Agri-marine estates proposed to ensure adequate food stocks

November 28, 2023 | 8:36 pm

cold-storage-philstar — PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday that it plans to build a network of agro-industrial and marine estates to ensure the adequacy of food supplies.

In a statement, Agriculture Secretary Francisco T. Laurel, Jr. said he is planning to amend the charter of the Philippine Fisheries Development Authority (PFDA) to make it responsible for developing and managing the facilities.

Mr. Laurel added that tweaking the PFDA’s functions aligns with the goals of the Philippine Rural Development Program and the current administration’s plan to modernize agriculture.

The estates will serve as “one-stop shops” with ports, cold-storage facilities, silos, and warehouses.

“I’ve seen this model successfully implemented in South Korea and Japan. I hope the World Bank can help us realize this vision,” Mr. Laurel said.

According to the DA, the World Bank has indicated that funding sources are available in the form of grants from the Global Environment Facility and the European Union, which support marine protected areas.

He added that agri-fisheries logistics needed to be improved, and called for a “logistics masterplan” for the industry.

“That is one thing I think is lacking in the DA,” he added.

Mr. Laurel said he would designate an assistant secretary to take charge of logistics.

“We need to scale up and get our priorities straight,” he said. “I have technically three-and-a-half years to accomplish these things. The DA, under my watch, will do its best to speed things up.”

Additionally, Mr. Laurel said he was seeking possible adjustments to the DA budget for 2024 to better align with the administration’s farm production goals and to raise incomes of farmers and fishermen.

The DA had earlier proposed a budget of more than P167.5 billion for 2024.

“The government estimates that around 10 million farmers and fishermen live below the poverty line despite agriculture providing jobs for one in every four Filipino workers,” it added. — Adrian H. Halili

International visitor arrivals breach 4.8 million DoT target

November 28, 2023 | 8:36 pm

THE PHILIPPINES welcomed over 4.8 million international visitors as of late November, surpassing the target set by the Department of Tourism (DoT) for 2023.

“As of Nov. 27, the country has registered a total of 4.82 million visitors who visited the country,” the department said in a statement on Tuesday.

South Korea remained the top source of foreign arrivals, accounting for 1.27 million tourists or 26.37% of the total.

Rounding up the top five were the US with 797,181 (16.53%), Japan 272,735 (5.66%), China 242,107 (5.02%), and Australia 225,464 (4.68%).

Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said in a statement that the visitors spent P404 billion, “underscoring the value of tourism to our economy.”

She said that tourism continues to drive growth and provide incomes and jobs following the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan 2023 to 2028.

“We are beginning to see the merits of our strategies towards increasing connectivity, convenience, and equality in tourism development and promotions, as well as the invaluable partnership of our tourism stakeholders in the private sector,” she added.

Tourism employs 5.35 million, the department said.

The DoT said it will be positioning the country as a global hub for sports tourism, including golf, through the Philippine Golf Tourism Summit this week. “It’s about time that the government and the private sector come together to converge and to collaborate,” she said.

The Philippines has over 100 golf courses.

“Golf tourism represents a promising frontier for the Philippines and this summit highlights our proactive approach in understanding, nurturing, listening to the golf tourism industry and developing this niche as part of our tourism industry portfolio,” Ms. Frasco said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

RE contract awards hit 1,300 as of end-Oct.

November 28, 2023 | 8:35 pm

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it has awarded 1,300 renewable energy (RE) contracts with a total potential capacity of 130,880.8 megawatts (MW) as of the end of October.

“As of now, we have issued around 1,300 (contracts) with a total potential capacity of 130 gigawatts (GW). So, you can see wind has a lot of projects,” Energy Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol said at a forum in Makati City on Tuesday.

The forum was organized by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), The Climate Reality Project, and the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Of the total, 225 wind energy contracts have been awarded with combined capacity of 83,079.3 MW. This was followed by 356 solar energy projects with capacity of 27,889 MW and 430 hydropower projects with capacity of 18,924.4 MW.

Geothermal energy had 37 contracts with potential capacity of 779.2 MW while biomass had 58 contracts with capacity of 174.9 MW. Nine ocean energy contracts have been awarded with capacity of 34 MW.

Noting the government’s target of 35% renewables in the power mix, “We will be needing around 52 gigawatts of new additional renewable energy capacity. This is how (much) we need investors to really invest in renewable energy projects,” Ms. Capongcol said.

“The offshore wind, actually, is an emerging RE technology that really challenges the Department of Energy because there’s no model as far as price discovery mechanism for pricing those properly,” she said.

To date, the DoE has awarded 80 offshore wind service contracts this year with a potential capacity of 62 GW.

“Based on the global energy transition, the Philippines is willing to contribute in the areas of offshore wind development — upscaling capacity building for our renewable energy workers,” Ms. Capongcol said.

She said the DoE has been working on “major RE challenges” such as permitting requirements, grid integration, and limited access to financing.

“Among the existing mechanisms, the Green Energy Option Program empowers consumers and corporate leaders with the choice of RE. To integrate sustainability in our private, government spaces… enables us to share the co-benefits of climate action,” ICSC Executive Director Angelo Kairos T. Dela Cruz said.

Last year, the Energy department said that on-grid power suppliers must expand the share of RE in their output to 2.5% starting in 2023 from 1% previously.

RE accounted for about 22% of the Philippines’ energy mix, with coal-fired power plants providing nearly 60% as of the end of 2022. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

WTO expects stronger global trade in 4^th quarter

November 28, 2023 | 8:30 pm

THE World Trade Organization (WTO) said global merchandise trade will likely post strong growth in the fourth quarter, allowing it to maintain its global trade growth forecast of 0.8% in 2023 despite the impact of geopolitical disruptions.

In its Goods Trade Barometer, WTO said world merchandise trade volume was little changed in the second quarter.

The barometer is a composite leading indicator for world trade, providing an early indication of the trajectory of merchandise trade relative to recent trends, said the WTO.

The current value of the global trade barometer index is at 100.7 in September, which is above the latest reading for quarterly trade volume and close to the baseline value of 100.

“This suggests that merchandise trade volume will gradually revert towards its medium-term trend in the second half of 2023, although uncertainty remains high due to mixed economic data and rising geopolitical tensions,” WTO said.

However, it said that it expects trade statistics for the third and fourth quarters to come in stronger despite the geopolitical tensions.

“Trade statistics for the third quarter should come in slightly stronger thanks to faster gross domestic product growth in the US and China, even as the European Union economy continued to stagnate,” WTO said.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said that this is also the same case for the Philippines.

“The continued economic recovery narrative in which more economies worldwide are moving further towards greater normalcy or are already above pre-pandemic levels support the normalization of global supply chains and the global trade,” Mr. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

He said that the reopening of China as well as the signals of “reduced odds of recession” in the US as gleaned from Federal Reserve statements point to stronger global trade.

For the fourth quarter, the WTO expects year-on-year trade growth likely to be strong “due to the slump that began in the same period last year.”

“These developments are consistent with the WTO’s forecast on Oct. 5, which foresaw an 0.8% increase in global trade volume in 2023,” WTO said.

“While the forecast remains unchanged, risks to the trade outlook have shifted towards the downside in light of recent developments in the Middle East,” it added.

The barometer’s component indices ended mixed during the period as some rose above the trend while others remained on or below trend.

Gains were seen in the indices for automobile sales and production (110.0) and electronic components trade (109.8).

The indices for air freight (100.3), export orders (99.4) and container shipping (98.0) finished on or slightly below trend, while the raw materials index (95.6) sank below trend, WTO said.

“The strength of the automotive products and electronic components indices may be explained by surging global demand for electric vehicles, while the weak result for raw materials may be partly due to weakening property markets as interest rates remain elevated,” the WTO said.

This is also the same case in the Philippines as electronics and semiconductors still comprise the biggest share in the country’s merchandise trade, said Mr. Ricafort.

However, he said that this will be further supported by continued and emerging innovation in electronics and semiconductors such as those related to artificial intelligence.

“Technological advancements in the automotive industry such as the greater shift to electric vehicles and self-driving vehicles will boost the global supply chains for batteries, nickel and other auto parts,” he said. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Senator joins calls for Marcos gov’t to cooperate with ICC probe of Duterte

November 28, 2023 | 8:24 pm

police-drug-raid — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

AN OPPOSITION senator has filed a resolution urging the government of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to cooperate with the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation of his predecessor’s deadly drug war.

“The Philippines has historically been at the forefront of advancing humanitarian law and international justice, and it is high time that we affirm our commitment to these values before the international community,” said Senator Ana Theresia N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, who filed Senate Resolution 867.

The senator, a member of the minority bloc, said the Constitution commits the Philippines to “value the dignity of every human person and guarantee the full respect for human rights.”

Similar resolutions have been filed at the House of Representatives.

Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa, who enforced the anti-illegal drug drive as Mr. Duterte’s national police chief, told a news briefing he expected opposition lawmakers to file the resolution but does not expect it to gain traction.

On Monday, he said the government should first resolve sovereignty issues involving the ICC before rejoining the tribunal.

The Philippines under ex-President Rodrigo R. Duterte withdrew from the ICC in 2019 amid criticisms that his government systemically murdered drug suspects in police raids. It took effect a year later.

The Supreme Court in 2021 ruled the government must cooperate with court processes that started before it canceled its membership in the ICC.

Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, sister of the President, accused Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel of stirring up trouble. “So they really want trouble?” she asked. “Well, PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte) has said ‘Bring it on!’ But the decision to cooperate or not is one for the Executive, and my brother, the President of the Philippines, has already made it clear that the ICC has no jurisdiction to conduct the probe. I share that view.”

The Marcos government appeared to be shifting its stance and would probably end up giving up Mr. Duterte to ICC investigators, political analysts said at the weekend.

Mr. Marcos on Friday said his government is considering rejoining the ICC, which is investigating Mr. Duterte for alleged “crimes against humanity.”

“Should we return under the fold of the ICC? So that’s again under study,” he told reporters. “So we’ll just keep looking at it and see what our options are.”

Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr., Party-List Rep., France L. Castro and Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman earlier filed separate resolutions urging the state to cooperate with the ICC probe.

Mr. Marcos had ruled out cooperation with the international court, saying its probe violates Philippine sovereignty given the country’s fully functional justice system.

NO CHANGE
Last week, his daughter, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio said allowing the ICC to probe crimes committed in her father’s deadly war on drugs would undermine the Philippine justice system.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said its stance against the ICC investigation was unchanged.

“Our stance remains that the ICC has no jurisdiction, although, we will be open if we see any changes in policy,” Justice Assistant Secretary and spokesman Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV told state-run media PTV in Filipino.

He made the remarks after Ms. Dutere-Carpio asked the agency to reaffirm its position on the matter. She told reporters on Monday her office would continue to reach out to the DoJ regarding the ICC investigation on her father’s drug war.

“There is really no need to request it because the DoJ’s stance has not changed,” Mr. Clavano said, adding that DoJ is only studying the case because there are calls from the House of Representatives to allow the ICC probe

“It is also our job to listen to a co-equal branch of the government.”

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said last week the ICC probe “needs a serious study” because the Philippines is no longer a member.

When asked about the possibility of the Philippines returning to the ICC treaty, Mr. Clavano said in Filipino: “We don’t want to look like turncoats. We need to be deliberate, and we should carefully study it so that our decision does not adversely affect our country.’

Ms. Hontiveros-Baraquel said the President’s recent statement offers hope for families of drug war victims.

“The best way for Malacañang to show its commitment to upholding human rights is to work with the ICC in securing justice for victims of human rights violations, and in upgrading mechanisms of human right protection in the Philippines,” she added.

Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said it would be up to the President whether to rejoin the ICC.

“It is the decision of the President of the republic, being the Chief foreign policy maker of our country,” he said in a statement. “He alone makes that decision and everything else is just noise.”

The Hague-based tribunal, which tries people charged with crimes against humanity, genocide, war crimes and aggression, earlier said it was not satisfied with Philippine efforts to probe human rights violations during the campaign.

The Philippines has accepted 200 recommendations from the UN Human Rights Council, including investigating extralegal killings and protecting journalists and activists.

More than 30 member-states of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council in November last year urged the Philippines to do something about extralegal killings in connection with Mr. Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign.

The Philippine government estimates that at least 6,117 suspected drug dealers were killed in police operations. Human rights groups say as many as 30,000 suspects died. — John Victor D. Ordonez and Jomel R. Paguian

Civilian convoy to South China Sea gets NSC nod

November 28, 2023 | 8:23 pm

BRP Sierra Madre — THE BRP SIERRA MADRE, a marooned transport ship which Philippine Marines live in as a military outpost, is pictured in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. — REUTERS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

LOCAL SECURITY officials on Tuesday said they would protect a civilian-led convoy to Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea next month, days after rejecting the plan amid worsening tensions with China.

In a statement, the National Security Council (NSC) said it would allow the Christmas convoy of about 40 civilian vessels to pass through Second Thomas Shoal, which has been a major source of tensions with China in recent months.

A team led by Senator Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel’s Akbayan Party will go to various Philippine-occupied features in the South China Sea on Dec. 10 before heading to Pag-Asa Island to “bring Christmas cheer” to fisherfolk and soldiers stationed there,” council Assistant Director-General Jonathan E. Malaya said.

The group originally planned to hold a convoy to BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era vessel that the Philippines deliberately grounded at Second Thomas, locally called Ayungin, in 1999 to serve as an outpost for Filipino troops.

The NSC had opposed the plan, saying it could escalate tensions with China.

“Both parties agreed that a convoy to BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal would not be advisable at this time since the safety of the civilian convoy is of paramount consideration,” Mr. Malaya said.

He said Christmas gifts and donated supplies for troops at BRP Sierra Madre would instead be delivered by Philippine military troops and Coast Guard personnel during their regular rotation and resupply missions.

The group earlier said civilian voyages within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea should be normalized. “For each act of Chinese aggression, the Philippines must respond with more supply missions,” it said.

China has been blocking Philippine resupply missions to BRP Sierra Madre. Second Thomas Shoal is about 200 kilometers from the Philippine island of Palawan and more than 1,000 kilometers from China’s nearest major landmass, Hainan Island.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is ready to help the civilian team during the convoy, Mr. Malaya told reporters on the sidelines of a security forum in Taguig City.

The team will also coordinate with the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

He said they have yet to decide how many vessels will accompany the convoy. “What is paramount for us is their safety and security. The final number will depend on discussions between the coast guard, Western Command and the Atin ‘To Coalition.”

Don Mclain Gill, who teaches foreign relations at De La Salle University in Manila, hailed the security sector for its “careful and balanced deliberations.”

“China can go to any extent to cement its expansive interests in the West Philippine Sea, even if it may come at the expense of the safety of our civilians. Hence, caution remains a priority,” he said in a Facebook Messenger chat, referring to areas of the South China Sea within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Marcos gov’t, Maoist party agree to restart peace talks

November 28, 2023 | 8:23 pm

Galvez-peacetalks — SECRETARY Carlito Galvez held up the agreement for the Philippine government and National Democratic Front to peacefully resolve their armed conflict at a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZJOHN ROSALES

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINE government and the coalition of revolutionary groups supporting the communist insurgency have agreed to restart peace talks amid foreign threats and other challenges facing the country, officials announced on Tuesday.

In their joint statement signed in Oslo, Norway on Nov. 23, the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) cited “serious socioeconomic and environment issues” as well as “foreign security threats” for agreeing to “a principled and peaceful resolution” of their armed conflict.

“The parties acknowledge the deep-rooted socioeconomic and political grievances and agree to come up with a framework that sets the priorities for the peace negotiation with the aim of achieving the relevant socioeconomic and political reforms towards a just and lasting peace,” they said.
In resolving the roots of their armed conflict, both parties see that ending the armed struggle “shall pave the way for the transformation” of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), its armed wing the New People’s Army (NPA), and the NDFP.

They agreed to craft a framework that will set the parameters for the final peace agreement.

High-ranking delegations from both sides that met in Oslo last week agreed to a “common vision for peace” that sought to address key obstacles, according to a separate statement by Norway’s foreign ministry also on Tuesday.

If negotiations succeed, the rebels will end their armed struggle and transform into a political movement, according to Norway, which has facilitated the Philippines’ peace process for around 20 years.

Removing the communist party and affiliated groups from a government list of designated terror organizations was included in the talks, government Peace Process Adviser Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. told a press conference in Malacañang on Tuesday.
He said the NDFP was represented by Luis G. Jalandoni, a member of its National Executive Council; Julieta de Lima, interim chairperson of the negotiating panel; and Coni K. Ledesma, who is also a panel member.

Signatories on the part of the Philippine government include Mr. Galvez, Special Assistant to the President Antonio F. Lagdameo, and Retired General Emmanuel Bautista, who served as a special representative.

No immediate ceasefire was announced, however, and operations against the rebels would continue, Philippine military chief General Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. said.

But Brawner also said an eventual peace deal would allow the armed forces to focus on external and territorial defence rather than domestic conflict.

“If this conflict will finally end, your Armed Forces of the Philippines will be able to shift our focus to external or territorial defence. Our resources, efforts will be poured into defending our territory,” he said.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has veered away from some of the key policies of his predecessor, standing up to China amid its aggression at sea and vowing to shift the focus of the drug war to rehabilitation.

Since taking office in late June last year, Mr. Marcos has also vowed to put focus on the climate crisis and economic insecurities, including the rising prices of basic commodities.

His predecessor, Rodrigo R. Duterte, had been known for tagging critics and activists alike as communists. He had launched a deadly war on drugs and a bloody campaign against the Maoist insurgency, which domestic and international watchdogs said resulted in rampant human rights violations.

The Duterte administration pushed for peace talks with the Maoist movement in 2016, with Norway hosting the negotiations.

But the talks did not last long, with the government and rebels accusing each other of ceasefire violations. Negotiators representing the communist movement had belied military officials’ claims.

The NPA has been waging one of the world’s longest-running insurgencies. It had significantly expanded across the impoverished country under the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, whose son clinched a remarkable victory in the 2022 presidential election.

During the presidential race last year, Mr. Marcos capitalized on a promise of unity and called for national healing amid serious economic challenges facing the nation.
The bloody conflict between authorities and the CPP-NPA has raged for over 50 years and killed more than 40,000 people. — with Reuters

Gov’t told to pursue renewable over nuclear energy

November 28, 2023 | 8:23 pm

Bataan Nuclear Power Plant-05-outside — BW FILE PHOTO

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES should diversify its renewable energy mix instead of pushing nuclear energy, which could end up costing more than reliable power sources, according to analysts.

“The government should continue pursuing its policy of broadening the nation’s renewable energy mix, while considering the limitations of renewables in ensuring a stable and reliable baseload,” Terry L. Ridon, a public investment analyst and convenor of think tank InfraWatch PH, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

If the government decides to go all out on nuclear energy development, it should consider environmental, he added, noting that these factors are rarely reflected in nuclear supply contracts.

Mr. Ridon said the state should develop a national policy on regulating the use of nuclear energy power generation to mitigate and assess the industry’s risks.

Last week, the House of Representatives approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to establish an agency that will regulate the nascent nuclear industry.

The proposed Philippine National Nuclear Energy Safety Act will set up a Philippine Atomic Regulatory Authority that will “have the sole and exclusive jurisdiction to exercise regulatory control for the peaceful, safe and secure uses of nuclear energy and radiation sources,” according to a copy of the bill.

Speaker Martin G. Romualdez earlier said the measure would aid the Philippines’ path toward energy security.

The Philippines and the United States on Nov. 17 signed a deal that would allow Washington to export nuclear technology to Manila so it can develop a civilian nuclear energy infrastructure.

“We see nuclear energy becoming a part of the Philippines’ energy mix by 2032 and we are more than happy to pursue this path with the US,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said last week.

The government should make use of state-of-the-art technology in pursuing the development of the nuclear industry to ensure safety in harnessing the energy source, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said last week.

“The country is much better off seriously pursuing the development of Filipino technological and manufacturing capacity in wind, solar and hydro in a carefully paced manner,” Jose Enrique A. Africa, executive director of think tank Ibon Foundation, said in a Viber message.

He said the Philippines should lean on these energy sources since they are guaranteed to be cleaner and more affordable than nuclear power.

The Department of Energy (DoE) has said renewable energy accounted for about 22% of the country’s energy mix at the end of 2022, while coal-fired power plants accounted for almost 60%.

The government wants to boost the renewable energy share in the power mix to 35% by 2030 and to 50% by 2040.

As of June, the Energy department had awarded 1,087 renewable energy service contracts with a total potential capacity of 113.5 gigawatts.

Party-List Rep. Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, who voted against the House measure, said reliance on nuclear energy would risk the Philippines becoming “a potential dumpsite for the US and other countries’ nuclear waste.”

“We have much more experience with these options that are guaranteed cleaner and whose reliability and affordability are unambiguously improving as global use rapidly increases,” Mr. Africa said.

23 groups form anti-war coalition

November 28, 2023 | 8:22 pm

A COALITION of 23 labor and human rights advocacy groups formed on Tuesday the No to War Network, launching a campaign to end all forms of global conflict that may impact the Philippines.

“We advocate for an unconditional and permanent ceasefire (in Palestine),” the coalition said in a statement. “We urge the Philippine government to support the UN (United Nations) resolution calling for a ceasefire and the creation of free corridors for humanitarian aid.”

In a media forum, Partido Manggagawa (PM) said the conflict in Palestine could have repercussions for the country due to its military alliance with the United States, which is actively engaged in the situation.

The coalition also disapproved of the ongoing discussions regarding the visiting forces agreement between the military forces of Japan and the Philippines, arguing that such agreements may contribute to an increase in cases of sexual harassment and human trafficking against women in militarized areas.

“Japanese ships will dock here, their soldiers will conduct joint military exercises, and women will be used for entertainment, for pleasure. Our land, especially our women, should not be commodified,” said Jean Enriquez of Coalition Against Trafficking in Women–Asia Pacific.

Last Monday, Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. on Monday said his department has started negotiations over the reciprocal access agreement (RAA) with Japan to strengthen military cooperation amid maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

The anti-war network said it is set to hold a series of activities such as teach-ins, organizational meetings, and physical and online forums to amplify its cause.

“Overseas conflicts may extend here in the Philippines as superpowers (United States and China) have a presence here. We are not isolated from the global geopolitics happening,” said PM spokesperson Wilson Fortaleza. — Jomel R. Paguian

Tulfo demands LoA accountability

November 28, 2023 | 8:22 pm

SENATOR Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo has called for congressional oversight of letters of authority (LoA) issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) as they are allegedly being used for corruption by unscrupulous government officials.

LoAs are issued by the BIR to authorize revenue officers to start an audit of a taxpayer’s tax liabilities.

“I want a list of LoAs in the last three years, and then we should have an assigned group of people to do a thorough follow up on what happened to the LoAs,” Mr. Tulfo said at a Senate Ways and Means Committee hearing.

“How much did the government earn out of those LoAs? If there are none, there should be a case filed,” he added, citing reports of firms being able to import free of duties and taxes due to officers conniving with companies to bypass these obligations.

He said it was about time Congress had an oversight committee to monitor the LoAs issued not only by the BIR but also Bureau of Customs (BoC).

“Indeed, part of our powers in oversight is to request for the LoA from the BIR,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, the committee chairman, said at the same hearing. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Another transport strike looms

November 28, 2023 | 8:21 pm

MANIBELA-transport-group-jeep-strike-protest — PHILIPPINE STAR/EDD GUMBAN

TRANSPORT group Manibela revealed on Tuesday that they are in discussions with other groups for the mounting of a simultaneous nationwide transport strike before the end of the year.

In an interview with BusinessWorld, Manibela chairman Mar S. Valbuena said there are ongoing talks various transport groups, including the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON), to set the days for their coordinated mass action.

Citing the separate three-day strikes waged by Manibela and PISTON last week, Mr. Valbuena said an estimated 30,000 jeepney drivers in Metro Manila halted their operations.

He said their next planned strike is expected to paralyze public transportation. “There has been a transport crisis because many are not returning to work,” he said, adding that some drivers have still refused to ply their routes for two weeks now.

In a press briefing, Mr. Valbuena said the transport crisis may persist due to jeepney drivers and operators losing hope of retaining their franchises. He said in Filipino, “We can clearly see the frustration and sadness because we are not getting any concrete answers, only pressure and continued oppression within the transport sector.”

Both transport groups called authorities to repeal the PUV Modernization Program (PUVMP) which effectively phases out traditional jeepneys in favor of new generation transport vehicles by yearend. The PUVMP also requires drivers and operators to form corporations and cooperatives until Dec. 31 to get new transport franchises, which the group insisted will start the phaseout of jeepneys. — Jomel R. Paguian

Post Office restoration deal inked

November 28, 2023 | 8:21 pm

Philpost — A GROUP of architects and heritage experts hold the signed Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to voluntarily provide architectural conservation, archeological, documentation and research assistance in the restoration of the old Manila Central Post Office. — HANDOUT/PHILPOST

THE PHILIPPINE Postal Corp. (PHLPost) has inked a deal with architects and heritage experts from the private sector to help rebuild the Manila Central Post Office, a historic national landmark razed by fire last May.

PHLPost signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) with the Philippine Institute of Architects (PIA) and Pacific Paint (Boysen) Philippines, Inc. for them to voluntarily provide architectural conservation, archeological, documentation and research assistance in the restoration of the building.

“We welcome your talents and expertise in the rehabilitation and conservation of the building which was heavily damaged by the recent fire. Your wholehearted support will help us rise from the ashes,” PHLPost assistant postmaster general for administration and finance, Lori Ann D. Atal, said at the signing of the memorandum.

The Manila Post Office caught fire on May 21 due to the explosion of a car battery in a storage room that also contained paint cans, thinners, and office supplies.

The fire caused more than P300 million worth of damage, said Manila Mayor Maria Sheilah Lacuna-Pangan.

The National Museum in 2018 declared the post office as an important cultural property. The label is given only to properties with “exceptional cultural, artistic, and/or historical significance” to the country.

The Manila Post Office, the oldest in the country, was rebuilt in 1946 after it was severely damaged during World War II.

“It’s like bringing pieces of architectural history back to life,” Postmaster General Luis D. Carlos said on the memorandum signing. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz