Peso expected to remain weak versus dollar until next month

August 28, 2023 | 9:00 pm

THE PESO is expected to remain weak against the greenback until next month amid a seasonal rise in dollar demand for imports this quarter, analysts said.

“This third quarter, there really is a seasonal depreciation as businesses buy US dollars to import and stock up on inventories ahead of the holiday season,” China Banking Corp. Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said in a Viber message.

“In the fourth quarter, we will likely see the peso appreciate again as remittances come in,” Ms. Velasquez said.

The local unit closed at P56.57 versus the dollar on Friday, strengthening by 19 centavos from Thursday’s P56.76 finish, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines’ website showed.

For the year so far, the peso has depreciated by 1.44% against the dollar from its P55.755 close on Dec. 29, 2022.

The peso could recover to the P55 level in the fourth quarter amid the seasonal increase in remittances, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort likewise said in a Viber message.

Ms. Velasquez added the peso could also appreciate if the US Federal Reserve signals that they will hike one more time this year.

“Fundamentally, the peso is stronger because we have smaller trade deficits this year, continued inflow of remittances, and increasing tourist arrivals,” she said.

The Fed may need to raise interest rates further to cool still-too-high inflation, Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell said on Friday, promising to move with care at upcoming meetings as he noted both progress made on easing price pressures as well as risks from the surprising strength of the US economy, Reuters reported.

While not as hawkish a message as he delivered this time a year ago at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, Mr. Powell’s remarks still delivered a punch, with investors now seeing one more rate hike by yearend more likely than not.

The Fed raised borrowing costs by 25 basis points (bps) last month, bringing its target rate to a range between 5.25% and 5.5%.

It has hiked rates by a cumulative 525 bps since it began its tightening cycle in March last year.

Bank of the Philippine Islands Lead Economist Emilio S. Neri, Jr. likewise said the peso’s weakness will likely continue next month amid rising imports.

“Slower inflation prints for the Philippines combined with seasonal strength of remittances may bring us back to the P55 level by yearend,” he added.

Headline inflation slowed for a sixth straight month to 4.7% in July. For the first seven months, inflation averaged 6.8%, above the central bank’s 5.6% forecast and 2-4% target. — AMCS with Reuters

Shares may rise on bargain hunting before data

August 28, 2023 | 9:00 pm

PSE-720p-2 — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

LOCAL STOCKS may climb this week on bargain hunting after the US Federal Reserve said rates could stay high and as investors await the release of latest Philippine manufacturing data.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) fell by 65.17 points or 1.04% to close at 6,160.61 on Friday, while the broader all shares dropped by 25.17 points or 0.75% to end 3,332.40.

Week on week, the PSEi likewise dropped by 129.66 points or 2.06% from its close of 6,290.27 on Aug. 18.

“We may see episodes of bargain hunting given the local market’s current position,” Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco, senior research analyst at Philstocks Financial, Inc., said in a Viber message.

“However, we may not see a strong rally yet as confidence towards the economy is weighed down by mounting inflationary risks and a tempered outlook,” he added.

Philippine headline inflation eased for the sixth consecutive month to 4.7% in July from 5.4% in June, bringing the seven-month average to 6.8%.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas this month raised its inflation forecasts to 5.6% from 5.4% for 2023, 3.3% from 2.9% for 2024, and 3.4% from 3.2% for 2025.

“The market might enter a consolidation phase with a downward inclination. This projection stems from escalating concerns about rising Fed rates in the wake of Fed Chair Powell’s speech, signaling a substantial likelihood of an additional rate hike within this year,” Unicapital Securities, Inc. Senior Equity Research Analyst Carlos Angelo O. Temporal said in a Viber message.

“This move could counteract any upward movements triggered by bargain hunting, especially as the index approaches its critical support level,” Mr. Temporal said.

The US Federal Reserve may need to raise interest rates further to cool still-too-high inflation, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said on Friday, promising to move with care at upcoming meetings as he noted both progress made on easing price pressures as well as risks from the surprising strength of the US economy, Reuters reported.

While not as hawkish a message as he delivered this time a year ago at the annual Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium, Mr. Powell’s remarks still delivered a punch, with investors now seeing one more rate hike by year-end more likely than not.

The Fed has raised rates by 5.25 percentage points since March 2022, and inflation by the Fed’s preferred gauge has moved down to 3.3% from its peak of 7% last summer. Although the decline was a “welcome development,” Mr. Powell said, inflation “remains too high.”

Both analysts said that investors are awaiting the release of the S&P Global Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index data on Sept. 1 (Friday) and the producer price survey report on Aug. 30 (Wednesday) for leads.

For this week, Mr. Tantiangco placed the PSEi’s support at 6,000-6,100 and resistance at 6,400. — S.J. Talavera with Reuters

Backs-to-the-wall Gilas faces Italy after dropping ‘winnable’ first 2 games

August 28, 2023 | 7:50 pm

FIBA-Pilipinas fans — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. — Angola vs Dominican Republic
8 p.m. — Philippines vs Italy

AFTER letting two supposedly “winnable” games slip through their fingers, Gilas Pilipinas is feeling the pressure to get into the win column against powerhouse Italy.

To breathe life into their sagging fortunes as hosts of the FIBA World Cup, the nationals must deliver their very best performance and take down Italy, the group’s top dog, in their final pool assignment tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

And it won’t be enough to simply upset the world No. 3 Azzurri (1-1) in the 8 p.m. matchup to stay afloat in the Group A race to the second round.

The embattled Pinoy cagers need to beat the Italians by 13 points or more while praying the unbeaten Dominican Republic (2-0) defeats Angola (1-1) in the other tussle at 4 p.m.

Under this scenario, the hosts get into a triple tie with Italy and Angola and carry superior quotient in the tiebreaker for the coveted No. 2.

But more than keeping the flickering bid for Round 2 and Asia’s ticket to the Paris Olympics alive, it’s really about restoring the pride of a supportive nation that deserves a rewarding result, nothing less.

“We ain’t going to give up, we’ll keep fighting, we’ll keep competing,” Fil-Am NBA star Jordan Clarkson said.

His teammates are definitely on the same page.

“Laban pa rin kami. May laro pa, hindi kami susuko,” gunner RR Pogoy said.

The 40^th-ranked nationals are dire straits after bowing to the Karl-Anthony Towns-powered No. 23 Dominican Republic in a tight contest in front of a record 38,115 crowd at the Philippine Arena, 81-87, and No. 41 Angola before 12,784 fans at the Big Dome, 70-80.

“There’s a game to be played on Tuesday and we’ll prepare as best as we can to play a Top 10 team (Italy). That’s all we can do right now,” according to coach Chot Reyes. “Whatever’s happening to the other teams is not within our control so we can only focus on what’s within our control right now.”

The Philippines is also engaged in an informal competition with other Asian teams for an outright Paris berth. Co-host Japan took the lead after a massive 98-88 comeback win over Finland in Okinawa for a 1-1 card. The rest of the aspirants are still searching for that first W in their respective groups.

“The objective is to get to the Olympics so no matter how flickering that hope is, that hope is still alive. So we still have to keep our heads up and find a way to play our best in the next game,” Mr. Reyes said.

“We hope Japan loses its last game and we win our last game then it’s all tied. I don’t know how they’re going to break that tie but in the end, it’s going to be dependent on the other games. It’s not going to be in our hands. The only thing that is in our control right now is the next game. We can’t worry about the other things that are going on.” — Nelson Beltran

Sotto raring to do more against Italy

August 28, 2023 | 7:48 pm

KAI SOTTO wants more.

The 7-foot-3 Filipino center is still not satisfied with his performance in extended minutes against Angola as he hopes to contribute more to help Gilas Pilipinas to a breakthrough win at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

After seeing a limited action against the Dominican Republic due to early foul trouble, Mr. Sotto redeemed himself with a solid outing off the bench with eight points and six rebounds.

It was a massive improvement, performance and appearance-wise, for fan favorite Mr. Sotto after going perfect from the field in three attempts in almost 20 minutes of play.

“Marami pa rin ang pagkukulang. Maraming pwedeng i-improve kasi syempre wala namang perfect game kahit manalo ka,” Mr. Sotto said as Gilas braces for an elimination match against world No. 10 Italy after absorbing a costly 80-70 loss versus Angola to stay winless in Group A,

Mr. Sotto, who played only 73 seconds against the Dominicans, actually had a rough start by committing two early fouls, but head coach Chot Reyes stuck with him due to a favorable match-up this time against the Angolans.

“It was a game of matchups and personnel. We thought Kai could stay longer on the floor. We like the matchups we have inside. So even if he had fouls, we could keep him inside,” accoding to Reyes, who cited the better fit of June Mar Fajardo-AJ Edu combo against the Karl Anthony Towns-led Dominicans in the first game.

Mr. Sotto repaid the coaching staff’s trust by converting a skyhook upon his first entry late in the first quarter that sent the Smart Araneta Coliseum into a frenzy. It was a decent game for him from there on.

“After the first game, tiningnan ko talaga kung ano yung ginawa ko sa court at iyung pagkukulang ko. Nag-focus lang ako sa mga kaya kong kontrolin. Inisip ko lang na babawi ako at bibigyan ko ng more trust iyung sa coaches ko pag nilaro ako,” he added.

Still, Mr. Sotto’s redemption and Gilas’ revenge bid after a gritty 87-81 loss against the Dominican Republic were foiled by Angola heading into the tall order against Italy, which they need to beat by at least 13 points in order to advance.

“I’m proud of the effort from everybody sa team, kung anuman natutunan namin from this game, ia-add namin against Italy,” he said. — John Bryan Ulanday

Angola defeat a lost opportunity for Gilas payback, Ravena says

August 28, 2023 | 7:48 pm

Gilas-Angola-FIBA — PHILIPPINE STAR/JUN MENDOZA

IT WOULD have been a nice gift from the Gilas Pilipinas “avengers” to the national team legends watching at ringside.

But payback against Angola, Gilas’ conqueror in the previous FIBA World Cup in China four years ago, didn’t materialize.

“Sayang kasi parang gusto naming makabawi for them,” Gilas guard Kiefer Ravena said after the Angolans handed the home team a 70-80 loss, its second for the tournament.

Gilas old guard Gabe Norwood, Jayson Castro, Asi Taulava, Marc Pingris, James Yap and Larry Fonacier were among the 12,784 souls at the Big Dome to fire up the Nationals in the must-win match.

Mr. Norwood was the captain of the 2019 World Cuppers in Foshan, where he and current players Mr. Ravena, June Mar Fajardo, CJ Perez and RR Pogoy conceded an 81-84 overtime heartbreaker to the Angolans in group play.

“That was part of the motivation, bouncing back for those players who gave it their best during the 2019 World Cup,” Mr. Ravena said.

A way tougher opponent is up next in Italy.

“We can’t be emotional at this time when we have one more game left. Sayang lang pero kailangan bumawi ulit. Now we recover, forget about this and prepare for Italy.” — Olmin Leyba

Meeting Pacquiao a bucket-list item for Timberwolves’ Towns

August 28, 2023 | 7:47 pm

ALL of the attention may be on the basketball court but some FIBA World Cup visitors have made it their mission to meet a world boxing legend while they are in the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao, the 44-year-old ring icon, hosted the Dominican Republic’s Karl-Anthony Towns at his Makati home during some tournament downtime for the Minnesota Timberwolves center.

Mr. Towns, whose Dominicans remain unbeaten so far, visited Mr. Pacquiao right after led his team to a stunning 87-82 win over heavy favorite Italy Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s fun. It’s great to meet a Filipino legend, boxing legend and sports legend. I’ve known Manny for a while,” Mr. Towns told reporters after the Dominican Republic went 2-0 in Group A to bolster its second-round hopes.

Mr. Towns had just turned in a 24-point, 11-rebound and five-assist performance in the stunner over Italy.

The 7-footer said he had visited Mr. Pacquiao in his training camp for a fight against Errol Spence, Jr., who turned out to be Yordenis Ugas following the former’s withdrawal due to injury in 2021. Mr. Towns has seen some of his matches in the United States.

“Being able to see him in the ring personally, being in training camp. It’s really fun to catch up. We haven’t seen each other in a while,” added Mr. Towns, who also stamped his class in his team’s close 87-81 win against home team Gilas Pilipinas in front of a record-breaking crowd.

Mr. Towns said he could not let a golden opportunity slip away to reconnect with the eight-division champion.

Italy also has a huge Pacquiao fan in its ranks, head coach Gianmarco Pozzecco, who looked for the Pambansang Kamao right after landing in the Philippines.

“I love Manny Pacquiao,” said Mr. Pozzecco, whose wards will battle the Philippines in a crucial game today to determine the teams advancing to the second round. — John Bryan Ulanday

Hidilyn leads 7-strong team to World Championships in Riyadh

August 28, 2023 | 7:46 pm

TOKYO Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz will lead a seven-member team in the World Weightlifting Championships set Sept. 4 to 17 in Riyadh, where the competitors will seek qualifying points for next year’s Paris Olympics.

Apart from Mr. Diaz, the team will also include Tokyo Olympian Elreen Ando, Asian and World junior champion Vanessa Sarno, John Febuar Ceniza, Rosegie Ramos, Lovely Inan and Kristel Macrohon.

“This is an Olympic qualifying event and we’re hoping for the best,” Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella said.

Of the seven, Ms. Diaz, Ms. Sarno and Mr. Ceniza have the strongest chance of making the cut to the quadrennial event as they are currently ranked in the top 10 of their respective divisions.

For them to be officially considered though, they have to participate in at least five International Weightlifting Federation-sanctioned competitions.

So far, the three along with Elreen Ando have competed in two.

Ms. Diaz, whose 55-kilogram division where she struck gold in Tokyo was abolished, has been seeing action in the 59kg class where she will face off again with Ms. Ando on Sept. 8.

Ms. Sarno, who is considered the heiress apparent to Ms. Diaz, will compete in the 71kg division along with Ms. Macrohon on Sept. 13.

Ms. Ramos and Ms. Inan will laso battle each other in the 49kg bracket on Sept. 5 while Mr. Ceniza is plunging into action in the men’s 61kg group on Sept. 6.

Only one lifter per division is allowed per each country. — Joey Villar

Verstappen beats the rain for record-equaling ninth win in a row

August 28, 2023 | 7:46 pm

ZANDVOORT, Netherlands — Formula One leader Max Verstappen celebrated a record-equalling ninth successive victory after beating the rain to win a chaotic and red-flagged Dutch Grand Prix for the third year in a row.

The Red Bull driver’s home triumph from pole position at a soggy Zandvoort equaled now-retired Sebastian Vettel’s 2013 streak of success and was the team’s 14^th consecutive triumph and 13^th of the season.

The race started dry before rain caused chaos at the end of lap one, with a dry period followed by a torrential downpour that halted proceedings on the 65^th of 72 laps with cars skidding off.

Fernando Alonso put Aston Martin back on the podium with second place and a bonus point for fastest lap after the eventual rolling re-start behind the safety car led to a thrilling final chase.

Pierre Gasly was third for Renault-owned Alpine as Sergio Perez, Mr. Verstappen’s Mexican team mate and closest rival, collected a five-second post-race penalty for speeding in the pit lane and dropped to fourth.

Mr. Verstappen now leads Perez by a mighty 138 points with nine races remaining.

“Incredible. They didn’t make it easy for us with the weather to make all the right calls. Incredibly proud,” said Mr. Verstappen as his army of orange-clad fans began the celebrations.

“I already had goosebumps when they were playing the national anthem before the start,” added the 25-year-old. “Even with all the bad weather, the rain, the fans are still going at it. So an incredible atmosphere.”

Mr. Verstappen’s 11^th victory of the season, and 46^th of his career, provided another big push towards clinching a third title well before the end of the season.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished fifth with Lewis Hamilton sixth for Mercedes and fellow Briton Lando Norris seventh for McLaren. Alex Albon collected more precious points for Williams in eighth, ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Esteban Ocon 10^th for Alpine. — Reuters

Hovland captures Tour Championship, wins FedEx Cup

August 28, 2023 | 7:46 pm

LONG seen as a rising star on the PGA Tour, Viktor Hovland has officially arrived.

Mr. Hovland ran away with the Tour Championship and lifted the FedEx Cup trophy for the first time in his young career in Atlanta.

The Norwegian entered the day with a six-shot advantage over Xander Schauffele and never let that margin become smaller than three.

Mr. Hovland turned in a final-round 63 at East Lake Golf Club to finish at 27-under 261, while Mr. Schauffele fired a 62 but landed at 22 under for the week.

Mr. Hovland, 25, won the PGA Tour’s season-long points race and won $18 million in the process. He shot a final-round 61 last week to win the second leg of the FedEx Cup playoffs, the BMW Championship, which vaulted him to second place (8 under) to start the Tour Championship.

Mr. Hovland and Mr. Schauffele each birdied four of their first six holes Sunday to separate from the rest of the field. Mr. Schauffele found an even higher gear, making putts of 11, 18 and 12 feet for three more birdies at Nos. 8, 11 and 12 to close the gap.

But Mr. Hovland held his ground by saving par for nine straight holes. The most critical may have been at the par-4 14^th, when Mr. Schauffele was already in with a 4 and Mr. Hovland sank a curling, right-to-left par putt from 23 feet out.

Mr. Hovland then slammed the door with birdies at Nos. 16, 17 and 18, and Mr. Schauffele’s reservoir of birdies ran out until the 18^th.

Mr. Schauffele recorded his 28^th consecutive round of par or better at East Lake, but it wasn’t enough to help him overtake the entire field.

He began the week seven shots off the pace at 3 under. He settled for a $6.5 million second prize.

US Open champion Wyndham Clark shot a 65 to finish third at 16 under and win $5 million. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, last year’s FedEx Cup champ, birdied five of his final seven holes to post a 65 and place fourth at 14 under. — Reuters

Philexport pushing for review of road user’s tax

August 28, 2023 | 7:34 pm

Edsa-bus-carousel-cars — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

By Justine Irish D. Tabile, Reporter

THE Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said that the government should review proposals to impose a motor vehicle tax, and expressed doubt that such a tax will ultimately control vehicle numbers.

“It is not a problem for us if you tax the luxuries, even if that affects most businessmen; they are willing to do that,” Philexport President Sergio R. Ortiz-Luis told reporters last week.

“However, I think they should first study the road user’s tax. I think what they should find out first is why are the number of cars is growing,” he said.

At his second State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. called for legislators to focus on tax measures, including a motor vehicle user’s charge or road tax.

In July, the House ways and means committee approved amendments to the law regulating motor vehicle user’s charges (MVUCs) which taxes all private, for-hire, and government-owned vehicles.

For-hire vehicles will receive a 50% discount on the MVUC, while motorcycles and tricycles are exempt. The revenue from the MVUC is expected to finance the public utility vehicle modernization program and the government’s road infrastructure and safety programs.

According to Mr. Ortiz-Luis, many cars are now being parked on the roads, which he said was caused by temporary measures that were made permanent.

“Before, when you had one garage, you would only have one car. Now, you can see cars parked on the side of the roads,” he said, blaming the number coding scheme that pushed motorists to buy more cars.

“(Number coding) was introduced as a temporary measure during the construction of the Metro Rail Transit but they made it a permanent measure. And because of that, people bought more cars. Now, if they have the money, they will buy,” he added.

He said this is the reason why the car industry is growing continuously whatever the state of the economy.

“We still do not have a developed mass transportation system, which we should first fix. They said that the measure of being a developed country is when the rich people ride mass transit not when everyone is buying cars, even the poor,” he said.

In July, the Philippine automotive industry saw a 33% year-on-year rise in sales to 37,086 units, the Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) reported.

For the first seven months of the year, CAMPI-TMA members sold 239,501 units, up 31.1%.

DoE sets Sept. 28 deadline for geothermal, hydro, wind bids

August 28, 2023 | 7:32 pm

THE Department of Energy (DoE) said the new deadline to submit bids for the fourth round of the open and competitive selection process (OCSP-4) is Sept. 28, with the bids to be opened on the same day.

In an advisory, the DoE said it moved the deadline from Aug. 29. The fourth round will feature 19 sites on offer.

Energy Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol said the extension will “ensure the widest participation in the OCSP4” and provide enough time for prospective bidders to prepare and submit their proposals.

The DoE is offering three geothermal sites for development, with potential capacity of about 160 megawatts (MW).

The first site, with potential output of 100 MW, straddles the municipalities of Buguias, Benguet and Tinoc, Ifugao. A second site with potential output of 40 MW is in Mabini, Batangas. The third site with potential output of 20 MW straddles Pililla and Jala-Jala, Rizal, and Pangil and Pakil, Laguna.

The DoE has also identified 13 predetermined areas for hydropower projects with an overall capacity of 86.25 MW.

The proposed hydropower sites are located in Tinoc, Ifugao (5 MW); Alilem, Ilocos Sur (16.2 MW); San Remigio, Antique (4.2 MW); Libacao, Aklan (15 MW); Badian, Cebu (0.5 MW); two sites in Malaybalay, Bukidnon (4.5 and 5.65 MW); Dingalan, Aurora (1.0 MW); Surigao del Sur (16.3 MW); Digos City, Davao del Sur (4.0 MW); Manabo, Abra (7 MW); Naujan, Oriental, Mindoro (3.3 MW); and Calamba, Misamis Occidental (3.6 MW).

Wind sites on offer are in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija; Pantabangan, Nueva Ecija; and Bagac, Bataan. The target potential capacity has yet to be determined.

The deadline was first extended in a previous advisory in accordance with the memorandum circular issued by the Office of the President last week. The Palace had suspended work in government offices in Metro Manila for the opening ceremonies of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

“Bid proposals submitted prior to the issuance of this advisory may be retrieved by a prospective bidder for further enhancement and submitted on or before the deadline stated above,” Ms. Capongcol said.

She also said the DoE will allow two authorized representatives per bidder — in possession of a board resolution or secretary’s certificate — to attend in person or virtually during the opening of bids. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

EPIRA changes should focus on tax — Congress think tank

August 28, 2023 | 7:31 pm

PROPOSED amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) of 2001 should focus on rationalizing power taxes to lower electricity costs, according to a policy think tank attached to the House of Representatives.

“Since the burden of the taxes on the power sector and the concomitant higher electricity prices are ultimately borne by the consumer, it is imperative to revisit and rationalize all tax levies on the power sector,” the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department (CPBRD) said.

In its policy brief, “Continuing Reform in the Power Sector: Addressing energy insecurity and high prices,” the CPBRD called for a review of the value-added tax (VAT) on systems losses, which it said cannot be classified as goods or services.

“Systems loss is part of one’s electricity bill representing the cost of electricity lost during transmission, pilferage, and technical inefficiencies,” it said.

The think tank also urged Congress to review other VAT charges on end-user electricity bills, like those on the subsidy to the lifeline rate, capital expenditure contribution, and National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) franchise tax.

However, the CPBRD said legislators should consider potential revenue to be foregone in rationalizing taxes on the generation sector.

“Removing VAT on electricity will bring down electricity prices by 2%, but may result in a corresponding 3.4% reduction in government revenue, estimated at P212 billion,” it said.

To lower power costs, the CPBRD also urged the government to amend the NGCP franchise to allow other private companies and the government to help build transmission infrastructure, strengthen energy governance, and prohibit cross-ownership.

It also called for the fast-tracking of exploration and development of indigenous energy sources, following the expected depletion of the Malampaya gas field by 2027, as well as to strengthen the Energy Virtual One-Stop Shop for energy projects and to include local government units.

Proposed amendments to EPIRA are currently with the House committee on energy. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz