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Energy dep’t pitches Napocor carbon sequestration program to IPPs

THE ENERGY department is encouraging independent power producers (IPPs) to join the National Power Corp.’s (Napocor) carbon sequestration program, which is expected to benefit nine watersheds and geothermal areas managed by the company while also helping participants meet their offsetting targets.

In an advisory posted Tuesday, the Department of Energy (DoE) identified the nine areas to be protected by Napocor’s Energy Sector Carbon Sequestration Initiative: the Upper Agno river watershed in Benguet and nearby provinces; the San Roque watershed in Pangasinan; the Angat Watershed in Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Quezon and Rizal provinces; the Caliraya-Lumot Watershed reservation in Laguna; the Buhi-Barit Watershed Reservation in Camarines Sur; portions of the Agus River basins in Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur; part of the Pulangi River basin in Bukidnon; the Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal reservation in Batangas and Laguna; and the Tiwi Geothermal reservation in Albay.

Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi, who signed the advisory on June 18, said the Napocor program aims to improve the condition of its watersheds, contribute to climate change mitigation efforts, and give energy firms the chance to reach their carbon offsetting requirements.

He added that the program seeks to maximize the use of the universal charge-environmental charge fund for “protection and reforestation projects” under Napocor, which he described as currently having limited coverage.

No other details were given in the advisory. — Angelica Y. Yang

Citicore Power targets 6.64 MW of solar rooftop installations in Bataan freeport by this month

BW FILE PHOTO

RENEWABLE ENERGY (RE) company Citicore Power, Inc. hopes to install 6.64 megawatts (MW) of solar rooftops on 14 buildings in the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) this month.

In a statement, Citicore said that the project is expected to reduce the AFAB’s carbon emissions by 5,800 metric tons annually and help it save as much as P5.3 million pesos per year.

The company added that it has completed installing 2.84 MW on eight buildings after seven months, two months ahead of its deadline.

“The early, though still partial, completion of our contract will allow the AFAB locators to harness solar energy and embed energy efficiency as an integral part of their operations,” Citicore President Oliver Y. Tan said.

AFAB Deputy Administrator for Operations Alewijn Aidan K. Ong said harnessing RE marks the start of the “greening” of its operations, reducing its impact on the environment and driving down energy costs.

“We are confident that our partnership with Citicore will help the AFAB achieve these objectives; their fast project delivery, industry expertise and collaborative approach is uniquely complementary to our plans,” he said.

Citicore operates eight solar farms with an aggregate installed capacity of 163 MW.

It plans to make an energy-focused real estate investment trust offering in September or October, with plans to reinvest the proceeds in 15 new solar projects in Luzon.

In February, Citicore reported that it is allocating P4 billion for capital expenditure for solar and hydro projects, with P2.5 billion funding solar. — Angelica Y. Yang

SEC revokes credit firm’s license over debt collection practices 

THE SECURITIES and Exchange Commission (SEC) canceled the certificate of authority held by Familyhan Credit Corp. which had allowed it to operate as a lending company after a finding of unfair debt collection practices.

In an order dated April 13, the SEC Corporate Governance and Finance Department (CGFD) found the lending firm committed three violations of SEC Memorandum Circular No. 18, Series of 2019. The circular spells out which debt collection methods are deemed unfair.

Specifically, Familyhan Credit was found to have contacted individuals in the borrower’s contact list who were not listed as guarantors or co-makers in the loan agreement.

 “Notwithstanding borrower’s consent, contacting the persons in the borrower’s contact list other than those who were named as guarantors or co-makers shall also constitutes unfair debt collection practices,” the CGFD said.

The CGFD also said it gave Familyhan Credit time to adjust its collection practices to be compliant with the memorandum.  

Familyhan Credit was also found to have committed eight violations of Republic Act No. 3765 or the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and SEC Memorandum Circular No. 7, Series of 2011, which sets the rules for implementing TILA in matters of the transparency of loan transactions. The rules are designed to discourage the uninformed use of credit.

The CGFD found that the lending company did not disclose the true cost of the loans to its borrowers.

“It is clear that the net proceeds of the loan is one of the minimum (items of) information that needs to be disclosed by a creditor to its borrower. Thus, missing such information, respondent cannot contend that they have duly complied or substantially complied with the TILA,” the CGFD explained.  

Familyhan Credit filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied by the CGFD for lack of merit in a resolution dated June 18.

The SEC has so far canceled the licenses of 35 financing and lending companies over various violations.

It has also revoked the certificate of registration of 2,081 lending companies for failing to secure a certificate of authority. The total number of online lending applications ordered to cease operations now stands at 58 in the absence of the authority to operate as a lending or financing company. — KCG Valmonte

256 more people infected with COVID-19 variants

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MICHAEL VARCAS

By Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza, Reporter

HEALTH authorities on Monday night said 256 more people have been infected with more contagious variants of the coronavirus, though most of them have either died or recovered.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario S. Vergeire did not immediately reply to a text message asking why the cases had not been immediately reported.

Two more Filipinos have been infected with the Delta variant of the coronavirus that has triggered a fresh surge in cases in India, bringing the total to 19, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

The two were returning Filipino migrant workers from Saudi Arabia and have since recovered, the agency said in a statement.

The Filipinos arrived in the Philippines on May 29 and had completed a 10-day quarantine period. They have been discharged from the quarantine facility after recovering, DoH said.

The agency said 132 more people have been infected with the Alpha variant of the coronavirus, which was first detected in the United Kingdom, bringing the total to 1,217. Of these, 125 were local cases, one was a returning migrant Filipino, and six were still being verified.

Fifteen of the patients have died and 117 have recovered, it added. 

DoH also reported 119 new cases of the Beta coronavirus variant that was first detected in South Africa, bringing the total to 1,386. Of these, 111 were locals, two were returning overseas Filipinos, and six were still being verified.

Three patients were being treated, 104 have recovered and 12 died, it said.

Three more people have been infected with the Theta coronavirus variant that was first detected in the Philippines, DoH said. All of them have recovered.

The Theta variant is not a “variant of concern” since Health authorities need more data to say whether it is a threat.

DoH reported 4,114 coronavirus infections on Tuesday, bringing the total to 1,445, 832. The death toll rose to 25,296 after 104 more patients died, while recoveries increased by 6,086 to 1.37 million, it said in a bulletin.

There were 49,613 active cases, 90.8% of which were mild, 3.9% did not show symptoms, 1.5% were critical, 2.2% were severe and 1.62% were moderate.

The agency said 28 duplicates had been removed from the tally, 22 of which were tagged as recoveries. Thirty-eight cases tagged as recoveries were reclassified as active cases, while 63 patients tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths. Nine laboratories failed to submit data on July 4.

CORONAVAC
Meanwhile, the government told local governments to prioritize vaccine patients due for their second dose of CoronaVac after China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., which makes the vaccine, has said its next delivery would get delayed.

Of 11.7 million vaccines doses given out as of July 4 — 2.8 million second doses and 8.8 million given as first shots — vaccine czar Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. said in a separate statement, citing a “disparity” in the government’s vaccination program.

“We are seeing a disparity in our national vaccination report wherein out of the 11 million jab administered, only 2.8 million were fully vaccinated,” Mr. Galvez said in a statement. “This should be addressed by our implementing units.”

In an advisory from the National Vaccination Operations Center signed by Mr. Galvez on July 4, local authorities were notified of the delays in the arrival of Sputnik V vaccines from Russia and the weekly delivery of CoronaVac vaccines.

The center ordered local governments to completely vaccinate those who have received their first CoronaVac dose until the supply stabilizes. It also asked local authorities to use other vaccines brands for first shots.

“We have to look into this matter seriously and act on it fast because based on studies, the full protection against the new variants of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019), particularly the Delta variant, can only be assured when an individual is fully vaccinated with two doses,” Mr. Galvez said.

About 12 million doses of coronavirus vaccines have been given out, Vivencio B. Dizon, deputy chief enforcer of the government’s pandemic response. About one million doses had been given out in the past four days, he told a televised news briefing.

The Philippines has received about 17.4 million vaccines, presidential spokesman Herminio L. Roque, Jr. said on Monday. A million AstraZeneca vaccines donated by Japan and 170,000 Sputnik V vaccines bought from Russia are set to arrive this week.

About 1.1 million health workers, 897,719 seniors and 788,630 seriously ill people had received their second doses as of July 2. About 26,109 essential workers and 227 indigent Filipinos have also been fully vaccinated.

Watchdog: Duterte among top press freedom predators

PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO/ JOEY DALUMPINES

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo R. Duterte is among the world’s top “press freedom predators,” according to a global media watchdog, citing his penchant for crackdowns on media critical of his policies.

Mr. Duterte was among 37 heads of state “who crack down massively on press freedom,” Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said on its website on Monday.

Due to “collusion at all levels,” Mr. Duterte has an “arsenal that he can use to wage ‘total war’ against journalists,” the Paris-based media watchdog said.

“Thanks to collusion at all levels within the state apparatus, Duterte has an arsenal that he can use to wage total war against journalists,” it said.

This arsenal “includes spurious charges of defamation, tax evasion or violation of capital legislation; rescinding broadcast licenses; getting accomplices to buy up media outlets and bring their journalists into line; and using an army of trolls to subject journalists to online harassment.”

Judges who don’t toe the line are pushed aside, the watchdog said. “Congress tamely endorses all the president’s decisions. Backed by most of the private sector, Duterte easily imposes his line on media outlets owned by businessmen that support him.”

Presidential spokesman Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. said the list was “absolutely bereft of merit,” noting that local media could still publish critical content.

“Look at the International Criminal Court (ICC), its sources are media critical of the government,” he told a televised news briefing. “This shows press freedom in the Philippines is alive and well.”

He added that Mr. Duterte had not sued any journalists for libel, and no one had been sent to jail.

Former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda last month asked the Hague-based tribunal to probe the government’s deadly war on drugs. She said there was reasonable basis to believe that crimes against humanity had been committed under Mr. Duterte’s watch.

Mr. Roque, a lawyer, earlier said Ms. Bensouda’s findings would not stand in court since they were largely based on media reports.

He said the tough-talking leader should not be blamed for the closure of ABS-CBN Corp. since it was Congress which rejected the media giant’s application to extend its franchise.

The President should also not be faulted for the revocation of news website Rappler’s license to operate by the Securities and Exchange Commission, he said.

Congress last year rejected the franchise application of ABS-CBN, which has been critical of the Duterte government. Mr. Duterte said he would bar the network from using free TV and radio frequencies even if it gets a new franchise.

The President had also slammed the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Rappler for criticizing his government, particularly his anti-illegal drug campaign that has killed thousands of drug suspects.

Sweden-based digital forensics group Qurium Media Foundation earlier reported that the websites of two alternative media organizations in the Philippines had been under a series of cyber-attacks involving digital infrastructure linked to the state.

It said several internet protocol addresses linked to the military and Science and Technology department started a series of attacks in the past two months against the websites of Bulatlat.com and Altermidya.net, and human rights group Karapatan.org. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

All Bayanihan II funds released, line agencies given until mid-July to report use — Palace

PHILIPPINE STAR/ MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

ALL FUNDS under the country’s second stimulus law, known as the Bayanihan II that expired on June 30, were released to line agencies, according to the presidential palace.

Presidential Spokesperson Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, Jr. on Tuesday said the agencies were given until mid-July to submit their utilization reports to the Budget department.

“First of all, all the funds under Bayanihan II, according to Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado, were released to line agencies,” he told a televised news briefing.

He said the Palace would only be able to confirm how much of the allocations from Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan To Recover As One Act  Bayanihan (Bayahihan II) would be reverted back to the national treasury on July 15.

Signed in September last year, the Bayanihan II provided a P165.5-billion fund for the pandemic response, including support to priority sectors such as healthcare and small businesses, among others.

Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo earlier expressed disappointment over the unspent funds under the Bayanihan II law, saying the funds could have been used to boost the country’s response to the prolonged pandemic.

“I ask the vice president, who is an economist, to please, let’s wait for data before we make conclusions,” Mr. Roque said, reacting to Ms. Robredo’s statement.

Some lawmakers also flagged the slow utilization of funds under the second pandemic response law.

House Ways and Means Chair Jose Maria Clemente S. Salceda cited that only about P1 billion of the P5.5-billion service contracting program of the Transport department under the Bayanihan II were distributed to service contractors more than nine months since the law was signed.

Mr. Roque last month said about P9 billion from the second stimulus law remained unused. President Rodrigo R. Duterte did not call for a special session to extend the law’s validity. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza

BI warns foreigners vs immigration services scam

BIR DAVAO DISTRICT OFFICE

THE BUREAU of Immigration (BI) has warned foreigners against a Philippine-based company allegedly offering services for assistance at airports and obtaining documentary requirements.   

In a news release on Tuesday, BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said he obtained a copy of a document from the company which shows a breakdown of the fees for various services.

“This company is allegedly charging P5,000 as Airport Assistance Fee, another P5,000 for processing fee, and P20,000 for a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Invitation Letter,” Mr. Morente said.   

“It seems that this company is using the name of government agencies to be able to charge such high rates,” he added.

Mr. Morente clarified that the bureau does not collect any immigration assistance fees.

“It is disheartening to see reports of syndicates who are taking advantage of other people by using the name of government offices,” he said.

Mr. Morente further reminded the public to be “wary of falling prey to these scammers” and to “(i)mmediately report to the authorities if you encounter such modus.”

He added that the BI is now reviewing the case and studying possible legal actions against the said company. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago 

House launches video project highlighting achievements

PHILSTAR

MEMBERS of the House of Representatives allied with President Rodrigo R. Duterte are giving themselves a pat on the back through a video project that highlights achievements in the past five years.

“Most of our colleagues in Congress agree that we should give credit where it’s due, and the truth is that there were a lot of key legislative measures enacted during (Mr. Duterte’s) term,” House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco, who spearheaded the campaign, said in a post on the House’s social media account.

House lawmakers who belong to the supermajority coalition were tasked to produce 60- to 90-second videos showing the priority programs implemented in their respective districts since 2016.

“Members of Congress whole-heartedly embraced this project, as they are sincerely thankful to the President in his help with programs that greatly benefited their constituents in their respective districts,” Mr. Velasco said.

He cited that among the important legislations passed under the Duterte administration include the Universal Health Care Law, free tertiary education, expanded maternity leave, free public internet access, the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and laws relating to the coronavirus response.

Mr. Duterte’s sixth and final SONA will be held on July 26. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Globe questions Mandaluyong village’s ban on cell sites

PHILSTAR

GLOBE TELECOM, Inc. has questioned a barangay in Mandaluyong City for a ban on building cell sites within its area, citing a national government order to fast-track permit approval.

The telecommunications firm sent a position paper to Mandaluyong City Councilor Roehl B. Bacar on the matter, noting that a resolution of the Plainview barangay council banning cell site construction is against the law.

“The company was granted by the Philippine Congress legislative authority in the form of a franchise to put up telecommunication stations, including cell sites,” Globe said in a statement on Tuesday.

Globe Senior Legal Counsel Alejandro M. Gozon said barangay resolutions in conflict with this legislative franchise are void.

“It is very unfortunate that there remain local government units that continue to deny their own communities fast and reliable connectivity at a time when people, businesses, and even government rely on the internet for work, school, day-to-day needs, and the delivery of public services,” he said.

Archibald Acuña, Barangay Plainview secretary, said the resolution in question was passed in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic prompted new rules and policy changes.

Following an order from President Rodrigo R. Duterte, government agencies signed an agreement in Aug. 2020 to streamline permits processing, including the construction of telecommunication towers to speed up the improvement of internet access.

The Bayanihan II law or Republic Act No. 11494 also suspended for three years almost all requirements needed to build, repair, and operate all telecommunications and internet infrastructure.

Mr. Acuña, in a telephone interview, said their village resolution is no longer in effect in recognition of national rules.

“It’s a bit surprising kasi (because) actually (Globe) subcontractors are operating within our barangay,” he said. — Jenina P. Ibañez

Emong exits PHL; southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains in parts of Luzon, Palawan

TROPICAL DEPRESSION Emong, the fifth typhoon to pass through the country this year, exited the Philippine area Tuesday morning and has weakened as it moves towards southeastern China, weather bureau PAGASA reported.

The wind signals raised over Batanes and Cagayan have been lifted. Emong “is no longer directly affecting the country,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. Tuesday advisory.

However, the southwest monsoon is expected to continue bringing scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in the island provinces of Palawan and Mindoro, and parts of Luzon, including Metro Manila.

The country will have “generally fair weather” for the rest of the week, PAGASA said, apart from isolated rains and thunderstorms, mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Black box retrieved from crashed Philippines Air Force plane

PHILIPPINE AUTHORITIES have retrieved a black box from an Air Force plane that crashed at the weekend, killing more than 50 people, Military Chief Cirilito Sobejana told Reuters on Tuesday.

The pilot in command, who had several years of experience flying a C-130 aircraft, was among those who died in the crash on Jolo island, Mr. Sobejana said by telephone.

The military chief said a black box was retrieved on Monday and should enable investigators to listen to the conversations of the pilots and crew before the plane crashed.

“I spoke to the survivors and they said the plane bounced two to three times and zig-zagged. The pilot tried to regain power because he wanted to lift the plane but it was too late. The right wing hit a tree,” he said.

Mr. Sobejana said no one jumped from the aircraft before it crashed. There had been earlier accounts from witnesses that some passengers had tried to leap to safety before the aircraft struck the ground.

He said the front of the aircraft was sliced open and some of the soldiers took advantage of the opening to escape. But those who were unconscious were unable to get out and the plane burst into flames.

The Lockheed C-130 transport aircraft was carrying troops bound for counter-insurgency operations in the southern Philippines crashed with 96 aboard.

The death toll rose on Monday to 52, including three civilians on the ground, after two of the 49 soldiers hurt in the crash succumbed to their injuries, the defense ministry said.

Military spokesman Edgard Arevalo said the plane was in “very good condition” and had 11,000 flying hours remaining before its next maintenance was due. — Reuters

6,585 people displaced by Taal as volcanic fluids seen surging Tuesday

A TOTAL of 1,902 families composed of 6,585 individuals have been displaced by the continuing threat of Taal Volcano’s eruption, the national disaster management agency reported on Tuesday.

Alert level 3 for the volcano is still up, indicating that magma is being released from the main crater which could prompt an explosive eruption, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

Phivolcs also reported the release of “hot volcanic liquids” from the main crater between 5-6 a.m. Tuesday, generating plumes that rose to 3,000 meters above the crater.

The affected residents are from eight towns in Batangas, namely: Taal, Lemery, Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Talisay, Tanauan, and Laurel. The highest number of affected families are from Laurel at 832, Agoncillo with 597, and Tanauan with 203.

Of the total displaced, 1,172 families are staying in 24 evacuation centers while the rest are staying with relatives or friends, based on the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s report.

Additional coronavirus vaccines were sent to Batangas Monday for the inoculation of senior citizens and persons with comorbidities in evacuation sites.

The Batangas information office has been reporting the arrival of relief goods from both the national government and the private sector.

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