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Palace says no law allows employers to turn away unvaccinated workers

PHILSTAR

THE PRESIDENT’S spokesman said Thursday that turning away unvaccinated workers is not authorized by law, contradicting remarks made by the head of the government’s pandemic containment effort.

Palace Spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said in a televised briefing that no law allows companies to require vaccination for job applicants and workers. 

Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr., the chief implementer of the National Action Plan on COVID-19, said on GMA News that companies that limit their workforce to the vaccinated are not guilty of discrimination.

“It is the prerogative of companies to hire, train, promote and fire employees,” he said, noting that it is the “moral and corporate responsibility of the company to protect its people, clients, consumers and business interests,” Mr. Galvez said.

Business groups have been urging the government to allow the private sector to “impose stricter requirements on unvaccinated employees and patrons, and to decline unvaccinated job applicants.”

The Bankers Association of the Philippines, the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, GoNegosyo and Investment House Association of the Philippines noted that while individuals can refuse vaccination, “the state and private sector should be able to restrict the activities of unvaccinated persons for the common good.”

Section 12 of Republic Act No. 11525, or the COVID-19 Vaccination Program Act of 2021 states that vaccine cards, which are used to validate an individual’s vaccine status, “shall not be considered as an additional mandatory requirement for educational, employment and other similar government transaction purposes.”

The Department of Labor and Employment earlier issued an advisory to employers that “any employee who chooses not to get vaccinated or fails to get vaccinated shall not be discriminated against in terms of employment.”

Mr. Roque said the government can now inoculate more people with additional vaccine supplies available outside Metro Manila.

At the briefing, he said nearly 53.84 million coronavirus vaccines had been administered as of Oct. 20. Nearly 24.88 million individuals or 32.25% of the adult population are fully vaccinated, he added.

The Philippines, which scored poorly in a global index that measured the recovery of more than 100 countries from the coronavirus pandemic, hopes to inoculate at least 50% of its adult population by year’s end. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Year-to-date rice tariffs hit P14.3B, adding to gov’t funds after RCEF

PEXELS-ICONCOM

THE BUREAU of Customs collected P14.3 billion worth of tariffs from 2.18 million metric tons of rice imports as of early October, exceeding the year-earlier performance and adding to the excess funding available to the government once the P10-billion commitment for rice industry modernization is met.

Collections rose 3.2% in the year to date ending Oct. 8, the Department of Finance said in a statement Thursday.

Incoming shipments were valued at P40.81 billion.

Rice import duties are collected to support the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) as authorized by Republic Act 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law, which sets aside P10 billion a year to modernize rice farms and upgrade farmers’ know-how and access to seed and credit. The intent of the law is to make domestic farmers more competitive against imports.

Excess collections beyond P10 billion may be appropriated according to budget needs.

The average value of rice imports rose to P18,898 per metric ton in 2021, from P18,867 a year earlier, Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero said.

“Due to the continuous decline of the price of rice in the world market since May 2021, the average value of rice per metric ton increased by only 0.2% versus last year,” he said.

The Rice Tariffication Law, signed in 2019 eased the restrictions on rice imports by private entities, which must pay a 35% tariff on Southeast Asian grain.

The government collected P15.47 billion in rice tariffs in 2020. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Duterte inaugurates Sariaya bypass road

DPWH

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte led the inauguration Thursday of the 7.42-kilometer Sariaya Bypass Road in Lucena City.

The road, which is expected to serve around 15,000 motorists and commuters daily traveling within the Calabarzon region, will significantly cut traffic between Sariaya and Lucena City in Quezon Province, Mr. Duterte said in his speech.

“It will not only provide faster and safer travel for motorists but also efficient transport of goods to and from the markets of Southern Luzon. This new bypass road is also expected to lessen the traffic volume along Daang Maharlika from Sariaya to Lucena by 40%,” he said.

“It will likewise spur the growth of industries and business opportunities in the area, thereby boosting the socio-economic development of Quezon province and improve the lives of the people,” the President added.

The Sariaya Bypass Road starts from the Manila South Road Daang Maharlika and ends in the Quezon Eco-Tourism Road, according to government broadcaster People’s Television (PTV).

It is one a flagship project of the Department of Public Works and Highways under the administration’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DoE’s Cusi touts nuclear power potential to reduce fuel imports

ENERGY SECRETARY ALFONSO CUSI — PCOO

ENERGY SECRETARY Alfonso G. Cusi reiterated his push for nuclear power, saying it will reduce dependence on imported fuel.

“We are pushing for nuclear because that will reduce our imports of petroleum,” he said in a recent television interview on ANC.

He said he is advocating for the development of nuclear power plants, which he said will play a “very important” role in achieving energy security.

He said the mothballed Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is viable for refurbishing to operational status.

“BNPP can still be used, with retrofitting. I have brought technical people who have made all these studies… and they’ve said that yes, we can operate it. I believe we can operate it, but the issue is the political will,” he said.

Aside from nuclear, renewables will also help achieve energy security, according to Mr. Cusi, who added that the Department of Energy (DoE) is gearing up to launch its first green energy auction soon.

Domestic oil prices have risen for an eighth consecutive week. Earlier this week, oil companies announced price increases of gasoline, kerosene and diesel prices by P1.8 per liter (/L), P1.5/L, and P1.3/L, respectively.

The DoE estimates that petroleum imports in the first half of the year rose 41% year on year to 10,028 million liters after Petron Corp. and Pilipinas Shell started importing finished product after shutting down their refineries.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries recently met with Russia, and agreed to stick to a plan for a gradual increase in oil output, despite rising demand. — Angelica Y. Yang

PSALM fined after Malaya plant exceeds outage limit

THE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) has ordered the Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. (PSALM) to pay a fine of P980,000 after a unit of the Malaya Thermal Power Plant (MTPP) exceeded its allowable limit for outages.

Between Jan. 3 and April 25, the plant’s second unit went on unplanned outage for a total of 49 days.  

The plant, in Pililla, Rizal, was under PSALM control at the time.

“PSALM is hereby declared administratively liable for having 21.2 days of unplanned outages in excess of the 27.8 days allowable unplanned outages per year,” the ERC said in a decision posted on its website this week.

The outage limit for oil-fired power plants was set by the ERC in a 2020 resolution at 27.80 days per year.

“The root cause of the unplanned outages is the incident on March 3, where the AVR (automatic voltage regulator) of the generator excitation system of MTPP Unit 2 (was) switched to auto,” it said.

The ERC ordered PSALM to pay the penalty within 10 days from receipt of the decision.

The Sept. 8 decision was signed by ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Agnes VST Devanadera and three other commissioners.

BusinessWorld asked PSALM for comment, but it had yet to reply at deadline time.

Last month, PSALM turned over the MTPP’s operating documents to Belgrove Power Corp., a subsidiary of Fort Pilar Energy, Inc.

In an auction in May, Fort Pilar submitted the top offer for the plant of P3.12 billion, against a floor price of P1.85 billion.

The company later assigned its rights to Belgrove, which paid an additional P1.06 billion to PSALM for the remaining fuel inventory at the plant.

PSALM uses the proceeds of its asset disposals to settle financial obligations assumed from the National Power Corp. — Angelica Y. Yang

NGCP sets 11.5% interest rate for defaulters in fourth quarter

BW FILE PHOTO

THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) said it will charge defaulting customers an interest rate of 11.5% for the three months to December.

In the grid operator’s Oct. 7 customer bulletin posted on its website Thursday, it said the updated rate is “based on the highest non-prime lending rate for the current quarter among the commercial banks designated by the Transmission Provider.”

The new interest rate follows “the updating of interest rates among its accredited banks,” referring to the financial institutions accredited to receive payment from NGCP customers.

The NGCP added that its interest rate for the fourth quarter of 2021 is 2.5 percentage points lower than the third quarter interest rate. 

To avoid incurring interest charges, the NGCP advised its customers to settle their outstanding bills on or before noon of the due dates of their billing statements.

Citing the Open Access Transmission Service Rules of the National Transmission Corp., the NGCP said in the bulletin that any amounts that remain unpaid after the due date will be charged interest daily until the balance is settled. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

DoJ on drug findings: Ball is in Duterte’s court

PHILIPPINE STAR FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte would have to decide whether to publish the results of a Justice department investigation of at least 300 more drug-related deaths, the agency said on Thursday.

“We submitted our report directly to the President,” Justice Undersecretary Adrian Ferdinand S. Sugay told a televised news briefing. “We leave it up to them.”

The Department of Justice (DoJ) could release its findings only with presidential approval, he added.

Philippine police had lied about conditions surrounding the deaths of suspects in raids involving Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs, the Justice department said on Wednesday.

Drug suspects in 52 cases neither fought back nor resisted arrest, contrary to police claims, with many of the cases lacking witnesses, the agency said in a 21-page report, citing forensic evidence.

The report showed that in most cases, erring cops only got a slap on the wrist, having faced demotion or suspension.

The review of just 52 cases barely scratched the surface and was grossly insufficient and inconsistent with government commitments under international law review on extralegal killings, the Free Legal Assistance Group said.

Mr. Sugay said the National Bureau of Investigation was building up the cases against erring cops.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) may use the DoJ’s finding in the 52 cases, where 154 policemen were involved, he added.

Meanwhile, presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said the DoJ report showed the Duterte government’s commitment to protect Filipinos.

“The findings of the Department of Justice reversing the original findings of the Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs prove that we are fulfilling our obligation to protect the right to life,” he told a separate televised news briefing.

He denied critics’ observations that the DoJ findings proved the state had been lenient with erring cops.

“On the contrary, the DoJ decision proves that we are not soft because cases will be filed against cops involved in the 52 cases,” Mr. Roque said.

The DoJ released the report months after the ICC ordered an investigation of Mr. Duterte’s crackdown on illegal drugs that has killed thousands. The United Nations-backed court found “reasonable basis” that crimes against humanity might have been committed.

Former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda sought the investigation before she retired in June, alleging that “state actors, primarily members of the Philippine security forces, killed thousands of suspected drug users and other civilians during official law enforcement operations.”

The Philippine Commission on Human Rights has said the state was violating human rights for abetting police abuses.

Mr. Duterte last month told the UN General Assembly in a taped video that anyone found to have “acted beyond bounds” in his campaign against illegal drugs would be held accountable. He also appeared to brush off the ICC’s planned probe.

The tough-talking leader said he had ordered a review of the conduct of the campaign, and the Justice department was looking at the files of drug dealers.

He said his government was working with the UN Human Rights Council to look into the cases.

Senator Ronald M. Dela Rosa, Mr. Duterte’s former police chief who enforced the anti-illegal drug campaign, on Tuesday said he would block any investigation attempts — if he becomes president next year — by the ICC.

He said he would allow ICC investigators to visit the Philippines to “observe” but not to investigate.

An investigation by the Hague-based tribunal would be a slap in the face for Philippine courts that are still functioning, he added.

The European Union in September last year threatened to revoke tariff perks the Philippines has enjoyed since 2014 given the “seriousness of human rights violations” under the Duterte government. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Australia increases coronavirus vaccine aid by A$11.5 million

FREEPIK

AUSTRALIA has increased its vaccine aid to the Philippines by A$11.5 million (P437.6 million), raising its total commitment to A$47.49 million, its ambassador to Manila said on Thursday.

“This new commitment… will increase the number of Australian-funded vaccine doses that will be procured by the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund for the Philippines,” the Australian Embassy said in an e-mailed statement.

The pandemic aid will expand Australia’s vaccine delivery support to ensure that doses reach priority groups and vulnerable Filipinos, it added.

The embassy also said the Philippines had taken delivery of 100 more oxygen concentrators from Australia.

Australia has donated 200 oxygen concentrators and associated consumables to the Philippines, it said. The first donation of 100 oxygen concentrators were given to the Philippine Health department on Aug. 28.

These were given to 27 hospitals and health centers in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Zamboanga Peninsula and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, it said.

The DoH will give Australia’s second donation of 100 oxygen concentrators to hospitals and health centers according to need, the Australian Embassy said.

“There is currently a global shortage of this critical medical equipment as many countries continue to deal with high number of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases,” it added.

The arrival of the medical equipment comes weeks after the Philippines faced a fresh surge in coronavirus infections.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 4,806 coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total to 2.63 million.

The death toll rose to 41,237 after 260 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 5,934 million to 2.74 million, it said in a bulletin.

There were 65,835 active cases, 78.7% of which were mild, 6.2% did not show symptoms, 6.2% were severe, 8.53% were moderate and 2% were critical.

Sixty-four duplicates were removed from the tally, 51 of which were reclassified as recoveries, while 175 recoveries were relisted as deaths.

DoH said 58% of intensive care units in Metro Manila were occupied, while the national rate was 52%.

Also on Thursday, the OCTA Research Group from the University of the Philippines said coronavirus infections were expected to decrease to a pre-Delta surge level by end of October.

The Philippines had a seven-day average of 6,416 cases, OCTA Research fellow Fredegusto P. David tweeted. “This is the lowest seven-day average since late July.”

The nationwide coronavirus reproduction number was 0.55, he added.

“Based on the current trends, the country is tracking at less than 5,000 new cases (seven-day average) by the end of October with fewer than 1,000 in the National Capital Region,” Mr. David said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said Metro Manila, which had a seven-day average of 1,156 daily cases, might soon be placed under Alert Level 2 if coronavirus infections continue to drop this week.

The capital region was averaging at fewer than 500 cases daily before the increase in March and April, she told CNN Philippines. “If this number continues to decline, it is very possible that we can be deescalated in the coming weeks.”

The virus positivity rate in Metro Manila was 17%, she said. “Hopefully all of us will not be complacent, all of us will work together so we can reach that goal of having the Alert Level 2 in NCR.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DENR directed to revise 2022 budget allocation to provide more for protected areas, waste management  

BMB.GOV.PH

THE SENATE Finance Committee ordered the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to revise its 2022 proposed budget with a bigger allocation for protected areas and waste management.   

During Thursday’s hearing, DENR presented a P25 billion budget for next year, including P9 billion for personal services, P3 billion for maintenance and operating expenses, and P4.8 billion for capital outlay.  

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, chair of the Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change, pointed out that almost 75% or P16.8 billion of the department’s planned expenditure was for bureaucracy purposes, leaving only 25% or about P8.2 billion for projects.  

Ms. Villar said based on her knowledge and consultation with the Budget department, overhead costs should not account for more than 50% of the total budget. 

She also said that the DENR’s budget proposal does not clearly indicate funds for specific programs and projects such as protected area management, and wildlife conservation, among others.   

Ms. Villar also questioned why declared protected areas across the country are only getting P1.2 billion.   

“Fix this because I cannot agree to that,” she said.   

“What they’re giving is too small, even though it was what we declared by legislation and presidential proclamation that really needs to be protected,” she said in English and Filipino. “Shouldn’t the bulk of DENR’s budget be sent here… and almost all provinces have a protected area.”  

Meanwhile, the DENR allocated only P876 million for solid waste management, of which P774 million will go to a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility in Davao City.  

“Please reassure us that a budget will be provided for marine litter because for your budget, all will be sent to Davao, so none will be left,” Ms. Villar said.  

Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos, meanwhile, questioned whether a WTE plant is an “environmentally correct” project.    

Ms. Villar added that a WTE project should be covered by the Department of Energy.   

DENR-Environmental Management Bureau Director William P. Cuñado said the project is still under discussion with the Energy department and has yet to be given final approval. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

House bill filed on guidelines, funding for resumption of face-to-face classes  

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

A LAWMAKER has filed a bill in the House of Representatives that would require the government to immediately rollout a program to enable the gradual reopening of face-to-face classes in public and private schools at all levels nationwide.  

Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane I. Elago filed Wednesday a yet to be numbered bill that would be known as the proposed Safe Schools Reopening Bill.  

The measure calls for the national government, through the task force managing the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) response, to support educational institutions in crafting prevention and mitigation strategies for safe and phased reopening of physical classes.  

“A community-based, people-oriented, grassroots-level response to the pandemic shall be in place. The students shall also be included and involved in all levels of education-related pandemic response and recovery steps,” according to the bill.  

Local government units and education stakeholders should coordinate to conduct thorough and scientific risk assessments. This would include ramping up free, efficient, and safe COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and vaccination for schools in high-risk areas.  

Schools should also be provided with adequate water supply, handwashing facilities, ventilated classrooms, and free face masks and alcohol, and a contingency plan for probable and confirmed COVID-19 cases, among others.  

School facilities such as laboratories, computers, and libraries are encouraged to be opened as part of the initial phase of reopening of schools.  

As the reopening of schools will be done in phases, the measure would also require continued assistance for distance learning such as free gadgets and internet connection along with an implementation of academic ease measures such as flexibility on deadline of requirements.  

The Department of Education (DepEd) is set to hold a pilot implementation of face-to-face classes starting Nov. 15 with only 30 public schools participating. Another 70 are undergoing validation for readiness based on DepEd guidelines.   

In September this year, the Philippines and Venezuela were the last two countries that have yet to resume physical classes.  

BUDGET
The bill also proposes the allocation of P184.49 billion to DepEd, Commission on Higher Education, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to fund programs such as regular COVID-19 testing, hiring health professionals and procuring adequate supplies in schools, and hazard pay for teachers, among others.  

These funds would be appropriated from savings and unprogrammed funds under the 2021 General Appropriations Act and the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, excess revenues from government-owned corporations, unused funds for debt servicing, and unutilized special purpose funds.  

“We really need (these funds) to fast-track and thorough preparation of facilities and personnel in order to ensure the good health and welfare of students, teachers, and staff during the gradual opening of schools,” Ms. Elago said. 

The measure would also prohibit imposing additional rates on tuition fees under a state of calamity or public health emergency, and allow state forces to enter school premises. — Russell Louis C. Ku 

LTO says mandatory inspection at PMVICs still suspended 

THE LAND Transportation Office (LTO) on Thursday said the mandatory inspection of motor vehicles at private motor vehicle inspection centers or PMVICs remains suspended.   

“Motor vehicle owners still have the option to have their vehicles tested for roadworthiness and compliance with the Clean Air Act either at a PMVIC or at a private emission testing center (PETC) with the required LTO visual inspection,” the agency said in a statement.  

The agency also said that PMVICs are now charging the same amount of testing or inspection fee with that of PETCs to address earlier concerns over higher cost. They have also waived the reinspection or retest fees.  

Citing LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante, the Transportation department said the agency issued the statement because “vehicle owners might have misinterpreted the LTO’s rollout of a new information technology system linking PMVICs with LTO offices with the aim of optimizing the agency’s motor vehicle inspection and registration system as a return of the mandatory vehicle inspections at the PMVICs.”  

The new IT system also “aims to gather sufficient baseline data to assess the status of motor vehicles in the country in terms of roadworthiness and safety,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin 

Maring farm losses rise further to P2.26B   

PHILIPPINE COAST GUARD

AGRICULTURAL losses brought by the onslaught of severe tropical storm Maring (international name: Kompasu) increased to P2.26 billion compared to the P2.17 billion previously estimated, the Agriculture department said.   

In its latest bulletin issued on Oct. 20, the Department of Agriculture (DA)  said 105,943 metric tons (MT) of production volume were lost due to Maring.   

Affected farm commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Losses were also incurred in irrigation and agricultural facilities.   

The number of affected farmers and fishers reached 79,014, while 88,062 hectares of agricultural areas were damaged.    

Of the total reported losses, the DA said rice had the highest losses at P1.5 billion. Affected farm areas totaled 76,456 hectares while lost production volume reached 87,028 MT.    

High-value crops losses amounted to P249.5 million. Lost production volume totaled 10,012 MT while affected agricultural areas reached 2,948 hectares.    

Damage to corn was valued at P149.6 million. A total of 8,903 MT of production volume were lost while 8,658 hectares of farm areas were affected.    

Reported losses to fisheries and livestock reached P122.8 million and P84.8 million, respectively.   

Damage to irrigation and agricultural facilities amounted to P140.6 million.    

Affected regions include the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Western Visayas, and SOCCSKSARGEN. 

“These values are subject to validation. The DA, through its regional field offices, is conducting assessment and validation of damage and losses brought by Severe Tropical Storm Maring in the agri-fisheries sector,” the bulletin said. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave  

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