fishermen in the affected barangay, among others. Mr. Feliciano has proposed to build a multi-million international port at Barangay Sangat. — The Freeman
THE CONTINUED battle between the military and the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the communist movement in the Philippines, has been affecting community schools, with the latest victim a daycare center in Magpet, North Cotabato. The Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom), in a statement, has pointed to the NPA as those behind the burning last week of the childcare facility in the town known as one of main rebel areas in the province. Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Madrigal Jr., EastMinCom commander, has ordered soldiers to support the police in running after the perpetrators. “The incident is clearly a manifestation of a grave criminal act,” said Mr. Madrigal in the statement. The NPA, on the other hand, accuse the military of using force to take over community schools, particularly in Bukidnon, Sultan Kudarat and the Surigao provinces. — Carmelito Q. Francisco
