DA urged to boost rice stocks

August 15, 2023 | 8:46 pm

rice-worker — Workers load sacks of flour in a delivery truck in Manila, July 11, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE SAMAHANG Industriya ng Agrikultura on Tuesday urged the Department of Agriculture (DA) to start buying palay or unmilled rice from local farmers to ensure ample stocks amid the El Niño threat.

“Instead of resorting to imports that will only benefit importers and favored traders, the DA, through the [National Food Authority] should start buying palay from our rice farmers,” group Executive Director Jayson H. Cainglet said in a Viber message.

He said the NFA’s P7-billion budget could buy about 5.6 million bags of palay with a farmgate price of P25 a kilo.

The Rice Tariffication Law stripped the NFA of its power to import rice and has been reduced to maintaining an emergency inventory from local farmers.

Earlier, some industry groups urged DA to visit warehouses as they accused rice traders of price manipulation to justify the increase in retail prices.

“Visiting warehouses sends the wrong signal that there is an ongoing hoarding or shortage of rice,” Mr. Cainglet said. “No less than the President has assured us of enough stocks until the end of El Niño,” Mr. Cainglet said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Locsin works assessed

August 15, 2023 | 8:46 pm

DAVAO CITY — The old Davao International Airport (DIA) building in Sasa and the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao are important cultural properties, according to the Davao Historical Society, citing the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

An NCAA team visited the city last week to look at the state of the works of the late Leandro V. Locsin, the late national artist for architecture (1990) who designed the buildings, Davao Historical Society Vice President Patricia Melizza Bello Ruivivar told reporters on Monday.

These properties get priority government funding, protection and incentives for private support such as tax breaks, and a heritage marker, she added.

Under the National Cultural Heritage Act of 2009, works of a national artist are presumed to be important cultural property, which means these have exceptional cultural, artistic and historical significance.

“Even if it is not officially declared, it is presumed under the law as long as it was made by a national artist,” Ms. Ruivivar said. — Maya M. Padillo

Baguio councilors buck charter

August 15, 2023 | 8:46 pm

BAGUIO CITY — The 15-member Baguio City Council on Monday asked its legal office to draft a petition seeking to nullify the city’s revised charter.

The revised Baguio City charter lapsed into law on April 11, 2022.

The councilors have said the new charter puts Baguio at a disadvantage. For one, under the law, locators inside the Camp John Hay reservation are exempted from paying taxes to the city after it was transferred to the Bases Conversion Development Authority.

Councilor Jose Molintas said some provisions of the new charter do not serve the city’s interests. Last year, the Baguio City Council passed a resolution asking then President Rodrigo R. Duterte to veto the bill. — Artemio A. Dumlao

CAVITEX raising tolls starting Aug. 21 following TRB approval

August 15, 2023 | 8:07 pm

THE Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) approved a toll increase for the 14-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX), which is to take effect on Aug. 21.

The decision clears the way to implement a 2017 periodic toll adjustment for the expressway.

Under the toll operation agreement between the TRB, Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. (MPTC) unit Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. and the Philippine Reclamation Authority, CAVITEX toll rates are allowed to be periodically adjusted every three years.

Starting Aug. 21, class 1 vehicles or cars and SUVs traversing CAVITEX from MIAA Exit to Longos, Bacoor will be charged P35, while class 2 vehicles or light trucks and buses and class 3 vehicles or trucks and lorries will have to pay P70 and P104, respectively.

Meanwhile, motorists traveling from Longos, Bacoor to Kawit Toll Plaza will pay P73 for class 1, P146 for class 2, and P219 for class 3.

“We recognize the impact of the toll increase on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers. That’s why we are reactivating our Abante Card program to provide some relief during this transition,” MPTC President and Chief Executive Officer Rogelio L. Singson said in a statement.

Under the program, class 1 and class 2 PUV drivers can enjoy the old toll rates for up to three months.

“We believe this program will help alleviate the financial burden on our valued PUV drivers and provide them with a smoother transition during this time. We remain committed to supporting the PUV community and ensuring their continued success on the road,” Mr. Singson said.

To make use of the relief program, operators will have to register for the toll road’s radio-frequency identification payments system.

“Once enrolled, the program will automatically apply the reprieve for a duration of 90 days, starting from the first day of the implementation of the new toll rates,” MPTC said.

MPTC is the tollways unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp. one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Metro Pacific, San Miguel in partnership for P72 billion worth of expressway projects

August 15, 2023 | 8:07 pm

METRO PACIFIC Tollways Corp. (MPTC) and San Miguel Corp. said they signed a memorandum of agreement to design, build and operate the Cavite-Batangas Expressway (CBEX) and Nasugbu-Bauan Expressway (NBEX) projects, which are valued at P72 billion.

“Together with San Miguel, we envisage a future where our CBEX and NBEX can help pave the way for connectivity and economic growth in the Calabarzon region,” MPTC Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We look forward to leveraging our respective strengths for the realization of this vital infrastructure project,” he said.

Under the agreement, the two companies will be developing an almost 80-kilometer toll road that will connect MPTC’s Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX) to Bauan, Batangas.

The joint project will encompass the 27.06-kilometer CBEX that will link CALAX Silang (Aguinaldo) Interchange to Nasugbu, Batangas and the 60.9-kilometer NBEX which will connect Nasugbu, Batangas to Bauan, Batangas.

“Our shared commitment to nation-building has led us to this historic collaboration. This collaboration stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we are united in purpose,” San Miguel President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon S. Ang said.

The two companies expect to break ground on the project next year with CBEX and NBEX expected to be completed and operational three years after, or in 2027.

In 2018, MPTC was granted the original proponent status for the 50.4-kilometer Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway (CTBEX) project by the Department of Public Works and Highways, some segments of which overlapped with San Miguel’s unsolicited proposal for CBEX and NBEX, which were approved by the Cavite and Batangas governments.

“Both projects share the common goal of connecting the provinces of Cavite and Batangas through Tagaytay City and MPTC and SMC have come together as partners in this significant venture,” MPTC said.

Meanwhile, the two companies said the closing of the deal is subject to completion of certain conditions, which include the execution of procurement approvals and definitive agreements.

MPTC is the tollways unit of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. one of three key Philippine units of Hong Kong-based First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being Philex Mining Corp. and PLDT, Inc.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Easier procurement rules seen curbing underspending

August 15, 2023 | 8:06 pm

DBM-Assistant-Secretary-Amenah-F.-Pangandaman-[DBMgovph-FB] — BUDGET SECRETARY AMENAH F. PANGANDAMAN — COURTESY OF DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT FACEBOOK PAGE

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said on Tuesday that easier procurement laws, including an upcoming amendment to the procurement law, are expected to curb government underspending in 2024.

At the Development Budget Coordination Committee briefing of the proposed 2024 budget before the Senate finance committee, Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said the Government Procurement Policy Board is working on simplifying the law’s implementing rules and regulations to address procurement bottlenecks.

“We are taking steps to address government spending and budget utilization,” M. Pangandaman said.

“We will be presenting our amendments to the Government Procurement Act to the President next week… We don’t have the bill yet, but we have the specific amendments.”

Senator Loren Regina B. Legarda had inquired about possible government underspending continuing into next year.

In his second address to Congress last month, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for changes to the procurement law.

Ms. Pangandaman said the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024 was optimized to put implementation-ready projects front and center.

The DBM estimates that in the first half, the government had failed to use P170.5 billion in budget allocations.

Ms. Pangandaman said procurement had been hindered by issues like the late delivery of goods due to disqualified bidders, and failure of suppliers and creditors.

Ms. Pangandaman said the DBM has been pressing agencies to procure as soon as possible to ensure the implementation of their flagship programs.

She added that the DBM plans to adopt a government purchase card for government agencies as an alternative payment solution for procuring goods and services.

The card aims to cut the time needed to liquidate government transactions and to promote reduced cash handling by government agencies.

The DBM will also fast-track the issuance of allotment orders to allow agencies to start the execution of programs as soon as the budget becomes effective, Ms. Pangandaman said.

The DBM said in July that it would seek to fully digitize public procurement to expedite the delivery of basic services and reducing costs.

Earlier this month, Ms. Pangandaman said the DBM will review the spending performance of government agencies and require them to submit “catch-up” plans to make up for delayed spending.

The National Government’s budget deficit narrowed 18% to P551.7 billion at the end of June due to the spending slowdown. Government spending rose 0.42% year on year to P2.41 trillion in the first half, missing the spending target by 6.6%. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Updated DBM manual expected to ease LGU shift to digitalized budget process

August 15, 2023 | 8:06 pm

THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said its updated Budget Operations Manual (BOM) for local government units (LGUs) will help provinces, cities, and municipalities adopt an eBudget system developed with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The manual will help LGUs “improve and systematize the methods, techniques, and procedures employed in budget preparation, authorization, execution, and accountability,” as well as provide “technical assistance in local government budgeting,” the DBM said in a circular issued on Tuesday.

It said that the previous version of the manual is from 2016.

“However, there have been significant developments in local government budgeting which call for the need to update the BOM for LGUs, 2016 Edition,” the DBM added.

The manual will include discussions on local taxation and fiscal matters, an enhanced framework for policy-based budgeting, and updated local budget forms.

The DBM also said that the manual will introduce the cash budgeting system, which LGUs “may adopt to instill fiscal discipline and ensure efficient and timely delivery of public service.”

According to the DBM, the electronic Budget (eBudget) System for LGUs will assist local governments in preparing the different forms required in the budgeting process. The system will also facilitate the online submission of annual or supplemental budget reports and other reports.

The eBudget System for LGUs was developed with technical assistance from the ADB.

“The Budget System also facilitates the online submission of reports to the electronic Statement of Receipts and Expenditure (eSRE) System of the Department of Finance – Bureau of Local Government Finance by the Local Budget Officer,” it said.

The system will be made available at no cost to LGUs interested in digitizing their budget processes. — Keisha B. Ta-asan

NTC trialing automated licensing, permit process

August 15, 2023 | 8:06 pm

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said it launched pilot testing on an automated platform for licensing and permitting.

The pilot tests for the Online Processing System with Digital Payment System project cover the operations of the Licensing Management of the Network & Facilities Division (NFD) and the Services & Interconnection Division (SID) of NTC’s Regulation Branch. Services of the two divisions can be tapped via the NTC website.

“The project is aimed to streamline and expedite the processing and issuance of licenses, permits, certificates, authorizations, and clearances for telecommunications and internet infrastructure,” the NTC said in a statement.

The NFD services that are being put on the platform are the permit to purchase, construction permit, radio station license, and permit to demonstrate and propagate.

Also on the platform are the SID’s certificate of registration for value-added service providers, public calling stations and telecenter service providers, among others.

The digital payment component of the project will launch in September, with full launch for the entire system expected in October. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Packworks, Pascal Resources in refillable LPG canister venture

August 15, 2023 | 8:05 pm

TECHNOLOGY startup Packworks said it partnered with Pascal Resources Energy, Inc. to supply refillable liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) canisters to micro-retail outlets in the Philippines.

“We are thrilled to be in joint hands with Gaz Lite (a Pascal Resources brand) … in making safer and more affordable cooking fuel a reality, while also contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment,” Packworks co-founder and chief executive officer Bing Tan, said in a statement on Tuesday.

Packworks offers a business-to-business open platform for small variety stores, known as sari-sari in the Philippines allowing them to become more efficient in management their operations.

Gaz Lite comes in 330-gram refillable LPG canisters. The company claims it to be a clean-burning fuel that is smoke- and sulfur-free. The 330-gram size allows buyers to pratice “tingi,” or buying in small quantities.

Packworks said a dealer network of megastore partners in Cebu, and elsewhere in the Visayas, Batangas, and Quezon will serve as the distribution and refilling hubs for Gaz Lite.

It said one of the aims of the project is to curb the use of illegally refilled butane canisters, charcoal and wood. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Delayed initial disbursement blamed for low RCEF usage

August 15, 2023 | 8:05 pm

Farmers-harvesting-rice field — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PHILIPPINE Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) said that the low utilization levels for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) were caused by delayed initial disbursements.

PhilMech Senior Science Research Specialist Elijah Z. Davalos said that the low utilization for the first three years of the program is due to the “late downloading of funds” during its first year of implementation in 2019.

“It created a domino effect as another P5 billion for 2020 was added without the first allocation (having been spent),” Mr. Davalos was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Republic Act No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law allocates P10 billion from rice import tariffs a year for six years to RCEF.

From this, PhilMech gets a P5-billion annual allocation to fund the farm mechanization component of RCEF. PhilMech is tasked with distributing farm equipment to qualified rice farmers, as well an additional P100 million for farm extension activities.

“Likewise, the pandemic largely restricted immediate machine distribution and rapid disbursement of funds during the first half of project implementation,” the DA said.

He said the backlog of unutilized funds from previous years is now “fully spent and accounted for.”

Mr. Davalos said that the Bids and Awards Committee has conducted bidding for fourth quarter spending items to fast-track fund disbursement.

PhilMech is constructing an assembly line in its Agricultural Mechanization Design and Prototyping Center, which is due to start operations by the fourth quarter, he said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Marcos sees palay output rise keeping supply of rice ample until end of year

August 15, 2023 | 8:05 pm

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., said that the 3% increase in palay production in the first half will ensure adequate stocks of rice until the end of the year.

In a statement released by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Mr. Marcos, who is also the Secretary of Agriculture, made his remarks after hearing a presentation at a meeting with the Economic Development Group.

Citing the production report issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority, Agriculture Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban said production of palay, or unmilled rice, was 9 million metric tons (MT) during the period, up from 8.7 million MT a year earlier.

The first-half total exceeded the initial estimate of 8.7 million MT released by the Philippine Rice Information System.

Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio S. Sebastian said that the palay volume translates to about 5.9 million MT in milled rice, which exceeds the initial projection of 5.7 million MT.

“With the 3% production growth in the first semester, we can expect that, barring the occurrence of destructive typhoons, the production for 2023 could surpass 20 million MT,” Mr. Sebastian said.

He expected the rice production to be encouraged by strong palay prices. Farmers are also benefiting from seed, fertilizer, biofertilizer, soil treatments, and farm machinery supplied by the Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the PCO said private rice traders expect about 300,000 MT of rice to arrive this month.

About 2.05 million MT has been landed as of the first week of August, the PCO said. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

HONOR 90 5G with 200MP Flagship Camera debuts in PHL at P24,990

August 15, 2023 | 7:30 pm

Pre-order your HONOR 90 5G and get a free JBL Flip 6 worth P7,499 until supplies last

Global technology brand HONOR today announced the launch of the HONOR 90 5G in the Philippine market. Featuring an impressive 200MP Flagship Camera with an industry-leading Quad-Curved Floating Display with eye-comfort technology, the HONOR 90 5G packs groundbreaking hardware and software to empower the always-on generation to capture their everyday adventures in outstanding detail and share these great vibes to closed ones.

“HONOR is bringing a new powerful and innovative device to cater to the needs of our consumers. Whether you’re a professional seeking on-the-go productivity, an avid content creator capturing life’s fleeting moments, or simply someone who values the convenience of modern technology, the new and powerful HONOR 90 5G has been designed to be your ultimate companion,” said Stephen Cheng, HONOR Philippines Vice President.

HONOR 90 5G: Powerful and Versatile Camera for Capturing Exquisite Photos and Videos

The all-new triple camera system consists of a 200MP Main Camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide and macro camera with a 112° field of view and a 2MP Depth Camera that helps the camera more accurately gauge distance. Supporting multi-frame fusion, noise reduction algorithm and pixel binning to achieve the light-capturing performance that is equivalent to having large 2.24µm pixels(16-in-1), the 200MP Main Camera produces excellent high dynamic range (HDR) photos and detailed, bright shots in low light situations.

The HONOR 90 5G also introduces the new Portrait Mode, which helps users effortlessly create exceptional portraits with well-defined facial features, accurate skin tones and an authentic bokeh effect that naturally blends the background with the subject. For added flexibility, the Portrait Mode also supports capturing at 2X zoom to deliver imaging results that better highlight the subject in frame.

At the front, the 50MP Front Camera captures stunning selfies that are brimming with detail, making the HONOR 90 5G an ideal choice for budding content creators.

Designed to help vloggers streamline their workflows, the HONOR 90 5G also employs artificial intelligence (AI) for video denoising and video mode recommendations, as well as for AI Vlog Assistant that enables users to generate a social media-ready 15-second video with just a few taps. The HONOR 90 5G achieves omnidirectional noise reduction with a signal-to-noise ratio of 20dB, which is close to a professional recorder, allowing users to capture clear human voices without other noise disturbance.

Immersive Viewing Experience on Display

Equipped with a 6.7-inch Quad-Curved Floating Display, the HONOR 90 5G supports a high resolution of 2664×1200, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and up to 1.07 billion colors, bringing visual content to life in stunning colors and vivid clarity. Furthermore, the HONOR 90 5G supports a peak HDR brightness of 1600 nits, which allows for improved display readability even under bright light.

The display is fast and responsive with an adaptive screen refresh rate of up to 120Hz which is dynamically adjusted according to the displayed content to strike the optimal balance between visual fluidity and battery life. In addition, with HDR10+ support and HDR certifications from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, the HONOR 90 5G ensures that users can enjoy an exceptional multimedia experience whether they are on the road or in the comfort of their homes.

Reflecting HONOR’s commitment to human-centric technology, the HONOR 90 5G is equipped with industry-leading eye comfort features. Receiving the TÜV Rheinland Flicker Free Certification and achieving the risk-free dimming level, the HONOR 90 5G is perfect for today’s entertainment-hungry generation who spend long hours viewing and watching content on their smartphones. The display supports the industry’s highest Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) Dimming frequency of 3840Hz, effectively minimizing the strain it puts on users’ eyes when it is set at low brightness. The display also features Dynamic Dimming which simulates natural light to alleviate eye fatigue, as well as HONOR’s Circadian Night Display technology which filters blue light and promotes natural melatonin secretion to improve user sleep quality at night.

Sleek and Stylish Design Inspired by Artisanal Craftsmanship

Inspired by haute couture and craftsmanship seen in luxury jewelry, the HONOR 90 5G exudes class with its 7.8mm thin and 183g lightweight body. The smooth, rounded edges wrapping the smartphone make it as much a joy to hold as to behold, and the Deeply Reinforced Glass provides users with peace of mind knowing their smartphone is built to last. At the rear, HONOR 90 5G features the iconic N Series classic Dual Ring Design, with rounded elements crafted with precise cutting techniques to produce a brilliant shine that adds an extra touch of elegance to the smartphone.

Incredible Battery Life Matched by Fast Performance

The HONOR 90 5G is embedded with a large 5000mAh battery to support all-day use. On a single charge, the smartphone can provide up to 19.5 hours of continuous local video streaming. When its battery is low, users can take it back up to 45% with 66W HONOR SuperCharge in just 15 minutes, keeping downtime at a minimum. Fast and battery efficient, the HONOR 90 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition, which has a 20% better GPU and 30% better AI performance compared to its predecessor. The internal temperature is kept in check by a 147% larger vapor chamber, facilitating efficient heat dissipation that allows the HONOR 90 to stay cool to the touch even under load.

A Truly Personalized Experience with HONOR MagicOS 7.1

Running the latest Android 13-based HONOR MagicOS 7.1, the HONOR 90 5G packs a raft of enhanced smart features like Magic Text, providing a smart life experience and enhancing productivity to the maximum.

Magic Text intelligently recognizes text on an image and allows users to perform actions directly with important information. For example, when Magic Text identifies a phone number, users can tap on it and choose an action from the menu, including calling, texting, and saving the number. Magic Text can also identify email addresses and website links for faster access to relevant services. You can enter the text recognition and scanning mode right away once through the digital viewfinder.

Pricing and Availability

The HONOR 90 5G is available at a price point of P24,990 in a range of fashionable color options including Midnight Black, Emerald Green, and Diamond Silver. Pre-order starts from Aug. 16 to 25, 2023 where you can get a FREE JBL Flip 6 worth P7,499 at select HONOR Outlets and Online Partner Stores Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok Shop.

HONOR Fans can also avail the HONOR 90 5G via Home Credit for as low as P1,002 per month on a 0% interest installment payment.

Leading credit card providers BDO, BPI, Citibank, Eastwest, Metrobank, PNB, and Security Bank also offer 0% interest, payable up to 12 months.

For more updates and announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to bit.ly/HONORPhysicalStores.

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by enabling them to publish their stories directly on the BusinessWorld website. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com.