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UN monitor checks privacy rights

PHILIPPINE Privacy Commissioner John Henry D. Naga met with United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Irene Khan, on Tuesday and discussed Manila’s efforts to ensure privacy and a free press in the country.

Mr. Naga said their discussion covered “strategic initiatives aimed at fostering data privacy awareness and implementation of policies that balance privacy rights and lawful disclosure.”

Specifically, he updated Ms. Khan on the National Privacy Commission’s efforts to uphold and safeguard the right to privacy and addressing issues that hinder expression in journalism, art, literature and research.

The UN’s special rapporteur arrived Monday evening, quickly starting her 10-day mission to discuss state policies with representatives of the government and the private sector.

On Friday, she is set to engage with civil society organizations in Baguio City, an engagement seen by City Councilor Jose Molintas as “a crucial opportunity” to strategize protective measures for social activists.

Jordan G. Habbiling, Sanguniang Panlungsod of Baguio City information officer, informed media on Tuesday that Ms. Khan’s meeting will be with representatives from the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley Region, and Central Luzon Region, along with other civil society groups, including journalists, at the City Council’s Session Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

A former UN-appointed expert on Indigenous Peoples Mechanisms, Mr. Molintas said he looks forward to raising some concerns, particularly the mislabelling of indigenous rights advocates as “terrorists” while exercising their civil and political rights.

The consultation will be overseen by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, along with Mr. Molintas and fellow Councilors Arthur Allad-iw, and Peter Fianza.

A human rights lawyer since the 1980s, Mr. Molintas, along with the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), has been at the forefront of aiding human rights victims. This meeting with Khan holds the promise of addressing and alleviating these ongoing challenges. — John Victor D. Ordoñez and Artemio A. Dumlao

US funds green law enforcement

EL NIDO, PALAWAN — EIBNER SALIBA-UNSPLASH

THE UNITED States will allocate an additional $500,000 (P28 million) to support law enforcement initiatives combating environmental crimes in Palawan, the US Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the embassy said the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) handed over three Starlink satellite internet terminals to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).

The INL initiated its environmental justice partnership with the council in 2019, contributing P28 million that year to aid local Palawan law enforcement offices in addressing environmental justice issues.

“The continuation of this environmental justice project will enable INL to provide more equipment and capacity building assistance to PCSD and its partners, including technical exchanges between local environmental law enforcement officials and US Forest Service officials,” the embassy said. 

Throughout the partnership, the Palawan office implemented new evidence management policies related to environmental crimes through assistance from the US agency.

“We believe that through our shared experiences and resources, we can make significant strides in preserving our natural environment for future generations,” INL Deputy Director Luke Bruns said of the collaboration for environmental justice. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

P4-B port to boost food shipments

THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture (DA) said that it is aiming to capitalize on the construction of the P4-billion Lagonglong Port in Misamis Oriental to increase food shipments in Mindanao by 2025.

In a statement on Tuesday, Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the port’s construction aligns with the DA’s “push to boost agricultural production, ensure accessibility to affordable food, and achieve food security.”

“Lagonglong Port promises to increase trade capacity in Mindanao, enhance logistical capability in the region, and create new jobs,” the DA said, noting its target to be completed by March, 2025.

Mr. Laurel said he requested the private developer, Amadi MGT Terminals, Inc., to provide the DA space for cold storage, ice stands and silos for agricultural goods at the port to enhance the efficiency of transporting and storing vital goods while maintaining the quality of crops and raw materials. 

“We should build more ports like this. This is critical to the modernization of our country. This port, once finished, I believe will reduce feed costs by at least 2.5%, or as much as 5%. It will reduce cost of fertilizers also by 5%, maybe, or as much as 10%, depending on the price,” said the DA chief. — Adrian H. Halili

Mount Apo conservation pushed

DENR DAVAO

THE COTABATO provincial government and the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources office (DENR 12) have teamed up to boost the protection and conservation of the Mount Apo Natural Park (MANP), the highest peak in the Philippines and a popular nature-based tourism site.

In a recent meeting led by Felix S. Alicer, regional executive director of DENR 12, said they discussed various infrastructure projects within the protected area as well corrections to the list of tenured migrants in barangays covered by Kidapawan City.

For her part, Cotabato Governor Emmylou “Lala” J. Taliño-Mendoza raised the importance of promoting sustainable tourism programs that consider economic, environmental, and socio-cultural dimensions for the proper conservation of nature. 

As such, officials agreed that activities in the area required clearances obtained from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

The governor said the provincial government is actively managing protected areas, aiming to ensure the survival of nature for future generations and prevent potential disasters resulting from irresponsible or illegal interference.

Besides Mt. Apo, the Province of Cotabato launched the Cotabato New Tourism Circuits in September 2022 to highlight local tourism offerings, including Mt. Apo Tours, Asik-Asik Tours, Matigol Tours, New Israel Eco-Adventure Park in Makilala, and Carmen Eco-Adventure Park and Spring Resort. These destinations aim to provide tourists with opportunities to explore culture, adventure, and conserved nature. — Maya M. Padillo

Sumitomo Mitsui to help steer more Japanese locators to PHL

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it signed a partnership with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. (SMBC), which holds a minority share in Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), to help steer Japanese investors to the Philippines.

“This (memorandum of understanding) is a continuing program of PEZA partnering in industries, banks, even bank associations because they’ll be our extension and support group when it comes to attracting investments,” PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga said on the sidelines of the signing on Tuesday.

“With the SMBC and RCBC, obviously we are looking at Japan, being our number one source of investments, exports, and jobs for the longest time,” he added.

Mr. Panga said PEZA will be more “aggressive” in signing up more investors from Japan.

“In fact, immediately after the signing, I think in the first week of March, we will have our first investment seminar for our SMBC clients,” he added.

Japan accounts for 807 of all PEZA-registered business enterprises (RBEs) with combined investments of P797.84 billion as of October.

“With its acclaimed global presence, the partnership with SMBC could help PEZA tap into a broader network of international investors, potentially attracting more foreign direct investment (FDI) and reinvestment into the economic zones,” Mr. Panga said.

“On the other hand, the collaboration with RCBC could streamline processes within the economic zones, making it more efficient and attractive for potential investors,” he added.

SMBC Managing Executive Officer and Co-Head of Asia-Pacific Yuichi Nishimura said that under the partnership, SMBC will be hosting events in Tokyo to attract investors.

“I am sure this tri-party MoU would further facilitate our corporation activities to attract additional investors into the Philippines,” Mr. Nishimura said.

Eugene S. Acevedo, president and chief executive officer of RCBC, said RCBC has been actively servicing Japanese clients since 1974.

“So it is a great way to celebrate the occasion by actively participating in sourcing new investors from Japan together with our partners in SMBC,” Mr. Acevedo said.

“We (will support) delegations visiting Tokyo and other cities,” he added.

Mr. Nishimura sees opportunities in the Philippines for high tech and pharmaceuticals investments.

“We want to contribute to the Philippines as a country, so (we will follow) whatever the government initiatives are, for example to further enhance high techs, or pharmaceutical and medical equipment. These value-adding areas could be among them,” he said.

He added that the role of RCBC, which is 20% owned by SMBC, will be to offer retail products to investors’ employees.

“SMBC is historically very good at providing corporate finance … but having RCBC as our partner, we could focus on the new areas, like employee financing needs,” he said.

“We cannot provide these services because we are foreign. So we need a very trustworthy local partner… Going forward, we can together provide a one-stop shop gateway that can provide everything from corporate needs to employee needs,” he added. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Cement industry warns of layoffs amid dumping by Vietnam competitors

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE cement industry warned of further layoffs and reduced operations, citing declining demand and competition from imports being “dumped” onto the Philippine market from Vietnam.

“As it stands, the Philippine cement industry has been forced to downscale operations as imports continue to cannibalize the market, and in certain cases lay off workers due to the worsening market situation,” said Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) in a statement on Tuesday.

“With the projected increase of cement imports, manufacturers will be forced to further downscale operations until demand recovers or importers cease dumping and exploiting the local market,” it added.

According to CEMAP, the production capacity of the cement industry far exceeds expected demand in 2024.

The industry increased capacity by 17 million tons per annum over the last five years, bringing capacity to 53 million tons in 2024.

Meanwhile, CEMAP said demand continues to contract and is currently forecast at 34.5 million tons in 2024.

“Despite the more than adequate supply, the industry continues to be plagued by continuing influx of imports, mostly from Vietnam, despite the imposition of dumping duties on certain manufacturers and exporters,” it added.

In 2023, importers brought in 7 million tons, which CEMAP said is expected to increase amid the 6% contraction of the Vietnamese cement market, which could result in the shipment of more of Vietnamese output to the Philippines in the coming months.

According to CEMAP, the cement industry accounts for at least 1% of gross domestic product and employs 130,000 directly and indirectly. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Philippines seeks to double halal industry output

DOST

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it is aiming for a doubling in the halal industry’s output with the launch of the Philippine Halal Industry Development Strategic Plan 2024-2028.

“Our strategic plan is to transform the Philippines into a premier halal hub in the Asia-Pacific over the coming four years,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said at the launch event at the World Trade Center on Tuesday.

“The execution of our Halal Strategic Plan will see a doubling of our current 3,000 halal-certified products and services to 6,000, catering to both the burgeoning domestic demand and the global halal market,” he added.

“Last year, we imported halal products worth $120 million, indicating a substantial market we could satisfy domestically,” he added.

The plan also includes a P230-billion foreign-investment target and a 120,000 new-jobs target over the four years.

“Our approach invites global participation in Philippine industry development and encourages major local manufacturers to produce halal goods, thus meeting the rising demand at home and abroad,” said Mr. Pascual.

“The confidence in our plan stems from undeniable statistics that tell a compelling story of growth and potential,” he added.

Muslims currently account for 25% of the global population, or 1.9 billion people. This is projected to grow to 2.8 billion by 2050.

“The halal market is poised for remarkable growth, expected to reach a staggering $7.7 trillion by 2025, (against) $3.2 trillion in 2015,” said Mr. Pascual. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Ernst and Young unit to increase PHL headcount to 7,500

EY GDS

ERNST and Young unit EY Global Delivery Services (EY GDS) said it is planning to increase staffing to 7,500 in the next few years.

“We have a two- to three-year target of getting to 7,500 here in the Philippines. That would be across all of the service lines here,” EY GDS Philippines Tax Co-Leader EY Asia-Pacific and EY Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Lead Andrea Catte told reporters on Tuesday.

EY GDS is a knowledge process outsourcing firm delivering tax, assurance, strategy, and consulting services to EY member firms.

The firm currently employs 5,000, mainly located in Metro Manila.

Ms. Catte added that the firm will also focus on upskilling and reskilling its workforce during the next few years.

“But the key focus for 2024 is adaptability and growing the skill sets and services that we are offering,” she said.

In October, the firm opened a Cebu office to increase its capacity to deliver more services to member firms.

“More and more opportunities are being directed to us here… definitely the growth will happen. But it is not only the growth in terms of numbers but what we can (provide),” Raymond Go, EY GDS Philippines consulting leader, said.

“The company also plans to leverage emerging technologies (artificial intelligence, automation, data analytics) for better service delivery, strengthen industry partnerships, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and adaptability,” it said.

Mr. Go said that close to 50% of its business is mainly business assurance, while 20–25% is consulting services, with its tax practice accounting for the remainder is for its taxation services.

He described consulting as one of its “fastest-growing” segments by headcount. — Adrian H. Halili

Legislators seek more funding, bigger role for industry in upgrading vocational programs

TESDA

LEGISLATORS said they support more funding and industry participation in developing technical-vocational education and training (TVET) to improve enrollees’ job prospects.

A report by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), a panel composed of legislators and educators tasked to review the education industry after the pandemic, cited the need to review TVET scholarship policies to be more responsive to the needs of learners, and to rationalize enterprise-based learning policies.

EDCOM II also sought increased funding for training programs and scholarships.

At a House plenary session on Monday, Pasig Rep. Roman T. Romulo said that community-based training programs for 3.7 million TVET learners are non-compliant with training regulations, citing the absence of proper government assessment and certification standards.

He added that less than 15% of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (TESDA) 2,203 programs lead to a national certification.

“This underscores the critical gap in aligning skills acquisition with recognized standards, hindering the advanced of our large — but mostly uncertified — skilled workforce,” Mr. Romulo said.

EDCOM II called for an “industry-driven incentive framework” for industry to help in enhancing the skills of TVET learners.

“Industry participation remains limited and prohibitive,” Mr. Romulo told the plenary, citing stakeholders’ issues on paperwork and delays by government agencies.

“We must invest in higher-level qualifications that align with the dynamic demands of the labor market. This requires a transformation in bureaucratic systems, making them more agile and responsive to the rapidly changing needs of industry,” he added.

The report also called on TESDA to centralize its management information system to track its respective programs and trainees.

TESDA had 1.26 million enrollees and 1.23 million graduates last year, according to its 2022 annual report. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Insurance regulator collections up nearly 4% to P518.69M

PHILSTAR

THE INSURANCE regulator said fee collections rose 3.83% in 2023 to P518.69 million, citing strong growth in product registration fees.

The Insurance Commission said the increase in fees collected is “attributable to the 10.04% increase in Registration Fees for Product Approvals and the 14.12% increase in Examination Fees.”

Registration fees for product approvals amounted to P61.9 million, up from P56.25 million a year earlier.

Of the total, P52.57 million was generated by pre-need and health maintenance organizations (HMOs), while P9.34 million was paid by life and non-life insurers.

Meanwhile, examination fees amounted to P148.59 million last year, up from P130.21 million in 2022. All examination fees were collected from life and non-life companies.

Certificate of authority fees fell 3.39% to P188.31 million, with P180.19 million paid by life and non-life insurers and P8.13 million generated by pre-need companies and HMOs.

Processing fees declined 7.19% to P11.96 million. Of the total, P11.72 million came from life and non-life insurance companies, and P238,000 from pre-need companies and HMOs.

Meanwhile, supervision fees rose 3.02% year on year to P25.02 million. Some P22.1 million was generated by the life and non-life sector, while the remaining P2.92 million was raised from the pre-need and HMO industries.

Certification fees rose 2.01% to P73.66 million in 2023, of which P73.6 million were raised from life and non-life insurers, while P55.23 million came from the pre-need and HMO sector.

Filing fees rose 0.81% to P6.63 million, with P5.63 million collected from life and non-life insurers, and P995,000 from the pre-need and HMO industry.

Accreditation fees rose 22.53% to P1.8 million, with P1.71 million generated from life and non-life insurance companies and P82.5 million from pre-need and HMO firms. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

UNDP touts ‘sponge city’ model amid looming regional water scarcity

WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM/CHAPMANTAYLOR

THE “sponge city” model has been put forward as a possible strategy to deal with water scarcity in Southeast Asia, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“It is important to develop local urban climate adaptation strategies while ensuring national and provincial plans include cities. While doing so, it is important to be able to identify vulnerabilities of urban systems,” it said in its ‘Building climate-resilient and inclusive cities’ policy brief.

“Early identification will help solve vulnerabilities enhancing synergies between solutions of these specific vulnerabilities and broader sustainable and low-carbon development plans,” it added.

The Philippines continued to be the most at-risk country in the world in 2023, according to the latest World Risk Index.

The UNDP said that cities are now facing severe stress on resources; natural disasters; socio-economic issues such as inequality and unemployment; and uncertainty from other emerging risks.

It said sponge cities “enable draining systems that can make better use of rainwater thanks to porous areas and storage.” This model can also help save water and reduce emissions.

“As countries, especially China and in Southeast Asia, are experiencing severe and increasingly pressing water scarcity, sponge cities can help in accumulating, storing, and reusing water,” the UNDP said.

“In this way, cities are able to address increasingly urgent demand for external water resources. This would improve the city’s water resilience, and also the water resource resilience of the entire region, a crucial and increasingly pressing issue,” it added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Gauff survives Kostyuk test to reach Australian Open semis

COCO GAUFF — REUTERS

MELBOURNE — US Open champion Coco Gauff came through a huge test at the hands of Ukrainian world number 37 Marta Kostyuk 7-6(6) 6-7(3) 6-2 to reach the semifinals of the Australian Open for the first time on Tuesday.

The fourth-seeded American will rarely play as badly and still progress but prevailed after more than three hours on a blistering hot Rod Laver Arena to fulfil her coach Brad Gilbert’s famous maxim by “Winning Ugly.”

“I’m really proud of the fight I showed today, Marta’s a tough opponent, every time we play it’s a tough match,” she said.

“Yeah, I really fought and left it all out on the court today.”

Ms. Gauff, playing her final Grand Slam as a teenager, had swept into the last eight on a nine-match winning streak as she looked to back up her first major success in New York last year.

Ms. Kostyuk got right in the American’s face from the off, however, and stormed to a 5-1 lead, serving twice for the opening set as well holding a set point on Gauff’s serve.

The 19-year-old American knew she was up against it and, problem-solving on her feet, battled her way back into the contest by rattling off five successive games to serve for the set herself. “I was playing not great. I was just missing everything on both wings and not serving well. I was just trying to win one extra game,” Ms. Gauff recalled.

“I believe every point, every game matters, and eventually the score started to get closer.”

Ms. Kostyuk had been looking increasingly frequently at her coach as her confidence waned but she earned three break points off Ms. Gauff’s forehand and forced the tiebreak when the American double-faulted.

The Ukrainian was revived by treatment on blisters on her feet before the tiebreak but blew her second set point, allowing Ms. Gauff to come racing into the net to go a set up.

The players traded breaks throughout a second set featuring some lengthy rallies but it was Ms. Gauff who was able to edge ahead and serve for the match at 5-3.

Again, however, a combination of Ms. Gauff’s frail second serve and Ms. Kostyuk’s ability to conjure up winners — she fired 39 across the contest — allowed the Ukrainian to get back on serve and then level up the contest at one-set all.

Ms. Gauff found the fix as Ms. Kostyuk tired in the third set by ramping up the pace of her first serve and backhand but was broken when serving for the match for the second time.

She finally got over the line at the third time of asking to move into a semi-final against either Aryna Sabalenka — a rematch of last year’s Flushing Meadows final — or Czech ninth seed Barbora Krejcikova.

Ms. Kostyuk, who was playing in her first Grand Slam quarter-final, was remarkably upbeat despite the defeat.

“For me, it’s a win because I was playing one of the best girls in the world. Managed to be still very close,” the 21-year-old said.

“It feels far but also very close. This whole tournament I think is a big win for me.” — Reuters

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