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Monetary Board sets ‘know-your-member’ rules for loan associations

THE Monetary Board (MB) approved on Tuesday new guidelines to protect Non-Stock Savings and Loan Associations (NSSLAs) members and its investments.

In a statement on Tuesday, the MB said the guidelines cover the establishment of the true identity and eligibility of persons who want to become members of NSSLAs.

“The Know-Your-Member (KYM) guidelines set clear BSP’s expectations on the responsibilities of the Board of Trustees and Management of NSSLAs to establish and implement effective risk management system and risk control, and to set out the documentary requirements for membership, to ensure that all members are eligible,” the BSP said.

The rules also prevent the “use of NSSLAs, by unscrupulous persons, as a means to profit or to take advantage of their nature and operations.”

At the same time, the MB also approved rules and regulations covering NSSLAs’ investments using their unused or excess funds.

“Said guidelines clearly define the allowable investments and limit of such investments that NSSLAs can enter into,” the BSP said.

“The investments, which must not exceed 10% of the NSSLA’s total assets, unless otherwise approved by the MB, must be safe, readily marketable, high grade and locally issued,” it added.

NSSLAs are non-stock, non-profit corporation engaged in the business of accumulating the savings of its members and using such accumulations for loans to members to service the needs of households by providing long-term financing for home building and development and for personal finance.

According to Republic Act. No. 8367, or the Revised Non-Stock Savings and Loans Association Act of 1997, an NSSLA shall confine its membership to a well-defined group of persons and shall not transact business with the general public.

A “well-defined group” shall be defined by the Monetary Board, and shall consist of employees, officers, and directors of one company, including member-retirees; government employees belonging to the same department/branch/office; including member-retirees; and; immediate members of the families (up to second degree of consanguinity or affinity).

Data from the BSP showed there are 65 NSSLAs as of Jan. 22 this year. — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan

The Tooth Doctor wins business name tussle vs D’Tooth Doctors

THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sided with dental clinic The Tooth Doctor in a tussle with D’Tooth Doctors Co. over their “confusingly similar” business names.

In a decision dated Jan. 16, the SEC en banc ordered D’Tooth Doctors to change its name after assessing that this was quite similar to another business entity, “The Tooth Doctor,” which was established at a much earlier date.

“Without a doubt, the two contending business names… are indeed misleading and confusingly similar, especially since both businesses are owned by dental doctors and engaged in dental services,” the SEC said.

Lilli Ann D. Fernando, who owns a dental clinic located inside Robinsons Galleria in Ortigas, had sought to register The Tooth Doctor, Inc. as a corporation with the SEC in 2014.

Prior to this request, The Tooth Doctor was already registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) since June 5, 1996. The Intellectual Property Office had also approved Ms. Fernando’s registration of the The Tooth Doctor trademark on Jan. 1, 2010 for period of 10 years.

However, the SEC’s Company Registration and Monitoring Department rejected Ms. Fernando’s application due to the existing registration of D’Tooth Doctors, saying it is “deceptively or confusingly similar” to the latter’s name. D’Tooth Doctors has been registered with the SEC since Nov. 20, 2008.

Appealing the decision, Ms. Fernando noted she had the right to use “The Tooth Doctor” as she has been using the name way before D’Tooth Doctors did.

In its Jan. 16 decision, the SEC en banc cited Section 18 of the Corporate Code of the Philippines in coming up with the decision, which stated in part that: “No corporate name may be allowed by the SEC if the proposed name is identical or deceptively or confusingly similar to that of any existing corporation or to any other name already protected by law or is patently deceptive, confusing or contrary to existing laws.”

With this as basis, the commission accepted Ms. Fernando’s argument, thereby granting them  permission to use the corporate name “The Tooth Doctors, Inc.”

“The appellant (Ms. Fernando) has adequately proved that she has acquired a prior right to the use of the name. Consequently, this Commission rules that the appellee dental professional partnership (D’Tooth Doctors) be directed to change its partnership name immediately upon receipt of the Commission’s notice or directive,” the SEC en banc said. — Arra B. Francia

Peso hits two-month low on weak GDP data

THE PESO plunged against the dollar as it breached the P51 level on the back of slower-than-expected fourth-quarter Philippine economic growth and the end of the three-day US government shutdown.

The local currency ended Tuesday’s session at P51.10 versus the greenback, 26.5 centavos weaker than its P50.835-per-dollar close on Monday.

This is the peso’s weakest close in more than two months or since it closed at P51.18 per dollar last Nov. 14.

The peso opened yesterday’s session slightly stronger at P50.82 versus the dollar, while its intraday high stood at P50.80. The peso’s worst showing, meanwhile, landed at P51.145 against the greenback.

Dollars traded rose to $878.5 million from the $868.5 million that changed hands in the previous session.

“The peso depreciated strongly following the weaker Philippine fourth-quarter GDP (gross domestic product) data, finally breaching the 51-peso level today,” a trader said in an e-mail yesterday.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported on Tuesday the Philippine economy grew 6.6% in the fourth quarter of 2017, slower than the revised 7% GDP data in the July-September period and the 6.7% median estimate in a BusinessWorld poll.

The full-year GDP stood at 6.7%, within the lower end of the government’s 6.5-7.5% target.

“The GDP numbers caused the dollar-peso trading to [plunge] to a [low] of P51.145 before we saw some profit-taking ahead of the close,” another trader said.

“We saw some Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) intervention, they provided some liquidity to smoothen the volatility.”

Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion, chief economist of UnionBank of the Philippines, said the peso’s weakness is not necessarily bad but rather good in the long- run.

“A weaker peso is better in the long-run and not a concern in the short-run, where you would expect constant volatility,” he said.

Mr. Asuncion added the end of the US government shutdown further dampened the market’s sentiment over the peso.

“I think so, too. But that sentiment will be short-lived since the US will have to deal with it again by Feb. 8,” he said.

US President Donald J. Trump on Monday evening (US time) signed a bill that will fund the federal government until Feb. 8.

For today, the traders expect the peso will move between P51 and P51.30, while Mr. Asuncion gave a higher range of P51.10 to P51.40. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

DoF chief flags ‘potential nightmare’ in federalism

By Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan
Reporter

THE SHIFT to a federal form of government could be a “nightmare” for the Philippines, particularly in the fiscal policy side of the proposal according to the country’s Finance chief.

“Let’s just say it will be challenging, very challenging, because the tendency,…we will need different federal states to retain as much revenues as they can and give the national government as much expenses as they can,” Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said at the Management Association of the Philippines’ inaugural meeting yesterday in Taguig City.

“So there’s potential for it to become a nightmare. We are watching very closely particularly the revenue-sharing schemes that are going to be improved in the local government,” he added.

The House of Representatives approved on Jan. 16. House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) No. 9 which calls on Congress to be convened into a constituent assembly, ahead of provisions being crafted on the watch of the House committee on constitutional amendments that aim to overhaul the present system of government into a federal structure. President Rodrigo R. Duterte has been pushing for this change in government structure since way before last year’s presidential campaign.

The House of Representatives and the Senate have been in a deadlock over the matter of voting jointly (the House’s stand) or separately on constitutional amendments.

The House leadership has said it will go ahead with charter change, but senators have questioned the constitutionality of that move as initiated by only one chamber. Senate minority leader Franklin M. Drilon, for his part, said the transmittal of HCR No. 9 to the Senate is “a recognition na kinikilala nila na kasama ang Senado sa pag-amyenda ng (that they recognize that the Senate is part of amending the) Constitution.”

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The House committee on constitutional amendments has yet to arrive at discussions on the federal governments’ fiscal regime.

The Department of Finance (DoF) earlier said that 99% of local government units’ (LGUs) projects right now rely mostly on internal revenue allotments (IRAs) provided by the national government, despite already having the power to tax measures not provided by the National Internal Revenue Code.

IRAs are the automatically earmarked funds for LGUs, equivalent to 40% share of national taxes collected three years prior to the planned fiscal year, as mandated by Republic Act No. 7160, or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Asian Development Bank Country Director Richard S. Bolt said in an earlier interview that aside from boosting their locally sourced revenues, there is a need for LGUs to develop spending capacity as the government moves to a federal government.

“If you(‘re) gonna push more budget down, you should have capacity (for) these things,” he said.

SC lifts TRO on 700,000 withheld license plates

THE SUPREME COURT (SC) has lifted its temporary restraining order (TRO) on the release of 300,000 pairs of car license plates and 400,000 pairs of motorcycle vehicle license plates donated by the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to the LTO in 2016.

The SC also declared as constitutional the use of appropriation under the Motor Vehicle Registration and Driver’s Licensing Regulatory Services in the 2014 national budget for the implementation of the Motor Vehicle License Plate Standardization Program (MVLPSP).

“The Court ruled that the 2014 GAA (General Appropriations Act) included an appropriation for the program and the use of the appropriation is constitutional,” SC Spokesperson Theodore O. Te said on Tuesday, Jan. 23.

According to Mr. Te, the Court noted that it already ruled in 2015 on the legality of the procurement of the MVLPSP and added that “whatever defects attended the procurement had been ‘cured’ by the appropriation in the 2014 GAA of the full amount.”

As the 2014 GAA contained appropriation for the MVLPSP, the Court ruled that the program can be implemented using said funds, Mr. Te further stated.

“The appropriation, both for procurement and implementation, has been examined and decided by the Court and may not be assailed anew under the present petition based on the same grounds, which had already been dealt with in the [Jacomille v. Abaya] Decision,” Mr. Te added.

The ruling was in connection with a petition filed by former Abakada Party-list Representative Jonathan dela Cruz and incumbent Parañaque Representative Gustavo S. Tambunting questioning the donation of the license plates seized by the BoC from J. Knieiriem B.V. Goes and Power Plates Development Concept, Inc. (JKG-PPI). The license plates were held at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) after the company failed to pay P40 million in duties and tax.

Messrs. Dela Cruz and Tambunting cited in their petition a notice by the Commission on Audit (CoA) to discontinue the implementation of the MVLPSP and asked JKG-PPI to return the P477.9 million that the government paid in advance as the program was not included in the 2013 GAA. However, the Supreme Court already ruled following a petition by Mr. Reynaldo Jacomille that the implementation of the program was constitutional after it was given appropriations in the 2014 GAA. — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Streaking San Miguel and GlobalPort collide

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

ON-A-ROLL San Miguel Beermen and GlobalPort Batang Pier try to extend their surge in the PBA Philippine Cup when they lock horns in the main game today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The defending champions Beermen (4-0), the lone team left in the season-opening PBA tournament yet to drop a game, go for their fifth straight win in as many games in their 7 p.m. joust against the Batang Pier, who are winners of their last two after opening their campaign with back-to-back losses.

Playing in the curtain-raiser at 4:30 p.m., meanwhile, are the Meralco Bolts (1-3) against the Kia Picanto (1-4).

San Miguel’s latest victory came over the NLEX Road Warriors, 109-98, in a match last Friday that turned chippy as it wound up.

League most valuable players Arwind Santos and June Mar Fajardo led the way for the Beermen as they gallantly fought a tough challenge from the Road Warriors (2-3), who were seeking to get back on the winning track after dropping their previous two matches heading into the game.

Mr. Santos, the PBA MVP in 2013, had a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds, while reigning four-time MVP Fajardo had 25 points and 16 boards.

Alex Cabagnot and Marcio Lassiter each had 14 points while the former also added nine assists and seven rebounds.

The match also saw San Miguel guard Chris Ross get into a near-fight with NLEX’s Alex Mallari and a stinging verbal tussle with Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao.

The two technical fouls from the incidents had Mr. Ross, who had four points, eight rebounds and four assists, ejected in the closing moments of the game.

Also thrown out was NLEX big man Michael Miranda for kicking Mr. Ross on the groin in one physical play while Mr. Guiao was also called for a technical foul with his shouting match with the San Miguel guard.

For their heated verbal altercation, Mr. Guiao was fined by the league P11,000 for obscene gesture and use of profane language while Mr. Ross is meted a penalty of P2,600 for incurring two technical fouls.

“It was a physical game but we have gone through a lot as a team. So the physicality is nothing new to us and I firmly believe we can handle it and that it wouldn’t derail us from our goals,” said Mr. Santos after their win.

TWO STRAIGHT FOR GLOBALPORT
On the part of GlobalPort (2-2), the two straight victories it has notched of late has allowed it to right its ship after getting off on the wrong foot with two losses in a row early on.

The Batang Pier have been showing far better chemistry which has allowed them to make things happen and move to the middle of the pack.

In their last game against Blackwater Elite on Friday where they came away with a 101-76 win, the Batang Pier had much balance with Sean Anthony leading the way with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Stanley Pringle finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists while Kelly Nabong had 16 points and seven boards.

“Offense is going well for us because of our ball movement. Hopefully we get to sustain this and continue to play together,” said Mr. Anthony.

BBL’s parliamentary features questioned

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

FORMER SENATE president Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr. on Tuesday flagged constitutional issues regarding the current version of the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL), particularly the structure of the Bangsamoro government aimed at adopting a parliamentary system.

At the resumption of the Senate hearing on the BBL, senators tackled its provisions with security, budget, and finance officials as well as constitutional experts providing suggestions that would further refine the proposed measure.

For his part, Mr. Pimentel said the Bangsamoro government opting for a parliamentary system was “incongruous” with the presidential structure of the 1987 Constitution.

“The autonomous region envisioned in the Constitution which the BBL intends to govern must follow the form of government provided for in the fundamental law, and that is, none other than the presidential form of government,” he said.

According to Article 4, Section 2 of the draft BBL, “The Bangsamoro Government shall be parliamentary. Its political system is democratic, allowing its people to freely participate in the political processes within its territory.”

Mr. Pimentel also questioned the electoral system of the Bangsamoro government in which there is an elected parliament while its chief minister, who heads the government and the executive authority, is chosen by the members of that parliament.

Citing Article 10, Section 18 of the Constitution, the former Senate leader said: “The section clearly mandates that the Executive Department and the Legislative Assembly of the proposed Bangsamoro entity must be ‘elective and representative of the constituent political units’ in that area of our country.”

Mr. Pimentel also proposed ideas on how to improve the reserved powers of the Bangsamoro government, particularly its electoral office, human rights commission, justice system, education system, congressional districts, civil service, among others.

In an interview with reporters, Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, who chairs the subcommittee on the BBL, said they could look into the provisions in question and tweak it in a way that complies with the Constitution.

“Our suggestion was: instead of calling it parliament, maybe we can still call it an assembly. And instead of calling it minister, you can call him executive director. We can change the names so it could address the unconstitutionality questions,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Mr. Zubiri added that there would be a technical working group which would focus on the bill’s constitutionality issues so it passes through the Supreme Court if contested.

On security matters, National Security Adviser Hermogenes C. Esperon, Jr. suggested that the Armed Forces create military task forces for the region, instead of forming a Bangsamoro Military Command, as stated in the bill.

“I believe the Armed Forces is better able to serve purposes of defense and security without becoming a potential instrument of the leaders or personalities in an area for their own interests. I believe the Eastern Mindanao Command and the Western Mindanao Command are enough and sufficient. We can create other task forces, like the Joint Task Force (JTF) Zamboanga or JTF Pagadian, so we can be more flexible in that kind of setup,” he said.

Budget Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno for his part said the expenditure plan for the Bangsamoro government will have to depend on the size of its territorial jurisdiction.

On matters of revenue sharing, Finance undersecretary for legal services Bayani H. Agabin said they could not yet gauge if the proposed 6% annual block grant from the national government as well as the proposed 75%-25% local taxes share between the Bangsamoro and national governments would be enough for the region’s financial stability.

Mr. Agabin also mentioned that based on the estimates of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), money that would be spent for BBL’s first year would be around P60 billion for the block grant, P10 billion for the special development fund, and an additional P10 billion for the transition.

Unseeded Mertens routs Svitolina to reach semis

MELBOURNE — Unseeded Australian Open debutant Elise Mertens blew away world number four Elina Svitolina in straight sets Tuesday to reach a first Grand Slam semifinal.

The Belgian world number 37, on a 10-match unbeaten streak after winning in Hobart this month, knocked out the Ukrainian 6-4, 6-0 in 1 hour 13 minutes.

Mertens, who is yet to drop a set, is the first Belgian to make the last four since Kim Clijsters in 2012.

“I’m lost for words. I don’t know what to say. I just gave my all today,” she said. “I played my game today and tried to stay aggressive.”

Mertens, 22, trains with her coach and boyfriend Robbe Ceyssens at the Kim Clijsters Academy in Belgium and has seen her world ranking rise from 127 at the end of 2016.

She had never been beyond the third round of a Grand Slam before in four appearances.

“He means a lot,” she said of the importance of Ceyssens.

“He’s by my side all the time. Since we have been together my game has only gone upward. All credit to him.”

Mertens made all the initial running, returning aggressively and mixing up her game cleverly, taking every opportunity to approach the net and cut off Svitolina’s passing avenues.

She broke the world number four in the third game and then again for a 5-2 lead.

Serving for the set, Mertens tightened and a double fault on break point handed the Ukrainian a way back.

Mertens still had a second chance to serve out. Another double fault allowed Svitolina a glimmer at 15-30, but Mertens composed herself and landed three first serves to secure the set 6-4.

The Belgian had powered 16 winners to Svitolina’s eight and significantly won nine of 12 points at the net.

Svitolina was immediately in trouble at 0-40 at the start of the second.

She saved those but a weak forehand into the net gave a fourth and Mertens landed an overhead smack on the sideline to secure the break.

Another break followed, and a third courtesy of a sumptuous backhand pass took Mertens to the brink of the last four at 5-0.

She completed the humbling of Svitolina with little fuss and will face either second seed Caroline Wozniacki or unseeded Carla Suarez Navarro for a place in Saturday’s final.

If she makes it she will emulate Clijsters, who won at Melbourne Park in 2011.

Mertens had a message for her countrywoman and tennis great who she said would be following the match in the middle of the night back home.

“Kim, thanks for watching and don’t get too stressed.” — AFP

Mischa Zverev’s heavy fine for ‘poor performance’

MELBOURNE — Mischa Zverev Tuesday become the first player to be heavily fined for retiring from his first round match at the Australian Open under new rules aimed at limiting early injury withdrawals.

The German, seeded 32, withdrew from his opening match with South Korea’s Chung Hyeon last week during the second set and has been fined $45,000 for what is termed “a poor first round performance.”

That was almost all of his prize money of around $47,000.

Under the new rules “any player who competes in the first round main draw singles and retires or performs below professional standards, may now be subject to a fine up to (the equivalent) first round prize money in 2018.”

With tens of thousands of dollars at stake just for playing in round one, early injury pullouts have often caused suspicion at Grand Slams, particularly at last year’s Wimbledon.

Eight players retired from the opening round at the All-England Club, including the opponents of Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic during the second sets of their matches on center court.

It sparked the new Grand Slam rules by the International Tennis Federation, being used for the first time in Melbourne.

Players are now able to claim 50% of their prize money if they pull out before their first match, an incentive designed to allow someone else to play instead.

Their replacement — a “lucky loser” from the qualifying tournament — gets the other 50%. — AFP

Senate subpoenas anew ex-poll chief Bautista

THE SENATE committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies on Tuesday subpoenaed former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson Andres D. Bautista for his failure anew to attend the committee’s inquiry on his alleged violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA).

The summons ordered Mr. Bautista to appear on the scheduled Feb. 12 hearing to answer his purported questionable transactions with Luzon Development Bank (LDB) amounting to P300 million.

If the former poll chief fails to attend, the Senate will hold him in contempt and move for his arrest, the subpoena indicated.

Senator Francis G. Escudero, who chairs the said committee, has also asked the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to provide the committee all travel information on Mr. Bautista since Aug. 1, 2017.

The committee has held two hearings since that time, but without Mr. Bautista. Tuesday’s hearing would have been the third, but it was later cancelled since Mr. Bautista was absent.

“The committee has consistently sent him invitations to all of the hearings we conducted but until today, he has not given any reasons for his absence. Not even a representative to act on his behalf,” Mr. Escudero said in a statement.

“We held him in his own words on the media in the past that he will appear and defend himself once invited but apparently he has been a consistent no-show,” he added.

Mr. Bautista’s alleged unexplained wealth surfaced last year after his estranged wife Patricia P. Bautista accused him of committing corrupt practices and amassing nearly P1 billion worth of bank accounts and real estate properties.

Mr. Bautista was impeached in October last year on the day he announced he was due to resign. His resignation has since mooted his impeachment. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Car and motorcycles to be raffled off in MPBL opener

Opening Day Schedule
(Araneta Coliseum)
7 p. m. Opening Ceremonies
9 p. m. Caloocan Supremos vs Parañaque Patriots

A BRAND-NEW car and 10 motorcycles will be raffled off in the opening of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday.

League Commissioner Kenneth Duremdes confirmed that every paying ticket holder will have a chance to win these vehicles.

“Yes, that’s the commitment to us by Senator Manny (Pacquiao), but every ticket holder should be there at the venue. Otherwise, it would be forfeited,” said Mr. Duremdes. “The raffle will also encourage the people to stay on even though their home team isn’t playing. “

A colorful opening ceremonies is expected to be rolled out with talents from ABS-CBN, tapped to join the festivity beginning 7 p. m.

It will be followed by the lone game scheduled featuring the Caloocan Supremos and the Yakimix Parañaque Patriots coached by multi-titled mentor Aric del Rosario.

A fledgling league founded by Senator Manny Pacquiao, the MPBL provides sanctuary to players who had short-lived professional careers and want to get another crack of making it to the big league.

The league also gives opportunity to untapped talents looking for a venue to showcase their talent. The regional flavor provides a different taste to the league as cities from the metropolis and different towns from various provinces will get a chance of showcasing their wares in this home and away, single round format. — Rey Joble

5-kilometer ash column shoots out from Mayon

INTENSE LAVA fountains shot like fireworks up to 700 meters (2,300 feet) into the air above Mayon, the Philippines’ most active volcano, on Tuesday as showering debris turned morning skies dark and spread fear among anxious residents.

More than 40,000 people have already fled since smoke and ash started spewing from the mountain, with scientists warning of the danger of an explosive eruption and authorities urging people not to be complacent.

Mayon shot out a five-kilometer-high ash column early Tuesday as a rain of fine debris brought daytime darkness in some areas, volcanologists and local authorities said.

“People got scared. The kids did not understand what was happening, then suddenly it got dark and you could not see who you were with,” Danny Garcia, a spokesman for Albay province, told AFP.

The summit of the mountain was shrouded by a dense column of steam and hot rocks, creating fanciful shapes in the sky.

“The explosion looks like a cauliflower or an octopus,” Ed Laguerta, Mayon’s resident volcanologist from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), told AFP.

“Hot ash ascends and since the volcano is conical, the pyroclastic flow seems to be the tentacles,” he added, referring to a mix of hot lava, ash and volcanic gas flowing down the volcano’s flanks.

Mayon, a near-perfect cone located about 330 kilometers southeast of Manila, is considered the most volatile of the Philippines’ 22 active volcanoes.

Volcanologists on Monday warned of a hazardous eruption within days as Mayon rained ash on communities two weeks after it began showing signs of unrest.

Authorities have ordered people to leave a danger zone stretching eight kilometers from the volcano and on Tuesday shut down schools and businesses in Albay province where Mayon is located.

FLIGHTS CANCELLED
Civil aviation authorities have closed airports in the cities of Legazpi and Naga and at the nearby island of Masbate, while small aircraft have been banned from flying near the volcano.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, in its advisory as of yesterday afternoon, said several domestic and international flights have been cancelled, including Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines flights to and from Legazpi and Naga.

The international flights cancelled were: Japan Airlines (Narita-Manila), Air Niugini (Port Moresby-Manila-Port Moresby), Jetstar (Nagoya-Manila-Nagoya), Jetstar (Narita-Manila-Narita), United Airlines (Guam-Manila), United Airlines (Manila-Guam), and Jetstar (Singapore-Manila-Singapore).

For today, Jan. 24, Cebu Pacific issued an announcement yesterday that eight flights between Manila and Legazpi and the return flights between Cebu and Legazpi are also cancelled.

Some highways have also been closed, with ash showers making driving in some areas nearly impossible, the provincial government said.

Regional disaster officials were monitoring air quality as they advised people to wear face masks, goggles or glasses and to stay indoors to avoid inhaling sulphur dioxide gas.

Volcanologists told residents to heed warnings from authorities even in towns not yet affected by ashfalls.

“Not all towns will be affected at the same time so people cannot be complacent,” Mr. Laguerta said.

There have been 51 previous eruptions by Mayon in recorded history, the last one in 2014. In 1814 it buried the town of Cagsawa, killing more than 1,000 people.

AID
Meanwhile, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday, Jan. 23, that the Internal Revenue Allotment (IRA) for Albay was already released by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) last Monday, Jan. 22.

Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. also told reporters in a press briefing at the Palace that the different local governments of Albay may now “tap their 5% contingency funds, and this release has been confirmed by Governor (Al Francis C.) Bichara.”

The spokesman announced as well that the government has already provided more than P19 million worth of aid to affected families, of which P16,221,000 came from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, P124,000 from local governments, and P3 million from nongovernment organizations. — AFP with a report from Arjay L. Balinbin

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