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Buy-local quota needed to support PHL dairy producers, industry says

REUTERS

THE GOVERNMENT needs to impose a buy-local quota for companies dealing in dairy products to support domestic milk producers, an industry association said.

The Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) proposed a buy-local quota of at least 5% for milk processors and traders.

PCAFI said that its recommendation is in line with Section 17 of Republic Act (RA) No. 7884, which requires commercial milk processors and traders to procure a fixed portion of their requirements from the local milk supply, with volumes to be determined by the National Dairy Authority (NDA). 

“Under this condition, we recommend requiring the commercial sector to secure their milk supply from local sources for at least 5% of their total requirement, either in full or on a staggered basis, over a certain fixed period,” it added.

Section 17 of RA 7884, the law that created the NDA, states that dairy cooperatives and the commercial sector must mutually agree on a level of local milk sourcing three years after the law becomes effective.

In the absence of an agreement, the NDA will determine the local-purchase level.

“Processors who purchase locally produced milk from dairy cooperatives in excess of the volume prescribed by the Authority shall be accorded tax credits equivalent to 10% of the value of the excess volume purchased,” according to the law.

PCAFI said the Philippines imported $1.6 billion worth of milk, mostly in powder form, from the US, New Zealand, and Australia last year.

“The Philippines continues to produce less than 1% of its requirement, 44 years after the congressional passage of a law known as the Dairy Industry Development Act and followed by the National Dairy Development Act of 1995,” it added.

If it is impossible to comply with the law, PCAFI said that the government may require the commercial sector to establish its own dairy farms or impose a special safeguard duty on imported milk products.

“If the argument is that the local production is not enough to supply such a volume of milk as required, the commercial processor or user shall establish their own dairy farm in the Philippines to supply their requirements and not import from other countries,” PCAFI said.

“Or if the imported milk is not sourced locally as required under RA 7884, a special safeguard duty should be imposed on imported milk products by commercial importers as provided for under RA 8800 (Safeguard Measures Act) in order to allow the development of the dairy industry,” it added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Marked fuel program generates P234B in 2023 collections

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it generated P234.18 billion last year as a result of the fuel marking program.

“The Bureau remains steadfast in combating fuel smuggling. In 2023, the Bureau was able to mark 18.97 billion liters of fuel, resulting in the collection of P234.18 billion worth of taxes,” it said.

In 2022, the BoC marked 51.112 billion liters of fuel and raised P373.699 billion.

The program was launched in September 2019 as a component of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

Under the program, fuel is marked with a special dye in order to signify tax compliance, while the absence of the dye is considered an indication that the fuel may be smuggled.

The BoC estimates that it collected P73.329 billion in duties in January, up 3.88% from a year earlier and 2.16% higher than its target for the month. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

NCR building materials wholesale price growth flat in February amid easing in retail index

PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSELL PALMA

PRICE GROWTH of construction materials in the National Capital Region (NCR) was flat at the wholesale level, while retail price growth eased in February, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said on Tuesday.

Citing preliminary data, the PSA said the April construction materials wholesale price index (CMWPI) remained at 2%, same as the January reading but much lower than the 9.1% posted a year earlier.

In the first two months, the CMWPI averaged 2%, far behind the 11.4% year-earlier pace.

Of the 17 categories of commodity, price growth increased in four while nine commodities posted declines while growth in four was unchanged.

Driving the CMWPI was G.I. sheets, which posted price growth of 5.0%, up from 4.5% in January, plumbing materials (1.5% from 1%), fuels and lubricants (1.5% from 0.3%), and tileworks (0.6% from -0.3%).

Categories where price growth slowed were hardware (5.3% from 5.6%); painting works (4.9% from 5%); electrical works (3.8% from 4.5%); plywood (3.1% from 3.8%); lumber (2.2% from 2.3%); plumbing fixtures and accessories or waterworks (1.7% from 4.1%); sand and gravel (1.3% from 1.5%); concrete products and cement (1.1% from 1.8%); and PVC pipes (0.3% from 1.0%).

The indices for doors, jambs, and steel casements, asphalt, machinery and equipment rental and glass and glass products were flat at 2.8%, 0%, 0% and 0.1%, respectively.

In a separate report, the PSA said retail price growth in construction materials in Metro Manila slowed in February.

The NCR construction materials retail price index (CMRPI) posted 1.1% price growth year on year in February, down from 1.4% in January and 5.4% a year earlier.

In the two months to February, Metro Manila’s CMRPI averaged 1.2%, against the 6.7% recorded in February 2023.

“We have noted only modest growth in the construction sector, likely as investment outlays remain constrained by elevated borrowing costs,” ING Bank N.V. Manila Senior Economist Nicholas Antonio T. Mapa said in an e-mail.

“Public construction managed to expand last year and will likely also growth in 2024, albeit at a modest pace. Private construction was also modest, once again likely weighed down by higher interest rates,” Mr. Mapa added.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has kept its benchmark rate steady at a near 17-year high of 6.5% in February for a third straight meeting. The central bank has raised borrowing costs by 450 basis points from May 2022 to October 2023.

“The relatively slower pace of the year-on-year increase in construction materials in Metro Manila may have to do with higher base effects,” Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in an e-mail.

Mr. Ricafort also said that the stronger peso in recent months also helped ease prices of some imported construction materials.

The peso averaged P56.03 in February.

“We can expect this trend to continue over the next few months and for as long as investors do not find relief from high borrowing costs,” Mr. Mapa said.

“For the coming months, easing base effects could mathematically lead to some healthy pick up in construction materials prices, also as the economy recovers further,” Mr. Ricafort said. — Lourdes O. Pilar

10-year jobs masterplan to address skills mismatches

TESDA

THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and other government agencies said they will begin drafting a 10-year jobs masterplan to address the skills mismatch issue and better link workers to employment opportunities.

In a briefing, NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the 10-year Trabaho Para sa Bayan plan will outline the government’s views on how the domestic and global labor markets will evolve.

“Then, we move backward to see how we can establish milestones on the way to the 10th year,” he said

The masterplan will focus on job generation in the creative and service sectors and is expected to be completed within the year, he said

NEDA heads the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council, which includes the Labor and Trade departments.

The three agencies on Tuesday signed the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 19962 or the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the measure into law in September.

“With the proper implementation of this landmark act, we will facilitate stronger coordination and partnerships among relevant agencies and stakeholders to help implement programs to raise productivity,” Mr. Balisacan said during the IRR signing.

The law is expected to reinforce linkages between industries, the academic industry, and government to address the skills mismatch and boost the competitiveness of Filipino labor.

The jobless rate rose to 4.5% in January from 3.1% in December. It was lower than the 4.8% reading in January 2023.

Mr. Balisacan said possible wage hikes could be part of “very short-term measures” in the jobs plan.

“But nonetheless, we want to make sure that those short-term measures do not paralyze us.

Mr. Balisacan earlier warned that micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) may not be able to afford legislated wage hikes.

The last legislated national wage hike was in 1989. Since then, rates have been decided by regional wage boards.

The House of Representatives will continue deliberations on the proposed P150 and P750 wage hike bills this week. It is also studying a P350 to P400 wage proposal.

The Senate last month passed its proposed P100 wage hike on third and final reading. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

PCCI urges livestock, transport inclusion in carbon tax review

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) said any review of a proposed carbon tax should include the livestock farming and transport industries, which it described as major emitters of greenhouse gases.

“Both sectors are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions and the bill needs to clarify how the policy will be equally and fairly applied to the aforementioned industries,” the PCCI said in a position paper from earlier in the month.

On Tuesday, PCCI President Eunina V. Mangio said in a statement that “We need an exhaustive and comprehensive discussion and analysis to determine the most appropriate system that will benefit us.”

“We do recognize the urgency of passing the bill on Low Carbon Economy as our country is the biggest victim of climate change as we experience severe typhoons that have devastated our economy,” she added.

House Bill No. 7705 proposes, among other things, a carbon tax and carbon credits trading system.

The position paper, signed by Ms. Mangio, PCCI Chairman George T. Barcelon, and PCCI Director for Environment and Climate Change Edgardo G. Lacson, had been addressed to Bukidnon Rep. Jose Manuel F. Alba, who is also the vice-chairman of the House committee on sustainable development goals.

“We support your initiative to reduce our carbon footprint by limiting global warming, but we need an in-depth study of your proposed carbon tax and carbon trading system with the unintended consequence of financially impacting businesses,” the PCCI said.

One justification for further study is to prevent unfair competition among key industry players, keep inflation in check, and avoid situations that provide a pretext for passing on costs to consumers that may arise from a “cap-and-trade” system, it said.

“Our country has gaps in the technology, expertise, experience, framework, and infrastructure (that will make it difficult to) implement either carbon tax or carbon trading for a Low Carbon Economy. These components will have to be established and we may also adapt, if applicable, global best practices,” Mr. Barcelon said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Dairy production areas to be allocated P3 billion in funding

PIXABAY

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said that it will be investing P3 billion to create four dairy zones designed to help the National Dairy Authority (NDA) hit its production target of 80 million liters of milk by 2028.

In a statement, the DA said it will help build dairy zones in Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao, as well as other areas where production conditions are favorable.

On Tuesday, the NDA held its 29th anniversary during which Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. outlined a 5% self-sufficiency target for dairy, which will be reached when output hits 80 million liters of milk by 2028.

In his speech, which was delivered by Agriculture Undersecretary Agnes Catherine T. Miranda, Mr. Laurel said that the dairy industry is “a low-hanging fruit with immense potential for immediate impact, especially in combating undernourishment among children.”

He said conglomerates are venturing into the dairy sector, which signals that they find the industry promising.

“Let us capitalize on this trend and take full advantage of the opportunity it presents,” he added.

The dairy herd rose to 75,000 head in 2023, up 45% from 2018, while milk production grew by 65% to 28 million liters last year from 17 million liters in 2018.

Meanwhile, NDA is also providing technical assistance to almost 4,000 dairy farmers, said Mr. Tiu Laurel. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Petecio, Villegas book Paris berth

AIRA VILLEGAS (left) and Nesthy Petecio (right) thus joined fellow pug Eumir Marcial, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the quadrennial spectacle in Paris, July 26 to Aug. 11 — FACEBOOK.COM/OLYMPICPHI

Petecio, Villegas join Eumir Marcial, EJ Obiena, Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the Paris Olympic Games

“I WILL not stop until I get the Olympic gold medal.”

That was a vow Nesthy Petecio will have a chance to fulfill after she and countrywoman Aira Villegas booked a ticket to this July’s Paris Olympics following their mammoth victories in the World Qualification Tournament in Busto Arsizio, Italy Sunday.

Displaying imperturbable grit and superb fighting craftsmanship, the 31-year-old Tokyo silver medalist delivered another epic result that she was known to bring and bested a feisty Esra Yildiz Kahraman of Turkey, 4-1, in their women’s 57-kilogram duel that earned the former a second Olympic tour of duty.

There, the former world champion will have an opportunity to claim what was denied of her following a heartbreaking finals loss in Tokyo — a glittering gold in Paris.

“I am so blessed. This is very important for me because maybe this is my last Olympics,” said Ms. Petecio in a recent interview with olympics.com.

In the same interview, Ms. Petecio dedicated her recent feat to country, family, friends, supporters and the late Ed Picson, the former Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president.

And then she made that promise of going for nothing but gold in Paris.

Making it a double celebration for the country was Ms. Villegas’ Paris quota-clinching triumph over Bulgarian Zlatislava Chukanova, 5-0, in a women’s 50kg division showdown that was far closer than the score depicted.

Ms. Villegas got the nod of two judges, 29-27 and 29-27, and had three ties of 28-28.

But based on tournament rules, judges will have to pick a winner in case their score ends in a tie.

They all picked Villegas.

It almost slipped away though as Ms. Villegas received a one-point penalty for holding and then she survived a third-round knockdown by hanging tough enough late to preserve the teeth-grinding, gut-wrenching result.

Mmess. Petecio and Villegas thus joined fellow pug Eumir Marcial, pole-vaulter EJ Obiena and gymnasts Carlos Yulo and Aleah Finnegan in the quadrennial spectacle set July 26 to Aug. 11.

The country had actually sent 10 boxers, including Tokyo silver winner Carlo Paalam, who painfully crashed out after sustaining a shoulder injury.

Mr. Paalam and the rest though will have one more chance to make the Paris cut as there will be one more qualification tournament in May in Bangkok, Thailand. — Joey Villar

Unbeaten Golden Tigresses clash with winless Fighting Maroons while Adamson meets Ateneo

FACEBOOK.COM/WEARETHEUAAP

Games Wednesday
(Mall of Asia Arena)
10 a.m. — UST vs UP (men)
12 noon. — ADMU vs AdU (men)
2 p.m. — UST vs UP (women)
4 p.m. — ADMU vs AdU (women)

OPPOSITES collide as unbeaten University of Santo Tomas (UST) takes on the winless University of the Philippines (UP) nearing the homestretch of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament first round Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Having their best start in 12 seasons, the UST Golden Tigresses (5-0) try to zero in on a first-round sweep while the UP Fighting Maroons shoot for a breakthrough in an interesting tiff at 2 p.m.

Adamson University (AdU), at No. 5 so far with a 2-3 slate, look to stay in the Final Four race against the skidding Ateneo de Manila University (1-4) at 4 p.m. Their men’s counterparts also clash at 10 a.m. and 12 noon, respectively.

After UP, the Golden Tigresses have Adamson as their final assignment for the first round but there’s no looking ahead for them in a bid to shrug off complacency after an astounding campaign so far.

Super rookie Angeline Poyos, who torched Ateneo with a career-best 26 points, has been at the forefront of Santo Tomas’ revelation campaign this season despite parading a young core following the graduation of its seasoned core led by Eya Laure.

Part of the Golden Tigresses’ stellar run so far featured a sweep of National University (NU) and a five-setter comeback win over reigning champion De La Salle University (DLSU).

De La Salle and NU took turns ruling the UAAP in the past two seasons only to find themselves playing catch-up volleyball behind University of Santo Tomas this season at joint second spots with similar 5-1 records.

And Santo Tomas, with the solid coverage from spikers Regina Jurado and Jonna Perdido as well as setter Cassie Carballo and reigning Best Libero Bernadett Pepito, has no plans of surrendering the driver’s seat anytime soon.

That’s despite the expected strong resistance from the Fighting Maroons in a bid to finally score a maiden win under the tutelage of new program director and head coach Oliver Almadro, formerly with Ateneo. — John Bryan Ulanday

Saintfiet assembles veterans, youngsters for Philippine men’s team to face Iraq

TOM SAINTFIET — FACEBOOK.COM/PHIFOOTBALLFEDERATION

NEW COACH Tom Saintfiet has assembled a combo of veterans and promising youngsters for the Philippine men’s football team set for two challenging duels with powerhouse Iraq in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Ace goalkeeper Neil Etheridge will captain the 28-man squad that will face the unbeaten Group F leader Iraqis on the road on March 21 in Basra and at home five days later.

Helping the Fil-British provide experience and leadership are fellow vets Patrick Reichelt, Daisuke Sato, Amani Aguinaldo, Patrick Deyto, Mike Ott, Kevin Ingreso and OJ Porteria.

Seven youth standouts — Matthew Baldisimo, Michael Baldisimo, Jeremiah Borlongan, Chima Uzoka, Mark Swainston, Andres Aldeguer, and Theo Libarnes — may make their senior debuts in this window.

Eighteen-year-old Santiago Rublico of Atletico Madrid U19 got another call-up taking part in the Pinoys booters’ 0-2 loss to Vietnam and 1-1 draw with Indonesia in the previous set last November.

Also back from that group are Kevin Ray Mendoza, Pocholo Bugas, Jesse Curran, Simen Lyngbo, Christian Rontini, Jefferson Tabinas, Justin Baas, and Oskari Kekkonen.

Marco Casambre, 21-year-old Paul Tabinas, Mark Swainston, and Jarvey Gayoso round out the crew that will carry the fight in Mr. Saintfiet’s first action since taking over from Michael Weiss last month.

The 139th-ranked Philippines, which has dropped the moniker Azkals, is hoping to steal at least a point against the No. 59 Lions of Mesopotamia to boost their drive for Top 2 in the group and ticket to the next round of the qualifiers. After the November 2023 games, the Filipinos are running third with one point as Iraq holds sway with six points ahead of Vietnam (three points). — Olmin Leyba

Djokovic stunned by lucky loser Nardi at Indian Wells

NOVAK DJOKOVIC — BNP PARIBAS OPEN

INDIAN WELLS, California — World number one Novak Djokovic was stunned 6-4 3-6 6-3 by lucky loser Luca Nardi in the third round of Indian Wells on Monday, a victory which the 20-year-old Italian described as a “miracle.”

Mr. Nardi, who grew up idolizing Mr. Djokovic and is ranked 123rd in the world, played the match of his life to defeat the Serbian, dropping his racket and putting his hands over his face after firing an ace out wide to seal the win

The defeat ends Mr. Djokovic’s bid for a record sixth title at the tournament in the California desert. “This is a miracle,” said Mr. Nardi, who lost to David Goffin in qualifiers on Tuesday and only got into the main draw after Tomas Etcheverry withdrew due to injury.

“I’m a 20-year-old guy, 100 in the world and I beat Novak. Crazy. Just crazy.”

Mr. Nardi came out flying under the lights on center court, drawing Mr. Djokovic to the net with a short ball and then rifling a forehand past him for an early break and a 3-2 lead.

Mr. Djokovic was well short of his best and a service return from the 24-times Grand Slam champion found the net to hand Mr. Nardi the first set.

The top seed broke Mr. Nardi twice in the second set and held at love to level the contest but his opponent, who had a poster of Mr. Djokovic on his wall growing up, refused to back down.

Mr. Nardi hit a backhand that Mr. Djokovic could not put back in play for a crucial break and a 4-2 advantage in the decider before pulling off the upset. Mr. Nardi will next face American Tommy Paul.

Earlier, Gael Monfils produced a stunning display of shot-making and showmanship to rally from a set and 3-0 down to beat former champion Cameron Norrie 6-7(5) 7-6(5) 6-3 to reach the last 16. The 37-year-old Frenchman electrified the crowd with his creativity to set up fourth round meeting with ninth seed Casper Ruud.

Mr. Norrie, who won the tournament in 2021, piled up 60 unforced errors and could not solve the unpredictable Monfils puzzle in the three hour and 15 minute affair. “I feel better and better, to be honest,” said Mr. Monfils, who was sidelined with a wrist injury for part of last season.

“I’ve been playing weeks after weeks, which has been a long time I am able to do that. I feel good. So far the body is holding, so I’m happy with that.”

American Taylor Fritz, the tournament’s 2022 champion, breezed past Sebastian Baez 6-2 6-2 and Grigor Dimitrov’s career renaissance got another big lift with a 6-3 6-3 win over France’s Adrian Mannarino.

Seventh seed Holger Rune beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-2 7-6(5) and 17th-seeded American Paul sailed past Ugo Humbert 6-4 6-4 in other third-round action. — Reuters

Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr crashes out of  ACL with shootout loss to Al-Ain

CRISTIANO RONALDO’S Al-Nassr crashed out of the Asian Champions League in the quarterfinals after the Saudi Pro League side lost 3-1 on penalties to Al-Ain in a pulsating game on Monday.

Al-Nassr overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit to win 4-3 on Monday but with the contest ending 4-4 on aggregate, the players headed into a shootout from which Al-Ain prevailed.

Al-Nassr’s foreign imports Miroslav Brozovic, Alex Telles and Otavio all failed to score from the spot as the side from the United Arab Emirates advanced to the semifinals.

Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa made amends for a disappointing display when he saved Mr. Brozovic’s opening penalty and, with Soufiane Rahimi, Kaku and Sultan Al Shamsi all converting. — Reuters

Banking the W

It’s a reflection on how quickly leads in the National Basketball Association can be overcome these days that starters on seemingly sure winners appear to stay on the court longer than they should. Late turnarounds leading to unexpected outcomes have become more commonplace in recent memory that head coaches cannot help but err on the side of caution. Needless to say, the sudden shifts in the scoreboard have been fueled in no small measure by the modern game’s reliance on the three-point shot as a primary weapon; it’s the great equalizer, especially when juxtaposed with the players’ dramatically increased range.

To be sure, the Mavericks’ insistence on staying with vital cogs to start the fourth quarter even with a whopping 34-point lead in their pockets yesterday brings to the fore the inherent dangers of conservatism. Admittedly, there was impetus for them to ensure the triumph; given the need to secure homecourt advantage — or, at the very least, avoid a swoon to the play-in spot — in view of the extreme competitiveness in the Western Conference, they wanted to bank the W pulling away. On the other hand, there can be no discounting the risk they took in the process. What if Luka Doncic or Kyrie Irving got injured? How much of a toll did the additional (and arguably unnecessary) workout put on their bodies? These and other queries provide even those from the outside looking in ample food for thought.

Of course, there was another reason Jason Kidd opted to keep Doncic in. With seven minutes and change left in the contest and the Mavericks 35 ahead of the Bulls, he finally saw fit to take out Irving. The Most Valuable Player candidate, however, remained on the floor — ostensibly, as it turned out, to keep a 30-point triple-double streak going. The unprecedented skein, already at six and counting, could have stayed alive had he just canned another three points. And, yes, he did try to go beyond the threshold; just like his previous two attempts, his next two were deliberate heaves from beyond the arc.

Doncic failed to find the bottom of the net, and Kidd proved to be sensible enough to sub him out shortly after. He did manage to up his consecutive run of triple-doubles to seven, and so gives him a legitimate shot at Russell Westbrook’s record of 11. In any case, the Bulls were keenly aware of his bid for stat padding; even with the match already out of hand, they amped up their defense, consciously double- and triple-teaming him to prevent him from scoring. Which, in a nutshell, underscores the key to success in the league: tapping individual motivations to meet collective objectives.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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