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Philippines needs $1.2B for transport modernization

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINE government would need more than a billion dollars to help jeepney drivers move to cleaner vehicles under its transport modernization program, congressmen were told on Thursday.

“We are looking into a P64.2-billion ($1.16 billion) fund requirement,” Riza Marie Paches, a member of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), told a House of Representatives hearing.

This is assuming the so-called equity subsidy given to these drivers is increased to P360,000 per unit, she said.

The fund would cover 178,213 public utility jeepneys and utility vehicle express units nationwide, Ms. Paches said.

The Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) had provided P6.9 billion in loans covering 3,124 modern units as of January, Assistant Vice-President Generoso S. David said. 

LTFRB Chairman Teofilo L. Guadiz III  said a jeepney operator may apply for a franchise as a sole corporation if they do not wish to become part of a cooperative. 

“A single individual, so long as he has the financial capacity, may form his own sole corporation,” he said.

More than 100,000 jeepney drivers and operators on Monday went on a strike to protest the government’s mandated phaseout of diesel-run jeepneys.

They aborted a plan for a week-long strike after the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. agreed to revise its modernization plan and the phaseout of traditional public utility vehicles.

The palace said Mr. Marcos had ordered the Department of Transportation (DoTr) and LTFRB to use the Dec. 31 extension for franchise consolidation to study the provisions of DoTr’s 2017 modernization order and ensure the concerns of drivers and operations are taken into account.

A modern jeepney, which is a minibus-like non-airconditioned vehicle, is expected to cost as much as P2.6 million.

The Transportation department’s proposed P788-million allocation in the 2023 budget for the modernization program was scrapped. 

Ms. Paches said 63.5% or 113,090 public utility vehicles have applied for consolidation.

She said only 29% or 14,714 units have applied for franchise consolidation in the capital region, the lowest in the country. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Real estate tax reform bill seen to make property valuation market-driven 

HOUSES and high-rise buildings along the Pasig River in Metro Manila. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A PROPOSED law reforming real estate taxation in the Philippines will make property valuation more market-driven through a government database, a finance official said on Thursday.   

Finance Undersecretary Maria Cielo D. Magno, speaking at a Senate ways and means committee hearing, said under the proposed Real Property Valuation and Assessment Reform Act, local government assessors will use market data as basis for setting the valuations and the corresponding tax rates.   

“We recognize that we are giving power and accountability also to the local assessor, but the assumption is that in this process, we’ll also be building a database where the local assessor should refer to,” she said.  

“That database should reflect market transactions because the idea is that the determination of the valuation should not be political anymore but is determined by the market,” she added. 

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, who chairs the committee, raised concerns that city and municipal assessors offices are getting too much power under the bill.   

Under the proposal, the assessor, in coordination with the treasurer, will estimate and submit a revenue and tax impact report with the approved schedule of market values to the mayor.  

The mayor will then send this to the local council for the enactment of an ordinance. 

Mr. Gatchalian pointed out that under such a set-up, property owners do not seem to have recourse for contesting the assigned market values.   

Ms. Magno explained that real estate owners can participate in the public consultations that will be jointly conducted by the Bureau of Local Government Finance, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and the local assessor prior to the drafting of new valuation rates. 

“In practice, residents would tend to focus on the valuation of their property to lower their tax liability, but this time it will shift because the valuation of your property will in fact give you a correct indicator on how your asset is growing,” she said.  

Real property taxes in the Philippines are independently determined and collected by local government units, particularly cities and municipalities. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Bangsamoro region’s election code signed 

@BANGSAMOROGOVT

THE BANGSAMORO election code, a key legislation for the autonomous region in-transition in southern Philippines, was unanimously approved late Wednesday by legislators and immediately signed into law by the chief minister.  

“This is the fourth priority code that we have enacted; let us build on this positive momentum to finish the remaining priority codes and other important legislation as soon as possible,” Chief Minister Ahod B. Ebrahim said following the signing ceremony.   

The Bangsamoro Electoral Code, or Bangsamoro Autonomy Act No. 35, was approved by 64 members of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA), a set of officials appointed by the national government serving as members of the region’s parliament. 

In a statement on Thursday, the BTA said the final version of the electoral code that underwent region-wide consultations “will encourage the formation of genuinely principled political parties in the Bangsamoro region.”  

Under the code, a regional political party must have at least 10,000 members who are residents and registered voters. Members should also come from different provinces and cities, with the party having chapters in these localities within the Bangsamoro territory.   

A Bangsamoro Electoral Office (BEO) will be established, which will be under the direct control and supervision of the national Commission on Elections. The BEO will handle all electoral activities in the region.   

The code also provides that the Bangsamoro Parliament will be composed of 80 members with 50% party representatives, 40% district representatives, and 10% sectoral representatives.   

The first election for parliament members is scheduled in 2025, alongside the national mid-term elections.   

The list of pending priority legislation includes those on local governance, revenue, and indigenous peoples’ rights. — Marifi S. Jara

3 major flood-control projects in Visayas, Mindanao being assessed under ADB-funded study

FLOODED communities and farmlands when the Ilog-Hilabangan River in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental overflows. — DPWH

FLOOD-CONTROL projects in three major river basins in central and southern Philippines are being assessed under a study financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which will be the basis for planning the structures that will protect vulnerable communities.   

In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said these flood risk management projects are in the Allah River in South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, and Maguindanao; Ilog-Hilabangan River in Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental; and Aklan River in Aklan.   

“Towards the end of this contract with consulting firms, we will have the Flood Risk Management Master Plan and Feasibility Study for the smooth implementation of these three flood-control projects in Visayas and Mindanao,” DPWH Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain said. 

The department said project consultants have started field reconnaissance, data collection, field survey and investigation, and the inception report was submitted Feb. 21. 

The master plan is expected to be completed by mid-January 2024 while the feasibility study will be submitted six months later.   

“We will be closely monitoring the study so that we can come up with the appropriate structural and non-structural measures that can mitigate flooding and other damages caused by the overflowing of these major waterways that result to massive flooding and devastation in vulnerable communities,” Mr. Sadain said.

House to pass Charter change, rightsizing bills before March 25 recess  

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE HOUSE of Representatives will pass three more bills, including measures on amending the Constitution and rightsizing the executive branch, before it goes on a break on March 25, a leader of the lower chamber said.  

“We still have to pass three measures on third reading, namely HB (House Bill) 7352, that is the accompanying of RBH 6, plus we have the rightsizing bill plus another one, the income reclassification of the LGUs,” Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe told reporters at the sidelines of the eCongress portal launch on Thursday. 

The lower chamber on Monday passed on final reading Resolution of Both Houses 6, seeking to change economic provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution through a constitutional convention (con-con). House Bill 7352, which specifies how the con-con will operate, was approved on second reading on Tuesday.  

The lower chamber on Wednesday also approved on second reading a bill seeking to rightsize the bureaucracy to improve the delivery of government services. A bill proposing to institutionalize an income classification system based on the financial capability of local government units also received a second reading nod.  

Three of the House’s priority measures — e-governance, the creation of the Negros Island region, and the magna carta for seafarers — were passed on third reading on Monday.  

“We’re hoping [that the Senate passes their “cha-cha” bill.] We’re gonna pass it and we’ll wait for our counterparts in the Senate on how they will be receiving, and probably discussing what we have passed,” Mr. Dalipe said.  

However, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said that Charter change remains the least of the upper chamber’s priorities because it is focused on post-pandemic recovery and on inviting more foreign investors to the country.  

“When we talk about Charter change, it takes years,” Mr. Zubiri told reporters. “Political amendments, removal of term limits may suddenly be included… of course the public will be outraged. Let us focus at the job at hand.”  

He said that the Senate will prioritize the approval of a bill looking to strengthen the local salt industry as well as the creation of a virology institute and a medical reserve corps, which are all pending at the committee level.  

He also said that the upper chamber will pass the proposed Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control Act, which is currently under deliberation.  

Congress will go on recess from March 25 to May 7. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz 

PHL Congress launches unified website for better transparency 

SCREENGRAB FROM ECONGRESS.GOV.PH

THE PHILIPPINE Congress launched on Thursday a unified website that contains all information related to the House of Representatives and the Senate for easier access to all legislative matters and improve transparency.  

At the launching ceremony, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose M. Dalipe said the portal — www.econgress.gov.ph — could be considered the “most potent” tool against fake news “as we endeavor to fight the many misconceptions about the members of Congress.”  

Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri told reporters that the eCongress site makes public “the speeches of our colleagues, the debates that were discussed, the amendments that were proposed, who were the authors, who voted against, who voted in favor. It’s all there.”  

“We have to be dynamic, forward looking, and forward moving. That is the only way we can generally be responsive to our people’s needs.” Mr. Zubiri said in his speech.  

The eCongress portal also provides easier access to bills, resolutions, legislative reports, schedules, and lawmakers’ information, among others.  

House Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who stood in for Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, said, “an effective communication amplifies the capacity of government organizations, ensure greater transparency, and deters corruption.”  

The House on Monday approved on 3rd reading a bill seeking to facilitate the executive branch’s transition to digital modes of delivering services and information. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Apolinario and Dagandang rule Philtra full marathon in Bontoc

LARRY APOLINARIO — PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE TRAIL RUNNING ASSOCIATION

LARRY Apolinario of Antique and Baguio’s Elizabeth Dagandang scaled the mountains of Bontoc, Mountain Province to reign supreme in the full marathon leg of the Philippine Trail Running Championships (Philtra).

With the scenic Cordillera mountain ranges serving as the backdrop, Mr. Apolinario and Ms. Dagandang endured the high altitude, 42-kilometer race while braving the challenging terrains and cold weather for the title of the Philtra event sanctioned by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

The thrilling win of Mr. Apolinario catapulted him to the top of the Philtra series leaderboard, tie with steady rival Arnie Macaneras of Davao as Rizal’s Jayson Zonio completed the marathon podium to stay in the Top 3 of the overall race for the men’s division.

Ms. Dagandang, for her part, solidified her lead in the women’s category with her marathon win to keep chasers Agustoralin Sabanal-Marte of Caloocan and Cecile Wael of Leyte at bay

Standouts from the full trail running series will be part of the Philtra national development team, from which the Philippine representatives to the World Mountain Trail Running Championships in Austria this June will be chosen.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s Philippine Trail Running Championships,” said Tin Ferrera, vice president of Philtra, on the event participated by 23 elite runners and almost 200 enthusiasts.

“The athletes showed incredible determination and perseverance, and we are proud of all the participants who took part in this year’s event. It is also a great opportunity to discover new talents, especially among the local athletes who joined the 12k and kiddie run categories — the future of the sports.”

Meanwhile, Rizal’s Randolf Gonzales and Benguet’s Gretchen Felipe won the short distance category for men’s and women’s division, respectively.

South Cotabato’s Angeli Cabalo, despite finishing second, maintained the lead in the full series with Baguio’s Vinson Ramos ruling the 12km race. — John Bryan Ulanday

Sotto vows to put smoother outing with Dragonflies

KAI SOTTO — JAPAN B.LEAGUE

KAI Sotto may have flaunted a decent Japan B. League debut but he vowed to put on a better performance moving forward in another chapter of his budding career.

The 7-foot-3 Filipino sensation had 10 points, three blocks, two rebounds and a steal in a foiled cause as the Hiroshima Dragonflies fell prey to the Ryukyu Golden Kings, 86-78.

Mr. Sotto said it’s only the tip of the iceberg as he and the Dragonflies expect a smoother outing with more time together following his transition from the Australia National Basketball League (NBL).

“My performance today is not the best but I believe I can get better,” said the 20-year-old Pinoy, who right away gained a starting nod for Hiroshima in 19 minutes of action.

“Being a starter for my first game is special because I could just see how my team and my coach (Kyle Milling) trust me. We didn’t win the game but there’s a lot of positives to look forward to in our next games.”

Apart from the loss, Mr. Sotto was also not able to rekindle old times with former high school rival and now Gilas Pilipinas teammate Carl Tamayo, who’s serving as Ryukyu’s Filipino import but rode on the bench in his B. League debut as well.

Mr. Tamayo, who albeit played in the East Asia Super League (EASL) Champions Week where the Golden Kings finished fourth, and Mr. Sotto though had a brief chat before their supposedly reunion game after their UAAP high school days.

“I was just checking on him. It’s his first time as a professional. It’s his first time probably away from the Philippines living by himself. I’ve been through that and I know how it feels. It’s good to see Carl (Tamayo). We have played against each other since high school so it’s good to see him,” beamed Mr. Sotto.

Mr. Sotto and Hiroshima, currently at No. 5 with a 28-11 card, resume action next Wednesday against Kyoto with Mr. Tamayo on the same day hoping to finally see action for the fourth-running Ryukyu (30-9) against compatriot Ray Parks and Nagoya. — John Bryan Ulanday

Benilde Lady Blazers close in on sweeping their way to finals

COLLEGE of St. Benilde Lady Blazers — NCAA/SYNERGY-GMA

Games Today
(San Andres Complex)
8:30 a.m. — UPHSD vs San Beda (M/W)
2 p.m. — Letran vs CSB (W/M)

COLLEGE of St. Benilde (CSB) will try to close in on a sweep as it clashes with a Colegio San Juan de Letran side eyeing to keep its fairy tale run going today (March 10) in NCAA Season 98 Volleyball at the San Andres Complex.

The Lady Blazers are gunning for win No. 7 that would put them two victories closer to sweeping their way straight to the finals while the Lady Knights gun for solo second and improve their 4-1 record that should keep them in the race for a first Final Four appearance since making it that far eight years ago.

Game time is at 2 p.m.

Interestingly both CSB and Letran were coming off five-set triumphs with the former surviving Mapua University, 25-22, 25-16, 24-26, 22-25, 15-13, Tuesday and the latter clawing its way back from the dead to steal a 14-25, 16-25, 25-20, 25-17, 17-15 win over Jose Rizal University the next day.

The over-achieving Michael Inoferio-coached Letran squad is the league’s Cinderella team and it will have a chance to add to its long list of fancied victims the biggest fish of them all — the reigning titlist CSB.

University of Perpetual Help (4-1), for its part, shoots to keep its place in the top two as it tangles with San Beda University (1-4). — Joey Villar

Choupo-Moting strikes as Bayern cruise past PSG

MUNICH — Bayern Munich forward Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting scored against his former club and Serge Gnabry added a late second as the Germans beat Paris St Germain (PSG) 2-0 on Wednesday to reach the Champions League quarterfinals.

The 33-year-old Mr. Choupo-Moting, who played for PSG from 2018-20, tapped in from Leon Goretzka’s assist in the 61st minute and substitute Gnabry struck in the 89th minute to seal the hosts’ 3-0 aggregate win after a 1-0 victory in Paris.

The Germans made sure of their last-eight spot after shutting out PSG superstars Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé and are one of the title favorites going into the last eight.

“In the first half, we didn’t do what we had talked about it before very well,” Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann said. “There was too much space.

“But we defended better in the second half and were dangerous on the ball. In the end, we deserved to win.”

“If we show maximum hunger with emotion and we couple that with our quality then we can achieve anything.”

PSG’s long wait to win Europe’s premier club trophy for the first time goes on.

Without injured forward Neymar, the French team were sharper in the early stages and went close through Mr. Mbappé and a double effort from Mr. Messi in the 25th minute.

Bayern gradually took control, however, and had a chance when Jamal Musiala’s 32nd-minute shot was blocked by keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

Despite PSG captain Mr. Marquinhos being taken off with a rib injury in the 36th minute, the visitors almost went ahead when under-pressure Bayern keeper Yann Sommer lost possession in the box.

Mr. Vitinha’s shot with the goal at his mercy was cleared on the line by Matthijs de Ligt in what proved to be a pivotal moment in the game.

The Dutch defender had made an almost identical stop against VfB Stuttgart in the league last week.

With Mr. Mbappé largely quiet, it was in-form Mr. Choupo-Moting who struck just past the hour for his 17th goal in all competitions this season.

PSG attempted to bounce back instantly and Sergio Ramos’ header was saved by Mr. Sommer before the Spaniard headed wide but their hopes were shattered when Mr. Gnabry rounded off a quick break with the second Bayern goal.

“We did not manage to score when we were on top of things,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier said.

“Then we concede a ridiculous goal. What made the difference is the fact we missed some key players in both legs. It’s a big disappointment but we have to swallow it.”

The quarterfinal draw will take place on March 17. — Reuters

Milan edges Tottenham to reach Champions League quarters

LONDON — Seven-time winners AC Milan reached the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in 11 years as a disciplined display earned them a drab 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday and a 1-0 aggregate victory.

On a freezing night in north London the Italians comfortably protected the slender advantage they established in the first leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro as Tottenham huffed and puffed to little effect and exited with a whimper.

Tottenham failed to muster an attempt on target in the first half as their frustration boiled over with manager Antonio Conte booked for letting his emotions get the better of him while they had defender Cristian Romero sent off late on.

Milan could have made it a more comfortable night had they taken any of the good chances they created but in the end a masterclass of game management saw them through.

While Stefano Pioli’s Milan can look forward with optimism, Tottenham’s season is fizzling out after a dismal week in which they also lost in the FA Cup to second-tier Sheffield United and to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League. — Reuters

State of golf

No matter what you may think about LIV Golf, it’s fair to argue that the upstart organization has disrupted the status quo. In a sport where change is difficult and not altogether welcome, competition has compelled the long-dominant Professional Golfers Association Tour to modify its business model in order to stay at the top. For some quarters, the development may well be long in coming. No matter the timing, however, there can be no denying the manner in which the existential threat prompted otherwise reluctant protagonists to rethink the future.

What the state of golf will ultimately be is anybody’s guess. LIV started in a blaze of glory last year, successfully upending what looked to be an idyllic situation for the PGA Tour. By poaching big — and, yes, not-so-big — names, the newcomer sought to lay the groundwork for a takeover. Knowing full well the need for patience and no small measure of resources to challenge a firmly entrenched monopoly, it made sure to convey the message to all and sundry that it was not going anywhere, and that it had the wherewithal to engage in a drawn-out battle.

Fast forward to the first quarter of 2023, at it appears LIV is mired in muck halfway to its destination. Even as it managed to force PGA Tour stalwarts to do some scrambling to fend off the opposition, it remained unable to complete its mission; lawsuits continue to be unsettled, and the groundswell of fan support it was banking on has instead stayed elusive. Meanwhile, it has been hemorrhaging funds, leading it to align its subsidy-fueled operations to a more prudent financial environment. The “goodwill” it extended to marquee names who jumped ship cannot but be treated as sunk cost, but, moving forward, teams will mostly have to fend for themselves.

Significantly, PGA Tour heralds have gone so far as to acknowledge the good LIV has done insofar as improving the sport’s product is concerned. The increase in the number of so-called “designated events” featuring the best of the best in a field not subject to cuts is a response seen to appeal to followers of the sport. Beyond that, though, they’re keen on underscoring the chasm that exists between the two factions. The ideal has them both in the negotiating table. Unless and until it happens, reality will keep playing out.

 

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.

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