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Forced military training costly, adverse to critical thinking — students

YOUTH activists from the College Editors Guild of the Philippines stage a die-in protest at the Mendiola Peace Arch in Manila on Dec. 12 early morning to denounce the proposed mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in schools. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

STUDENT groups on Monday signed a unity statement against the proposed mandatory military training at the tertiary level, citing its adverse impact on critical thinking and the additional financial costs that it entails.   

“This is still a form of campus militarization. We know that this act of providing a new face to the mandatory ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) is their tactic to restrict the youth,” said Lance Avery Alo, convenor of the recently organized No to Mandatory ROTC Network.  

La Salle for Human Rights and Democracy Spokesperson Mark Anthony Cachero said forced military training only cultivates a subservient youth.   

“Schools must be a space for critical thinking and not mere blind following,” he said in Filipino.  

Benhur Quequeggan of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Central Student Council said the program will be costly for students and their parents, with the required miscellaneous fees, uniforms, equipment, transportation allowance.  

Another student group said mandating military training could pose serious effects on students’ academic performance.  

The League of Filipino Students (LFS) said military training could worsen the Philippines’ intelligence quotient (IQ) rating.   

“Military training will not teach us to think critically. In fact, it’s just the opposite: it trains you to accept commands without question. No critical thinking or IQ needed, just compliance,” LFS National Chairperson Ivan Sucgang said in a statement on Monday.  

A bill on the mandatory training was approved on Dec. 6 by the House committees on technical and higher education and basic education and culture. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

SC affirms CoA ruling disallowing additional perks for Philhealth employees 

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

THE SUPREME Court (SC) has affirmed a Commission on Audit (CoA) ruling that disallowed additional allowances and cash gifts approved by officers of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) totaling P83.06 million in 2014.  

In a 21-page decision dated Sept. 27 and made public on Dec. 9, the tribunal upheld CoA’s decision that educational assistance and birthday gifts distributed to PhilHealth employees lacked legal basis and approval from the president.  

“There appears to be no connection between the grant of the educational assistance allowance and birthday gifts and Philhealth’s institutional productivity/performance,” Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting said in the ruling. 

Under the law, allowances and other fringe benefits are subject to the approval of the president upon the recommendation of the Budget secretary. 

CoA earlier found that the officers that approved the additional allowances were liable for the disallowed amounts. The audit agency ordered the employees that received the extra pay to return the amounts to prevent “unjust enrichment against the government.”  

PhilHealth argued that it has supposed fiscal autonomy to adjust the compensation of its personnel and to grant allowances.  

“However, it is already settled that PhilHealth does not have absolute discretion in determining the compensation of its officials,” the tribunal said, citing 2016 jurisprudence. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Solar power facilities installed in 2 Iloilo towns under province’s RE program

DOE/UNDP

SOLAR power systems were installed in several public buildings in the towns of Pototan and Concepcion under the Iloilo provincial government’s renewable energy (RE) program that encourages localities to adopt green energy.   

The renewable energy facilities were set up at the Iloilo Provincial Hospital located in Pototan, a legislative building, schools, an evacuation center, a fire station, among other public utilities.  

The different solar power systems provide a combined monthly savings in electricity cost of about P100,000.   

For the 175-bed provincial hospital, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a 75-kilowatt (kW) capacity were installed.  

“The solar installations cut down costs dramatically and increase the reliability of electricity for crucial health services,’’ Paz V. Calopiz, head of Iloilo’s Hospital Management Office, said in a joint statement on Monday from the Department of Energy (DoE) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).  

DoE and UNDP, along with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), provided support to the projects implemented through the Iloilo Provincial Renewable Energy Plan (I-PREP).  

In Concepcion, Mayor Milliard S. Villanueva said eight buildings have been energized with 80 kW peak solar PV and 15kWp hybrid grid solar battery system installations.  

“These solar panels will definitely cut day-to-day energy consumption expenses of the LGU (local government unit), and because we know that solar power has no emissions during generation and can solve the problem of greenhouse gases, we believe we are doing our part in helping provide solutions to climate change,” said Mr. Villanueva. 

The systems are also seen to mitigate risks from unstable power supply in in Concepcion’s smaller communities.  

Plans are also underway for renewable energy installations in Gigantes Island, located off the northeastern part of Iloilo where about 800 families reside.  

The solar systems will be set up at public schools and facilities for drying and freezing scallops.  

The UNDP’s Development for Renewable Energy Applications Mainstreaming and Market Sustainability (DREAMS) Project supports local capacity to innovate, operate, and maintain renewable energy facilities. — MSJ 

DBM to release P44.38M for Marawi City General Hospital 

TASK FORCE BANGON MARAWI

THE DEPARTMENT of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of P44.38 million to fund equipment and ambulances for the Marawi City General Hospital.  

“The implementation of the projects is seen to support the operations of the hospital and improve the quality of health care system in the area,” DBM said in a statement on Monday.   

Construction for the 50-bed medical facility started in December 2020 as part of the reconstruction program for Marawi City following the 2017 siege by Islamic State-affiliated local extremists groups.   

The DBM said the fund is chargeable against the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (NDRRMF) under the Marawi Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program under the General Appropriations Act for 2022. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Camariñes Sur signs up for gov’t housing program with Naga City project 

DHSUD

CAMARIÑES Sur is the latest local government to join the administration’s housing program with a planned vertical housing project in Barangay Concepcion, Naga City.  

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), in a statement on Monday, said it signed an agreement on Sunday with the Camariñes Sur provincial government for the low-cost condominium with 10,000 units.  

“This (memorandum of understanding signing) is just the start of a much challenging work ahead, not only for us at DHSUD but for all of us, especially the local government,” DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino L. Acuzar is quoted in the statement.  

The Marcos administration’s Pambansang Pabahay program aims to build at least one million houses annually in the next six years to address the country’s housing backlog estimated at more than 6.5 million units.  

DHSUD previously signed similar agreements with 28 other local governments across the country.   

Under the flagship housing program, local governments are involved from planning to identification of beneficiaries, and property management in some cases. — MSJ   

Toy manufacturers, sellers pressed to observe ban on toxic phthalates 

ENVIRONMENTAL group EcoWaste Coalition pressed manufacturers, importers and sellers to follow the government’s regulation on banning phthalates in plastic toys due to health risks amid the holiday shopping rush.  

“Despite the 11-year-old rule restricting phthalates in toys, we still find some soft plastic toys with high phthalate content in blatant violation of the law,”  

EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen A. Lucero said in a statement on Monday. 

The group also called on consumers to examine the toys sold in the market to protect children against phthalate exposure.    

Administrative Order No. 2009-0005-A issued by the Department of Health on Dec. 14, 2011 prohibits the selling, distribution in commerce, or importation of any children’s toy that has more than 0.1 percent of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) or benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) in the Philippines.    

The order also banned diisononyl phthalate (DINP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) in concentrations exceeding 0.1 percent in toys that can be placed in a child’s mouth.   

“Toy manufacturers, importers, distributors and sellers must see to it that toys are fully compliant to quality and safety standards, free of hazardous substances such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and duly labeled to reduce health risks and uphold children’s right to health,” Ms. Lucero said.   

According to Geminn Louis C. Apostol, environmental health specialist at the Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, exposure to phthalates and other EDCs could affect the essential functions of the endocrine system and cause hormonal imbalances, which may lead to reduced intellectual capacity, reproductive disorders, weakened immune system, and other behavioral and health issues. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave  

Marcos seeking investments that improve national security — Zubiri

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. wants to direct investment into assets that will shore up the Philippines’ national security position, Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri said.

“There are certain assets that the President wants to invest in that may be deemed national security matters,” Mr. Zubiri said at a news conference, without elaborating about the President’s specific investment targets.

Citing his “personal opinion,” Mr. Zubiri noted that the power grid is “right now being run by the Chinese… kung magkaroon tayo ng problema sa China, one switch off lang at wala na tayong kuryente sa buong Pilipinas (If we ever run into problems with China, they can easily switch off our power).

“I mean it make sense if (the power grid is) nationalized… that’s my opinion, no one else’s opinion,” he added.

The power grid is operated by the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines, a private company whose ownership includes China’s State Grid Corp.

He also called the power grid a suitable investment target for the proposed Maharlika Wealth Fund because “it’s an economically viable business, hindi matatalo ’yung gobyerno diyan kasi natural monopoly ’yung grid eh (the government can’t lose because the grid is a natural monopoly” which would be safe to invest in if in Filipino hands. Investments like that are safe to say where Maharlika funds can actually be utilized.”

The Maharlika Wealth Fund is a sovereign wealth fund proposed by House Bill 6398.

Regarding the debate over the appropriateness of the wealth fund for the Philippines’ financial situation, Mr. Zubiri said, “Ang general sentiment namin dito sa Senado is to wait for the final version ng House, kaya wala pang nagpa-file dito (The Senate’s general sentiment is to wait for the House’s final version, which is why no one has filed a counterpart Senate bill).

“Hindi namin minamadali ito, medyo matagal na usapin ito, kailangan namin itong pag-aralan nang mabuti (We are in no hurry and expect the process to take time… we will need to study the matter closely).

He said he warned Mr. Marcos of possible difficulties in the Senate in passing a Maharlika measure.

“I spoke with the President about it two Sundays ago,” he said. “Kasama ko si Speaker Martin (Fernando Martin G. Romualdez). I even mentioned to him, Mr. President, malaking friction sa amin ’yung pagpasok ng pension funds sa aming members sa Senado (The use of pension funds to provide capital to Maharlika is a big source of friction among members of the Senate).”

He was referring to the original Maharlika bill which called for the wealth fund to be provided capital from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS).

“And I think, because of that, the week after, because Speaker Romualdez was there, the House contingent removed the SSS and GSIS from their version of the Maharlika (bill), meaning wala nang pension funds na gagamitin dito sa fund na ito. (Which rules out the use of pension funds for Maharlika).”

“It’s a step on the right direction, but nevertheless we want to see the safeguards; we want to see if CoA can actually access the reports (for) transparency,” he added.

On the role of the major government banks as potential Maharlika funders:

“’Yung pera naman ng DBP and LANDBANK nakatengga lang ’yun (the DBP and LANDBANK funds are just sitting there) — in the bank accounts not being utilized. They also don’t have the power to reinvest it elsewhere, under their charter… so you can (mobilize) a portion of LANDBANK’s stored wealth together with DBP and utilize that for investment purposes, for the benefit of the government.” — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Legislative process will refine Maharlika — Marcos

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. answers questions from the media after his first Cabinet meeting in Malacañan Palace, July 5, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. said on Monday that Congress must be allowed to perform its legislative functions in improving the proposed sovereign wealth fund bill.

“Let’s not debate until we see the final form because we could be debating provisions that will no longer exist,” Mr. Marcos was quoted in a Palace statement as telling reporters accompanying him on a flight to Brussels, where he is due to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-European Union summit on Dec. 13-14.

Mr. Marcos said he is letting legislators do their jobs and expects them to deliver a “perfect” version of the bill for him to sign.

“It is very clear that we need added investment and this (sovereign wealth fund) is another way to get that,” he added when queried about House Bill 6398, which proposes to create the Maharlika Wealth Fund.

The original form of the bill called for the fund’s seed money to be provided by the two major pension funds, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) and the Social Security System (SSS), as well as the two big government banks, the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

The legislation has since been altered, with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas designated as the source of the fund’s capital.

Last week, House committee on appropriations Senior Vice Chairperson Stella Luz A. Quimbo said the proposed fund would no longer tap the GSIS and SSS for capital.

Labor groups have expressed concern over the proposal saying the government should not waste funds meant to benefit both private and public sector workers, including minimum-wage earners.

The economic managers, led by Finance Secretary Benjamin E. Diokno, have backed the fund as a means of increasing investment in infrastructure projects and countryside development, particularly in agriculture, according to the Palace statement. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Banking committee chair says Maharlika bill has ample deterrents to mismanagement

PHILSTAR

A SENIOR legislator said the Maharlika Wealth Fund bill contains sufficient punishments for mismanagement, and disputed the view put forward by critics that the bill is “beyond repair,” saying that the legislative process will tweak the measure further to address any concerns about Maharlika’s governance.

House banks committee chairman Rep. Irwin C. Tieng noted on Monday that House Bill 6398 proposes a P2-million maximum fine and up to five years’ imprisonment for fund officials who violate investment policy or commit acts of gross negligence.

“Any director, trustee or officer who will fully and maliciously violate investment policies and guidelines set by the board of directors as defined pursuant to Section 19 of this act, or whose acts of gross negligence, willful misconduct, (or) fraud actions in breach of any investment agreement (result) in a loss suffered by the fund shall be liable,” Mr. Tieng told reporters.

Legislators were working to address any governance loopholes in the bill, which has attracted backlash over its original plan — since withdrawn — to seed the fund with pension money from the Government Service Insurance System and the Social Security System.

The banks committee has approved amendments that include removing the Maharlika Wealth Fund’s exemption from the competition law, and a requirement to invest 20% of the fund’s net profit in social welfare projects.

The board will also have four independent directors instead of two. Any investment is subject to assessment by the investment officer, an advisory board, and the National Economic and Development Authority.

The Secretary of Finance was also installed as the Maharlika board’s chairman for a fixed term of seven years, replacing the President.

Mr. Tieng added that the corporation to be created under the bill, the Maharlika Investments Corp., will only act as a passive investor and will manage companies it invests in.

On claims that the bill is “beyond repair,” Mr. Tieng said, “We’re trying our best… Let’s not call it ‘beyond repair’ because we’re doing this to improve the bill and at the same time, show how much it could help our country.”

The House Committee on Appropriations on Friday approved a provision requiring the central bank to surrender 100% of its dividends — about P30-35 billion a year — to the fund.

The Maharlika legislation was recast late yesterday as a substitute bill, House Bill 6398, in which the measure refers to the fund as the Maharlika Investment Fund. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Sen. Marcos calls for more RCEP safeguards

PHILIPPINE STAR/ RUSSEL PALMA

THE head of the Senate foreign relations committee called for safeguards to ensure that affected industries are sufficiently protected from the effects of what is being billed as the world’s largest free trade agreement.

Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios R. Marcos, who chairs that chamber’s foreign relations committee, said of the “transitional safeguards” at a hearing: “We have to do it ourselves, so we should have measurable, time-bound plans for the next 10 to 15 years on the effectiveness of RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership) in full.”

She called on the Departments of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Trade and Industry, and the Bureau of Customs, among others, to prepare long-term plans to deal with RCEP’s impact

“I hear nothing from any of you, the only thing I hear is that you’re selling RCEP to us, but you do not plan for those that will be affected,” she said. “We should have a plan on how to help and overcome the difficulties that will come with RCEP.”

“Let us stop denying that there will be difficulties and sacrifices. Of course, this will happen because this will lead to bulk imports,” she added.

Trade Assistant Secretary and RCEP chief negotiator Allan B. Gepty, speaking at the hearing, said RCEP allows for adequate accommodations.

“We are ready,” he said. “If you will note, under the provisions of RCEP, when it comes to commitments, there are grace periods, transitions, flexibilities, they have really taken into account the capacity of RCEP parties.”

“This is not so sudden that the moment that RCEP takes effect in the Philippines, all the commitments will already have to be implemented,” he added. “Depending on the commitment, there will be transitions and they will also have their own segments.”

There are also complementary initiatives that will help RCEP parties become more prepared, Mr. Gepty said.

“But you have to be ready at the point of signing,” Ms. Marcos said. “We cannot get into an arrangement where we are completely bereft of any skills or powers.”

“At the point of signing, not at some mythical future date,” she added.

Mr. Gepty concurred, noting that in negotiations, their first consideration was ensuring that the deal does not breach Philippine law and the capacity of the country’s institutions.

The RCEP started taking effect in the various jurisdictions on Jan. 1. Participants include the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand.

The Philippines and Myanmar are the only remaining countries that have yet to formalize their participation in RCEP.

Ms. Marcos has called for the establishment of a technical working group to finalize the committee report on the ratification of the RCEP trade agreement. The committee expects to report it out to plenary after the Christmas break. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Sugar supply seen beginning to stabilize

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE supply of sugar is stabilizing following stronger-than-expected refinery output, a Negros Occidental-based sugar industry association said.

“We are fortunate that good weather was on our side, thus production is high in terms of purity which has led to better sugar output as well,” Gerard Joseph Sarrosa, a spokesman for industry group Tatak Kalamay, said in a statement on Monday.

Tatak Kalamay cited data from the Sugar Regulatory Administration indicating a refined sugar inventory of 228,000 metric tons for the September to November period, which is up 91% from a year earlier.

Mr. Sarrosa added: “We are thankful that industry stakeholders are working together to ensure that we can respond to the needs of our consumers.”

Tatak Kalamay consists of sugar federations, groups of agrarian reform beneficiaries, labor groups, and cane millers.

Separately, Rex C. Estoperez, deputy spokesman of the Department of Agriculture, said that the Philippines has imported 150,000 metric tons of sugar. The department is currently looking into why sugar prices are high and will come to a decision soon on whether to import more. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

ERC halts power disconnection of contestable customers

THE Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has issued a cease-and-desist order against retail electricity suppliers (RES) issuing disconnection notices to contestable customers.

A similar order was also issued to distribution utilities (DUs) and the Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines (IEMOP), the ERC said in a statement.

The ERC directed the parties to maintain the status quo while the energy regulatory body is still evaluation motions to dismiss filed by the RES segment of the power market.

Contestable customers are large end-users authorized to purchase power directly from the RES segment under the retail competition and open access program (RCOA), as allowed under Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act.

“During this period, the parties are required to observe the terms and conditions of their supply agreements,” the ERC said.

The ERC said it has issued 13 cease-and-desist orders following complaints of customers, whose interpretation of the rules on RES entitlements to fuel cost recovery adjustments are at variance with the RES interpretation.

The ERC said that the contestable customers claim their contracts specify a fixed rate. The RES segment claims the issue is beyond the ERC’s jurisdiction.

“RES respondents meanwhile raised jurisdictional issues against ERC. DUs and the IEMOP, on the other hand, were impleaded since the issuance of notices and the disconnections of service are performed by such parties,” ERC said.

RCOA introduces retail competition to the energy industry. It allows consumers of an average of 500 kilowatts over the last 12 months to obtain retail supply contracts from the RES segment. Energy consumers can also customize their supply contracts according to dispatch, technology, or power plant.

The ERC said it will strive to ensure the continuity of the electricity supply pending a final resolution. — Ashley Erika O. Jose  

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