BIR files 78 tax evasion charges in first eight months

September 29, 2022 | 7:52 pm

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) said its Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program filed 78 criminal complaints in the first eight months of the year, with the alleged taxes evaded amounting to P2.249 billion.

The 78 complaints are distributed across 11 revenue regions, according to the BIR’s Enforcement and Advocacy Service, with Makati City accounting for 16, Caloocan City 15, and the City of Manila 14.

The other revenue regions with charged parties were Quezon City (8); south of the National Capital Region (8); east of the National Capital Region (5); Laguna, Quezon, and Marinduque (5); Cebu City (4); Calasiao, Pangasinan (1); Pampanga (1); and Cavite, Batangas, Mindoro, and Romblon (1).

“In view of its deterrent effect on tax evasion, the RATE Program has been on top of the list in the BIR’s priority programs along with other tax enforcement activities, such as ‘Oplan Kandado’ program, broadening of the tax base and intensified conduct of audit and investigations,” the BIR said.

“By emphasizing the criminal nature of tax evasion, the BIR aims to enhance taxpayers’ voluntary compliance and promote public confidence in the tax system,” it added. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

Power co-ops report P25.30 million worth of typhoon damage

September 29, 2022 | 7:52 pm

DAMAGE incurred by electric cooperative due to Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) has been valued at P25.30 million so far, according to the Department of Energy (DoE).

The National Electrification Administration (NEA) reported that as of Thursday, 12 electric cooperatives had notified it of damage to their facilities.

These are: Aurora Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Mountain Province Electric Cooperative; Nueva Ecija 1 Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Neeco I); Neeco II – Area 1; Neeco II – Area 2, Camarines Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Pampanga II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Pelco); Pelco III, Zambales Electric Cooperative (Zameco I); Zameco II; Abra Electric Cooperative Inc.; and Quezon II Electric Cooperative, Inc.

The National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) also reported that as of Thursday, two of its transmission lines remain down.

The grid operator said that it hopes to restore the 230-kilovolt San Rafael-Cabanatuan line by Oct. 1, while the restoration timetable for the Cabanatuan-Bulualto 69kV line has yet to be determined.

The NGCP said that it has energized 15 of the 17 affected transmission lines.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said in its report to the DoE that as of 2 p.m. on Thursday, it hopes to restore power service to part of San Miguel, Bulacan within two days.

The affected area has around 750 households, according to Meralco’s assessment report.

Tarlac Electric, Inc., said around 13,043 of 89,419 customers in its franchise area are still without power. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Regional platform launched to attract investment in sustainable energy

September 29, 2022 | 7:51 pm

A PLATFORM to attract investments in the region’s transitional energy projects has been established by the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), a Manila-based climate and energy policy group.

The platform is known as the Southeast Asia Information Platform for the Energy Transition (SIPET), ICSC said on Thursday.

“I cannot say how much investment will come in, but it depends on how we can encourage stakeholders to jump in, how the transition should proceed, and at what speed,” Renato Redentor Constantino, executive director of ICSC, said at a virtual briefing to accompany the SIPET launch.

The German-backed Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project developed SIPET to facilitate and promote coordination in the Southeast Asian power industry during the changeover to more sustainable power.

“We designed SIPET as an open-source, transparent platform to encourage practitioners, experts, and advocates across Southeast Asia to coordinate and exchange information in a more seamless and inclusive manner,” Mr. Constantino said.

According to CASE, the energy transition in the region is hampered by a lack of institutional capacity, platforms for exchanging information, and duplication of work among stakeholders.

Mr. Constantino said SIPET is meant to address these challenges, while helping generate more investment for the energy sector.

“Our investment crisis is only a crisis because we need power in order to move forward… if we provide studies (and) data then we will have the basis (for determining) the kind of investment this region needs,” he added.

According to a statement issued by CASE, energy demand is expected to grow 80% by 2050.

“Through SIPET, we aim to facilitate the narrative in the power sector towards an evidence-based energy transition that robustly supports the region’s development strategies, and towards joint actions that secure a clean, affordable and secure energy future for Southeast Asia,” according to Simon Rolland, energy program director of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit Thailand. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Zero-tariff policy on electric vehicles expected by end of 2022

September 29, 2022 | 7:51 pm

THE proposed zero-tariff policy for electric vehicle (EV) imports is expected to be released within the year, an official with the Department of Energy (DoE) said.

Patrick T. Aquino, director of the DoE’s Energy Utilization Management Bureau, said at a briefing in Taguig City on Thursday that the policy is awaiting evaluation by the Committee on Tariff Related Matters of the National Economic and Development Authority.

“Based on our understanding, we are just waiting for the settling of the new officials. The zero percent ad valorem (tariff) is expected to be released within the year,” Mr. Aquino said.

Mr. Aquino added that the proposed zero-tariff regime for EVs is expected to run between five and seven years.

“You can expect the zero-ad valorem… irrespective of country of origin, to zero hopefully before the end of the year. There’s a requirement for an executive order for that,” Mr. Aquino said.

Current tariffs are between 5% and 30%.

“The net effect is that there will be a slight decrease in terms of the landed cost for EVs right now,” Mr. Aquino said.

According to Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines Chairman Ferdinand I. Raquelsantos, the policy can help bring down the price of EVs, facilitating adoption.

In the case of an EV car priced at P1.5 million, “with zero ad valorem duties, it goes down to P1.2 million. You can save about P300,000,” Mr. Raquelsantos said.

Trade Secretary Alfredo E. Pascual previously said that the Tariff Commission recommended removing the tariff imposed on EVs in a bid to increase usage in the Philippines.

“We are opening our EV market to help develop an ecosystem for a viable market that can support the production of electric vehicles in the Philippines,” Mr. Pascual has said.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) also declared its support for the removal of the tariff.

“CAMPI supports all EV technologies including hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and battery electric vehicles (BEV). All these have potential for fuel consumption reduction and vehicle emission mitigation in the mid- to long-term,” CAMPI President Rommel R. Gutierrez has said.

EV adoption in the Philippines is projected to increase following the passage of Republic Act No. 11697 or the Electric Vehicle Industry Development Act (EVIDA), which lapsed into law on April 15.

The law calls for the creation of the Comprehensive Roadmap for the Electric Vehicle Industry which will lay down the development path for the EV industry.

EVIDA also requires the government and companies to meet a 5% EV quota on their vehicle fleets. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Oral arguments on ‘no-contact’ policy moved to December

September 29, 2022 | 7:46 pm

A CCTV installed along Main Avenue in Cubao, Quezon City is part of the no-contact apprehension system used by the city government. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE SUPREME Court (SC) has set Dec. 6 for the oral arguments on several petitions filed against the government’s use of video surveillance and digital cameras to catch traffic violators.

In a statement on Thursday, the High Court also set Nov. 4 as the date for the preliminary conference.

The oral arguments for the cases were initially scheduled for Jan. 24 next year.

“The Supreme Court likewise ordered that the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) be furnished a copy of the Petitions, and thereafter file its comment within 10 days from receipt of the notice,” said the tribunal.

A copy of the court’s resolution has yet to be uploaded to the SC website.

Last month, the tribunal issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) which stopped law enforcers from implementing the government’s so-called no-contact apprehension policy.

Several transport groups earlier asked the High Court to void the policy, asserting that it is prone to abuse.

A lawyer who was fined more than P20,000 for alleged traffic violations also filed a separate lawsuit on Aug. 18.

The court said it issued the order “without necessarily giving due course to the petitions.”

The TRO stopped the Land Transportation Office (LTO) from giving out motorists’ information to local government units.

The policy was being enforced in the cities of Manila, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Quezon and Valenzuela as well as by the MMDA, which has jurisdiction across the capital region Metro Manila.

Mayors of the cities using the no-contact system have said the policy had minimized human intervention in traffic enforcement. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Solar energy projects planned for Cavite, Baguio under PEZA, UGEP partnership

September 29, 2022 | 7:45 pm

solar-panels-UGEP-ENERGY.COM — UGEP-ENERGY.COM

THE PHILIPPINE Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has partnered with Upgrade Energy Philippines, Inc. (UGEP) for solar energy projects within economic zones in Cavite and Baguio City.

In a statement on Thursday, PEZA said UGEP will develop and implement 10-megawatt (MW) solar projects at the Cavite Economic Zone (CEZ) and Baguio City Economic Zone (BCEZ) under the first phase of the three-year partnership signed on Sept. 22.

“Under the memorandum of understanding, UGEP will conduct feasibility studies in CEZ and BCEZ to determine the viability of the first phase projects prior to its implementation,” PEZA said.

The agreement also allows UGEP to generate and sell solar power to end consumers in the zones through the designated distribution utilities within the ecozones.

PEZA will assist UGEP in the studies, identification of land areas within the zones suitable for the project, and registration of the solar photovoltaics under the PEZA.

“Promoting the use renewable energy are extremely paramount in our country so we can save billions of pesos in energy and electricity consumptions, generate more jobs and at the same time, reduce our country’s share of carbon emissions, therefore, fighting the adverse effects of the global climate change,” PEZA Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Director General for Policy and Planning Tereso O. Panga said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Panga also pushed for more water-based ecozones in the country to boost sustainable development as he produced a foresight paper titled New Frontiers in Ecozone Development: Aqua-Marine and Renewable Energy Parks.

He said more water-based ecozones will help enable PEZA achieve “blue economy and complement the country’s quest for economic, inclusive and sustainable development.”

“This innovative and transformative ecozone model, which is a major departure from the conventional land-based ecozones for the past 50 years, aims to put the Philippines among the pioneering economies in the region that will venture into aquamarine parks integrated with mariculture or marine farming, ocean energy/RE generation, hydrogen/oxygen production and marine eco-system regeneration,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Apo Agua commits to deliver bulk water supply by Q1 2023

September 29, 2022 | 7:45 pm

Apo-Agua-bulk-porject-APOAGUA.COM — APOAGUA.COM

ABOITIZ-LED Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. has committed to have its P12-billion bulk water supply project operational by the first quarter (Q1) next year as it further ramps up construction work that was delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Apo Agua President Anna M. Lu said in a press statement the project is being fast-tracked by hiring an additional team of experienced construction management professionals.

Multiple seasoned contractors have also been mobilized, the company said.

In August last year, the joint venture of Aboitiz Equity Ventures and J.V. Angeles Construction Corp. announced a target operation of 2022 as it stepped up construction work to make up for setbacks in schedule due to lockdowns and other restrictions during the coronavirus crisis.

“We had a meeting with our management team and committee team with (Davao City) Mayor (Sebastian) ‘Baste’ Duterte last week and shared to him the progress of the project. Mayor Baste is supportive… and he asked us to expedite the project timeline,” May Che Capili, Apo Agua external relations officer said.

The company is contracted to supply 300 million liters per day to the distributor Davao City Water District. The water will be sourced from the Tamugan River.

The project is considered the first in the country to use a water-energy nexus concept, where renewable energy will be generated through an integrated hydroelectric power plant. — Maya M. Padillo

BoC-Dadiangas sub-port reaches final stage of ISO-certification

September 29, 2022 | 7:45 pm

THE BUREAU of Customs (BoC) on Thursday said the port of Davao’s sub-port of Dadiangas is already in the final stage of the External Quality Audit amid its bid to become the second ISO Certified sub-port in Mindanao.

The sub-port under the supervision of the BoC-Davao office is located in General Santos City.

“Sub-port of Dadiangas undergoes the second and final stage of the External Quality Audit on Sept. 21 by its external certifying body, Tüv-Süd where the said Port was recommended the ISO 9001:2015 Certification,” the BoC said in a press release.

“During the process audit, auditors from TÜV SÜD, a leading certification body, assessed and reviewed the actual processes enrolled under the Quality Management System (QMS) of the sub-port,” it added.

Dadiangas’ port collector, Orlando Orlino, gave assurance that all audit findings will be complied with within the set timeframe, as well as expressed support for the port of Davao’s Quality Management Unit, which is guiding the sub-port’s ISO team.

If realized, the sub-port of Dadiangas will be the second ISO-certified sub-port in Mindanao after the subport of Iligan.

Davao District Collector Erastus Sandino B. Austria said the BoC aims to strengthen its efforts aligned with the ISO 9001:2015 standards.

The ISO 9001 are international standards that reflect an organization’s ability to consistently provide products and services acceptable to customers and regulators. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles

DFA chief says a more sustainable global maritime sector must also improve seafarers’ welfare

September 29, 2022 | 7:45 pm

THE PHILIPPINES’ chief diplomat is looking towards a maritime sector that places more priority into sustainability and ensures inclusivity for women, according to a statement released by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday in time for the observance of World Maritime Day.

In a speech commemorating the event, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo said “achieving sustainability in the maritime industry entails enormous effort and a host of necessary actions in multiple areas of concern.”

However, “the world’s success in this regard should result in better conditions for seafarers all over the world,” he added, especially for a maritime and seafaring nation like the Philippines.

Mr. Manalo assured that the country continues to uphold its commitment to serve and protect the interests of over two million Filipino seafarers and maritime industry workers through policies and frameworks that protect their rights and welfare.

“Women in maritime will also be a recurring theme in our efforts in promoting and mainstreaming women’s issues in the industry and to recognize their role in decision-making processes and skills development, and their significant contributions to the advancement of technologies and innovative solutions to address sustainability issues,” he said.

He also hopes to continue discussions on greener shipping, while affirming support for initiatives by the International Maritime Organization to harness technologies for digitalization and automation.

World Maritime Day, established by the United Nations in 1978, aims to raise awareness about the importance of the shipping industry and its role and contribution to global commerce.

This year’s theme — “new technologies for greener shipping” — is a call to action to support green transition for the maritime sector. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

SSS opens assistance programs to Karding victims

September 29, 2022 | 7:44 pm

evacuation-Karding-PHILSTAR-WALTER-BOLLOZOS — A RESIDENT near the Marikina River carried kitchen equipment as surrounding communities were ordered to flee when water reached critical levels on Sept. 25. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ WALTER BOLLOZOS

THE SOCIAL Security System (SSS), which covers private sector workers, announced on Thursday that it will extend financial assistance to its members and pensioners who were hit by Super Typhoon Karding, with international name Noru, which struck northern Philippines Sunday.

SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Michael G. Regino said members can avail of the Loan Assistance Program (CLAP) while pensioners can tap the Three-Month Advance Pension.

“In response to the devastation brought about by Super Typhoon Karding, we will offer these two programs in the areas to be declared under a state of calamity by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council,” Mr. Regino said.

“We are finalizing the guidelines for these programs, and we shall release them through our website and social media channels once available,” he added.

A loan equivalent to a member’s average 12 monthly salary credit or an amount applied for, whichever is lower, can be availed under the CLAP.

Meanwhile, the computation for the Three-Month Advance Pension is based on the pensioner’s monthly rate.

Super Typhoon Karding, the 11^th typhoon to hit the country this year, was a category 3 typhoon that brought heavy rains and strong winds across Luzon in northern Philippines, leaving at least eight people dead, including five rescue workers. Five others have been reported missing.

EVACUATION CENTERS
Meanwhile, Batangas Rep. Ralph G. Recto, sponsor of a bill seeking to establish a multipurpose gym in each town and city that will serve as an evacuation center, expressed optimism that the proposed measure will get priority in Congress.

Mr. Recto, a former senator, said he has been pushing for the bill for seven years, but he is hopeful that it will move forward in the current Congress after the social welfare secretary and President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. expressed support to the idea in the aftermath of typhoon Karding.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Erwin T. Tulfo said during a briefing on Monday that it is time to designate an evacuation center for each municipality and city.

Mr. Marcos replied that it was a “good point.”

Under the bill, the multipurpose gyms will be designed as disaster resilient structures with facilities for evacuation operations. — Diego Gabriel C. Robles and Kyanna Angela Bulan

Senator suggests provision of cash rather than equipment after DepEd laptop controversy

September 29, 2022 | 7:44 pm

SENATOR Alan Peter S. Cayetano on Thursday suggested that beneficiaries of equipment and devices in government programs be given cash instead to purchase their own requirements, saying this could be less prone to corruption as he cited the controversy over the education department’s procurement of allegedly overpriced laptops.

“Can we study if ‘KKB or kanya-kanyang bili’ is possible?” he said in a statement, meaning a kind of buy-your-own scheme.

This option will make the process simpler and faster, Mr. Cayetano said, as the government only needs to calculate and approve an amount to be given to beneficiaries.

Beneficiaries will be required to submit a copy of their receipt along with a photograph of themselves with their newly purchased unit.

The purpose of buying in bulk is to procure units at a cheaper price, but this is canceled out by some public officials who pocket public funds, the senator said.

“I would like you to look into and have a discussion about all of this,” Mr. Cayetano told Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman whose nomination for appointment was confirmed by the upper chamber on Wednesday.

The upper chamber has conducted four investigative hearings, in aid of legislation, on laptop purchases and scholarship fund disbursement by education agencies that were flagged by state auditors. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

NLEX shoots for back-to-back win in PBA Commissioner’s Cup

September 29, 2022 | 6:34 pm

FRANKIE Lim won’t be making his long-awated coaching debut. — PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

Games Today
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m. — NLEX vs Blackwater
5:45 p.m. — NorthPort vs Meralco

CHANGE in plans, balik-PBA Frankie Lim won’t be making his long-awaited coaching debut for NLEX today. But the goal stays the same for the Road Warriors: gun for back-to-back wins in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Chief deputy Adonis Tierra makes another pinch-hit job as Mr. Lim serves his pending suspension from his previous PBA stint in 2015 in the 3 p.m. duel with Blackwater (1-1) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mr. Lim was actually supposed to sit on the bench for the first time last Sunday versus Meralco but that game was called off due to Super Typhoon Karding. As such, the suspension carries over to their next game, per Commissioner Willie Marcial.

Mr. Tierra, who led the NLEX to a 96-90 win over its former mentor Yeng Guiao and Rain or Shine last Wednesday, said Mr. Lim’s imprint will already be on the way they play.

If they get the desired result, the Road Warriors will not only draw level with Bay Area Dragons (2-0) at the summit but also build momentum before Mr. Lim starts calling the shots on Oct. 8 against Phoenix.

Looking to throw a wrench on NLEX’s plans are the Bossing, who are back on track after opening the tournament with a 46-point beatdown from the Dragons. With Baser Amer, import Cameron Krutwig, and recent trade acquisitions Troy Rosario and Gab Banal providing the heroics, Blackwater secured a 97-85 bounceback verdict over the Fuel Masters Saturday.

“We really got embarrassed last game (versus Bay Area). That woke us up,” said Blackwater mentor Ariel Vanguardia. “But we’re still a work in progress in terms of chemistry.”

Meanwhile, Meralco opens its campaign in the mid-season tournament against NorthPort (1-1) in the 5:45 p.m. main match.

The Bolts brought in former NBA player Johnny O’Bryant to plug in the hole in the paint as they continue their chase for a franchise breakthrough after narrowly missing a finals stint in the last All-Filipino.

They shoot for a winning start against the Batang Pier’s new-look crew of holdovers Robert Bolick, Arwind Santos and Roi Sumang, second-time import Prince Ibeh and new arrivals Arvin Tolentino, Jeff Chan, Prince Caperal and Kent Salado.

This fresh combo has shown lots of promise in leading NorthPort past Phoenix, 92-89, and pushing the Dragons to the limit before conceding a close 105-104 loss on a Myles Powell buzzer-beating triple. — Olmin Leyba