Mimaropa gets P40 daily pay hike

November 22, 2023 | 8:55 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said on Wednesday that the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board in Region IV-B (Mimaropa: Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) approved a P40 daily minimum wage increase, which will take effect on Dec. 7.

The department said the pay hike will benefit 46,861 minimum wage earners across all sectors in the region. The daily minimum wage for employees in establishments with at least 10 workers will rise to P395 from P355. While daily pay for workers in establishments with less than 10 workers will increase to P369 from P329.

“About 113,324 full-time wage and salary workers earning above the minimum wage may also indirectly benefit as a result of upward adjustments at the enterprise level arising from the correction of wage distortion,” the DoLE said.

The board also ordered the increase in monthly minimum wage of domestic workers in the region by P1,000. This will increase the monthly pay rate to P5,500 from P4,500 of 28,269 domestic workers in the region, where 21% are on live-in arrangements.

The department said the new rates for workers in the private sector will translate to an 11%-12% increase from the current daily minimum wage rates in the region. It added that this will result in a 23% increase in wage-related benefits covering 13th month pay, service incentive leave (SIL), and social security benefits under the Social Security System, PhilHealth, and Pag-IBIG.

The DoLE aid retail or service establishments regularly employing not more than 10 workers, and enterprises affected by calamities may apply to the board to be exempt from the wage order. — Jomel R. Paguian

Regional power agency pushed

November 22, 2023 | 8:55 pm

electricity pylon-tower — JEROME CMG-UNSPLASH

COTABATO CITY — Local executives in the Bangsamoro provinces urged their 80-seat parliament on Wednesday to immediately pass the bill creating the Bangsamoro Electrification Administration (BEA) to more efficiently address the region’s power woes.

Parliament Bill No. 263, authored and filed last Monday by regional lawmaker Jaafar Apollo Mikhail L. Matalam, calls for the establishment of the BEA to oversee the operation of state-owned and private power utilities in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

His concept of a functional BEA is one that shall operate under the direct supervision of BARMM’s chief minister.

Governors Hadjiman H. Salliman of Basilan and Mamintal Adiong, Jr. of Lanao del Sur both rooted for the passage of the bill, acknowledging how power supply shortages in BARMM need to be solved to improve the investment climate.

Mohammad O. Pasigan, chairman of the Bangsamoro Regional Board of Investments, said he is optimistic that the National Electrification Administration (NEA) and the BARMM government can together establish a functional BEA that shall help manage the operations of power utilities in all six provinces and three cities in the region

“The sooner we can have that the better. Once all of these power problems are fixed, we can invite more foreign investors to put up capital intensive business ventures in BARMM,” Mr. Pasigan said. — John Felix M. Unson

Senate unanimously approves ecosystem accounting bill

November 22, 2023 | 8:54 pm

THE SENATE on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to establish a national accounting system that would provide the government with data on ecosystems, forests, watersheds and coastal eras.

Voting unanimously, 23 senators approved Senate Bill No. 2439, which will establish the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS).

“We need a clear and reliable accounting system like PENCAS to steer our economic policies towards the right and sustainable direction,” Senator Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares, who chairs the Senate Economic Affairs committee, said at the Senate plenary session on Wednesday.

Senator President Pro-Tempore Regina “Loren” B. Legarda, author and sponsor of the measure, said the approved version of the bill was a product of extensive consultations, hearings and technical working groups among lawmakers and experts.

She said Congress will still improve the measure in a Bicameral Conference Committee.

In August, the House of Representatives passed on third reading a similar measure. House Bill No. 8443 seeks to offer a more accurate assessment of natural resources and their impact on the economy.

Ms. Legarda earlier said adopting a data-driven approach to keeping track of the country’s natural resources would paint a more accurate picture of how the environment impacts the economy. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

USAID launches solar-powered boat to help reach remote areas in Palawan

November 22, 2023 | 8:54 pm

THE UNITED States government recently launched a solar-powered boat on the island province of Palawan facing the South China Sea to speed up the delivery of basic services in remote areas especially during disasters.

The boat, called the Adlao Azul, was provided in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Energy Secure Philippines project.

USAID environmental officer Paul Brown said the agency “has been working closely with the national and local governments, as well as the private sector, to expand the use of renewable energy across different sectors such as transportation, agriculture, island electrification, and disaster response.”

The boat was developed by the Oceantera Energy Corporation through a P25-million ($452,000) grant.

It can run for six hours using US-made battery system and bifacial solar panels. The boat also has a cooler and freezer storage to keep food, vaccines, and medical supplies.

The boat seeks to reach primarily the islands of Coron, Culion, and Busuanga, which are about 300 kilometers away from the capital of the province, Puerto Princesa City.

“We look forward to our continued partnership with the private sector, particularly investors, resort owners, and boat operators to support a low-carbon ecosystem,” Mr. Brown said in a statement.

Joy Goco, former assistant secretary of the Climate Change Commission, said that boat “not only [addresses] climate change mitigation but also supports the livelihood and economy of communities.”

The USAID’s P1.6-billion ($34 million) Energy Secure Philippines project, which was launched in 2021, “seeks to mobilize investments, deploy modern energy technology, and support policy reforms for a more competitive energy sector” until 2026. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Strong earthquake rocks Sarangani

November 22, 2023 | 8:53 pm

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck a volcanic island in Sarangani, Davao Occidental in southern Philippines on Wednesday, according to the country’s seismology agency.

The earthquake, which was tectonic in origin, had a depth of focus of 137 kilometers, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a report.

The epicenter of the quake, which was felt at 10:49 am, was 79 kilometers southeast of Balut Island.

The province was also hit by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on Nov. 17, affecting 3,000 families and killing nine people.

It also damaged 1,705 houses, 1,534 of which were partially damaged and 171 were totally damaged. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Lawmaker insists ICC can probe Duterte’s war on drugs

November 22, 2023 | 8:53 pm

police drug raid — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PHILIPPINE congressman on Wednesday said that the International Criminal Court (ICC) could investigate the past administration’s deadly “war on drugs,” as a 2017 complaint filed against former president Rodrigo R. Duterte was under the time when the ICC had jurisdiction over the country.

“The jurisdiction of the ICC on covered crimes committed in the Philippines spans the period from Nov. 1, 2011 to March 16, 2019,” Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman told the House joint committees on human rights and justice.

He noted that the Philippines first acceded to the Rome Statute, the ICC’s treaty, on Nov. 11, 2011, and formally withdrew on March 17, 2018. Under the Article 127 of the Rome Statue, the country’s withdrawal became effective a year after the filing, or on March 17, 2019.

Mr. Lagman said a verified complaint against Mr. Duterte and others for “purportedly committing crimes against humanity in the wake of the Duterte’s campaign against dealers and users of illegal drugs,” was filed on April 24, 2017.

“In other words, the complaint was filed when the ICC still had jurisdiction,” he said.

Mr. Lagman said he filed his own resolution asking the Philippine government to cooperate with the ICC’s probe on Mr. Duterte’s drug war.

He noted that the Philippine Supreme Court on July 22, 2021 ruled that the Philippines is obliged to cooperate with the ICC’s criminal proceedings in its investigation of the drug war.

“The subsequent withdrawal of the Philippines did not retroact and was continuing its jurisdiction up to March 16, 2019,” Mr. Lagman told reporters on the sidelines of the hearing.

Mr. Duterte’s successor and ally, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., earlier said the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines, which formally withdrew from the body in March 2019.

The committees were deliberating on two House resolutions urging the Marcos administration to cooperate with the ICC’s investigation of Mr. Duterte’s drug war.

“By cooperating with the International Criminal Court, even after our withdrawal from the Rome Statute, we demonstrate that no one is above the law, and that we are accountable for our actions,” said Manila Rep. Bienvenido M. Abante, Jr., one of the authors of House Resolution (HR) No. 1477.

Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. France L. Castro, one of the authors of HR 1393, noted that while death penalty has long been scrapped in the Philippines, thousands were killed under Mr. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign without due process.

However, Senator Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos, the President’s sister, reiterated her previous comments that the Philippines has a good justice system, and will not cooperate with the ICC.

Human rights group Karapatan said the resolutions “are expressions of widespread public sentiment” against the drug war as well as its enablers and perpetrators.

Another joint hearing will be conducted to invite more resource persons. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Marcos calls for unity and cooperation in climate action

November 22, 2023 | 8:52 pm

Flood-climate change — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PHILIPPINE President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Wednesday called for effective communication to raise awareness about the impact of climate change.

He made the call at the 16^th Annual Global Warming and Climate Change Consciousness Week.

“I enjoin the Climate Change Commission to effectively communicate this year’s theme of unity and cooperation for a more resilient and adaptable nation,” he said.

He said rising temperatures, extreme weather events and the deteriorating biodiversity are “stark reminders of the need to quickly respond to this immediate environmental concern.”

“We all have a role to play in this mission. So we must work together, take a stance in support of our planet,” he said. “Let us be involved in creating solutions to mitigate the effects of global warming and climate change.”

Mr. Marcos said in his first address to Congress that he will work towards a shift to green energy and boost investment in climate-resilient infrastructure.

Despite his climate talks, the Philippine leader, who is pressured by civil society to go beyond green rhetoric, has yet to declare a national climate emergency, which would authorize the government to mobilize funds to step up climate mitigation efforts.

The US has yet to declare a climate emergency and neither has China. They accounted for 41.89% and 34.75% of world gross domestic product in nominal and purchasing power parity terms, respectively, in 2021.

A measure seeking a national declaration is gaining traction at the House of Representatives after it hurdled second reading approval on Wednesday.

Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus B. Rodriguez said the proposed Climate Change Resilience Act would call on the government to craft measures that would address human-caused global warming and mobilize funds for mitigation efforts.

The measure proposes the creation of a Climate Change Resiliency Adaptability Program.

“Extreme weather conditions have devastated and may continue to devastate parts of the country, which shall radically impact and affect the country’s food production and supply, water availability, public health, infrastructure, and economy,” the bill’s author said. “Thus, there is a need for additional measures to mitigate the effects of climate change.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Philippine vessels rescue 17 Vietnamese at sea

November 22, 2023 | 8:51 pm

PHILIPPINE government vessels have rescued 17 crew members of a Vietnamese cargo ship in the waters off Balabac, Palawan, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

Viet Hai Star, sailing under the flag of Vietnam, was carrying 4,000 tons of rice when it ran aground approximately 740 meters off Balabac Port at 9:00 pm on Tuesday night, the PCG said in a statement.

The 16-year-old vessel was headed for Cagayan de Oro City from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam “when the crew discovered a leak on the starboard side of the bow,” it said.

The Viet Hai Star was reported half-submerged by 9:21 a.m., after water that entered the starboard side of the bow flooded the forward compartments.

The crew decided to abandon ship at 4:20 a.m. on Wednesday.

The 17 foreign crew members rescued by the PCG and police seacraft arrived at Balabac Port in good condition. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Investors to be offered 135 water projects

November 22, 2023 | 8:33 pm

Rice-field-irrigation — DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HANDOUT

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it will offer 135 water projects to private investors by next year.

Speaking at a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute on Wednesday, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said that the DENR is hoping that the projects “increase the number of persons with access to drinking water and generate inexpensive hydropower.”

She said the projects will be structured to channel some of the resulting government revenue into watershed protection projects.

Separately, Undersecretary Carlos Primo C. David said that the 135 water projects involve water rights held by the National Irrigation Administration (NIA).

“Most of our water is being used by a single sector… agriculture. More than 70% of the water for the entire country is allocated for agriculture through irrigation,” Mr. David added.

“We do not irrigate (the whole year); during the rainy season there is no use for irrigation because all the farms are rain fed,” he added.

He added that some farmland has been converted by residential developers, “and yet our water is still locked in agriculture or irrigation use.”

In October, the DENR and the NIA signed a memorandum of agreement to repurpose surplus irrigation water.

“What this means is that any excess water in irrigation structures, (like) dams and impoundments, can now be utilized for other beneficial uses,” he said.

The NIA has said that the surplus water may now be used for power production, bulk water supply, aquaculture, recreation, and tourism.

Executive Order No. 22 established the Water Resources Management Office under the DENR. It was tasked with undertaking the “integration and harmonization” of all government agencies and activities to ensure available water and sustainable management.

Mr. David added that the volume of the 135 water rights to be offered amount to 12,000 cubic meters per second.

He said that without private sector involvement “(we cannot use) these natural asset for economic development.”

He added that the NIA will be in charge of assigning the water rights to the private investors. — Adrian H. Halili

Nine potential microgrid bidders pre-qualified by DoE committee

November 22, 2023 | 8:33 pm

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said it pre-qualified nine entities for an upcoming auction for microgrid service areas.

“After a careful evaluation and deliberation of the (Special Bids and Awards Committee), the DoE announces that a total of nine MGSPs (microgrid services provider proponents) were considered as pre-qualified to bid in the MGSP competitive selection process (CSP),” the DoE said in an advisory.

Pre-qualified were DMCI Power Corp., Smart Power Solutions Corp., Alternative Power Resource Holdings, Inc., Manila Electric Co. subsidiary MSpectrum, Inc., Maharlika Clean Power Holdings Corp., Powersource OEG Services, Inc., One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc., FP Island Energy Corp., and Vivant Energy Corp.

The pre-bid conference is scheduled for Nov. 29.

According to Republic Act No. 11646 or the Microgrid Systems Act, the DoE is required to conduct a CSP for concessions to serve off-grid areas.

“The DoE looks forward to working closely with the pre-qualified bidders in the next phase of the MGSP-CSP,” the DoE said.

The DoE last month invited potential bidders to provide microgrid services in 98 unserved and underserved areas.

The 2023-2032 National Total Electrification Roadmap identified 285 unserved and 122 underserved areas in off-grid locations, which will receive priority in CSP auctions.

The DoE has said that some 15,645 households, equivalent to around 39% of potential power consumers in unserved and underserved areas, are expected to benefit from the initial auction round.

The concessions are expected to be awarded by the first quarter of 2024. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Hog, chicken egg output rise in 3^rd quarter

November 22, 2023 | 8:33 pm

HOG and chicken egg production rose in the third quarter, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

In a report, the PSA said hog output rose 3.3% year on year to 450.9 thousand metric tons (MT) on a liveweight basis.

The top-producing region during the period was the Central Visayas with 67.66 thousand MT, followed by Calabarzon (59.81 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (54.5 thousand MT), Central Luzon (46.16 thousand MT), and the Davao Region (36.16 thousand MT).

Central Luzon also reported a top growth rate, doubling its year-earlier total for hog production.

These regions accounted for 58.6% of the hog production during the period, the PSA said.

The national hog inventory declined 2.1% during the period to 9.86 million head, as of Sept. 30, the PSA said.

About 67.5% of hogs are grown by smallhold farms, with the remaining 29.2% and 3.3% accounted for by commercial and semi-commercial farms, respectively.

The average farmgate price of slaughtered hogs dropped 6.1% year on year to P163.34 per kilogram.

Meanwhile, the PSA also reported a 4.7% year-on-year increase in chicken egg output for the period to 185.26 thousand MT.

The top chicken egg-producing region was Calabarzon with 58.53 thousand MT, or 31.6% of national output.

This was followed by Central Luzon (34.11 thousand MT), Northern Mindanao (20.14 thousand MT), the Central Visayas (18.96 thousand MT), and the Western Visayas (10.55 thousand MT).

The leading regions accounted for 76.8% of the national chicken egg total.

As of Sept. 30, the layer flock was about 71.18 million birds, up 5.4% from a year earlier.

The average farmgate price for chicken egg rose 15.3% year on year to P7.45 each. — Adrian H. Halili

Gov’t cash utilization rate hits 94% at end of Oct.

November 22, 2023 | 8:33 pm

THE cash utilization rate of government agencies hit 94% in the ten months to October, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.

The DBM reported that the National Government, local governments and state-owned companies used P3.39 trillion of the P3.6 trillion worth of notices of cash allocation (NCAs) issued as of the end of October.

Unused NCAs amounted to P209.5 billion.

The NCA utilization rate was on pace with the 94% rate posted a year earlier.

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.

As of the end of October, line departments had used 92% of their allotments, equivalent to P2.46 trillion of their P2.67 trillion NCAs issued.

In the 10 months to October, the Commission on Audit was the only department to post a 100% budget usage rate.

Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communications Technology had the lowest utilization rate of 35%.

Earlier, the DBM reported that it had released 95.8% of the 2023 national budget at the end of October, equivalent to P5.294 trillion of the adjusted P5.529-trillion 2023 spending plan.

Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said that the government needs to ramp up its spending in order to support economic growth.

“The cash utilization rate could still pick up for the rest of 2023 and will help contribute more to gross domestic product (GDP) growth, as part of the intervention measures by the government,” he said in a Viber message.

Government agencies were ordered to come up with catch-up plans for spending after low levels of budget utilization in the first half. Government spending contracted by 7.1% in the second quarter. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson