Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) of select ASEAN economies, July 2024
MANUFACTURING GROWTH slowed slightly in July amid weaker expansion in production and orders, S&P Global said on Thursday. Read the full story.
Things you don’t know about employee relations
Many human resource (HR) managers on social media demonstrate their ignorance by focusing only on recruitment, training, and compensation. They ignore labor-management relations, which is a key part of productivity. Why is this happening? — Blue Light.
“Labor-management relations” implies a bilateral partnership between management and union representatives concerning working conditions and other concerns.
This is one of the reasons why some HR people may be ignoring labor-management relations, due to the belief that it applies only to unionized establishments. If there is no union, why bother managing labor-management relations?
With or without a union, all HR managers must do their best to improve their relationships with all types of workers. More than four decades ago, my job was to manage “employee relations,” even if we were unionized. That’s because I was also in charge of collaborating with other employees who were non-union members.
They include workers who don’t want to join unions for some reason, those who want to join unions but held jobs that were excluded from the bargaining unit, supervisors with the right to organize a separate union, and department managers, who cannot unionize.
BEST PRACTICES
In 1996, the unionization rate was pegged at 16.9%, according to the Bureau of Labor and Employment Statistics. In 2022, the “union density rate, which indicates the proportion of total paid employees” was 6.5%, representing a 0.5 percentage point rise from the 6.0% recorded in June 2020, per the latest report of the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The decline of unionism in past decades may suggest that the workers were benefitting from the proactive position taken by HR practitioners, who provided their people with innovative programs to address their basic concerns on working conditions, compensation, and other common labor issues. Some of them are as follows:
Productivity gainsharing. Some non-unionized companies that do not offer competitive pay to attract and retain staff try to make up for it by giving 8-12 months’ bonuses for its non-management workers and junior officers, subject to above-average individual work performance.
Positive discipline. Companies that are sensitive to employee morale can make workers that commit offenses opt for paid “reflection leave” (deducted from leave credits) instead of suspension without pay. This applies only to minor offenses like tardiness and can be withheld anytime, depending on the worker’s circumstances.
Excellence awards. These promote a culture of meritocracy. Rather than giving a premium to the workers’ length of service, employees with excellent performance get handsome annual merit increases of as much as 10%.
Service awards. Instead of the reasonable 10-year award, some companies have become so benevolent that they also recognize workers who complete five years of continuous employment. However, the awards have tiers: those with at least 20 years of service have been known to be awarded with all-expenses paid overseas trips and high-end watches, among other incentives.
Boss-subordinate conflict. The HR department strictly monitors how line leaders resolve their issues with workers. It’s typical to allow an automatic appeal to the next management level if an issue is not resolved within a certain period. In the case of elevated appeals, the decisions taken by higher-ups is final.
Engagement and empowerment. Many employers encourage their workers to participate in management problem-solving and decision-making. It is anchored on the rationale that workers on the ground fully understand many operational issues which they can solve through self-directed work teams, Kaizen teams, and even the Labor-Management Cooperation scheme mandated by the Labor Code.
PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION
The above list is incomplete. However, you can glean the letter and spirit of these best practices by answering some basic questions, like: Do employees feel ignored? Do they know about the company’s health and plans? Are they consulted on matters that affect their job security? Is management fair to all workers?
Keeping people in the dark makes them feel unimportant.
When proactive communication is not practiced, the rabble-rousers, the malcontents, and the agitators will have a field day, filling in the information gaps. This is the kind of situation that drives workers to unions.
The “stop and listen” technique is not enough. Management must do more to actively “seek out the issues and listen.
Bring Rey Elbo’s “Superior Subordinate Supervision” program to your management team. Contact him on Facebook, LinkedIn, X or e-mail elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.com
Mastercard, RCBC launch send-to-card fund transfer service
MASTERCARD and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) have teamed up to launch a send-to-card money transfer service in the Philippines.
Mastercard Send is part of the Mastercard Move portfolio of money transfer solutions, which will allow RCBC to provide its cardholders a new channel for international payments, the two companies said in a statement on Thursday.
It will allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from over 100 countries worldwide to transfer funds from a licensed originating institution to any RCBC Debit Mastercard cardholder.
“The introduction of Mastercard Send to the Philippines comes at an opportune time, as remittances are expected to increase by 5% this year,” RCBC Global Transaction Banking Group Head and First Senior Vice-President Martin Roberto G. Tirol said.
“As we consistently explore ways to transform banking for our cardholders, this cross-border send to card service offers easy, seamless, and efficient transactions to Filipinos all over the world,” he added.
Mastercard Philippines Country Head Simon A. Calasanz said the service will help facilitate “straightforward and hassle-free” remittances.
“As remittances continue to fuel consumption and boost the country’s economic resilience, Mastercard Send stands out as a cutting-edge payment solution. It enables fast, secure, and efficient fund transfers, taking place almost instantly from over 100 countries to families here in the Philippines,” Mr. Calasanz added.
Money sent home by OFWs rose by 3.6% to $2.58 billion in May from $2.49 billion in the same month a year ago, latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed. This was the fastest growth in five months or since the 3.8% expansion since December 2023.
Month on month, remittances inched up by 0.8% from $2.56 billion in April. — AMCS
How PSEi member stocks performed — August 1, 2024
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thusday, August 1, 2024.
PSEi climbs as Powell hints at September Fed cut
PHILIPPINE STOCKS rose further on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve hinted at a September rate cut.
The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) went up by 1.12% or 74.74 points to end at 6,693.83 on Thursday, while the broader all shares index climbed by 0.87% or 31.47 points to finish at 3,629.18.
“The local market rose as investors took positive cues from Wall Street overnight as the Fed signaled that a rate cut in September could be possible. A rate cut by the Fed is seen to somehow give more room for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ease its own policy,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research and Engagement Officer Mikhail Philippe Q. Plopenio said in a Viber message.
“Philippine shares started the month with bargain hunting following the sentiment of Fed meeting. Gains were influenced by Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell signaling the possibility of an interest rate cut at the next meeting if data continues to show easing inflation,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a Viber message.
Mr. Powell said on Wednesday interest rates could be cut as soon as September if the US economy follows its expected path, putting the central bank near the end of a more than two-year battle against inflation but square in the middle of the nation’s presidential election campaign, Reuters reported.
The Fed ended its latest two-day policy meeting with a decision to hold its benchmark interest rate steady in the 5.25%-5.5% range that was set a year ago, but its statement softened the description of inflation and said the risks to employment were now on a par with those of rising prices — neutral language that opens the door for rates to fall after more than two years of tightening credit.
Mr. Powell pushed the message even further forward in his post-meeting press conference, noting that price pressures were now easing broadly in the economy — what he called “quality” disinflation — and that if coming data evolves as anticipated, support for cutting rates will grow.
Investors saw Mr. Powell’s comments as clearly setting the stage for a reduction in borrowing costs at the Fed’s Sept. 17-18 meeting.
All sectoral indices ended higher on Thursday. Financials gained by 2.75% or 54.75 points to end at 2,045.02; mining and oil increased by 1.7% or 141.70 points to 8,463.79; property went up by 1.34% or 34.68 points to 2,608.93; services climbed by 1.23% or 24.91 points to 2,042.16; holding firms rose by 0.31% or 18.06 points to 5,794.83; and industrials added 0.06% or 5.66 points to close at 9,274.82.
Value turnover fell to P4.39 billion on Thursday with 449.8 million shares changing hands from the P5.62 billion with 421.19 million issues traded on Wednesday.
Advancers beat decliners, 104 versus 75, while 50 issues ended unchanged.
Net foreign selling rose to P42.78 million on Thursday from P19.79 million on Wednesday. — R.M.D. Ochave with Reuters
Peso inches up on dovish Fed
THE PESO inched higher against the dollar on Thursday after US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell opened the door for an interest rate cut at their September meeting.
The local unit closed at P58.333 per dollar on Thursday, strengthening by 3.2 centavos from its P58.365 finish on Wednesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.
The peso opened Thursday’s session stronger at P58.32 against the dollar. Its intraday best was at P58.26, while its weakest showing was at P58.385 versus the greenback.
Dollars exchanged went down to $1.17 billion on Thursday from $1.295 billion on Wednesday.
The peso rose after the Fed kept interest rates steady at its policy meeting but signaled a potential rate cut by next month, a trader said by phone.
Increased market expectations of two rate cuts by the Fed this year also supported the peso, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.
Mr. Powell said on Wednesday interest rates could be cut as soon as September if the US economy follows its expected path, putting the central bank near the end of a more than two-year battle against inflation but square in the middle of the nation’s presidential election campaign, Reuters reported.
The Fed ended its latest two-day policy meeting with a decision to hold its benchmark interest rate steady in the 5.25%-5.5% range that was set a year ago, but its statement softened the description of inflation and said the risks to employment were now on a par with those of rising prices — neutral language that opens the door for rates to fall after more than two years of tightening credit.
Mr. Powell pushed the message even further forward in his post-meeting press conference, noting that price pressures were now easing broadly in the economy —what he called “quality” disinflation — and that if coming data evolve as anticipated, support for cutting rates will grow.
“If we were to see inflation moving down… more or less in line with expectations, growth remains reasonably strong, and the labor market remains consistent with current conditions, then I think a rate cut could be on the table at the September meeting,” he said.
Investors saw Mr. Powell’s comments as clearly setting the stage for a reduction in borrowing costs at the Fed’s Sept. 17-18 meeting.
Interest rate futures, stocks and Treasury bonds all rallied hard on Mr. Powell’s remarks, so much so that the probability of a first cut in September being as large as half a percentage point jumped to about 13% from about 5% before he began speaking, according to CME Group’s FedWatch tool. Mr. Powell, however, said a 50-basis-point cut was not something under active consideration.
For Friday, the trader sees the peso moving between P58.10 and P58.50 per dollar, while Mr. Ricafort sees the peso ranging from P58.20 to P58.40. — AMCS with Reuters
DTI’s Pascual urges successor to keep working on trade deals
By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter
OUTGOING Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said the next head of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) needs to focus on ensuring that negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) proceed smoothly.
“There are a lot of pending (free trade agreements) such as the Philippines-European Union FTA, the Philippines-United Arab Emirates FTA, the ratification of the FTA with Korea, and the review of the country’s FTA with Japan,” Mr. Pascual told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing on Thursday.
He also noted the start of negotiations with Canada and Chile.
“My marching orders to our international trade group was to start working on identifying a country in Latin America with which we can initiate a free trade agreement and also a country in Africa. We have lined up a short list,” he added.
The Presidential Communications Office announced on Wednesday that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. had accepted Mr. Pascual’s resignation at a meeting at the Palace. The resignation will take effect on Aug. 2.
Asked about National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan and Head of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go, who are being floated as possible replacements, he said, “I think whoever will replace me will be knowledgeable.”
“We’ll leave with him or her, whichever it is, a summary of the things we’ve done and things that will continue to require attention from the Trade Secretary,” he said.
“We are looking forward to a seamless transition for the sake of our country, for the sake of our industries, for the sake of our workers who need jobs, and for the sake of our consumers who need protection,” he added.
Business groups noted the need for continuity in the DTI’s support for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), legislation that will boost competitiveness, and stronger international trade.
American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe told BusinessWorld that he hopes the new Secretary will continue to be an ally of industry.
“We are disappointed to see him leave, but we respect his decision … We hope the next Secretary will continue to be a strong ally promoting economic growth,” he said via Viber.
“This can be through supporting MSMEs, boosting economic competitiveness through supporting legislation like Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE), and fostering stronger trade and economic ties with the US,” he added.
The German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said that Mr. Pascual’s tenure was marked by his commitment to fostering robust economic growth and strengthening international partnerships.
“Under his leadership, Germany emerged as the top source of foreign investments for the Philippines in 2023, contributing a remarkable P393.28 billion,” the GPCCI said in a statement on Thursday.
“This not only signifies the growing confidence of German investors in the Philippine market but also highlights Secretary Pascual’s effective economic strategies,” it added.
Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Enunina V. Mangio said that the PCCI hopes the President needs to focus on continuing the progress made during Mr. Pascual’s term.
“We have high respect for Secretary Pascual for his dedication and hard work in promoting MSMEs to the core. We’ve worked with him on various programs and advocacies that support the development of MSMEs,” Ms. Mangio said in a statement on Thursday.
“We will support whoever the President appoints as the new DTI Chief,” she added.
In particular, Ms. Mangio said that she hopes the new Secretary will address regional industrialization, ease of doing business, skills mismatches, investments promotion, expanding exports, and enhancing consumer protections.
Mr. Pascual is leaving the DTI with $60.9 billion worth of investment leads gathered during the President’s trips.
Between July 2022 and May 2024, the Board of Investments and Philippine Economic Zone Authority approved P2.4 trillion and P331 billion worth of investment projects.
DBM confident debt-to-GDP ratio will dip below 60% by 2026
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Thursday that revenue measures and fiscal reforms in the pipeline are likely to bring the debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio down to 60% by 2026.
While the government expects its borrowing to hit over P17 trillion next year, it is confident that the debt-to-GDP ratio will decline to 60% by 2026 based on current revenue projections and the passage of a number of economic reform bills, Budget Undersecretary Joselito R. Basilio said at a Palace briefing on the proposed National Expenditure Program for 2025.
A debt-to-GDP ratio of 60% is the rule-of-thumb maximum sustainable debt load for developing countries, according to international development banks.
Central banks are expected to pursue rate cuts after making significant gains against inflation, potentially lowering the Philippines’ interest payments on external debt, Mr. Basilio added.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto has said that the government will wait on rate cuts from the Federal Reserve and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas before embarking on new external borrowing next year.
“We’re waiting for the Fed to reduce interest rates, and I think our central bank, will also reduce policy rates,” he said on the sidelines of a Senate hearing.
The National Government set its borrowing program for 2025 at P2.55 trillion, 0.97% lower than the P2.57 trillion planned for this year, with gross domestic borrowing set at P2.04 trillion and gross external borrowing at P507.41 billion.
Government debt hit a record P15.35 trillion at the end of May, according to the Bureau of the Treasury, citing the impact of the weaker peso.
The Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 sets a target of a 3% deficit-to-GDP ratio and a debt-to-GDP ratio of 48-53%.
The government expects tax collections for 2025 to hit P4.3 trillion, of which P3.2 trillion is expected to be generated by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.
About P1.064 trillion will come from the Bureau of Customs, a level of contribution which Mr. Basilio described as unprecedented.
Non-tax revenue and privatization proceeds, meanwhile, are expected to hit P210.8 billion and P101 billion, respectively.
Fiscal analysts have noted that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. outlined programs that require massive funding in his third address to Congress last month, but failed to say how the government aims to boost funding.
The National Government borrows from both foreign and domestic lenders to fund its budget deficit as it spends more than its revenues to support infrastructure projects and boost economic growth. The budget deficit in the January-May period widened 24.06% to P404.8 billion.
Diwa C. Guinigundo, a former central bank deputy governor, said in a Viber message that if borrowing is not translated into growth, “debt servicing could divert public money away from supporting more infrastructure and productive activities.”
“Our debt levels (will) eventually (decline) to what we are targeting. So it will be less than 60% of our level of debt, let’s say 60% of GDP by 2026 onwards,” Mr. Basilio said.
“And it can happen even before that, depending on the performance of the economy and of course revenue collection.”
The proposed taxes on single-use plastics and digital transactions are among the priority measures that both houses of Congress could pass before the midterm elections next year. On the other hand, a measure seeking to reform the pension system for military and uniformed personnel has not been included in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council’s priority list released in July.
“Our debt-to-GDP ratio has been going down, and with our fiscal consolidation, we are expecting that it will further go down,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said at a briefing on the proposed 2025 national budget.
The Executive Branch proposed a P6.352 trillion for 2025, with Ms. Pangandaman noting efforts to “decrease the deficit and at the same time maximize whatever revenue that we have.”
Mr. Basilio, meanwhile, said government spending for the first half of 2024 was 14% higher compared to the same period last year, exceeding the Development Budget Coordination Committee projection.
The slower economic growth during the second quarter of 2023 has been largely blamed on slow government spending.
Mr. Basilio said government spending is being driven by the Road Infrastructure Network Program of the Department of Public Works and Highways, the modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, service enhancements by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and spending by the Commission on Elections for the local and national elections next year. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
Human Settlements dep’t issues challenge to private sector to build resilient communities
THE Human Settlements department has invited the private sector to collaborate with the government in building communities that are resilient in the face of climate change and natural disasters.
Undersecretary Henry L. Yap of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in a keynote speech at a forum organized by BusinessWorld, said “all stakeholders” need to work to create resilient communities.
“To achieve our goal, we need a united front. The realization of an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable human settlements entails coordination and support from all stakeholders, as well as significant funding and investment,” Mr. Yap said at the BusinessWorld Insights Forum, “Building Sustainable and Inclusive Communities for the Future” in Makati City on Wednesday.
“We are inviting the private sector partners, business people and leaders, development partners, and our local government units to partner with us in building a better Philippines,” he added.
Urban planner and Palafox Architecture Group, Inc. President Felino A. Palafox, Jr. said the Philippines needs to have 100 new “sustainable, resilient, and smarter” cities by 2050 to house a population projected to grow to over 150 million.
“By 2050, it is forecast that the Philippines will be the 16th largest economy in the world. There will be 150 million Filipinos by 2050, of which 70% will be urban population. We need 100 new cities by 2050. Otherwise, our existing cities will be as bad, if not worse, than Metro Manila today,” he said.
“We need strong political will with visionary leadership, urban design, and excellent management,” he added.
Ramon Rivero, Robinsons Land Corp. head of corporate planning, strategy, and sustainability, said that sustainable real estate development is an imperative rather than an option.
“Our cities are expanding at a fast rate and with this growth comes the need for more housing, commercial space, and infrastructure. However, this growth must not come at the expense of our environment,” Mr. Rivero said.
“We have to make sustainability very easy for our people, be it in the form of incentives or form of education. It has to be an easy option. You have to design it in a way that is easy and accessible for them to implement,” he added.
TruNorth Homes Founder and Chief Executive Officer Earl Forlales said that sustainable infrastructure and solutions should be more accessible to promote broader adoption by consumers.
“There is no use for a well-planned sustainable community if people cannot afford to live in it. If we’re able to infuse sustainable features and still make it affordable, that would make a sustainable community,” he said.
“Sustainable infrastructure has to be affordable to the regular consumer. The more that we can make sustainable solutions more affordable, behavioral change will naturally follow on the consumer level without forcing it,” he added.
Yvonne Flores, Gokongwei Group head of sustainability and corporate social responsibility, said inclusive urban planning should be approached systemically.
“It is looking at the overall system and implementing solutions systemically,” she said.
“Resilience is an existential must for all of us. We must make sure that the vulnerable within our communities are included in the solutions we’re looking at. It’s about looking those who are vulnerable and ensuring that because we are part of the community, even the vulnerable are protected and included in the solutions that we are looking at,” she added.
Aboitiz Infracapital Economic Estates Vice-President Jolan Formalejo said that committing to sustainable urban development should be the guiding principle in planning inclusive communities.
“With this comes making sure that inclusivity is integrated. The solution is to decongest these cities by providing new regional areas,” he said.
“Once we start in the regions, we have the full opportunity to make a difference,” he added.
BusinessWorld Executive-Vice President Lucien C. Dy Tioco said sustainable cities and communities remain a challenge for the Philippines.
“In an era marked by rapid urbanization and unprecedented global challenges, the need to make our cities and communities inclusive, sustainable, and resilient has never been more critical,” he said.
“Even the effects of recent Typhoon Carina and the southwest monsoon in Metro Manila and Luzon alarm us once again of how crucial it is to make our communities not just ready for disasters but capable of mitigating their impacts to avoid casualties,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
Congress pitched on using RCEF for solar irrigation, pest control
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday that it is proposing to tap the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) for use in pest management and solar irrigation programs.
“We would like to also add new components to the RCEF like pest and disease management… and to use if possible RCEF funds for solar irrigation, small water impounding, (as well as) post-harvest machinery and facilities,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told a Congressional oversight committee on agricultural and fisheries modernization.
The Rice Tariffication Law, (Republic Act No. 11203), funds RCEF from rice import tariffs. It liberalized rice imports but made importers pay a 35% tariff on Southeast Asian grain.
Last month, the government slashed rice tariffs to 15% until 2028 via Executive Order No. 62.
“We need a few more years to ensure that we give the right support through mechanization, to increase production,” he added.
Mr. Laurel said the DA is also hoping to establish a program management office for rice industry development.
He said the DA is planning to harmonize its two rice programs — RCEF and the National Rice Program.
Amendments proposed in the House of Representatives seek to raise RCEF’s annual allocation from tariffs to P15 billion a year from P10 billion currently. They also seek to tweak the way RCEF is spent, with 53% going to mechanization, 28% to rice seed, and the remainder to farm credit and extension services.
Federation of Free Farmers National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor said RCEF should also be more flexible to address location-specific requirements and the preferences of rice farmers.
He added that RCEF should also provide additional funds for common service facilities that farmers can access.
“We are seeing a lot of idle equipment in the field coming from RCEF, because the equipment given to farmers and cooperatives is not being fully utilized,” Mr. Montemayor said. — Adrian H. Halili
Senior high e-commerce track launched via Thames International tie-up
AN E-COMMERCE track for senior high school (SHS) learners was launched on Thursday in a tie-up involving the departments of Education (DepEd) and Trade and Industry (DTI) as well as Thames International School, Inc., the DTI said.
“A dedicated e-commerce track in SHS is a strategic step toward creating a future-ready workforce. We need to prepare our workforce for the emerging industry, which is digital and AI (artificial intelligence)-driven,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said at the signing ceremony on Thursday.
“This track will provide students with the technical skills needed for e-commerce and foster an entrepreneurial mindset, preparing them to be job creators and innovators,” he added.
Thames Co-Founder and President Jaime Noel J. Santos said that the target is to implement the additional track within the current school year.
“We are chasing it because the school year has just started, but the students can still transfer tracks within the first semester, within the first term … We are working on around 50 schools in three regions,” Mr. Santos said.
He said the selected regions — National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon — have a high concentration of e-commerce companies.
“So, immediately upon graduating, the hiring companies are there for them,” he added.
Mr. Santos said the target is 1,000 students for the first batch, with an ultimate goal to graduate 50,000 students within the next four years.
Initially, Thames will be the first to implement the program, with plans to replicate it in DepEd schools through a train-the-trainer program.
Education Secretary Juan Edgardo M. Angara said that the tie-up can potentially offer alternative paths to the 4 million SHS students.
“This will give a greater chance for SHS graduates to be employed, and that is the promise of the government when it passed K–12,” Mr. Angara said.
The DepEd said that the new track will be considered in the ongoing review and revision of the senior high school curriculum.
“We can see the potential of this to be part of our new senior high school curriculum, which is still currently undergoing review and redevelopment,” it added.
Philippine Retailers Association President Roberto S. Claudio said demand for additional manpower in the retail industry is around 500,000 positions.
“There are a lot of retail jobs that do not require college graduates. So this is a good program… at an early stage, they will be employable,” Mr. Claudio said.
“But it should not stop there. What I’d like to see is for it to have a track where they can move up to higher skills and higher education at the same time so they can still upskill,” he said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
$80 Dubai crude price set as trigger for farmer fuel subsidy
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said a fuel subsidy for farmers that own or rent machinery will kick in when the benchmark Dubai crude price hits $80 per barrel.
Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 27 defined the $80 trigger point for the subsidy, as certified by the Department of Energy.
“Fuel expenses is one of the important operating cost in farming,” the DA said, adding that the subsidy will be handed out once, regardless of the number of machines operated on farms.
The DA has said registered farmers will receive P3,000 in fuel assistance. It has allocated over P510 million to aid about 160,000 registered beneficiaries.
“The fuel assistance shall be used for all types of machinery utilized in crops, livestock, and poultry production,” the DA said.
MC 27 stipulated that eligible farmers must be clustered or work in consolidated farms.
The DA said that the funds will be distributed via cards issued by the Development Bank of the Philippines and its financial technology partners. — Adrian H. Halili