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BoI approves green-lane treatment for wind project

SANJOSECLEANENERGY.ORG

THE Board of Investments (BoI) said it endorsed a P30.92-billion onshore wind project for green lane treatment last month, bringing the total of green-lane eligible projects in the pipeline to P6.14 trillion.

In a statement, the BoI said that it endorsed the 300-megawatt San Jose Onshore Wind Power Project by San Jose Onshore Wind Power Corp.

At the end of January, the projects eligible for green-lane expedited permit processing numbered 233, and are expected to generate 399,667 jobs.

Of the P6.14 trillion, P1.77 trillion will consist of foreign equity.

Renewable energy (RE) accounts for 180 or P5.249 trillion of the project pipeline, with potential job creation estimated at 250,901.

Five public-private partnership, infrastructure, and water projects worth P416.08 billion were also certified for expedited processing, along with nine digital infrastructure projects worth P401.69 billion. These are expected to create 113,263 and 20,376 jobs, respectively.

Meanwhile, seven manufacturing projects worth P67.035 billion, 31 food security projects worth P18.7 billion, and one pharmaceutical project worth P45 million were certified for the green-lane program. Once operational, these projects will generate 7,773, 7,319, and 35 jobs, respectively.

Some 17 projects given green-lane treatment are already operational, valued at P258.19 billion, while seven are in the pre-operational stage and valued at P5.23 billion.

Some 162 projects valued at P5.51 trillion are in the pre-development stage, while 47 projects worth P366.26 billion are under construction. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

UK confident Philippines will emerge from reforms with improved business environment

BW FILE PHOTO

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Senior Reporter

BRITISH FIRMS see the Philippine market as a major opportunity when it emerges from a round of reforms designed to make improve the business environment, the British Embassy Manila said.

“There is strong growth and a growing population, so the economic fundamentals are really sound,” Iain Frenkiel, director for trade and investment at the embassy, told BusinessWorld.

“We’re also seeing a range of reforms from a government that is clearly business-minded and has been really clear with the private sector and the international community on how they’re looking to attract investment and create favorable conditions for businesses,” he added.

These developments, he said, provide a range of opportunities for companies from the UK to grow.

He said that the embassy is optimistic about the year ahead as the Philippines chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“We see a range of opportunities for UK companies, and we are looking to take those forward through our Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and through our discussions at the ASEAN level,” he said.

He said the JETCO was designed around annual meetings, with the next session planned for late this year, “Perhaps aligning around one of the ASEAN events when we might hope to have ministers meeting anyway.”

Trade Undersecretary Allan B. Gepty said that for this year, the aim is to have new or revised work plans for the four sub-working groups on agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and economic development.

“We can look into the implementation of proposed capacity-building initiatives for agriculture and energy,” he said via Viber.

“For infrastructure, once the government-to-government agreement is signed, the UK can identify and pursue infrastructure projects,” he added.

He said that the two parties are expected to discuss maximizing utilization of the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme.

“We also hope to include new areas for discussion such as economic security, digital trade, and supply chain resilience,” he said.

“The UK also strongly supports the Philippines’ application for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); thus, the same can also be highlighted,” he added.

Fish landed at regional ports up 16.34% in Dec.

Buckets of fish are sold at the Navotas fish port in this file photo. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) said fish landed at regional fish ports totaled 49,379 metric tons (MT) in December, up 16.34% from a year earlier.

In a statement, the PFDA said the General Santos Fish Port Complex posted the highest volume for the month, with 24,908 MT of fish landed.

The Davao Fish Port Complex posted the largest year-on-year increase, with volume rising fivefold to 1,567 MT.

The Navotas Fish Port Complex landed 17,887 MT, representing a 51.53% increase from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the Lucena Fish Port Complex in Quezon Province recorded 1,462 MT, up 4.03%.

Fish unloaded at the Bulan Fish Port Complex in Sorsogon increased 61.48% to 1,240 MT.

Iloilo Fish Port Complex volume declined during the period but accounted for 1,859 MT of fish, according to the PFDA.

The Zamboanga Fish Port Complex posted volume of 455.84 MT, with Sual Fish Port Complex in Pangasinan landed 0.74 MT during the month. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

High fuel prices cutting down fisherfolk operating hours

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A FISHERFOLK association said rising fuel prices have forced municipal fisherfolk to reduce their operating hours.

Following a fifth consecutive week of fuel price increases, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said in a statement on Tuesday that expensive diesel is limiting the time fisherfolk can spend at sea, cutting into their income.

On Feb. 2, major oil firms announced a hike in diesel prices of around P1.60 per liter, effective on Tuesday.

“From the usual six to eight hours at sea, fisherfolk now spend only about four hours fishing, as this is all they can afford,” PAMALAKAYA National Chairman Fernando L. Hicap was quoted as saying.

Mr. Hicap said fuel expenses account for about 80% of total fishing production costs.

The group called on the government to adopt measures to stabilize fuel prices, including the suspension of excise taxes on fuel products and the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law.

The Oil Industry Deregulation Act of 1998, or Republic Act No. 8479, liberalized the downstream oil industry, reducing government control on pricing, importing, and exporting petroleum products to encourage market competition.

PAMALAKAYA is also calling for the immediate rollout of production subsidies for fisherfolk and farmers.

“Suspension of fuel tax along with sufficient rollout of production subsidies will mitigate the impacts of the oil price hike and increase the productivity of the fishing sector,” Mr. Hicap said.

He also urged authorities to address what the group described as overpricing and manipulation of fuel products by major oil companies. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

Full enforcement of standards for glass products to start on April 3

ARTHALAND.COM

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it will fully enforce the certification requirement for glass products through the Bureau of Philippine Standards by April 3.

Manufacturers and importers had been given 90 days to apply for Philippine Standards certification following Memorandum Circular No. 25-19, Series of 2025, the DTI said in a social media post on Monday.

“The circular provides supplemental procedures for the implementation of Department Administrative Order No. 19-05, Series of 2019, which prescribes the mandatory certification of glass products,” it added.

Covered products include flat glass, heat-strengthened and fully tempered flat glass, laminated safety glass, laminated glass, and bent glass.

“These supplemental procedures… ensure that glass products supplied to contractors for construction and infrastructure projects meet safety and quality standards,” it added.

A year after the effectivity of the circular, the DTI will undertake market monitoring and enforcement activities to ensure compliance.

“Products found to be noncompliant shall be subject to penalties and sanctions as defined in relevant issuances, which may include product seizure, forfeiture, or condemnation,” the DTI said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Export promotion efforts expanded to cover 10 more high-value crops

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it is seeking to diversify the agricultural export portfolio by promoting 10 additional high-value crops for the global market, following the rebound in banana exports.

In a statement on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the Philippines’ return as the world’s second-largest banana exporter in 2025 confirms that targeted government intervention is delivering results.

“Many thought the banana industry was in decline. This is proof of concept that when interventions are done right, we can reverse the trend,” he said.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization said preliminary data indicate that exports of Philippine bananas likely grew 25.6% to 2.93 million metric tons last year, reversing a slight decline in 2024.

The DA said it is hoping to replicate the success of the banana program in other high-value crops like asparagus, avocado, cacao, calamansi, coffee, dragon fruit, durian, okra, pomelo, and rambutan this year. 

Fruit and peels are the country’s second-largest agricultural exports, with their value in November surging 33% year on year to $244.4 million, the DA said.

Cavendish remains the main export variety of banana, but the cardaba banana (saba) is also driving exports through products such as banana chips, steamed saba, and banana catsup.

The DA said the High-Value Crops Development Program distributed banana planting materials to expand and rejuvenate farms. It also handed out organic fertilizer and biological control agents to improve plant resilience.

The DA said that while the industry is recovering, it still faces threats from Fusarium wilt tropical race 4, or Panama disease, which has affected around 15,500 hectares in the Davao Region.

According to the DA, containment and mitigation of the disease will be critical to sustaining recent gains in banana exports. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

IFC to advise PHL on cargo port, classroom PPPs

BW FILE PHOTO

THE International Finance Corp. (IFC) will provide transaction advisory support to the Philippines on two public‑private partnership (PPP) initiatives — a cargo port in Cebu and a classroom construction project.

In a disclosure, the IFC said it will extend transaction advisory support for the New Cebu International Container Port Project and the Public-Private Partnership for School Infrastructure Project Phase 4 (PSIP IV).

The Cebu project will be financed through official development assistance from Korea Eximbank, with the IFC acting as lead transaction adviser.

The IFC said it will help “structure and implement a competitive and transparent tender for a PPP to select a reputable operator to finance, operate, maintain, and equip the port under a long‑term concession.”

The project was approved in November 2024 and is due for completion by July.

The New Cebu International Container Port Project aims to ease congestion at current facilities and support economic growth in the Visayas.

Separately, the IFC will provide transaction advisory support to the government in selecting a private‑sector operator for PSIP IV.

The Department of Education initiative seeks to mobilize private investment in the education sector and address infrastructure gaps in Luzon and the Visayas. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante

Senate bill wants workers earning under P500,000 to be exempt from income tax

SENATE PRIB

A BILL seeking to exempt workers earning less than P500,000 from income tax has been filed in the Senate.

Senate Bill No. 1685, filed by Senator Jose P. Ejercito, also known as Jinggoy Estrada, proposes to amend Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law by imposing rate tiers for taxable income.

“This measure seeks to correct the shortcomings of the TRAIN Law by increasing the take home pay of income earners, to help them achieve financial security and improve their standard of living” Mr. Estrada said in the bill’s explanatory note.

He added that higher take-home pay will allow individuals to contribute more to the economy “as active participants in robust exchange of goods and services.”

“Undeniably, the current economic conditions still make it difficult for workers to decently provide for their families. This amendment to the TRAIN Law seeks to give them immediate and visible results of their benefits on tax reform,” he said.

Beyond the exempt tier, those with taxable income of between P500,000 and less than P800,000 will be charged 15% of the amount that exceeds P500,000.

Those earnings between P800,000 and less than P1.6 million will pay P22,500 plus 20% of the total over P800,000.

Those earnings between P1.6 million and less than P2.8 million will pay P102,500 plus 25% of the total over P1.6 million, while those earnings between P2.8 million and less than P8.8 million will pay P402,500 plus 30% of the excess over P2.8 million.

For individuals with taxable income exceeding P8.8 million, the tax due is P2,202,500 and 35% of the excess over P8.8 million.

Under the TRAIN law, incomes of up to P250,000 are exempt from income tax, with the top marginal rate of 35% set for incomes of P8 million and above. — Adrian H. Halili

Tropical depression Basyang may hit Caraga, parts of VisMin

DOST-PAGASA FB PAGE

A tropical depression, which will be named ‘Basyang,’ is likely making its initial landfall in Caraga and will affect large parts of Visayas and Northern Mindanao, bringing heavy rains and threatening winds, according to the state weather bureau on Tuesday.

The weather disturbance developed into a tropical depression from a low pressure area just a few hours ago and will be named ‘Basyang’ once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

In PAGASA’s 5:00 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, pre-Basyang was located 1,075 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 70 kph.

It is moving northwestward at less than 10 kph.

As for its track, PAGASA said that the storm’s center is likely to hit Caraga by Thursday afternoon or evening, and will traverse Visayas and Palawan from Friday to Sunday.

Basyang will reach tropical storm category by tomorrow evening or Thursday morning, the highest category during its entire course, which will prompt the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 in affected areas, bringing up to moderate life threatening winds.

PAGASA said it will start issuing Signal No. 1 tomorrow , which will have a lead time of 36 hours, as well as gale warnings, over Eastern Visayas and Caraga.

Meanwhile, PAGASA has issued a separate 24-hour rainfall forecast for more than a dozen areas, effective from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday afternoon, due to the effects of the tropical depression.

Rainfall between 50 to 100 millimeters—an amount equivalent to pouring 100 liters of water over a square meter— is expected in parts of Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte.

The advisory is likewise in effect in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga del Norte, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and Davao del Norte.

At this rainfall rate, PAGASA cautioned of possible landslides and localized flooding in highly susceptible areas.

Basyang will be the country’s second tropical cyclone this year. The country averages 20 cyclones per year, with 23 recorded last year. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

Eala advances to Round of 16

ALEX EALA — SCREEN GRAB FROM WTATENNIS.COM

Beats friend Sonmez in two sets; Sasnovich next

ALEXANDRA “ALEX” EALA rode on her new career-best ranking and another strong crowd support to drub good pal Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey, 6-4, 6-3, for a rousing opener in the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre.

Showered by cheers and “Eala” chants by the Filipino audience in groves, the 20-year-old sensation banked on strong closeouts in both sets to complete the sweep in 89 minutes.

It’s the third win for Ms. Eala in as many games against Ms. Sonmez, 23, after previous wins in the 2023 W60 Nantes in France and the 2025 Eastbourne Open in England.

Both are good friends since their junior days with stints in the pro doubles play as well, making it a friendly battle won by now WTA No. 45 Ms. Eala to arrange a duel against the 31-year-old Aliaksandra Sasnovich of Belarus in the Round of 16.

Ms. Sasnovich, WTA No. 109, pulled off a 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 stunner on world No. 65 and Abu Dhabi’s No. 8 seed Paula Badosa of Spain.

Game time is still to be determined on Wednesday depending on the results of Ms. Eala’s doubles campaign with Indonesian star Janice Tjen, WTA No. 47.

“Before I address of course this amazing crowd, I’m so honored to share the court with one of my closest friends, Zeynep. I admire her so much and she’s really making waves in so many ways,” said Ms. Eala, who’s coming off a quarterfinal finish in the Philippine Women’s Open.

“Our friendship goes beyond tennis and I’m so grateful for that.”

Aside from a Last 8 finish in first-ever pro home tournament, Ms. Eala also reached the final four of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, won an exhibition title in Kooyong Classic in Melbourne and made her Australian Open main draw.

And that momentum proved handy in the clutch against Ms. Sonmez.

Mses. Eala and Sonmez, WTA No. 79, looked on even field early in the duel before the lefty Filipina pride stamped her class in the homestretch by breaking away from a 4-3 cushion in the first then a 3-3 all in the second set.

Meanwhile, Ms. Eala’s doubles partner Ms. Tjen also scored a big upset on No. 29 Maya Joint of Australia, 7-6(7-6), 3-6, 6-3. It was Ms. Joint who denied Ms. Eala a title in the Eastbourne finals last year.

Mses. Eala and Tjen were to play WTA singles No. 25 Leylah Fernandez (doubles No. 68), with Filipino roots, and Kristina Mladenovic of France (doubles No. 49), in Round 1 at press time. — John Bryan Ulanday

Frayna, Galas share early lead in PHL National Women’s Chess Championship

WGM JANELLE MAE FRAYNA — FACEBOOK.COM/NCFPCHESS

WOMAN Grandmaster (WGM) Janelle Mae Frayna played true to form as she hurdled her first two assignments to zoom to the early share of the lead with fellow Olympiad veteran Bernadette Galas in the Philippine National Women’s Chess Championship in Malolos, Bulacan on Tuesday.

Displaying magnificent endgame technique, the enlisted Army personnel from Bicol outlasted Apple Rubin in 57 moves of a King’s Indian duel and Vic Derotas in 57 of an English encounter to stay perfect after two rounds of this 10-day meet that hands three slots to the World Chess Olympiad this September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The National Chess Federation of the Philippines will get to nominate who will fill in the remaining two berths to the Olympiad-bound squad.

But, of course, Ms. Frayna would want to make it to the team outright that would ensure her a seventh appearance in the biennial event where she hopes to eclipse, if not replicate, the country’s Category B gold medal it snared in Budapest, Hungary two years ago.

Joining Ms. Frayna at the helm was Ms. Galas, a Woman International Master (WIM) who posted her second win in a row at the expense of Kate Ordizo in 44 moves of a French clash.

WIM Jan Jodilyn Fronda, another Olympiad fixture, and Cherry Ann Mejia were half a point off the pace with 1.5 points each with the former hacking out a 40-move dismantling of Mhage Sebastian’s brittle Sicilian Defense and the latter holding Woman FIDE Master Shania Mae Mendoza to a 25-move standoff of a Bishop’s Opening.

Ms. Fronda’s snappy second round win came a day after conjuring a miraculous escape draw against former national champion Ruelle Canino in a duel where the former was completely losing with her pair of galloping knights against the latter’s marching rooks.

Shaken by that shocking collapse, Ms. Canino succumbed to unheralded Bonjoure Suyamin in 79 moves of yet another Sicilian showdown in possibly the biggest upset of the tournament thus far. — Joey Villar

With right import, SMB will keep the fire burning in Commissioner’s Cup

LEO AUSTRIA — PBA.PH

REDEMPTION, more than a chance to grab a second jewel in the PBA’s 50th season, will keep the fire burning for Philippine Cup kingpin San Miguel Beermen (SMB) in the coming Commissioner’s Cup wars.

The Beermen were a big letdown in the previous staging of the Commissioner’s Cup, bungling their title defense big-time and even failing to get past the elimination round altogether with a woeful 5-7 record.

“Sometimes it will depend on the kind of import that we would get. And I hope na this coming conference, the import that we will get will fit to our system,” said coach Leo Austria.

Import woes contributed significantly to SMB’s downfall in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup.

With Bennie Boatwright, the reinforcement that led them to the title in the previous edition, sidelined by injury, the Beermen tried out four different imports in Quincy Miller, Torren Jones, Jabari Narcis and Malik Pope. They wound up 10th overall in that campaign.

Mr. Boatwright is high on the list of candidates for the tournament kicking off on March 11 but the Gilas Pilipinas naturalization prospect is tied up with the Daegu Kogas Pegasus in the ongoing Korean league.

“We’re in constant communication but the problem with him (Mr. Boatwright) is the eliminations in Korea will last until April 8. And we will start in March 11. So probably he will miss at least four games (in the Commissioner’s Cup),” said Mr. Austria.

Mr. Austria will be seeking to steer SMB to its third consecutive conference title since returning to the helm in the middle of in the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup elims. — Olmin Leyba

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