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Agrarian debt condonation IRR due in Palace by mid-September

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PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is expected to receive the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the New Agrarian Reform Emancipation Act by the second week of September, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) said on Thursday.

“We intend to finish the IRR by Sept. 10 and present it to the President by Sept. 12 or Sept. 13,” Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado M. Estrella III told the House Appropriations Committee reviewing the proposed P5.768-trillion 2024 national budget.

He said the committee tasked to create the IRR convened on Monday.

Mr. Marcos signed Republic Act No. 11953 on July 7, which will condone debt incurred by land awardees.

The law is expected to help 610,054 agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) holding 1.17 million hectares of land.

RA 11953 also terminates payments to landlords in a voluntary land transfer and direct payment scheme, which will benefit 10,201 ARBs across 11,531.24 hectares.

The DAR is proposing a P9.39 billion budget for 2024, which is 12.21% lower than this year’s.

Mr. Estrella noted that DAR has distributed 49,484 land titles in the year to date.

He said that under the Support to Parcelization of Lands for Individual Titling program, the department distributed 33,654 titles in the seven months to July. This covers 46,241 hectares of land handed to 29,320 beneficiaries. 

Under the Regular Land Acquisition & Distribution program, 15,830 titles have been distributed within the same time frame, covering 14,454 hectares of land for 14,303 (beneficiaries).

“Access to land empowers communities to establish local economies, generate employment opportunities, and enhance food security,” House Appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson and Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo told the committee. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

WB: Digital competitiveness needs liberal regulation of cross-border data

STOCK PHOTO | Image by DC Studio from Freepik

CROSS-BORDER data flow requires an enabling environment if the Philippines is to unlock the competitiveness of its digital trade and data-driven industries, the World Bank (WB)  said. 

“The ability to use, share, and access data across borders is vital for innovation and economic growth and to leverage technologies, such as the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence,” World Bank Senior Digital Development Specialist Naoto Kanehira said during a virtual policy discussion on Aug. 16.

“My advice would be to not only look inward but also outward and to acknowledge the role the Philippines has been playing as a regional leader for cross-border data flows. This is consequential not only domestically but (also has) regional and global implications,” he added.  

According to Arangkada Philippines, which organized the discussion, public policy has been generally supportive for low barriers to data flow in the private sector, while data localization requirements or measures dealing with the location of stored data and data processing have been limited to residency restrictions on sensitive and top-secret data under the Cloud First Policy.

Arangkada Philippines is a project of foreign chambers of commerce based in the Philippines and serves to promote the chambers’ policy recommendations to the government.

The Asia Internet Coalition called for a transparent and consultative approach between the government and industry to ensure that policy is consistent with international standards, and described the fostering of digital trust as critical in facilitating cross-border access, usage, and exchange of data.  

Meanwhile, IBM Philippines Government and Regulatory Affairs officer Princess Lou M. Ascalon said restrictions on cross-border data could hamper the operations of the IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry. 

She added that the restrictions could result in higher costs and pose risks for cybersecurity, disaster recovery, and redundancy.

“The IT-BPM industry is going to be more heavily reliant on data as it continues to grow. We hope to have the Philippine government and industry’s support to keep our policies open and conducive to the growth of this sector,” Ms. Ascalon said.

Arangkada Philippines hosted the discussions in collaboration with the Philippines-US Joint Cybersecurity Working Group, Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, US-ASEAN Business Council, IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines, Asia Cloud Computing Association, and the Asia Internet Coalition. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Manila eyes VFA with ally near China

PHILIPPINESTAR/WALTER BOLLOZOS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

THE PHILIPPINES is in talks with another country for a visiting forces agreement (VFA), the Foreign Affairs department said on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian nation boosts security ties amid rising tensions with China.

“We are in discussions now [with] a major partner near China,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo told a House of Representatives budget hearing, without naming the country.

“We have the VFA with the United States and Australia. We are not closed to similar arrangements with friendly partners who wish to do so,” he added.

The country’s top envoy said the partnership would cover not only defense and security but also the economy.

The Philippines under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has pursued closer ties with the US and its allies amid China’s increasing assertiveness in the South China Sea.

On Aug. 5, the Chinese Coast Guard, backed by its maritime militia and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) ships, fired water cannons to drive away Philippine vessels trying to deliver food and other supplies to a grounded ship at Second Thomas Shoal.

The 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.

China’s move prompted a diplomatic protest from the Philippines and statements of concern from countries including the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea and members of the European Union.

Mr. Manalo said the Philippines seeks to address its sea dispute with China “by trying to forge more links.”

The Philippines’ visiting forces agreement with the US, a treaty ally and former colonizer, lays down the rules for American soldiers participating in war games in the Philippines.

In February, Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said Manila was eyeing a similar pact with Japan. “There was already a proposal for certain areas,” he told Japanese news wire Nikkei during his official visit to Tokyo.

“I think it really is just a progression of what has already been happening, so we are just intensifying our joint exercises.”

In June, the top security advisers of the Philippines, US and Japan held their first-ever talks in Tokyo, discussing regional security issues, including those involving the South China Sea, and ways to boost their three-way cooperation. Their coast guards held joint exercises that month.

Mr. Marcos on Wednesday recognized Japan’s role in maintaining peace and security in the South China Sea, saying the bilateral and multilateral deals between Manila and Tokyo have helped keep the region stable.

“I refer to the tripartite trilateral agreements that we have been talking about and have started to implement in terms of joint patrols, in terms of joint exercises for the two maritime forces of Japan and the Philippines,” he said during a courtesy call from Komeito Party Chief Representative Yamaguchi Natsuo at the presidential palace in Manila.

He cited Japan’s contributions in terms of equipment and training, as well as how it has helped preserve the peace and free conduct of trade and shipping in the South China Sea.

In their meeting, the Philippine leader also expressed concern over tensions in the Korean Peninsula, which flared after North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Mr. Marcos expressed support for the plans of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who is set to hold various discussions on regional peace.

“We consider it a critical issue that, really, we in the region must work together very, very hard to try to alleviate the tensions, to try to make all the proponents of peace in the region be the dominant voice,” he said.

Japan is the Philippines’ top infrastructural donor and supporter.

The Philippines got P109 billion in official development assistance (ODA) from Japan from April 2021 to March 2022, the biggest among Southeast Asian beneficiaries, the Japan International Cooperation Agency said in January.

Japan is raising its defense spending to 2% of its gross domestic product by 2027 or by 60% over five years, hitting the third spot on the list of countries with the largest defense budgets. Tokyo has been citing China’s aggression and North Korea’s unpredictability.

Experts earlier said it would be beneficial for the Philippines to tap Japan’s growing desire to be a more noticeable security provider in the region, noting that Tokyo’s Foreign Affairs Ministry has allotted significant resources to improve the defense capabilities of friendly neighbors.

Lucio B. Pitlo III, a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation, earlier said growing ties among the Philippines, Japan and the US could have been prompted by the failure of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to tackle regional security issues.

At Wednesday’s House hearing, Mr. Manalo said the Philippine government is open to holding joint patrols with its Southeast Asian neighbors.

“If there are proposals by other ASEAN countries, we will be very open to consider it, but for the moment we are not aware of any ASEAN-wide joint patrols,” he said.

Albay Rep. Edcel C. Lagman proposed for the Philippines to host an international meeting in support of a 2016 arbitral ruling that voided China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

“We cannot sing Hallelujah if we cannot enforce the award,” he told the hearing. “Is the Department of Foreign Affairs considering hosting an international meeting of all kindred countries to solidify their support? It’s an interesting idea we will be happy to explore.”

Meanwhile, Palawan Rep. Edward Hagedorn has filed a resolution urging the Philippine government to conduct joint multilateral maritime patrols to protect its South China Sea claims.

Holding joint multilateral maritime patrols with like-minded nations “will be seen as a stronger and more resolute initiative” in asserting Philippines sovereignty and deterring any aggression at sea, he said in a statement.

“This would also enhance regional and international cooperation which would lead to a more collective response toward security challenges and transnational crimes, such as illegal fishing and piracy,” he added.

14 public schools now under DepEd management amid Makati-Taguig land dispute

PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE EDUCATION department has taken over the management of 14 public schools affected by a Supreme Court decision on a territorial dispute between the cities of Makati and Taguig.

In an Aug. 16 order, the agency cited “increasing tension” between the two cities, which it said could affect the “peaceful and orderly reopening of schools” on Aug. 29.

“The Office of the Secretary shall directly supervise the management and administration of all 14 schools, pending a transition plan, effective immediately,” according to the order. It cited the need to protect the students, teachers and nonteaching personnel.

The 14 schools are Makati Science High School, Comembo Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, Pembo Elementary School, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino High School and Tibagan High School.

Also on the list are Fort Bonifacio Elementary School, Fort Bonifacio High School, Pitogo Elementary School, Pitogo High School, Cembo Elementary School, East Rembo Elementary School, West Rembo Elementary School and South Cembo Elementary School.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has created a committee that will create a transition plan.

During the transition period, all school activities must be approved by DepEd.

School heads must directly report to and defer to the Education secretary on matters related to the daily operations of the schools.

The Philippine National Police has been tasked to enforce the DepEd order.

In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation is part of Taguig City. In 2022 and 2023, it denied Makati’s motion for reconsideration.

The dispute has affected about 30,000 students from the so-called EMBO (enlisted men’s barrios) schools in 10 villages that were formerly part of Makati City, with Taguig being accused of forcibly taking over the public schools. Taguig has denied the claim.

Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay earlier said the court ruling on the cities’ territorial row did not cover the ownership rights of the public schools, which she said were paid for and are owned by Makati.

In a statement, Ms. Binay welcomed DepEd’s decision to take over management of the schools, saying it would “ease the worries and concerns” of students, parents and teachers.

“We look forward to working wholeheartedly with the transition team created by the Vice President,” she said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Gov’t told to include more Pinoys in cash transfer program

PHILIPPINE STAR/ BOY SANTOS

A CONGRESSMAN on Thursday urged the Social Welfare department to include more Filipinos in its conditional cash transfer program.

“Why are we lowering the [beneficiaries] while more and more Filipinos are becoming poor?” Assistant Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Arlene D. Brosas told a House of Representatives hearing on the P5.768-trillion national budget for next year.

This was after Social Welfare Secretary Rexlon T. Gatchalian said the agency had briefly halted its delisting of beneficiaries under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps to reassess the number of poor Filipino families.

“Whenever we delist [beneficiaries,] we have them replaced as we have an existing database of waitlisted families who are needing to go into the program,” he told the hearing.

He said they would need a bigger budget to accommodate more beneficiaries. “We will always push for adding more 4Ps members if the budget allows it.”

Only 13.46% of the P94.34-billion 4Ps budget for 2023 has been given to beneficiaries pending review, Mr. Gatchalian said.

The government expects to complete the review of beneficiaries of its conditional cash transfer program by September, he told a news briefing this week.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is looking at 1.4 million families, including 700,000 people who had been tagged as nonpoor before the pandemic, Mr. Gatchalian said.

He said the 700,000 people previously tagged as nonpoor had been heavily affected by the pandemic, pulling them back into poverty.

Another 700,000 people had not been assessed because of pandemic-induced lockdowns, he said. He added that the cash transfer program accounts for half of the agency’s budget for 2023.

At Thursday’s hearing, Mr. Gatchalian said the program targets 4.4 million beneficiaries by October or November.

DSWD expects a 94% utilization rate for the program by yearend, or P96.55 billion including operating costs.

Out of the agency’s proposed P209.9-billion budget for next year, P112.8 billion is earmarked for 4Ps.

The program provides cash grants to the poorest households on the condition that they commit to help raise key development metrics, like submitting to nutrition and health checks, and keep children in school. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Saudi unlikely to settle unpaid OFW wages this year

By John Victor D. Ordoñez, Reporter

A FINAL settlement on the unpaid wages of more than 10,000 Saudi Arabia-based overseas Filipino workers (OFW) is unlikely to materialize this year even with promises given by the Saudi government to Manila in November.

“The DFA will be frank — early this year our embassy [in Saudi Arabia] reported that it is not realistic to expect the payment to come this year,” Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. de Vega told a Senate migrant workers committee hearing on Thursday.

Senator Rafael “Raffy” T. Tulfo, who heads the committee, had asked officials from DFA and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) why they have not issued a definite date for the settlement.

The Saudi government promised President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. it would settle the unpaid wages and other benefits of Filipino workers who were laid off by private Saudi employers from 2015 to 2016.

The commitment was made during bilateral talks at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Bangkok, Thailand in November.

Mr. De Vega said the embassy report he was quoting came before a trip made by DMW officials to Saudi Arabia a few months after the commitment was given to the President.

Mr. Tulfo advised DMW and DFA to avoid issuing premature announcements that the wages would be paid to avoid giving OFWs false hope.

“We keep saying that the wages will be paid, but we should also pressure those in Saudi Arabia to give us an exact date of when these will be given,” he said in Filipino.

Migrant Workers Undersecretary Bernard P. Olalia said a Saudi minister would visit the country later this year to coordinate with state officials about the settlement.

In March, Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susanna V. Ople said Saudi Arabia would hire about a million skilled Filipino workers in the next 18 to 24 months through a special employment program.

Gov’t told to ensure rice supply 

RENS D-UNSPLASH

THE COUNTRY needs a backup plan to ensure rice sufficiency ahead of the expected bad weather and El Niño dry spell in the coming months, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said on Wednesday. 

During a Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) briefing on the proposed 2024 budget before the Senate finance committee, the senator said rising prices could worsen inflation. 

“Submit to us a contingency plan,” he told DBCC officials. “I’m really worried that this export ban from other countries will affect us not only in terms of supply but also in terms of prices.” 

Global rice prices have jumped by about 20% to 15-year highs since India, which accounts for 40% of world supplies, banned non-basmati white rice exports last month, Reuters reported. 

The Department of Agriculture had recommended that the private sector import an additional 500,000 metric tons (MT) of rice because El Niño-induced dry spells could affect crop production later this year. 

“I would like to urge the government to seriously look into the situation because it’s not only going to affect inflation but more importantly food on the table for our own constituents,” Mr. Gatchalian said. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

DTI warns vs overpriced items 

BW FILE PHOTO

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) warned consumers on Thursday against overpriced school supplies, saying they should buy these from outlets that sell the items at lower prices. 

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual led a price-monitoring team to Divisoria, Manila to ensure school supplies were being sold at DTI’s suggested retail prices, the agency said in a statement. “All the prices match what’s on the price guide,” he said. 

Mr. Pascual said consumers should avoid stores that sell school supplies at overpriced rates. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

Samal needs gensets for polls

DAVAO CITY — To ensure stable power supply in Samal, Davao del Norte for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October, the island needs to have a total of 16 generator sets. 

The Department of Energy-Mindanao (DoE-Mindanao) said on Monday that local government units (LGUs) in two of the three districts of Samal have already signified their intention to procure gensets required to ensure that the elections are not disrupted. 

At present, DoE-Mindanao has been coordinating with the Commission on Elections and private distribution utilities to validate the electricity requirements for the polls and the request for alternative power-generating capacities for Samal. — Maya M. Padillo

Intel agents step in bomb probe 

COTABATO CITY — Police and military agents have intensified investigation into Tuesday’s grenade attack on the house of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sheriff M. Abas.  

Intelligence agents of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and the Army’s 6th Infantry Division have stepped in to help local police identify the motorcycle rider who lobbed the grenade at Mr. Abas’ front yard on Narra Street, Barangay Rosary Heights 3, here.

While the explosion caused property damage, no one was injured. A P300,000 reward was offered for information leading to the arrest of the attacker. 

Police Director Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza said probers were reviewing security camera footage in the area that could help their investigation. — John Felix M. Unson

Climate change deal inked 

THE PHILIPPINES and Germany vowed to boost their climate cooperation on Thursday when President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. received German Ambassador Andreas Michael Pfaffernoschke in Malacañang. 

“Let’s look in that direction,” Mr. Marcos told Mr. Pfaffernoschke about addressing concerns on the economy, climate change and energy, among other things. 

“The Chief Executive agreed that the partnership between the Philippines and Germany would greatly benefit the country, especially in promoting the climate agenda in both the local and international settings,” the palace said in a statement. 

The two countries have signed a joint declaration of intent on consultations for technical cooperation projects in the fields of climate, energy and biodiversity. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Rebel camp seized in CAR 

BAGUIO CITY — Mountain Province policemen and intelligence agents from the Naval Intelligence Security Group-North Luzon seized an abandoned rebel encampment in the hinterland village of Suquib, Besao town on Wednesday. 

Seized from the camp site were an M-16 rifle, a portable radio, five magazines for an M-14 rifle, assorted clothes, educational paraphernalia and flags of the New People’s Army (NPA) and their affiliate groups. 

On Tuesday, Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo, Cordillera police director, said a rebel had surrendered to police in the village of Bantay, Paracelis, also in Mountain Province. For surrendering his long firearm, the rebel will receive benefits under the government’s Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program, he said. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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