THE ASIAN Development Bank (ADB) raised its Philippine growth forecast for this year and 2022, amid a heightened coronavirus vaccination drive and a plunge in new cases. Read the full story.
Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.
THE GOVERNMENT is not doing enough to deter the smuggling of farm produce, vegetable farmers in Benguet, a major growing area supplying Luzon, said on Tuesday.
Agot Balanoy, spokesman for the League of Associations at the La Trinidad Vegetable Trading Areas, said prosecutors must follow through with charges against smugglers and their protectors, who have yet to be identified, instead of simply raiding markets and retailers.
Testifying before the Senate Committee of the Whole, which is investigating the matter, she said the smuggling of farm produce has been affecting markets since 2001.
She added that the Department of Agriculture (DA) typically does not act without the filing of complaints and the submission of evidence.
Ms. Balanoy said that in September, the DA took a month to act on smuggling complaints aired in the media by the vegetable growers, and only resorted to market raids and confiscations without taking further action. She added that smuggled goods continued to appear in the markets in October and November, forcing her association to elevate its complaint to Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III.
Farmers are likely to grow other crops if smuggling continues, according to Ruben E. Paoad, of the agriculture committee of the Benguet provincial council. If production from the province drops off as a result, he added, import dependence will rise.
“It would be good if the imports were legal, but the problem is that we know they are illegal,” he said.
“The farmers are affected, at the same time the government is being deprived of revenue,” he added.
Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura President Rosendo O. So said during the hearing that the DA does not appear to coordinate its actions with the Bureau of Customs (BoC).
He said DA and BoC estimates of import volumes do not match, suggesting a disparity between goods officially imported and goods that were smuggled.
Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Regulations Liza G. Battad said beginning this year, the DA proposes to improve its collaboration with the BoC, particularly on the matter of inspecting goods after they have been admitted into the country.
The government performs two levels of border inspections. Customs and agriculture personnel conduct a spot check with 10% sampling on agriculture imports at the port of entry.
The second border inspection is conducted at DA-accredited cold storage warehouses, in which goods undergo 100% physical examination via x-ray.
Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo B. Guerrero said seizures of agriculture products totaled 80 in 2019, 309 in 2020, and 172 in 2021, while cases filed with the Justice department numbered 55, counting from 2019.
“Eighty-six of the total apprehensions for 2021 are covered by 29 criminal complaints filed from January 2021 to present,” Mr. Guerrero said at the hearing, noting that “one case covers multiple apprehensions.” Twenty-one cases involved violations of Republic Act 10845 or the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act.
Asked by Senator Panfilo M. Lacson, Sr. why smugglers manage to elude government monitoring, Mr. Guerrero said: “there is inadequate space at the port to conduct full stripping of dry and refrigerated containers.”
“Due to the pandemic, the inadequacy of manpower of port operators, shipping lines, and even consignees themselves, continues to be a problem,” he added, noting that the BoC lacks the capacity and resources to do more.
The BoC’s police force currently has only 523 members, augmented by 100 personnel from the Philippine coast guard, to guard 17 major ports and 39 sub-ports.
Of the 523 customs police, 166 are assigned to the fuel-marking project while 74 are detailed to x-ray inspection. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
A BILL seeking to keep legislative franchises from expiring if Congress fails to act in time on renewal requests passed the Senate on second reading late on Monday.
Senate Bill 1530, if passed, will amend Section 18 of the Revised Administrative Code which provides for the non-expiration of a license if the license holder has sought an extension and the regulator has yet to make a decision.
Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon, who wrote the bill, said the amendment would apply to franchises granted by Congress, noting that it would solve the problem of franchise holders whose renewals remain pending.
“It is acknowledged that there is a gap in the law in cases as exhibited in cases where a franchisee, having taken all the steps to renew its franchise, is unable to do so not due to its own fault, but due to Congress’ failure to act on the application,” Mr. Drilon said in a statement on Tuesday.
“As the principle of equity has been deemed insufficient to fill that gap, the timely passage of this measure is in order,” he added, noting that Congress has applied the same considerations in similar situations.
According to the bill, once an application for renewal of a franchise or license has been made, it cannot expire until the regulator in charge makes a final determination.
The bill hopes to address the “unfair and iniquitous closure” of operations due to the issuance of cease-and-desist orders, said Mr. Drilon, which resulted in job losses in the telecommunications and broadcast industries.
If approved, the concerned agency or branch of government would be required to act decisively on renewal applications and to express its decision in clear, unmistakable terms, he added.
“SB 1530 can save jobs and prevent and fix franchise woes caused by the inability of the grantee, in this case Congress, to act on an application for renewal in a timely manner,” Mr. Drilon said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
THE SENATE approved on second reading late on Monday a measure requiring the registration of Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards for mobile phones.
Senate Bill 2395 or the SIM Card Registration Act was filed to deter scams committed via mobile phone by allowing law enforcement agencies to track criminals using the phone network.
If passed, the measure will require all telecommunications companies to make the registration of SIM cards a requirement for their sale.
During the application period, registrants must accomplish the required forms and present valid government-issued identification cards as a condition of sale.
Under the proposed measure, all current SIM card subscribers with active services are to register with their respective Public Telecommunications Entities (PTEs) within a year of the act taking effect.
Failure to register means that the account will be deactivated and the number retired.
Failure by a PTE or a third-party reseller to comply with the registration requirements will result in fines of P100,000 and P10,000 respectively.
A P200,000 fine will also be levied if any information obtained from the subscriber during the registration process is improperly revealed or disclosed.
The PTE may only provide information on the strength of a court order or a finding that a specific mobile number was or is being used to commit malicious, fraudulent, or unlawful acts.
The penalty for registering SIM cards to persons who present false identification is up to 12 years’ imprisonment or a P200,000 fine.
The features of the bill are according to the first-reading version of the bill. The Senate has yet to release a copy of the bill after second reading. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan
THE NEXT government needs to continue investing in infrastructure to encourage further growth in digitalization, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines said.
Chris Nelson, the chamber’s executive director, said in a virtual briefing on Tuesday that the incoming administration needs to focus on growing the Philippines’ digital footprint.
“I hope we see from the next administration (a) continuation in investment in infrastructure, and in particular on digital. This has been highlighted (by) e-commerce, and has been a key factor. I think that will only continue not only in the Philippines but obviously across the world,” Mr. Nelson said.
“(This) is very important because (it) will further boost the economy, particularly on the digital side, and communication,” he added.
Mr. Nelson said that the delays in passing economic reform bills such as the amendments to the Foreign Investment Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and Public Service Act reduces the window of opportunity for the chamber to promote the Philippines to potential investors.
He added that the chamber is constantly in talks with companies in the UK, adding that promotion efforts will be enhanced once the bills are signed into law.
“We are competing with other countries. When I am promoting the Philippines in the UK, I want to get companies to come here and to do business, and also give an opportunity to do business in Southeast Asia. The non-passage of one of those bills will reduce that opportunity,” Mr. Nelson said.
“In relation to boosting the country’s attractiveness to foreign investors, the (chamber) looks forward to seeing more efforts liberalizing the economy by easing restrictions on foreign investment in particular, in retail, transportation, telecommunications and other significant sectors,” he added.
Mr. Nelson said the chamber has received at least 160 inquiries from those wishing to invest in the Philippines, including agriculture technology, business services, food and drink, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and retail companies.
“We’ve seen a lot of interest in the food and beverage sector. We will continue to promote opportunities in the Philippines, highlighting its long-term potential,” Mr. Nelson said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
LA UNION province needs to leverage its strengths as a tourism destination in order to broaden its potential as an investment destination, a Board of Investments (BoI) official said.
BoI Executive Director Bobby G. Fondevilla said at a recent investment policy briefing webinar that La Union’s broader potential rests on its current strengths in tourism. The province is a popular beach and surfing destination.
“I am positive that soon, the province will realize its ambitions,” Mr. Fondevilla said.
BoI Supervising Investments Specialist Lubin R. de Vera, Jr. said local government units (LGUs) are key to investment promotion and must develop their capacity in navigating incentive policy to attract businesses.
Mr. De Vera encouraged LGUs to create their own economic development and investment promotions offices to serve as local counterparts of the BoI.
“Investment promotion is everybody’s business. Such initiatives cover all activities aimed at creating favorable conditions to (attract) investments,” Mr. De Vera said.
Meanwhile, BoI Chief Investments Specialist Edilberto C. Nunag encouraged LGUs to collaborate with the BoI as they draft strategies to promote individual cities and municipalities. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
THE National Irrigation Administration (NIA) expects to start construction soon on the Dumoloc Small Reservoir Irrigation Project (SRIP) in Bugallon, Pangasinan.
The SRIP includes a zoned-type, earth-filled dam to be built across the Dumoloc River in Bugallon, Pangasinan. It will channel irrigation water to Cayanga, Cabatuan, and Laguit Dams, as well as the Drainage Reuse Points for Cabigaan.
With a budget of P1.3 billion, the dam is expected to irrigate 1,825 hectares of land during the wet season, and 990 hectares during the dry season. The number of beneficiaries has been estimated at 1,400 farmers.
Separately, eleven completed irrigation projects that took in investment of P35 million were turned over to farmers and members of the Irrigators Association (IA) of barangay Wangal, Benguet.
The projects service 264 hectares of land and stand to benefit 373 farmers and their families.
The eleven projects are the Cabutotan Communal Irrigation System (CIS) in Madaymen, Kibungan; Cotop Pinanchay CIS in Bashoy, Kabayan; Jappa-Minak-Conet SIP in Shilan, La Trinidad; Kapangan Central CIS in Central, Kapangan; Mambolo-Tinongdan SIP in Tinongdan, Itogon; Gasal Amsilweng CIS in Masala, Kibungan; Sapid CIS in Sapid, Mankayan; Taba-ao CIS in Taba-ao, Kapangan; Shalongen Creek-Dalabi SIP in Twin Peaks, Tuba; Umesbeg Caucalan CIS in Taloy Sur, Tuba; and Taloy Sur CIP in Taloy Sur, Tuba.
The NIA said it will be devolving such projects to local authorities starting in 2022, with first to fourth-class municipalities taking charge of their own irrigation networks.
NIA will retain control of National Irrigation System facilities in fifth and sixth-class municipalities. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
HATCHERIES and broodstock tanks involving the investment of P23 million have been completed this year in Iloilo to help fish producers seed their farms, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said.
The facilities are located within the Tigbauan Main Station of the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC). They have been in development since 2019.
The project is part of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ Bangus Fry Sufficiency Program to serve as a prototype for other hatchery ventures elsewhere.
Four new broodstock areas with a capacity of 2,000 tons can accommodate 400 milkfish breeders producing an estimated 320 million eggs annually.
The marine hatcheries have a rearing capacity of 160 tons, and are projected to produce 20 million milkfish fry, 5.4 million pompano fry, 14.4 million post-larvae shrimp, and 2.5 million instars — the term for crab in their developmental stages — each year.
The DA also plans to build a 40-ton freshwater hatchery that can produce 16 million catfish fry, 4.5 million freshwater post-larvae prawn, and close to one million tilapia fry annually.
SEAFDEC has 11 member countries in Southeast Asia. Its aquaculture department is currently hosted by the Philippines.
The aquaculture industry accounts for 50.9% of Philippine fisheries production. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson
THE MICROFINANCE NGO Regulatory Council (MNRC) said the eligibility requirements for accrediting microfinance nongovernment organizations (MF-NGO) in 2022 to 2025 will include a fund balance of P1 million at any given time and incorporation documents identifying the NGO as specifically organized to offer microfinance services.
According to MNRC Memorandum Circular No. 2 Series of 2021, MF-NGO applicants must be established as a nonstock, nonprofit corporation with minimum funds of at least P1 million upon application, and an operating track record of at least three years.
MF-NGOs must have corporate and trade names that include the word “microfinance.” Applicants may refer to the formats outlined in MNRC Memorandum Circular No. 1, Series of 2017.
Its Articles of Incorporation must state that the MF-NGO has “the primary purpose of implementing a microenterprise development strategy and providing microfinance programs, products and services for the poor.”
The applicant must also designate another NGO as the receiver of its net assets in the event of dissolution, or to the government for public use, or whatever determination might be arrived at by a court.
The articles must bar any member, officer, organizer, or any person, from being named a beneficiary of the MF-NGO’s property or income.
No trustee is allowed to receive compensation or remuneration, while administrative expenses may not exceed 30% of total expenses each year.
To be accredited, applicants must submit a copy of their operations or product manuals, specific program objectives “to reach the poor,” a functioning management information system, and at least 2,500 active microfinance clients. — Keren Concepcion G. Valmonte
By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday quit the 2022 senatorial race, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“The President has filed his withdrawal from the senatorial elections,” Comelec spokesman James B. Jimenez twitted. The 76-year-old president, who is barred by law from running for reelection, went to the election office in Manila, based on a photo posted by the official.
“The president believes that withdrawing from the Senate race will allow him to better focus on managing our pandemic response in order to sustain the progress we have made in the country and in safely reopening the economy,” acting presidential spokesman Karlo Alexei B. Nograles said in a statement.
Mr. Duterte’s withdrawal from the Senate race came hours after his former aide Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go formally dropped out of the presidential race, leaving the administration without an anointed successor.
The president has called his daughter’s running-mate, ex-Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. a “weak leader.”
Mr. Go filed his withdrawal at the Comelec two weeks after hinting of the plan.
“I am already out of this race as I said last Nov. 30,” he told reporters in Filipino, based on a report by the state-run Philippine News Agency. “I just waited a little while to let my supporters know that my heart and my mind were against my candidacy.”
“The withdrawal of Bong Go from the presidential race is a sign that members of the most reactionary faction in Philippine politics are now united,” presidential candidate Leodegario “Ka Leody” de Guzman said in Filipino in a video statement.
“This is aimed at protecting Duterte from potential lawsuits after his term, and securing the wealth and political power he has accumulated in six years,” the labor leader added.
Mr. Go said he would support a presidential contender who would continue the programs started by Mr. Duterte, including his infrastructure projects. “The president and I will talk about it.”
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, who is running for president next year, last month said he would welcome and appreciate Mr. Duterte’s endorsement.
This month, he said he would back Mr. Duterte’s plan to become a senator. “I’m going to vote for him personally. I’m going to endorse him.”
Mr. Domagoso earlier criticized the government’s pandemic response. In September, he said he would avoid senseless speeches late at night if he becomes president, alluding to Mr. Duterte’s televised addresses where he had attacked political opponents, including the Manila mayor.
Mr. Go initially registered to run for vice-president. He changed his decision at the last minute after Mr. Duterte’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio decided to run for vice-president.
She is running in tandem with ex-Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., who is now facing several lawsuits seeking his disqualification at the Comelec over his tax evasion conviction.
Also on Tuesday, Ms. Carpio said she would endorse the senatorial candidacy of former Senator Jose “Jinggoy” P. Estrada, who spent three years in jail for his alleged involvement in a public fund scam.
In a statement, Ms. Carpio said she would also back former Defense Secretary Gilbert C. Teodoro, Jr. Ex-presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr., former Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert M. Bautista and ex-Senator Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda, and reelectionist Sherwin T. Gatchalian for senator.
Ms. Carpio also named Davao Occidental Governor Claude P. Bautista and Mr. Marcos’ first cousin, Tacloban Rep. Martin G. Romualdez, as her campaign managers.
Ms. Carpio is running under Lakas-CMD, the political party of ex-President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a known powerbroker in Philippine politics.
Mr. Marcos’s Partido Federal ng Pilipinas and Ms. Caprio’s Lakas-CMD has signed an alliance with the political party founded by ex-President Joseph E. Estrada, who was toppled by a popular uprising in 2001. He spent years in prison before he was convicted for corruption and later pardoned by Ms. Arroyo.
Meanwhile, Mr. Duterte on Monday night said his administration would stay neutral during the elections campaign
“When it comes to the elections, the government, the administration will take a neutral stand,” he told a taped Cabinet meeting. “We will see to it that there will be no terrorism, vote buying and intimidation and everything that would put a hindrance to an honest election.”
Mr. Duterte earlier said he would retire from politics once his six-year term ends next year, only to change his mind by filing his candidacy for senator at the last minute.
Mr. Duterte was running under a political party founded by his supporters. He substituted for a relatively unknown candidate.
Critics have said his run for a Senate seat was yet another attempt to evade prosecution by a United Nations-backed tribunal that was investigating his war on drugs that has killed thousands.
THE PHILIPPINES is set to take delivery of 24 million doses of coronavirus vaccines this week, the country’s vaccine chief said.
Vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said the deliveries this week are more than the usual 7 million doses that the state gets in a week.
The shipments include vaccines bought by the government and donated by various countries, he told a taped Cabinet meeting on Monday night.
He said earlier in the day about 52 million doses of vaccines would arrive this month.
The Philippines on Monday night received 1.53 million doses of the single-dose vaccine made by Janssen Biotech, Inc., Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei B. Nograles separately told a news briefing.
The latest shipment of Janssen vaccines was donated by The Netherlands, he said. Two more batches from Amsterdam are set to arrive this month.
Mr. Nograles said the country also received 859, 950 doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer, Inc. on Monday night.
“It bears stressing that we are now able to talk about booster shots because we have an ample supply of vaccines,” he said.
The country is set to hold a three-day vaccination drive on Dec. 15 to 17, as it aims to fully vaccinate more than 50 million Filipinos by yearend.
Mr. Nograles said the vaccination event, which seeks to inject at least 7 million people, would be moved to Dec. 20 to 22 in regions expected to be hit by a typhoon.
These include Bicol, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga and Bangsamoro.
The decision was made to keep people safe, the National Vaccination Operations Center said in an advisory. Other parts of the country will proceed with the drive on Dec. 15 to 17.
Mr. Nograles expressed confidence that the government would achieve its target of fully vaccinating at least 54 million people before the year ends.
The Philippines had already given out 97.24 million doses of coronavirus vaccines as of Dec. 13, Mr. Nograles said. Of these, 37.9 million were second doses. The government had injected 809,550 booster shots, he added.
The Department of Health (DoH) reported 235 coronavirus infections on Monday — the lowest daily tally since May 23 last year — bringing the total to 2.84 million.
The death toll hit 50,351 after 10 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 780 to 2.78 million, it said in a bulletin.
There were 10,526 active cases, 659 of which did not show symptoms, 4,104 were mild, 3,502 were moderate, 1,868 were severe and 393 were critical.
The agency said 97% of the reported cases occurred from Dec. 1 to 14. The top regions with cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 53 cases, Calabarzon with 23 cases and Western Visayas with 20 cases.
It said 90% of the deaths occurred in December and 10% in October.
DoH said five duplicates had been removed from the tally, four of which were reclassified as recoveries, while three recoveries were relisted as deaths.
It added that 165 patients had tested negative and were removed from the tally. Of these, 161 were recoveries. Four laboratories did not operate on Dec. 12, while eight failed to submit data.
The agency said 23% of intensive care units in the Philippines were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 24%.
Meanwhile, the Philippines might face a fresh surge in coronavirus infections once the Omicron variant from South Africa enters the country, according the OCTA Research Group.
“If the Omicron enters the Philippines, a serious surge of infections is likely,” OCTA fellow Fredegusto “Guido” P. David said, noting that South Africa reported 37,875 new coronavirus cases on Dec. 12 alone due to the highly mutated variant.
Experts have said the Omicron variant could pose a greater threat than the Delta strain.
Health Director Alethea de Guzman said Omicron might be more than 10 times more contagious than the original variant and 4.2 times more transmissible than Delta.
She said Omicron might be twice more likely to resist existing vaccines than Delta. “But evidence suggests that our vaccines remain effective.”
She said most Omicron patients worldwide show mild symptoms, but it was not clear whether the variant is associated with more severe diseases. There were 11,703 cases of the Omicron variant as of Dec. 14, she added.
Philippine authorities were monitoring areas with rising cases, as the country prepares for the entry of the heavily mutated variant, she said. Health experts have said it is only a matter of time before it enters the country.
Ms. De Guzman said all regions in the country were now classified as “minimal risk” from the coronavirus.
All regions except Bicol in central Philippines and Soccsksargen in the south showed a decline in infections in the past week, she said.
Active cases might decline to 1,766 by Jan. 31 if Filipinos continue to follow health protocols and may otherwise increase to 9,388, Ms. De Guzman said.
In the capital region, active cases might decline to 148 by Jan. 31 and may increase to 325 if health protocols were ignored, she added. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
