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Speaker bats for cheaper rice

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE HOUSE of Representatives is prioritizing amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law in a bid to reduce the retail prices of rice, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez assured on Tuesday.

Amending the rice law to allow the government to directly sell rice to the public would reduce the food staple’s price down to P30 per kilo, according to the House leader.

“We should bring the price of rice down by at least P10 or even P15, to close it at P30 pesos per kilo by June. We are doing this because the president said we have to find ways to reduce the market price of rice,” Mr. Romualdez told a media conference.

At present, the House is deliberating on several measures seeking to amend the Rice Tariffication Law, which liberalized the importation of rice products into the country, a move expected to reduce the retail prices of the food staple. 

Mr. Romualdez said he would work with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. in amending the rice law, asking the executive leader to certify it as urgent.

He also urged the Senate to prioritize their deliberation of the rice law.

Proposed amendments to the Rice Tariffication Law would include changes to its tariff rates and taxes, and expanding the National Food Authority’s ability to buy unmilled rice directly from producers. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Most PHL firms LGBTQ+ inclusive

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SOME 85% of Filipino companies now have anti-discriminatory policies for members of the LGBTQ+ community that represents individuals belonging to a spectrum of genders, the latest study by the Philippine Financial Industry Pride (PFIP) showed.

The PFIP’s LGBTQ+ Inclusion Report 2024 showed that 85% of Filipino companies are more inclusive as they implement anti-discrimination policies in the workplace, while 86% established grievance procedures for LGBTQ+ employees.

The report also showed that 78% offer medical benefits for same-sex and different-sex couples. While 73% have active LGTBQ+ Employee Resource Groups.

It added that 79% of companies said they are committed to inclusivity and that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training has improved with 80% of companies providing such programs.

PFIP Trustee Christopher M. Eugenio said the remaining 21% of companies that answered otherwise does not mean they are not promoting inclusivity, but are still working on it internally.

The study surveyed 103 companies in the Philippines, with international corporations and micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs.

“It’s very important that we get more data, but I think it’s also important that we get the right kind of data and the more diverse kind of data. So that we can really make our workplaces inclusive,” University of the Philippines Assistant Professor of Statistics Xavier J. Bilon said in the panel discussion on the study.

On dress codes, more than 55% of the companies said they were gender-inclusive, while almost 73% said they have gender-inclusive facilities.

“We need to drill down the basics. What is DEI? The thing that we’ve always been teaching is, that DEI is a culture,” said PFIP Chairperson Wilhelmina “Weena” U. Ekid. “It’s the culture of respect, period. It’s not changing anybody’s views. It’s not changing your religion, personal, and professional landscape, and views. It’s more of a culture of respect.” — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Teduray chieftain killed in Maguindanao del Sur ambush

TEDURARY tribal chieftain Juanito Pamboy succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds. — PHILIPPINE STAR/JOHN FELIX M. UNSON

COTABATO CITY — A Teduray tribal chieftain was killed while his companion was wounded in an ambush on Monday afternoon in Barangay Tuayan in Datu Hoffer, Maguindanao del Sur.

Members of the Teduray tribal council in the municipality and the director of the Maguindanao del Sur provincial police, Col. Roel R. Sermese, told reporters on Tuesday morning that the target of the attack, Juanito M. Pamboy, who succumbed to multiple bullet wounds.

Mr. Pamboy, an Indigenous Peoples Mandatory Representative to the Tuayan barangay government, was a known supporter of peacebuilding programs of local officials in Datu Hoffer, home to mixed Moro and ethnic Teduray communities.

Mr. Pamboy and his companion, Mr. Ronald Angit, also a Teduray, were riding a motorcycle when the gunmen opened fire at them along a farm-to-market road in Barangay Tuayan.

Mr. Angit was injured and is now confined at the Maguindanao del Sur Provincial Hospital in nearby Shariff Aguak town.

Local officials said Mr. Pamboy was popular for his role in settling land disputes in their ancestral domains in Datu Hoffer and in nearby towns in Maguindanao del Sur. — John Felix M. Unson

DoJ logs 95% rate for witness protection program

THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) recorded a 95.65% success rate for prosecuting cases with witnesses covered in 2023.

“Your mission plays a very vital role in upholding the Rule of Law, a snappy salute to your unwavering dedication to safeguard witnesses with your very own lives on the line to ensure that justice will never be denied, delayed, or compromised,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla in a statement.

DoJ initially aimed for an 84.80% success rate for the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Program.

It added that the program has achieved a 100% rating in processing applications for witness coverage and the percentage of witnesses covered with no reported untoward incidents.

The program seeks to encourage a witness to testify before a court or a quasi-judicial body, or before an investigating authority, by protecting them from reprisals and economic dislocation, DoJ said on its website. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Hontiveros asks SC to deny Quiboloy’s plea

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO/ SENATE PRIB/JOSEPH VIDAL

SENATOR Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to deny wanted televangelist Apollo C. Quiboloy’s plea to void a contempt order against him for failing to appear before a Senate probe into sex-trafficking allegations against him.

In a comment filed before the High Court on April 29 and sent to reporters by her office on Tuesday, she said there was no reason to void a Senate contempt order issued against him since he is “hiding from legitimately issued legislative and judicial processes.”

“What is urgent, in fact, is to restore confidence by demonstrating compliance and adherence to the lawful orders of the legislative branch and the Judiciary as well. It is more so, that the petitioner (Mr. Quiboloy) demonstrate his willingness to submit to lawful authorities, even if they are not of a divine nature,” she told the SC.

Earlier, the Department of Justice asked the SC to transfer the qualified human trafficking and sexual abuse cases against the wanted televangelist from Davao City to a court in Metro Manila, where other cases are lodged against him. Mr. Quiboloy is wanted in the United States for the same crimes.

“In the meantime, our Senate Committee (on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality) will continue to prepare for our next hearing.” the senator said.

“There are still victim-survivors that want to speak out and it is the obligation of our committee to give them the space here at our Senate,” she added — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Lawmaker bats for expanded cash assistance for laid-off workers

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THE CURRENT law providing financial assistance to laid-off workers is insufficient to meet their needs amid increases in basic commodities, a congressman said on Tuesday.

Recent inflation uptick diminishes the purchasing powers of Filipinos, significantly affecting laid-off workers, Party-list Rep. Marissa P. Magsino said in a statement on her filing House Bill No. 10286 which seeks to extend the cash assistance for laid-off workers to cover at least three-fourths of their salary from the time of their termination.

“Although the existing law provides for a benefit that will help bridge their daily needs until they find a new job, the current rate of 50% of the member’s average monthly salary credit is evidently insufficient,” she said.

“Under the proposed amendment, eligible members will be entitled to receive monthly cash payments equivalent to 75% of the AMSC (average monthly salary credit) for a maximum of two months,” she added.

The cash benefit is a one-time grant that must be claimed within a year of their work termination from the Social Security System (SSS).

“This bill aims to benefit workers in the private sector who fall in the lower echelons of the economic ladder,” said Ms. Magsino.

Overseas Filipino workers, solo parents, house helpers, and workers vulnerable to involuntary separation are those who will greatly benefit from the proposed law, she said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

El Niño dries up Lake Tabeo near Mt. Pulag

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

BAGUIO CITY — Mountain climbers heading to the famous Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet will no longer see the pristine Lake Tabeo as it has dried up in this summer season scourged by El Niño.

Lake Tabeo is one of the four mystical lakes in Barangay Ballay in Kabayan, Benguet — the other three being Lake Inkuluh, Lake Latep-Ngapos and Lake Ambulalakaw.

According to the Kabayan Tourism Office (KTO), it is normal that the lakes experience low water level every summer season, but this is the first time that Lake Tabeo dried up completely.

Local tourism officials blamed the extreme heat and extended drought caused by El Niño for the lake’s current state.

“While there is no rain, the heat continually speeds up evaporation of the lake water,” the KTO said.

In spite of this, hikers still reportedly stop by the dried-up Lake Tabeo for souvenir photos on their way up to what is touted as the Filipino mountain hiker’s mecca in Luzon, Mt. Pulag. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Bill filed to protect accident, crime victims from unwanted media exposure

A BILL has been filed in Congress to nip the unauthorized publication of images or videos of victims of crimes and accidents which, according to a lawmaker, strips these individuals of their dignity and rights against unwanted media exposure.

“The proliferation of digital media and the ease with which content can be shared on social media platforms has led to a significant rise in privacy concerns,” Camigiun Rep. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said in a statement on Tuesday.

Images and videos of accident and crime victims are often published on social media without consent from their immediate family, violating their privacy and dignity, according to the congressman.

House Bill No. 10277 also reinforces the Data Privacy Law by “addressing a specific category of privacy breaches.”

“Through this bill, a clear legal protection against the unauthorized dissemination of images and videos of individuals who are victims of crimes, accidents, or of persons who have committed suicide,” it said.

Those violating the proposed law would be penalized with an imprisonment sentence of three to seven years. It also carries a penalty fine of P100,000 to P500,000, both at the discretion of the court.

An additional administrative case would be penalized for public officers violating the proposed law.

The proposed law clarified that “franchised and authorized television and radio networks” and “duly licensed print media” are allowed to disseminate the details, images, and videos of the victim as long as they consider existing ethical standards of the profession in their reports.

Social media content creators, however, need to secure consent from the victim before they publish their images and videos on their platforms. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Yellow alert declared over Luzon, Visayas power grids

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THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) placed the Luzon and Visayas power grids under yellow alerts on Tuesday, with power reserves slipping under the grids’ contingency requirements.

In a statement, the NGCP said that the Luzon grid was on yellow alert between 2-4 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. 

Peak demand hit 13,902 megawatts (MW) while the available capacity was 14,950 MW, according to the grid operator.

Yellow alerts are issued when the supply available to the grid falls below a designated safety threshold. If the supply-demand balance deteriorates further, a red alert is declared.

The NGCP said four power plants have been on forced outage since 2023, three between January and March 2024, and 13 since April; while one power plant is running at derated capacity.

Overall, a total of 1,369.3 MW was unavailable to the grid.

The Visayas power grid was also placed under yellow alert at 1-4 p.m., 6-7 p.m., and 8-9 p.m. with 20 power plants on forced outage and eight derated.

A total of 571.9 MW was unavailable to the grid.

As of 1:30 p.m., the yellow alert in the Visayas grid was lifted “following the increased capacity shared by Mindanao to Visayas.”

Aboitiz Renewables, Inc. (ARI), the renewable energy arm of Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower), said in a statement on Monday that its 159-MW-peak (MWp) Laoag Solar Power Plant in Aguilar, Pangasinan recently came online to provide additional capacity.

ARI President James Arnold D. Villaroman said that the Laoag solar project, together with the 94-MWp Cayanga-Bugallon Solar Power facility, will account for about 200 MW of total sellable capacity.

AboitizPower is aiming to build 3,700 MW of new renewable energy capacity — including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro projects — growing capacity to 4,600 MW by 2030. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Vehicle fleets seen as crucial to growing EV presence quickly

PHOTO FROM MERALCO

THE government’s electric vehicle (EV) rollout strategy will focus on getting organizations to upgrade their vehicle fleets to electric, while also reassuring consumers about the need to replace batteries every few years, the Department of Energy said.

In a Palace briefing, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said battery replacement, which is required every five to eight years, is among the issues making consumers reluctant to adopt EVs.  

“The President wants us to focus on achieving the numbers by looking at fleet or the group approach, looking at the consumer experience and identifying constraints in financing,” he said.

“We also have to address the hidden cost of electric vehicle ownership, especially battery replacement,” he added.

Mr. Fuentebella said the government is also developing a navigation app for Philippine EV users.

Mr. Fuentebella said the government is looking at the role government corporations can play in setting up a charging station network. 

As of February, there were 181 charging stations in Metro Manila. About 110 charging stations were also available in Calabarzon.

Mr. Fuentebella said as of 2023, EVs accounted for 7,000 of 14.3 million-unit fleet of registered vehicles.

He said the government has budgetary approval to replace 10% of its vehicle fleet with EVs.

“There was a thumbs up from DBM (Department of Budget and Management) Secretary Amenah (F. Pangandaman)” regarding funding, he said.

Mr. Fuentebella said the government wants to make the Philippines a hub for the manufacture of EVs and components, with a target of raising the share of EVs in the vehicle fleet to 50% by 2040. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Gov’t tracking sources of counterfeit medicine

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THE GOVERNMENT is still trying to determine the sources of counterfeit medicine proliferating in the Philippines, as it seeks to address US concerns about the authenticity of drugs currently in circulation.

“The problem is we don’t know where these counterfeit medicines are coming from,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual told reporters on the sidelines of the Gawad Yamang Isip Awards late Monday.

“These may be coming here to the Philippines and not necessarily being produced in the country, so that needs to be investigated properly,” Mr. Pascual said.

He said that the investigation can be launched once manufacturers whose brands are being counterfeited file complaints.

“The problem is if there will be no complainant, but motu proprio, we can do the investigation if that is damaging the image of the country,” he added.

The US Trade Representative (USTR) released last week its Special 301 Report, which lists countries where the US has intellectual property protection and enforcement concerns.

The 2024 list marked the 11th year the Philippines remained off the US piracy watchlist.

However, the Philippines was cited for growing concerns about the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit pharmaceutical products.

Citing a study by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the European Union Intellectual Property Office, the USTR said that the Philippines was one of the leading sources of counterfeit medicines distributed globally.

Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) Director General Rowel S. Barba said the issue of counterfeit medicine has been a concern of the US for around four years.

Mr. Barba said that in response to the report, Philippine authorities have explained to the US that the Philippines’ drug manufacturing industry is small, making it less likely that the Philippines is the source of counterfeits.

“In our coordination with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we found out that they also do not have reports of the manufacture of counterfeit medicines here in the Philippines,” he said.

“Our guess is that the Philippines has become a transhipment point to the US, and this is what we also told them, but still the issue has not been removed from the report,” he added.

He said that since the Philippines has been cited again on the counterfeit medicine issue in the 2024 report, there is a need for IPOPHL to think of new ways to assure the USTR.

“So, we decided to (work) with the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) so that we can get data from them and verify if there are really people in the Philippines that manufacture fake medicines,” he added.

Mr. Barba said the counterfeits were mostly over-the-counter medicines, which the FDA has verified were not manufactured in the Philippines. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Fertilizer price hikes to curb PHL rice yields, consumption — ADB

DA.GOV.PH

PHILIPPINE rice yields are expected to decline this year and in 2025 because of the rise in fertilizer prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said.

“Doubling fertilizer prices in the Philippines would lead to a 0.24% to 0.28% decline in rice yields from 2022 to 2025,” the ADB said in its report, “The Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Fertilizer Prices, and Food Security.”

Russia is the world’s largest exporter of oil and nitrogen, and is the second largest exporter of potash and phosphorus fertilizer. It has suspended fertilizer exports since invading Ukraine in 2022, putting pressure on agricultural production.

“This invasion has increased the price of fertilizer and the uncertainty in fertilizer supply for many smallholder rice farmers worldwide, especially poor smallholders in South Asia and Southeast Asia. Thus, farm families in low- and middle-income countries are vulnerable to unsustainable rice production and lack of food security,” according to the report.

The report details the impact of three scenarios of fertilizer price increase — 30%, 50% and 100% — on a country’s rice yield, retail prices, consumption, production, farmgate price, and net trade.

According to the report, a 30% rise in fertilizer prices will reduce the Philippines’ rice yields this year by 0.10%, while a 50% increase will lower yields by 0.14%. A 100% increase will result in a 0.24% decrease in yield.

Retail prices of rice could rise 8.66% this year and 8.45% next year.

“For consumers in Thailand and the Philippines, retail rice prices could increase more than for consumers in the People’s Republic of China, India, and Vietnam,” the ADB said.

Higher fertilizer prices could cause Philippine rice consumption to drop in 2024 and 2025, the bank said.

The three fertilizer price rise scenarios will curb Philippine rice consumption by 0.53%, 0.80%, and 1.30% respectively this year.

The bank called on governments and relevant organizations to support domestic rice production, push for crop diversification, and reduce import dependence to temper the effect of higher fertilizer prices.

“The results underscore the importance of continuing to invest in and implement policies aimed at making rice production more price-sensitive, such as the continued use of technology for higher productivity and strengthening farmer organizations,” the ADB said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

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