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Philippine gov’t prepares to evacuate Filipinos in Israel 

DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS — FACEBOOK/DFAPHIL

THE PHILIPPINE government is now preparing for the possible repatriation of Filipinos in Israel amid the conflict between Palestinian armed groups and Israeli military, Malacañang Palace said on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now planning for the possible return of Filipinos and has reminded them to remain safe amid the tension between the two forces.

“Ang naging posisyon din ng DFA, sana po malutas sa mapayapang paraan itong tensiyon na nangyayari po diyan sa Gitnang Silangan (The DFA’s position is that it hopes to see a peaceful resolution to that conflict in the Middle East),” Presidential Spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said.

Palestinian nationalist group Hamas and Israeli armed forces had been in a deadly exchange of fires as Palestinians continue to be evicted from East Jerusalem.

There are more than 30,000 Filipinos in Israel, composed mostly of workers, some students, and diplomats.

The Israeli Embassy in Manila, in a media statement sent via Viber on Thursday, said, “The responsibility for the violence unfolding in Jerusalem, Gaza, and the rest of Israel falls entirely on the terrorist organization Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Johad and other terror supporters.”

“Israel has, had and will take any actions necessary to protect its citizens and noncitizens and will not allow terrorist organizations to attack civilians in Israel without a response,” it said.

The Ben Gurion Airport, the main international airport in Israel, has temporarily stopped all inbound and outbound flights.

“We call on all Overseas Filipino Workers who are in Israel to listen to the safety instructions and strictly follow the directives of IDF Home Front Command,” the embassy said.

Israeli police earlier arrested and evicted Palestinians from the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah.

Israeli security forces have used “repeated, unwarranted and excessive force against Palestinian protesters in occupied East Jerusalem following four days of violence in which 840 Palestinians were injured,” Amnesty International said in a statement on May 10.

“The latest violence brings into sharp focus Israel’s sustained campaign to expand illegal Israeli settlements and step up forced evictions of Palestinian residents — such as those in Sheikh Jarrah — to make way for Israeli settlers,” it said. “These forced evictions are part of a continuing pattern in Sheikh Jarrah, they flagrantly violate international law and would amount to war crimes.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Solon calls for house-to-house vaccination for PWDs

PHILSTAR

A LAWMAKER called on the national government to implement a policy of house-to-house coronavirus vaccination for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

Quezon City Rep. Alfred D. Vargas, in a statement on Thursday, said he filed House Resolution 1727 after seeing Quezon City and some other local governments doing this for those who cannot go to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination centers, particularly the elderly.

“Dapat itong suportahan at palawakin pa ng national government para mas marami nating kababayan ang makinabang (This should be supported further and expanded by the national government so more Filipinos will benefit from this),” he said.

Apart from PWDs, other people with limited mobility access are the target beneficiaries of the proposal.

“It is the duty of the government to ensure with urgency that our services for the people are made accessible especially for the marginalized and underprivileged,” he said. — Gillian M. Cortez

Storm Crising expected to make landfall over Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area

TROPICAL storm Crising, the 3rd typhoon to enter the Philippines this year, is crossing Mindanao and is expected to make landfall Thursday night or early Friday over the Davao Oriental-Surigao del Sur area, according to state weather agency PAGASA.

As of Thursday afternoon, tropical wind signals 1 and 2 in a 5-level warning system were up in various parts of the southern islands as well as the southeastern portion of Negros Oriental in the Visayas.

“Slight intensification is likely and is forecast to remain (a) tropical storm prior to landfall,” PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. Tuesday bulletin.

Crising is forecast to weaken into a tropical depression by Friday “as it traverses the rugged landmass of Mindanao and will emerge over the Sulu Sea on Saturday early morning,” the weather bureau said.

Local disaster management teams have been placed on high alert for possible floodings and landslides with the expected heavy rainfall in some areas.   

As of Thursday afternoon, Crising was packing winds of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. — MSJ

DAR starts releasing undistributed land titles in Cebu 

THE Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) has started the distribution of 2,034 land certificates in Cebu, including the 2,007 that were recently discovered in two sacks gathering dust at the agency’s local office. DAR, in a statement on Thursday, said around 1,709 of the titles equivalent to 1,320 hectares of land can be immediately released, while 325 have been excluded as the beneficiaries could not be located. About 200 have so far been distributed. “We are doubling our efforts to finish this task and as much as we can, we would distribute them on a daily basis because the agrarian reform beneficiaries land titles should have been distributed a long time ago,” DAR Central Visayas Regional Director Resty C. Osias said. Some of the certificates of land ownership date as far back as 1987. DAR is preparing to file administrative and criminal charges against 13 officials in DAR-Cebu liable for the failure to distribute the titles. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

Red tide warning up in three more Western Samar bays

THE BUREAU of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) warned consumers from eating shellfish harvested in three bays in Western Samar after these areas tested positive for paralytic shellfish poison or red tide.  BFAR said in its 15th shellfish bulletin that warnings are up in Irong-irong Bay, Maqueda Bay, and San Pedro Bay. Meanwhile, red tide contamination continues in Western Samar’s Daram Island, Zumarraga, Cambatutay Bay, and Villareal Bay; Puerto Princesa Bay, Palawan; Dauis and Tagbilaran CIty, Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Negros Oriental; the town of Leyte, Calubian, Carigara Bay, Ormoc Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Leyte. Red tide warnings are also still in effect at Biliran Islands; Balite Bay, Davao Oriental; Murcielagos Bay, Zamboanga del Norte; and Lianga Bay, Bislig Bay, and Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. All types of shellfish and Acetes sp. or alamang harvested in red tide areas are unsafe for human consumption. However, other marine species from the contaminated waters can still be eaten with proper handling. Red tide happens due to a result of high concentrations of algae in the water. Human consumption of contaminated shellfish may result in paralytic shellfish poisoning, which affects the nervous system. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

DoTr’s Tugade calls for law setting 30-year transport plan

DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade — PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) said it will seek legislation establishing a 30-year transportation sector roadmap to minimize the impact of changing priorities set by new administrations.

“I have designed and formulated a 30-year roadmap purely on transportation, a roadmap to cover five presidents,” Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade said at an online forum on May 11 organized by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP).

He added: “Itong roadmap na ito will be legislated. The funding source will be legislated… kaya lang dapat tinutulak ko na this year ‘yan, pero nagkaroon ng pandemya (The plan needs to be legislated and its funding set in law… I had been planning to push for it this year but the pandemic got in the way).”

President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Executive Order (EO) No. 05 in October 2016 approving and adopting a 25-year long-term plan known as “Ambisyon Natin 2040.”

Mr. Tugade said he is willing to work with the private sector on the matter.

“I am willing to sit down with you, na kung hindi man umusad sa Kongreso ‘to, iiwan ko sa inyo ang hard papers (If Congress does not act, I will leave the plan to you),” Mr. Tugade told the MAP executives.

“I wanted that to be my legacy, the 30-year transportation roadmap,” he added.

Mr. Duterte’s EO set out an objective of “tripl(ing) real capita incomes and eradicat(ing) hunger and poverty by 2040, if not sooner.”

The EO also called for “all plans of government departments, offices and instrumentalities, including government-owned or -controlled corporations and local government units, (to be) consistent with Ambisyon Natin 2040.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Senate lists priority amendments when session resumes

PHILSTAR

THE SENATE will prioritize the priority measures such as the amendments to the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberal Act and the formation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos, among other measures, when it resumes session Monday, Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III said.

“Priorities will be Public Service Act, Retail Trade Act, Dep’t of OFW and a few others,” he told reporters in a phone message on Thursday.

The measures were among the those identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council as priority measures in March.

The amendments to the Public Service Act and to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act were targeted by the LEDAC for passage by June, while the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipinos is expected to pass by December.

Mr. Sotto also said in the statement that he proposes to conduct sessions on Thursdays.

“I will propose to have sessions on Thursdays which we had in the Old Congress so we can have 12 days instead of 9,” he said in the statement, adding that he will caucus on Monday.

Senate Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto supported Mr. Sotto’s proposal.

“There is a need for everyone to try to be more productive. Extending session days will definitely help,” he said in a text message.

Congress sessions, held from Monday to Wednesday, will resume on May 17 after an almost two-month break.

The second regular session will adjourn from June 5 to July 25.

The bills to amend the Retail Trade Liberalization Act and the Public Service Act were pending at second reading in the Senate, while the bill for the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos is pending at the committee level. The three measures were approved by the House of Representatives in third and final reading.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte in April certified as urgent the bills amending the Public Service Act, Retail Trade Liberalization Act, and Foreign Investments Act. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

BPO workers call for higher place in vaccine priority list

BW FILE PHOTO

A BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) workers group said the industry’s workers need to be bumped up the vaccine priority list, noting that its workers remain excluded from the A4 category, which is entitled to inoculation starting next month.

The BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) said that workers in the outsourcing sector remain at risk for contracting the virus because many works on site. Essential workers in the A4 vaccination priority group could have access to vaccines by June, the Health department said.

“BPO workers do not work face to face with our clients but it doesn’t mean we are immune from the virus especially those who are working onsite. Not all clients and accounts (allow) work at home arrangements,” BIEN Vice-President for Externals Sarah Prestoza said in a statement Thursday.

BIEN has been asking the government to include outsourcing workers in the A4 category, noting that the sector continued some on site operations during the strictest phase of the lockdown.

“The government must speed up its distribution and inoculation so vaccines don’t go to waste. There are sectors like us that are waiting in vain to be vaccinated while BPO workers and the industry strive to keep the economy afloat,” Ms. Prestoza added.

“Seemingly, there are sufficient doses of vaccines to inoculate the 1.3 million BPO workers in the whole country. It’s just a matter of formulating the right policy and then executing the vaccination and distribution plan with a sense of urgency.”

The group noted COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) outbreaks in various outsourcing hubs, including 255 cases in Baguio and 105 cases in Iloilo, since January.

BIEN has written to the Health department to appeal for inclusion in the A4 list but has not yet received a response.

A hundred outsourcing firms are expecting COVID-19 vaccine deliveries for employees starting this quarter after signing agreements involving the National Government and private sector groups, the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said last week.

IBPAP partnered with the International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Foundation to procure a million doses of the Moderna vaccine for employees and their dependents.

The government cut its inoculation target to 50 million individuals by the end of this year from the previous goal of up to 70 million due to global supply constraints. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Perpetual Help Cavite campus declared an economic zone for science and technology

UNIVERSITY OF PERPETUAL HELP MOLINO LIBRARY FB PAGE

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has declared a Cavite-based university a special economic zone for science and technology.

PEZA Director General Charito B. Plaza signed an agreement with the University of Perpetual Help System (UPHS) in Molino, Cavite officially recognizing the campus as a Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology (KIST) special economic zone institute.

The university is the first private higher education institution to be recognized as a KIST ecozone, PEZA said in a statement Wednesday. KIST parks and institutes provide training that address industry workforce requirements.

UPHS is building an AltaHub innovation institute, which will work on health, business, and technology programs.

“AltaHub shall become the bridge between the educational institution and the needs of various industries in the country as they will serve as a research and development facility not only for the University but also for the neighboring towns and areas,” PEZA said. 

The investment promotion agency plans to build training centers in public ecozones or KIST parks in every region.

“The Philippine Economic Zone Authority made the best choice in tapping UPHS as its partner for the promotion and creation of Philippine startup ecozones that support organizations aiming to develop an innovative product, process or business including startup enablers,” Bacoor City Mayor Lani M. Revilla said.

PEZA said last year that it plans to develop a skills training and research institute at its first university special economic zone park at Batangas State University.

As a KIST Park, the university plans to partner with foreign schools to offer programs training the workforce. — Jenina P. Ibañez

NCR building material bulk prices hit 18-month high

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

BULK PRICES of construction materials in Metro Manila grew at the fastest rate in 18 months in April, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said Thursday.

The construction materials wholesale price index rose 2.4% in April, against growth of 2.2% in March and 1.5% in April 2020.

The index gains were also the highest in 18 months, or since the 2.6% increase in October 2019.

The PSA said the April outcome was most influenced by the following commodity groups: fuels and lubricants (22.3% from 6.8% in March); PVC pipes (2.6% from 0.6%); electrical works (2.5% from 1.5%); concrete products and cement (1.6% from 1.2%); and doors, jambs, and steel casements (1.4% from 1.2%).

Meanwhile, slowdowns were noted in the price growth of hardware (1.7% from 1.9%) and lumber (1.3% from 2.8%).

Compared with the previous month, growth in wholesale prices was unchanged for glass and glass products (14.4%); reinforcing and structural steel (3.3%); tileworks (2.2%); plywood (1.2%); painting works (0.9%); and galvanized iron sheets (0.5%).

Wholesale prices for asphalt and machinery and equipment rental were flat in April.

Plumbing fixtures and accessories saw their wholesale prices decline by 2.2%, a rate of decline unchanged from the month before.

Wholesale prices of these materials reflect bulk buying by large construction firms engaged in major projects. The PSA’s national accounts indicate that among subsectors, construction was the biggest contributor to the decline of gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2021. Of the 4.2% contraction during the period, the sector accounted for 1.6 percentage points.

Farmers call for balance of interests between producers, consumers

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE GOVERNMENT needs to better balance the interests of consumers and producers to ensure food security, a farm organization said.

Danilo V. Fausto, Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. president, added at a virtual briefing Thursday that producers need a level playing field to better compete with imports.

“Our government should provide (preference to) local production in order to ensure in the long run enough food (for) our increasing population,” Mr. Fausto said.

“Little priority is given resulting in lack of resources and (funding) to the agriculture sector,” he added.  

Meanwhile, Mr. Fausto also called for the mandatory allocation of 10% of local government units’ (LGUs) internal revenue allotment (IRA) for food security programs. Under the Supreme Court’s Mandanas-Garcia ruling to be implemented in 2022, LGUs are set to receive a larger IRA allocation from the national budget.

As a result, Mr. Fausto sought the issuance of an executive order (EO) that will direct LGUs to set aside a part of their IRA allocation for food security in order to mitigate the potential impact of the ruling on the Department of Agriculture (DA) budget.

He noted that in 2021, the DA only has a 1.5% share of the budget of P4.51 trillion and speculated that some national agencies will need to be defunded to create fiscal space for the ruling.

“We think that the DA is one of the government agencies that will have its budget reduced. With an EO, I think it is possible. We do not need legislation from Congress because it will take too long. The ruling will be implemented next year which means that we should anticipate it,” Mr. Fausto said.  

“This will mitigate the effects of any reduction in the resources of the DA and help develop the agriculture sector. It should be the task of the LGUs in coordination with the DA, to provide farm extension services to trickle down efficient production techniques and technology in food production and diversification,” he added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave 

DoE outlines requirements for power distribution development plans

THE Department of Energy (DoE) has released the guidelines for members of the power industry preparing distribution development plans (DDP), according to a department circular published in BusinessWorld’s Thursday issue.

Distribution utilities (DUs) are required to submit their DDPs to the DoE, while electric cooperatives are required to turn in their plans to the National Electrification Administration. A DDP guides companies in planning for the power requirements of their respective franchise areas in the context of the area’s economic development.

In the circular, which was signed by Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi on March 2, the DDP must contain: general information about the firm, energy and demand requirements for its supply mix, network and non-network assets, power supply contracts, a power supply procurement plan, electrification activities, and strategies to comply with renewable portfolio standards (RPS) requirements.

The RPS program requires DUs to source an agreed portion of their supply from eligible renewable energy facilities.

“The DU and other mandated entity must fill up the distribution development plan form… attached in this circular. The crafting of the DDP must take into account all applicable provisions prescribed in the Philippine Distribution Code,” according to the circular.

Along with the completed DDP form, firms must include their demand and energy level forecasts, capital expenditure program targets, details of power supply agreements, updates on capacity based on competitive selection processes, and updates on total electrification in their submissions.

The Energy department said the guidelines ensure that the planning of the DUs and other mandated entities are “responsive to developments in the power industry.”

The DoE, in its circular, said companies must submit electronic copies of their DDPs by Jan. 25 of each year. The DUs and other entities are also required to turn in electronic versions of their final annual 10-year DDPs to the DoE not later than March 15 of each year.

“Non-compliance by the DUs and other mandated entities with the provisions of this Circular serve as basis, among others, for the DoE’s review and recommendation for the renewal or revocation of the DU’s and other mandated entity’s franchise or privileges,” the energy department said.

The DoE added that it will ask the Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a show-cause order to firms that do not comply with the requirements.

The circular will take effect 15 days upon its publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. — Angelica Y. Yang

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