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Tax appeals court grants P10.6-M refund to Carmen Copper Corp.

THE Court of Tax Appeals partially granted the petition of Carmen Copper Corp., granting the refund of P10.6 million out of its P36.1 million claim.

In a 27-page ruling dated Oct. 28, the court’s second division said the company only proved its entitlement to the said amount.

“In fine, petitioner has sufficiently proven its entitlement to a refund or issuance of Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) in the amount of P10,585,608.98, representing its unutilized excess input VAT for the 3rd quarter of TY 2016 (which is attributable to its zero-rated sales/receipts for the same period),” the ruling of the second division read.

Carmen Copper initially filed a refund claim of P48.2 million with the Bureau of Internal Revenue, but was only granted a refund of P12 million. The company raised the denied amount of P36.1 million to the court.

The company reported zero-rated sales for the third quarter in the amount of P2.6 billion supported by various documents such as sales invoices, export documents, and certificate of inward remittances.

However, the court said upon independent verification sales amounting to P1.8 billion do not qualify for VAT zero-rating as some were dated outside the period of claim and some with VAT sales invoice and export documents cannot be properly traced to certificate of inward remittances.

Only the amount of P816.6 million is allowed as valid-zero rated sales, it said.

The court also said that the total valid input VAT of the company for the said quarter is at P47.3 million out of the P49.2 million reported.

The excess input VAT allocated to zero-rated sales amounted to P34.5 million upon applying remaining output VAT liability and the partially granted amount of the BIR.

“However, out of the said excess input VAT allocated to total zero-rated sales, only the remaining input VAT of P10,585,608.98 is attributable to its valid zero-rated sales of P816,678,736.39,” it said.

The court added that there are no other output tax liability that may be credited against the input VAT and the company did not carry-over any output tax in the succeeding quarters.

The company said that it complied with the requisites for refund claimed and the denial letter of the BIR failed to identify from the list of input tax the items that were granted and denied.

It said that the denial letter “hardly complied with the due process requirement” as there was no schedule indicating the reason for denial of specific input tax, according to the court.

The BIR, on the other hand, said the petition should be dismissed for failure to substantiate its administrative claim for refund.

The court said the denial letter should be invalidated, despite a law mandating the commission to state the basis of denial. It said the letter, although not as detailed as the petitioner expected, could not be deemed as “outright void.”

It does not find its “brevity violative of petitioner’s right to due process.” The court said it conducts trials and claimants for refund must prove “every minute detail of their case.” — Vann Marlo V. Villegas

Infra buildup to spur inclusive growth

During the first “Sulong Pilipinas” consultative conference in June 2016, the Duterte administration unveiled its 10-point socioeconomic agenda for inclusive growth. Chaired by then-incoming Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, the conference took place at SMX Lanang Convention Center in Davao City.

One of the reform agenda’s goals was to usher in a “golden age of infrastructure” through the centerpiece “Build, Build, Build” program — an aggressive infra spending plan to reduce poverty and encourage economic growth outside Metro Manila. These investments have multiplier effects on the economy in terms of creating jobs, spurring new businesses, facilitating trade, and improving logistics as well as connectivity.

Mr. Dominguez said the big-ticket projects would be funded mostly by official development assistance from the Philippines’ bilateral and multilateral development partners with additional revenue collections from the government’s tax reform program. The rationale behind this funding strategy was the implementation of the infrastructure program without delay and at the lowest possible cost. While still welcome, public-private partnership (PPP) projects that  truly benefit the people and not just the private sector are to be prioritized.

PPP projects encountered delays in the past because private proponents squabbled over legal issues while taxpayers ended up absorbing the contingent liabilities. Under the previous administration when PPP was the major source of financing, infrastructure investments as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) had an average of 2.9% per annum and peaked at 4.5% in 2016.

Over the last 50 years, infra spending in the Philippines averaged only 2.8% of GDP. Being an archipelago, the country was trapped in a cycle of non-inclusive growth and its poor infrastructure was not only debilitating but is among the reasons why we have lagged behind our ASEAN neighbors in attracting foreign direct investments.

Prior to the onset of COVID-19, the percentage of infra spending to GDP had almost doubled to 5.5% compared with the previous half-century’s average. Investing in infrastructure has now become even more crucial to the government’s recovery strategy to combat the pandemic-induced crisis since it will fuel the economic rebound that will benefit present and future generations of Filipinos.

Sad to say, politics has gotten in the way of the flagship “Build, Build, Build” program. Critics continue to discredit infra projects such as Central Luzon’s New Clark City (NCC) that remained on the drawing board of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) during the previous management but came to fruition under BCDA President and CEO Vivencio Dizon in 2019.

With a land area of almost 10,000 hectares, NCC is the country’s first smart and green city described as a “climate-resilient metropolis where the future begins.” Envisioned as an agro-industrial hub and a home for cutting-edge tech companies, its first phase includes the construction of a world-class sports complex and the National Government Administrative Center that will serve as back-up offices of various agencies to ensure continuous operations in case of disasters and calamities.

The NCC sports hub was completed at a record of 18 months, just in time for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) last December. Local sports enthusiasts and visiting ASEAN delegations were impressed at the quality of the internationally certified facilities in this venue built to Olympic standards. It became a source of pride for Filipinos and a morale booster for our athletes who went on to capture the overall SEAG 2019 championship.

Supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as transaction adviser, the project’s legality was reaffirmed by the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC). Its record completion time, along with the swift implementation of the Clark International Airport expansion project without sacrificing the quality of their construction, have been used by Cabinet officials as showcases of proper infra execution.

Recently, however, a complaint was filed by a group of concerned citizens before the Office of the Ombudsman claiming irregularities in the deal between BCDA and Malaysian firm MTD Capital Berhad for the NCC sports hub’s construction. Included in the complaint were Mr. Dizon, OGCC head Elpidio Vega, MTD director Isaac David, and BCDA lawyer Elvira Estanislao. Are the complainants insinuating that both the ADB and OGCC gave bad advice on the project? Or is it an attempt to derail the “Build, Build, Build” program?

At this critical period when we need to ensure a strong economic recovery, the acceleration of infra projects must earn the support of all sectors. The pandemic should not stop the government from proceeding with the massive infrastructure program and protecting the gains it has achieved through bold and decisive actions.

 

J. Albert Gamboa is CFO of the Asian Center for Legal Excellence and chairman of FINEX Publications.

Entertainment News (11/13/20)

Foo Fighters announces new album

THE FOO Fighters debuted their new single “Shame Shame” on the Nov. 7 episode of Saturday Night Live. “Shame Shame” is the first taste of the band’s forthcoming 10th album, Medicine at Midnight, due out Feb. 5, 2021 on Roswell Records/RCA Records. The latest from Foo Fighters earned glowing reviews from music critics on the day of its release, with Stereogum calling it “a refreshing twist on their signature sound that doesn’t reach for trends” and praising the new direction for its “percussive, and slightly funky” approach. The tenth studio album is produced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, engineered by Darrell Thorp and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent. It packs nine songs into a tight 37 minutes. Medicine at Midnight is now available for pre-order, and includes a limited-edition purple swirl vinyl version, available exclusively at http://smarturl.it/FFOnlineStore.

Ben&Ben releases video for ‘Di Ka Sayang’

BEN&BEN’S new single “Di Ka Sayang” surpassed expectations when it trended at No.1 worldwide on Twitter and debuted at the top spot of Spotify Philippines’ top 50 overall chart upon release. Following its debut, Ben&Ben dropped the official music video on Nov. 9 Helmed by Jorel Lising, the band’s frequent collaborator and the director behind their hits “Pagtingin” and “Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin,” the visual accompaniment of the song follows the band performing in random intimate spaces with Kintsugi artform as the backdrop. Ben&Ben released a special BBTV episode on their YouTube channel. The music video of “Di Ka Sayang” is now available on YouTube.

Viber releases mini-video series

TO CELEBRATE its 10th anniversary, Viber turns the spotlight on its users by launching Heroes of Viber, a mini-video series that features 14 unique stories of how the app had an impact on people’s lives around the world. Among the featured Viber heroes are Filipino superadmins KG Sison and Celina Payawal, whose Communities became popular amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Sison is the founder of Homebaking Community, which was initially dedicated to bakers who were looking for supplies before evolving into a support group for baking enthusiasts during quarantine. Payawal, meanwhile, is the creator of Gym & Fitness Marketplace MM, which helps sellers of workout equipment connect with potential buyers who want to stay fit and healthy especially in a pandemic. Other “heroes” featured in the video campaign are Russia’s Alena, a mother who started a gardening Community all while taking care of a disabled child; Iraq’s Shelan, a kindergarten teacher who created a Community to share her lessons with her students during the pandemic; Bulgaria’s Dr. Stilyana Tomova who used Viber to allow parents to see their premature babies through video calls; Ukraine’s Dr. Yaroslav Kureza who launched the Take the Medic Community to connect medical frontliners to volunteers who’d give them a ride to the hospital while the public transportation services were halted; and Sri Lanka’s Gayan and Gavindi whose love story started with a simple Viber sticker. “Heroes” from Algeria, Greece, Serbia, and Nepal complete the short video series.

Gloc-9 teams up with UE Jam Sessions

RAPPER Gloc-9 contributed a verse on the acoustic version of UE Jam Sessions’ retitled track, “Lalaban Tayo (The Renewal of Honors).” With a message that champions the spirit of Filipino bayanihan in the pandemic crisis, the award-winning hip-hop artist called for solidarity in a bid to rise above the uncertainty of the times. As featured main artists, the UE Jam Sessions delivered a stripped-down but empowering take on an anthem that serves as tribute to the unsung heroes: the frontliners. UE Jam Sessions’ “Lalaban Tayo (The Renewal of Honors)” featuring Gloc-9 is now available on all streaming platforms worldwide.

Sayaw Record’s debut release

DJS MICA (UK) and Alinep, who are both known in Manila’s underground electronic music community, have joined forces to launch Sayaw Records, a non-commercial electronic music label based here in the Philippines. For their debut release, they have brought together some of the country’s top electronic music producers for a 15-track compilation entitled Sayawan Vol. 1, which will be released on Dec. 11. The music label will also be launching a Sayaw Radio Show on Z Hostel Radio, a platform where they will dive deeper into getting to know the artists on the compilation, as well as reveal the musicians they will be collaborating with in the near future. The record will premiere on Nov. 17, pre-orders will be accepted starting Nov. 27, and the release date will be on Dec. 11.

New premieres on HBO and HBO GO

HBO and HBO GO offer a dose of laughter this November with Jesters: The Game Changers, about a troupe of goofballs hired to bring out the best positive rumors about the ruling king of Joseon Korea. Follow the funny misadventures of Deok-Ho and his troupe as they attempt to put King Sejo into good light starting Nov. 13, 10 p.m., on HBO GO and RED by HBO. Meanwhile, the HBO GO and HBO premiere of the film Last Christmas — where a store Christmas elf gets her Christmas spirit back — will be on Nov. 21, 9 p.m. Aficionados of action films and thrillers will enjoy HBO and HBO GO bring new shows and movie titles this month. Learn more about the ins and outs set in the financial world with the newest HBO Original, Industry, which premiered on Nov. 10. New episodes will premiere every Tuesday, 10 a.m., with each episode encoreing the same day at 11 p.m. on HBO. The late Chadwick Boseman shows more of his action skills in the upcoming movie premiere of his last theatrically released film, 21 Bridges, on HBO GO on Nov. 14, 9 p.m. Boseman plays an embattled New York Police detective who hunts down alleged cop killers while unravelling a hidden conspiracy that will change his life forever. Meanwhile, His Dark Materials Season 2 premieres on Nov. 17, 10 a.m. on HBO GO and HBO, with new episodes every Tuesday. Each episode encores the same night at 10 p.m. on HBO. The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco stars in The Flight Attendant, which will premiere on Nov. 26 on HBO GO. The film revolves around a flight attendant waking up in the wrong hotel, next to a dead man — with no idea what happened. This dark comedic thriller is based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Chris Bohjalia. Download the HBO GO app at the App Store or Play Store on your device and enjoy a seven-day free trial. Access HBO GO via Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.com/. HBO GO can now be accessed via Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV — and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

Vanna released new EP

VANNA’s five-track EP High Hopes has been three years in the making, and is produced by Roy Avital of Tel Aviv-based, indie-electronic trio Garden City Movement and mastered by Matt Colton (James Blake, Muse, Coldplay). Delivering a delicate fusion of indie electronic, pop, and folk influenced by artists like RY X, Oscar and the Wolf, SYML and Sóley, VANNA’s latest EP maps her personal journey into falling in love and hurting, rediscovering her inner self and unearthing past traumas, owning up to her sexuality, and speaking up about issues that are close to her heart. The eclectic record is accompanied with the release of a brand new single called “All I See.”

PhilPop releases third batch of songs

THE PHILPOP song contest has officially released the songs from the North Luzon clusters.The latest batch balances drama and introspection as it gravitates toward themes of unrequited love, romantic dissolution, and abusive relationships. Produced with professional polish and help from PhilPop, the newest selection includes “Paos,” composed by Angelic Mateo and interpreted by Keiko Necessario; “Balikan,” composed by Lolito Go and interpreted by Benj Manalo and the Collective; and “Agsardeng,” composed by TJ Paeldon and Abby Esteban, and interpreted by Miss Ramone. Distributed by Warner Music Philippines, the homegrown songs are now available on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide via PhilPop.

CEOs who dislike empowering workers

I’m the operations manager of a small factory in Laguna. Our current issues are delayed product delivery to customers caused mainly by poor labor productivity. Our workers are high school graduates who appear eager to learn and help management. When I consulted our human resource manager, he recommended that we create an employee empowerment and engagement program. He cautions me, however, that our CEO disliked the idea when he proposed it two years ago. I like the idea as I’ve visited many dynamic factories within the area. Could you help us gain the CEO’s support for this? — Yellow Bell.

An eight-year-old boy asked his girlfriend to marry him. She rejected him outright, saying that in her family, only relatives married each other. She added: “If you and I are relatives, we could get married at the right age, but we’re not. In my family, my father married my mother. My grandpa married my grandma, and all of my uncles married my aunts. You see? We can’t get married because we’re not relatives.”

When everything is said and done, reflect on the lesson of this story. Do we understand how things work? Put things in the right perspective to find out.

You want to do a good job. You want to solve those operational issues. And you’ve agreed with the HR manager that the most likely solution is by empowering and engaging the workers. There should be no question about that. Many dynamic organizations have done that and are continually benefitting from it.

But why does your CEO dislike the idea? Know both the written and the unwritten rules of your top management. Sometimes, a written policy gets misinterpreted by the people and by the management team. How much more if they are unwritten? If you’ve been in your job for a long time, you should have learned all these rules by now. If not, then you better ask questions. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know the answer. If you don’t ask, the answer is always “no.”

If we don’t know where your CEO is coming from, then you better ask what makes him reject the idea of making the workers help management in problem-solving and decision-making. In the meantime, we can only speculate. Many decades back, I had a boss who didn’t want to call me by my first name. Instead of calling me “Rey,” he insisted on addressing me by my last name until I discovered several months after that he was a former captain who missed barking orders to his soldiers.

PRUDENT WAYS
Don’t agonize over the thought that your employee empowerment and engagement program will be rejected automatically. Times may have changed. Your CEO may have changed his mind about it except that he doesn’t want to admit it. Unless you adopt a strategy to correct your operational issues, you won’t make progress. After all, how can you improve product delivery and labor productivity without the active cooperation of your workers? Therefore, let’s look at some prudent ways to deal with your current situation:

One, do your homework before proposing a program. It may look obvious to some people, but in real work life, even factory managers don’t think through their proposals, because it’s not part of their work experience and training. They are experts in using their hands and feet in plant operations but not in writing convincing reports.

It doesn’t mean, however, that you’ll be writing a 100-page thesis. Who cares about that? In fact, a one-page executive summary will suffice, if only to provoke your CEO into deep thought. Go and assign your hard-working and promising engineer to write that first draft for you.

Two, get the cooperation of other department managers. Seek the input of the HR manager and improve on the draft, if any. You can also get the support of other managers like those in Finance, Sales, and Administration. The more, the merrier. They can help you discover probable issues that you can proactively resolve. If there are none, then they might point the way to discovering why the CEO is so reluctant. They ought to know how to deal with him. The most important approach is to secure other managers’ cooperation in the spirit of co-ownership. You can’t go wrong with that.

Last, solve problems without spending much money. More often than not, managers would like to solve problems by hiring additional workers or buying more equipment. That’s totally wrong. First things first. Commit to solve your current operational issues by understanding Kaizen, Lean Management, and the Thinking Production System.

They’re basically one and the same in advocating the use of creativity before committing capital. If you embrace this, how can the CEO block your proposal? He is less likely to oppose a three-month pilot project with demonstrable impact.

CONSISTENT PERFORMANCE
Your ability to convince the CEO about empowerment and engagement rests on your track record. I should say it’s an important indicator for predicting whether your proposal is accepted, regardless of merit. I’ve seen and heard managers who don’t get along with their bosses succeed simply because of their credibility.

Many CEOs view performance as the only thing that really matters in the workplace. Therefore, show initiative in improving your work performance. It may look like a chicken and egg situation, but there’s no point in overanalyzing it. Even if you demonstrated superior performance in the past, don’t coast. You have a current problem that needs to be corrected right away.

Your CEO may easily forget what you’ve done over the years, but he could be focused on asking, “What have you done to solve our current operational issues?”

 

Send anonymous questions to elbonomics@gmail.com or via https://reyelbo.consulting

Stocks may drop as mart checks typhoon damage

By Denise A. Valdez, Senior Reporter

THE LOCAL MARKET is expected to decline when it reopens on Friday as investors continue to secure profits from the recent climb of the main index.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) was closed for trading on Thursday due to bad weather brought by Typhoon Ulysses in several parts of Luzon. The PSE index (PSEi) ended Wednesday’s session down by 11.22 points or 0.15% to close at 7,024.26. The day prior, it soared 349.63 points or 5.23% to reach its best close since February.

“With the market at overbought status after the big run-up, we may continue to see profit taking as the market resumes tomorrow (Friday),” Diversified Securities, Inc. Equity Trader Aniceto K. Pangan said in a text message.

Some consolidation may happen, however, due to expected net buying among foreign investors, Mr. Pangan said.

“Better consumer spending going to the fourth quarter, with the influx of bonuses, stronger remittances, and holiday shopping, (should also help sentiment),” he added.

But the typhoon that left several parts of Luzon flooded and destroyed may weaken sentiment depending on how much damage it did, Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said.

“Tomorrow (Friday), investors will gauge how much damage the typhoon (left in) the Philippines,” he said in a mobile message on Thursday.

As the typhoon hadn’t left the country’s area of responsibility as of yesterday afternoon, investors may wait it out until the government can release estimates on how much damage it caused, Mr. Limlingan added.

Prior to Typhoon Ulysses, the Philippines was also affected by Typhoon Rolly early last week, which caused some P5.79 billion in farm damage as of a Thursday estimate from the Agriculture department.

“Aside from this, attention will still be focused on the progress of the vaccine development as well as economic data coming in locally and globally,” Mr. Limlingan said.

Meanwhile, Asian shares pared their gains in choppy trade on Thursday as investors awaited further details on whether drugmakers can develop a coronavirus vaccine, Reuters reported.

MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan rose 0.06% to 609.41, which is near its January 2018 high of 617.12. Chinese shares erased early gains and fell 0.02%. Stocks in Japan hit a 29-year high.

US stocks were mixed as investors switched back to technology stocks and away from economically sensitive sectors as they weighed COVID-19 vaccine progress and the likely timing of an economic rebound.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.08% on Wednesday, but the Nasdaq closed up 2.01%, and the S&P 500 gained 0.77%. — with Reuters

Duterte invokes UN award at ASEAN summit

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday said a 2016 United Nations (UN) arbitral ruling that favored the Philippines in its sea dispute with China is part of international law and should not be ignored.

“The 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea is an authoritative interpretation of the application of UNCLOS,” he said in a speech at the 37th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) virtual summit hosted by Vietnam, referring to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

“It is now part of international law. And its significance cannot be diminished nor ignored by any country, however big and powerful,” Mr. Duterte said, alluding to China’s refusal to honor the ruling.

Mr. Duterte echoed what he said in his most forceful defense of the arbitral award before the UN General Assembly in October —  his first since coming to power four years ago.

“The Philippine position is clear and firm. We must solve the disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS,” he said at Thursday’s ASEAN summit.

Mr. Duterte said the Philippines agrees with ASEAN in transforming the disputed waterway into a “sea of peace and prosperity for all.”

He also said the region has waited for a long time to come up with a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The tough-talking Philippine leader also urged ASEAN to reject maneuverings by so-called external powers in getting countries in the region to choose camps. “This we must resist — consistently and firmly.”

Mr. Duterte said peace and stability could only be ensured by an open and inclusive order, where ASEAN remains the fulcrum of regional security processes and mechanisms.

“As we chart our community’s post-2025 future, it is crucial that we consolidate ASEAN’s position in the evolving regional order,” he said.

Mr. Duterte had sought closer trade and investment ties with China since he came to power in 2016, including potential joint explorations for oil and gas in the South China Sea.

The UN tribunal in 2016 ruled that China’s claim of historic rights to resources within the sea falling within the ‘nine-dash line’ was illegal. The court said the Philippines could declare certain areas of the sea as part of its exclusive economic zone because these areas do not overlap with any entitlements claimed by China.

Certain Chinese actions within the Philippines’ exclusive zone violated its sovereign rights and were unlawful, the court said. It added that China’s island-building activities in the disputed waterway had caused severe environmental harm in violation of international conventions.

In his speech, Mr. Duterte said the South China Sea dispute is ASEAN’s strategic challenge. “How we deal with this matter lays bare our strengths and weaknesses as a community. We must act with haste.”

In his speech before a virtual roster of world leaders that included US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in October, Mr. Duterte said the arbitral award was “beyond compromise.”

He also said the Philippines rejects attempts to undermine the ruling that rejected China’s claim to more than 80% of the South China Sea, without naming China. His successor, Benigno SC. Aquino III, started the lawsuit. — Norman P. Aquino and Gillian M. Cortez

US vows to keep close ties with Philippines

THE United States on Thursday said it would keep close ties with the Philippines after Manila extended the suspension of a military pact on the deployment of troops for war games.

“The US-Philippine alliance remains vital to our robust, deep-rooted bilateral relationship,” the US Embassy said in a statement. “The United States will continue to partner closely with the Philippines to strengthen our mutual security ties.”

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. on Wednesday said President Rodrigo R. Duterte had ordered that the suspension of the visiting forces agreement with the US be extended for six more months.

The extension would allow the Philippines to find a “more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement.”

President Duterte had ordered the termination of the VFA in February after the US Embassy canceled the visa of Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa, his former police chief who led his deadly war on drugs.

The termination, which would have taken effect after 180 days, was suspended in June due to heightened tension in the Asia-Pacific region and the coronavirus pandemic.

The Foreign Affairs department earlier said the termination of the VFA would take effect after 69 days, if the suspension was not extended.

The VFA, which allows the US to shield its servicemen from prosecution in the Philippines, has been a thorny issue for Filipino patriots who see it as a lopsided deal. The US has used the VFA at least twice to keep accused soldiers under its jurisdiction. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

President assures quick relief for flood victims

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday said he would send quick relief to people in the capital region and nearby provinces after Typhoon Vamco, locally named Ulysses, submerged much of Luzon island, prompting residents to climb on rooftops to escape rising floodwaters.

“I guarantee you that your government will do its best to provide assistance in the form of shelters, relief goods, financial aid and post-disaster counseling,” he said in a speech.

The typhoon, the fifth to hit the island in less than three weeks, left millions in Metro Manila and nearby provinces without power.

Mr. Duterte took time out of the 37th ASEAN virtual summit to address the nation over the storm. Ulysses made its landfall on Wednesday in Quezon province.

Mr. Duterte renewed his call for agencies and local governments to expand their assistance especially to those from flood-hit areas.

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año told a separate news briefing the President would probably call for an emergency meeting to discuss state response to the typhoon.

He said areas hit worst included houses near the Marikina River and Pasig River. The typhoon drew comparisons to Typhoon Ketsana, locally named Ondoy, which submerged eastern parts of the capital region in 2009.

Mr. Año said air assets would be sent soon as the weather gets better.

Manila’s international airport and rail operations were suspended because of the typhoon. Operations of buses on the main EDSA highway were also suspended and only resumed at 1 p.m., the Transportation department said in a statement.

Typhoon Ulysses, which peaked at speeds of 155 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 255 kph, was weaker than Super Typhoon Goni — locally named Rolly —  but more areas reported heavy floods.

Several rivers were being monitored as the local weather bureau issued warnings on Wednesday about the possible rise in water levels at three major rivers.

Four other major river basins in Pampanga, Agno, Bicol and Cagayan were also being monitored, it said in a report.

Vamco was expected to leave the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday morning, the bureau said in a 5 p.m. bulletin on Thursday.

The typhoon had slightly weakened as it moved over the South China Sea, it said, adding that heavy rainfall was still expected until Thursday night especially in the Cordillera Administrative Region, the eastern portions of Cagayan and Isabela, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, Cavite, the western portion of Batangas and Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island. — Gillian M. Cortez and Arjay L. Balinbin

COVID-19 infections nearing 403,000 as deaths hit 7,721

THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) reported 1,407 coronavirus infections on Thursday, bringing the total to 402,820.

The death toll rose by 11 to 7,721, while recoveries increased by 211 to 362,417, it said in a bulletin.

There were 32,682 active cases, 83.6% of which were mild, 9.4% did not show symptoms, 4.4% were critical, 2.4% were severe and 0.1% were moderate.

Davao City reported the highest number of new cases at 214, followed by Eastern Samar and Rizal at 75 each, Cavite at 64 and Quezon province at 54.

DoH said three duplicates had been removed from the tally, while eight cases previously tagged as recovered were reclassified as deaths. Seventeen laboratories failed to submit data on Nov. 11, it added.

The coronavirus has sickened about 52.5 million and killed 1.3 million people worldwide, according to the Worldometers website, citing various sources including data from the World Health Organization (WHO).

About 36.7 million people have recovered, it said.

It added that active cases stood at 14.5 million, 1% or 95,045 of which were either serious or critical.

The United States had the most infections at 10.7 million, followed by India with 8.7 million and Brazil with 5.7 million. The US also had the most deaths at 247,398, Brazil had 163,406 and India had 128,165. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Under water

THE ELEMENTARY public school of Barangay San Roque Madawon in  Nabua, Camariñes Sur is flooded on Nov. 12 following heavy rains dumped by typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco). The town of Nabua was also one of the hardest hit during typhoon Rolly (Goni) in the first week of November.

Nationwide round-up (11/12/20)

Duterte calls for stronger ASEAN collaboration on health, recovery program

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo R. Duterte called on fellow leaders in the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen collaboration on health security and labor resiliency in response to the coronavirus crisis. “We have to strengthen our health systems by ensuring the unimpeded supply of medical supplies and technologies, and by enhancing early warning systems for health emergencies,” he said in his intervention speech at the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Virtual Summit on Thursday. Mr. Duterte pushed for the immediate passage of the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework, the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund, the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies, and the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases. The President also said the region should make its coronavirus response and economic recovery program “people-centered” by focusing on the labor force affected by the global pandemic. “The massive displacement of workers, including migrant workers, compels us to upskill and reskill our labor force. We must equip our people for a rapidly evolving labor market under the new normal,” he said. The Philippines has been designated chair of the ASEAN Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council. — Gillian M. Cortez 

Senate suspends budget hearings due to typhoon, to resume Monday

THE Senate suspended Thursday’s 2021 budget deliberation after typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) caused power disruption at the Senate building. “I have decided to suspend the session until Monday, 10 am,” Senate President Vicente C. Sotto III told reporters over phone message. Mr. Sotto said retired MGen. Rene C. Samonte, Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, reported the power transformer blew up three times due to strong winds and heavy rain. Telephone lines and internet service at the building was also affected, he said. Wednesday’s plenary debates on the P4.5-trillion national budget for 2021 was also suspended due to the typhoon, in line with Malacanang’s directive to suspend work and classes. The chamber was scheduled to resume deliberation on the budget of the Department of Budget and Management, Department of Finance, and the National Economic and Development Authority, among other agencies. It has so far concluded interpellations on the budget of the Office of the President, Office of the Vice President, State Universities and Colleges, except the University of the Philippines and some agencies under the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Science and Technology. The Senate resumed session a week ahead of the House of Representatives to ensure the timely passage of the 2021 spending plan. — Charmaine A. Tadalan

Regional Updates (11/12/20)


Water released from Luzon dams as typhoon Ulysses dumps rain

GATES in three dams in Luzon were opened on Thursday following heavy downpour from typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco). Angat Dam in Bulacan, the main water source for Metro Manila, exceeded spilling level prompting the release of 65 cubic meters per second of water, according to the National Power Corp. (Napocor). “Due to the release of water, the water level and flow in Angat River is expected to rise,” Napocor warned. As of Thursday morning, Angat’s elevation was at 211.30 meters, higher than its spilling level of 210 meters. The Ipo Dam, also located in Bulacan, opened its four gates after its elevation reached 101.20 meters, above the spilling level of 101 meters. In a separate advisory, weather bureau PAGASA announced that Magat Dam in Isabela opened three of its gates, at five meters each, to reduce the water elevation, which stood at 190.70 meters. Magat’s spilling level is at 193 meters. Meanwhile, east zone water concessionaire Manila Water Co., Inc. confirmed that La Mesa Dam in Quezon City reached its spilling level of 80.15 meters as of Thursday morning. “As of 12 noon, La Mesa Dam’s level is at 80.22 meters and has been spilling since 9:20 a.m.,” Manila Water Corporate Strategic Affairs Head Nestor Jeric T. Sevilla said in a mobile phone message. In another advisory, PAGASA said the two dams in Benguet — Binga Dam in Itogon and Ambuklao Dam in Bokod — have also released water. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave

Typhoon Ulysses affects over 1.9 million Meralco customers

EMERGENCY responders use motorized boats to rescue residents in Estrella Heights Subdivision in Rodriguez, a town in Rizal located east of Metro Manila, after heavy rain from typhoon Ulysses caused flooding. — PHILSTAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

MORE THAN 1.9 million customers in Luzon under distributor Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) were still without power supply on Thursday afternoon as typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) battered the northern part of the country. The affected Meralco franchise areas include Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, and Batangas. Meralco Spokesperson Joe R. Zaldarriaga, in a press briefing on Thursday afternoon, said the utility giant is slowly restoring electricity service where possible, but it may take some time to repair facilities in areas that were flooded. In a separate advisory, the Department of Energy (DoE) reported that an ongoing assessment by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) initially showed that provinces experiencing full or partial power cuts include Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pampanga.

TRANSMISSION
The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP), meanwhile, said 32 transmission lines in Luzon were unavailable as of Thursday afternoon. NGCP said while transmission services may be fully restored in the coming days, distribution systems may take longer to repair. There were about 13 Luzon generating facilities affected, with a combined output of about 4,231.8 megawatts. Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, in a statement, assured that the entire energy sector has been mobilized to immediately restore services. “[The DoE-led] Task Force on Energy Resiliency is working round-the-clock to coordinate the efforts of all our industry players, who remain on their toes and at the ready,” Mr. Cusi said. — Angelica Y. Yang

Renovated Bantayan airport to receive maiden flight as Cebu prepares for tourism revival 

THE renovated Bantayan Island Airport in northern Cebu will receive its first commercial flight on Nov. 27 as the Cebu provincial government ramps up its promotional campaign in preparation for the reopening of tourist destinations. The Cebu Pacific flight, using an 80-seater aircraft, will be a 30-minute ride from the Mactan Cebu International Airport at the central-eastern side of the province. The passengers will consist of a group participating in the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, the Cebu provincial government’s packaged tours program covering different areas. Bantayan has been a popular tourist destination for its beaches and dive sites. “I’m sure all Bantayanons, Lawisnons and Santafehanons will be very, very proud on that day,” Governor Gwendolyn F. Garcia said in a statement. The Bantayan Airport was rehabilitated and expanded through a partnership between the Cebu government and the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority. Leisure travel around Cebu has been reopened for locals, but regular flights to Bantayan has yet to be announced as the the airport’s official soft opening is still being finalized. 

Survey set for Davao MSMEs on coronavirus impact, recovery plan

MICRO, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Davao Region will be surveyed in the third week of November to determine the actual impact of the coronavirus crisis on their operations, and use the results to identify specific programs for recovery. The survey will be conducted by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc., together with the Davao regional offices of the Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry, Commission on Higher Education, and the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Mindanao Cluster 3 under the Davao  Regional Inclusive Innovation Center. The Davao chamber, in a statement on Thursday, said the survey is part of the Innovation for Business Recovery plan initiated by USAID Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (USAID-STRIDE). After the survey, sessions on rapids needs assessment and suggestive next steps will be conducted by University of the Philippines-Mindanao School of Management for participating firms and research partners “to further understand the current situation of MSMEs, identify their priorities, and assist them in accessing specific innovation programs.”

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