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Duterte signs rice farmer cash assistance bill into law

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed into law a bill authorizing direct monetary assistance to rice farmers, who are among the hardest-hit members of the industry as a result of the pandemic.

Republic Act No. 11589 or the Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act will support rice farmers tilling two hectares or less until 2024.

The law noted “the urgency of intervening for our farmers in light of the current state of declining palay prices and the crippling effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”

For the cash to be distributed, the Department of Agriculture will tap any funds exceeding P10 billion collected from rice import tariffs. The first P10 billion collected is reserved for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF).

RCEF is a component of Republic Act No. 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law.

The House of Representatives approved the bill on Sept. 15. It was later adopted by the Senate on Sept. 21. Mr. Duterte signed it into law on Dec. 10. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

Credit card fraud incidents rise as use of digital channels soars

REUTERS

CREDIT CARD fraud incidents have risen 21% during the pandemic with the more extensive use of digital payment channels, according to the Credit Card Association of the Philippines (CCAP).

As a result, the card industry is calling for stricter rules governing mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM) registrations to deter fraud. Legislators are currently considering a bill that would regulate SIM card registrations.

The most common incidents involve what the CCAP calls the “virtual account takeover,” in which perpetrators of the fraud take over and gain access to one-time passwords in order to perform valid transactions.

Separately, the CCAP urged telecommunication firms to implement stricter Know-Your-Customer processes for new prepaid and post-paid users. They specifically noted the need for a more rigorous ID verification process when customers request to change mobile numbers when they declare a lost or stolen mobile unit.

“We respectfully request that this be addressed urgently. Perpetration of a successful unauthorized SIM swap will affect both the telcos’ and the banks’ customers, resulting in financial losses, loss of public trust and confidence, and close scrutiny from the regulators,” CCAP Executive Director Alex G. Ilagan said in letters addressed to Globe Telecom, Inc. and Smart Communications, Inc., the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the House of Representatives.

House Bill 5793 and its counterpart Senate Bill 2395, which requires telco to require registration of SIM cards, both passed third and final reading last month.

“To date, there are no existing laws which protect the consumers from this mode of attack from fraudsters. We believe that the passage and implementation of this law will greatly deter (such) activities… as they will now have accountability from the use of… registered SIM cards,” Mr. Ilagan said.

The group also called on the NTC to devise a formal recourse mechanism for consumers who wish to report numbers that have been used for carrying out financial crime.

“This standardized reporting mechanism is absent in today’s environment which leads (victims to be reluctant) to properly report incidents to their respective banks or telecommunication providers,” Mr. Ilagan said.

The central bank has said that the most common types of fraud incidents related to credit cards include unauthorized or disputed transactions that can be traced to the disclosure of personal information and phishing e-mails, as well as breach of personal account information in the use of the OTP by a person falsely representing a bank employee.

“Combating financial crime is a shared responsibility among all concerned industries, as well as the government; thus, we are asking for help in this continuous fight against these progressive fraudsters,” he said. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

SSS members reporting more fraud

THE Social Security System (SSS) said on Thursday that it has taken note of an increase in fraud incidents being reported by its members.

“We are deeply concerned with the increasing number of fraud victims who are mostly our members,” SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio said in a statement.

 “That’s why we constantly remind (members) not to patronize these individuals.”

Ms. Ignacio said members should avoid sharing their social security number, My.SSS login credentials and other personal data with people who claim to be SSS employees.

“These will be compromised and used in illegal activities,” she said.

The SSS is also warning the public against joining Facebook groups that offer online transaction help for a fee, noting that the groups are illegal and could be mining personal data.

The SSS said its services are mostly free, charging a fee only for Unified Multi-purpose ID card replacement.

“We also reiterate that SSS shall not be held accountable for any transactions once the member is found to have connived with the fixer,” Ms. Ignacio said.

“This act is considered a violation of (Republic Act) No. 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018 as well as RA 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. Hence, we strongly advise our members to coordinate with legitimate SSS branch personnel only.”

The private-sector pension fund’s mobile application processed over 35 million transactions and queries in the first eight months of last year.

The number of online transactions with the SSS increased while manual transactions declined in 2020 as more members used digital platforms during the lockdowns.

The SSS said it is working with the police in taking down social media accounts and posts connected to fraud.

“Sending your complaints will provide notable information which will help the authorities to track them,” Ms. Ignacio said.

The SSS, along with the Government Service Insurance System, has been ramping up digitalization initiatives to deliver services during the public health crisis, the Finance department said.

“Both institutions have also put in place information technology tools to keep their systems safe from data breaches and other forms of cyberattacks and threats,” the department said on Wednesday. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Agroforestry project worth P18M turned over to Nueva Vizcaya

A P18-MILLION agroforestry support facility was turned over to around 2,600 beneficiaries in Nueva Vizcaya by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Established in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the facilities are part of the ¥9.24-million Forestland Management Project, which covers 71,300 hectares of forest area in Nueva Vizcaya, and eventually in Iloilo, Ifugao, Quirino, and Nueva Ecija.

The facilities include an irrigation pipeline system, pathways and a hanging bridge, to give residents access to basic services and markets, support reforestation work, and benefit people’s organizations and indigenous communities in the watershed areas, JICA said.

“Aside from protecting the watersheds and ensuring that water supply sources are resilient, the project also aims to support job creation in communities by building their capacity on sustainable forest management and enterprise development,” JICA Chief Representative Eigo Azukizawa said.

“The pandemic and climate change problems are making all of us rethink the way we manage natural resources and ensure that they are sustainable for the enjoyment of future generations,” he added.

JICA also announced a project with the Department of Agriculture to address food security and raise farmer income by improving the supply chain for vegetables.

The Project for Market-Driven Enhancement of Vegetable Value Chain in the Philippines is a five-year initiative to be established in production areas for highland and lowland vegetables.

One of the project’s expected outcomes is a vegetable value chain roadmap to benefit selected regions.

“The pandemic and recently, natural disasters, serve as wake-up calls to look for opportunities to improve food security and the food value chain network,” JICA Senior Representative Ayumu Ohshima said. “We’ve seen how food inaccessibility not only led to hunger in vulnerable groups but also affected the income of farmers whose produce was not able to reach more markets.”

“JICA believes this is a timely cooperation as we map the roles of every stakeholder in the agriculture sector and firm up solutions to tackle food security and identify opportunities to support small-scale farmers,” added Mr. Ohshima.

The program will also involve training of Filipinos based in Japan on farm technology and administration. — Luisa Maria Jacinta C. Jocson

NTC 2021 collections P9.09 billion, exceeding target

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said on Thursday that it collected P9.09 billion in 2021, exceeding its target by 72.4%.

“Target collection for 2021 was pegged at P5.27 billion. Actual collection, as of Dec. 31, was at P9.09 billion,” the commission said in a statement.

The NTC said it has been beating its targets since 2016.

The NTC is an agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technology. It regulates cable and commercial television operators, broadcast radio stations, telecommunications companies, and commercial and portable radio operators.

The NTC said the agency’s collections will help the government fund its priority projects in infrastructure, agriculture and rural development.

The Philippines’ major telecommunications companies have been pushing for lower spectrum user fees, which are collected annually from public telecommunications entities (PTEs).

PLDT, Inc., its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc., and Globe Telecom, Inc. have expressed support for the recent approval at the House of Representatives of House Bill 9851, or the “Zero Spectrum User Fee for Telcos Using Wi-Fi Act.”

“This is (expected) to broaden the public’s access to WiFi technology, and eventually lower the cost of telecoms services for the public,” Globe said in a statement in November.

“Currently, spectrum fees imposed on PTEs are becoming unreasonable and excessive,” Roy Cecil D. Ibay, Smart Communications vice-president for regulatory affairs, said in a separate statement.

Globe General Legal Counsel Froilan Vicente M. Castelo said that the company has been actively seeking the lowering of spectrum user fees with the NTC and Congress, “since we believe that telecommunications is now an essential service that should be made more affordable for users.”

Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Philippines posts highest COVID positivity rate

A CATHOLIC showed his vaccine card before entering the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Baclaran on Jan. 5. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE PHILIPPINES on Thursday reported its highest positivity rate for the coronavirus at 36.9%, as the highly mutated Omicron variant continued to spread in communities.

The Department of Health (DoH) reported 17,220 infections — the highest in more than three months — bringing the total to 2.89 million. The death toll hit 51, 743 after 81 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 616 to 2.78 million, it said in a bulletin

There were 56,561 active cases, 1,837 of which did not show symptoms, 49,988 were mild, 2,954 were moderate, 1,470 were severe and 312 were critical.

The positivity rate was based on test results of samples from 59,847 people on Jan. 4.

In a separate statement, Health authorities reported 29 more coronavirus infections involving the Omicron variant, bringing the total to 43.

The latest Omicron cases involved 10 returning Filipinos from overseas and 19 residents of Metro Manila, the Department of Health (DoH) said in a statement. Of the 19 local cases, 14 still had the virus, three have recovered and two were still being verified.

DoH said it was verifying the test results of co-passengers of the 10 migrant workers. The new variant cases were detected from 48 samples sequenced on Jan. 2.

It also detected 18 more Delta variant cases, 10 in local residents and eight in returning migrant workers. This brought the total Delta cases to 8,497.

The agency said 99% of coronavirus cases occurred from Dec. 24 to Jan. 6. The top regions with cases in the past two weeks were Metro Manila with 11,563 infections, Calabarzon with 3,165 and Central Luzon with 1,126.

It added that 7% of the reported deaths occurred this month, 7% in December, 10% in November and 23% in October.

DoH said 48 cases had been removed from the tally, with 46 reclassified as recoveries. It added that 66 cases previously tagged as recoveries had been relisted as deaths. Eleven laboratories failed to submit data.

The agency said 31% of intensive care units in the Philippines were occupied, while the rate for Metro Manila was 43%.

The COVID-19 Omicron variant — first detected in South Africa and Botswana in November — has surged globally, spurring fresh lockdowns in many countries.

The US and Europe have been rolling out booster shots as fast as they can after research findings by Pfizer, Inc. and Moderna, Inc. that Omicron weakens the effectiveness of their standard two doses. Booster shots are supposed to increase the level of protection against the variant.

Still, infections in both regions have soared, with the US reporting more than a million daily COVID cases on Jan. 3. The UK and France have recently reported more than 200,000 daily infections.

More people in affected countries have been hospitalized, though deaths have been far below previous peaks.

DoH urged Filipinos particularly the elderly, seriously ill people and children to get vaccinated and get their additional doses immediately.

“Vaccines are still our best defense and proven to be safe, effective, and free,” it said. “Let’s not be agents of transmission and prevent further spread of the virus as more transmission means more mutations.”

People should isolate themselves and get tested at the earliest signs of symptoms, the agency said. “Let us maximize our telemedicine services and keep our hospitals from filling-up.”

People infected with the Omicron variant appear to show milder symptoms, though it appeared to be more contagious than the Delta variant, said Edsel Maurice T. Salvana, a member of the DoH technical advisory group.

The Philippines has fully vaccinated 50.6 million people, while 57.25 million others have received their first dose.

The coronavirus has sickened 298.3 million and killed 5.48 million people globally, according to the Worldometer website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization.

Almost 257 million people have recovered, it said.

The US topped the list with 58.81 million infections and 853,612 deaths, followed by India with 35.1 million cases and 482,876 deaths, Brazil with 22.35 million infections and 619,559 deaths and the UK with 13.84 million cases and 149,284 deaths. — Norman P. Aquino and Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Presidential guards test positive for coronavirus

PCOO

FIFTEEN presidential security guards have caught the coronavirus, their chief said on Thursday, adding that they had not been in close contact with President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

All the guards have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus and did not show symptoms, Colonel Randolph Cabangbang, who heads the Presidential Security Group (PSG), told reporters. The guards got tested after the holiday break, he added.

“They are not in any way detailed with the President,” the PSG later said in a statement, adding that it adheres “to the highest standards” of protecting the 76-year-old Duterte. “Your PSG assures the public that we are fit and able to protect the President so he can continue his mandate to serve this nation.”

President Duterte, 76, has said he has Barrett’s esophagus and Buerger’s disease. He got his second Sinopharm vaccine dose in July.

At least three Cabinet officials have been under quarantine after being exposed to staff and housemates who had tested positive for the coronavirus.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. did not physically attend a weekly meeting with Mr. Duterte this week.

Mr. Duque, who attended the meeting virtually, said at the meeting aired on Tuesday night he was set to undergo a coronavirus test on Wednesday.

Mr. Lorenzana said four of his housemates had caught the virus, while Mr. Galvez said 15 staff members tested positive.

National police chief Dionardo B. Carlos has also tested positive for the coronavirus. — NPA

Duterte signs bill outlawing child marriage, live-in

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte has signed a measure outlawing child marriage.

Under the law, an adult caught arranging child marriage will be fined no less than P40,000 and jailed for as long as 12 years. 

An ascendant, parent, adoptive or stepparent or guardian who perpetrates child marriage will be jailed for 12 years, fined P50,000 and lose their parental authority for life. 

Child marriage involves one or both parties who are younger than 18. The law also criminalizes live-in arrangements between an adult and a child. 

Child marriage is a form of child abuse because it degrades them, according to the law. It also cited the need to abolish “unequal structures and practices that perpetuate discrimination and inequality.” 

“This is a major victory in our campaign to end child marriage in the Philippines,” House Deputy Speaker Bernadette Herrera-Dy, who authored the bill at the House of Representatives, said in a statement. “This law will help protect children, especially young girls, and hopefully change the trajectory of their lives.” 

The time has come for the Philippines to end the “longstanding disturbing practice” of child marriage, she added, calling it “a form of violence against children.” 

To reinforce the measure, the government will create an enabling social environment where children will be provided with information, skills and support networks, quality education and economic support and incentives. 

The government will also try to influence and empower parents and community leaders to discourage and eradicate the practice of child marriage. 

Agencies that will enforce the law must ensure consultations with women, girls and youth organizations, and civil society organizations. 

“This new law is a big step towards ensuring that children’s rights will be upheld and their well-being and future secured,” Ms. Herrera said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan

Berjaya Makati Hotel asserts city government closure order has no legal basis

A MEMBER of the Makati Business Permit Licensing Office serves the closure order against Berjaya Makati Hotel on Jan. 6. — PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

THE MANAGEMENT of Berjaya Makati Hotel said on Thursday that the closure order issued by the Makati City government has no legal basis, and asserted that it was not given due process.

“The order by the Makati City Hall closing down Berjaya Makati Hotel’s operations based on the suspension order issued by the Department of Tourism (DoT) is without legal basis,” it said in a statement.

DoT announced on Wednesday that it has temporarily suspended the accreditation and revoked the multiple-use permit of the hotel after a guest violated quarantine protocol, and later tested positive for coronavirus and infected contacts during the breach.  

A copy of the decision has been served and Berjaya Hotel is given 15 working days to appeal the ruling, DoT said.

“(T)he DoT order is not yet final as the hotel will appeal it within the fifteen-day period it is given. Meanwhile, the suspension is not in effect,” Berjaya Makati Hotel said. 

“Secondly, there is no law that penalizes a hotel for not reporting a guest who jumps quarantine. There is nothing in Republic Act 13322 that is applicable to the hotel. Thirdly, we must be accorded due process and be allowed to explain before any penalty is imposed. We have not been given our day in court by the Makati City Hall,” it added.

The hotel also pointed out that it currently has 18 guests who have tested positive and have yet to be pulled out by the Bureau of Quarantine. Another 80 are in the middle of their quarantine while about 20 weekly guests have been booked and paid.

“Every quarantine hotel, just like ours, serves a strategic purpose especially with the lack of rooms while the virus rampages throughout. To close down a quarantine hotel for no legal reason is to close down a hospital just when it is helping to win the war,” Hotel Makati Berjaya said. 

Local governments bring back tighter restrictions amid Omicron threat 

BW FILE PHOTO

SEVERAL local governments outside the capital region have reimposed border control measures and other restrictions, aiming to be a step ahead of a potential surge in coronavirus cases now seen in Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces. 

Iloilo province and the independent city of Iloilo have brought back the negative RT-PCR test result requirement for all incoming persons regardless of vaccination status. 

The rule will be in effect tentatively until Jan. 15.

Iloilo Governor Arthur R. Defensor, Jr. said in a statement that there is a need to tighten health protocols “considering the rising COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) cases in Metro Manila and potential surge in the Province of Iloilo.”

“We will strictly enforce the protocols because we do not want to have another surge to happen in the city and prevent another wave of lockdowns. We plead for the cooperation of everyone for the safety of all,” Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said in a separate statement.

Mr. Treñas has also ordered the temporary closure of bars and public consumption of alcohol has again been banned. The sale of liquor is still allowed.

As of Jan. 5, there were 1,657 active coronavirus cases in the Western Visayas region out of 146,422 recorded since March 2020, based on data from the Department of Health regional office. Of the total active cases, there 116 in Iloilo City and 518 in Iloilo province. 

At least two cases of the coronavirus Omicron variant — both returning overseas workers — have been detected in the region, one each in the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.

Other major areas in the Visayas such as Cebu and Tacloban City, which are still in the thick of recovery efforts from typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) that struck in mid-December, no pandemic-related restrictions have been adjusted so far.

LUZON, MINDANAO
In Pangasinan, one of the first provinces in northern Luzon to ease rules for tourists, a curfew from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. is again in effect.

Unvaccinated individuals are also banned from commercial establishments such as shopping malls, supermarkets, and restaurants, based on the executive order issued by Gov. Amado I. Espino III.

Neighboring Baguio City earlier announced a reduction in the number of daily tourists who will be given permit through the local government’s pre-registration site.

In Mindanao, urban centers and hosts of gateways such as the cities of Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, and General Santos are maintaining the eased mobility and travel rules until the 15th. 

However, mayors and local health authorities have been ramping up information campaigns for the continued observance of minimum health protocols such as wearing of face mask and distancing. 

Vaccination against COVID-19 is also continuing across the country. — MSJ 

Senator seeks creation of a Siargao rehabilitation commission 

BW FILE PHOTO

A SENATOR on Thursday filed a resolution urging President Rodrigo R. Duterte to establish a commission that will lead Siargao island’s recovery and rehabilitation from the devastating impact of a typhoon that struck in mid-December.  

Senator Francis N. Tolentino said the establishment of such a committee is within the powers of the President under the Administrative Code of 1987. 

Senate Resolution 966 calls for the creation of a body to be called Siargao Tourism Rehabilitation Commission, which will act as the overall and central coordinating body of all government agencies, non-government organizations, and affected communities in the implementation and monitoring of rehabilitation and recovery programs in the island province. 

Siargao, located off the northeastern side of the southern mainland of Mindanao, is a tourist destination well-known for surfing. 

Under the proposal, the commission will be tasked to draft the recovery master plan, taking into consideration environmental protection, eco-tourism, resilience and, sustainable growth in the province. 

Typhoon Odette, with international name Rai, made its first of nine landfalls on the island on Dec. 16. It was the 15th and considered strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines last year. 

Local officials estimate the damage in Siargao to be at least P20 billion, including damage to houses, other private buildings, and public infrastructure.   

“In addition to the immediate critical needs of the affected residents such as food, water, shelter, and health care, the long-term rehabilitation and rebuilding of the affected homes, businesses, and other infrastructures in Siargao Island must also be addressed,” Mr. Tolentino said. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan 

Manila provides booster shots to delivery riders

@ISKOMORENO TWITTER ACCOUNT

THE MANILA City government offered vaccine booster shots to delivery riders on Thursday as the Philippine capital and surrounding areas work to contain a fresh surge of coronavirus cases believed to be fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant. 

“One of the challenges of a two-wheel worker is that they cannot go to malls to get vaccinated because it takes too long, it would take all day,” Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” M. Domagoso said in Filipino.  “That is why we designed a drive-through vaccination especially for them.”

The mayor, who is running for president in the May elections, said the booster jab would help ensure their protection against the virus as they carry on with their work.

He noted that seven out of every 10 riders who were getting vaccinated at the site were not Manila City residents. 

Riders under various delivery firms — such as Grab, Angkas, Lalamove, Foodpanda and Mr. Speedy — lined up for the vaccine top-up.

Mr. Domagoso also announced that there will be a second round of vaccinations on Thursday evening for workers at the busy Divisoria Public Market, including employees, fish traders, market vendors, and drivers. 

He said that around 16,000 people were vaccinated in Manila on Wednesday night. — Jaspearl Emerald G. Tan 

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