The Philippines placed 6th out of 250 countries and territories with a total of 7.93 million breached accounts in the first three months of the year, latest data from Surfshark’s Data Breach Statistics showed. This was higher by 5,421.7% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Among its peers in the East and Southeast Asian region, the Philippines was the second- most breached country/territory during the period.
THE NATIONAL Government’s (NG) outstanding debt rose to a fresh high of P15.35 trillion as of end-May, reflecting the impact of the peso weakness on foreign currency-denominated debt, the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) said. Read the full story.
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
FARMERS on Thursday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) freezing an executive order (EO) issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. that had reduced the tariff on rice imports to 15% from 35%.
The signatories to the TRO petition, Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, Federation of Free Farmers (FFF), United Broiler Raisers Association, Sorosoro Ibaba Development Cooperative, and Magsasaka Party-list, argued that their right to be consulted was violated and that the lowering of tariffs would threaten their livelihoods.
They also asserted that the EO failed to comply with the customs modernization law’s specified procedure for lowering tariffs.
Executive Order No. 62 was issued on the recommendation of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and later effected by the Tariff Commission.
“This Executive Order was hastily issued sans the consultation, investigation, hearings, reports — which are required by… the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (RA 10863), to be complied with before the President can validly (issue) an Executive Order involving tariff reduction,” according to the 27-page petition.
The petition also asserted that farmers have constitutional protections against unfair competition and trade practices.
President Marcos issued order to mitigate the impact of inflation and make the staple grain more affordable.
In a statement, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said: “We are currently awaiting the receipt of the petition and wish to express our utmost respect for the legal process. Please be assured that NEDA, through the Office of the Solicitor General, will respond appropriately in due course.”
The Tariff Commission had not replied to an e-mail requesting comment at the deadline.
“Before the EO was issued, the projection was (that the Philippines) would be importing about 4.1 to 4.2 million metric tons (MMT) of rice. With this new EO, (we’re looking) at 4.6 MMT. Our imports of rice last year were 3.6 MMT, former Agriculture Secretary and FFF National President Leonardo Q. Montemayor told reporters during the filing.
The Department of Agriculture’s (DA) own projection is 3.9 MMT of imported rice this year. The high-end estimate of 4.6 MMT was issued by the US Department of Agriculture, which specifically cited the lower tariffs as well as increased consumption in upgrading its previous forecast.
The petition before the tribunal said lowering tariffs on staple foods like rice and corn undermines farmers, who will need to contend with imported competition, weakening their earnings.
“As a result, their livelihoods and the agricultural sector in general may suffer, which can exacerbate rural poverty and (widen) economic disparities,” the petitioners added.
Mr. Montemayor added that overreliance on imported rice threatens to deter farmers from pursuing their trade.
“We expect many farmers to no longer plant rice, especially this coming season. We estimate around 500,000 farmers… will no longer plant. Or, if they do plant, they will reduce their production significantly. So, food security will be very much at risk,” he said.
In a separate briefing on Thursday, DA Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa said that a successful TRO petition would negatively affect efforts to build up rice reserves.
“It will delay our private importers… (and) our national rice stock would be affected… There would also be a delay in lowering rice prices if the TRO was granted,” Mr. De Mesa said.
Well-milled rice sold in markets in the capital region for between P52 to P55 per kilo, while regular-milled rice fetched P47 to P51 per kilo, DA price monitors reported on July 3.
Rice imports in the first six months of 2024 totaled 2.28 MMT, the Bureau of Plant Industry reported last month.
Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto last month said the government will forego up to P22 billion in revenue due to the tariff cut.
He described the move is “short-term,” citing the need not to be too reliant on imported rice.
Leonardo R. Abella, a 53-year-old farmer from Rosales, Pangasinan, joined during the filing of the petition.
“Nothing will be left for us. We’re already in debt, then the prices will drop again…. We’re becoming even poorer. Everything we buy for use in the fields is expensive. That’s why there’s nothing left for us,” he told BusinessWorld in Filipino.
He added that if policies unfriendly to farmers continue to pass, farmers might eventually disappear. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
PHILIPPINE rice imports are expected to hit 3.8 million metric tons (MMT) amid increasing consumption, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
In a report, the FAO said that next year’s projection is 8.5% higher than the 3.5 MMT estimate for 2024.
The United Nations agency projects Philippine consumption at 17.5 MMT, up 1.4%.
The Department of Agriculture’s own projection is 3.9 MMT this year.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed Executive Order No. 62, which reduced rice tariffs to 15% until 2028, in order to bring down prices. The new tariff regime is subject to review every four months.
As of June 20, the Philippines had imported 2.28 MMT, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry.
Domestic production next year was estimated at 13.7 MMT in milled rice equivalent, up from the FAO’s prior projection of 13.3 MMT.
The Philippines produced 20.06 MMT of unmilled rice last year, equivalent to about 13 MMT in milled rice.
The FAO is also projecting rice imports of 5.1 MMT by 2033, citing the steady increase in consumption.
It said that the Philippines is expected to account for 8% of global rice imports by 2033.
Philippine rice consumption in 2033 is projected at 19.9 million MT, according to the FAO, equivalent to about 3% of global consumption.
“Total world rice consumption is expected to increase 0.9% per annum, at a same pace as during the last decade, with Asian countries accounting for 66% of the projected increase, largely due to population rather than per capita consumption growth,” the FAO said.
The FAO estimated Philippine domestic production at 14.8 million MT in milled equivalent.
It added that the top five rice exporters — the European Union, Australia, Russia, Canada and Argentina — are projected to account for 80% of global trade by 2033. — Adrian H. Halili
THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said that its board approved a pharmaceutical economic zone in Victoria, Tarlac, which is currently awaiting Presidential proclamation.
PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga identified the project as the 29.57-hectare Victoria Industrial Park, Inc.
“It is worth mentioning that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also intends to put up a laboratory in Tarlac,” Mr. Panga said.
“As such, the establishment of a pharma zone in Victoria, Tarlac, would enable us to better synergize infrastructure and logistical requirements as well as the activities of the locator companies,” he added.
FDA Director-General Samuel A. Zacate said on Monday that the FDA had proposed that the laboratory be located in the economic zone.
“We suggested to PEZA that if we want an efficient pharma zone, we need to choose an area (that will rule out the need for the FDA) to build another laboratory,” Mr. Zacate told BusinessWorld.
“Of course, the mandate for deciding the location is still with PEZA. It is applying right now, and I think the papers are already in Malacañang; PEZA is just waiting for the Presidential proclamation declaring it an economic zone,” he added.
Mr. Panga said that the Tarlac site will pioneer the clustering of pharma-related industries like clinical trials, blood and plasma extraction, and pharmaceutical product and medical device manufacturing.
“But this does not preclude us from putting up or registering pharma zones elsewhere in the country as long as they comply with the minimum requirements. Likewise, PEZA’s existing ecozones are ready to host locator companies,” he said.
Mr. Panga has said that the investment promotion agency is also in talks with ecozone developers for pharma zones in Bulacan and Laguna.
“We hope to roll out this new type of ecozone within the year with the proclamation of First Bulacan Industrial Park, which is adjacent to the existing First Bulacan Industrial City,” he said.
PEZA has registered 26 pharma- or medical-related locator companies within PEZA zones, accounting for P25.49 billion in investments.
Among the top companies in PEZA engaged in pharma and medical devices are Terumo (Philippines) Corp., Arkray Industry, Inc., Royale Life Pharma, Inc., JMS Healthcare Phl, Inc., and Philipcare Medical Manufacturing, Inc. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
THE PHILIPPINES took the top position alongside Indonesia in a ranking of debt transparency compiled by the Institute of International Finance (IIF).
In its 50-country Investor Relations and Debt Transparency Report, the IIF said the Philippines and Indonesia posted scores of 12.5 out of 13, topping the table and exceeding the average transparency score of 9.
The IIF evaluated countries’ adherence to the International Monetary Fund’s Special Data Dissemination Standards.
In terms of investor relations, the Philippines posted a score of 48.8 out of 50, beating its 2023 score of 47.8, when it placed third.
Other leading countries in this year’s ranking were Indonesia (48.7), Turkey (48.3), Brazil (47.5), and Hungary (47.2), the IIF said. The global average was 34.1.
The Philippines and Uruguay received a perfect score of 4 in the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Data and Policy Dissemination Score, which assesses the availability of ESG data. The global average was 2.4.
“Transparency is most important, especially in debt. We release data quarterly among others. We have to show the public where the axes and borrowings go,” Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto said in a text message.
“Our job in the DoF (Department of Finance) is to stretch every peso. More bang for the buck. Growth should be higher than borrowings, so we can pay for it,” he added.
“There is significant scope for a strong rebound in portfolio debt flows as the normalization of central bank policies in mature markets continues to advance,” the IIF said.
“However, the pace of recovery may be quite uneven; our research suggests that countries with robust investor relations and debt transparency practices are poised to benefit the most from the ongoing rebound in global liquidity conditions,” it added.
The report also highlighted that the Philippines “fully met” 83% of all IR assessment criteria and has remained among the top five countries.
Zy-za Nadine M. Suzara, budget analyst at the Institute for Leadership, Empowerment, and Democracy, said the government should provide real-time information about where the debt is being used, particularly its impact to taxpayers and whether it is funding corruption.
“On one hand, it is a challenge for the Philippine government to provide this level of transparency, but on the other hand, there are also a gap in terms of how civil society will make sense of the information,” she said via Viber message.
“High levels of debt transparency is good public relations but let’s also remember that it isn’t a goal in itself. If anything, it’s supposed to enable civil society to seek greater public accountability as to how the debt was really used.”
Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said the government must ensure continued transparency in debt-related matters.
“Foreign investors knowing that they can get reliable information about the country’s real economic situation at any point in time is what makes them confident,” he said via Viber. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it expects the newly launched Center for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Research to become self-sustaining in three years.
Competitiveness and Innovation Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba told reporters on Wednesday that the business model of the center will allow it to generate revenue.
“Its business model allows it to pursue income-generating projects. Based on our calculations, after three years, it will be net positive or income-generating,” Ms. Aldaba said.
Initially, the center will be subsidized by the government and given P70 million for the first two years of its operations.
Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said commissioned research will be one of the center’s revenue streams.
“For the remaining part of the year, we intend to do four research projects in the center: two from the government and two from the industry sector or specific companies,” he said.
“In the coming years, the AI research center will engage in applied research and development collaboration with industries, encourage high-quality research, and cultivate AI talent,” he added.
According to Mr. Pascual, the DTI is working with Amazon Web Services to explore AI, machine learning, and generative AI solutions for government and citizen services, including healthcare and agriculture, this year.
“Moving forward, we will explore other industry applications, such as automotive, semiconductor, and renewable energy,” he said.
“This will be supported by the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Promoting Research and Innovation to Strengthen Transformation of Industries and Enterprises (PRISTINE) project,” he added.
The center will first operate in DTI offices and eventually move to the National Innovation Gateway that will rise in Manila, funded by the ADB through a P400-million loan under PRISTINE.
Asked when the project is expected to go through the National Economic and Development Authority’s approval process, Ms. Aldaba said that no schedule has been determined as yet.
“But it has to go through that, and we need to get their approval,” she added.
Separately, the German Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the launch of the center and the upgraded National AI Roadmap.
“We welcome and congratulate DTI on this significant milestone for the country’s national development in the field of AI, innovation, and research,” GPCCI President Marie Antoniette Mariano said.
“The launch of these projects aligns with the expectations of the German-Philippine business community in AI research, as reflected in our White Paper on Industry 4.0,” she added.
In its white paper, the GPCCI said the Center for AI Research will help the country position itself as a leader in AI technology. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) asked e-marketplaces on Thursday to take down unregistered vape sales listings, invoking their obligations under the Internet Transactions Act (ITA).
In a statement, the DTI said that it informed e-marketplaces, including TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada, in a meeting last week of the penalties under the ITA for non-compliance.
“E-marketplaces must play a crucial role in combating the proliferation of uncertified and illegal vape products,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said.
“We call upon these platforms to fully implement their responsibilities under the ITA by proactively preventing the distribution of illegal vape products,” he added.
Citing the implementing rules and regulations of the ITA, the DTI said that the law obligates e-marketplaces to require sellers to submit proof of registrations and permits.
“In a positive development, the e-marketplaces collectively agreed to voluntarily take down vape listings while they clear their sites of illegal products,” the DTI said.
“They also committed to implementing Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures to ensure all online sellers possess the necessary registration and permits,” it added.
The e-marketplaces also pledged to report their initiatives to prevent the promotion, advertisement, sale, and delivery of vape products to minors.
Undersecretary for consumer affairs and legal services Amanda Marie F. Nograles said that the DTI intends to fully enforce the vape regulations in conjunction with the ITA.
“The DTI is steadfast in enforcing compliance with the vape law, especially now with the ITA as one of our legal tools in combating the online sale of illegal vapes,” Ms. Nograles said.
“We are actively collaborating with online platforms to safeguard consumer interests and public health,” she added.
The DTI has the primary jurisdiction in enforcing Republic Act No. 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, also known as the Vape Law. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
THE National Electrification Administration (NEA) said it aims to improve its monitoring of electric cooperatives (ECs) with the launch of its national digital command center (NDCC).
“The NDCC marks the NEA’s transformation of the capacities and facilities to enhance its support and monitoring of the 121 ECs and their communities,” NEA Administrator Antonio Mariano C. Almeda said during the launch on Thursday.
Mr. Almeda said that the command center allows the agency to conduct real-time remote monitoring and assessment of the EC critical infrastructure and operations.
The center employs supervisory control and data acquisition systems and geographical information system maps and data.
Mr. Almeda said the collected information will be shown as data analytics enabling users to immediately manage incidents and provide situational awareness across all the ECs.
“The NEA can now be promptly informed of major power outages and other system alerts arising from operational situations and natural or man-made disasters, allowing for more rapid response and action to mitigate the effects on the electricity distribution system of the ECs,” Mr. Almeda said.
Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla cited the command center for its potential to promote innovation and enhance efficiency “by seamlessly integrating multiple performance data sources from our electric cooperatives nationwide.”
“The center will empower us to swiftly address incidents and variations in energy performance paving the way for more reliable and resilient power distribution services,” Mr. Lotilla said.
Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act as of 2001 tasks the NEA with overseeing missionary electrification and providing financial, institutional, and technical assistance to electric cooperatives. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera
THE Department of Agriculture said on Thursday that it plans to expand its subsidized rice program to 10 stores beginning Friday July 5.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Consumer and Legislative Affairs Genevieve E. Velicaria-Guevarra said that the department is aiming to attract about 60,000 households per month to KADIWA stores selling rice at P29 per kilo to vulnerable members of society.
“We have around 10,000 metric tons for this trial. This can last for the next six months,” Ms. Guevarra added.
For the large-scale trial, the DA said it will sell the below-market-price grain on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
She said that the trial will gather date for use in wider implementation of the scheme. It will also work out a system for monitoring beneficiary usage via booklets.
The DA has said that it is targeting 34 million vulnerable individuals, including persons with disabilities, solo parents, and senior citizens, as well as those below the poverty line.
Each beneficiary is entitled to purchase 10 kilograms per month.
“We are expecting that in the coming months, we will be able to double the sites where the P29 per kilo rice will be sold,” she added.
“In the coming weeks or next month, we can go to Visayas and Mindanao and expand the area,” Agriculture Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Arnel V. de Mesa said.
Rice for the subsidy program will be taken from ageing rice stocks of the National Food Authority.
Mr. De Mesa added that the DA is also preparing a subsidized rice program for the public, which would also sold at KADIWA centers.
“We will have a separate program later called ‘rice for all’ where rice prices would be sold relatively cheaper than (retail),” he said.
Nationwide, there are 265 established KADIWA centers along with 119 pop-up stores operating on scheduled rotations.
Well-milled rice prices in Metro Manila markets were seen between P48 and P55 per kilo, while regular-milled rice was seen at P48 and P52 per kilo, according to the DA’s price monitoring as of July 3. — Adrian H. Halili
MOTOR vehicle industry output in May rose 22.8% to 11,650 units, the second-strongest growth rate in the region, according to the ASEAN Automotive Federation (AAF).
The AAF reported on Thursday that Philippine production growth outperformed the 9.35% contraction in the region in May.
The AAF report covers motor vehicle production in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Myanmar posted the top growth rate in the region, albeit off a low base, to 213 cars.
Next to the Philippines were Malaysia, which posted 14.2% growth to 74,174 motor vehicles, and Vietnam, up 10.4% at 13,377.
Indonesia booked an 18.1% decline in production to 98,100 vehicles, while Thai output fell 16.2% to 126,161 units.
In the five months to May, Philippine motor vehicle production grew 13.2% to 54,045 cars, also the region’s second-strongest performance in the region.
Myanmar posted the strongest growth during the five-month period, also off a low base, to 843 units.
Following the Philippines was Malaysia, which posted 12.2% growth to 341,500 units in the first five months.
Declines during the period were reported by Indonesia (-20.6%), Thailand (-16.9%), and Vietnam (-8.7%). These brought the region’s motor vehicle production growth for the period to -12% to 1.57 million.
The Philippines booked 5.5% growth in vehicle sales to 40,271 units in May, the fourth highest rate in the region.
Singapore came in first with a 48.4% increase in sales in May to 3,847 units.
Vietnam posted a 24.5% jump in sales to 25,794 units, while Malaysia sales rose 8.7% to 68,665 units.
Sales in Thailand and Indonesia declined 23.4% and 13.3% to 49,871 and 71,263 units, respectively.
These brought regionwide sales in May to a decline of 4.4% to 260,092 units.
For the five-month period, the Philippines posted a 12.7% growth in motor vehicle sales to 187,191 units for the third-fastest growth in the region.
Myanmar posted 70.5% growth to 1,601 units in the five months to May. Malaysia posted an 8.3% increase in sales to 328,901 units.
Declines were posted in Thailand (-23.9%), Indonesia (-21%) and Vietnam (-4.6%) for the period.
In the five months to May, the region’s motor vehicle sales dropped 9.2% to 1.24 million units. — Justine Irish D. Tabile
