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Industries that attract the most investments (Q1 2018)

By Jochebed B. Gonzales, Senior Researcher
Approved investments of foreign and Filipino nationals reached P184.99 billion in the first quarter of 2018. This was 52.3% higher than the P121.46 billion in the same period in 2017.
The electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply industry bested all other sectors as it bagged 56.4% of the total approved investments. It was followed by real estate activities and manufacturing with 13.5% and 13.2% shares, respectively.
06.20
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• Countries investing in the Philippines (Q1 2018)
• Which regions attract the most investments?
• Projected employment from approved investments (Q1 2018)

Bello wants wage adjustments by July

LABOR SECRETARY Silvestre H. Bello III has urged regions deliberating on wage adjustments to fast-track this process by the “end of June” until July 15.
In an interview last Friday, Executive Director Ms. Ma. Criselda R. Sy of the National Wages and Productivity Commission said regions who’ll be issuing wage orders soon are “CAR (Cordillera Administrative Region), Region III (Central Luzon), Region VI (Western Visayas), Region IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), and Region XI (Davao region).”
She added that these regions “are in different stages of consultations and public hearings.”
All the mentioned regions have already reached their wage order anniversaries.
The national inflation rate as of May is at 4.6%. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), inflation in the Davao Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula is at 5.0%, 5.5%, and 6.1%, respectively. Inflation in CAR and Central Luzon is at 3.8% and 2.6%, respectively.
Inflation is deemed a supervening condition for adjusting wages ahead of the year-long period for wages in effect. When asked if other regions will base their adjustments on said supervening conditions, Ms. Sy said, “They are closely monitoring.”
“Some regions are still consulting,” she added. — Gillian M. Cortez

Cayetano slams ‘misinformation’ to UN body

By Camille A. Aguinaldo
THE PHILIPPINES’ top diplomat on Sunday responded to the joint statement of 38 countries led by Iceland during a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) meeting which urged the Philippines to cooperate with the UN in assessing the human rights situation in the country.
“We regret that Iceland and several other countries maintained their position despite our offer for them to visit the Philippines and objectively assess the human rights situation, especially at the community level,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano, who is currently in New York, said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, it seems our friends are really not interested in arriving at the truth and would rather rely on the misinformation being fed to them by parties that have politicized and weaponized human rights,” Mr. Cayetano also said.
He added: “Politics is politics but politicizing human rights endangers lives.”
Mr. Cayetano also said he has personally extended an invitation to Iceland’s Foreign Minister Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson to visit Manila to see for himself the human rights situation in the country.
At the general debate of the UNHRC’s 38th session last June 19, Iceland said the international body may pursue initiatives to ensure member states such as the Philippines comply with its human rights obligations.
It also urged the Philippines to put an end to killings associated with the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. The European country also expressed concerns over the reported harassment of human rights defenders, journalists, and members of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
“We are encouraged by reports that the Government of the Philippines has indicated a willingness to cooperate with the UN to allow an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country. We urge the Government of the Philippines to cooperate with the United Nations system —including the Human Rights Council and its special procedure mandate holders — without preconditions or limitations,” Iceland stated.
Iceland delivered the statement on behalf of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Evan P. Garcia has responded to the joint statement during the general debate, saying the Philippines remained a responsible member state of the UNHRC.
“We are respectful of our international human rights obligations. We remain a free, dynamic, and democratic society. There is no basis, therefore, for the Council to be concerned with the situation in the Philippines,” Mr. Garcia was quoted as saying.
He also pointed to the anti-migrant sentiments of some European countries, including the nations that spoke against the Philippines.
“We remind countries that have such severe shortcomings, including the United Kingdom and Australia, that the Philippines has preferred to engage with them in a positive manner, whether bilaterally or multilaterally. This is in stark contrast with the needlessly confrontational attitude they have taken in (the Human Rights) Council,” Mr. Garcia said.
Mr. Thordarson previously raised the human rights situation in the Philippines last February during the 37th session of the UNHRC. Some 39 countries, including Iceland, also urged the Philippines in Sept. last year to end the killings related to the government’s war on drugs after the Philippine government rejected some of the recommendations of UN member states to address human rights issues in the country.

Palace: Chinese plane’s stop for ‘refueling’

By Arjay L. Balinbin, Reporter
MALACAÑANG on Sunday defended the second landing this month of a Chinese aircraft in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s hometown of Davao City, saying the stop was only for “refueling.”
“Same as first. Refueling stop. All licenses, permits and protocols (were) issued and observed,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque, Jr. said in a text message to Palace reporters on Sunday morning, June 24.
The Chinese aircraft landed at Francisco Bangoy International Airport last Saturday, June 23, at 12:18 p.m. and left at 12:59 p.m., ABS-CBN News reported.
But it remains unclear if last Saturday’s landing was by the same military transport plane IL-76, which landed in Davao City on June 8.
For his part, opposition Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary C. Alejano said in a social media post, “We have no formal military agreements with China which makes landings like that.”
He added, “[It is] unusual especially if high defense officials were not aware. On one hand, we have an existing visiting forces agreement with Australia & the US.”
“Ano kaya ang binabalik-balik nito sa Davao? (Why does the aircraft keep coming back to Davao City?),” the lawmaker also said.
In a media interview on Saturday evening, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go said, “Itong Chinese aircraft, I think pangalawa na ito na nag-refuel po sa Davao (I think this is the second aircraft to stop for refueling in Davao City). Pero itong (But this) request na ‘to was received, processed, cleared by relevant Philippine agencies.”
“The landing was requested for a specific refueling, and it was granted and given with specific conditions, with compliance of the requested party,” he said.
Mr. Go also said “foreign government and commercial planes” that land in the Philippines “for refueling purposes” have to follow “domestic procedures and in consideration of existing agreements.”
“The same courtesy is tended to Philippine aircrafts when technical stuff need to be undertaken,” he added.
As for Mr. Alejano’s statement, Mr. Go said: “Congressman Alejano, Navy ka naman, e di tanungin mo rin ang mga kaibigan mo sa Navy at sa Armed Forces. Hindi naman magsisinungaling yung mga Armed Forces sa iyo kasi dati mo rin silang kasamahan, so better ask them.” (Congressman Alejano, you [used to be part of the] Navy. Ask your friends in the Navy and the Armed Forces. They will not lie to you because you were part of them, so better ask them.)

Roman says civil partnership a more realistic option for LGBT couples

CIVIL PARTNERSHIP, rather than marriage, is the “best and most feasible option for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community in the Philippines, Bataan Rep. Geraldine B. Roman said on Sunday. “Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Partnership have different names but they give us practically the same rights and obligations as any legally-recognized relationship,” Ms. Roman, the first transgender woman elected in Congress, said in a statement. Ms. Roman, vice-chair of the House committee on women and gender equality, cited the reality that majority of Filipinos remain unaccepting of same-sex marriage. “To say that the Philippines and Congress are already ready for Same-Sex Marriage would simply be dishonest,” the solon said. “For us to actually effect changes in our country, we have to keep our two feet on the ground and face the reality that Civil Partnership has greater chances of being approved in Congress,” she added. The Supreme Court on June 19 held the first oral arguments on the petition filed by lawyer Jesus M. Falcis III to legalize same-sex marriage in the country. Mr. Falcis and Solicitor-General Jose C. Calida have been directed to return to the high court on Tuesday for the continuation of the hearing. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Train to CamSur

TRACK WORKS are undertaken by the Department of Transportation-Philippine National Railways (PNR) Naga Division starting last week in preparation for additional flag stops and extension of the Sipocot commuter service to Pili in Camarines Sur.

Binay recommends naming of Boracay rehabilitation ‘czar’

DENR

SENATOR NANCY Binay-Angeles on Sunday asked Malacañang to appoint a “Boracay czar” who would serve as the lead person for all matters concerning the resort island’s ongoing rehabilitation. Ms. Binay made the recommendation after a Senate hearing last week revealed that projects were delayed due to misunderstandings between government agencies. She also said residents are left confused as both national agencies and the local government assert authority in the area. “Who is on top of everything? We have (Environment) Sec. (Roy A.) Cimatu who is in charge of Task Force Boracay, but this is just an inter-agency council… We need a person who has the final say and who will decide if there are problems, especially when there are issues between government agencies,” said the senator, who chairs the Senate committee on tourism, in a press statement. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Iloilo provincial board cannot take legal action vs Yolanda housing project

THE ILOILO provincial board, or Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), cannot take legal action on the alleged substandard housing units built for super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) victims in Concepcion town, but it is planning to submit its report to the Senate where there is an ongoing inquiry on National Housing Authority (NHA) projects. Board Member Renee L. Valencia said last week that the Provincial Legal Office has given advice that the provincial government cannot file charges because it is not a direct party to the contract. “The real parties on the contract are the NHA and the contractor. So if we look at it, there is an indirect participation of the local government as well as the SP. We are just here because we are on the lookout as to the welfare of the beneficiaries,” Ms. Valencia said. The board concluded its hearings on the issue last week, but the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will still conduct a non-destructive test (NDT) to determine the structural integrity of the NHA project with Hercar Builders as the contractor. Jeylourd P. Riofrir, Engineer II of the DPWH-6 Maintenance Division, said an NDT apparatus is like a rebound hammer that would be used to determine the actual strength of the concrete. “It is a counterchecking whether their works passed the standard specifications,” Mr. Riofrir told the media during the SP hearing last June 21. — Louine Hope U. Conserva

BTC commissioner says BBL good for Zamboanga region’s role as ASEAN gateway

MEMBERS OF the Bangsamoro Transition Commission (BTC) said the revised Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) proposal is seen to benefit the Zamboanga Peninsula Region by bringing peace and stability in the overall western Mindanao area. Zamboanga is contiguous with the Bangsamoro region, which will replace the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao when the BBL is passed. Atty. Jose I. Lorena, one of the BTC commissioners, said with improved peace in the area, Zamboanga Peninsula would be better positioned as one of the country’s main gateway to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) market. “Under that context (BBL passage), it becomes essentially necessary that there will be an end to the narrative of conflict in this region,” Mr. Lorena said during a media forum on Understanding the Bangsamoro Peace Process over the weekend held in Zamboanga City. Among the salient features of the new BBL bill are addressing “land and historical injustices.” He said, “There should be peace in order to have that (stability), the historical injustices must be addressed, and the gaps in the implementation of programs and projects, particularly the basic necessities must be put forward by putting a resolution to the gaps.” The draft BBL is up for deliberation in the Congressional bicameral committee in early July and could be signed into law by President Rodrigo R. Duterte within that month. — Albert F. Arcilla

Davao City council wants to expand anti-discrimination law for those with Hepatitis B

THE AMENDMENT of Davao City’s anti-discrimination ordinance is expected to benefit workers with Hepatitis B, an infection similar to flu but can lead to liver failure or liver cancer. “The discrimination ordinance should be submitted already for second reading but we want to include Hepa B-infected patients in the list of those who should not be discriminated in the workplace,” Majority Floor Leader Melchor J. Quitain, Jr. said in an interview last week. Mr. Quitain said they are currently verifying if the amendment will be compatible with existing labor laws. If the amendment pushes through, the revised ordinance would penalize employers who ask applicants to undergo Hepatitis B testing and refuse to hire them if the result is positive. The current anti-discrimination ordinance, passed in 2012, declares unlawful biased acts against workers based on gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, and religious affiliation and beliefs. Councilor Mary Joselle D. Villafuerte, chair of the committee on health, previously said there is a need to amend the ordinance to include discrimination on the basis of health status. “No one should discriminate anybody or stop accepting employment based on health status, there are companies making Hepa B testing mandatory. It has to stop,” she said. — Carmencita A. Carillo

USAID, Red Cross continue to pour in aid to Marawi

THE AMERICAN government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is giving an additional P296.2 million for the recovery work in and around Marawi City, Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Klecheski announced Saturday. This fund, which is on top of the previous P1.4 billion committed aid, is specifically intended to promote the role and inclusion of women in the Marawi rehabilitation program. Mr. Klecheski pointed out that women have been “disproportionately impacted by the conflict in Marawi” as he stressed their important role in peace-building and security. The project includes promotion of women leadership against extremism, livelihood training, and water and sanitation.
Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) distributed multipurpose cash grants of P8,000 each to 1,007 affected families last June 20-22. “Many displaced families gained access to farmlands and basic tools with the help of relatives. But insufficient funds to buy farm supplies forced them to take loans at a higher interest rate,” Dragana Rankovic, who heads the ICRC team on relief and livelihood assistance, said in a statement released Friday. ICRC, along with the Philippine Red Cross, have been assisting Marawi residents since May last year when the siege that lasted for about five months broke out. — Camille A. Aguinaldo and Mindanao Bureau

Nation at a Glance — (06/25/18)

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

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