PHL, Indonesia launch 32nd joint sea patrol exercises

April 10, 2018 | 9:06 pm

THE PHILIPPINES and Indonesia started Tuesday, April 10, their 32^nd Coordinated Patrol (Corpat), an exercise to enhance coordination for border security. Ensign Aileen T. Jansor, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao Public Affairs Office chief, said at a press conference in Davao City that the exercise, which will last until the end of April, “will try to improve coordination” between the navies of the two countries in curbing illegal activities using their seas.”
Among the activities, said Ms. Jansor, are “sea serials, shipboard exercises and coordinated patrol between the two navies at the border areas.” There will also be goodwill games, she added. — Carmelito Q. Francisco

3 NPAs killed, 5 arrested in clash with military

April 10, 2018 | 9:05 pm

AMID the impending resumption of peace negotiations, three alleged members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) were killed and five others arrested in a clash against the 83^rd Infantry Battalion in Bato, Camarines Sur on Tuesday morning. Three M16 rifles were recovered from the rebels.
Two of the five arrested were wounded and are reportedly being treated. Lieutenant General Danilo G. Pamonag, Southern Luzon commander, said he maintains support for the resumption of peace talks but the military troops operating in Southern Tagalog and Bicol “will still perform their mandate to protect the people.” — Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Cebu says it is ready for Boracay tourist spillover

April 10, 2018 | 9:04 pm

CEBU’S TOURISM industry leaders said they are ready to meet the expected increase in visitors during the six-month closure of Boracay Island starting April 26. Carlo Anton B. Suarez, president of the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), believes Cebu is ready as far as the demand for accommodation is concerned. “The hospitality industry in Cebu understands the growing demand especially with the closure of Boracay. Hotel and resorts in Cebu are gearing up for the arrival of these local and foreign guests,” Mr. Suarez told The Freeman.
>> See full story on https://goo.gl/8w17L6

Trillanes to seek probe on Boracay closure

April 10, 2018 | 9:03 pm

SENATOR Antonio F. Trillanes IV said he will file a resolution on April 11 seeking to investigate the six-month closure of Boracay and the government’s rehabilitation plan for the popular tourist destination.
“To clear this out once and for all, I will file a resolution calling for a Senate investigation regarding the plan to close Boracay. We will refer this to the committee on tourism headed by Senator Nancy (S.) Binay,” he told reporters Tuesday. Mr. Trillanes also urged Boracay residents to file a temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Supreme Court (SC) against the closure, notwithstanding a 2008 SC decision declaring the island as public domain or belonging to the state. — Camille A. Aguinaldo

Zamboanga mayor gives police 24-hour deadline to capture escaped prisoners

April 10, 2018 | 9:02 pm

ZAMBOANGA CITY Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has ordered the police to capture within 24 hours the six remaining inmates out of 16 who bolted the Tetuan Police Jail early dawn Tuesday, April 10.
A statement from the mayor said authorities have immediately launched manhunt operations, which led to the arrest of 10 of the escapees. Ms. Climaco said “disciplinary actions will be taken against those who have been remiss in their duties and responsibilities” that resulted in the jailbreak.
The mayor also appealed to the public for cooperation, saying, “We appeal to residents to immediately report to authorities the whereabouts of any of those who bolted jail.” Photos of the six fugitives, who are mostly facing drug-related charges, have been posted on the city’s official social media pages. — Mindanao Bureau

Davao City council starts filling up vacancies

April 10, 2018 | 9:01 pm

THE DAVAO CITY council seat that was left vacant by the resignation of Paolo Z. Duterte as vice mayor has been filled with the appointment of a new councilor. Carmelo J. Clarion, a barangay chairman, took his oath of office as a member of the local legislature Monday. Mr. Clarion replaces former councilor Bernard E. Al-ag, who assumed the post of vice-mayor being the top councilor voted in the last elections.
IP REP
Meanwhile, the council slot for the Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative (IPMR) is also due for filling up following the March 30 expiration of the term of Bai Halila Sudagar. National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Davao City head Cristituto Ingay said that Ms. Sudagar can still hold the post up to April 18 while the NCIP leads the selection process for her replacement on April 12. Ms. Sudagar, who belongs to the Kagan tribe, will be replaced by a representative from the Klata tribe. City Ordinance No. 0448-10 provides the selection of an IPMR from the six major IPs in the city. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Carmencita A. Carillo

EO out on MSMEs development plan

April 10, 2018 | 9:01 pm

By Arjay L. Balinbin
MALACAÑANG announced on Tuesday, March 10, that President Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed Executive Order (EO) No. 50 approving the development plan for 2017-2022 on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The President’s EO also directs concerned government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and local government units (LGUs), to adopt and implement the said development plan.
The MSME development plan for 2017-2022, according to the EO, “shall serve as the blueprint for integration and collaboration of relevant government and private sector institutions for MSME development.”
Mr. Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea signed the document on April 4.
In its statement on March 21, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the development plan that was initially approved by the MSME Development Council “presents improved and innovative development strategies to achieve the target outcomes called Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan, in the next five years.”
The DTI also said the plan envisions “more globally competitive MSMEs that are regionally integrated, resilient, sustainable, and innovative, thereby performing as key drivers of inclusive Philippine economic growth.”
In the same statement, DTI-Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida C. Maglaya explained that “there are five strategic goals under the MSMED Plan 2017-2022, namely, improved business climate, improved access to finance, enhanced management and labor capacities, improved access to technology and innovation, and improve access to market.”
“Making growth felt by everyone can only happen if we are successful in empowering the bottom of the pyramid. By effectively tapping our MSMEs, we can ensure that we can attain our goal of creating inclusive growth and shared prosperity for all,” Ms. Maglaya was quoted as saying.

Nation at a Glance — (04/11/18)

April 10, 2018 | 9:00 pm

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

Peso slightly strengthens vs dollar, touches P51 level

April 10, 2018 | 8:53 pm

THE PESO slightly strengthened against the dollar on Tuesday, touching the P51 level intraday, due to weaker-than-expected jobs data in the United States.
The local currency ended yesterday’s session at P52 against the dollar, two centavos stronger than the P52.02-per-greenback finish on Friday.
The peso moved sideways for most of the day, opening the session stronger at P52.015 against the dollar. Its intraday low was at P52.03, while its best showing stood at P51.96 versus the US currency.
Dollars traded slid to $570.64 million from the $645.8 million recorded on Friday.
“Foreign exchange tradings were also quiet everywhere else, so I feel like there’s nothing to go on,” a trader said in a phone interview.
Meanwhile, another trader attributed the slightly stronger peso to the weak US nonfarm payroll data which were released last Friday.
“Peso gained strength today following the release of weaker-than-expected US non-farm payrolls data last Friday,” another trader said in an e-mail.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the US created 103,000 jobs in March, well below the 193,000 market expectations as well as the 326,000 nonfarm payrolls reported in February.
The jobless rate stayed at 4.1% last month, below the market expectations that it will go down to 4%.
Meanwhile, a third trader said the weaker dollar was due to the renewed concerns over the trade war between US and China.
Reuters reported Chinese President Xi Jinping vowed to open the country’s economy further and lower import tariffs on products including cars, as he attempted to defuse a growing trade dispute with the United States.
For today, the third trader sees the peso to move between P51.90 and P52.15, while the second trader gave a wider range of P51.80 to P52.20.
“The local currency is expected move sideways, with an upward bias, as investors will closely monitor the local trade balance data and inflation figures of US and China [today],” the second trader noted. — K.A.N. Vidal

BSP expects national ID legislation to pass in May

April 10, 2018 | 8:07 pm

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects legislation covering the national identification (ID) system to be enacted next month.
Speaking at the national convention of the Chamber of Thrift Banks in Makati, BSP Governor Nestor A. Espenilla, Jr. said the monetary authority expects bills calling for a national ID to be passed into law next month.
“Our great expectation is that we will have finally a proper national ID law as early as next month,” Mr. Espenilla said today, April 10, adding that the Senate and House versions have been certified as urgent.
The Senate and House versions of the bill establishing the national ID system have been approved on third and final reading. Mr. Espenilla said he expects the bicameral conference committee to convene next month to consolidate the two versions.
The national ID system will require Filipinos and foreign residents in the Philippines to have a single ID, making transactions with the government and private firms easier.
Implementing the national ID system, according to Mr. Espenilla, does not necessarily entail creating physical identification cards.
“It does not mean we have to create a physical ID… This is basically an identification system. It is going to be platform-based and digitally enabled,” he said.
“But the real authenticity of the information is the biometrics that are verifiable digitally. So you go to a terminal… Under a proposal, we will assign a randomly generated ID number which we will keep for life.”
The central banker added that the national ID system will address many issues, such as anti-money laundering compliance and new-customer acquisition, among others.
“We are ready to recognize the national ID to replace all other IDs that we require for our customer onboarding purposes. It will address many of the points in money laundering compliance… And it will also facilitate the acquisition of customers from a distance.”
Mr. Espenilla also noted that the measure “directly supports [BSP’s] aspiration to create a more digital economy.”
The passage of the national ID system is also expected to foster financial inclusion, as unbanked Filipinos will be able to enter the formal financial system through the use of the national ID.
“We have great expectations for this, and I can assure you we are ready to move forward quickly with the foundational biometric ID system,” Mr. Espenilla said, adding that he hopes the measure will not get any political derails.
“We really need it. Probably we’re the only [country in Southeast Asia] that doesn’t have one, so it’s time to move forward.” — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

Duterte touts innovation investments at Boao

April 10, 2018 | 8:04 pm

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte expects the Philippines to join the world’s most innovative economies by the end of his term in 2022, citing initiatives to upgrade worker skills and raise the competitiveness of small businesses.
“We are investing in innovation — in government processes, in technology and in human development. By 2022, the Philippines sees itself as joining the top one-third [in] the Global Innovation Index. We will empower more Filipinos with better skills and expertise and with our Innovation Council under the Department of Science and Technology, we will improve the competitiveness and productivity of our MSMEs,” the President said in his speech during the opening ceremonies of the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) in Hainan, China on Tuesday.
With greater access to technology and financing, according to Mr. Duterte, the Philippine government “will apply Science, Technology and Innovation in agriculture and the [service] industries.”
“We will invest in improving research and development and intensify international cooperation in this area. We are willing to learn from others,” he added.
The President also stressed that his administration is “slowly making the Filipino dream a reality.”
“As we strive to [push] our economy forward, we encounter challenges. But we will not be deterred. We seek to partner with responsible businesses, home-grown and foreign based, to drive the progress we envision.”
Mr. Duterte said he continues to target illegal drugs, which he called “pernicious and rotten social diseases that devour my country.”
He added that the Philippines “will do more” to encourage investment in “infrastructure, innovation, and interconnectivity.”
“Our milestones are ambitious: We will spend 5-7% on infrastructure. We aim to reduce poverty from 22% in 2015 to 14% by 2022. We intend to achieve growth of 7-8% every year up to 2022.”
The President said he is confident that the infrastructure program will provide a “solid backbone” for the economic growth of the country.
“This will continue to upgrade the infrastructure, connect more people and communities and create more jobs. Already we have started a three-year rolling program amounting to over $69 billion until 2022,” he added.
Before his flight to Beijing on Monday, April 9, the President said he was flying to China “thinking about money because in truth, (he) needs money.”
In his interview with ANC on Tuesday morning, former ambassador Jose Apolinario L. Lozada, Jr. said Mr. Duterte’s words “were not really flattering to so many people who were listening.”
“But I think he was trying to get China’s attention, so that he will be given the best deal when he talks to him (President Xi Jinping). It’s a gamble. That’s how he looks at it, and we can only hope that his gamble will pay [off],” he added.
The “gamble,” according to Mr. Lozada, is that “the money, which has been promised to us as loans or whatever arrangements made by the President and China in the past, will start flowing into the country so that our projects can start to take off. Because right now, it is true, we have no money to really finance all of these ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects.”
“The only fear that I am having there is that will China really continue to support us even after President Duterte’s term? I think the most important thing that the President will be able to get from this initiative is to be assured of China’s continuous support for the Philippines even after his (Mr. Duterte) term. So, it is really important for the President, right now, to really show to the Filipinos who is going to succeed him,” he added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

MICC to review rest of mining industry this year

April 10, 2018 | 8:03 pm

THE Mining Industry Coordination Council (MICC) hopes to start an independent review for all miners not earlier sanctioned by the government this year, the Department of Finance (DoF) said.
Finance Undersecretary Bayani H. Agabin said that after concluding the review of 26 suspended mines by May, he hopes to start the review for the rest of the country’s mines immediately.
“The MICC is supposed to conduct the audit of the operation of the mines. We’re starting with the 26. After this round, we hope to do the review of the other mines also, subject to availability of funds,” Mr. Agabin told reporters on Tuesday.
“If there’s some that’s left over, we’ll probably be able to pursue the second round. We’ll see if we can do it within the year as well. We hope to streamline the process,” he added.
Mines and Geosciences Bureau data show that there are a total of 50 operating metallic mines in the country.
Mr. Agabin said that the independent review for all the mines will take about “two and a half years.”
On Feb. 1, 2017, Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez ordered 26 mines closed or suspended from operation due to violations such as being located in watersheds and polluting surrounding bodies of water.
A team investigating the legal, technical and environmental aspects of the closure started its review last month, and is expected to come up with a preliminary report by May. This will be followed by a separate team reviewing the social and economic implications of the mines’ operations — which could start a month or two after the first team’s review, according to Mr. Agabin.
“The first phase will end May, but the site visit for all the mine sites would have been completed maybe by the third week of April… then we expect them to start preparing the reports. They’re supposed to submit a first draft of the report maybe by end of April,” he said.
The findings of the review team will serve as a policy recommendation to the President and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, which co-chairs the MICC with the DoF.
Mr. Agabin said that Congress may be asked to provide funding for the interagency MICC.
“I think if it will be an annual undertaking, we have to. It can be discussed, but right now we split it with the DENR and the DoF.” — Elijah Joseph C. Tubayan