Kalanggaman Island tourism income jumps to P18.5 Million

September 18, 2018 | 8:31 pm

TOURISM INCOME from Kalanggaman Island jumped to P18.5 million in 2017 from only P2 million the previous year, the Leyte provincial office reported. The six-hectare sandbar, though small and regulated by the Palompon municipal government, attracted 101,312 visitors last year. Governor Leopoldo Dominico L. Petilla, in an interview with The Freeman, said Kalanggaman Island is now considered as Leyte province’s main island tourist destination. It is accessible through a 45-minute boat ride from the town proper of Palompon. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Palompon officials are currently working out issues raised over permits and the authority of the local government to run and manage tourism facilities on the island. — The Freeman

Davao council sets Oct. 8 for probe on ‘high’ airfare costs to and from the city

September 18, 2018 | 8:30 pm

THE DAVAO City council will hold a public hearing on Oct. 8 to look into the cost of domestic flights to and from the city. “This raising of prices for Davao flights have been a recent phenomenon. As such, I would like this matter to be investigated,” Councilor Al Ryan S. Alejandre, who pushed for the inquiry, said in an interview with BusinessWorld. “We have already sent letters to the airlines and hope they could come,” he added. Mr. Alejandre, chair of the committee on tourism, said the “high airfare” rates are counterproductive to the city’s efforts in promoting tourism. He cited that Manila-Davao flights by Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific come out higher than Hong Kong-Manila flights. “A travel abroad costs lower than that of a Davao-Manila flight… This deeply concerns me, because it would seem that the effort that we had in the promotion of the city would be futile, if the airfare cost would be significantly high,” he said, adding that this also affects business travellers. — Carmencita A. Carillo

Marawi’s Mapandi Bridge reopens after a month of explosives check

September 18, 2018 | 8:29 pm

THE 1.4-KILOMETER route to and from Marawi City via the Mapandi Bridge was reopened yesterday after a month of closure, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Ranao announced. The bridge, a major access point, was closed last Aug. 5 after teams from the military’s Engineers and Explosives and Ordnance Division (EOD) discovered three possible Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) entry points along the route. Teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, led by engineers, excavated each of the three sites by up to six meters to ensure that there are no UXO buried before declaring these safe. The route will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and will still have checkpoints. Valid government identification cards are required for presentation.

Cotabato’s Kumbira: A simple, shared meal for a cause after Kalivungan Festival’s revelry

September 18, 2018 | 8:27 pm

MORE THAN 20,000 people, mainly locals, gathered for the Kumbira 2018 — a simple, shared meal for a cause that caps Cotabato province’s Kalivungan Festival held end-August. “This aims to gather the people (of Cotabato), including the tri-people (Christians, indigenous peoples, and Muslims) for a fellowship lunch,” said Jimmy Sta. Cruz, provincial information officer. Each Kumbira participant pays P10 for a packed lunch of rice, a viand and a bottle of water, and everyone eats together at the Provincial Capitol grounds in Kidapawan City. The proceeds go to an organization or a community that needs funding assistance, as determined by a special committee. “The amount is minimal, but it’s a filling meal. (And) the income from Kumbira will go to the needy,” Mr. Sta. Cruz said. — Maya M. Padillo

Nation at a Glance — (09/19/18)

September 18, 2018 | 8:26 pm

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

Why should human rights advocates be building on the Blockchain?

September 18, 2018 | 6:35 pm

Blockchain may not be a panacea to the all the world’s problems. But there are many areas where it shows potential. Perhaps the most pressing of these is in the protection of fundamental human rights.
An Amnesty report published this year revealed that many supposedly “free” countries are failing to comply with basic human rights. The humanitarian crisis in Venezuela is one of the worst in the country’s history. The ongoing state of war in Yemen shatters all basic human rights to food and shelter. Turkey’s continued clampdown on journalists and political activists and Russia’s curtailing of freedom of speech are all in direct conflict with the human rights agreement.

We often associate human rights violations with developing countries and oppressive regimes. But the US, EU, and Australia all earned a place among the worst human rights violators on Amnesty’s list.

The EU and Australia were called out for their “callous” treatment of refugees, and Trump’s controversial travel ban borderline violates the human right to freedom of movement while discriminating on religious grounds.

Blockchain and Human Rights

With blockchain technology, we could track human rights issues more easily, bringing transparency and accountability to both developing and developed countries. Very often, though, speaking about blockchain involves hypothetical use cases for some faraway date in the future. Yet there are many practical use cases of blockchain and human rights right now. Let’s look at a few examples.

The Right to Adequate Living Standard

From Zimbabwe to Venezuela, Yemen to Syria, people all around the world are unable to access their right to an adequate living standard. This means having food to eat, water to drink and not being forced to live in a conflict zone or in fear of persecution.

In countries where hyperinflation is wiping out people’s life savings, blockchain and human rights are starting to team up. Cryptocurrency is beginning to make a dent in the deepening humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.

With a national currency devaluing by 95 percent from one day to the next, more and more Venezuelans are turning to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Dash as a solution. In fact, there are now over 900 merchants that accept payment in Dash across the country. The founder of Dash Venezuela told Coin Central:

“Venezuelans have been using cryptocurrency for years now to protect their capital from inflation. But now with Dash, it has opened a new window as a means of payment. It is an easy way to receive something that is stronger than the Bolivar and is within the law.”

Cryptocurrency further allows for micro trade and microlending. Since you can assign a value to the most minute quantity, the size of trade that is economically viable becomes smaller. Blockchain and human rights make a more compelling case as people around the world can finally access the banking system, start their own business, and buy and sell smaller amounts.

The Right to Participate in Government and Free Elections

Included in the United Nations’ International Bill of Human Rights is the right to participate in government and free elections. Yet this is willfully denied to many people. Electoral fraud is common around the world. Even in countries like the United States, self-proclaimed as ‘the land of the free’, significant aspersions were cast over the 2016 presidential elections.

The Kenyan elections of 2017 thrust bloodshed, controversy, and chaos front and center. There was a widespread sentiment that the election was rigged, and many Kenyans were unable to take part due to voter intimidation.

So loud was the clamor of voices crying out against the election that it led to a second one. But that was boycotted by the main opponent and the incumbent won by a surreal landslide with 98 percent of the vote.

But rigged elections and voter fraud aren’t by any means limited to Africa. They’re widespread around the world and even common in private companies and public corporations. Blockchain and human rights projects in this area are showing positive results.

People can vote from the privacy of their own homes, free from intimidation. And all votes are tamper-proof on the immutable ledger, akin to anonymous voting in a ballot box.

There are still some issues to be ironed out when it comes to blockchain voting. Verifying voter identity and making sure the same people don’t vote twice, for example. But countries like Estonia are already proving that it is possible. In fact, all Estonians have their own ID cards they can use to vote on the blockchain securely and quickly.

The Right to Freedom of Opinion and Information

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in December of 2017, a record high number of journalists were imprisoned around the world. The largest concentrations being in China, Turkey, and Egypt. Freedom of opinion and information is a luxury to many in these parts of the world. If a government doesn’t like a certain website, they can shut it down or monitor it. Wikipedia, for example, is censored or banned in many countries, including Russia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, Turkey, and even France.

The very fact that blockchain provides us with a decentralized technology that is global and uncensored means that no one centralized entity or government can shut it down.

Privacy-focused messaging app Mainframe, and mesh networking startups Open Garden and RightMesh are working to provide censorship-resistant platforms to ensure continued, unbroken connectivity. Blockchain and human rights show endless possibilities when it comes to freedom of information.

Closing Thoughts

More and more blockchain and human rights use cases will develop over time. Of the 30 articles on the UN’s human rights list, blockchain technology has the potential to help with many.

With its correct use in identity management, we may be able to eradicate illicit slavery and human trafficking. And the ownership of land deeds recorded on a transparent ledger could put an end to the illegal seizure of land.

There are certainly many human rights problems to tackle. And it will be interesting to see how many cases blockchain technology is instrumental in.

A version of this story by Christina Comben originally appeared on CoinCentral.com.

DENR orders review on all Minahang Bayan applications

September 18, 2018 | 4:30 pm

FOLLOWING the fatal landslide in Itogon, Benguet caused by Typhoon Ompong, DENR has ordered a full review of all small-scale mining sites identified under its Minahang Bayan program. — PHILSTAR

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy A. Cimatu ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to review all small-scale mining areas identified under Minahang Bayan for geological hazards.
Minahang Bayan is a program under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources aimed at regulating small-scale mining operations nationwide.
“We will be stricter in approving Minahang Bayan sites, and affirm whether they conform to standards that are safe especially for the miners,” Mr. Cimatu said in a statement on Tuesday.
This comes after cancelling all temporary permits of small-scale mining operations in the Cordillera Administrative Region yesterday as a response to the fatal landslide caused by Typhoon Ompong in Itogon, Benguet.
The MGB was also tasked to ensure that the shelters these small-scale miners were currently residing in are safe as well.
“Their (small-scale miners) residences should be far enough from identified geohazard areas,” Mr. Cimatu said.
The review will also revisit and compare geohazard maps against known mining sites to avoid a repeat of the Itogon tragedy.

NFA doles out 32,000 bags of rice to Ompong victims

September 18, 2018 | 3:35 pm

rice NFA — “With the damage being so severe, particularly among farmers in the northern part of Luzon, more relief operations are expected in the coming days,” the NFA said. — *PHILSTAR*

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
THE National Food Authority (NFA) has released 32,391 bags of rice as of today (Sept. 18) to Typhoon Ompong victims.
The rice was distributed through relief agencies and local government units (LGU) in Regions I to V and the National Capital Region (NCR).
The state grains agency has supplied the main office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development with 15,030 bags. 753 bags were released to LGUs, while some 250 bags were released to relief agencies.
Region I received 8,158 bags of rice while 2,594 bags were doled out to Region II. NFA-NCR had previously allocated 6,000 bags of rice for the capital region, well before Typhoon Ompong entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
Some 1,644 bags were released in Region III, the bulk of these going to Pampanga. Region IV and V received 2,605 bags and 1,357 bags, respectively.
“With the damage being so severe, particularly among farmers in the northern part of Luzon, more relief operations are expected in the coming days,” the agency said.
“NFA Operations Centers in the affected regions are still monitoring the situation and always ready to provide quick response to any rice needs for typhoon victims.”
NFA also said that they will continue with its rice distribution program “Tagpuan Rice Response Delivery”, which is in partnership with accredited operators and LGUs, once road access to each calamity area is restored.

Rice prices rise, just shy of P23 per kilo — PSA

September 18, 2018 | 3:35 pm

PRICES of the staple grain first broke all-time high records in May when it reached P21 per kg levels. It has since risen to new all-time highs in August and September. — *PHILSTAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS*

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
AVERAGE farmgate prices for palay, or unhusked rice, nearly reached P23 per kilogram (kg), rising 17.36% year on year in the first week of September, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed.
Week on week, palay prices posted a 1.32% increase to P22.98 per kg. Prices of the staple grain first broke all-time high records in May when it reached P21 per kg levels.
It has since risen to P22 per kg in August, and again to just shy of P23 at the start of September.
Wholesale and retail prices of both well-milled and regular-milled rice similarly rose as lean season reaches its end.
Well-milled rice
• Average wholesale price of well-milled rice rose 15.80% year on year to P45.51 per kg. Week on week, this presents a 1.38% increase.
• Average retail price of well-milled rice grew 14.58% year on year and 1.94% week on week to P48.40 per kg.
Regular milled
• Average wholesale price of regular-milled rice, on the other hand, accelerated faster by 19.74% year on year to P42.59 per kg. This is also a 1.72% increase from the previous week.
• The average retail price of regular milled rice likewise jumped to P45.27 per kg, higher by 19.04% year on year and 2.44% week on week.

AGI sets P240-B capex up to 2020

September 18, 2018 | 3:34 pm

By Anna Gabriela A. Mogato
LISTED investment holding firm Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI) said it will be allocating P240 billion in capital expenditures (capex) to be spent over three years until 2020.
In a disclosure to the Stock Market on Tuesday, the Andrew L. Tan-owned company will be using the bulk of its capex for expansion and development projects.
AGI plans to ramp up its leasing capacities in office buildings and lifestyle malls, as well as set up more branches for its local McDonald’s franchise.
Over the next three years, the company will also seek to improve its land banking, hotel, and integrated resorts operations.
Noting both domestic and global economic developments, AGI Chief Executive Officer Kevin L. Tan in a statement said that they “remain cognizant of the vast opportunities in the market; hence, our continued aggressive capital spending.”
“The bulk of our planned capex will be funded internally, leaving only a small portion that will need bank financing,” he said. “Be assured though that we will always maintain financial prudence and keep our gearing at reasonable level.”

Not all tax reforms approved by yearend

September 18, 2018 | 12:32 am

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
and Charmaine A. Tadalan
Reporters
REMAINING TAX REFORMS targeted by the Executive will bag final approval in the House of Representatives this 17^th Congress, a leader of the chamber assured on Monday, but not all will hurdle both legislative chambers by yearend as President Rodrigo R. Duterte (PRRD) requested in his third State of the Nation Address (SoNA) last July.
The Executive had submitted all tax reform packages to Congress in July in hopes of securing legislative approval by Dec. 14 — when lawmakers go on their Christmas break — since legislators are expected to increasingly be taken up with preparations for the May 2019 mid-term elections towards yearend.
Newly installed House Ways and Means panel Chairman Rep. Estrellita B. Suansing of Nueva Ecija’s first district told reporters on Monday that she is committed to securing final approval of all tax reforms “before my term ends and before Speaker’s (Gloria M. Arroyo’s) term will end” on June 7 next year, the last day of the 17^th Congress.
“We have six bills pending, we have six months to go… at least one bill should be passed in the House (on) third and final reading every month,” Ms. Suansing said.
Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. sidestepped a question on Mr. Duterte’s request for yearend approval of all tax reform tranches, replying in a mobile phone message: “We’re very happy for the support the Committee gave to this administration initiative.”
Sought separately for comment, Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said only that “consistent with PRRD’s SoNA, we hope Congress can pass all tax reform packages ‘in succession’.”
Only the first package has been enacted so far: Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN) that slashed personal income tax rates but increased or added taxes on a host of items besides scrapping value added tax exemptions.
Still awaiting plenary approval in the House is the second package — the Tax Reform for Attracting Better and High-quality Opportunities (TRABAHO) bill — which reduces the corporate income tax rate gradually to 20% from 30% currently and removes redundant fiscal incentives that have been costing the economy billions of pesos in foregone revenues yearly, among other measures.
The other proposed reforms include a general tax amnesty, further increases in tobacco and alcohol excise tax rates, a bigger government take in mining revenues, adoption of a uniform valuation scheme for real property taxes at the local level and streamlining of taxes on passive income, among other measures.
NEW MINING TAX ‘PUNISHING’
The House on Monday began committee-level discussions on the tax bills designed to give government a bigger share in revenues of miners, who opposed both measures.
The Ways and Means committee started deliberations on the Department of Finance (DoF)-backed House Bill No. 7994, which seeks to impose a uniform royalty equivalent to five percent of miners’ gross output on top of all other national and local taxes.
It also discussed House Bill 422, which seeks to impose a 10% tax on miners’ gross revenues, or a 55% levy on their adjusted net mining revenue — defined as gross revenue less production and other deductible costs, but not to exceed 10% of direct mining, milling and processing costs — whichever is higher, in lieu of all national and local taxes except for taxes on real property, value added, capital gains, stock transactions, documentary stamps, donors, and other fees.
“We will get ‘yung magagandang (the good) provisions; we will consolidate the two bills,” she said. “We want to finish the technical working group (meetings) this week so that makalabas na kami ng (we can come up with the) committee report. If there is a committee report this week then baka in two weeks time nasa (the measure will be with the) plenary na.”
The DoF expects HB 7994 to generate a P1.83-billion incremental revenue in the first year of implementation.
Ms. Suansing said both bills address Executive Order No. 79, signed by Benigno S.C. Aquino III in 2012, as the new revenue-sharing scheme will allow the Executive to lift the moratorium on new mining contracts.
The Chamber of Mines of the Philippines (CoMP) opposed both bills during the hearing, saying taxes on the industry are already “very heavy,” as levies on minerals have just been increased by TRAIN, which took effect last January.
“We were hoping that the four percent was enough… It would be too much of a burden and would make our country’s tax structure uncompetitive. The total tax will be punishing,” said CoMP Executive Director Ronald S. Recidoro in an interview after the hearing.
He cited a 2012 International Monetary Fund study that the Philippines’ current mining tax is “already too high to attract quality investments that we need.”
Mr. Recidoro said that he would prefer a tax on net revenues, as the tax on gross would be “regressive” for miners given large up-front costs on heavy machinery, power and labor.
“The tax structure must be progressive. Base the tax not on gross, but on profit, such that when profits increase, tax rates go up. It’s more equitable,” he explained. “If profits go up then we’re okay with an increased tax rate, but there should be a commensurate deduction in tax rates when profits are low.”
But Ms. Suansing said: “they are earning in some months, some months they are losing. Ganun talaga ang negosyo (That’s business).”
Walter W. Brown, president and chief executive officer of listed Apex Mining Company, Inc., said in the same hearing that “[t]he imposition of the same tax regime for all types of mines should be amended.”
“Before we tax mines we should take a look at the cost structure… underground miners’ cost structure is much higher versus nickel miners. It should be subject to much more definitive study.”

Overseas Filipinos’ cash remittances (July 2018)

September 18, 2018 | 12:31 am

CASH remittances recovered in July, the central bank reported on Monday, as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) likely took advantage of a weakening peso. Read the full story.