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BFAR weighing response to invasive fish in Laguna de Bay

Fish cages in Laguna de Bay are seen from Cardona, Rizal Province, March 30, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said it is preparing a “science-based” response to an invasive fish species in Laguna de Bay know as the tinfoil barb (Barbonymus schwanenfeldii).

The BFAR said it is currently preparing an estimate of the tinfoil barb population and evaluating its potential ecological and socio-economic impact.

The tinfoil barb, a pet species, was first documented in Laguna de Bay in 2022.

Biologists from the Ateneo de Manila recently warned that the presence of the tinfoil barb “could threaten native fish in the country’s largest freshwater lake,” adding that it could outcompete native fishes in the lake for food as well as breeding grounds.

The BFAR said it has mobilized its technical teams and is working with local government units and the Laguna Lake Development Authority, which oversees the lake’s management and water resources.

“This collaboration ensures a unified and science-based approach in monitoring, mitigation, and response measures. All agencies are working together to ensure that interventions remain responsive to the welfare of affected communities,” it added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

AI will survive: How will the TP profession stay alive?

At first, I was afraid of the complications artificial intelligence (AI) could bring to the practice of transfer pricing (TP). I kept thinking about how TP professionals could adapt with the growing influence of AI.

AI is no longer a far-fetched phenomenon; it has transformed and continues to transform how businesses operate and compete. As it becomes more integrated into business models, important questions arise regarding intellectual property (IP) ownership and the pricing of intercompany transactions involving AI. These considerations affect how multinational enterprises (MNEs) allocate profits and mitigate TP risks. For MNEs, understanding the interplay of AI and TP is crucial for staying competitive and compliant.

AI systems contribute to value creation through proprietary algorithms, predictive analytics, or generative outputs. MNEs must evaluate how this value is shared and compensated. For instance, if a Philippine subsidiary uses an AI model developed by its parent company, does this give rise to royalties? If the subsidiary contributes data as part of developing or training the model, should there be compensation? These questions are central to TP and require careful analysis of functions, assets, and risks.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and Philippine TP Guidelines emphasize the arm’s-length principle, which assumes that independent parties price transactions to reflect the true economic value of each party’s contributions. When AI is involved, this becomes more complex, as the value chain may include intangible contributions that are difficult to quantify.

IP OWNERSHIP AND VALUATION
AI systems often involve complex IP structures, such as algorithms, training data, and model outputs. Determining who owns the IP and how it should be valued is critical. Guidance on intangibles under the Philippine TP rules and the OECD Guidelines may provide a framework, but AI introduces new challenges, especially when outputs are co-created by different entities or continuously updated.

Ownership of AI-generated IP may not be straightforward. For instance, if a Philippine entity contributes market data or domain expertise to train a global AI model, it may have a claim to a share of the resulting value. This raises questions about how to allocate returns and whether a cost contribution or licensing arrangement is appropriate.

COST CONTRIBUTION ARRANGEMENT (CCA)
When multiple entities contribute to AI development, whether through data, engineering, or domain expertise, a CCA may be appropriate. Recognized in the Philippine TP Audit Guidelines, CCAs allow group members to share the costs and risks of developing intangibles in proportion to their expected benefits.

However, implementing a CCA requires robust documentation, clear delineation of contributions, and reliable valuation methods. Philippine companies participating in such arrangements must ensure that these elements are properly addressed to reflect economic reality and comply with TP requirements.

CHARACTERIZATION OF AI-RELATED TRANSACTIONS
AI can blur the lines between services (e.g., customer service automation) and IP (e.g., proprietary algorithms, trained models). For example, AI may be embedded in broader service offerings, such as personalized recommendations in e-commerce. In such cases, TP analyses must consider whether the AI component should be treated as a distinct intangible and unbundled from the overall service, in order to determine the correct pricing and tax treatment.

It’s important to ensure that the contracts and corresponding TP documentation accurately reflect the nature of the transaction. Otherwise, if the language does not match the substance of the transaction, there is a risk of misclassification and unintended tax consequences. For example, there may be instances where intercompany agreements reference the use of IP, even if in reality, no IP is used. Unless further documentation shows otherwise, this may potentially be viewed as giving rise to royalties and taxed as such, despite the substance of the transaction being more aligned with a service. Clearly, reviewing the contractual provisions is crucial to managing TP risks.

BENCHMARKING
Finding comparables for AI-related transactions at this time can be difficult as they are still fairly new. Traditional benchmarking methods may not capture the full value of AI-driven activities, especially when intangibles are involved. These may include joint contributions from multiple entities, making it challenging to identify what value was created and by whom.

In such cases, alternative approaches like the profit split method may be more appropriate. Since it allocates profits based on each party’s role in the value creation process, it may be better suited for transactions involving unique intangibles and collaborative efforts that lack reliable market benchmarks.

BALANCING AI WITH PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT
While posing challenges for TP, AI also offers benefits to the TP practice itself by improving efficiency in compliance processes, from automation and documentation to data analysis and risk assessments. That said, at this stage, AI tools would still need to be developed further. And even as it makes giant leaps, AI cannot fully replace professional judgment. Understanding the economic substance of transactions, interpreting regulatory guidance, and managing audit risks still require human skills and insight.

In particular, human expertise remains indispensable in interacting with tax authorities. TP professionals must be able to explain complex business models, defend positions during audits, and negotiate outcomes with both technical knowledge and interpersonal skills. These interactions often involve nuance and trust-building which are areas where AI may fall short.

The most effective approaches will be those that are human-led and tech-powered. This means leveraging AI tools to handle data-heavy tasks while relying on experienced professionals to provide oversight, contextual interpretation, and ethical decision-making.

Although the Philippines does not yet have AI-specific TP regulations, companies can already consider proactively addressing the TP implications of AI adoption. This includes updating TP documentation to incorporate AI-related functions, assets, and risks; reviewing intercompany agreements involving AI systems and IP to ensure they reflect economic substance; engaging cross-functional teams, including tax, legal, finance, and technology, to align on value creation and compliance strategies; and monitoring global developments, such as OECD guidance, to anticipate future regulatory shifts.

By tackling the TP challenges posed by AI, businesses can reduce risk, improve compliance, and position themselves for long-term success in a digital economy. Tax authorities may also consider these developments in legislation and policymaking as current laws and regulations may not fully account for AI-related transactions.

As technology advances rapidly, blending innovation with sound tax governance will be a key differentiator.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Patrick Andrew Lim is an assistant manager at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 8845-2728

patrick.s.lim@pwc.com

Marcos to expand, improve K-to-12 amid Philippine education crisis

K-TO-12 STUDENTS at a high school in Marikina City during their in-person graduation ceremony on July 2, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO/WALTER BOLLOZOS

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is looking to “expand and improve” the K-to-12 program, according to the presidential palace, after the President said it had failed to produce work-ready senior high school graduates.

“According to our President, as long as the law for K-to-12 exists, it will be supported, expanded and improved for the good of our students,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing on Wednesday.

The program, which added two years in high school, was ineffective because government agencies were ill-prepared for its implementation, she said, citing the President.

“We want to clarify this. He is not saying that he is against K-to-12. He was just saying that it was not immediately effective because the agencies were not prepared for it,” she added.

Last month, Mr. Marcos said the K-to-12 program had not provided graduates with any advantages.

The educational program was touted to make senior high school graduates employable and globally competitive.

“Right now, through Education Secretary (Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara), the program is being improved,” Ms. Castro said.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is rolling out the pilot of a revised K-to-12 curriculum this school year that updated the senior high school program.

DepEd is implementing the pilot program in 889 schools across the country, 12 years after the K-to-12 system was enacted through Republic Act No. 10533 or the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013.

The program, which added two years in high school, has been criticized due to inadequate funding, the added financial burden on families, subpar educational outcomes and questions about whether senior high school graduates are job-ready.

The President had said it would be up to Congress whether to amend or repeal the law. Some lawmakers have sought to terminate the program. He added that his government is working with the private sector to enhance the K-to-12 system and address the issue of skill mismatch.

“Whatever the law becomes, that will be followed,” she said. “But now that the law is there, it will be given value and expanded and improved.”

Meanwhile, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian sought reforms to address the country’s education crisis.

“We still have many reforms to advance to curb the crisis our country is facing when it comes to education,” he said in a statement. “As the 20th Congress opens, we will continue to prioritize reforms that will improve the quality of education in our country.”

The senator earlier filed a bill that seeks to cut the number of years in college from four to three years. The measure seeks to integrate general education subjects taught in college into the senior high school program.

A January 2025 report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) warned about the dire state of basic literacy in Philippine public schools, with students falling four to five years behind the expected reading proficiency for their grade levels.

EDCOM 2 recommended a “teach-at-the-right-level” approach, tailoring instruction to students’ actual learning needs rather than their age or grade. It also sought stronger support from DepEd in enforcing remedial and foundational programs.

Amid a persistent learning crisis, the government fell short of its target to add 20,000 teachers for the school year, managing to recruit only 16,000.

It is also seeking 10,000 additional administrative assistants to support public schools as they handle accounting, paperwork, documentation and other matters.

EDCOM 2 earlier said DepEd should consider population growth, vulnerabilities, projected deterioration and available private school capacities in addressing the classroom backlog. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Senators-elect to take oath as impeachment judges under new Senate president

VICE-PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE-CARPIO — FACEBOOK.COM/MAYORINDAYSARADUTERTEOFFICIAL

INCOMING senators can only take their oath as judges of the impeachment court that will try Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio once the Senate president, who will preside over the trial, is elected, according to the court spokesman.

“The call for swearing in of senator-judges will need to depend on the existence of a presiding officer or Senate president because the senator-judges will have to take their oath before the presiding officer,” Senate impeachment court spokesman Reginald A. Tongol told a news briefing on Wednesday.

On Monday, Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel said Senate President Francis G. Escudero should swear in the 12 senators-elect as judges since the impeachment court remains in session.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the Senate president presides over the impeachment trial of impeachable officials like the Vice-President. If the President is under trial, the Chief Justice becomes the presiding officer.

“If one Congress adjourns and another begins, the Senate President is going to be elected or re-elected,” Mr. Tongol said. “So, we need to wait to see who will be elected.”

Mr. Tongol said the impeachment court would wait for the election or re-election of the Senate president before swearing in senators as judges.

“The presiding officer, as a matter of prudence and diligence, wants to do that only when the Senate president of the 20th Congress has been elected,” he added.

The 12 incoming senators are expected to take their oath when sessions resume on July 28.

The House of Representatives impeached the Vice-President on Feb. 5, alleging secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his family, and the Speaker of the House. Ms. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, more than the one-third vote required by law before it could be sent to the Senate for trial.

Last month, senator-judges voted against dismissing the trial, but moved to return the articles of impeachment to the House to certify that it followed the law in impeaching Ms. Duterte.

Senators have also voted to ask the House whether the 20th Congress is willing to pursue the Vice-President’s impeachment.

Mr. Tongol said the certifications are meant to guarantee “procedural legitimacy and to uphold constitutional standards.”

The certifications are meant to “prevent any legal impediment or challenges or technicalities that could undermine the impeachment process once it starts rolling, and to uphold the proceedings’ integrity,” he added.

Partylist Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno earlier said the court order for the House to certify its willingness to pursue the impeachment of Ms. Duterte in the 20th Congress could impede the trial.

“The disrespect for or attempts to undermine the impeachment court processes threaten the independence and credibility of the court and jeopardize public trust in the process itself,” Mr. Tongol said.

Some business groups including the Makati Business Club have raised concerns about the delay in the impeachment trial, saying it sends a bad signal to foreign investors. — AHH

LGUs must boost health infra spending to bridge access gap — CPBRD

A CHAPEL was converted into an intensive care unit for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients as hospitals struggled with a surge in infections in August 2021. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINE government should push local government units (LGU) to increase spending on health infrastructure in the face of barriers to healthcare access, according to a congressional think-tank.

In a July report, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said almost half of Filipinos need to travel more than 30 minutes to access hospitals despite the Health department’s implementation of the almost two-decade-old Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP).

“Despite the decentralization of the health sector, the National Government remains to be the main contributor of capital investments, while LGUs spend only about 4.4% of their total capital spending on health expenditures,” it said.

“The government may leverage HFEP funding to motivate LGUs to increase capital investments in health through strategic mechanisms,” it added, recommending counterpart funding for wealthier areas and increased grants for poor regions.

Launched in 2007, the HFEP is the government’s flagship initiative to improve access to medical services across the Philippines, providing funding for building new healthcare facilities, renovating outdated ones and providing health equipment.

“Despite the expansion of health infrastructure under the HFEP, substantial access gaps persist nationwide,” the CPBRD said, noting that municipalities in central Mindanao and southern Luzon face the most severe shortfall in healthcare facilities.

Only 38% of villages nationwide have a local healthcare station despite a Local Government Code mandate for at least one in every locality, the think tank said.

“Given the budget constraints, funding for HFEP projects must prioritize those in… unserved and underserved communities before funding high-income provinces,” the CPBRD said.

The government allotted P34.7 billion for the healthcare infrastructure program this year.

The think-tank said the country needs 3,570 rural health stations and 16,119 village health facilities this year alone to meet the basic healthcare requirements of Filipinos.

The Department of Health (DoH) should explore public-private partnerships to streamline procurement and achieve economies of scale in getting construction materials and medical equipment, potentially accelerating infrastructure rollout and reducing costs, it said.

“It could also adopt a commissioned contracting approach where a group of projects is pooled together and contracted out as a lot or tranche to allow contractors to economize on planning and design, bulk procurement of inputs, construction monitoring and equipping,” it added.

The Health department should tighten oversight of HFEP by using performance indicators, such as outpatient visits and immunization coverage to assess whether facilities are strategically located and allow for responsive interventions to improve healthcare service.

“The review and the vetting process of the DoH may need to be strengthened to ensure that HFEP projects are aligned,” the CPBRD said. “Funding allocations should go to LGUs with the greatest needs and wthe least capacities.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Gov’t expands subsidized rice program to Cavite

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. distributed bags of rice during the launch of the 20-per-kilo rice program “Benteng Bigas, Meron Na!” at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market in Bacoor City, Cavite province on Wednesday. — NOEL B. PABALATE/PPA POOL

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday expanded his government’s subsidized P20-per-kilogram rice program to public markets in Cavite province, the presidential palace said.

“Now, the rice rollout will begin in public markets so that more of our countrymen can benefit from it,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing.

The President attended the launch of the program’s 94th outlet at the Zapote-Bacoor Public Market in Bacoor, Cavite.

About 500 sacks of rice were initially allocated for the Cavite rollout, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). This will allow 2,500 residents to purchase 10 kilograms each.

Mr. Marcos campaigned in 2022 on a pledge to lower rice prices to P20 per kilo. The early years of his administration were, however, marked by a surge in the cost of rice.

“The P20 rice program also strengthens support for partner farmers because they can now sell directly to the market, eliminating the need for middlemen and reducing post-harvest losses,” Ms. Castro added.

The President has also assured farmers that their incomes will not decrease as the government has allocated budget for the rice program, she added.

“The Department of Agriculture will also continue to coordinate with local government units so the more markets can sell affordable rice,” she added.

Ms. Castro said that the Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide a list of areas where more people could benefit from the program.

“The DILG will also ensure that LGUs submit accomplishment reports on the implementation of the program,” she added.

The subsidized rice program, launched in May, aims to benefit senior citizens, solo parents, persons with disabilities, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries.

Under the program, the DA’s Food Terminal, Inc. buys rice from the National Food Authority and, which is sold through the government mini markets, or Kadiwa centers.

BROADER CROP INSURANCE
Meanwhile, a lawmaker filed a bill seeking to expand crop insurance beyond rice and corn at the House of Representatives as part of broader reforms to the country’s agriculture sector.

Filed on Monday, House Bill No. 14 seeks to expand the coverage of crops under the Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. to include livestock, farm machinery and post-harvest infrastructure. It will also allow private insurance firms greater participation in agricultural insurance.

“With better insurance, we’re not just protecting crops — we’re protecting lives, dreams, and the future of our food supply,” Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, the bill’s author, said in a statement.

President Marcos on Monday said his government will expand the coverage of crop insurance to help farmers recover from natural disasters.

The Philippines, an agricultural country, has ranked as the world’s most disaster-prone country for 16 consecutive years according to the World Risk Index, facing an average of 20 typhoons annually and recurring droughts during its dry season.

“His call to expand crop insurance is not just timely — it is necessary,” said Mr. Romualdez. “Our job in Congress is to make sure the support system is strong, fair, and responsive.”

The reform to the country’s agricultural insurance system would help encourage farmers who skip out on insuring their crops due to bureaucratic red tape and low payouts, he said.

“The bill also aims to lower barriers to agricultural lending, support the modernization of the agriculture sector, and build a more sustainable and risk-resilient rural economy,” the bill’s explanatory note said, based on a copy sent to reporters.

About 2.4 million rice farmers in the Philippines are vulnerable to natural disasters but lack access to insurance, the Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers said in a 2023 report. — Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Resolution eyed to open budget talks

PHILIPPINE STAR /KJ ROSALES

THE SWIFTEST path to opening the 2026 national budget’s bicameral conference proceedings to the public is through a House resolution, a congressman said on Wednesday.

Passing a House resolution to allow public access to the budget bill’s bicameral conference meetings would be quicker than amending the chamber’s rulebook, Party-list Rep. Jude A. Acidre said in a media briefing.

“In my opinion, the fastest way to go about this is really to pass a resolution,” he said in Filipino. “Normally, House rules don’t get amended right away.”

“For this to move quickly, we’re… and seriously considering filing a resolution that would propose and institutionalize open deliberations at the bicameral conference level,” he added.

Most bicameral conference committee meetings, where senators and congressmen reconcile conflicting provisions of their bills, are held behind closed doors.

Budget proceedings last year were criticized after the bicameral panel increased unprogrammed funds fourfold to more than P500 billion. The bicameral committee for the 2024 national budget also inserted a provision allowing the National Government to raid the reserve funds of state-owned corporations, with standby funds more than doubling to P731.45 billion.

The Development Budget Coordination Committee has proposed a P6.793-trillion national budget for 2026, equivalent to 22% of economic output and 7.4% higher than this year’s budget.

The budget process for next year’s spending plan is expected to kick off in August after the Executive branch submits the budget proposal to the House, according to a Budget department briefer. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Acting OCD chief appointed

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. presides over a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council when Super Typhoon Noru (local name: Karding) hit the Philippines in 2022. — OCD.GOV.PH FILE PHOTO

THE Presidential Communications Office on Wednesday announced the appointment of an officer-in-charge (OIC) for the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

“There is already a designated OIC, he is Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV. He will be the Office of the Civil Defense’s OIC,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing.

Mr. Alejandro will serve as the OCD’s temporary head before the official appointment is made by the President. He currently serves as the OCD’s deputy administrator for administration.

This comes after President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. tapped former OCD Administrator Ariel F. Nepomuceno to lead the Bureau of Customs. He took his oath last Monday.

The OCD manages and administers the Philippines’ national civil defense and disaster risk reduction and management program. It works in coordination with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. — Adrian H. Halili

Address education crisis, gov’t told

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE STUDENT Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) on Tuesday called on President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and the 20th Congress to implement concrete reforms to the country’s education system.

SCAP introduced a “10-point agenda,” outlining plans for underfunded schools and unresponsive policies on issues such as red-tagging, tuition hikes, mental health, and the digital divide.

“We are raising a unified voice before the President’s SONA (State of the Nation Address): students need rights, resources, and representation,” SCAP National Chairperson Angela Diamartin said in a statement.

“The education crisis is real — and so is our resolve to fight for meaningful change,” she added.

SCAP also urged the President to prioritize educational reforms “not through vague promises, but through clear commitments, budget prioritization, and urging Congress for concrete legislative action.”

Other points raised on the agenda included policies for safe and gender-affirming spaces in schools, better compensation for teachers, curriculum for diverse learners, and comprehensive health services and welfare systems.

SCAP also called on the Department of Education, the Commission on Higher Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to work closely with students in resolving these issues.

It noted it is working with lawmakers, including Senator Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel, Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino, IV, Senator Francis Pancratius “Kiko” N. Pangilinan, and Party-list Reps. Jose Manuel “Chel” I. Diokno, and Leila M. de Lima, to push their agenda.

“Students aren’t just stakeholders — we are nation-builders. But how can we build a nation if education is underfunded, unsafe, and out of reach for many?” said Phillip Talaba, president of the Xavier University Central Student Government. — Katherine K. Chan

Nepomuceno assumes BoC post

MEMBERS of the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence Investigation Service inspect various counterfeit shirts, perfumes and other luxury goods at a warehouse in Las Piñas City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE NEWLY appointed Bureau of Customs (BoC) Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno has started his campaign to achieve the 1.06-trillion collection goal and combat smuggling.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BoC said Mr. Nepomuceno formally assumed office on July 1, a day before the Malacañang announced the Customs shakeup.

“Commissioner Nepomuceno reaffirmed his full commitment to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directives, focusing on the agency’s core mandates: boosting revenue collection, facilitating legitimate trade, combating smuggling, and fostering a professional and integrity-driven workforce,” the BoC said.

Mr. Nepomuceno served as the Deputy Commissioner of the Enforcement Group from 2013 to 2017 and as Assistant Commissioner from 2017 to 2018.

He was also the executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Along with outgoing Commissioner Bienvenido Y. Rubio, a total of six Customs officials were relieved from their positions such as collectors, deputy commissioners, and directors.

Finance Assistant Secretary Karlo Fermin S. Adriano last week said the revenue of BoC will be downgraded amid lower tariff on rice and lower expected import growth in 2025 and the following years.

“The BC collection is dependent on imports, and we have a slower global economy and declining international trade,” he said.

In the first five months, Customs revenue collection was up 0.22% to P381.7 billion, the Bureau of the Treasury said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

DoTr eyes ‘restructuring’ of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) is looking to coordinate with the new set of government officials in Cebu City to restructure the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project, as it is nearing closing date, the World Bank said.

In an implementation status and research report, the World Bank said the Cebu BRT Project’s “pace of project implementation has slowed down considerably, notably the major civil works packages are yet to be launched.”

“Considering the age of the project, it may be more appropriate to restructure the project to address the activities that can be completed within the closing date,” it said.

This came as the BRT project will not be able to complete a substantial amount of balance activities within the current closing date, scheduled on Sept. 30, 2026.

“As the new leadership of Cebu Provincial and City Government will take office on July 1, 2025, DoTr plans to consult them as soon as possible and communicate a decision to the Bank on the way forward,” it said.

The BRT seeks to improve urban passenger transport system in the Project Corridor in Cebu City in terms of the quality and level of service, safety, and environmental efficiency. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PPA awards P221-M Amandayehan port upgrade project

A CEBU-BASED construction company has secured the P221.03-million contract to upgrade Amandayehan port in Basey, Samar, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said.

In a notice of award signed by PPA General Manager Jay Daniel R. Santiago dated June 30, PPA has awarded the port improvement project to BNR Construction and Development Corp.

The same company had also secured three more port projects from the PPA. These contracts, which were awarded separately from 2024 to 2025, include the P533.31-million Dumaguete port expansion project; P606.53-million Port of Tapal expansion; and the P632.29-million Tagbilaran port expansion project.

Overall, PPA said last month that it is allocating P410 million to upgrade Amandayehan in Basey, Samar to establish alternate transport routes between Samar and Leyte.

This move stemmed from the implementation of a three-ton weight limit on the San Juanico Bridge which had disrupted land-based transportation and logistics in the region.

The port of Amandayehan has been identified as a strategic alternative route due to its proximity to Tacloban port, the regulator said.

The allocation budget for the port project will cover the installation of about 14 navigational buoys valued at P100 million to support the navigational reliability of the Amandayehan Port, while another P100 million was allocated for the dredging works, and P200 million for the port’s physical expansion to handle more vessels and cargo volume.

Earlier, the PPA said it is also preparing for the takeover of the Amandayehan port from the local government unit. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

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