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Nuclear regulatory overhaul signals gov’t gearing up to hit 2,400-MW target by 2032

PNRI.DOST.GOV.PH

THE creation of a nuclear energy program coordinating committee (NEP-CC) will ramp up preparations to hit an ambitious 2,400-megawatt (MW) target by 2032, analysts said.

“Hopefully this will hasten the clearing and approval of nuclear power construction and commissioning in the Philippines,” Bienvenido S. Oplas, Jr., president of the free market think tank Minimal Government Thinkers, said in a Viber message.

In an order dated Jan. 29, the Department of Energy (DoE) created NEP-CC to ensure its “effective participation” in the NEP-Inter-Agency Committee (NEP-IAC).

The DoE has revised its energy roadmap to incorporate in the 2023 to 2050 Philippine Energy Plan a clean energy scenario which envisions “a more diverse energy mix that includes nuclear energy.”

“As the country embarks on Phase 2… and Phase 3…, there is a need to reorganize the coordinating arm of the DoE to effectively and responsibly assist the NEP-IAC and realize the DoE’s goal of tapping 2,400 megawatts of nuclear power by 2032,” according to the order.

Phase 2 involves the preparatory work for the construction of a nuclear power plant after the drafting of a nuclear policy, while Phase 3 includes activities to build a first nuclear power plant.

Mr. Oplas said that the Philippines should move fast in nuclear development because of “economic imperatives.”

At a gross domestic product growth rate of 6%, the Philippines will require about 7-8 terawatt-hours of power yearly until 2030, he said.

On the other hand, “We are not surprised by this development. The DoE, it appears, has long been intent in abandoning science, economics, or reality,” Gerry C. Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology, and Development, said in a Viber message.

Citing the data from the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, Mr. Arances said that the levelized cost of nuclear power in 2023 was expensive compared to utility-scale solar and wind.

“Why invest in expensive power sources with a track record of safety issues when there are safer, cheaper options like renewable energy?,” he said.

Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analysts and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said that the government should “immediately schedule discussions with international partners to discuss its viability, particularly its safety, in the Philippines,” if it is to decide to introduce nuclear energy into the power mix.

“Developing nuclear energy will ultimately depend on the international partner, as pricing, safety standards and technology will be determined by the track record of this partner,” Mr. Ridon said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Vape product seizures hit P5.5 million

RAINIER RIDAO-UNSPLASH

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said on Tuesday that it confiscated vape products valued at P5.5 million over non-compliance with rules governing the industry.

“(W)e are working double time on our enforcement operations to prevent the sale of vaping products to minors — that is our duty. Also, we will continue to work with our partner agencies and stakeholders to ensure that violators of Republic Act (RA) 11900 are penalized accordingly,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said in a statement.

The DTI monitored physical and online stores, which resulted in the seizure of over 18,000 non-compliant items.

The DTI is enforcing RA 11900 or the Vaporized Nicotine and Non-Nicotine Products Regulation Act, having issued notices of violation and show-cause orders to 269 physical stores.

Meanwhile, the department also inspected over 66,000 online vape stores, 61,000 of which were issued show-cause orders.

According to the DTI, those who were issued notices of violation or show-cause orders will have to submit a written explanation within 48 hours from notification.

The violations include improper packaging and labeling in a manner designed to “unduly appeal to minors,” it said.

“The DTI also flagged violators who used cartoons, anime, manga, animated characters, youth influencers, and personalities,” it added

RA 11900 prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes and vaping products to those below 18 and regulates packaging deemed particularly attractive to minors.

DTI said that 200 formal charges have been filed which are subject to administrative fines if violations are found.

“The DTI anticipates the effectivity of the mandatory certification and registration of vape products by June 5, and enforcement of product standards and product registration by 2025,” the department said.

Late last month, advocacy group Quit for Good cited instances of marketing to minors which it said was uncovered by an ongoing investigation of the House Committee on Ways and Means. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Rice farmer funding support set at P22.9 billion

PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it allocated P22.9 billion for financial assistance to rice farmers, with the funding to go towards procuring farm inputs and providing technical support.

In Memorandum Order No. 8, the DA said the inputs designated for funding are hybrid seed, fertilizer, and biofertilizer.

The DA said the assistance will be distributed via printed one-time use vouchers, intervention monitoring cards, or other forms of procurement in areas without accredited merchants.

The DA said late last year that it will digitalize the procurement and distribution of agricultural inputs to its beneficiaries.

The regional field offices are tasked to identify farmer beneficiaries to support, fertilizer to distribute, and the variety of hybrid rice to be given out. — Adrian H. Halili

Cash utilization hits 98% in 2023

BW FILE PHOTO

THE cash utilization rate posted by government agencies was 98% at the end of 2023, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

The DBM reported that the National Government, local governments and state-owned firms used 98% or P4.34 trillion of the P4.45 trillion in the notices of cash allocation (NCAs) issued to them.

The 2023 performance matched the 98% utilization rate posted in 2022.

The remaining unused NCAs totaled P107.9 billion at the end of December.

Line departments used 97% of their allotments, equivalent to P3.24 trillion of the P3.34 trillion NCAs issued.

Last year, the departments of Interior and Local Government and Public Works and Highways, the Office of the Ombudsman, Commission on Elections, Commission on Human Rights, and the Judicial branch used 100% of their NCAs.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers posted the lowest utilization rate of 39%.

Budgetary support to government-owned companies was 99% used, while the corresponding rate for local government units was 100% utilized.

NCAs are a quarterly disbursement authority that the DBM issues to agencies, allowing them to withdraw funds from the Bureau of the Treasury to support their spending needs.

The DBM earlier reported a budget release rate of 97.6% at the end of November. This was equivalent to P5.406 trillion out of the P5.537-trillion adjusted spending plan this year, leaving P131.25 billion in remaining funds.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said it is crucial for the government to ensure the expedited utilization of the budget this year.

“Further boosting the budget utilization of government agencies especially for 2024, learning from the lessons from government underspending earlier in 2023, would further help boost government spending especially on infrastructure and will contribute more to economic growth and development that is more sustainable and inclusive,” he said in a Viber message.

In December, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. signed the P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

John Paolo R. Rivera, president and chief economist at Oikonomia Advisory & Research, Inc., noted that the budget must be spent on “productive expenditure items that will create multiplier effects for the economy.”

“We want to see improved budget utilization on productive spending that brings about returns to the economy,” he said in a Viber message.

The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that government spending contracted 1.8% in the fourth quarter. Full-year spending was little changed at 0.4%.

Government spending had contracted 7.1% in the second quarter, which dragged on growth and prompted the Finance and Budget departments to order agencies to implement catch-up plans to improve budget usage. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Digital transactions VAT bill elevated to Senate plenary

BW FILE PHOTO

THE COMMITTEE report of a Senate bill seeking to impose a 12% value-added tax (VAT) on digital transactions, which now includes nonresident foreign online marketplaces with customers in the Philippines, has been sponsored out to the plenary.

During Tuesday’s plenary session, Ways and Means Committee chairman Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who sponsored Senate Bill No. 2528, said the measure will require nonresident electronic marketplaces to withhold and remit VAT on transactions that are coursed through their platforms, provided the buyer is in the Philippines.

“This is not a new tax imposition,” he said. “We are just collecting the tax that we ought to be collecting from non-resident digital service providers.”

Under the measure, a nonresident digital service is defined as not having a “physical presence” in the Philippines.

He noted that foreign online streaming platforms with subscribers in the Philippines do not pay 12% VAT under the current Tax Code.

The Department of Finance is expecting the tax measure to bring in P83.8 billion in revenue from 2024 to 2028.

Under the bill, online courses, seminars and training programs by private educational institutions accredited by the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education are exempt from remitting 12% VAT.

It will also impose a “reverse charge mechanism” which will make a recipient of the goods or services liable to pay the VAT instead of the provider.

“For instance, if a VAT-registered resident corporation buys materials through Amazon.com, It will then be the VAT-registered taxpayer who shall be liable to withhold and remit the VAT,” Mr. Gatchalian said.

The Commissioner of Internal Revenue will also be authorized to order the blocking or suspension of the services of digital providers if they do not pay the 12% VAT. The actual blocking will be carried out by the National Telecommunications Commission.

The House of Representatives approved a similar measure in November 2022.

“We believe in the importance of creating an environment where our digital service providers, whether they are nonresident or local, operate under fair and square tax policies,” Mr. Gatchalian said.

“We are committed to (creating) a level playing field.” — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Pluxee Philippines eyes double-digit growth

By Revin Mikhael D. Ochave, Reporter

GIFTING and rewards provider Pluxee Philippines is aiming to achieve double-digit growth in terms of business volume this year, according to an official.

“We aim to have double digit growth in terms of business volume and revenue (this year). At a lower double-digit,” Pluxee Philippines Chief Executive Officer Mert Cetin said at the sidelines of a media launch event in Makati City on Tuesday. However, he opted not to provide specific figures.

“Our primary target is really having more clients and more merchants,” he added.

Mr. Cetin said the growth of Pluxee Philippines, formerly Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Services Philippines, will be driven by the country’s economic growth.

The shift to Pluxee from Sodexo Benefits and Rewards is part of efforts to “elevate the overall experience of its clients, partner merchants, and consumers.”

“What is driving the growth is the Philippine economy and employment. Another is that digital products are bringing a lot of new clients on the table. Digitalization opens immense opportunities,” Mr. Cetin said.

“There are always global political risks that we are facing. However, the Philippine market is not prone to that. But in terms of the megatrends, our products will be demanded more in the coming years given that the global economy is growing well. I don’t see too much (risks),” he added.

Philippine GDP growth expanded by 5.6% in 2023, below the government’s 6% to 7% target and slower than the 7.6% increase in 2022.

“During the pandemic, the spending habit really converted into groceries and basic necessities. But now, after opening up, we see more of revenge travel, more of fashion, retail, and dining. It depends on the time of the year and the trends,” Mr. Cetin said.

Meanwhile, Pluxee Philippines Marketing Director Sharon K. Velasco confirmed that all Sodexo products could still be used amid the transition from Sodexo Benefits and Rewards.

“You can still use your premium pass. All Sodexo products, whether digital or paper, can still be used under the validity dates indicated on the products. However, if you want to convert them, call our customer hotline,” Ms. Velasco said.

Pluxee Philippines has over 17,000 accredited merchants. It offers the Pluxee Philippines app where clients can send Pluxee Gift credits, which are partially redeemable in over 10,000 merchants and can also be used in app-exclusive brands such as Angkas, Grab, Klook, Lazada, and Shopee. It can also be sent as codes via text message or e-mail.

The company also offers the Pluxee gift card that could be used instantly in stores or converted to Pluxee gift credits via the app to enable partial redemption and access to app-exclusive brands.

Magnolia bracing to stop SMB offensive juggernaut in Game 3

SAN MIGUEL BEER -- PBA.PH

Game Wednesday
Smart Araneta Coliseum
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel Beer vs Magnolia
* SMB leads series, 2-0

AT THE rate it’s going, well-oiled San Miguel Beer (SMB) looks pretty unstoppable in its duel for the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup crown with Magnolia.

Playing every inch the “Death 15” they’re touted to be, the Beermen have thrown their weight around the best team of the eliminations, 103-95 in Game 1 and 109-85, to go 2-0 in what many expected as a neck and neck.

Some observers are even starting to think of “sweep” due to the one-sided situation of this race-to-four clash. But don’t tell that “S” word to SMB coach Jorge Gallent, whose crew’s day-by-day approach has served them well not only in the finals but in nine other previous games dating back to the eliminations.

“2-0 is nothing,” Mr. Gallent said ahead of Wednesday’s Game 3 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, which is expected to get more highly-charged in the wake of the heated incidents both on-court and off-court in the last match.

“We just achieved a 2-0 lead as of now. We haven’t achieved our target (the championship). We have two more games to focus on. The sweep is not even in our minds. Our thinking is how to get our third win and then our fourth before them.”

If there’s one team that sees light at the end of the tunnel amid a 0-2 predicament, it’s got to be Magnolia.

In their franchise history, the Hotshots (or previously Purefoods TJ Hotdogs) managed to come back from such a deficit and complete a 4-3 steal three times before — 2019 Philippine Cup semis over Rain or Shine, 2006 Philippine Cup semis over Alaska and 2002 Governors Cup finals over the Aces.

“We’re not giving up,” said a defiant Magnolia mentor Chito Victolero. “This is not the time to quit because we prepared and dreamt of this eight months ago. The only thing we need to do is rise and prepare for Wednesday.”

Mr. Victolero’s squad needs to return to being an efficient defensive machine if it were to stop SMB’s offensive juggernaut.

Led by Bennie Boatwright (31 points per game), CJ Perez (19.5, June Mar Fajardo (15) and Marcio Lassiter (13.5), the Beermen averaged 106 markers in the series, way above what Magnolia usually allowed in the conference.

At the same time, the usual suspects for the Hotshots like Paul Lee, Jio Jalalon and the controversial Calvin Abueva should crank it up to complement Tyler Bey and Mark Barroca, who have been their best performers so far with 24 and 13.5 scoring averages, respectively.

SMB and Magnolia go at it three nights after an eventful entanglement marred by a verbal spat between Messrs. Gallent and Abueva in the fourth and Mr. Abueva, Mo Tautuaa and their respective wives post-game.

The pro league has launched an investigation on the incidents and is expected to hand out sanctions after hearing the sides of those involved. — Olmin Leyba

‘Good to be back’ — Justin Brownlee

JUSTIN BROWNLEE -- PHILIPPINE SPORTS COMMISSION

JUSTIN BROWNLEE set foot on Philippine soil again on Tuesday, ready to pick up from where he left off.

“Good to be back. Good to be back,” Mr. Brownlee told News5 upon his arrival from the US.

Mr. Brownlee has spent the past three months away from the Pinoy basketball scene, out of action since sparking Gilas Pilipinas to the Asian Games gold in Hangzhou, China in October.

The three-time PBA Best Import went on a voluntary suspension last Nov. 9 following his positive doping result in the Asiad.  The FIBA slapped a retroactive three-month freeze, paving the way for his Gilas return once the ban lapses on Feb. 9.

Mr. Brownlee, who skipped Barangay Ginebra’s title defense of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup because of this, will reunite with Gilas coach Tim Cone and his national team brothers when they open training camp on Feb. 15. The Nationals are scheduled to play Hong Kong on the road on Feb. 22 and Chinese Taipei at home on the 25th.

“Super-excited,” he said of his next national team tour of duty.

Mr. Cone expects Brownlee to effortlessly blend in with his Gilas mates.

“Justin Brownlee is a big part of the team and the program moving forward and having him means we can hit the ground running,” Mr. Cone said. “He’s already played with most of the guys so chemistry will already be there. He can now ramp up his conditioning and be ready to go once his suspension is lifted.” — Olmin Leyba

Adamson shoots for first juniors title against NU-Nazareth

Game Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Centre)
4 p.m. – NUNS vs AdU (Finals, Game 2)

WITH its coveted first juniors title in 31 years on the horizon, Adamson University (AdU) shoots for history against powerhouse National University-Nazareth School (NUNS) in Game 2 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 86 boys’ basketball finals today at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

The Baby Falcons, on the heels of a 77-71 comeback win in Game 1, want no let-up at 4 p.m. to complete the mission amidst an expected fiery vengeance from the Bullpups in their own bid to force a winner-take-all duel.

Adamson last ruled the UAAP juniors basketball division in 1993 under the watch of now-player agent Charlie Dy.

The San Marcelino-based squad, now with Mike Fermin at the helm, came close to snapping that long, winding drought last season after topping the eliminations only to absorb a sweep against eventual champion Far Eastern University-Diliman.

The Baby Falcons led the two-round prelims once again this season with an absurd 13-1 record and after a big Game 1 win, they’re closer to that dream more than ever.

But Mr. Fermin warned his wards the series is far from over.

“…We always take it one game at a time. The reward of winning Game 1 is at least, we’re one foot in from getting the championship. The mindset was to win Game 1 and now we focus on Game 2,” he said.

Expected to backstop Mr. Reyes are Gene Carillo, Earl Medina and JC Bonzalida after their double-digit outputs in Game 1 while leader Justine Garcia is tipped for a rebound after a three-point outing.

For the Bullpups who have been to 11 trips to the finals out of the past 12 seasons, there will be no retreat and no surrender with Most Valuable Player (MVP) race frontrunner Collins Akowe leading the way.  — John Bryan Ulanday

Las Vegas spectacle launches Super Bowl week, with Taylor Swift remaining on everyone’s lips

LAS VEGAS — Super Bowl week opened on Monday night with a sensory-overload spectacle at the Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium, and a sprinkling of Taylor Swift.

Bellowing announcers, thumping music, dancers, drummers and painted men flooded the in-field while more than 23,000 paying fans filled the stands of the arena, waving flags and placards while howling at the master of ceremonies and jeering the Kansas City Chiefs.

Never known for understatement, Vegas certainly put on a show to kick-start the city’s first Super Bowl. The defending Chiefs take on the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday for the cherished Vince Lombardi Trophy.

“Now you’re firing me up, making me want to play right now, baby,” laughed tight end Travis Kelce as boos rained down from the stands. “Whooooooo… I love the boos more than I love the cheers, keep ‘em coming Niners gang, keep ‘em coming.”

Mr. Kelce and pop superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift bring even more glitz to this Vegas Super Bowl as their relationship is on everybody’s lips.

“I’ve never seen a Super Bowl opening like this,” Mr. Kelce smiled. “It feels like Christmas,” he laughed, as a female journalist threw a Mexican wrestling mask at him.

Soon afterwards a man tossed him a red-and-white striped soccer shirt. Questions ranged from queries about the weight he bench presses to how his faith and family have fuelled his success.

To ‘football star’ add ‘diplomat’ as the 34-year-old fielded increasingly bizarre questions — many relating to Ms. Swift — from a tiny podium with journalists a dozen deep jostling and shouting.

Ms. Swift set another record on Sunday, winning the Grammy award for album of the year for an unprecedented fourth time.

“She’s unbelievable,” Mr. Kelce said. “She’s rewriting the history books. I told her I’ll have to hold up my end of the bargain and come home (with) some hardware, too.”

SCHEDULING CONFLICT
It is still not known whether or not Ms. Swift will attend Sunday’s blockbuster.

A regular at Chiefs games all season, she could miss the biggest game of all due to scheduling conflicts with her Eras Tour which has her performing in Tokyo on Feb. 10, the night before the Super Bowl.

Ms. Swift could get to Las Vegas for kick-off on Sunday but would then have to quickly get back on a plane for three concerts in Melbourne, Australia staring Feb. 16. Her attendance could be a last-minute decision, but she is sure to be an ever-present at this Super Bowl whether she is there in person or not.

Earlier on Monday, Roger Goodell has been less than five minutes into his annual state of football address when he was talking about Ms. Swift.

In the bowels of the Allegiant Stadium, Mr. Goodell allowed himself a smile as the invitation-only media briefing was hijacked by the pop superstar.

“Having the Taylor Swift effect is a positive,” Mr. Goodell said. “They’re — both Travis and Taylor — are wonderful people and they seem very happy. She knows great entertainment and I think it is great to have her a part of it.

The Swift factor could make Sunday’s game the most-watched Super Bowl of all-time, and already the Swift-Kelce love story has brought millions of dollars of added brand value to the Chiefs and the NFL, according to research done by Apex Marketing Group.

“Taylor Swift’s association with Travis Kelce and appearances at the Chiefs game has generated an equivalent brand value of $331.5 million for the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL” said Apex President Eric Smallwood to Reuters in an email. — Reuters

Tighter competition as PAL holds Interclub’s 75th edition

THE PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) Interclub will stage the diamond anniversary edition of what is regarded as the country’s unofficial golf club team championships in Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon in less than three weeks using a new format in Men’s play that guarantees keener competition.

From the usual five players coming out for each team every day, tournament organizers will, for the first time, implement the four-to-play, three-to-count format that makes for more balanced action with bench depth not as big a factor as before.

“We have been thinking of that for quite a few years now, and we feel that this year is the time to implement it,” tournament director Henry Arabelo said as the Interclub gets off the ground on Feb. 22 with Seniors action where Luisita is the defending champion.

That means that both the Seniors and Men’s championships will be using the same format as Manila Southwoods aims to extend its mastery of the regular field using one of the most solid developmental programs that produced Asian champions like Angelo Que, Artemio Murakami, Jerome Delariarte and even Tom Kim in the PGA Tour.

The move makes sense as clubs will now filter their respective rosters to their eight best players, although fielding will still be key, like in past years.

Pueblo de Oro in Cagayan de Oro and the rolling gem in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon that is Del Monte will be the venues that will be used as the Interclub goes to that part of Mindanao that last hosted the event in 2011.

Regular Men’s action gets off the ground on March 1, with Del Monte expected to host the fourth days of both divisions.

Ando, Diaz-Naranjo in heated battle for Paris Olympic berth

ALL it took for Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ando to rekindle the fire that was distinguished following her catastrophic effort in the continental championships last year was her memorable bronze-medal performance in the Hangzhou Asian Games that same year.

And it was that same fire that kept burning inside the 25-year-old Cebu native when she pocketed a pair of silver in the Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan Monday.

The Southeast Asian Games gold medalist lifted 120 kilograms in clean and jerk and 213kg in total in claiming that pair of silver in the women’s 59kg class that only kept her confidence growing but also bolstered her Paris Olympics bid this July.

North Korea’s Kim Il-Gyong took the gold with a 225kg while Indonesia’s Natasya Beteyob copped the bronze with a 212kg.

The effort should push Ms. Ando closer to countrywoman and Olympic gold winner Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo as the two go into a heated battle for that lone spot for the country in their division to the quadrennial games.

Ms. Diaz-Naranjo skipped Tashkent and opted to join the next Olympic qualification in Bangkok, Thailand next month instead.

At present, Ms. Diaz-Naranjo remains ahead of Ms. Ando despite the former’s absence.

But for sure, Ms. Ando, using that same fire, would do her best to give her rival a worthy fight for that glorious Olympic stint. — Joey Villar

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