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House body OK’s higher tax deductions for firms that hire senior citizens

PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A HOUSE of Representatives committee on Tuesday agreed to increase to 25% from 15% the tax deductions for companies that hire senior citizens, despite objections from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

During a ways and means committee hearing, congressmen said the government should increase the tax on gambling corporations to offset the estimated losses from the proposed tax incentives.

“Why don’t we focus on gambling and gaming corporations as a potential source of extended government revenue?” Party-list Rep. Erwin T. Tulfo told the hearing in mixed English and Filipino.

Aside from the tax deduction, the substitute House bill also seeks to waive the fees on police, National Bureau of Investigation, village and medical clearances for senior citizen jobseekers.

Seniors are also entitled to get birth and marriage certificates and proof of identification free of charge.

The government stands to forego P25.87 billion in yearly revenues because of the higher tax deductions, Donaldo M. Boo, chief tax specialist at the National Tax Research Center, told congressmen.

“The bureau respectfully objects as there is a possibility that our revenue-generating power will be eroded,” BIR lawyer Ron Mikhail Uy told the hearing.

He said the House should retain the 15% tax deduction. “Considering that there is already an existing 15% deduction, may we propose that we retain the original percentage?”

Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said he estimates P3.4 billion in foregone revenue from the tax deductions, much lower than the BIR’s P26-billion estimate.

“The revenue estimates are excessive,” Mr. Salceda, who heads the committee, told BusinessWorld by telephone in Filipino.

The BIR earlier said retailers that plan to honor expanded discounts for senior citizens and persons with disabilities could not claim tax deductions under the law.

Agencies including the Trade department are drafting a joint administrative order increasing the discount entitlement for seniors who buy basic goods.

Under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, stores may only claim discounts as tax deductions based on the cost of the goods sold or services rendered.

The law gives seniors a 20% discount and exemption from value-added tax on medicines, hospital fees, medical supplies, fares, hotel, lodging, restaurant meals, theater admissions and funeral services. They also get a 5% discount on water and electricity bills. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Senate urged to probe resorts within protected areas

THE CHOCOLATE Hills in Bohol. — BOHOL.GOV.PH

A PHILIPPINE senator on Tuesday filed a resolution seeking to investigate land use agreements involving the country’s protected areas amid reports of resorts being built within the Chocolate Hills in Bohol province and Mount Apo Natural Park in central Mindanao.

Senate Resolution 976, by Senator Cynthia A. Villar called on the Senate to look into illegal construction activities within protected environmental areas.

Ms. Villar asked the Senate to probe in aid of legislation the management practices, status of land use agreements and protection mechanisms within these areas.

She also cited the need to probe reports of illegal logging and quarrying in the Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, which she said could worsen flooding in Rizal and Marikina.

The Chocolate Hills and Mount Apo are United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage sites.

Both are protected areas under the National Integrated Protected Areas Systems Act of 1992.

Last week, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it had ordered the closure of the resort within Chocolate Hills in September for operating without an environmental compliance certificate.

A video of the Captain’s Peak Resort, which is in the middle of the hills, went viral on social media last week, drawing flak from environmental groups and advocates.

On Monday, Senator Rafael T. Tulfo told the Senate plenary that mountaineering groups had reported several resorts operating within the Mount Apo National Reserve, citing the need to investigate why these were being allowed.

“It is deemed essential to examine the management practices… the adequacy or absence of protection mechanisms provided to each of the country’s protected areas,” Ms. Villar said in the resolution.

“[This is] to ensure that the original intentions and wise foresight in their establishment are not undermined, thereby securing a sustainable future for the present and future generations.”  — John Victor D. Ordoñez

MWSS retains water allocation for Metro Manila

By Sheldeen Joy Talavera, Reporter

THE METROPOLITAN Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) said on Tuesday that it is able to retain its water allocation of 50 cubic meters per second (cms) for Metro Manila from the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).

“Based on the information we received, [the water allocation] was not reduced. We are able to maintain 50 cms allocation for the month of April,” Patrick James Dizon, head of the MWSS Angat/Ipo operations management division, said in a televised briefing. “For now, we are thinking of implementing pressure management measures to manage the water we receive from the Angat Dam,” he added.

This is to reduce the losses in the system and the consumption of the customers. He noted, however, that the water concessionaires would implement pressure reduction during off-peak demand hours.

Angat Dam is the main source of water for Metro Manila, accounting for about 90% of the capital’s potable water.

In view of the recurrent El Niño climate pattern being experienced in the country, managing water in Angat Dam has become crucial for mitigating its impacts on agriculture and ensuring sufficient potable water supply for Metro Manila.

EL NIÑO DAMAGE HITS P1.75B
Agricultural damage spawned by severe droughts due to El Niño has already reached P1.75 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported on Tuesday.

The DA’s damage report stated rice as being the most affected crop at 64.40% with an amount running up to P1.13 billion. Damage to corn was valued at P317.86 million, while high-value crops absorbed a loss of P305.55 million. Livestock damage hit P59,600.

Estimated output losses from the 32,231 hectares that were impacted by the dry spell include 7,794 metric tons (MT) for high-value crops, 18,966 MT for corn, and 48,332 MT for palay.

“More than dwelling on the cost of damage, we are focusing more on how to assist the close to 30,000 farmers in different regions whose lands have been affected by drought. We assure them of our continued support as we try to mitigate the effects of El Niño on their livelihood and daily lives,” Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary Jose Maria M. Villarama II told BusinessWorld via Viber.

In response to these developments, the DA said it has distributed more than P379 million worth of assistance in financial, seeds, and fertilizers to farmers.

The DA-Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), in collaboration with relevant agencies like the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (DoST-PAGASA) and Department of National Defense-Philippine Air Force (DND-PAF), is conducting cloud seeding operations to ease water shortage, targeting agricultural areas in Southern Cagayan and Northern Isabela. As a result, light to moderate rainfall is experienced over these areas,” the DA added.

Meanwhile, 750 water augmentation pumps were installed by the National Irrigation Administration in five regions to ensure water source.

Concreting of irrigation canals also improved to 847.82 kilometers, helping more than 40,000 farmers nationwide. While desiltation of irrigation canals was done, improving the water flow of 3,167.95 kilometers of irrigation canals nationwide.

“While we are not discounting the fact that the agricultural damage caused by El Niño continues to rise, we believe that the preventive measures that have been put in place since last year have helped cushion the impact of the phenomenon on our farmlands,” Mr. Villarama added.

As of Tuesday morning, the water level in Angat Dam is at 201.23 meters, lower than the 201.03 meters seen the previous day. This was still above the dam’s minimum operating level of 180 meters.

The water level at the reservoir is going down an average of 17 centimeters since the start of the year.

“For now, we are not seeing if we will reach a minimum operating level of 180 meters based on the weather forecast of PAGASA,” Mr. Dizon said.

He added that there is an expected rainfall over the watersheds as the state weather bureau already issued its La Nińa Watch which showed a 55% chance of developing between April and June. — with a report from Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DTI, Google roll out scholarships

THE DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry (DTI) will be rolling out Google Career Certificates (GCC) through 1,300 Negosyo Centers nationwide to help upskill owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“Whether you are a micro, small, and medium enterprise, an owner or employee, or any individual who seeks a more significant job opportunity, today’s success requires 21st-century skills,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said in a statement on the department’s partnership with Google Philippines on Tuesday.

Google Philippines had already distributed over 40,000 GCC scholarship programs in the country for jobseekers, MSME employees, and entrepreneurs, among others.

This year, DTI and Google Philippines aim for more through DTI’s virtual campuses in 1,300 DTI Negosyo Centers located in the country’s 16 provincial regions.

“We already built a strong partnership with Google, and we are pleased that through our Negosyo Centers nationwide, we can leverage these online courses to reach more stakeholders across the country,” Mr. Pascual said.

The DTI said the partnership with Google Philippines was announced during the United States Trade and Investment Mission last week.

Through the partnership, DTI will offer the use of its Negosyo Centers to support the learners in completing the course and will nominate qualified recipients and distribute GCCs through Coursera, an open online course provider.

The DTI said it will be prioritizing MSME owners looking to digitalize their businesses and people from marginalized and underrepresented sectors such as women, out-of-school youth, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens, among others.

“We have invested actively in the country’s digital development. This includes digital skills training and digital infrastructure improvements,” said Sapna Chadna, vice president for Google Southeast Asia and South Asia Frontier.

He said that the company’s investment has helped boost the Philippine gross domestic product by $14 billion and created 93,000 jobs.

“These outcomes motivate us to further deepen our collaboration with the Philippines and our efforts as a partner in building a robust digital economy,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Tech firm defends voting machines

THE SOUTH Korean technology firm that will supply election equipment for the 2025 national and local elections in the Philippines belied claims that its vote counting machines had been exposed for defects and electoral fraud in previous elections.

Facing Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Miru Systems Company, Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Chung Gin Bok said through interpreter Lee SL Kee Chan that his company’s vote counting machines did not malfunction during the 2018 Iraq elections.

“There were no defects or problems with the machines that were placed there (Iraq), or [with] any accounting or tallying results,” he said, adding that it was “the incumbent [who] was insistent with the manual recount.”

It was a response to Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who raised concerns about Miru Systems’ performance as the election software provider in Iraq’s and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s polls.

In last year’s elections in Congo, Mr. Bok said only a few machines malfunctioned and a few logistics issues occurred.

The company won the P18-billion contract to be the Philippines’ electoral systems provider, the biggest deal ever bid out by the Commission on Elections (Comelec). — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Quiboloy charged in Davao, Pasig

PCOO

TELEVANGELIST Apollo C. Quiboloy will face criminal charges related to sexual and child abuses, as well as human trafficking, in courts in Davao and Pasig Cities, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said on Tuesday.

“Let this serve as a reminder that no individual, regardless of their position, is above the law,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla who on March 5 issued the resolution ordering the probe of alleged sexual and child abuse complaints that were earlier filed against Mr. Quiboloy before the Davao City Prosecutor’s Office.

Apart from the child abuse cases, a complaint for Qualified Trafficking in Persons has also been filed against Mr. Quiboloy and his alleged cohorts, Jackielyn W. Roy, Cresente Canada, Paulene Canada, Ingrid C. Canada, and Slyvia Cemañes. 

DoJ Spokesman Jose Dominic F. Clavano, IV said the cases in Davao City were filed last week while the case in Pasig was filed on Tuesday. “The split (in filing of cases) happened because only crimes committed in Davao are filed there, then the crime that was committed in Pasig will be filed in Pasig,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate also issued on Tuesday a warrant of arrest for Mr. Quiboloy for his continuous refusal to face the congressional probe into accusations against him.

It was learned that his legal counsel, Melanio Elvis Balayan, officially received the Senate’s notice within the day. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Pagadian flights to be redirected

RUNWAY repairs at the Pagadian Airport beginning next month will force flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to reroute its regular flights between Manila and Pagadian City in the Zamboanga Peninsula to Dipolog City in Zamboanga del Norte province.

Recently, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines announced that the Pagadian Airport will be closed from April 15 to May 15 for repairs “crucial to ensure safe flight operations.”

On Tuesday, PAL said “Dipolog will serve as an alternate gateway for passengers traveling to and from the Pagadian area.” — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Baguio inks labor pact with Korea

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

BAGUIO CITY — An agreement has been sealed between this city and Taebaek City to allow the employment of Filipino seasonal workers to rural agricultural areas in the South Korean city.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed last March 4 between Baguio Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong and Taebaek Mayor Lee Sang Ho, spelled out the responsibilities and roles of both parties for the 90-day work arrangement for Filipinos in the agricultural area of Taebaek.

“Neither of both parties nor employers shall charge seasonal workers any kind of fees for services other than airfare and administrative expenses,” a part of the MoU read. It also stated that Taebaek City shall take responsibility for all relevant procedures and documents necessary for seasonal Filipino workers from Baguio City to enter South Korea.

For its part, Baguio City shall assist the workers in meeting the requirements set forth by Taebaek City as well as provide briefings on how to apply for visa before departure including the disadvantages in illegal stay, among others.

“In the event of unauthorized departure, efforts will be made to return to the country, such as requesting the family to voluntarily persuade them to return home and dispatching local government officials to support their return home,” the MoU states.

The MoU will be valid for two years from the date of signing and “automatically extends every year if there is no objection from both parties even after the contract period.” — Artemio A. Dumlao

BuCor official ambushed in QC

UNIDENTIFIED gunmen ambushed on Tuesday a Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) official who was traveling in the vehicle assigned to BuCor Director-General Gregorio Pio P. Catapang, Jr. in Quezon City. No one was hurt.

The Department of Justice (DoJ) said the bullet-proof Toyota pick-up truck assigned to Mr. Catapang was conveying his deputy for administration, Al I. Perreras, when it received fire from occupants of a Toyota car along the Skyway.

Bullets shattered the rear windshield but did not penetrate the vehicle. Mr. Perreras, his driver, and security escort were unharmed.

In carrying out the attack at 6:30 a.m., the gunmen’s gray Toyota Vios came between the Toyota pick-up and its security escort vehicle, a Toyota Innova, and then made its getaway to the Nagtahan Exit.

Mr. Catapang said Mr. Perreras and he have been the subjects of threats following several reforms within the bureau, according to the DoJ. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

DITO provides free WiFi at Clark Int’l Airport

DITO Telecommunity Corp. has partnered with Luzon International Premiere Airport Development Corp. (LIPAD) to provide free WiFi access at the Clark International Airport (CRK).

“Providing free WIFI to passengers is not just about keeping them connected during their journeys. It’s about bridging the gap conveniently between loved ones, facilitating business transactions, “ Ernesto R. Alberto, DITO chief executive officer, said in a statement on Tuesday.

In a media release, the telecommunications company said it signed a memorandum of understanding with LIPAD, the operator of Clark International Airport, for the roll out of free WiFi access for passengers of Clark International Airport, which it described as one of DITO’s many free internet access service projects.

“In this day and age when internet connectivity is already a necessity, it is important for LIPAD to ensure that CRK passengers enjoy seamless connection to complete their hassle-free travel experience,” said LIPAD President and Chief Executive Officer Noel F. Manankil. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

50-year rido between 2 Tausug clans ends in Sulu

COTABATO CITY — Two feuding Tausug clans in Sulu reconciled on Monday, ending a bloody 50-year conflict that exacted no fewer than 50 fatalities on each side and maimed at least 13 other individuals.

The two clans, one led now by Fhena M. Idjirani in Parang town and the other by Banden D. Barahama, whose relatives and followers are scattered in a number of barangays in Indanan, forged a peace covenant brokered by police officers in both towns and the director of the Sulu provincial police, Col. Narciso C. Paragas.

Mr. Paragas and the director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza, separately announced on Tuesday the settlement of the rido, meaning clan war in most Moro vernaculars.

They said it was achieved through the joint intercession of members of the Sulu Provincial Peace and Order Council under Gov. Hadji Abdusakur M. Tan, Sr., the mayors of Indanan and Parang, and the Islamic religious community in the province.

The two clans reconciled during a symbolic rite on Monday in Parang, witnessed by police officers and leaders from different towns in Sulu, one of the six provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that also covers the cities of Cotabato, Marawi and Lamitan.

Tausug elders in Indanan and Parang told reporters on Tuesday that the rido between the two groups erupted in 1974, sparked by affronts to clan pride and honor, political differences, and squabbles for control of territories.

“What is meaningful about this clan war settlement is that it happened during the Islamic Ramadan fasting season,” Mr. Nobleza said.

Muslims fast from dawn to dusk during the Ramadan, a holy month in Islam, lasting 29 to 30 days based on the lunar Hijrah calendar, as a religious obligation, a form of sacrifice and as reparation for wrongdoings.

Local officials, citing records from the police and different barangay governments, said that the two clans lost no fewer than 50 members each in gunfights in the past 50 years, among them minors and women. — John Felix M. Unson

Chief Justice meets counterpart in Japan on digitalization

CHIEF Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo met with his counterpart in the Japanese Supreme Court and discussed the digitalization efforts of both courts, the Philippine Supreme Court (SC) revealed on Tuesday.

In Japan, the Philippine judicial delegation led by Mr. Gesmundo met with Japanese Chief Justice Saburo Tokura and was given an overview of the Japanese Supreme Court’s digitalization of court procedures.

Both chief magistrates agreed on the importance of videoconferencing hearings and other digital court procedures particularly for archipelagic nations as Japan and the Philippines

In February 2020, web conferencing for civil suits was launched in Japan. The rules governing the conduct of hearings using videoconferencing have likewise been in effect in the Philippines since December 2020.

Mr. Gesmundo’s delegation shared with Mr. Tokura the Philippines’ Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovation 2022-2027, an innovation roadmap for the judiciary.

Mr. Tokura and Mr. Gesmundo also discussed the upcoming meeting of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ) with South Korea, China, and Japan being the other members of ASEAN+.

Mr. Gesmundo was accompanied on the trip by Associate Justices Rodil V. Zalameda, Samuel H. Gaerlan, and Jose Midas P. Marquez, and welcomed by the Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene J. Garcia-Albano and Consul General Charmaine A. Serna-Chua. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

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