Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube
Home Blog Page 79

Half-day work on April 1 declared

BW FILE PHOTO

MALACAÑANG announced a half-day work for government employees on April 1, giving them the full opportunity to properly observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

Memorandum Circular No. 116, published on Tuesday and signed by Executive Secretary Ralph G. Recto, also provides them time to travel home to their respective provinces.

The order noted agencies tasked to deliver basic and health services, disaster or calamity response, and other vital services will continue with operations under usual working arrangements.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. will return to his home province of Ilocos Norte for Holy Week.

According to Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro, the President’s move does not mean he is vacationing.

Mr. Marcos will continue to work despite the holiday break, she noted. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

SMC prepares for traffic surge

Motorists are seen entering and exiting South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) at Nichols toll gate in Pasay City, Dec. 27, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/NOEL PABALATE

SMC INFRASTRUCTURE, a unit of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), said it is preparing for the expected traffic surge across its tollways network this Holy Week by deploying traffic and safety measures.

In a media release, the company said all traffic personnel along South Luzon Expressway, Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, the Skyway System, NAIA Expressway, and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway have been ordered to coordinate with both national and local authorities to ensure moving traffic particularly in major exits and interchanges.

Roadworks and construction activities are also suspended from 12 p.m. on March 28 until 10 p.m. on April 5, SMC said, adding that emergency response teams were also deployed to key areas to assist motorists.

“Motorists are also advised to make sure their vehicles are in good condition before traveling, including checking the pressure, brakes, and engine condition, and to wear seatbelts and maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them,” the company said.

The company also reminded motorists to observe expressway speed limits and encouraged them to shift to its cashless toll collection system, Autosweep RFID. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

Visa relief for foreigners extended

BW FILE PHOTO

THE Department of Justice has extended the visa relief for foreign nationals stranded in the Philippines due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East until May 1.

Under the new department order, signed by Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida on March 30, the government moved the original April 1 deadline to accommodate travelers who remain unable to secure return flights to their home countries.

“A number of foreign nationals remain stranded and have been unable to secure flights to return to their home countries,” Mr. Vida stated in the order. “In light of this, the grant of visa relief is hereby extended until 01 May 2026.”

The extension follows an initial directive issued earlier this month, which provided a reprieve for those whose authorized stay expired on or after Feb. 28.

Under the current rules, affected individuals are allowed to remain in the Philippines legally without the burden of overstaying fees, motion for extension costs, or other administrative penalties.

In a clarifying memorandum, Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado noted that the relief applies to all departing passengers affected by mass flight cancellations, regardless of their nationality. This includes temporary visitors and tourists whose stay lapsed during the disruption, provided they were scheduled to depart but were prevented from doing so by the conflict.

To avail of the waiver, foreign nationals are required to present proof of their disrupted travel, such as original boarding passes, confirmed flight itineraries, or notifications of cancellation from their respective airlines. The BI has been directed to implement the order immediately to ensure that stranded travelers do not face legal prejudice while arranging their exit from the country. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

Law on eased tax payment pushed

TAXPAYERS line up at the Bureau of Internal Revenue office in Intramuros, Manila, April 18, 2022. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue should ensure full implementation of the Ease of Paying Taxes (EOPT) Act, a senator said on Tuesday ahead of the deadline for income taxes.

“We should promote the EOPT because simplifying the tax payment process is key to strengthening government revenue collection,” Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement in Filipino.

Republic Act No. 11976 seeks to make income tax compliance easier and protect taxpayer rights, by introducing a file-and-pay-anywhere system and enabling most transactions to be completed online.

Mr. Gatchalian said that government agencies must ensure that reforms under the law must be felt by taxpayers.

The law also classifies taxpayers into micro, medium, and large categories based on gross sales, allowing for a more responsive tax system tailored to each segment.

It also mandates a simplified registration system that expedites the processing of value-added refunds. — Adrian H. Halili

PITX goes full RE, ensures uninterrupted operations

Passengers flock to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) to catch trips to their respective provinces, Oct. 27, 2025. — PHILIPPINE STAR/RYAN BALDEMOR

THE Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) said its terminal is now fully powered by renewable energy (RE) to ensure uninterrupted operations amid the national energy crisis.

“Our operations are anchored on stability and sustainability. By utilizing geothermal energy, PITX can maintain continuous service while contributing to a cleaner and more resilient energy future,” PITX Chief Operating Officer Mohit Malhi said in a media release on Tuesday.

The terminal is being energized by geothermal power supplied by First Gen Corp., the company said.

It added that while there are no indications of widespread power interruptions, it has further strengthened its operations by ensuring continuity through the advancement of sustainable mobility solutions.

PITX is the country’s first landport and is operated by Megawide’s MWM Terminals, Inc. under a 35-year build-transfer-operate contract. For this year, it expects to accommodate up to 60 million passengers, as it manages capacity and sustains traffic across existing routes.

Meanwhile, PITX is also boosting its sustainability initiatives by making Xpress EV, an electric-powered transport option available, within its terminal.

This will complement its renewable energy efforts as Xpress EV offers commuters sustainable options, PITX said.

“Integrating renewable energy with electric mobility allows us to future-proof the commuter experience. At PITX, sustainability and service reliability go hand in hand,” Mr. Malhi said. — Ashley Erika O. Jose

BoC-NAIA seizes P956-M drugs in Q1

MEMBERS of the Bureau of Customs-Customs Intelligence Investigation Service inspect various counterfeit shirts, perfumes and other luxury goods at a warehouse in Las Piñas City. — PHILIPPINE STAR/MIGUEL DE GUZMAN

THE Bureau of Customs-Ninoy Aquino International Airport (BoC-NAIA) said that it recorded P955.89 million worth of anti-drug operations in the first three months.

These include the seizure of illegal drugs worth P38 million in warehouse facilities in Pasay City.

“These successive interceptions demonstrate our firm resolve to detect and stop illicit shipments,” Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said in a statement on Tuesday.

“We will continue to strengthen our risk management systems, enhance coordination with partner agencies, and ensure that all suspicious cargo and mail are thoroughly examined to protect the Filipino people from the dangers posed by illegal drugs,” he added.

According to BoC-NAIA, it intercepted illegal drugs concealed in various shipments after several inbound parcels were flagged due to suspicious x-ray images, resulting in the recovery of 5,691 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu.”

District Collector Atty. Yasmin Obillos-Mapa said that the success of the operations were made possible “through strengthened risk profiling and the vigilance of frontline personnel.”

Meanwhile, the BoC said that its nationwide anti‑drug campaign has resulted in the seizure of P1.87 billion worth of illegal drugs from Jan. 1 to Mar. 29. — Justine Irish D. Tabile

Filipino migrants in Japan to be impacted by new child custody policy

A JAPANESE policy allowing joint custody of children for divorcees will put Filipinos in Japan under stricter monitoring on tax, insurance, financial compliance, and language proficiency, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) said on Tuesday.

The joint child custody, which will take effect in April, may pose challenges to foreign residents in Japan due to stricter immigration standards which may lead to deportation or ban from re-entry if violated.

“JFBA [Japan Federation of Bar Association] representative Atty. Keiko Kato warned that navigating the new legal landscape remains a massive hurdle for Filipinos due to severe language barriers among local Japanese lawyers,” the CFO statement read. “Because of the high volume of cross-border unions, Filipino migrants are disproportionately affected by shifts in Japanese family and civil law, particularly when those marriages dissolve.”

To address the looming challenges, the CFO said it has also proposed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the JFBA to protect Filipinos from the repercussions of changes in Japanese laws.

The MoU will provide legal aid for Filipinos in Japan, including information and legal rights campaigns and improvement of the CFO’s pre-departure orientation and guidance and counseling program.

According to the CFO, there are about 300,000 Filipino migrants in Japan as reported by the government.

The CFO noted that this population was initially composed of overseas Filipino workers, until it evolved into a community of permanent residents, second-generation youth, and marriages between Filipinos and the Japanese people. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel

IP filings up 2% in 2025

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY (IP) filings in the Philippines reached a record high of 53,231 in 2025, driven by an increase in patent applications and utility model and industrial design filings, the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) said.

In a statement on Tuesday, IPOPHL said that total filings for patents, trademarks, utility models and industrial designs rose by 2% from 52,257 in 2024.

“People are learning to better protect, manage and extract value from their IP assets,” IPOPHL Acting Director General Nathaniel S. Arevalo.

Industrial design filings jumped by 30.2% to 2,576 in 2025. Under which, resident filings surged by 46.4% to 1,587, and non-resident filings grew by 10.5% to 989.

Its top categories include means of transport or hoisting with 377 (19.2% increase); packages and containers for the transport or handling of goods at 219 (3.9%); and recording and communication equipment at 134 (6.8%).

Filings for utility models climbed by 20.6% to 1,918, with non-resident filings up 25%, and resident applications increasing by 20.4%.

Under utility models, the IPOPHL reported 243 filings for food chemistry (51.5% increase), followed by basic materials chemistry at 29 (6.1%) and electrical machinery at 19 (4%).

Deposits for copyrighted works rose by 2.8% to 6,736, driven by the IPOPHL’s copyright registration service.

Books, pamphlets, articles, e-books, audiobooks, comics, novels and other writings contributed 4,918 deposits (73.0%). This was followed by computer programs, software, games, and applications with 664 (9.9%); and musical compositions with 286 (4.2%).

Trademark filings reached 44,308 in 2025, a slight dip (0.5%) from a year prior. Under which, resident applications fell by 0.8% to 26,229, while non-resident filings declined 0.2% to 18,079.

Pharmaceuticals led trademark filings at 6,444 (9.2%), followed by advertising, business management and office functions at 5,981 (8.6%) and scientific and technological apparatus and instruments with 5,384 (7.7%).

IPOPHL noted that trademark filing activity remained resilient despite a cautious business environment, citing the slower-than-expected 4.4% economic growth in 2025.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Arevalo said the IPOPHL has reached 118 signatories for its E-Commerce Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the protection of IP rights online.

Its latest signatory as of Monday is cosmetics brand Pure Living Wellness International, he said.

The MoU, implemented in 2021, seeks to establish a Code of Practice/Conduct to address the proliferation of counterfeit and pirated goods sold online. It also implements efficient Notice and Takedown procedures initiated by brand owners.

The agency is looking to onboard 200 signatories for its E-Commerce MoU this year. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

Comelec says impeachment complaint recycled allegations

GEORGE ERWIN M. GARCIA — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has dismissed the allegations of election mismanagement raised in a looming impeachment complaint against its chairman and six commissioners as recycled and unfounded, pushing back as complainants finalize their bid before Congress.

In a statement released on Monday evening, the poll body said the accusations “are not new and have repeatedly been clarified,” adding that the issues cited by complainants had already undergone legal processes, technical reviews, and independent certification.

It also rejected allegations of bias in campaign finance enforcement related to the clearing of Senators Francis Joseph “Chiz” G. Escudero and Rodante D. Marcoleta, saying its resolutions were based on law and that recusals were made to safeguard impartiality.

The response came as the impeachment complaint, led by lawyers Eldridge Marvin B. Aceron and Sikini C. Labastilla, is being prepared for filing before the House of Representatives.

“We are still soliciting for one signature from a Congressman,” Mr. Aceron told BusinessWorld via Facebook Messenger chat. He said a major move is expected next week as his group prepares to “join forces” with another organization also seeking to impeach the Comelec leadership.

Seven commissioners comprising the entirety of the Comelec en banc are being scrutinized in the complaint over alleged mismanagement of the last two major election cycles.

In their 26-page complaint made public on Monday, the plaintiffs detailed grounds for impeachment, including culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust involving undisclosed servers and transmission architecture, and selective enforcement of campaign finance rules.

The Comelec maintained it did not commit any wrongdoing in the 2022 and 2025 elections and said it would face the impeachment complaint. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking

DA deploys trucks for Benguet farmers

JOLLIBEE GROUP FOUNDATION

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it has dispatched 18 trucks to transport vegetables from Benguet amid reports of oversupply, leaving farmers struggling to sell their harvest.

In a statement on Tuesday, the DA said its logistics teams, including the KADIWA program under the Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance Service, are working to link Benguet farms to key markets in Metro Manila.

The DA said high fuel prices have prevented many traders from purchasing or transporting vegetables, exacerbating losses for local farmers.

“The issue was brought to my attention last week, and we immediately instructed our regional directors and logistics teams to act. Our goal is to move the vegetables efficiently and prevent waste while supporting our farmers,” Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said in the statement.

Mr. Laurel said the department is also working on infrastructure projects, including cold storage facilities, to avoid future oversupply problems.

The DA said it is also working to connect farmers from La Trinidad and other key producing areas to KADIWA sites in Metro Manila and other urban markets, ensuring a broader distribution network beyond local trading centers.

Meanwhile, the Baguio City Council has approved the immediate use of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) to assist residents affected by the ongoing national emergency.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong earlier sought the city council’s authorization to tap the fund to fast-track relief, essential services, and support for livelihoods, food security, and transport following the declaration under Executive Order No. 110.

Mr. Magalong is underscoring the need for coordinated local action aligned with national directives, citing the local government’s need to act in mitigating the crisis’ impact here.

Mr. Magalong said the QRF would fund the activation of emergency response mechanisms, procurement of essential goods and equipment, food and medical assistance, and logistical support for frontline personnel to ensure swift delivery of services.

The city council also passed a resolution placing the city under a state of emergency, reinforcing the national directive and ensuring proper and compliant use of funds, particularly in line with audit rules.

The council also urged all barangays to adopt the local emergency declaration and mobilize their own QRFs to strengthen response efforts at the community level, as authorities brace for larger economic shocks in the coming days. — Vonn Andrei E. Villamiel and Artemio A. Dumlao

Nueva Vizcaya braces for fuel crunch, may halt projects

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya — Nueva Vizcaya Governor Jose V. Gambito has ordered urgent measures to cushion the province from the impact of the national energy emergency, warning of possible supply shortages and wider economic strain.

Mr. Gambito convened an emergency meeting on March 30 with Provincial Administrator King Webster B. Balawing and department heads to assess the oil crisis’ effect on government operations, with offices flagging disruptions to fuel-dependent activities.

Officials are now eyeing the suspension of nonessential infrastructure projects as the province shifts focus to social safety nets and aid programs to soften the blow of rising fuel costs on households.

The provincial government is also preparing budget realignments toward critical services, as authorities warned that dwindling fuel supply — not just higher prices — could trigger a crisis likened to a potential food shortage if left unchecked.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has been tasked to roll out preemptive measures for rising heat index and a possible El Niño, adding to mounting risks.

Cost-cutting measures are already in place, including scrapping nonessential activities, shifting to virtual meetings, and reducing fuel use. The province is also considering scaling down the Ammungan Festival, with some towns withdrawing participation.

Despite the planned cutbacks, officials said small businesses will still be allowed to operate during the festival, as the province balances economic activity with energy conservation.

Mr. Gambito said the provincial government remains focused on safeguarding public welfare and sustaining essential services amid the ongoing global energy uncertainty. — Artemio A. Dumlao

Bargain hunting lifts stocks as Iran war continues

REUTERS

PHILIPPINE SHARES rebounded on Tuesday as investors picked up cheap names following a three-day slump and amid news of government efforts to reduce war-related oil trade disruptions.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) rose by 1.35% or 79.45 points to close at 5,948.94, while the broader all shares index went up by 1.15% or 38.07 points to end at 3,333.92.

“The market witnessed a strong rebound, bucking the regional slide despite intensifying conflict within the Middle East,” AP Securities, Inc. said in a market note.

“The local market rose upon news that the government is planning to pursue talks with Iran for safe passage of Philippine-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The news caused investors to hunt for bargains,” Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Manager Japhet Louis O. Tantiangco said in a Viber message.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. has instructed Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa P. Lazaro to begin discussions with Iran’s ambassador to the Philippines to secure safe passage for Philippine-bound vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a briefing on Tuesday.

The Strait of Hormuz, which carries about a fifth of the world’s oil shipments, has been shut due to an Iranian blockade as its war with the United States and Israel rages on, compounding supply pressures.

The Philippines is a net importer of oil and relies heavily on Middle East crude, which accounts for roughly 98% of its imports, making it vulnerable to global price shocks.

Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on early on Tuesday, after President Donald J. Trump warned the United States would obliterate Iran’s energy plants and oil wells if it does not open the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported.

The strike on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi is the latest attack on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. Crude oil prices briefly spiked again after the attack on the tanker, which can carry around 2 million barrels of oil worth more than $200 million at current prices.

Majority of sectoral indices closed in the green on Tuesday. Mining and oil jumped by 2.53% or 389.33 points to 15,769.45; holding firms went up by 2.49% or 112.43 points to 4,627.75; property increased by 2.29% or 44.38 points to 1,980.61; industrials climbed by 1.90% or 166.70 points to 8,916.05; and financials rose by 1.03% or 18.91 points to 1,846.35. Meanwhile, services went down by 0.43% or 11.72 points to 2,707.40.

Advancers outnumbered decliners, 124 to 79, while 62 names closed unchanged.

Value turnover went up to P9.82 billion on Tuesday with 1.04 billion shares traded from the P8.29 billion with 746.28 million issues that changed hands on Monday.

Net foreign selling decreased to P712.33 million from P1.55 billion in the previous session. — Alexandria Grace C. Magno with Reuters

1...787980...14,238Page 79 of 14,238
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
© 2024 BusinessWorld Publishing.
All rights reserved.
Read our privacy guidelines
Facebook Instagram Linkedin X Youtube