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Sugar industry sees El Niño reducing output by 10-15%

SUGARCANE production may drop 10-15% depending on the severity of the El Niño dry spell expected this year, a sugar industry official said.

“For a starting figure, a drop of around 10-15% in production, (equivalent to) 180,000-200,000 metric tons (MT) of sugar might not be harvested…  200,000 (MT) is about four million bags,” United Sugar Producers Federation President Manuel R. Lamata told reporters via Zoom on Wednesday.

Mr. Lamata said a six- to eight-month dry spell may cause cane farmers with no access to water to stop farming.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the likelihood of an El Niño event in the fourth quarter has risen to 80%.

“If that really happens, that would be worse, not just for sugar but all agricultural products… Everything that’s agricultural will really be hit,” he said.

Pablo Luis S. Azcona, board member and planter’s representative from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), said that the impact of El Niño on sugarcane production will likely be reflected in the next cropping season.

“At this moment, (most sugar is in) the vegetative stage,” he told reporters in a separate Zoom briefing.

The cropping season for sugarcane typically starts in early September but last year, some farmers started planting as early as Aug. 15 which seemed to cause a 10% drop in output, he said.

Mr. Azcona said that the SRA is currently validating its production records with the milling season due to end next month.

Aside from reduced output, the cost of farm inputs like irrigation and fertilizer might rise 10%, translating to an increase in the sugarcane farmgate price by P5 to between P50 and P60, according to Mr. Azcona.

Mr. Lamata said solar-powered irrigation pumps could help farmers maintain their productivity.

SRA ACTING ADMINISTRATOR
Agriculture Senior Undersecretary Domingo F. Panganiban has been designated officer-in-charge (OIC) of the SRA, according to Mr. Azcona.

Citing the SRA charter, Mr. Azcona said the SRA board chairman steps in as acting administrator pending a more permanent appointment.

“(Appointing) an OIC is urgent because we have imports coming in and we still (processing) import clearances, so we need somebody in place,” he said.

The Palace confirmed the resignation of former SRA Administrator David John Thaddeus P. Alba on March 15. His departure took effect on April 15, with the Palace citing Mr. Alba’s deteriorating health.

In a statement, National Federation of Sugarcane Planters, Inc. (NFSP) President Enrique D. Rojas said that the designation of Mr. Panganiban “sends mixed signals” due to the recent controversy surrounding Sugar Order No. 6.

“Nonetheless, the NFSP grants Usec. Panganiban all the benefit of the doubt, while the propriety and legality of all matters relating to Sugar Order No. 6 is still up for debate,” he said.

Large shipments of sugar were brought in via the Port of Batangas earlier this year and were released on Mr. Panganiban’s authority. The shipments had arrived before the process for applying for import quotas under SO 6 had expired.

Mr. Panganiban had described the need to import sugar as urgent due to the impact of rising food prices on inflation.

RECLASSIFICATION
Meanwhile, Mr. Azcona said that about 130,000 MT of refined sugar landed in the Philippines of the 440,000 MT authorized for import by SO 6.

SO 6 required that 100,000 MT of refined sugar be landed “as soon as possible” with another 100,000 MT arriving before April 1.

The remaining 240,000 MT will be retained as a buffer stock, according to instructions issued by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., in his capacity as Secretary of Agriculture.

Some 86,000 MT has been reclassified for domestic use and is set for release onto the market.

Mr. Azcona said that the suggested retail price for refined sugar has yet to be decided but expects it to remain at about P85 per kilogram.

The SRA has been working on amending a memorandum circular that would allow it to ultimately release smuggled sugar seized and donated by the Bureau of Customs (BoC).

Mr. Azcona has said that the Palace approved the donation of 4,000 tons of refined sugar seized by the BoC to the Department of Agriculture for sale at government-subsidized KADIWA outlets at P70 per kilogram, he said.

On Wednesday, DA price monitoring indicates that refined sugar market prices were between P86 and P110 per kilo, while washed sugar sold for P80-P96, and brown sugar P78-P95. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Austria in discussions with PHL to fill worker shortage, including healthcare industry

REUTERS

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it met with a delegation from Austria to discuss the possibility of expanded worker deployments to address Austrian labor shortages, particularly in healthcare.

In a statement issued late Tuesday, the DMW said representatives from the city government of Vienna and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber met with Migrant Workers Secretary Maria Susana V. Ople on Tuesday.

Gunther Wiesinger, chairman of the Austria Vienna Association of Healthcare Facilities at the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, said Austria needs about 60,000 to 75,000 healthcare workers, with 200,000 job openings across all industries.

There are about 5,824 overseas Filipino workers in Austria, with 1,220 of these in the hospitality and food service industries and 749 in healthcare and social work, the DMW said, citing 2022 government data.

The DMW, Department of Health, and the Commission on Higher Education plan to launch a scholarship fund for nursing students to ensure employment opportunities after they graduate, Ms. Ople told the delegation.

Ms. Ople noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs advised the government to sign a memorandum of understanding to set guidelines for labor agreements between Austria and the Philippines.

Austrian Ambassador to the Philippines Johann Brieger said both countries will benefit from increased worker deployments to Austria.

“Our partnership with the Philippine government through the DMW will create a win-win situation, providing employment opportunities for skilled Filipino workers while contributing to the growth of Austria’s economy.”

In January, Ms. Ople said the government is hoping to conduct discussions with Romania, Hungary and Portugal to conclude more labor agreements. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

LANDBANK launches loan program for power distributors

BW FILE PHOTO

LAND BANK of the Philippines (LANDBANK) launched a short-term loan facility for electricity distribution companies designed to mitigate price increases with consumption expected to rise due to high temperatures.

The bank said in a statement on Wednesday that it allocated an initial P1.5 billion for the lending program, which was launched on April 14.

Under the program, power distributors may borrow up to 80% of the incremental increase in the working capital requirement during the dry months, the bank said.

However, the amount may not exceed three times the average billings of the power distributors’ suppliers.

“LANDBANK aims to provide consumers more breathing room to pay their energy bills by helping prevent a price surge on their monthly expenditures. We are also committed to boosting the capacity of energy players to provide sufficient, accessible and reasonably-priced supply of electricity nationwide,” LANDBANK President and Chief Executive Officer Cecillia C. Borromeo said.

The lending program is known as Assistance to Narrow and Trim down the Incremental power cost increase via Bridge financing Initiative of LANDBANK to Lower and Spread out Hot summer-triggered monthly Consumption on Konsumers’ Electricity (ANTI BILL SHOCK).

“The launch of your ANTI BILL SHOCK Lending Program is, indeed, a demonstration of your organization’s dynamic initiative to explore all possible opportunities to aid the energy sector, where the electric cooperatives belong,” National Electrification Administration Deputy Administrator Leila B. Bonifacio said at the launch. — Aaron Michael C. Sy

Demographics point to need to expand halal industry — DTI

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Philippine and global demographics will support greater opportunities in the market for halal goods, which are prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary rules.

“We see halal food as a sunrise industry. The growing Muslim population is a strong demand driver of the halal economy. Estimated at 1.9 billion in 2020, Muslims are 25% of the world’s population and projected to grow up to 2 billion by 2030,” Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual said in a keynote speech at a National Halal Capacity Building Program event on Tuesday.

The DTI said in a statement that halal goods present an opportunity for micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises, and cited the need for an adequately trained workforce.

“The Philippine government is also active in its pursuit of developing and promoting the halal industry through three separate active engagements — one with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Gulf Accreditation Center, and the International Halal Accreditation Forum,” the DTI said.

“Aside from this, the government seeks to renew its agreement with Brunei Darussalam and forge trade agreements with its neighbors in the ASEAN region,” it added.

Mr. Pascual said the DTI is developing the domestic halal industry by training producers especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

He added that the DTI’s Halal Board has been tasked with creating the Philippine Halal Development Plan as required by Republic Act No. 10817 or the Halal Export Development and Promotion Act. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

South Korea tapped to help develop PHL agriculture machinery industry

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday that South Korea has offered a three-year official development assistance program to help develop the Philippines’ agricultural machinery industry.

“This undertaking will… ultimately result in a mechanized and modernized Philippine agriculture,” DA Assistant Secretary Arnel V. de Mesa said in a statement.

According to the DA, the Technology Advice and Solutions from Korea (TASK) program will assist Philippine companies in “resolving onsite technical difficulties of machinery and other farm facilities.”

The Philippine Center for Postharvest Development and Mechanization (PhilMech) will work with the Korean Association of Machinery Industry (KOAMI) and Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO) to implement the project.

“Through TASK, beneficiaries will be upskilled through the technical know-how and experience shared by experts from KOAMI, KAMICO, and PHilMech,” the DA said.

Ten selected machinery manufacturers and fabricators will be sent to South Korea to be trained by various manufacturing companies.

The companies are ACT Machineries and Metalcraft, Inc., Bestmark Agro-Industrial Manufacturing, Brixton Construction and Industrial Corp., Central Isabela Agri Manufacturing Corp., JHT Micro Enterprises;

Machine Systems Corp., Mariñas Technologies, Inc., Noly S. Hontarciego Metalcraft, Triple J, and VAL Agri Machineries and Machine Shop. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Southeast Asia urged to remove barriers to full labor market participation

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

SOUTHEAST ASIA is not tapping its workforce to the full extent, with barriers keeping disadvantaged groups from participating in the labor market, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said.

In a report, the OECD said the region needs to “promote participation in the labor market and facilitate the full use of people’s skills at work and in society.”

“Countries in the region still face multiple barriers to formal employment, especially among disadvantaged groups, and the use of skills in everyday life, such as through civic engagement and leisure activities, could be improved,” it added.

OECD Skills Strategies Head Andrew Bell said in a webinar on Wednesday that “Southeast Asia needs to develop relevant skills across the life course. Developing skills is the first step. To ensure countries gain economic and social value, they need to use the skills fully and effectively in society.”

Mr. Bell said that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated the impact of digital transformation, globalization, and climate change on the supply and demand of skills.

“Everyone needs strong digital skills to participate in the economy. Southeast Asia still faces many challenges. Skill performance still remains low in international comparison, digital skills are often weak and schools don’t have the material and resources,” OECD Deputy Secretary-General Yoshiki Takeuchi said.

Southeast Asia is projected to be one of the fastest-growing locations for data centers, the OECD said.

However, the region still lags in terms of the supply of digital skills. Only 28% of individuals aged 15 years old and up can execute basic digital tasks.

“This low level can be explained by the low digital infrastructure in the region and lack of digital literacy training in teachers,” Mr. Bell said.

Around 22% of Southeast Asian children have a teacher with access to a working computer and only half of learners aged 10 to 13 years old had access to digital devices in their schools during the pandemic.

“Southeast Asia should facilitate access to tertiary education by reducing the most significant financial barriers, both in terms of tuition fees and cost of learning materials,” Mr. Bell said.

“Invest in professional development opportunities for teachers to equip them with better pedagogical skills,” he added.

The OECD recommended policies that would expand financial incentives for individuals and institutions to encourage uptake of skills developments in strategic industries, increase expenditure on research and development, and foster collaboration between institutions of higher education and industry.

It cited the Philippines’ Fast-Tracked S&T Scholarship Act of 2013 as one policy example.

The act provides scholarships to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics tertiary students in exchange for future services, including a guaranteed teaching position in a public or private school. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Amendments and assessments: Revisiting the nature of substantial changes

In tax litigation, one of the first questions we ask when elevating an assessment from the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) is, “Was the assessment made within the prescriptive period?” This is because when prescription is properly established, we no longer have to argue on the other merits of the case (but we do it anyway, at least to make sure that all bases are covered).

For the uninitiated, an “assessment” is the BIR’s finding that a taxpayer still has taxes to pay on top of the ones it has already paid voluntarily. On the other hand, when an assessment has “prescribed,” it means that the deadline for making the assessment has lapsed. In other words, when prescription sets in, the BIR can no longer run after the deficiency even if its findings would have been valid.

Generally, the prescriptive period (or the statute of limitations) for the BIR to make an assessment is three years from the last day provided by the Tax Code to file the return for that particular tax, or from the actual date of the filing, whichever is later.

For example, if under the Tax Code, a particular tax return should be filed by April 15, 2020, then the BIR has until April 14, 2023 to make an assessment. However, if the taxpayer filed that return on July 15, 2020, then the BIR has until July 14, 2023 to issue the assessment.

But what if the taxpayer amended the return after the filing? Should the prescriptive period start from the date when the original return was filed, or from the date the amended return was filed? Does it matter if the amendment was substantial or just formal? What even is a “substantial” amendment?

In the recent case of Lapanday Foods Corporation v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue (G.R. No. 186155, Jan. 17, 2023), the Supreme Court answered these questions, removing ambiguities in definitions along the way.

The case involved an assessment on VAT for which, prior to 2023, taxpayers were required to file monthly declarations and quarterly returns. While the Petitioner intended to file its 1st Quarterly Return on the last day to file the quarterly VAT return for that period, it instead filed a Monthly VAT Return (BIR Form 2550M) on April 25, 2000.

Almost 17 months later, realizing the mistake, the Petitioner filed an amended 1st Quarterly Return on Sept. 4, 2001. This filing was meant to serve as a correction to the mistaken filing of a Monthly declaration, instead of a Quarterly VAT Return, on April 25, 2000.

The BIR’s assessment for deficiency VAT covering the 1st Quarter of 2000 didn’t come until Jan. 21, 2004, which was more than three years from the filing of the original return on April 25, 2000.

SUBSTANTIAL VS FORMAL AMENDMENT
The Petitioner claimed that it only introduced a “formal” amendment, or one that merely involved a change in the VAT return’s form, but not its substance. Thus, the Petitioner argued, the prescriptive period for assessment should still be reckoned from the filing of the original return (April 25, 2000), citing the Supreme Court’s 1965 ruling in Commissioner of Internal Revenue v. Phoenix Assurance Co., Ltd.

In Phoenix Assurance, the Court ruled that the prescriptive period for assessment should be reckoned from the date of the filing of the amended return because it was “substantially different from the original return.”

On this basis, the Petitioner in Lapanday argued that the BIR’s right to make an assessment on its VAT return should be considered prescribed, because the last day to assess should have been on April 24, 2003. It claimed that there were no substantial changes in the amount it would have paid based on the monthly return it filed.

When the Supreme Court compared the Petitioner’s original and “amended” returns (one being a monthly declaration and the other a quarterly return), it found that even the reported figures were different, not just the form used.

Despite this, the Court still considered these changes as not “substantial” enough for the prescriptive period to be reckoned from the date of the filing of the amended return. In other words, although the amendment was “substantive” — since it referred to the substance of the returns — the Court did not deem it “substantial” enough to warrant an interruption of the prescriptive period.

According to the Supreme Court, even with the original return that used the wrong form, the BIR could still have properly determined the Petitioner’s deficiency tax. After all, it also had the Petitioner’s monthly VAT declarations from the past three months to verify any unreported receipts. Thus, despite the changes in the figures, the two returns were declared to be not substantially different.

All in all, the Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the BIR’s assessment for the 1st Quarter of 2000 was barred by prescription. After ruling that prescription had set in, the Court did not even go into the merits of the assessment itself.

Fortunately, with the passage of the TRAIN Law, we no longer need to worry about making the same “formal” mistake. Beginning 2023, VAT-registered taxpayers only need to file Quarterly VAT Returns, without Monthly VAT declarations.

Nonetheless, the Court’s discussion on the nature of an amendment that interrupts the prescriptive period is still relevant. An amendment of a return, even if it involves changes in the figures and computations, is not “substantial” if the tax payable for the period remains the same.

Prescription, which more or less refers to a “deadline,” is one of the most basic safeguards that the law provides for taxpayers. Considering the many returns taxpayers are required to file, not to mention potential exceptions under the law, some confusion is understandable. Nonetheless, this recent case law, among many others, reinforces why it should still be one of the first arguments to consider in disputing assessments.

The views or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Isla Lipana & Co. The content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for specific advice.

 

Ferdinand Jomilla, Jr.  is an associate at the Tax Services department of Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of the PwC network.

+63 (2) 8845-2728

ferdinand.elbert.jomilla.jr@pwc.com

FEU defeats Ateneo in four sets to stay afloat in Final Four race

FEU LADY TAMARAWS — THE UAAP

Games On Saturday
(Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City)
10 a.m. — AdU vs UP (men)
12 p.m. — NU vs UE (women)
2 p.m. — NU vs UE (women)
4 p.m. — NU vs UE (men)

FAR Eastern University (FEU) stayed afloat in the Final Four race with a huge 25-21, 25-11, 22-25, 25-21 win over also-ran Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in the UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Chenie Tagaod led the way with 15 points on 12 hits, two aces and a block as the Lady Tamaraws kept a slim chance to still make the semifinals at 6-6 entering their last two games.

Jovelyn Fernandez added 12 while Alyzza Devosora and Ann Asis chipped in nine points apiece for FEU that however would need a massive lift from other Final Four hopefuls to get in.

One among Adamson University (AdU), National University (NU) and University of Santo Tomas (UST) — which are in the thick of a top-two contest as well behind De La Salle University with at least eight wins — has to drop all their remaining matches just for the No. 5 Far Easter University to catch up and force a knockout match for the fourth and last ticket.

And FEU gets a crack for that bid with its remaining assignments slated against Santo Tomas and Adamson.

“Whatever the outcome, we’re looking at our remaining games. We really want to win it all. If we make it to the Final Four, that’s a blessing, but right now our focus is to maximize our time in UAAP and win,” said coach Tina Salak.

The Lady Tamaraws also drew solid contributions from Margarett Encarnacion (11 digs) and Christine Ubaldo (10 sets) as Devosora threw in 11 more receptions and nine digs.

Faith Nisperos was in her usual fiery form with 20 points and eight digs but the Blue Eagles still got swept by the Lady Tamaraws this season.

Lyann de Guzman (11) and AC Miner (10) also had strong efforts for Ateneo (4-8), which was eliminated as early as last week for only the first time in 14 years.

Meanwhile, in the men’s play, Jian Salarzon exploded for 29 points as Ateneo (6-6) dragged Far Eastern U (6-6) for a tie at No. 4 with only two games left. — John Bryan Ulanday

Devin Booker, Phoenix level series with Clippers

DEVIN BOOKER — MARK J. REBILAS-USA TODAY SPORTS

DEVIN Booker recorded 38 points and nine assists and the Phoenix Suns evened their first-round Western Conference playoff series at one game apiece with a 123-109 victory over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night.

Kevin Durant added 25 points, six rebounds and five assists as Phoenix rebounded from a Game 1 home loss. Torrey Craig scored 17 points and made five 3-pointers, Chris Paul added 16 points and eight assists and Deandre Ayton had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Suns.

Kawhi Leonard registered 31 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals and Russell Westbrook added 28 points for the Clippers. Eric Gordon and Norman Powell added 12 points apiece and Terance Mann had 10 for Los Angeles.

Game 3 of the best-of-seven Western Conference series is Thursday night in Los Angeles.

The Clippers trailed by 13 points early in the fourth quarter but Mr. Leonard made a 3-pointer and Mr. Westbrook sank two free throws to bring them within 115-109 with 3:13 left. But Los Angeles wouldn’t score again.

Mr. Paul made a high-arcing jumper, fed Mr. Ayton for a layup and then drilled a jumper from the top of the key to give the Suns a 121-109 lead with two minutes remaining.

Bismack Biyombo scored on a tip-in with 31.1 seconds left to account for a game-high 14-point lead as Phoenix closed out.

The Suns shot 58.8 percent from the field and made 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range.

Los Angeles connected on 43.8 percent of its shots, including 11 of 30 (36.7 percent) from behind the arc. The Clippers were again without Paul George (knee), who is unlikely to play in the series.

Los Angeles led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before the Suns took over.

Phoenix outscored the Clippers by 13 over the final 5:14 of the half to forge a tie at 59 at the break. Mr. Booker’s trey with 1.1 seconds left knotted the game.

The Suns opened the third quarter with a 12-2 burst, and Craig’s trey capped it and gave the Suns a 71-61 lead with 8:39 left in the period.

Loa Angeles move within four late in the quarter before Booker drained a 3-pointer to wrap up his 18-point stanza on 7-of-8 shooting. The Suns shot 68.4 percent (13 of 19) in the third quarter to lead 92-87.

Mr. Paul made back-to-back baskets as part of a 6-0 run to open the final stanza and increase Phoenix’s lead to 11 with 9:49 left. — Reuters

PHL to open vs powerhouse Indonesia in Cambodia SEAG volleyball

THE PHILIPPINES is expected to face regional powerhouse Indonesia at the start of the men’s volleyball competitions of the Cambodia 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) on May 3 — two days ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony.

The Philippines was inserted in Group A of the men’s volleyball program in the re-draw conducted online on Tuesday afternoon by the Cambodia volleyball federation and the Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee.

The re-draw was done to determine the rankings in the group, according to Philippine National Volleyball Federation Secretary-General Donaldo Caringal.

“The process was simplified and done quickly,” Mr. Caringal said. Cambodia exercised its right of first choice as host and picked the No. 1 spot, followed by Indonesia at No. 2, No. 3 Philippines and No. 4 Singapore. The hosts, bronze medalist in Vietnam last year, open against lowly Singapore.

Bracketed in Group B are defending champion Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar.

Indonesia lost to Vietnam in last year’s final, but remains the No. 1 men’s volleyball team in the SEA Games with 11 gold medals.

Philippine Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary-General Karen Tanchanco joined Mr. Caringal in the virtual meeting presided over by Cambodia volleyball federation secretary-general Dr. Aing Serey Piseth. Also in attendance were volleyball officials from Indonesia and Singapore.

Cambodia waives food, accommodation fees in SEAG

CAMBODIA waived collecting fees on food and accommodation of all athletes and coaches in the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEAG), a development that translates to significant savings not only for Team Philippines but for the 10 other member countries.

“This is a very significant development because it means a lot in terms of expenses Team Philippines will incur during the Games,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Wednesday.

“We thank Cambodia for putting its best foot forward in its goal to successfully host the SEA Games for the first time,” Mr. Tolentino added.

The good news was relayed by Cambodia SEA Games Organizing Committee Permanent Vice President Dr. Thong Khon—also the president of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) and Tourism Minister of Cambodia — in a letter dated Tuesday sent to all 11 NOCs of the SEA Games Federation.

“Under the wise and respectable guidance of His Excellency Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Camsoc will no longer charge any food and accommodation fees to the participating NOCs of the 32nd SEA Games,” Mr. Khon said in the letter.

“This decision and leadership by Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen further affirms the Kingdom of Cambodia’s commitment to hosting our regional sports family and international guests in a neighborly environment of solidarity and friendship,” Mr. Khon added.

SEA Games hosts normally charge a flat rate of $50 per athlete or coach — inclusive of food and accommodation — although some hotels charge $180 for twin sharing.

Team Philippines is composed of 840 athletes and 300 coaches who are participant in 38 sports in Cambodia.

It couldn’t be immediately determined how much could be saved from the waived food and accommodation fees because Filipino athletes and coaches fly to Cambodia in batches based on their competition schedule.

The Philippine Sports Commission has earmarked P250 million for the SEA Games preparaton, training and participation.

Cambodia is expecting more than 12,000 athletes, coaches and staff in the SEA Games it is hosting from May 5 to 17 with capital Phnom Penh as main hub (Morodok Techo National Stadium, Olympic National Stadium and Chroy Changvar International Convention and Exhibition Centre) and the provinces of Kep, Kampot, Preah Sihanouk and Siem Reap as satellite venues.

Course-record 66 nets Lascuña 3-shot cushion in ICTSI Caliraya Springs

CAVINTI, Laguna — Tony Lascuña ripped the course and the field with a fine display of shotmaking, churning out a solid six-under 66 and pulling ahead by three over a fast-charging Ira Alido and two others halfway through the ICTSI Caliraya Springs Championship here on Wednesday.

Bracing for another wild chase after forcing a four-way tie for the lead with a last-hole birdie for a 68 Tuesday, Mr. Lascuña sizzled in a backside start, blending his solid driving and iron play with near-impeccable putting on the softened greens of Caliraya Springs Golf Club.

He produced four birdies then added two more at the front for a 36-hole aggregate of 10-under 134. His 34-32 card, together with that of defending champion Zanieboy Gialon’s eagle-spiked 31-35, also became the new course record at the par-72 well-maintained championship course hosting a pro tournament for only the second time.

Mr. Gialon ruled last year’s inaugurals by four strokes over Clyde Mondilla where six players, including the eventual winner, posted 67s.

But Mr. Lascuña isn’t after the course mark, but the championship after finishing runner-up in the Bacolod and Iloilo legs of the Philippine Golf Tour last month.

“I hit all fairways and missed just one green, so that summed up my game,” said Mr. Lascuña, whose iron play set up a number of birdie chances, six of which he drained, including the farthest from 12 feet on No. 15.

Mr. Lascuña, whose daily goal is to shoot four-under. “My target is to score 2-under on each nine but after going 4-under at the back, I knew I could hit more birdies.”

He did as he gained strokes on Nos. 5 and 7 for a three-stroke lead that however remained shaky in anticipation of a feisty rush from among the contenders in moving day in the P2.5 million championship put up by ICTSI and organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc.

But while the multi-titled campaigner sustained his first round charge, erstwhile co-leaders Lloyd Go, Rupert Zaragosa and Clyde Mondilla slowed down despite near-ideal conditions. Mr. Go turned in a 71 on a three-birdie, two-bogey round to slip to joint ninth at 139; while Mr. Zaragosa, runaway winner in Iloilo last month, and Mr. Mondilla mixed three birdies against the same number of bogeys for identical 72s that dropped them to a share of 12th at 140.

But moving up to joint second at 137 is the troika of Alido and Marvin Dumandan, who matched 67s, and Elmer Salvador, who put in a 68, while Gialon bounced back from an opening 72 with his own version of a 66, sparking his charge with a chip-in birdie on No. 11, then highlighting it with an eagle on the par-5 No. 4 and a closing three-birdie binge at the front.

Mr. Gialon, however, remained four shots behind Mr. Lascuña at 138, with Eric Gallardo, who fired a 68, and Jhonnel Ababa and Reymon Jaraula, who matched 69s, joining him at fifth.

Young Korean and PGT Q-School topnotcher Rho Hyun Ho carded a 67 and Elee Bisera also shot a 69 as they tied Mr. Go at ninth while The Country Club Invitational back-to-back champion Guido van der Valk fought back with a 68 after a 72 to catch Rufino Bayron (70), Nilo Salahog (70), Sean Ramos (71), Zaragosa and Mondilla at 12th.

Forty one players advanced to the last 36 holes with Jelbert Gamolo firing a 71 to tie Francis Morilla and Korean Lee Hwan, who stumbled with 73 and 76, respectively, at 39th with 147s.

Among the notables who missed the Top 40 and ties cut were Jobim Carlos (72) and Frankie Miñoza (73), who both wound up with 148s, Jerson Balasabas (71-149), Gerald Rosales (75-150) and Russell Bautista (74-151).

While Mr. Alido’s surge was expected, those of Mssre. Dumandan and Salvador came as a bit of a surprise in a day of changing fortunes.

The big-hitting Mr. Dumandan, who tied for 35th in Iloilo, dazzled in a frontside windup, birdying four of the first five holes on his way to a solid 67, while Mr. Salvador, who missed the cut in Bacolod in his Tour return after a long absence due to illness, came through with six birdies against two bogeys for a 68.

Mr. Alido actually had a chance to pull closer to Lascuna after rattling off three birdies in row from No. 3 on his way home for a running five-under card and seven-under overall. But he settled for pars in the last four holes for a 33-34 and stayed in the group of Mssre. Dumandan and Salvador.

Mr. Gallardo likewise flourished in a frontside finish, hitting four birdies to put himself in strong contention for a career breakthrough.

“I wasn’t expecting to play well. I hit my tee-shot into the water on No. 13 and made a bogey. Thank God, I was able to birdie No. 16 and I told myself to stay patient and keep playing my game.”

He birdied Nos. 1, 4, 5 and 8 to join the fancied names at fifth.

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