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P330-M Maynilad project nears completion

MAYNILAD Water Services, Inc. said it is nearing the completion of its P330-million pipe replacement project in South Caloocan, aimed at enhancing water pressure and reducing water losses in the area.

“This initiative is part of our P11.2-billion investment in pipe replacement projects from 2023 to 2027, aimed at reducing water losses and improving service reliability,” Maynilad Chief Operating Officer Randolph T. Estrellado said in a statement on Monday.

The pipe replacement project involves upgrading and replacing nearly 2 kilometers of aging and leaking pipelines along General San Miguel Avenue in Sangandaan, Caloocan City, the company said.

Slated for completion within the year, the project is targeted to improve water pressure for over 55,000 customers and recover approximately 2.25 million liters of potable water daily, previously lost due to pipeline leaks.

“We remain committed to implementing infrastructure upgrades that ensure a more sustainable and reliable water supply for our customers,” Mr. Estrellado said.

The company serves certain portions of Manila, Quezon City, and Makati. It also operates in Caloocan, Pasay, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Navotas, and Malabon. It also supplies the cities of Cavite, Bacoor, and Imus, and the towns of Kawit, Noveleta, and Rosario, all in Cavite province.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which has a majority stake in Maynilad, is one of three Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Stricter special educ fund use urged

UNSPLASH

A SENATOR on Monday called for more mechanisms to boost transparency and accountability in the use of the Special Education Fund, which is meant to cover school building repairs, maintenance, and construction, after reports of the fund’s misuse and underspending.

In a statement, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian called for a transparency board that would report on and oversee special education spending to ensure it is being used for its intended purpose.

He earlier filed Senate Bill No. 155, which would expand the use of the Special Education Fund to cover salaries and honoraria of teachers and non-teaching personnel in public schools.

Citing a study by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), underuse of the fund amounted to P15 billion from 2018 to 2022. The Bureau of Local Government Finance cited procurement issues and limitations on allowable use as factors in underutilization.

A 2023 Commission on Audit report also showed that millions of pesos meant for improving public education in Metro Manila have been improperly spent or underspent by several local government units. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Philippine Heart Center flagged for lack of publicized medical price list

PHC.GOV.PH

THE Commission on Audit (CoA) has flagged the Philippine Heart Center for violating the 2019 Universal Healthcare Act by failing to provide patients with an accessible price list of all health services and goods.

In a December report, state auditors said the state’s heart hospital lacks a “publicly accessible price list” of its health services, depriving its patients the ability to make informed medical decisions.

“The non-availability of such a list results in a significant information gap for patients and the general public, depriving them of the opportunity to make informed decisions about their healthcare choices,” the CoA said.

The Philippine Heart Center did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

The Universal Healthcare Act mandates hospitals and clinics to prepare a “readily accessible” information sheet about the prices of health services and medical goods it offers to patients, according to the audit report.

“During the audit, it was observed that rates for some medical and surgical procedures, laboratory tests, and imaging diagnostic tests were published on the Center’s official website… However, other prevailing rates or prices of health services and goods offered are not readily accessible,” the report stated. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Four drug traders caught in Baguio raid

STOCK PHOTO | Image by rawpixel.com from Freepik

BAGUIO CITY — Four alleged drug traders, whose names were withheld by authorities, were caught with 11.2 grams of crystal meth (shabu), worth over P76,000, during a raid Sunday morning in Barangay Irisan, here.

Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo said operatives from the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, City Drug Enforcement Unit, City Intelligence Unit of the Baguio City Police Office (CPO), Baguio CPO Police Station (PS) 9, and Regional Intelligence Unit-14 launched the raid to clamp down on the four traders, after months of tailing and monitoring their drug dealing activities.

Mr. Peredo hailing the work of the operatives, including their dedication and professionalism, stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in curbing illegal drug activities and ensuring public safety across the highland region.

He further reaffirmed the Cordillera police’s commitment to sustain its campaign against illegal drugs.

All four suspects were taken to face illegal drug charges. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Maguindanao del Norte residents surrender 20 more combat weapons

COTABATO CITY — The Army collected 20 more combat weapons on Saturday, turned in by Moro villagers in Talitay, Maguindanao del Norte in support of a disarmament program complementing the Mindanao peace process.

Lt. Gen. Antonio G. Nafarrete, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division (ID), told reporters on Monday that assault rifles, bolt-action sniper rifles, pistols, grenade, and rocket launchers were surrendered by residents of Talitay through the intercession of local executives and officials of Army units covering the municipality.

They agreed to turn over their weapons to Lt. Col. Robert F. Betita of the 1st Mechanized Battalion and to the acting commander of the 601st Infantry Brigade, Col. Ricky P. Bunayog, after both officers and barangay leaders in Talitay had explained the intricacies of the Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Program.

Residents of Talitay submitted for 6th ID’s custody of their combat weapons during a symbolic rite at their local government operations center last Saturday.

The SALW Program is being implemented jointly in Central Mindanao by the 6th ID and the office of Presidential Adviser on Peace Reconciliation and Unity Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. — John Felix M. Unson

Palay output target set at 20.46 MMT in 2025

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Monday that it is expecting the harvest of palay (unmilled rice) this year to exceed 20 million metric tons (MMT), with officials seeking to fund a rice productivity program for an additional P10 billion.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the P10 billion will fund strategies to hit a palay production target of 20.46 MMT this year.

If the target is achieved, it would represent a 6% increase from the 19.3 MMT estimate for 2024 production, and a 1.9% rise from the record 20.06 MMT posted in 2023.

“We’re now hopeful we can do better than 2023,” Mr. Laurel added.

The DA has said that the decline in production in 2024 was due to the dry spell accompanying El Niño, plus further crop damage caused by flooding during the La Niña episode late last year.

Farm damage caused by El Niño stood at P15.3 billion, according to the DA’s final estimate. Damage to rice amounted to P5.93 billion or 38.8% of the total. Lost volume was estimated at 330,717 MT, across 109,481 hectares of farmland.

The DA estimated that agricultural damage due to typhoons Kristine and Leon, which traversed the Philippines in the fourth quarter, at P9.81 billion.

The DA said record rice imports this year driven by weak palay production and the lowering of tariffs on imported rice.

“Production is directly correlated to the volume of imports. Last year, our productivity dropped to 19.3 MMT, (so) our imports shot up to 4.78 MMT,” DA spokesperson Arnel V. de Mesa said.

Tariffs on imported rice were slashed to 15% from the previous 35% until 2028 by Executive Order No. 62.

The DA has tasked the National Food Authority (NFA) to continue its “aggressive” rice procurement program to build up grain reserves.

The goal is for the NFA “to fully stock its warehouses for the first time in years, which is a key development for the country’s rice security,” the DA added.

Mr. Laurel added that the NFA is seeking to procure a minimum of 300,000 MT this year.

NFA procurement for 2024 amounted to 300,000 MT or about 6 million 50-kilogram bags of palay.

“This strategic procurement helped stabilize rice supply despite challenges in local production,” the DA said.

Republic Act No. 12708 or the Agricultural Tariffication Act raised that rice buffer stock requirement of the NFA to 15 days of national consumption from the previous nine days. — Adrian H. Halili

PAGCOR reduces e-games fee to entice illegal operators to go legit

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) further reduced the fee paid by electronic games (e-games) operators to 30% of revenue to further encourage underground gaming operators to become licensees.

The fee had earlier been reduced to 35% in April.

In a statement, PAGCOR Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro H. Tengco said that the rate on e-games operated by integrated resorts was also slashed to 25% “to compensate for overhead expenses incurred by bricks-and-mortar operators.”

“By lowering our share rates, PAGCOR is creating a more favorable regulatory environment by encouraging unregistered online gaming operators to transition to the legal market,” he added.

Mr. Tengco said that the rate cuts allow operators to keep more funds for marketing and ensure continued growth.

He said the gradual cuts, initiated in 2023, come after e-games surpassed their P100-billion gross gaming revenue (GGR) target as early as September last year.

PAGCOR used to charge 50% of GGR from licensees, which slowed expansion.

“The gradual reduction of share rates has significantly contributed to the growth of the e-games sector, which has become a key driver of gaming industry growth,” Mr. Tengco said.

The regulator said previous cuts increased the number of licensed e-games operators after former unlicensed operators decided to embrace regulation.

To date, PAGCOR has issued 1,188 licenses for on-site and online gaming, up 13.57% from the 1,046 licenses issued in 2023.

The number of accredited gaming service providers has increased to 174 in 2024 from 49 a year earlier.

“We expect this trend to continue, and we are optimistic that the best is yet to come for the e-games sector,” he said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

PHL, Thailand sign 5-year tourism cooperation deal

REUTERS

THE Department of Tourism (DoT) of the Philippines and the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports have signed an agreement to help develop cultural and medical tourism in the Philippines.

In a statement on Monday, the DoT said the five-year deal was signed on Jan. 19 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

“For the Philippines, this collaboration provides an exciting opportunity to tap into Thailand’s remarkable success in attracting visitors, particularly in areas such as cultural tourism and medical tourism,” Tourism Secretary Ma. Christina G. Frasco said.

“We can benefit from Thailand’s robust arrival numbers, its internationally recognized cultural heritage, and world-class medical services, which will undoubtedly enhance our own tourism offerings,” she added.

Meanwhile, she said Thailand can tap Philippine expertise in dive tourism and English-language training for tourism workers.

The agreement, set to run until 2030, conforms to the agreement of cooperation initially signed by the two countries in 1993.

The two sides have promised to exchange successful strategies in sustainable tourism, cultural heritage tourism, tourism product development, and domestic tourism development.

Both countries will also organize exchanges of officials and delegations for capacity building and exchange of knowledge. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Small egg producers targeted in livelihood support program

A vendor arranges eggs in boxes at a store along Blumentritt in Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it set aside P85.19 million to establish a network of egg production facilities for small-scale growers.

In Memorandum Order No. 2, the DA said the program will fund the construction of small-scale egg production facilities as a Livelihood Opportunities and Viable Enterprise project.

“The Chicken Layer Project involves the establishment of small egg production facilities. This project will provide an immediate source of food and livelihood and immediate returns on investment which will redound to food security,” the DA said.

It added that the project will be overseen by regional field offices, in coordination with the Bureau of Animal Industry, the National Livestock Program, the Agricultural Training Institute, and Local Government Units.

The DA’S target market for the program is farmers, community groups, and Farmer Cooperatives and Associations.

The DA said beneficiaries will receive modules, including three-tier battery layer cages, vitamins, medication, disinfectant, 48 ready-to-lay pullets, feed, veterinary supplies, and a shed.

The project has a goal of 11 beneficiaries per province. — Adrian H. Halili

EU ‘green’ regulations to force overhaul of exporter practices

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said the European Union’s (EU) Green Deal will require exporters, particularly the coconut industry, to comply with the trading bloc’s policies to remain competitive.

“We had been carrying out info sessions and rendering technical assistance mainly with and through the Department of Trade and Industry — Export Marketing Bureau and the International Trade Centre (ITC) ARISE Plus Philippines program,” Philexport said via Viber.

“We hope to increase the competitiveness of the products affected by these EU policies, with particular interest in coconut and coco-based products that are not listed in the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR),” it added.

According to Philexport, the main exports to the EU in 2023 were office and telecommunications equipment, machinery, food products, and optical and photographic instruments.

“Most of these products may be indirectly or directly in the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) coverage,” it added.

Citing ITC Green and Inclusive Value Chains Section Associate Expert Michaela Summerer, Philexport said that the Green Deal consists of more than 50 policies, initiatives and legislative proposals in support of climate neutrality.

These include the EUDR; CBAM; and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The EUDR prohibits the export of commodities to the EU unless they are not the product of deforestation and have been produced in accordance with the “green” legislation of the country of origin.

These include cattle, cocoa, coffee, oil palm, rubber, soy, wood, and selected derived products like chocolate, leather, and furniture.

Companies are obliged to ensure compliance with EUDR rules, which include the provision of geolocation data and a declaration filed with the EU’s Deforestation Diligence Registry.

Meanwhile, CBAM imposes a carbon tax on imported goods in high-emission industry based on the carbon intensity of production. 

Ms. Summerer said that of the industries affected by CBAM, like steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizer, and electricity, the Philippines exported $22.5 million to the EU.

CBAM requires exporters to the EU to calculate the carbon emissions of their products, report their carbon content, and pay a fee based on the difference between their country’s carbon price and the EU’s.

The ESPR is a legislative framework setting design requirements for energy-related products, including household appliances, heating and cooling products, consumer electronics and lighting, textiles, furniture, building materials, and packaging.

“ESPR covers an array of product categories, including many products under Harmonized System (HS) Chapters 84 and 85, which combined are the largest exports of the Philippines to the EU, equaling $6.1 billion in 2023,” Ms. Summerer said.

She said exporters need to understand their obligation to prepare for and comply with the EU Green Deal policies.

“Proactive action is needed. Suppliers to the EU market may be indirectly affected by the EU Green Deal policies, i.e., they might not have the reporting obligation under the respective legislation yet will be asked by their buyers for relevant documentation and evidence,” she said.

Senate passes bill giving PSALM five more years of corporate life

THE SENATE approved on third and final reading on Monday a bill extending the corporate life of the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) for five years, ahead of its original expiration date of June 2026.

In a 20-0-0 vote, the chamber passed Senate Bill No. 2837, which would allow PSALM to continue managing the government’s energy assets.

The five years “provide PSALM sufficient time to settle existing obligations,” Senator Mark A. Villar, who sponsored the measure, said after the bill’s approval.

“This will also enable PSALM to commence asset and management plans for several significant independent power producer facilities and real estate assets.”

PSALM was created under the Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, to lead the privatization of generation and transmission assets of the National Power Corp. and the National Transmission Corp.

Its corporate life was originally due to expire in June 2026. Should PSALM be dissolved, all of its assets and liabilities revert to the National Government.

Assets held by PSALM include the 796.64-megawatt Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan hydroelectric power plant complex in Laguna.

Finance Secretary Ralph G. Recto in March 2024 backed the measure, saying PSALM still has many debts and assets that need to be disposed of. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Warning issued against unauthorized John Hay sales

CAMPJOHNHAY.PH

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) warned the public on Monday against individuals selling hotel units at the Manor and Forest Lodge in Camp John Hay.

In a social media post, the BCDA said it received reports that some individuals claiming rights to units at The Manor and Forest Lodge are selling their rights, even after the Supreme Court ruled that the properties are to be turned over to the government.

“The public is advised not to transact with individuals or parties who are without official authorization and purporting to have a contractual relationship with the BCDA,” it said.

“The BCDA reminds the public that the state-run corporation has now regained control of The Manor and Forest Lodge,” it added.

The BCDA recovered Camp John Hay after the Supreme Court issued a final resolution allowing the recovery of the 247-hectare property leased to CJH Development Corp. (CJH DevCo).

The order covered land and improvements, whether they were held by CJH DevCo and its subsidiaries or affiliates or occupied by other parties claiming rights to them.

“The BCDA calls on individuals or parties claiming rights to hotel units to respect the rule of law and the government’s ownership of the properties,” the BCDA said.

The BCDA has tapped Landco Pacific Corp. to be the interim manager of the Manor and Forest Lodge, for one year, extendable to two. 

A subsidiary of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Landco Pacific will assist the BCDA in transitioning the properties to a new private partner to be awarded for long-term lease and management. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

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