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Peso declines as daily virus tally climbs

THE PESO weakened against the greenback on Monday as investors were cautious following the pickup in local coronavirus infections and the drop in foreign direct investments (FDI).

The local unit closed at P48.10 per dollar yesterday, shedding 1.2 centavos from its P48.088 finish on Friday, data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines showed.

The peso opened Monday’s session at P48.10 versus the greenback, which was also its closing level. Its weakest showing was at P48.115 while its intraday best was at P48.065 per dollar.

Dollars traded slumped to $451.2 million on Monday from $727.37 million on Friday.

The peso depreciated versus the dollar as coronavirus infections continue to pick up, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said.

Coronavirus infections in the country rose by 2,052 on Monday, the highest in more than three weeks. This brought the total count to 489,736, while active cases reached 22,114.

The decline in FDI inflows also affected the peso, Mr. Ricafort said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Friday said FDI inflows in October dropped 24.5% year on year to $423 million. The 10-month tally also slumped by 10.2% to $5.255 billion from $5.85 billion in the same period in 2019.

For today, Mr. Ricafort expects the peso to trade at P48.06 to P48.12 per dollar. — LWTN

Regional wage boards cleared to hold hearings via teleconference

REGIONAL WAGE BOARDS have been given the go-ahead to conduct virtual hearings and consultations to adjust the minimum wage in their areas of responsibility, according to the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC).

In a phone interview, NWPC Executive Director Maria Criselda R. Sy said before the pandemic, wage hearings were limited to face-to-face meetings.

“The guidelines will accommodate the multiplatform… this will now allow multiple platforms for consultations,” she said, subject to “the discretion of the (regional wage) board.”

The NWPC released the new guidelines for wage setting via a notice published in a newspaper Monday.

In NWPC Guidelines No. 3, Series of 2020, the NWPC said, “The Commission and the Boards shall endeavor to meet physically in all its meetings. However, when there is an urgent matter to be addressed and where a physical or face-to-face meeting is not feasible for some or all members, a quorum may be constituted through the use of tele/videoconferencing technology.”

The guidelines will take effect after 15 days. Ms. Sy said while they are not yet in effect, no regional wage boards have found it possible to convene due to the restrictions on public gatherings.

By law, a regional wage board can only issue a new wage order after at least one year since the issuance of the last order. A new order requires consultations with both the labor and management representatives.

Private sector establishments may seek an exemption from paying their workers updated minimum wages if they employ less than 10 workers and/or their businesses were affected by calamities. — Gillian M. Cortez

Luzon power projects with supporting battery storage, financing estimated at 320 MW

THE Energy department has identified 13 power projects in Luzon which have obtained financing and are supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS), with their combined capacity at 320 megawatts (MW), according to the department’s tally of private sector-initiated committed power projects.

Committed projects are those that have achieved financial closing with their investors or bankers. Storage allows irregular sources of power like solar to stockpile power while supply is plentiful and then discharge power when the source is unavailable, for example at night. The tally of storage-supported renewable projects indicates the volume of renewable power that might be reliably available to the grid.

All of the committed BESS projects in Luzon are by Universal Power Solutions, Inc., based on DoE (Department of Energy) figures updated on Oct. 2020.

Two years ago, on Oct. 2019, committed capacity supported by BESS in Luzon was zero.

BESS-supported committed capacities in the Visayas and Mindanao as of October amounted to 270 MW and 249 MW respectively, against their 2019 totals of zero and 49 MW respectively.

The DoE issued a circular in September 2019 that set the framework for energy storage systems, which include BESS. It ruled that such storage systems are to operate within the framework of generation companies supplying electricity to the grid.

BESS committed capacity is not included in DoE’s tally of total rated capacity, which only counts coal, oil, natural gas and renewable sources.

The rated capacity of committed coal-fired projects nationwide is 3,541 MW, as of October. Committed renewable capacity was estimated at 755.5 MW, including solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass and wind.

The rated capacity of indicative coal-fired projects nationwide last year was 7,748 MW, while that of indicative renewables outputs in all three islands stood at 24,647 MW. Indicative projects are those that have applied for endorsement from the DoE, and have yet to achieve financial closing.

In an advisory Monday, the DoE clarified that it will not process applications for greenfield coal-fired projects seeking endorsement, and that the freeze has taken effect across all grids since Oct. 27.

It added that the advisory does not cover committed coal-fired plants and projects with standing power plant complexes seeking to expand, or have made progress towards acquiring land for such expansions. The DoE said indicative power plants with “substantial accomplishments,” such as signed land or lease agreements and approved permits from government units, are also exempt.

In October, Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi announced an approval moratorium on greenfield coal-fired plants, a move projected by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis as possibly reducing the share of coal in the power mix to 16% from the current 41.5%, while ramping up the contribution of solar and wind to 42.8% from 5.4%. — Angelica Y. Yang

IMF sees efficient deployment of 2021 budget, extended-validity funds as key to recovery

THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) said one of the keys to the Philippine recovery is the efficient use of funding from both the 2021 budget and the various economic measures whose validity has been extended for the year, including the 2020 budget and the second stimulus package, which is known as Bayanihan II.

“It seems to me that it is crucial to execute the budget expeditiously to create more jobs and strengthen social protections,” Yongzheng Yang, IMF resident representative to the Philippines said in an e-mail to BusinessWorld.

Malacañang on Wednesday released Republic Act (RA) No. 11520 and RA No. 11519, which extend the validity of the 2020 budget and Bayanihan II, respectively. The 2021 budget was signed into law on Dec. 28.

RA No. 11520 extends the validity of the 2020 budget to Dec. 31, 2021, while RA No. 11519 extends Bayanihan II, more formally known as the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, to June 30. The P140-billion pandemic response measure expired on Dec. 19.

The IMF expects the economy to bounce back with growth of 7.4% this year — towards the upper end of the government’s 6.5% to 7.5% estimate. The IMF is set to release its World Economic outlook later this month.

“I continue to note the importance of a renewed infrastructure push, including in emerging growth areas such as the digital economy, healthcare, and climate change,” Mr. Yang said.

“Furthermore, social protection programs should be strengthened as current temporary income support measures are phased out,” he added.

The Department of Budget and Management released allotments worth P4.31 trillion in the eleven months to November, exceeding by 5.1% the P4.1-trillion 2020 budget. The additional funds were tapped to support the government’s pandemic response, and were sourced from unprogrammed allocations of Bayanihan II.

This year, economic managers set the government’s infrastructure spending target at P1.17 trillion. Meanwhile, the spending goal for 2022 is at P1.154 trillion.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick T. Chua said in December that infrastructure spending equivalent to 5% of gross domestic product will be sufficient for a strong rebound and will translate to significant job creation.

Unemployment in October was 8.7%, equivalent to 3.813 million out of work. This is lower than the 10% or the 4.571 million unemployed in July, but close to double the year-earlier rate of 4.6% or 2.045 million unemployed.

Mr. Yang stressed the need for a sustained accommodative policy stance from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

“Monetary policy should remain accommodative while the economy is still in the recovery phase. Like in other countries, monetary authorities should avoid a premature withdrawal of support,” Mr. Yang said.

BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno has said benchmark policy rates will remain low for the next few quarters to support the economic recovery. He said there is still have room for easing via conventional means but added that the authorities are not keen to push rates below zero.

In November, the central bank slashed rates one last time in 2020 by 25 basis points (bps), bringing the total reduction to 200 bps before a pause in December. The overnight reverse repurchase, lending, and deposit rates are at all-time lows of 2%, 2.5%, and 1.5%, respectively.

Mr. Diokno has cited the need to carefully assess the timing of unwinding the easing measures, considering the serious repercussions that may arise in the financial system from acting too early or too late. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

NGO calls for tougher food label rules, more import inspection

FOOD LABELS need to be standardized while imported food must be inspected more thoroughly in the interest of consumer protection, a non-governmental organization (NGO) said.

In a virtual briefing Monday, Tugon Kabuhayan convenor Asis G. Perez said consumers must know from labels what they are buying, and called for clearer labeling practices.

“Most products being sold in supermarkets and wet markets contain labels that consumers cannot understand. We believe that it is something that should be looked into,” Mr. Perez said.

Mr. Perez added that the authorities must carry out more inspections of food imports themselves rather than rely on the exporting countries to issue safety certifications.

Norberto O. Chingcuanco, co-convenor of Tugon Kabuhayan, said Filipino exporters including his own business must pay laboratory and inspection fees in other countries to certify that the shipment is safe for consumption.

Mr. Chingcuanco said the authorities should tap laboratories to examine the safety of imported food.

“I believe our laboratory industry is ready to do testing of food products. Filipino laboratory workers are also more educated than those in other countries,” Mr. Chingcuanco said.

“It is usually $200 to $500 per container in other countries. It will be good income for the laboratory industry,” he added.

Asked if consumers will have to pay higher prices for food, he said it will represent a small part of the cost when volume is taken into account.

“It is important to have inspection in these laboratories so that products rejected in other countries do not enter the Philippines. It ensures that only safe food enters the market,” Mr. Perez said. 

Mr. Perez said stricter food safety regulations and inspection will reduce smuggling by improving the traceability of shipments.

“We believe it will curb smuggling. Food products that do not meet standards such as wrong labelling will not be allowed to enter the market,” Mr. Perez said.

Mr. Chingcuanco said smugglers are willing to risk losing their shipments because their goods are purchased at low prices.

“Smuggled products are those packaged for other countries that are either surplus supply or rejects,” Mr. Chingcuanco said.

The Department of Agriculture said it is in the process of establishing a meat inspection facility at the Manila International Container Terminal for P521.57 million.

It also announced plans to build four other meat inspection facilities at the Cebu International Port, and the ports of Batangas, Subic, and Davao. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Taxpayers’ CAS journey made easier

Digital transformation has been a buzzword in the business community for years now, and its importance was emphasized when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. As COVID-19 affects businesses globally, business entities must find ways to continue their operations despite the government restrictions that were enforced to ensure public health and safety. Accordingly, for some companies COVID-19 became the main driver behind their digital transformation journey. 

Having a computerized accounting system is vital in a company’s digital transformation.  However, when I tell our clients, especially foreign clients, that they need to secure from the BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue) a “permit to use” (PTU)  a computerized accounting system (CAS) beforehand, they observe that this is not a common practice in other countries. Other countries do not require registration of CAS while others only need to wait for the system to be accredited; once the accounting system is approved, all companies using such a system no longer need to secure a permit to use.

In the Philippines, however, there is a two-step process before a taxpayer can use a CAS. First, the CAS must be accredited, and second, the company that will use it needs to secure a PTU for the accredited CAS.

Securing a PTU begins with submitting an application with a number of documentary requirements.  The CAS will then be scheduled for a system demonstration, which involves a walk-through of the CAS. Most of the time, getting on the system demonstration schedule is a challenge considering the volume of the applications that the BIR technical team is processing.  After the system demonstration, taxpayer-applicants must address the issues or concerns, if any, identified by the BIR-evaluators. Afterwards, upon recommendation of the technical working group (TWG), the CAS accreditation will be approved by the Accreditation Board, and finally, the PTU will be issued. The timeline for securing a PTU can take a year or more.

Fortunately, in February last year, all taxpayers with pending applications for PTU were relieved when the BIR issued Revenue Memorandum Circular (RMC) No. 10-2020. In lieu of a PTU, the TWG Secretariat of the concerned Revenue District Office (RDO) is to issue an Acknowledgement Certificate (AC) within three days from the submission of all documentary requirements enumerated in the RMC. However, there is confusion on whether it also covers new applications filed after the effectivity of RMC No. 10-2020.

Finally, we can say goodbye to the PTU. Recently, the BIR issued RMC No. 5-2021, which provides for a simplified registration process for the CAS, computerized books of account (CBA) and/or its components, including electronic storage systems (ESS), middleware and other similar systems (collectively referred to as “system”). This RMC supersedes the provisions of RMC No. 10-2020 and certain portions of Revenue Memorandum Order (RMO) No. 29-2002.

As provided under RMC No. 5-2021, all taxpayers intending to use CAS, CBA and /or its components, including ESS, middleware and other similar systems, are not required to secure PTUs. They are, however, still required to register the System by submitting to the RDO where the taxpayer is registered all the documentary requirements as provided under Annex “A” of the RMC. These documents include the following:

• Sworn statement with attached duly accomplished summary of system description, commercial invoice/receipt, document description, among others;

• Sample print-out of principal and supplementary receipts/invoices compliant with Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 16-2018 and other accountable forms that will be used;

• Printed copy of audit trail;

• Standard functional and technical requirements; and

• Certification from the purchasing company allowing the taxpayer to use the same system, in case the license of the software to be used is under the name of the parent or affiliate.

On the other hand, the RDO must issue an AC within three days upon submission of complete documentary requirements. A system demonstration or pre-evaluation is no longer required prior to the use of the system. A post-evaluation will be conducted by the RDO to determine the compliance of the system with the standard set forth in Annex B of the RMC. Failure to comply with the standard will lead to the taxpayer-user incurring penalties provided under the existing regulations. Hence, it is important for the taxpayers to ensure that their CAS is compliant with the standard.

Annex B requires that the system reflect certain details in the printout and electronic copy of the books of account, financial statements and other system-generated reports. Among these items are the registered address where such reports are generated and the phrase “VAT REG TIN” or “NON-VAT REG TIN,” whichever is applicable, followed by the nine-digit tax identification number (TIN) plus the branch code of the taxpayer. I believe these details are not necessary since the taxpayer name should suffice. I agree that those details should be required in the invoices and receipts, but not in the books of account and other system-generated reports.  What is important is to ensure the credibility of the reports.

On the other hand, one of the common concerns of taxpayers using CAS is whether all enhancements made to the system require registration. At last, this was clarified in the RMC.

The RMC specifically provides that the new registration is required only if there are “major” system enhancements. Major enhancements are those that have a direct impact on the financial aspect of the system, which include but not limited to the following:

• Change in the functionality of the system;

• Addition or removal of modules or submodules within the system;

• Change in the system/software version or release number; and

• All other enhancements deemed major system enhancements based on the recommendations of the technical evaluators after the comparative functionalities of the old and upgraded system are presented by the taxpayer.

In case of “minor” system enhancement/s, the taxpayer must submit a written notification to its RDO stating the minor enhancements on the system. Minor enhancements include user interface modification, bug fixes and performance improvements.

The effects of the pandemic continue to unfold. New strains of the COVID-19 virus have been discovered in other countries and Japan declared last week its second COVID state of emergency. Accordingly, business entities should continue to find ways to ensure that their operations, including back-office support, continue in case more drastic government restrictions are again enforced to ensure public health and safety.  Hence, the streamlined policies for the registration of CAS represent a welcome development to all taxpayers adopting it. I would hope they can all fully implement their CAS before the next lockdown (but of course, I’m still praying we do not come to that point).

Let’s Talk Tax is a weekly newspaper column of P&A Grant Thornton that aims to keep the public informed of various developments in taxation. This article is not intended to be a substitute for competent professional advice.

Edward L. Roguel is a partner of the Tax Advisory & Compliance division of P&A Grant Thornton, the Philippine member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

pagrantthornton@ph.gt.com

Government in final talks with drug makers for vaccine orders

THE PHILIPPINE government is finalizing talks on coronavirus vaccine orders and might start the rollout next month, according to vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr.

“It is expected that we can start our rollout this first quarter in February, with an early rollout possibly by the COVAX vaccine either by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, or Sinovac,” he told a Senate hearing on the state’s vaccination program on Monday.

About 40 million doses will come from the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facility for 20 million to 30 million people, Mr. Galvez told senators.

COVAX, co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the World Health Organization (WHO), aims to ensure the availability of COVID-19 vaccines to all countries.

“The Philippines stands to receive fully subsidized doses for 20% of the country’s population or roughly 20 million Filipinos through the COVAX facility, which can be deployed earlier this first quarter, more or less February,” he said.

Mr. Galvez said the main bulk of the vaccines would be distributed by the third and fourth quarter, mostly from US biotechnology company Novavax and Serum Institute of India.

The government on Saturday signed a term sheet with Serum Institute and its local partner Faberco Life Sciences, Inc. for the supply of 30 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine Covovax.

Mr. Galvez also said the government seeks to buy 148 million doses of vaccines from seven manufacturers and inoculate 50 to 70 million Filipinos this year.

They are negotiating for vaccine supply with UK-based AstraZeneca Plc, Pfizer, Inc., China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, and Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology.

Also on Monday, presidential spokesman Harry L. Roque said the Philippines had secured 25 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines developed by Sinovac.

“The vaccines will arrive in the Philippines next month,” he told an online news briefing in mixed English and Filipino. He said the country would receive 50,000 doses in February. The rest of the doses are expected to arrive by year-end, he added.

Mr. Roque said the first 50,000 doses from Sinovac is on top of 15,000 shots that would be used for clinical trials. This means that by February, at least 65,000 people will have received the vaccine, he added.

INFECTION TALLY
The Department of Health (DoH) reported 2,052 coronavirus infections on Monday, bringing the total to 489,736.

The death toll rose by 11 to 9,416, while recoveries increased by 10 to 458,206, it said in a bulletin. 

There were 22,114 active cases, 84.3% of which were mild, 5.6% did not show symptoms, 6.2% were critical, 3.4% were severe and 0.58% were moderate.

Davao City reported the highest number of new cases at 140, followed by Quezon City at 93, Cavite at 87, Laguna at 83 and Manila at 67.

The coronavirus has sickened about 90.7 million and killed 1.9 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 64.8 million people have recovered, it said.

The Finance department in a Facebook post on Monday detailed where it would get the P140.5-billion budget to buy enough coronavirus to cover 100 million Filipinos.

About 34% or P48 billion will be funded by “low-cost and long-term loans,” P20 billion through state-owned banks and other government-owned and -controlled corporations, and P2.5 billion from the budget of the Health department.

Finance Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Paola Sherina A. Alvarez told CNN Philippines on Friday state-run Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) and the Development Bank of the Philippines would provide the loans.

The Finance department has also tapped multilateral lenders to fund the government’s mass vaccination program. It will borrow $325 million (P15.63 billion) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and another $300 million (P14.4 billion) from the World Bank.

“We also have other possible sources, including bilateral loans and grants with countries where the vaccines are being produced or where they will originate,” Ms. Alvarez said.

As of Dec. 15, the government had raised $13.364 billion (P642 billion) through foreign borrowings to help fund its pandemic response.

Congress might have to increase funding for the government’s vaccine program Mr. Galvez told senators at Monday’s hearing.

He also urged lawmakers to pass a measure that will waive Customs duty and value-added tax on imported vaccines to prevent delays at points of entry.

The government has allotted P2.5 billion under the DoH’s 2021 budget and P70 billion in unprogrammed funds for vaccines. About P10 billion will provided by a stimulus law.

“The P70 billion along with the COVAX contribution will be sufficient to fund around 140 billion doses of the vaccine,” Finance Undersecretary Mark Dennis Y.C. Joven told the hearing.

He added that the remaining P12.5 billion would be used to finance the rollout, including the distribution and logistics.

Mr. Galvez said additional funding would be needed in case vaccine makers offer better supplies. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas, Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Beatrice M. Laforga and Charmaine A. Tadalan

Drop cha-cha, pass pending economic bills, Congress told

By Jenina P. Ibañez and Gillian M. Cortez, Reporters

THE PHILIPPINE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Monday urged lawmakers to prioritize the passage of pending economic bills instead of changing the 1987 Constitution.

The House of Representatives is seeking to ease economic restrictions of the charter for ratification at a plebiscite that will coincide with the 2022 national elections.

Congressmen want to insert the clause “unless otherwise provided by law” in parts of the Constitution that limit foreign ownership in certain Philippine industries. This will allow Congress to pass a law later relaxing ownership limits.

“While it may be the fastest option, inserting the provision could potentially weaken the country’s highest law by making it easier for ordinary legislation to amend the Constitution,” PCCI President Benedicto V. Yujuico said in a statement.

The country’s largest business group said the government should instead prioritize bills that cut corporate income tax, lift limitations on foreign equity ownership in telecommunications and transport, and expand loan aid to small businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

“PCCI supports initiatives to liberalize the restrictive economic provisions of the Constitution to enhance the country’s competitive position globally, encourage more foreign direct investments and address monopolistic, uncompetitive behaviors and under-investments in some sectors critical to public interest,” Mr. Yujuico said.

“But this should be done in a deliberate and careful manner that will continue to make the Constitution withstand various economic interests, but especially the test of time,” he added.

The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) said it supports the push to change the Constitution to encourage foreign investments and spur an economic rebound.

“We also believe that this latest move goes hand in hand with the passage of the proposed Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act and the remaining Bayanihan packages to also reinvigorate economic activities,” ECCP President Nabil Francis said in a text message.

Aside from cutting corporate income tax, the measure will also streamline tax incentives by making them more time-bound and performance-based.

American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Senior Advisor John Forbes said foreign chambers want to make the foreign investment negative list “less negative.”

“Removing or modifying the constitutional restrictions on foreign equity would certainly improve the competitiveness of the Philippines to attract foreign investors,” he said in a text.

Also on Monday, Party-list Rep. Alfredo A. Garbin, Jr. said lawmakers would not touch political provisions of the Constitution.

“We are not proposing to open the basic law of the land to revisions,” the chairman of the House committee on constitutional amendments said in a statement.

“We want to limit ourselves to provisions relating to the economy and national patrimony. We will not touch the political sections of the charter,” he said, citing an order from Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco.

Meanwhile, Albay Rep. Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda said the country would earn as much as $7 billion in yearly foreign direct investments if ownership restrictions in the Constitution are lifted.

Marikina Rep. Stella Luz A. Quimbo said relaxing the restrictions on foreign investments is especially needed during the crisis, adding that Vietnam is poised “to overtake us in terms of GDP (gross domestic product) per capita this year.”

“Apart from their swift COVID response, they have sustained high economic growth over the years, partly driven by foreign direct investments,” she said in a statement.

China’s foreign envoy to discuss trade with Filipino counterpart

CHINA’S state councilor and foreign minister will visit the Philippines this week to advance priority areas of cooperation including trade and investment, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. had invited Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for a bilateral meeting on trade and investment, infrastructure development and efforts to battle the coronavirus pandemic, the agency said in a statement on Sunday evening.

“Together with their virtual meeting in July last year, the state councilor’s visit attests to the sustained high-level engagement of the two countries,” DFA said. “It also symbolizes the determination and steady progress of both sides toward gradually reopening their societies and economies.”

Mr. Wang’s visit reciprocates Mr. Locsin’s visit to China in October, the agency said. Mr. Wang will also meet with his counterparts in Myanmar, Indonesia and Brunei before he arrives in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, a senator on Monday asked the Chinese government to investigate the entry of unauthorized coronavirus vaccines in the Philippines.

“China must explain,” Senator Risa N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said in a statement. “Beijing should lead their own inquiry and submit pertinent information to Philippine agencies.”

She said China’s action might lead to increased confidence from the international community in China-made coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines.

“Transparency from their end could raise the public trust in China-made vaccines, not only in the Philippines but also across the world,” she said. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Regional Updates (01/11/21)

City mayors to meet nat’l execs to discuss vaccine procurement as more local governments seal contract with AstraZeneca

CITY mayors are set to meet with national officials online on January 12 to discuss the procurement of vaccines as several local government units (LGUs), mostly cities and some provinces, have already signed contracts with pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca Plc. Several other LGUs have also allocated funds from their budgets for the purchase of vaccines against the coronavirus. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio R. Leonardia, president of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP), said national officials in charge of the country’s vaccination program will attend the meeting. “Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. has confirmed his attendance to the meeting and will present the national government’s roadmap to coordinate and assist LGUs in securing vaccines,” Mr. Leonardia said in a statement. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Director General Rolando Enrique D. Domingo is also expected to attend to provide updates on the emergency use authorization for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, he added.

SHARING RESOURCES
“Those who can afford as a team player should be sharing each’s resources. Those who cannot should be assisted by the national government,” Mr. Leonardia said over state-run Radyo Pilipinas on Monday. The LCP will also request for the group’s inclusion in the membership of the national COVID-19 inter-agency task force (IATF) to ensure that national and local vaccination programs are aligned. Bacolod is among the local governments that already signed a tripartite agreement with AstraZeneca and the national government. More than half of the 17 LGUs in Metro Manila have inked a similar deal with AstraZeneca, reserving varying volumes of doses. Outside the capital, among those that have secured advanced orders are the cities of Baguio, Dagupan, Ormoc, Iloilo, Zamboanga, and the province of Iloilo. Presidential Spokesperson Harry L. Roque on Monday said local governments won’t be able to procure vaccines without the “signature” or approval of the national government.  “When it comes to vaccine procurement and inoculation, LGUs should follow the policies set by the IATF,” he said in a press briefing. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

P2P buses resume in Zamboanga’s major cities

POINT-to-point (P2P) buses between the main urban areas in the Zamboanga Peninsula Region will start operations on January 16, covering the cities of Zamboanga, Pagadian, and Dipolog and Ipil town. The management of the Integrated Bus Terminal in Zamboanga City, the regional center, released on Monday the guidelines for travelers and fare rates. Under the P2P scheme, buses are prohibited from picking up or unloading passengers anywhere “in between the point of origin and point of destination.” Passengers will be strictly required to present all documentary set by the local government of the destination as well as purchase tickets at least two days before the travel date. “No walk-in passengers” will be allowed, except in emergency cases such as for medical care. Minimum health protocols such as wearing of face mask and shields will also be in effect. — MSJ

Enough water supply for Metro Manila, nearby provinces in summer — NWRB

METRO Manila and its nearby provinces would have adequate water supply during the coming summer months given the current high level of Angat Dam, the National Water Resources Board (NWRB) said on Monday. “With the current level of around at elevation 212.2 meters (m) of the Angat Dam, we will have sufficient water supply for Metro Manila and adjoining provinces during the summer season and until the projected onset of the rainy season around May or June,” NWRB Executive Director Sevillo D. David, Jr. told BusinessWorld in an interview via Viber. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) Administrator Emmanuel B. Salamat, in a separate advisory on Monday, also assured of adequate supply during the dry season. “With the favorable projection of our water level at Angat Dam and… by mitigating measures to address the water requirements of Metro Manila and other areas like Bulacan and Rizal that comprise the MWSS service areas, we can assure of sufficient water supply for summer 2021,” Mr. Salamat said. The capital region suffered raw water supply shortage in 2019. Angat Dam, the main source for the capital, recorded a normal high water level of 212 meters (m), and a reservoir water level of 212.21 meters as of Monday morning. — Angelica Y. Yang

Abalos takes oath as new MMDA Chair

FORMER Mandaluyong City mayor Benjamin S. Abalos, Jr. was sworn into office as the new chairperson of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at noon on Monday in Malacañang. “We vow to support his leadership, plans and programs in the pursuit of efficient and quality public service,” MMDA General Manager Jose  Arturo S. Garcia, Jr. said in a statement on Monday. Mr. Abalos succeeds the late Danilo D. Lim, who passed away last week. The MMDA is tasked to plan and implement metro-wide services and programs in the capital region, which is composed of 16 cities and one municipality. Mr. Abalos served as local chief of Mandaluyong from 1998 to 2004, and from 2007 to 2016. He was also elected as the city’s congressional representative from 2004 to 2007. He also served as president of the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines and League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) from 2007 to 2010. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

PSC underscores athletes’ safety is paramount as training resumes

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo, Senior Reporter

THE planned return to training of national athletes vying for a spot in the rescheduled Olympic Games at the weekend did not push through and instead was delayed by a week, but the Philippine Sports Commission’s (PSC) reminder on safety stays.

In a virtual orientation last week, the PSC reiterated that while the return to training of the athletes is very important with less than 200 days to go before the sporting spectacle to be held in Tokyo and final qualifiers for it just around the corner, such should not be done at the expense of proper health and safety protocols.

“We called for this meeting to emphasize the safety protocols you will be needing for this Olympic training bubble. I am confident that we can all adjust to this, but know that your safety is paramount to the PSC,” PSC Commissioner Ramón S. Fernández told athletes and coaches during the orientation on Jan. 6.

Mr. Fernandez was joined by other sports officials in the meeting, including Olympic chef de mission Mariano V. Araneta Jr. who added, “I just want to reiterate that your safety is paramount in this bubble training. I wish all of you the best for your qualifiers, so that we can bring more glory to Philippine sports.”

Some 46 athletes and coaches from the boxing, taekwondo, and karate national teams are expected to enter the training “bubble” at the INSPIRE Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, on Jan. 15 to resume face-to-face training after months of settling for virtual and individual workouts because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The training resumption, which was originally scheduled to begin on Jan. 9, is geared towards helping Filipino athletes contend for a spot for the Tokyo Olympics happening from July 23 to Aug. 8.

In the months leading up to the Games, a number of qualifiers are lined up where sports officials hope the country’s athletes will perform well.

The Philippines is targeting to send at least 15 athletes to the pandemic-hit Olympics.

To preserve the integrity of the bubble at INSPIRE, which will be the home of the athletes for the next couple of months, and guard against the spread of the coronavirus, the PSC crafted a set of health and safety protocols to follow.

The agency’s Medical Scientific Athletes Services (MSAS) Unit led in crafting the protocols, which took into consideration already-established measures by the World Health Organization, Department of Health, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

“We have to be extra careful in that. If we don’t have the proper protocols, it will be useless because, eventually, we will have to put a stop to it,” said PSC Chairman William Ramirez of the protocols they have crafted.

On top of the protocols is the formation of an expert group among stakeholders to aid in the interpretation and give advice on any unusual and expected results of coronavirus tests.

“Athletes will undergo a series of RT-PCR testing. Prior to entry, upon entry, and several testing during the bubble training,” said MSAS Head Dr. Randy Molo.

He went on to advise participants to restrict movement 14 days before entry, and restricted interactions seven days prior to their entry in the bubble facility.

“From today (Jan. 6), everyone must reconsider all the places and people they will be interacting with,” Dr. Molo said.

Philippine Sports Institute National Training Director Marc Velasco said that the MSAS Medical Unit, Rehabilitation Unit, Strength and Conditioning Unit, Sport Massage Unit, Sports Physiology, Sports Nutrition and Sports Psychology Unit will be available to serve the Olympic hopefuls via live and virtual consultations.

The boxing team is set to first arrive at the facility on Jan. 15, to be followed by the taekwondo and karate teams on Jan. 16 and 17, respectively.

Top boxing bets Irish Magno, who already qualified for the Tokyo Games, and Nesthy Petecio lead the national boxers in the bubble, to be joined by the likes of Carlo Paalam, Ian Clark Bautista, Riza Pasuit, Charly Suarez, James Palicte, and Rogen Ladon.

Another boxer, Eumir Felix Marcial, who has also qualified for the Olympics, is currently in the United States training at the Wild Card Gym as he is also a professional fighter under Manny Pacquiao’s MP Promotions.

But the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines is hoping he could join the team in the bubble training at some point to fortify their push.

The taekwondo team, meanwhile, is to bring in 2016 Rio Olympian Elaine Alora, Kurt Barbosa, Arven Alcantara, Butch Morrison, and Pauline Lopez. It is eyeing to be ready come the Asian qualifiers in April in Jordan.

Karate, for its part, will have Jamie Lim, Sharief Afif, Alwyn Batican, and Ivan Agustin, to be joined later by Junna Tsukii and Joan Orbon, who are both coming from abroad.

The IATF-EID gave its go signal for the national athletes to return to training on Dec. 15.

Incidentally, also training right now at INSPIRE is the national men’s basketball team.

Gilas Pilipinas began its month-long bubble training on Sunday in preparation for the third and final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers set for February.

Raven QB Lamar Jackson runs into NFL record book

QUARTERBACK (QB) Lamar Jackson etched his name in the National Football League (NFL) record book while leading the Baltimore Ravens to a 20-13 win over the host Tennessee Titans in an American Football League (AFC) wild card game on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.

Jackson’s 48-yard touchdown run was the second-longest for a score by a quarterback in NFL postseason history. It trails only Colin Kaepernick’s 56-yard sprint in the San Francisco 49ers’ game against the Green Bay Packers in the NFC divisional round in 2013.

Jackson now holds two of the top three rushing performances by a quarterback in NFL playoff history. His 136 rushing yards on Sunday are third-most by a quarterback in a playoff game, behind Kaepernick’s 181 against the Packers in 2013 and Jackson’s 143 he posted in last year’s loss to the Titans in the divisional round. Kaepernick rushed for 130 yards for the 49ers against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2014 NFC Championship game.

However, Jackson and Kaepernick are the only quarterbacks to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark and score at least a touchdown. Michael Vick, who amassed 119 yards rushing against the then-St. Louis Rams in the 2005 divisional round, and Donovan McNabb, who rushed for 107 yards in 2003 against the Packers in the divisional round, each rushed for at least 100 yards but didn’t run into the end zone.

Jackson completed 17 of 24 passes for 179 yards with an interception against the Titans.

“We finished. We finished,” Jackson told ESPN after the game. “We finally finished.”

Last week, Jackson became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for at least 1,000 yards in multiple seasons, while leading the Ravens to their third straight AFC playoff berth with a 38-3 win over the host Cincinnati Bengals. The victory enabled Jackson to become the fastest quarterback in league history to win 30 games, doing so in his 37th start.

Jackson rushed for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns during the regular season.

Jackson rushed for an NFL quarterback-record 1,206 last year in his first full year as a starter, en route to becoming the youngest quarterback to be named NFL MVP.

The mark eclipsed Vick’s record of 1,039, which he set in 2006 — the only season in which he broke 1,000 yards. — Reuters

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