Yellow onion imports starting to arrive in PHL

September 17, 2024 | 8:39 pm

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said imports of yellow onion have started to arrive in response to local shortages.

“We have issued the import permits. From what I understand, 2,000 metric tons (MT) have already arrived,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. told reporters late Monday.

Last month, the DA said it will allow yellow onion imports of up to 16,000 MT until the end of the year.

In July, Mr. Laurel extended the import ban on red onion until the end of August, with supply deemed sufficient until February 2025.

He said however that the supply of domestic yellow onion is sufficient only until the end of August.

Separately, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the social development arm of the Jollibee Foods Corp., said that it is seeking to increase its onion purchases from domestic farmers.

The company is expecting to increase the share of domestic onion purchases to 33% from 24% last year.

JGF President Gisela H. Tiongson said improved weather conditions have raised the yields of its partner farmers.

“Last year has been very good and we’re very thankful for that, expanding not only in terms of the number of farmers but also increasing the yield of their farms,” Ms. Tiongson added.

The national inventory of yellow onion was 1,642 MT as of Aug. 9, according to the Bureau of Plant Industry. Red onion stocks, on the other hand, were at 99,512 MT. — Adrian H. Halili

Sugar industry urges more controls on imports of artificial sweeteners

September 17, 2024 | 8:39 pm

THE SUGAR industry is calling for more controls on imported artificial sweeteners to keep them from further crowding out domestically grown sugar in the markets.

In a joint statement, the Sugar Council and the National Congress of Unions in the Sugar Industry of the Philippines said sugar substitutes have displaces a substantial volume of sugar on the domestic market.

The most popular artificial sweeteners used in beverage manufacturing are Sucralose, Aspartame, and Acesulfame Potassium.

Citing the Philippine Statistics Authority, the groups said imports of artificial sweeteners hit 1.1 million kilograms last year.

The groups urged the Department of Agriculture to release data on the impact of artificial sweeteners on the consumption of domestically grown sugar.

“(This would compromise) the ability of locally produced sugar to compete in the market, especially in the face of rising production costs,” the groups said.

It added that the unregulated imports could displace farm, mill, and biofuel industry workers.

Earlier, the United Sugar Producers Federation of the Philippines called for the increased regulation of other sweeteners competing with cane sugar.

It noted that the entry of glucose, sucrose, maltose, dextrose, maltodextrin and lactose is currently unregulated.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. ordered an investigation after meeting with the sugar industry.

Mr. Laurel ordered the Sugar Regulatory Administration to look into the actual volumes of other sweeteners and, if warranted, require them to acquire clearances as well.

Under tariff code 17.02 of the ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature, only high fructose corn syrup is regulated. Artificial sweeteners are admitted at zero tariff under the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement. — Adrian H. Halili

APAC firms take lead in decarbonization reporting

September 17, 2024 | 8:38 pm

ASIA-PACIFIC (APAC) companies are leading the effort to bring emissions measurement and reporting into the mainstream, according to a report issued by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

“Regionally, you have APAC leading, of course, because of the influence of China in there, in addition to others like Japan, who do a lot on the climate front,” Diana Dimitrova, managing director and partner at BCG X, the tech build and design unit of BCG, said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday.

BCG and carbon management platform CO2 AI released the “Boosting Your Bottom Line through Decarbonization” report, which tracked the progress made by companies on climate issues over the past year.

“While (the report) shows a slowdown in corporate decarbonization efforts, it also highlights really promising developments with some companies achieving significant financial benefits,” said Hubertus Meinecke, BCG’s global leader of climate and sustainability practice.

The report surveyed 1,864 executives from businesses across 16 major industries in 26 countries. The report said the countries are “collectively, responsible for about 45% of global greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions.”

Among the companies surveyed, only 9% said they comprehensively report Scopes 1, 2, (operational emissions) and 3 (supply chain emissions). Only 16% of the respondents said they have set targets across all three scopes, while 11% reported emissions reductions in line with their plans.

“These statistics are all lower than those reported in 2023,” according to BCG and CO2 AI.

Of the countries covered in the survey, those that topped the list are China, Brazil, India, Japan, and the US, leading on reporting, target-setting, and reducing emissions in line with ambition.

The first three countries also led in reducing emissions and securing value from decarbonization.

Despite slow progress, the report said 25% of the companies in the survey reported annual decarbonization benefits worth at least 7% of sales. This translates to an average of $200 million in financial benefits a year.

The report said that a leading source of financial benefits was reduced operating costs, often from efficiency initiatives, waste reduction, and renewable energy use. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Fuel surcharge reduced for October flights

September 17, 2024 | 8:38 pm

airplanes silhouette — STOCK PHOTO | Image from Pixabay

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said it downgraded the fuel surcharge for commercial airline flights in October.

In an advisory on Tuesday, CAB downgraded the passenger fuel surcharge to Level 4 for October from Level 5 in September.

This is the first time the passenger fuel surcharge was set at Level 4 this year.

At Level 4, the passenger fuel surcharge is between P117 and P342 for domestic flights and P385.70 and P2,867.82 for international flights originating from the Philippines.

At the current Level 5, the fuel surcharge for domestic flights ranges from P151 to P542. For international the surcharge is P498.03 to P3,703.11.

A fuel surcharge may be collected by airlines based on the movement of jet fuel prices, using a benchmark known as MOPS (Mean of Platts Singapore).

The CAB said all airlines seeking to collect the October fuel surcharge must submit an application on or before the effectivity period.

It said the applicable conversion rate for airlines is P56.67 to the dollar.

The global average jet fuel price dropped 4.6% week on week to $84.25 per barrel as of Sept. 13. Year on year, jet fuel prices declined by an average of 25%, according to fuel price monitoring reports by the International Air Transport Association. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Century Pacific Food to distribute 100,000 coconut seedlings to aid planting effort

September 17, 2024 | 8:37 pm

CENTURY Pacific Food, Inc.’s (CNPF) Coco Mama brand said it hopes to distribute 100,000 coconut seedlings over the next five years to support the industry’s bid to replace ageing trees.

“The project aims to contribute to the overall effort to revitalize the Philippine coconut industry,” the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Coco Mama is CNPF’s coconut cream brand. The project was launched in General Santos City.

“Coco Mama’s ‘Save Our Coconuts’ Project is part of the brand’s efforts to contribute to the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) bigger mission of rehabilitating the coconut industry and uplifting the lives of coconut farmers,” it added.

The PCA has been tasked by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to plant 100 million coconut trees by 2028.

The rehabilitation plan aims to address the advanced age of the nut-bearing trees. The PCA is seeking to plant about 8.5 million trees this year.

“We make our commitment to provide quality seedlings to smallholder farmer communities in the region,” Coco Mama Marketing Director Bryan Lingan said.

Under the Philippine Coconut Industry Development Plan 2024-2034 the tree replacement project is expected to increase coconut production by 4.7 billion nuts, valued at P33.1 billion, by 2034.

By 2025, the PCA aims to plant 15.3 million trees, followed by 25.4 million annually between 2026 and 2028.

Earlier, the President allocated an additional P1 billion to the PCA for the planting operation in 2025, with an additional P2.5 billion set aside for fertilization. — Adrian H. Halili

Public-finance roadmap to help elevate PHL to ‘A’ credit rating — Budget dep’t

September 17, 2024 | 8:37 pm

THE government’s new roadmap for public financial management is expected to improve how national and local governments utilize their funds, in the process aiding the Philippines in reaching an ‘A’ credit rating, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

“This is one of our budget reforms (towards achieving) governance and bureaucratic efficiency,” Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told reporters on the sidelines of the roadmap launch on Tuesday. She called the plan’s objectives “crucial components on the road to ‘A.’”

The government aims to achieve an ‘A’-level rating before the end of the Marcos administration in 2028.

In a Senate hearing last month, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. cited good governance as one of the things credit rating agencies look for when assessing a country’s creditworthiness. The other two are macroeconomic stability and fiscal sustainability.

A higher credit rating would help lower borrowing costs and attract foreign investment.

The Public Financial Management (PFM) Roadmap 2024-2028 is expected to encourage good governance, serving as a blueprint for agencies in spending their budgets.

“We are committed to synchronize planning and budgeting at our local, regional, and national levels as well as streamlining our institutional frameworks to reduce the time spent on bureaucratic processes,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said in a speech.

“With this roadmap, we give a clear mandate of ensuring that the money entrusted to us by the people serves a purpose that truly matters, that will make a difference,” he added.

The roadmap addresses 11 strategic focus areas: planning and budgeting linkages; cash management; public asset management; accounting and auditing; PFM capacity development; and the digital PFM.

Other key areas covered in the roadmap include PFM policy and legal framework; public procurement; disaster risk reduction and management; PFM for local government units; and monitoring and evaluation for public expenditure.

Agencies have begun implementing the 11 PFM principles, with technical working groups already formed, according to Ms. Pangandaman.

Government agencies responsible for cash management policies and processes will revisit the Monthly Disbursement Program schedule and modernize payment systems for public expenditures, Mr. Marcos said. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Philippine men’s team bows to Armenia, shares 21^st place

September 17, 2024 | 7:15 pm

Women’s squad beats the Bolivians 3-1

BUDAPEST, Hungary — The Philippines couldn’t cash in on an early victory by Grandmaster (GM) Julio Catalino Sadorra over super GM Haik Martirosyan as it fell to former titlist Armenia, 2.5-1.5, fall out of the top 10 after the sixth round of the 45^th FIDE Chess Olympiad at the BOK Sports Hall here Monday.

A day after essaying the biggest victory of his life over super GM Vladimir Fedoseev in a shock 2.5-1.5 slaying of Slovenia, Mr. Sadorra was nothing short of electric again as he sent his Armenian rival to his knees with a sweet, methodical 63-move win of a Nimzo-Indian on top board.

That put the Filipinos 1-0 ahead and their chances appeared to have been stronger as GM-elect Daniel Quizon, International Master Paulo Bersamina and GM John Paul Gomez looked headed to draws with their positions locked.

But Messrs. Quizon and Gomez succumbed to nerves and couldn’t hang on to it and suffered excruciating defeats to GMs Shant Sargsyan and Robert Hovhannisyan on boards two and four, respectively, while Mr. Bersamina failed to convert his pawn edge into a full point and drew with GM Gabriel Sargissian on board three.

The stinging result sent the Filipinos, whose trip is being financed by the Philippine Sports Commission through Chair Richard Bachmann and Commissioner Ed Hayco and backed by NCFP head Butch Pichay, out of the top 10 and into a share of No. 21 with eight match points.

There is something to celebrate for though as Mr. Sadorra remained unscathed with 3.5 points to show in four games with an impressive performance rating of 2879 and in contention for an individual medal at the top board.

Meanwhile, the Filipinas vented their ire on the Bolivians with a 3-1 win courtesy of triumphs by Shania Mae Mendoza, Janelle Mae Frayna and Jan Jodilyn Fronda on the top three boards.

Bernadette Galas conceded the lone point for the country after losing to Jessica Molina on the last board.

The win propelled the team, coached by GMs Jayson Gonzales and Eugene Torre with Atty. Ruel Canobas as delegation head, in a share of No. 22 with eight points apiece.

The 11-round tournament, which drew a record 196 in the men’s division and 181 in the women’s side, took a break yesterday and will resume today for the final five-round windup.

There, the Filipinos, seeded 51^st, battle the 27^th seed Croatians while the Filipinas, seeded 47^th, clash with the 26^th pick Argentines eyeing a win that would keep their hopes of contending alive.

“We recharge and we fight another day,” said Mr. Gonzales, also the NCFP chief executive officer. — Joey Villar

Letran Knights rally to beat Arellano Chiefs

September 17, 2024 | 7:13 pm

Letran's-Paolo-Javillonar — PAOLO JAVILLONAR

Games on Wednesday
(Filoil EcoOil Arena)
12 p.m. – UPHSD vs CSB
2:30 p.m. – JRU vs SSC-R

COLEGIO de San Juan de Letran whipped up a devastating fourth-quarter storm as it turned back Arellano University (AU), 86-79, Monday and claimed its second win a row in NCAA Season 100 at the Filoil EcoOil Arena.

Paolo Javillonar, back after serving his two-game suspension for playing in unsanctioned leagues, poured in his best game after a long while, exploding with a game-high 28 points in leading the Letran Knights to their second win in three outings.

It was also the bullstrong Mr. Javillonar who sparked that fourth-quarter onslaught that saw the Muralla-based dribblers erase a 12-point third quarter lead and turning it into a victory.

Jimboy Estrada and James Miller also helped in the cause as they scattered 14 and 11 points, respectively.

It was a heartbreaking defeat for the Arellano Chiefs, who appeared in control when they took charge in the middle quarters to gain a 12-point lead somewhere in the third canto.

It proved to be its last hurrah as Letran took charge from there.

Five AU players headed by Maverick Vinoya’s 16 points ended up scoring in double digits but none them couldn’t find the answer when the Knights went on that decisive rampage late.

AU fell to 0-3. — Joey Villar

The scores:

Letran 86 – Javillonar 28, Estrada 14, Miller 11, Cuajao 6, Go 6, Monje 5, Dimaano 5, Jumao-as 4, Nunag 4, Montecillo 2, Delfino 1, Pradella 0, Santos 00, Tagotongan 0

AU 79 – Vinoya 16, Hernal 11, Capulong 11, Abiera 10, Ongotan 10, Geronimo 7, Valencia 6, Camay 4, Borromeo 2, Libang 2, De Leon 0, Acop 0, Miller 0, Espiritu 0

Quarter scores: 28-all; 54-46; 69-63; 86-79

UP guns for share of UAAP lead vs the dangerous NU

September 17, 2024 | 7:13 pm

UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES FIGHTING MAROONS — UAAP/NICOLE HERNANDEZ

Games on Wednesday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
11:30 a.m. – FEU vs UE (Women)
1:30 p.m. – NU vs UP (Women)
4:30 p.m. – FEU vs UE (Men)
6:30 p.m. – NU vs UP (Men)

IN AN ARMS RACE with reigning champion and last season finals’ foe De La Salle University, host University of the Philippines (UP) wants no less than a piece of leadership with a crucial outing against the crippled but still dangerous National University (NU) in the second week of the UAAP Season 87.

And UP sports a pretty chance to achieve the mission, looming as a heavy favorite at 6:30 p.m. at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum against NU (1-1) without foreign student-athlete Mo Diassana following his ACL injury in the opening weekend. Winless Far Eastern University (0-2) and University of the East (0-2) then clash at 4:30 p.m.

UP took care of its first two assignments last week though still trailing behind La Salle, which gained an early leeway following a 3-0 start as both teams primed up for an expected finals rematch after an epic duel last season for Season 86 crown.

But the Figthing Maroons are not keen on getting ahead, taking it slowly but surely especially after a bumpy outing against the winless UE before grinding out an 81-71 win.

“Every game there’s a sense of urgency. You lose one game and it could change your fate,” said UP deputy Christian Luanzon, who spoke on behalf of head coach Goldwin Monteverde.

“With NU and coach Jeff (Napa), whether he has an import or not, obviously, We have to match their intensity or even surpass that. Hopefully, we can give them a good fight and the result will favor us.”

Coming in without an import, the Bulldogs vowed to give the Maroons a run for their own money on the heels of a 62-60 comeback win against FEU after showing their contender capability by nearly upsetting the Green Archers in a tough 78-75 loss on MVP Kevin Quiambao’s game-winner.

Against the Maroons, the Bulldogs are determined to ride on their coattails to snatch one in the end.

“We have to rely on ourselves, that’s No. 1. ‘That’s ouy battlecry this season,” vowed Napa, whose wards had to claw back from 17 points down to score breakthrough win. — John Bryan Ulanday

Facing Storm, Aces out to clinch home court for first round

September 17, 2024 | 7:12 pm

A’JA WILSON broke the WNBA single-season scoring record last week.

On Sunday, the Aces star became the first player to score 1,000 points in a season.

Now, the likely league MVP and her teammates can focus on peaking for the start of the playoffs as the Aces visit the Seattle Storm on Tuesday night.

“This is when you need to start playing your best basketball because this is the rock ‘n roll time,” Wilson said. “This is the best time of the year. It’s really good to get these wins under our belt.”

The two-time defending champions (25-13), who finish the regular season at home against the Dallas Wings on Thursday, have won seven of their last eight games. Wilson reached 1,000 points in an 84-71 home victory against the Connecticut Sun on Sunday. She finished with a game-high 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

“There have been wins that we needed to grind out,” Wilson said. “There have been wins that we had to understand the flow of the game, and that’s what playoff basketball is going to be. We’re going to get everybody’s best shot no matter what. It helps to have these types of games so we can prep ourselves for this.”

The fourth-seeded Aces and the fifth-seeded Storm (24-14) are likely headed for a first-round playoff matchup. Las Vegas can clinch home-court advantage with a win Tuesday.

Seattle has won four consecutive games but is looking for more consistency.

Head coach Noelle Quinn said she was “befuddled” by her team as she lamented slow starts in two games last week. The Storm trailed the Los Angeles Sparks by as many as 13 points before winning by eight and trailed the Dallas Wings by 21 before winning by two.

Then, in a rematch with the last-place Sparks on Sunday in Seattle, the Storm started better and built a 16-point lead but had to hold on for a 90-87 victory.

“We know we have everything we need in that locker room,” said guard Jewell Loyd, who set the previous single-season scoring record last year. “I feel like we’re at our best when we’re playing free.”

Nneka Ogwumike led Seattle with 23 points and Skylar-Diggins Smith scored 19, including four free throws in the final minute, in the victory Sunday.

The Storm conclude the regular season on Thursday at the Phoenix Mercury. — Reuters

MLBPA files NIL suit against DraftKings, FanDuel, other sports betting companies

September 17, 2024 | 7:11 pm

THE Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) filed a lawsuit against four sportsbooks on Monday, claiming that the companies were not authorized to utilize the names and likenesses of players for their brands.

DraftKings and FanDuel are at the center of the suit, and players are also hoping to receive compensatory and punitive damages from bet365 and Underdog Fantasy. DraftKings and bet365 are being sued in Philadelphia federal court, while the other two sportsbooks are set to appear in New York state court.

The MLBPA is accusing the sportsbooks of “flagrant” violations of state laws that are supposed to protect players in the public eye. Players’ images have frequently been seen on sports betting websites and mobile apps, and MLBPA said players believe that could be misleading, as sportsbook users could be under the impression that those players support wagering on games.

“For professional athletes, the ability to control the commercial use of their names, images and likenesses is a crucial return on their substantial career investment,” the players said.

ESPN reported that it was not able to reach bet365 after business hours. The other three sportsbooks have not yet responded for comment. — Reuters

Dream meet Sky with final playoff spot up for grabs

September 17, 2024 | 7:10 pm

THE last remaining playoff spot will be in full view when the Atlanta Dream host the Chicago Sky on Tuesday night in College Park, Ga.

With seven postseason spots already booked, the Dream and Sky are tied with the Washington Mystics for the No. 8 berth with two games to play. All three teams have 13-25 records, with the Mystics facing the first-place New York Liberty on Tuesday.

There is a chance that the winner of the game between Atlanta and Chicago could sit alone in eighth place at the end of play Tuesday. The tiebreaker for the final postseason spot will be determined by head-to-head records, with the Sky defeating the Dream twice in three games this season.

The Dream are coming off a weekend split with the Mystics, taking Sunday’s game at Washington 76-73 in overtime after falling 72-69 at home to the Mystics on Friday.

On Sunday, the Dream’s Tina Charles scored 20 points with 10 rebounds to help stave off the Mystics, who rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit.

“Super proud of this group and the resiliency they had,” Atlanta coach Tanisha Wright said. “It wasn’t easy, but it was something that we really had to get accomplished and had to do. Three out of our last five games have gone to overtime, so it was a big-time fight from this group and I’m really proud.”

Rhyne Howard leads the team with 17.5 points per game, followed by Allisha Gray’s 15.7, while Charles contributes 15 points with 9.5 rebounds.

Chicago has limped toward the finish line with 10 losses in its last 12 games. On Sunday, the Sky dropped their third straight in a 93-88 loss to the Phoenix Mercury.

In what Chicago hopes wasn’t its last home game of the year, the Sky were held without a field goal for the final 2:30 of the game as Chennedy Carter scored 20 points in the defeat.

Chicago has dropped three of four following Angel Reese’s season-ending wrist injury. The standout rookie was averaging 13.6 points and a league-best 13.1 rebounds. Carter’s 17.5 points per game paces Chicago. — Reuters