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BoC collections from pork imports P3.3B under lowered tariffs

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) said it has collected P3.3 billion in revenue from pork imports after the government cut tariffs on the commodity to stabilize pork prices.

Pork import volume was 214 million kilograms between April 7 and Dec. 10, or since President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s orders to lower pork import tariffs took effect, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in a statement on Wednesday.

The bureau estimated foregone revenue at about P3.6 billion as a result of the reduced tariffs, it said.

The government cut pork tariffs to improve supply and relieve price pressures following an African Swine Fever outbreak that reduced the hog inventory.

“The reduced tariff system implemented starting in the second quarter of this year to quell inflation (boosted) the supply of pork and stabilizing retail prices in the domestic market,” the DoF said.

Executive Order (EO) No. 128 temporarily lowered pork import tariffs to 5% within its minimum access volume (MAV) threshold and to 15% outside the quota from April 7 to May 14. The previous rates were 30% and 40%, respectively.

EO 134, which amended the previous order, lowered tariffs on pork imports under the MAV to 10% for the first three months, and 15% in the next nine months. Out-of-quota pork imports were charged 20% and 25% over the first three months and the next nine months, respectively.

Mr. Duterte also signed an order that increased the MAV quota of pork imports to 254,210 metric tons (MT), from the previous 54,210 MT.

The BoC at the end of November has collected P584.16 billion in revenue, equivalent to 94.7% of its 2021 collection target.

With most of its collection districts exceeding their targets, the bureau said the volume of imports has been improving as borders and businesses start to reopen after the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

Customs collections declined 14% to P537 billion last year due to the slowdown in international trade. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Energy dep’t to lay down rules for conservation program

PHILSTAR

THE Department of Energy (DoE) is planning to issue six circulars to lay down the rules for, among others, vehicle testing laboratories and the certification process for auditors participating in its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program.

At a consultation on Dec. 22, the DoE released the six draft circulars which when completed will govern the operation of testing laboratories for the examination and verification of Energy Efficiency of Energy-Consuming Products and fuel efficiency of transport vehicles; as well as the energy audit certification guidelines for Firms, Partnerships, and Corporations.

The drafts will also cover guidelines for the endorsement of energy efficiency strategic investments to the Board of Investments for fiscal incentives, and the adoption of training regulations and prescribing certification processes of Energy Auditors, Energy Managers and Energy Conservation Officers.

The virtual consultation was joined by 300 stakeholders, representing various sectors like transportation and government.

“Let us ensure that our targets and goals on the country’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program will be met,” Senior Undersecretary Jesus U. Posadas said.

The next public consultation on the circulars is scheduled for January. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

BIR, PSALM settle tax disputes with P517.71-million payment

THE Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) agreed to settle all their outstanding tax disputes, PSALM said in a statement.

PSALM remitted around P517.71 million to the BIR, which covered outstanding tax cases dating from 2006 to 2016, and disputed assessments from 2017 to 2019.

“This global settlement of all the tax cases and disputed assessments marks a major accomplishment for PSALM as it resolves and ends many years of conflict between PSALM and the BIR. We fully recognize the advantage of following the whole-of-government approach to resolve pending issues with other government offices,” PSALM President and Chief Executive Officer Irene B. Garcia said.

The settlement is expected to lead to the dismissal of all pending tax litigation.

PSALM said it tapped available funds to settle its tax obligations with the BIR. Proceeds from privatization activities are designated to go towards the payment of contract costs and stranded debt absorbed from the National Power Corp.

“The remittance of PSALM will also contribute to the revenue collection efforts of the BIR, towards achieving its 2021 collection target,” according to the statement. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

PHL needs to push reform momentum with further economic opening — BCCP

THE Philippines needs to ride the momentum of recent reform measures to attract more foreign direct investment (FDI) in order to sustain its economic recovery, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines (BCCP) said.

BCCP Executive Director Chris Nelson said in a television interview on Wednesday that momentum has been built up by measures such as the effort to amend the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and Foreign Investments Act.  

Mr. Nelson added that he would like to know the position of the Presidential regarding the further opening up of the economy to FDI.

“We’ve seen that obviously under the current administration. They prioritized those bills. We think there is genuine momentum. We’d like to see that carry forward, and to support and sustain the economic recovery,” Mr. Nelson said.  

“The Philippines is growing at 6% above pre-pandemic (levels). We strongly believe in that and we believe that can be sustained and further increased with FDI and with interest from UK companies,” he added.

According to Mr. Nelson, the BCCP in 2022 will publicize the economic reforms in the UK once they have been signed into law.

“We have plans to promote extensively in the UK. We’ve (alerted) our network already of these developments,” Mr. Nelson said.

“We’ve also highlighted the opportunities with the Foreign Investment Act and the Public Service Act,” he added.

The BCCP has said the approval of the measures will allow the Philippines to become regionally and globally competitive.

Mr. Nelson said over 160 British companies have expressed interest in the Philippines this year, adding that some of the group’s focus areas include retail, food, machinery, and business outsourcing.

He added that there is reason to be optimistic that FDI will increase following the passage of the reform bills.  

“We’ve seen a continued interest growing from the UK. The Philippines is a key focus area because it is a gateway to Southeast Asia,” Mr. Nelson said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

BoC to charge provisional duties on Vietnam cement

THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) will charge provisional anti-dumping duties on some cement imports from Vietnam for four months, after they were found to have injured the domestic cement industry.

The BoC, in a statement on Wednesday, said tariffs in the form of cash bonds will be imposed for four months after an order it issued on Dec. 20.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) imposed anti-dumping duties of as much as 32% on some Portland cement brands from Vietnam.

The DTI in an investigation found some exporters have been dumping cement in the Philippines, to the detriment of the domestic industry.

This means that Vietnam-based exporters have been selling products in the Philippines at lower prices than their value in the originating market.

Philippine cement manufacturers had petitioned for the anti-dumping duties. On Type 1 cement, duties start at $1.02 per metric ton (/MT) or 2.69% of the price, to $10.53/MT or 31.87% of the price.

DTI said Type 1P cement exported from Vietnam will be carry the provisional duties ranging from $1.16/MT or 3.8% of the price, to $12.79/MT or 29.20% of the price. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Gov’t to release P4.8-B cash aid to ‘Odette’ victims

BOHOL GOV. ART YAP FB PAGE

THE PHILIPPINE government is releasing about P4.8 billion for cash assistance to survivors of typhoon Rai, locally named Odette, at P1,000 per individual with a maximum of P5,000 per household, the Department of Interior and Local Government spokesman announced on Wednesday.

The total fund can cover 4.8 million individuals, higher than the estimated 4.12 million people affected by the typhoon based on Dec. 29 data from the disaster management council.

Distribution will be through local government units, using the system established for the financial assistance program at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, DILG Undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan E. Malaya said in an online news briefing.

Under a joint memorandum circular signed Wednesday on the transmission of funds, each local government is required to make a list of beneficiaries and post this in three conspicuous places at the barangay level before starting the distribution.

Target beneficiaries are low-income households, based on the memo.

“We expect that right at this moment, they are already listing down their constituents… so they can start as soon as they receive the funds,” said Mr. Malaya.

Local governments have 15 days from the start of distribution to cover all identified beneficiaries. Mr. Malaya said an extension may be requested, but it is not recommended.

DILG will monitor and supervise the process, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide technical assistance.

Committees for monitoring as well as grievance and appeals will also be set up in each municipality and city.

Meanwhile, the United States government is allocating another P950 million ($19 million) in humanitarian assistance for typhoon-hit communities, bringing the country’s total aid to about P1.03 billion ($20.2 million), its embassy in Manila announced Wednesday.

The assistance, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), covers food supply; water, sanitation, and hygiene programs; emergency shelter and reconstruction.

“We stand steadfast with our long-standing friend, partner, and ally in helping support communities devastated by the typhoon,” said US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava.

Earlier funding included P50 million ($1 million) to support emergency logistics efforts that ensure aid is delivered to far-flung areas. This also comes after the P10 million ($200,000) provided by USAID immediately after the storm for food, water, and hygiene supplies, and the restoration of water supply services and sanitation facilities.

Taiwan’s Manila Economic and Cultural Office also announced on Wednesday that the Taiwanese Compatriot Association in Philippines has donated P2 million to the Philippine government for relief efforts.

The Taiwanese government earlier flew in food supply and other emergency goods through the Mactan-Cebu International Airport for affected areas.

Help has been pouring in from the international community, including foreign governments and humanitarian agencies, for survivors of what is considered as the most destructive typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

AGRI DAMAGE
In the agricultural sector, damage assessment from the typhoon has climbed to P8 billion, affecting 113,479 farmers and fishermen, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Volume of production loss was reported at 171,222 metric tons (MT), with damage in over 341,280-hectares of farmland across 12 of the 17 regions in the country.

Six regions have been placed under a state of calamity.

“Typhoon Odette left a trail of destruction on farmlands and fisheries in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, and Camiguin in Northern Mindanao,” Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said in a press release. “Banana, corn, rice, high-value crops, and vegetable farms were destroyed… Agricultural infrastructure and equipment were also damaged.”

“Aside from losing their crops in the extreme climate event, thousands of farmer-families lost their homes, farm animals, and belongings,” the group said, noting that some of those affected were farmers who have been tagged as communist rebels by government authorities.

“(T)hey are afraid to go to evacuation centers because of the militarized situation even in disaster areas,” KMP said.

WATER SUPPLY
Meanwhile, Manila Water Company, Inc. said in a press release Wednesday that it would help provide potable water in Bohol through its mobile treatment plant (MTP) along the Inabanga River.

Bohol, a popular tourist destination, is one of the hardest-hit areas. It reported a death toll of 109 as of Dec. 29, which is more than a quarter of the so far 397 deaths recorded by the national disaster agency.

Power supply in the province has yet to be restored, which affects water production.

Manila Water said the treatment facilities can produce up to 3,000 liters of drinking water per hour and can operate for up to 12 hours a day. It will be operated by a mix of volunteers and employees.

The company earlier set up a similar treatment plant in the town of Liloan in Cebu.

Aside from the treatment plant, Manila Water sent two water tankers, 500 units of bottled drinking water, and hygiene products.

TELECOM SERVICE
Telecommunications firms said Wednesday that they continue to make progress in restoring services in typhoon-hit areas.

In separate statements on Wednesday, PLDT, Inc. and its mobile services unit Smart Communications, Inc. reported an 83% progress rate in Palawan, while Globe Telecom, Inc. said mobile network services in Leyte and Southern Leyte are 50% restored.

The companies have also launched their respective relief operations, offering free SIM cards and hosting charging and WiFi stations in affected communities.

PLDT and Smart are working on over 90% of its covered areas in Palawan that were affected by the typhoon. The group said it sent more engineers and equipment via a chartered flight with Pacific Global One Aviation to assist with restoration efforts.

“Technical teams are working continuously to repair affected sites and fully restore communication services in the province,” the group said in a statement.

However, the PLDT group also reminded some of its customers that they may still experience intermittent services due to commercial power availability and accidental fiber cuts due to road clearing efforts.

“The group commits to reconnect the rest of its customers as soon as possible as roads become more accessible and commercial power stabilizes,” it said.

Meanwhile, Globe said mobile network services in Leyte and Southern Leyte are 50% complete.

The progress covers 41 municipalities and cities in Leyte and five towns in Southern Leyte, while repairs for other towns are underway.

“In Cebu, 20 areas are now restored. GoWiFi facility is also up and running in Mactan Airport with open access to all users,” Globe said in a statement.

Globe has also restored its network services in all of Samar, Antique, Biliran, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Siquijor.

The government’s running tally of public infrastructure damage stood at P16.7 billion, including roads and bridges, government buildings, schools, and utility service facilities.

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan, Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, and Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte

PHL vaccination rate reaches 63% as new cases jump to 889

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINES’ vaccination rate has reached 63% of the target population, with 48.6 million individuals having received full dose, the presidential spokesman said on Wednesday.

The government was initially targeting to fully vaccinate at least 70% of its 109.6-million population, but the goal has been increased with the rollout of jabs for the 12-17 age group. Authorities have also approved the Pfizer vaccine for five to 11-year olds but supply for this cluster is not yet available.   

Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Spokesman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles also said in an online news briefing that the country’s average coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing has doubled to 80,000 per day in 2021 from 40,000 in 2020.

Mr. Nograles also noted that 64% of the 81 provinces in the Philippines have at least one COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction laboratory.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 889 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, the highest in over a month, bringing the total to 2.84 million.

“Cases are expected to increase due to the holiday related mobility and reduced compliance to MPHS (minimum public health standards),” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire told reporters on Wednesday.

“We are continuously monitoring the situation, though we cannot still be certain that the increase in cases is due to the Omicron variant,” she said.

“We are calling on the public and the LGUs (local government units) to ensure safety protocols are implemented and every Filipino is vaccinated,” she added.

The death toll hit 51,241 after 28 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 214 to 2.78 million, it said in a bulletin.

There were 10,418 active cases, 536 of which did not show symptoms, 4,384 were mild, 3,346 were moderate, 1,778 were severe and 374 were critical.

The agency said 98% of the reported cases occurred from Dec. 16 to 29. The top regions with cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 564, Calabarzon with 86, and Central Luzon with 53.

It added that 25% of the reported deaths occurred in December, 7% in November, 14% in October, 32% in September, 4% in August, 7% in July, and 4% in June. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Business leader says further easing of restrictions in Metro Manila not necessary

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE IMPLEMENTATION of looser quarantine protocols in Metro Manila is not necessary in consideration of the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant, according to Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Jose Ma. “Joey” A. Concepcion III. 

Mr. Concepcion said during a Palace briefing on Wednesday that the National Capital Region (NCR), which accounts for about 32% of the country’s economic output, should remain under Alert Level 2 rather than easing to Alert Level 1.  

“Do we move (NCR from) Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1? My suggestion is no. Let’s stay where we are because everybody during the last quarter, this Christmas season, did extremely well,” Mr. Concepcion said.

The Philippines had one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in the world that took a heavy toll on its economy.  

Mr. Concepcion said there is no need to lower NCR’s classification as there will be lesser people movement in the beginning of 2022 after the holiday season celebrations and spending. 

“I think we need to be conservative. We are seeing that Omicron is really coming in, slowly. But I see that the business sector is best prepared, moving to Alert Level 1 does not really help because in the first quarter (of 2022), our sales will go down,” Mr. Concepcion said. 

Further, Mr. Concepcion said he remains optimistic that 2022 will be a “much better” year for the country. 

“We are much more prepared. We have vaccines, we have the whole structure, (and) we know what to do. The private sector and government are working together. Let’s just continue and accelerate vaccination,” Mr. Concepcion said.

BOOSTER
“We have to put pressure on our local government units to push harder. Not only the vaccines but even the booster shots. That is the best way to prepare,” he added.

The business leader said the government is looking to purchase booster doses every three months beginning 2022 to combat new coronavirus variants.

As health authorities have shortened the interval between top-up shots to three months, he said the government expects the private sector to return and provide assistance in purchasing booster doses quarterly.

“I think every three months we will have booster shots, so that will be about three to four vaccines to be given annually,” Mr. Concepcion said. 

The private sector is already preparing for the next order of AstraZeneca in the second semester of 2022, he added. “All of that is already being prepared… because that is the weapon that we will use against (the COVID-19), even Omicron.”

The Philippines on Tuesday took delivery of more than two million doses of the vaccine made by AstraZeneca Plc., which will be used mostly as booster shots, he said.

About 202 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been delivered to the country as of Dec. 27, vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said in an earlier interview. About five million more doses are expected to arrive before yearend. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan  

Comelec anticipates 80% voter turnout in May

NAMFREL

AN 80% nationwide voter turnout is expected in the May 2022 national and local polls, an official said on Wednesday as the poll body held mock elections in several sites across the country.

“We would not know where the bottlenecks (of the election) are if we do not conduct a dry run…But we do not expect things to be perfect,” Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James B. Jimenez said in a mix of Filipino and English. 

Next year’s election would be the first nationwide since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. A plebiscite was held in Palawan in March this year, which served as a testing ground for new voting procedures that includes health and safety protocols.

The mock elections were conducted in 34 precincts, including six polling stations in the capital region Metro Manila.

Voter participants were given 30-inch-long test ballots with a list of famous stars as fictitious candidates. Vote-counting machines were also tested through actual feeding of ballots. 

The National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), which has filed an application for accreditation as Comelec citizens’ arm for next year, said the poll body was transparent in the simulated activity. 

In a statement, NAMFREL said the mock elections went generally smooth and peaceful. 

The group’s observers noted problems in the usage of the vote-counting machines in some areas, inconsistent observance of disinfection measures, and some voters’ failure to properly observe minimum health protocols.

NAMFREL said it will submit a comprehensive report to the Comelec on its observations and recommendations. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan 

Nonpermanent government workers to receive one-time gratuity pay

GOVERNMENT workers under a temporary employment scheme, or those under a contract of service (COS) or job order (JO), will get a yearend gratuity pay of not more than P5,000 each as President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed an order on Wednesday for the release of funds.

The bonus is in recognition of their hard work, including those who were part of the government’s emergency coronavirus response efforts, according to the administrative order.

Qualified beneficiaries are COS or JO workers who have served for at least four months and whose contracts were still effective as of Dec. 15. Those who have provided services for less than four months will receive a prorated share.

“While COS and JO workers in the government are paid salaries or wages equivalent to those received by personnel occupying comparable positions in the government,” reads the order, “they do not enjoy benefits accorded to regular government employees… as they have no employer-employee relationship with the government.”

The order will cover COS and JO from national government agencies, state universities and colleges, government-owned and controlled corporations, and local water districts.

The budget department will issue the supplemental guidelines for the implementation of the order.

Local government units were also encouraged to adapt a similar gratuity program. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Adult Filipinos hopeful than fearful for the new year — survey

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

A LARGE majority or 93% of surveyed adult Filipinos are entering the new year with more hope than fear, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS).

Of the 1,400 respondents in the SWS non-commissioned poll taken December 12-16 poll, 93% of adults said they were entering 2022 with hope, while 7% with fear. 

Last year, those with hope was at 91% while in 2019 it was below 98%. 

The survey this year also showed that 65% of adults expected their Christmas to be happy, 8% expected it to be sad, while 22% were neutral. 

SWS conducted face-to-face and mobile interviews for their poll, which had an error margin of ± 2.6% for national percentages, and ±5.2% for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, the Visayas, and Mindanao. 

The poll also indicated that hope for the coming year rose in all areas of the country except Mindanao. 

In Metro Manila, hope increased from 90 to 95%. In Balance, in Luzon, it rose from 92% to 93%, while in Visayas it rose from 88% to 90%. It remained at 93% in Mindanao.

When the SWS first conducted a survey about hope for the coming year in 2000, optimism was at 87%.

Survey questions included items about whether a person would welcome the new year with fear or with hope and if a person expects their Christmas to be happy or sad. The questionnaire was modeled after the yearly polls given by the Institut für Demoskopie Allensbach, a European research institute. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan

Duterte signs new order on peace strategy

PEACE.GOV.PH

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday signed an executive order strengthening the policy framework on peace, reconciliation, and unity by reorganizing the existing office handling peace initiatives.

Executive Order 158 will establish the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU), replacing the current Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). 

An appointed presidential adviser on PAPRU, with rank of a Cabinet member, will manage, direct, integrate and supervise all aspects of the comprehensive peace process, including initiatives that will promote and reinforce national reconciliation and unity.

The order states that it is intended “to more effectively build on the achievements of the national government on peacebuilding engagements” as its policies and programs continually need reassessment and realignment. 

Government Peace Negotiating Panels (GPNPs) will also be established, each composed of a chairperson and its members, all appointed by the chief executive. They will conduct direct negotiations and discussions with rebel groups.

An advisory board will be set up for each of these panels, composed of representatives from Congress, Cabinet members, and representatives of civil society, and other advisers as designated by the president.

The funds to implement this order will be taken from the current appropriations of the OPAPP. Funding for subsequent years will be appropriated in the annual General Appropriations Act. 

The OPAPP — tasked to coordinate, integrate, and monitor the implementation of the comprehensive peace process mainly with Moro rebel groups, the communist movement, and other armed factions — was created in 1993 under then President Fidel V. Ramos. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

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