Campaign to professionalize LGU treasurer corps yields 958 appointees

April 13, 2022 | 6:42 pm

LOCAL government units (LGUs) have seen the installation of 958 treasurers since 2016 who are being counted on to professionalize the handling of finances at LGU level, the Department of Finance (DoF) said in a statement on Wednesday.

Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) Executive Director Niño Raymond B. Alvina said that between Jan. 1 and March 2, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III approved the appointments of 45 treasurers. In 2021, 261 treasurers were appointed.

Under Section 470(a) and 471(a) of Republic Act No. 7160, of the Local Government Code, local government treasurers and assistant treasurers are appointed by the Secretary of Finance, from a list of eligible candidates put forward by the Governor or Mayor.

According to the Official Gazette, the Philippines has 144 cities and 1,490 municipalities.

Mr. Dominguez has taken the position that candidates who have not passed the Standardized Examination and Assessment for Local Treasury Service (SEAL) Level 1, or the Basic Competency for Local Treasury Examination (BCLTE), cannot be appointed as treasurers or officers-in-charge, unless they held an appointment predating the passers-only policy.

SEAL, which is being implemented in partnership with the Civil Service Commission, and institutionalized under DoF Department Order No. 053-2016, certifies treasurer candidates on three levels. It aims to “instill a culture of professionalism, excellence, integrity, and proficiency in the local treasury service,” Mr. Alvina added.

The certification tiers are operational (Level 1), managerial (Level 2), and leadership (Level 3).

Applicants are reviewed under DoF Department Personnel Order No. 477-2019, which includes a two-stage screening and deliberation process to find the “most qualified and competent candidate.”

Other criteria for evaluation include educational background, treasury experience, work performance, and relevant training.

Mr. Alvina said that in compliance with Mr. Dominguez’s instructions, the BLGF will attach more weight to SEAL examination performance when making treasurer and assistant treasurer appointments.

Under the Supreme Court’s Mandanas ruling, which takes effect this year, local governments will receive larger allocations from National Government revenue, and must have the capacity to manage and spend the enhanced allocations.

“This year, the CSC will conduct the SEAL Level 1 test or the BCLTE, on April 24, 2022 and Oct. 23, 2022, while the SEAL Level 2 test or the Intermediate Competency on Local Treasury Examination is scheduled on Aug. 7, 2022,” the DoF said. — Tobias Jared Tomas

Mindoro farmers seek gov’t compensation after onion crop yields losses

April 13, 2022 | 6:41 pm

Smuggled-onions-cdo-BOC — BUREAU OF CUSTOMS

A PARTY-LIST organization said Occidental Mindoro farmers must be compensated for losses incurred from onion farming, which it claims stem from liberalized imports and an inability to charge fair prices.

Farmers from Magsaysay, Oriental Mindoro cannot earn a living on a farmgate price of about P18 per kilogram and a cost of production of more than P180,000 per hectare over a 120-day cropping period, Anakpawis party-list said in a statement.

Anakpawis blamed the “continuing liberalization in agriculture, where onion imports are actually promoted by the Department of Agriculture itself, lack of production support and regulation of the local farm gate trade of the harvested onions.”

Anakpawis said that the government should provide seed, other inputs, and fuel and purchase the farmers’ harvest at P50 per kilogram.

It also urged the Land Bank of the Philippines to write off the farmers’ loans.

“For the long term, there should be adequate production support and infrastructure development such as irrigation, provision of farm equipment and post-harvest facilities such as cold-storage warehouses,” Anakpawis said.

It also called on civil society groups and organizations to directly purchase onions at fairer prices than those on offer from traders.

In a statement, the Department of Agriculture said that it is working on various interventions for onion farmers.

“Local storage cannot accommodate big surpluses… We recognize the need for more storage space (beyond) the two cold storage facilities that we have granted to two cooperatives in the municipalities of San Jose and Mamburao,” the DA said.

The department said that 40% of onion growers are not yet members of cooperatives, rendering them unable to avail of the government’s support services.

“Compounding the problem, the new entrants are still not familiar with good agricultural practices in onion production, harvesting, and post-harvest handling that affect the quality of onions in some areas, resulting in farmers burning damaged or unmarketable harvests, as seen on the news,” it added.

The DA said it signed an agreement with Royale Cold Storage in Cabuyao, Laguna, to accommodate the onion procured from partner cooperatives.

The cold storage facility has a total capacity of 15,552 pallets that can accommodate a maximum load of 1 metric ton (MT) per pallet.

“Our partner cooperatives have brought 16,000 bags to this facility to date. They are bringing more since this facility can accommodate more 153,000 MT,” the DA added.

The department said it is working with two onion cooperatives from Occidental Mindoro to meet with WalterMart to explore the possibility of supplying onions to the supermarket chain.

“We are also offering… to sell their onion produce (at) our Kadiwa market system space in Las Piñas, Parañaque, and other areas in the south of Metro Manila,” the DA said.

Two cold storage facilities worth P125 million each are also being developed as part of the Philippine Rural Development Project.

The facilities will be constructed in Magsaysay and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro, with a combined capacity of 100,000 bags or 2,800 MT. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

WTO slashes global trade growth forecast to 3% on Russia-Ukraine war

April 13, 2022 | 6:41 pm

THE World Trade Organization (WTO) said it revised downward its 2022 forecast of volume growth for global merchandise trade volume to 3.0% from 4.7%, and global gross domestic product (GDP) growth to 2.8% from 4.1%, due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on food security in developing countries.

In 2023, the corresponding forecasts for trade volume and GDP growth were 3.4% and 3.2%.

In a briefing on Tuesday, WTO economists noted that Russia and Ukraine are key suppliers of wheat, fertilizer, and energy.  

“The economic reverberations of this conflict will extend far beyond Ukraine’s borders. It is now clear that the double whammy of the pandemic and the war has disrupted supply chains, increased inflationary pressures, and lowered expectations for output and trade growth,” said WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.  

WTO economists conducted simulations that incorporated damage to Ukrainian infrastructure, sanctions on Russia, and declining aggregate demand caused by dampened business and consumer confidence. 

“A potential food crisis is looming. Food and energy prices were already high by historical standards before the war,” she added.  

Imports and GDP for the Commonwealth of Independent States are expected to contract by 12.0% and 7.9% respectively, while exports are projected to climb by 4.9% on continued reliance on Russian energy.  

The 2022 merchandise trade volume growth projections, which range from a worst case of 0.5% and 5.5% at most, are scheduled for review in October. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Battery storage seen as critical for RE adoption

April 13, 2022 | 6:41 pm

By Ram Christian S. Agustin

THE Philippine Electricity Market Corp. (PEMC) said greater use of battery energy storage system (BESS) will be crucial in promoting renewable energy (RE) and achieving energy security.

In a dialogue on Wednesday organized by the Asian Development Bank, the PEMC said it is embarking on a study of deploying more BESS to ensure that some RE systems whose power generation is intermittent, such as wind and solar, have a means of parking their power for later use.

In an e-mail interview, PEMC Corporate Planning and Communications Department Head Clares Loren C. Jalocon said storage is viewed as a growth industry in the coming years, and that adjustments to how it is regulated are required.  

“It was initially determined in the ongoing study that the current rules in the market revolve much on the registration of the BESS facilities, and need to be reinforced in the areas of scheduling and dispatch, with due regard on market governance considering the high flexibility of BESS,” he added.

RE facilities operate on a “must dispatch” and “priority dispatch” basis under the rules of the Philippine Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM). RE capacity participating in the market grew 50% in the first year of implementation of the dispatch regime, he said.  

The PEMC has joined the Southeast Asian Energy Transition Partnership program of the United Nations Office for Project Services.

The partnership agreement involves the preparation of an energy transition roadmap that revolves around “introducing market mechanisms and enhancements” to promote renewable technology and ensure supply stability and diversification.     

The partnership will start with a study on the role of BESS in the electricity market, specifically in achieving grid security and reliability due to the variable and intermittent output of clean energy technologies.  

According to WESM’s technical committee study, BESS can support grid stability by enabling load shifting and load following due to its ability to withdraw from or inject power to the grid.  

Power stored in BESS addresses the variability and intermittency of RE resources.  

“When the line limitation eases or the stored supply is needed, the BESS can discharge the stored energy for the grid’s consumption,” he added.

In a recent briefing of the Energy Task Force Election, the Department of Energy said it is also looking into BESS facilities that can augment the grid supply for the May 9 elections and the supply-challenged dry season. 

DTI issues digital transformation checklist for MSMEs

April 13, 2022 | 6:38 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said it launched a self-assessment tool for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) which will allow them to evaluate the degree to which they are ready to embark on digital transformation.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez said during second meeting of the E-commerce Promotion Council that business must tap the opportunities on offer from the digital economy by equipping themselves with the necessary skills to navigate the digitally-enhanced market.  

Mr. Lopez said MSMEs can take a test online and receive a scorecard that will recommend specific training topics to help MSMEs make progress on their digital transformations.  

“MSMEs may opt to visit the website of DTI or the NegosyoCenter.online website and its learning resources. They can also visit their nearest Negosyo Center to inquire about the next steps, from how to create an e-mail account (Level 0) to data analytics (Level 3). There is information available for our micro, small, medium enterprises and DTI is here to help,” Mr. Lopez added.   

The MSME diagnostic toolkit was developed by Thames International for the DTI.  

In a baseline study conducted by the DTI intended to identify the level of digitalization among Philippine MSMEs, only 6% of the respondents said they employed advanced digital tools for their businesses while 23% reported not using digital tools at all.  

Meanwhile, the DTI’s employment outlook for the e-commerce industry came in at 86.7% on E-commerce Job Outlook Index.  

“One of the key strategies of the e-Commerce Philippines 2022 Roadmap is to make available a talent pool of digitally skilled workers. Skills mismatch has often been cited as a perennial problem in various industries and if we are to achieve maximum growth for the e-commerce sector, we must understand the e-commerce workforce ecosystem and identify the demand requirement so we can supply relevant skills,” Mr. Lopez said. 

The Job Outlook study also revealed that MSMEs require more digital talent in content creation and technical skills, while larger companies are seeking digital talent proficient in business intelligence and strategy. 

The DTI said it plans to collaborate with the Department of Labor and Employment and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in building a pool of digitally skilled talent to address industry demand. — Ram Christian S. Agustin

Bongbong supporters switch to Isko

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

Isko-campaign-rally — ISKO MORENO DOMAGOSO FB PAGE

TWO pro-administration groups in central Philippines formerly associated with the only son and namesake of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos have switched their support to Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso, the latter’s office said on Wednesday.

In a statement, his camp said more than 50 officers of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, the political party of Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr., and a group called Marcos Pa Rin joined a volunteer alliance in the Visayas that supports Mr. Domagoso and presidential daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.

“The endorsement of the original officers and members of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) is a big boost to Moreno’s campaign as the party is aligned with President Duterte,” it added. Ms. Carpio, who is Davao City’s mayor, is Mr. Marcos’ vice-presidential running mate.

The officers, who signed a manifesto of support at a ceremony in Iloilo City, said they were supporting Mr. Domagoso and Ms. Carpio because both are “top performing mayors.”

“We commit ourselves to work together and ensure their victory in the May 9 national and local elections,” the officers said, based on the press release sent by Mr. Domagoso’s camp.

This was the second time that leaders of Mr. Marcos’ political party came out to disown their original standard bearer, according to the statement. “Last March 30, the original officers and members of PFP surfaced in Iligan City to throw their full support behind Mayor Isko.”

Mr. Marcos took his oath as Partido Federal chairman a day before he filed his candidacy for president in October. He is leading in presidential opinion polls, where Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo is a distant second.

Ikaw Muna (IM) Pilipinas, a national volunteer group that was formed in 2021 to push Mr. Domagoso’s presidential bid defected to Ms. Robredo on Tuesday, saying he doesn’t stand a chance of winning.

Thousands of supporters have been attending Ms. Robredo’s campaign sorties in several vote-rich areas. On Saturday, she drew more than 200,000 supporters — the biggest crowd in her presidential campaign so far — at a rally in Pampanga province north of Manila, the capital.

Mr. Domagoso has been aiming for the endorsement of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, whose daughter Sara is leading in vice-presidential opinion polls.

Also on Wednesday, more than 60 retired officers of the Philippine police and the defunct Philippine Constabulary endorsed Ms. Robredo for president.

The endorsement came after a meeting with the vice-president, who vowed to wage a war against drug lords.

The anti-illegal drug campaign should also address demand concerns through public education and rehabilitation of users, they said in a statement.

“We believe that is the candidate with the required sincerity, political will, leadership, competency and necessary moral strength and integrity to implement such critical programs for the best interest of the country,” they said.

Mr. Duterte’s drug war that has killed thousands has been criticized by domestic and international civic groups and rights watchdogs.

The Philippine justice department said last year that there were irregularities surrounding the deaths of suspects in raids involving his anti-illegal drug campaign.

Meanwhile, Catanduanes Governor Joseph C. Cua endorsed Ms. Robredo for president at a campaign rally in the province, where she got 72,964 votes against Mr. Marcos’s 12,894 votes in the 2016 vice-presidential race.

His brother Peter, chief of San Andres town in Catanduanes, also backed Ms. Robredo’s candidacy during the rally, which drew 12,000 supporters.

He said all 11 mayors in the province were endorsing Ms. Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

DoJ probes fake drug war death certificates

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

THE JUSTICE department is investigating allegations that police falsified the death certificates of suspected pushers to cover up the fact that they were killed in drug raids.

“The alleged falsification of death certificates as a cover-up for the true cause of death is part of the drug war review being conducted by the Department of Justice (DoJ), with the assistance of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI),” Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra told reporters in a Viber message on Wednesday.

Forensic expert Raquel B. del Rosario-Fortun, who has been examining the exhumed remains of drug war victims since July, has said some death certificates showed victims dying of natural causes even if they had gunshot wounds consistent with homicide.

Of 46 cases she examined, one death certificate was missing and several others were incomplete, she told a news briefing on Tuesday. She added that at least 32 bodies had gunshot wounds as the cause of death.

“The original problem that we encountered was the absence of a copy of the death certificate in some records or files that we reviewed,” Mr. Guevarra said. “The certificates may have been issued all right, but some of them were not found in the police files.”

Government prosecutors have filed charges in court against law enforcers in four cases and plan to probe 250 more of what could have been wrongful deaths in President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on drugs, Mr. Guevarra told the United Nations Human Rights Council in February.

An inter-agency committee formed 15 teams last year that probed extralegal killings and human rights violations during these operations.

Last month, the International Coalition for Human Rights, a global human rights watchdog, said it would sanction the “architects” of Mr. Duterte’s war on drugs.

The measure by the group is a follow-up on a report conducted last year by Investigate PH, an independent human rights group that alleged patterns of systemic human rights violations including crimes against humanity by the government.

Filipino lawyers have been calling on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to resume its probe of the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign, saying the Justice department was only looking into 52 deaths out of the tens of thousands killed. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Half of Philippines under Alert Level 1

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

minor-kid-vaccination — PHILIPPINE STAR/ VICTOR MARTIN

MORE than half of the Philippines including the capital region would be kept under the most relaxed coronavirus alert level until the end of April, the presidential palace said on Wednesday.

In a statement, presidential spokesman Jose Martin M. Andanar said 887 or 54% of 1,634 cities in the country would be under Alert Level 1 from April 16 to 30.

The Philippines posted 1,906 new coronavirus infections from April 4 to 10, 29% lower than a week earlier, health authorities said this week.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire said on Tuesday said infections might have plateaued, with cases continuing to fall.

The government had fully vaccinated 66.74 million people as of April 11, while 12.53 million people have received booster shots.

Under the first alert level, all establishments and activities are allowed at full capacity. — KATA

Comelec deploys local absentee voting ballots

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday started deploying local absentee ballots and other election materials for people who can’t vote on election day.

“The Committee on Local Absentee Voting has commenced the deployment of local absentee ballots and other election paraphernalia to government agencies, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, media entities and corporations,” it tweeted.

Local absentee voting will be held from April 27 to 29.

About 84,000 government workers, soldiers and journalists will be allowed to vote before the rest of Filipino voters because they will be working on May 9. — JVDO

Rescue, clearing operations continue as over 42,000 displaced in storm Agaton’s aftermath

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

Agaton-rescue-20220413-POLICE-REGIONAL-OFFICE-8 — SEARCH and rescue teams from the police regional office in Eastern Visayas prepare for deployment on April 13 in Leyte, one of the worst hit provinces by storm Agaton, with landslides and flooding reported in several areas. — POLICE REGIONAL OFFICE 8

SEARCH and rescue operations continued on Wednesday in parts of east-central Philippines that were struck by landslides and flooding triggered by days of rains brought by storm Agaton, with international name Megi.

In Eastern Visayas, the police regional office deployed more teams in Leyte, one of the most affected provinces where at least 21 people in one community died from a landslide.

More than 40 people have been reported dead, based on the national disaster management agency’s tally, but the official death toll is expected to go higher based on incoming reports from local authorities.

Almost 581,000 people have been affected, including 42,354 who were displaced and mostly staying in 348 evacuation centers.

Search and rescue efforts were focused in Baybay city, a mountainous area prone to landslides in the eastern Philippines, which has seen the majority of casualties so far, data from police and disaster agencies showed. Images on social media showed bodies, including those of children, being pulled from under thick mud during rescue operations.

Meanwhile, survivors were still being evacuated from flooded areas, Philippine Coast Guard Spokesperson Armando A. Balilo told a public briefing on Wednesday.

“Water systems here have been bogged down so our problem is drinking water,” Norberto Oja, a health officer in Baybay, told DZRH radio station. The city has also sought help from nearby areas to boost its healthcare capacity, he added.

Baybay Mayor Jose Carlos Cari told DZMM radio station, “There’s aid like food and medicines but the problem is management in evacuation centers.”

Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the national disaster agency, told DZRH radio station rescuers had to be cautious because it was still raining in some areas and the risk of landslides was still high.

“The landslides reached far beyond the hazard area, up to relatively safer areas of the community,” he said.

DAMAGE ON AGRI, INFRA
Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Wednesday said manpower and equipment resources remain on the ground and are continuously undertaking clearing operations.

It said 29 road sections — 13 in Western Visayas, 2 in Central Visayas, and 14 in Eastern Visayas — were still closed to traffic as of 7:00 a.m. of Wednesday, mainly due to flooding, landslide, rockslide, and road cut, among others.

Another 29 road sections — including those in Calabarzon, three Visayas regions, Northern Mindanao, Davao, and Soccsksargen — were reported to have limited access due to soil slope collapse, flooding, landslide, road slip, soil erosion, fallen trees/debris, sinking/damaged paved road, scouring of shoulder, settled foundation, and damaged bridge approach.

“Efforts are in full swing with men and machinery deployed at various points to clear roadblocks brought by tropical depression Agaton, specifically in the Visayas,” DPWH Secretary Roger G. Mercado said.

Assessment of the infrastructure damage cost in most regions were still ongoing, according to the department.

For Region 13 or Caraga, the initial damage estimate stood at P145.390 million.

“Partial cost of damage is at P145.390 million (for Region 13 only); assessment still on-going in other affected areas,” the DPWH said in a statement.

In agriculture, crop damage estimate has risen to P423.8 million, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Damage and losses have been reported in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas and Caraga, affecting 6,557 farmers, with volume of production loss at 25,165 metric tons (MT) and 10,920 hectares of agricultural areas.

Affected commodities include rice, corn, high value crops, and livestock.

Rice is the most affected crop with damage amounting P403.5 million, affecting 10,729 hectares or 24,738 MT.

This is followed by high-value crops, such as banana and cacao, at P17.1 million, corn at P3.2 million, and livestock and poultry at P5,000.

The department said assessment of damage and losses in the agri-fisheries sector are ongoing.

FAIR WEATHER
Agaton, which developed into a tropical storm over the weekend, dissipated on Wednesday morning after days of moderate but almost continuous rains over central and southern parts of the country, according to state weather agency PAGASA.

Improved weather conditions are expected across the country in the coming days, except for scattered rains and thunderstorms in eastern parts of the Visayas and northern parts of Mindanao.

“On Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday, and Easter Sunday (April 14 – 17), generally fair weather conditions apart from isolated passing rain showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening,” PAGASA said in a special weather bulletin as the mainly Catholic Philippines goes on holiday for the Holy Week. — Marifi S. Jara, Arjay L. Balinbin, Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson, and Reuters

Senator asks DepEd to enhance primary curriculum on sex education, child rights

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

A SENATOR on Wednesday called on the Department of Education (DepEd) to enhance the primary school curriculum on sex education and child rights in light of the recent passage of a law raising the age of sexual consent.

Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture, said these issues should be taken up at the basic education level.

Republic Act 11648 or the Act Raising the Age of Sexual Consent, signed into law in March, increased the age for determining statutory rape to below 16 from 12. This means those who engage in sexual activities with children below 16 years old are liable for committing statutory rape.

“Part of the role of schools is to teach young people about their rights and how to care for their health, so we must strengthen the capacity of schools, especially teachers and staff, to guide our students,” Mr. Gatchalian, who is seeking reelection in May, said in a statement in Filipino.

Citing a study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies in March last year, he noted gaps in the implementation of the comprehensive sexuality education such as lack of qualified manpower, facilities, training, and instructional materials.

The senator also noted the importance of children protection programs executed by specialized committees at the school level. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Lacson-Sotto tandem claims experience as lawmakers would make them ‘best executives’

April 13, 2022 | 6:21 pm

PRESIDENTIAL aspirant Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, Sr. and his running mate, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III, on Wednesday said their experience as legislators would make them good implementers of the law if elected as the country’s top leaders.

“When it comes to the executive department, the problem is that some of the laws we created have implementing rules and regulations different from the spirit of the law,” Mr. Sotto said in a statement in mixed English and Filipino.

“That’s why we’re saying, the ones who crafted the laws will be the best executives,” he added.

In their campaign sorties, the tandem has been prioritizing dialogues with local government officials and other stakeholders to hear what particular areas of governance need improvement.

Mr. Lacson said they are taking particular note of innovative local public service programs that could be replicated on a national level.

He cited as examples the program in Tuguegarao City wherein public services are brought directly to communities, and free franchise and vehicle registration for tricycle drivers and operators in some localities.

These programs, the presidential aspirant said, motivated him to implement the Budget Reform Advocacy for Village Empowerment (BRAVE) policy further, where local governments will get a more equitable share of the national budget. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan