THE Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. (PCIC) set aside nearly P251 million to cover potential crop insurance payouts to farmers affected by Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Following assessments conducted between Nov. 4 and 7, the PCIC reported that 32,247 insured farmers across nine regions incurred losses due to the typhoon.

The largest number of affected farmers, around 10,352 individuals, was reported in the Eastern Visayas.

According to PCIC President Jovy C. Bernabe, the damage estimates by crop included P56.7 million for rice, P42.3 million for corn, and P74.3 million for high-value crops.

Some P169.9 million of the estimated payout will likely go to farmers in the Central Visayas, Negros Island Region, and the Eastern Visayas.

Mr. Bernabe said in a statement that PCIC personnel have instructed to expedite the processing of claims.

The DA said it also activated its Quick Response Fund and the Survival and Recovery Loan Program to support farmers and fisherfolk. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it formally adopted regionalization rules regarding the banning of pork imports, in lieu of blanked bans on entire countries where African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks are detected.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. signed Administrative Circular No. 12, which will allow the entry of pork from regions of a source country where no outbreaks have been reported, citing the need to preserve access to supplies of pork.

ASF, which continues to affect the domestic and global hog industries, is a highly contagious viral disease lethal to swine and wild boars.

“The government has been actively working to recover from ASF through a national zoning and movement plan, identifying areas already disease-free. This highlights the importance of science-based monitoring, regionalization for ASF freedom, and adherence to (World Organisation for Animal Health) guidelines for safe swine trade,” Mr. Laurel was quoted as saying in a statement.

The circular specifies that live swine must come from ASF-free zones, show no clinical signs of infection, and avoid restricted areas during transport. Pork products must also originate from ASF-free regions, be transported in sealed vehicles directly to approved slaughterhouses, and pass both ante- and post-mortem inspections.

According to the circular, only DA-accredited countries may apply for ASF regionalization recognition. Exporting countries’ veterinary authorities must provide detailed reports on ASF surveillance, control measures, and the boundaries of ASF-free regions.

The Bureau of Animal Industry will review these applications every six months to verify compliance with local and international guidelines.

If approved, the two countries’ chief veterinary officers will sign a bilateral agreement outlining animal health requirements and import terms. Imports will only proceed once the DA issues a corresponding memorandum order.

Source countries will also be required to submit annual reports on ASF surveillance and control efforts. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

APEX Mining Co., Inc. said net profit rose 64.43% year on year in the third quarter, driven by higher gold prices.

In a regulatory filing, Apex said net profit came in at P2.15 billion during the quarter, as revenue from gold surged 52.85% year on year to P5.75 billion. Silver revenue rose 68.85% to P230.8 million.

In the third quarter, Apex Mining sold 27,316 ounces of gold at a realized price of $3,668, reflecting a 9% increase in volume and a 44% increase in value.

Silver sold for the quarter totaled 92,969 ounces at a realized price of $43.2, up 16% in volume and 46% in value.

In the first nine months, net profit rose 77.65% to P5.45 billion a year earlier.

“While the surging metal prices and strong position of the dollar versus the peso bolstered the financial performance of Apex Mining, the cost management initiatives that are being implemented across the mine sites are also creating a stronger foundation for the company to fortify its operations,” Apex Mining President and Chief Executive Officer Luis R. Sarmiento said in a statement.

The gold and silver sold by Apex Mining were extracted from its Maco Mine in Davao de Oro and Sangilo Mine in Itogon, Benguet.

In the third quarter, Apex Mining milled 244,973 tons of ore at the Maco Mine, up 6% from a year earlier.

Gold recovery in the third quarter was 88.44% compared to 84.15% a year earlier. However, ore gold grades averaged, at 3.29 grams per ton, down 9% from a year earlier.

At the Sangilo Mine, operated by Itogon-Suyoc Resources, Inc. (ISRI), total milled ore amounted to 107,335 tons in the first nine months, against 110,303 tons a year earlier. Sangilo reported a gold ore grade of 3.34 grams per ton and a gold recovery rate of 86.29% in the same period.

Apex Mining said in its disclosure that the Maco Mine has sufficient reserves to continue at the targeted production rate of 3,000 tons per day until 2034.

The company is upgrading its Maco processing plant to increase its capacity to 3,500 tons per day and is continuing exploration and development activities.

Apex also said the ISRI Sangilo Mine is currently working on the remaining pre-operation permits for a 434-hectare tenement in Itogon, Benguet.

The company added that the company’s acquisition of Asia Alliance Mining Resources Corp. could expand its gold resources.

On Tuesday, Apex Mining shares closed 6 centavos, or 0.59%, higher at P10.30. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

THE Philippine Tobacco Growers Association (PTGA) said domestic growers stand to lose nearly P1 billion in income this year due to competition from illicit tobacco products, which has affected demand for tobacco leaf.

It said the lost income averages out to about P17,000 per farmer among its 59,000 members.

The National Tobacco Administration (NTA) said its own estimate of the tobacco-farming industry is 430,000 farmers, farm workers, and their families, who are directly affected by competition from untaxed tobacco products.

“The illicit tobacco trade is a significant challenge, adversely impacting government revenue, public health, national security, and the livelihood of Filipino farmers,” NTA Administrator and CEO Belinda S. Sanchez said in a statement.

According to the Philippine Tobacco Institute, the lobby group for cigarette manufacturers, black-market alternatives can sell for as little as P2 per stick, compared to around P7 for legal brands.

The NTA also warned the public that counterfeit cigarettes can contain lead, insect parts, rat droppings, and even synthetic drugs, making them potentially more hazardous than regulated products.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue estimates that the government foregoes P40 billion to P52 billion annually in uncollected excise taxes due to illicit tobacco, reducing the funding available for universal healthcare, hospital services, medicine, and PhilHealth coverage for low-income families. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel

THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it launched a $3-million project to conserve key wetland ecosystems in the Philippines that serve as vital habitats for migratory birds and sources of livelihood for local communities.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Philippines Flyway Project will be implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and will focus on Candaba in Central Luzon, Lake Mainit in northeastern Mindanao, and the Sibugay Wetlands on the Zamboanga Peninsula.

These key wetland ecosystems are stopovers for migratory birds traveling along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).

The ADB said the project will strengthen the protection, management, and restoration of degraded wetland habitats, while also supporting local capacity-building, sustainable livelihood development, and improved site management.

“Wetlands in our region face mounting threats from reclamation, degradation, and urban expansion, and the EAAF is considered the most threatened of the world’s major flyways. Through the Philippines Flyway Project, ADB and DENR are working together to protect, manage, and restore these critical ecosystems — helping communities and nature thrive,” Scott Morris, ADB vice-president for East and Southeast Asia, was quoted as saying in a statement.

More than 20 migratory waterbird species rely on Philippine wetlands as stopover and wintering sites. The country currently has 10 wetlands of international importance and seven Flyway Network Sites that host major seabird colonies.

The project forms part of ADB’s Regional Flyway Initiative (RFI), launched in 2021 to mobilize $3 billion over the next decade for wetland conservation across 11 developing countries along the EAFF.

The RFI also aims to develop long-term financing models that boost community resilience through nature-based solutions to extreme weather disasters. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel