PHL seeking Chinese bidders for PNR Bicol’s train sets

January 20, 2022 | 10:21 pm

THE Transportation department said it is seeking Chinese bidders for the rolling stock package of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Bicol project.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr) is working on four more contract packages of the PNR Bicol line, also known as the South Long Haul Project. The first contract for the design and construction of a 380-kilometer railway from Banlic in Calamba, Laguna to Daraga, Albay was signed on Jan. 17.

“’Yung Package 5 po para sa rolling stock ay nakapag-request na tayo ng shortlist na manggagaling sa China at hinihintay na lang natin ’yan (We have requested a shortlist from China for Package 5, which is for the rolling stock, and we are waiting for a reply),” Transportation Undersecretary Timothy John R. Batan said during a virtual briefing on Thursday.

The department is also preparing to bid out the other remaining contract packages.

“Ito namang packages 2, 3 and 4 natin ay kasalukuyan pong ongoing ’yung design works at preparation ng bidding documents ng ating project management consultant (The project consultant is doing the design work for packages 2, 3 and 4),” Mr. Batan said, referring to China Railway Design Corp.

“Ang procurement ng (packages) 2, 3, 4 and 5 ay (hopefully) maumpisahan by the end of this year (We hope to start procuring those packages by the end of this year),” he added.

According to the DoTr, projects funded by China’s official development assistance, or ODA, go through six stages before they are implemented.

First, the DoTr will request the Department of Finance (DoF) to obtain a shortlist of qualified contractors from China. The DoF will then request the Chinese government to provide the shortlist.

Once the shortlist is provided, the DoTr, through the Procurement Service of the Department of Budget and Management, will initiate the procurement.

After procurement, the DoTr will sign a contract with the winning bidder, followed by a notice to the DoF to apply for a loan from China to finance the signed contract.

The P142-billion design-build contract was awarded to the Joint Venture of China Railway Group Ltd., China Railway No. 3 Engineering Group Co., Ltd., and China Railway Engineering Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

The DoTr said the first 380 kilometers of the PNR Bicol project will span 39 cities and municipalities, four provinces, and two regions. It will feature 23 stations, 230 bridges, 10 passenger tunnels, and a 70-hectare depot in San Pablo, Laguna.

The entire PNR Bicol project consists of a 560-kilometer long-haul rail line connecting Metro Manila to provinces in Southern Luzon.

“Once fully operational, it will cut travel time between Metro Manila and Bicol from the current 12 hours by road to as little as four hours,” the DoTr said.

“Passenger trains will run at a speed of up to 160 kilometers per hour, while freight trains will run at a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Agri groups see fish supply as adequate, reject need to import

January 20, 2022 | 10:21 pm

fish-galunggong — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

AGRICULTURE and fisheries organizations said the domestic fish supply is adequate and rejected the need for imports, which the Department of Agriculture (DA) hopes to supply to areas hit by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

“Hindi totoo na walang supply. Nabasa ko ’yung official statement at ginagamit pa rin ’yung dahilan ng Typhoon Odette at mataas daw ang feed, mga factors na hindi totoo sa galunggong (round scad) (It’s not true that supply is tight. I read the official statement justifying the imports, which is using Typhoon Odette as an excuse. It is also citing high feed prices, which should not be a factor for galunggong)” according to Laban Konsyumer, Inc. President Victor A. Dimagiba, speaking at a televised briefing.

“Meron sigurong grupong nagpasok ng importer na kailangan maibenta. Wala ka na daw mabili na local, puro frozen na ’yung mabibili mo. In other words, ’yung issue ng papayagan na import, press release lang ’yon, nandidito na (Importing groups may have already brought in the fish. You can see this in the markets, where the fish available are mostly frozen. In other words, they are putting out press releases about allowing imports. The fish have actually already arrived).”

The DA announced on Jan. 18 that it has issued import certificates for small frozen pelagic fish amounting to 60,000 metric tons for the first quarter.

Farmers group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura (SINAG) said that the imports will be more expensive than local catch.

“There is ample supply of local fish and fish products that are much cheaper than the imported galunggong,” SINAG Chairman Rosendo O. So said in a statement.

“Instead of protecting and helping farmers and fishers recover from the recent typhoon, we have a government agency that sides with importers and big traders,” Mr. So added.

In a virtual news conference, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar reiterated the need for the imports.

“Typhoon Odette caused about P3 billion in damage to the fisheries sector,” Mr. Dar said. “Current global price spikes in petroleum, fish feed, and other inputs are also expected to impact local production and supply.”

“High fish prices continue to contribute significantly to food inflation. In 2021, it was at 7.6%,” he added.

Mr. Dar also cited the closed fishing season as another reason for the supply deficit, adding that closed seasons are vital for fishing stocks to regenerate.

An organization of small fishermen, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), said that imports will “drive down the farmgate prices of fish, forcing small fishers to deep crisis and bankruptcy.”

“The existing closed fishing season creates an artificial shortage of fish and inflation (to the) detriment (of) fisherfolk and consumers. We maintain that the shortage of fish is artificial, caused by unregulated and unjust declaration of closed fishing seasons in our productive fishing grounds. But even (with a) closed fishing season, we remind the government that there are lots of fish in the sea; imports (are) unnecessary,” Fernando L. Hicap, PAMALAKAYA chairman, said in a statement.

“Flooding our local markets with imported fish will (do) harm than good to our struggling fishing industry. This liberalization scheme never addresses the country’s crisis in fisheries production. Rather, it is burden to fisherfolk whose products are being outcompeted by imported fish,” Mr. Hicap added. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Visayan Electric ordered to probe reconnection scams

January 20, 2022 | 10:21 pm

THE ENERGY Regulatory Commission (ERC) ordered Visayan Electric Co. (VECO), a unit of the Aboitiz Power Corp., Inc., to investigate reports that its personnel are asking for money to reconnect power in areas hit by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).

“We have directed VECO to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of the matter and submit the result to the Commission in writing within 15 days from receipt of our directive,” ERC Chairperson and Chief Executive Agnes VST Devanadera said in a statement on Wednesday.

Ms. Devanadera said that the commission is alarmed over the reports it has received mostly through its social media account about delays in restoring electricity in Cebu being the result of customers who pay bribes receiving priority for reconnecting their power.

The commission also directed VECO to report action taken against those confirmed to have been involved and any other measures to prevent such schemes in the future.

“We enjoin VECO to use the necessary means to obtain thorough, comprehensive, and unbiased findings, including the use of witness testimony when available,” Ms. Devanadera added.

VECO has said it is investigating reports of linemen or contractors seeking money in exchange for priority in restoring power.

“We ask for cooperation from the public not to entertain or participate in these illegal activities. We urge everyone to report these incidents through our Visayan Electric hotline number 230-8326 or send us a direct message on our Facebook page,” VECO said in a statement to the Cebu media on Jan. 7.

It added that power restoration is free of charge and that it charges no priority fee. — Marielle C. Lucenio

Online TIN seen unlocking OFW investments

January 20, 2022 | 10:20 pm

THE BUREAU of Internal Revenue (BIR) said it will allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to register their tax identification numbers (TIN) online, with a senior legislator saying that such measures will help workers overseas to invest in their home country.

Representative Jose Ma. Clemente S. Salceda of Albay, who chairs the House Ways and Means committee, said he was looking forward for “OFWs who may be particularly interested in investing in Philippine stocks as a means for preparing for their return to the country and to secure the future of their families.”

The BIR requires taxpayer information to be verified in person in Revenue District Offices, denying OFWs who are not in the country the opportunity to open brokerage accounts. Obtaining a TIN also requires a personal appearance, he said in a letter to the BIR in December.

The BIR responded by committing to making the application process a “fully online experience.” It currently allows OFWs to apply for TINs through an authorized representative or via e-mail if the purpose is to contribute to the Personal Equity and Retirement Account, a policy which can be extended to cover the opening of brokerage accounts. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

DENR suspends Davao Oriental mining firms over river siltation

January 20, 2022 | 10:14 pm

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered mining companies to suspend their operations following heavy siltation and water discoloration at the Mapagba and Pinatatagan rivers in Banaybanay.

“I received the report yesterday (Jan. 17) confirming that the river has turned red due to extraction activities. I have instructed our regional office to immediately address the incident and to suspend the operations of the mining company(ies),” Secretary Roy A. Cimatu said in a statement.

The investigation, led by the DENR and its Davao regional office, attributed the extraction activity to Riverbend Consolidated Mining Corp. and Arc Nickel Resources, Inc.

Residents reported the changes observed along the rivers on Jan. 14. Heavy rains are believed to have caused the mines’ silt ponds to overflow, according to the DENR.

On Jan. 17, the miners were served a cease-and-desist order and notice of violation.

Separately, the Mindanao Development Authority’s new chair called for a review of mining operating practices.

“While the minerals industry continues to be cited as among the country’s economic drivers, some industry practices need thorough review and operations require close monitoring,” Secretary Maria Belen S. Acosta said in a statement.

Ms. Acosta said keeping mining operations in check was vital “to prevent pollution and contamination, distortion of the ecological balance and damage to water systems.”

“Economic development and environmental protection should go hand in hand. They should not cancel each other out,” she added.

DENR Regional Director Bagani A. Evasco said further assessment is ongoing to determine possible penalties, operational adjustments, and the extent of environmental damage to the area.

“Our legal team is also evaluating further action with regard to any of the violations,” Mr. Evasco said. “Further evaluation is being conducted as to the extent of environmental impact.”

The local government of Banaybanay said it will be conducting regular monitoring of the area as the mining firm implements measures to address the siltation. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Certification rules for ceramic tiles complying with old quality standards now in force

January 20, 2022 | 10:13 pm

THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said certification of ceramic tile inventories produced or imported before new quality standards came into force must undergo a recertification process.

In a statement on Thursday, the DTI noted that Memorandum Circular (MC) 22-01 issued by its Bureau of Philippine Standards took effect on Jan. 11.

The DTI circular provided supplemental guidelines for Department Administrative Order (DAO) 20-09:2020 which required the product certification of ceramic tiles.

According to the DTI, MC 22-01 sets guidelines for the certification of ceramic tiles covered by DAO 20-09:2020, which were manufactured or imported to the Philippines before Oct. 12 and held in inventory by importers, distributors, or retailers.

“DTI issued MC 22-01 to address concerns of both manufacturers and importers on the proper disposition of the remaining inventories of ceramic tiles that are already released and distributed in the Philippine market prior to the implementation of DAO 20-09:2020,” Trade Undersecretary Ruth B. Castelo said.

“With the newly issued supplemental guidelines, we hope that they maximize the opportunity to have their existing inventories of ceramic tiles certified before the market monitoring and enforcement commences next year. With this MC, we also addressed importers’ concerns on product testing for shipments of ceramic tiles intended for single dwelling units or project supply contracts,” she added.

For locally manufactured products, the DTI said manufacturers should apply for Philippine Standard certification for the remaining inventories of ceramic tiles distributed in the market before the effectivity of DAO 20-09-2020.

Importers, on the other hand, need to apply for import commodity clearances on a “per product and per manufacturer basis.”

“In addition, MC 22-01 exempts shipments of ceramic tiles intended for single dwelling units or project supply contracts from product sampling and testing provided that these importations do not exceed 1,800 square meters,” DTI said.

The DTI said market monitoring and enforcement will begin on Jan. 1, 2023 to provide ample time for local manufacturers and importers to comply with the certification requirements.

Holders of non-compliant products by that date will be issued notices of violation and be advised to withdraw these products from the market after a first offense. The next notice of violation will trigger a regular adjudication process. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Philippine COVID cases on downtrend — OCTA

January 20, 2022 | 10:10 pm

HEALTH workers conduct house-to-house antigen testing on some residents of West Rembo, Makati. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

CORONAVIRUS infections in Manila, the capital and nearby cities were on a downtrend, according to researchers from the country’s premier university.

“The reproduction number in the National Capital Region (NCR) decreased to 1.79, while the weekly growth rate became negative for the first time since Dec. 24 last year,” OCTA Research Group fellow Fredegusto P. David said in a report posted on Twitter on Thursday.

He said the last time Metro Manila had fewer than 10,000 cases in one day was on Jan. 5, when the surge was still accelerating.

“The pattern is very similar to South Africa’s experience of a rapid surge followed by a dramatic decrease in infections,” he added.

“While this is encouraging news, it must be emphasized that NCR remains at critical risk as the average daily attack rate and positivity rate are still above critical levels,” Mr. David said.

The Philippines reported 31,173 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 3.32 million.

The death toll rose to 53,153 after 110 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 26,298 to 3 million, the Department of Health (DoH) said in a bulletin.

It said 43.3% of 73,989 samples on Jan. 18 tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), way above the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization (WHO).

There were 275,364 active cases, 8,424 of which did not show symptoms, 262,168 were mild, 2,979 were moderate, 1,488 severe and 305 were critical.

DoH said 95% of the latest cases occurred from Jan. 7 to 20. The top regions with new cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 8,883, Calabarzon with 6,471 and Central Luzon with 2,783 infections.

It added that 61% of deaths occurred in January, 3% in December and 7% in November.

The agency said 132 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 87 of which were reclassified as recoveries and one was tagged as a death, while 59 recoveries were relisted as deaths. Five laboratories failed to submit data on Jan. 18.

The Health department said 50% of intensive care unit beds in the country had been used, while the rate for Metro Manila was 51%.

The government aims to vaccinate 77 million people by the end of this quarter after a fresh surge in infections spurred by the heavily mutated Omicron variant.

The Philippines has fully vaccinated 56.44 million people as of Jan. 19, while 59.44 million have received their first dose, data from the Health department showed. About 5.61 million booster shots have been injected as of Wednesday.

Health Undersecretary Myrna C. Cabotaje said the country had yet to finalize the guidelines for the vaccination of children aged 5 to 11 years old, which is expected to begin next month.

The Health Technology Assessment Council will issue recommendations as authorities continue to consult experts, she told a televised news briefing.

“We will look at the operational guidelines,” she said. “We might designate specific sites for children five to 11 years old.”

Ms. Cabotaje said the Philippine Pediatric Society and Pediatric Infectious Disease Society of the Philippines have endorsed the vaccination of kids aged 5 to 11.

She said the government might also allow children aged 4 and below to get vaccinated.

“Maybe by the second quarter, around April or May, if there will be a vaccine for 0 to 4-year-old children, and if there are studies and recommendations already,” she said.

Marcos camp bares Senate slate for May general elections

January 20, 2022 | 10:10 pm

THE CAMP of presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday endorsed 10 senatorial candidates for the May elections.

In a statement, Marcos spokesman Victor D. Rodriguez said the Senate slate includes Antique Rep. Lorna Regina “Loren” B. Legarda, former Defense Secretary Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro Jr., reelection Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Constantine M. Bautista, former presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. and former Public Works Secretary Mark A. Villar.

Also endorsed was Jose Pimentel “Jinggoy” P. Ejercito Estrada, who is facing plunder and graft charges involving his pork barrel funds. The former senator was released on bail in 2017 after spending three years in jail.

Mr. Marcos and running mate Sara Duterte-Carpio also backed lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon, who has been suspended by the Supreme Court for swearing at a journalist, and Party-list Rep. Rodante D. Marcoleta, one of the lawmakers who voted against the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN Corp. in 2020.

The tandem also endorsed reelection Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri, who is also part of the senatorial slate of opposition standard bearer Vice-President Maria Leonor “Leni” G. Robredo.

The list “represents a mixture of seasoned and proven political personalities who have excelled in their respective endeavors,” Mr. Rodriguez said.

Meanwhile, Ms. Robredo said her kind of politics is “so different from what Mr. Marcos is offering.” “My kind of politics is transformative,” she told the ABS-CBN News Channel. “I don’t want patronage politics.”

“There’s so much at stake, but what’s at stake is not just my winning or losing this election but what is the direction that we would want our government to take in the next six years,” she added.

Mr. Gadon, who is making his third bid for the Senate, is a Marcos supporter. The Supreme Court suspended him this month over his foul-mouthed remarks against a local journalist in a video that went viral.

Mr. Gadon has questioned his suspension, which he said was issued without due process.

Mr. Marcoleta is a deputy speaker at the House of Representatives. He is known for cutting the budget of the Commission on Human Rights to P1,000 in 2017.

The Marcos-Carpio team said Mr. Zubiri would boost their position in Mindanao, which is a bailiwick of the Zubiri clan. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

Nine cops face murder charges for mayor’s ambush

January 20, 2022 | 10:09 pm

GOVERNMENT prosecutors have endorsed the indictment of nine policemen for the killing of Calbayog City’s mayor and his aides in March.

In a statement, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said the cops face four counts of murder for the ambush of Calbayog City Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino, two of his aides and a civilian who got caught in the shooting.

They also face one count of frustrated murder after one of the victims survived the attack. The cases will be filed at a Calbayog City regional trial court.

A panel of prosecutors issued the resolution on Dec. 15 that was released on Wednesday.

“The defenses of denial, alibi and self-defense interposed by the respondent police personnel cannot be given weight in light of the positive assertions of the witnesses,” the Justice department said in the statement.

It also cited pieces of evidence submitted by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Mr. Aquino became mayor of Calbayog in Samar province after Mayor Reynaldo S. Uy was assassinated in 2011. He was the vice mayor at that time. He served as mayor from 2011 until his death last year. — John Victor D. Ordoñez

Senate minority seeks assessment of gov’t response on typhoon Odette

January 20, 2022 | 10:08 pm

THE SENATE minority bloc has called for an assessment of the government’s response to typhoon Odette, internationally known as Rai, to determine policy and funding needs in the continued recovery efforts.

Senate Resolution 976, filed Monday, directs the Senate finance committee to “conduct a thorough evaluation of government response including gaps and structural inefficiencies, and identify the needs for rehabilitation, recovery, and reconstruction, including the corresponding budgetary and policy requirements.”

It was signed by Minority Leader Franklin M. Drilon and Senators Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel, Leila M. de Lima, and Francis “Kiko” N. Pangilinan.

“Many families remain without a decent roof over their heads, groping in the dark, with scarce food and clean water. We must not forget that heavy task lies ahead to help Odette victims rise,” said Mr. Pangilinan in a statement on Thursday.

Odette, tagged by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs as the second deadliest disaster to hit the globe in 2021,

struck central and southern parts of the Philippines last month.

It affected over 2.34 million families and left damage to infrastructure and agriculture worth P17.2 billion and almost P16 billion, respectively.

Under the resolution, the assessment of government response and relief efforts should be done with the goal of protecting the people and improving the existing National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.

“These (typhoons) have catastrophic economic, environmental, and social impacts. Typhoon Odette and previous natural disasters have revealed the vulnerabilities and problems in the present framework, in government policies, as well as public spending for disaster response. Government must address these to be prepared for future shocks and disasters,” the authors wrote in the resolution.

JAPAN AID
Meanwhile, the Japanese government has exchanged notes verbale with representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for an aid program for Odette survivors, its embassy in Manila announced Thursday.

IOM will receive $4.2 million to fund shelter repair kits and emergency medical equipment, among other aid initiatives.

“This project partnership of the IOM with the Catholic Relief Services and CARE Philippines will indirectly benefit an estimated total of 64,681 individuals,” the Japanese Embassy said in a statement.

The project is part of the $13 million or about P663-million Emergency Grant Aid that Japan committed on Jan. 14 to provide to the Philippines. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Maritime agencies say additional measures in place to ease Matnog-Allen route congestion

January 20, 2022 | 10:08 pm

THE TRANSPORTATION department’s maritime sector said more measures are being implemented to address the congestion at the Matnog-Allen route, a major passage connecting Luzon in the north to the Visayas in central Philippines.

In a Jan. 19 joint statement, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (Marina), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that with vessels servicing the route resuming full commercial operations on Jan. 18, “additional measures are expected to dramatically lessen the inconvenience” now being experienced by stake holders and port users.”

A transport agency reported on Monday that nearly 800 vehicles and about 5,000 people were stranded along the highway leading to the Matnog Port in Sorsogon due to damaged ramps for roll-on, roll-off and fastcraft vessels.

“The PPA shall work to immediately complete all the necessary repairs on office facilities damaged by typhoon Odette at the Port of Matnog, in order to encourage additional frequency of vessel calls from existing, and other vessel operators looking to service the route,” the maritime agencies said.

They also said that Marina will strictly enforce an on-time turnaround of trips for vessels plying the route for better scheduling and predictability.

For its part, the PCG is expected to take over the management of queueing of vehicles leading towards the Port of Matnog.

Meanwhile, Samar Rep. Edgar Mary S. Sarmiento, House transportation committee chair, said he wrote a letter to President Rodrigo R. Duterte to seek assistance in finding a solution to the recurring problem.

He said that Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade assured him that the government would address the issue of congestion and had put in place measures to stop port corruption.

“The House Committee on Transportation received several complaints regarding the recurring issue of congestion and corruption in the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon,” Mr. Sarmiento said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

House probe sought on BENECO leadership

January 20, 2022 | 10:08 pm

Beneco-office-BENECO-FB-PAGE — BENECO FB PAGE

MEMBERS of the Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives filed a resolution to investigate the takeover of Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) through an allegedly “anomalous appointment” of its general manager by the National Electrification Administration (NEA).

House Representatives Carlos Isagani T. Zarate, Ferdinand R. Gaite, and Eufemia C. Cullamat filed House Resolution 2457 on Wednesday directing the committees on energy and cooperatives development to jointly probe the issue.

BENECO’s board of directors elected Melchor S. Licoben as general manager after the April 2020 retirement of the late Gerardo P. Versoza.

However, NEA, which supervises electric cooperatives, also appointed Ana Maria Paz Rafael as BENECO’s general manager for scoring highest in the interview.

Ms. Rafael took over on Oct. 18, escorted by around 50 heavily-armed members of the police, which led to a two-day closure of the BENECO office.

NEA has asserted that its appointment of Ms. Rafael was based on Memorandum 2017-035, which contains revised policies on the selection of electric cooperative general managers.

On the other hand, BENECO legal counsel Delmar O. Cariño said in November that NEA’s intervention violated its own rules of general manager recruitment under NEA Memoranda 2017-035 and 2018-004.

“The act of NEA ignored the power of the BENECO board of directors to choose the GM,” Mr. Cariño said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan