DoLE eyes additional budget for proposed wage subsidy program

February 19, 2021 | 7:18 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Labor and Employment (DoLE) said it will need over P180 billion at most to implement its proposed wage subsidy program.

Labor Assistant Secretary Dominique R. Tutay said in a virtual briefing on Friday that the department has submitted its request to the Department of Budget and Management for review, noting the proposals indicated estimated budgets if the DoLE will subsidize 25%, 50%, and 75% of workers’ wages.

“If we will shoulder 25% of the average wage, P62 billion ang pinakababa na request. Ang pinakamataas nasa P188 billion, that would cover 75% of the average monthly wage rate,” Ms. Tutay said.

She added that the budget proposal was based on the average wages of workers from different industries. She said the subsidy will be around P7,000 to P11,000. The wage subsidy program will run for three months.

She said the Labor department does not have any budget in its national spending plan for 2021 that could be allocated four the program.

Meanwhile, Ms. Tutay said the DoLE has assisted 3.9 million workers through its financial assistance programs since the onset of the lockdown last year which affected millions of employees both here and abroad.

Around 1.7 million formal sector workers were given assistance through the COVID-19 Adjustment Measures Program, while 461,757 overseas Filipino workers were paid financial aid through the Abot Kamay ang Pagtutulong Program.

Over 1.7 million displaced informal sector workers were given emergency employment and assistance through the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers program. — G.M. Cortez

DoE issues guidelines for certification of energy efficiency professionals

February 19, 2021 | 7:16 pm

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy (DoE) on Friday has listed down the guidelines for the assessment, registration and certification of energy conservation officers who cover establishments that consume more than 500,000 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) per year.

These come around eight months after the department held a virtual public consultation on the draft guidelines for the certification of energy efficiency professionals.

In a department circular published on Friday, the DoE formalized qualifications for certified energy conservation officers (CECO), certified energy managers (CEM), and energy auditors (EA).

“We envision that these formal certifications would not only professionalize high-level energy management learnings but would also generate greater employment opportunities for energy efficiency practitioners across all sectors,” DoE Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi was quoted as saying in a statement.

The circular stated that CECOs would cover Type 1 designated establishments (DEs) or those that consume between 500,000 kWh to 4 million kWh per year. The CECO must have at least two years of experience in the maintenance of energy-consuming machines and facilities for DEs under the Type 1 designation.

CEMs are required to supervise and manage Type 2 DEs or those with a yearly power consumption of more than 4 million kWh. A CEM must have at least three years of experience in the maintenance of energy-consuming machines and facilities for Type 2 DEs.

Meanwhile, the EA must have at least one year of experience on handling energy audits.

The DoE and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) would be in charge of developing the training module for the CECO and EA certification.

The department said it will consult with stakeholders, including those from the engineering sector and training institutions, to create the system for CEM certification.

In its circular, the DoE said it will coordinate with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on the integration of energy management topics in existing engineering courses.

“The DoE will provide the schedule for the approved certification process upon the finalization of the training regulations and course subjects,” the department said in a statement.

The circular on CECO, CEM and EA certification will take effect 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation. — Angelica Y. Yang

BCDA opens bidding for first phase of national fiber backbone

February 19, 2021 | 7:14 pm

THE BASES Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) has issued an invitation to bid for the design and construction of the first phase of the national fiber backbone.

The P1.25-billion contract under the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) requires works to be done in 200 calendar days, BCDA said in its invitation published on Wednesday.

The DICT’s national broadband program has six components: the national fiber optic cable backbone, cable landing stations, accelerated tower build, accelerated fiber build, satellite overlay, and broadband delivery management service.

Prospective bidders must have done similar projects with a contract of at least half of the approved budget.
Interested bidders must pay a non-refundable P75,000 fee.

BCDA will hold a pre-bid conference on Feb. 26 at its Taguig office, after which bids must be submitted by March 15.

“Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships; and partnerships, corporations, organizations, consortia or joint ventures with at least 60% interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines,” BCDA said. — J.P. Ibañez

Cases of new COVID-19 mutations unlikely to delay relaxing of quarantine rules

February 19, 2021 | 7:10 pm

THE designation of the two new coronavirus mutations found in Central Visayas as a new Philippine variant “remains to be seen,” according to the top official of the Philippine Genome Center (PGC).

“(We will probably) know in the next few weeks,” PGC Executive Director Cynthia P. Saloma said in a press conference on Friday.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said this new development is unlikely to affect the planned transition of the country, including the capital Metro Manila, towards more relaxed quarantine rules that will open more economic activities.

Nonetheless, Mr. Duque cautioned that “we have to be careful in the transition,” and appealed to the public to continue following the minimum health requirements such as wearing of face mask and distancing.

The two new SARS-CoV-2 mutations of potential clinical significance were detected in samples sequenced last week from Central Visayas, the Department of Health (DoH) and the PGC confirmed on Thursday.

The new mutations, labelled E484K and N501Y, “exhibited only mild symptoms,” but it is too early to tell whether or not these mutations “will have significant public health implications,” the agencies said in a statement.

The Health department also explained that it is natural for viruses to undergo mutations “as they reproduce, both within the human body and when they are transmitted from one person to another,” but that “not all mutations and variants necessarily cause negative effects.”

Department of Health-Central Visayas Regional Director Jaime S. Bernadas said they immediately met with the mayors of the region upon receiving the news, and requested for a two-week period to strengthen protocols “before easing community quarantine restrictions.”

The DoH reported 1,901 new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases on Friday, bringing the total to 557,058.

The death toll rose by 157 to 11,829, while recoveries increased by 537 to a total of 512,789, it said in a bulletin.

The total number of active cases is now 32,440 or 5.8% of the total cases.

Meanwhile, six duplicates were removed from the total case count, and three of these were reclassified as recoveries and one as death.

Another 120 cases previously marked as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

Four laboratories were not able to submit their data to the COVID-19 system. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

Janssen starts clinical trials in PHL

February 19, 2021 | 7:08 pm

JANSSEN Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson has started local clinical trials for its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Rowena Cristina L. Guevara announced in a press briefing on Friday.

The trial proper “started with patient screening, recruitment, and vaccination,” Ms. Guevara said.

Janssen Pharmaceuticals has previously identified trial sites in the capital Metro Manila, in the Calabarzon Region, and Western Visayas.

She said other details such as the number of participants can only be disclosed by the company.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in 2020 the request of Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a Belgium-based firm owned by Johnson & Johnson, to hold local clinical trials in the Philippines.

Other vaccine manufacturers that have applied for clinical trials in the country include China’s Sinovac Biotech Ltd., Russia’s Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and Chinese drug company Clover Biopharmaceuticals. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

PHL on high alert as typhoon Auring seen to make landfall Sunday

February 19, 2021 | 7:06 pm

EMERGENCY teams in areas along tropical storm Auring’s path have been placed on high alert for possible preemptive evacuation and rescue operations as heavy rains and wind are likely to cause flooding and landslides over the weekend, the Office of Civil Defense said on Friday.

In the small coastal town of Bayabas in Surigao del Sur, an initial 18 families have already been evacuated, according to the local disaster management office.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its units in southern Luzon, the Visayas, and the northern and eastern parts of Mindanao “have been placed on heightened alert to ensure completeness and preparedness of deployable response groups and quick response teams.”

Weather bureau PAGASA, in its Friday morning advisory, said rough to high seas will be experienced in the next 24 hours over the seaboards of eastern Mindanao, central and northern Luzon, and the Visayas. “Sea travel is risky for all types of sea vessels over these waters,” PAGASA said.

Storm Auring, the first typhoon to enter the Philippines this year, was still expected to make landfall in the eastern coast of Caraga Region in Mindanao on Sunday despite weakening into a tropical storm from a severe tropical storm category as of Friday afternoon.

As of Friday 5 p.m., tropical cyclone wind signal #1 was raised over the following areas: Southern Leyte; southeastern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan including Homonhon Island); the Caraga provinces of Dinagat Island Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Agusan del Sur; most parts of Davao Region; and parts of Northern Mindanao.

The storm’s center as of 4 p.m. was 405 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

It was moving westward at 15 kilometer per hour (km/h) with maximum sustained winds of 85 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 105 km/h.

Affected areas on Saturday are: Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and Davao del Norte, Eastern and Central Visayas, the rest of Northern Mindanao, Lanao del Sur, Cotabato, and Davao City.

By Sunday, Auring is expected to bring moderate to heavy with at times intense rains over Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Visayas, Caraga, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Bukidnon.

Metro Manila mayors want cinemas to reopen at 20-30% capacity

February 19, 2021 | 7:05 pm

MAYORS in the capital Metro Manila will recommend a limit of 20% to 30% of seating capacity when cinemas are allowed to reopen by March.

remain wary in opening cinemas as cases of the COVID-19 consistently rise amid the gradual reopening of the economy, adding they are eyeing a 20% to 30% capacity if cinemas will reopen by next month.

In a briefing on Friday, Metro Manila Development Authority General Manager Jose Arturo S. Garcia, Jr. the capital region’s 17 mayors remain hesitant in reopening movie houses even as they voted for an easing of restrictions starting next month.

In areas under the more relaxed modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) classification, cinemas are allowed to operate at 50% capacity based on the national guidelines.

Mr. Garcia said the leaders of Metro Manila, currently under the stricter GCQ level, plan to come up with modified guidelines when it shifts to MGCQ.

“We will just come up with guidelines. Instead of 50% capacity, it would be 20% to 30%,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The country’s economic managers have recommended to place the entire country under the least restrictive MGCQ by March to spur business activities.

Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in the same briefing, said the opening of cinemas in MGCQ areas did not contribute to spikes of coronavirus cases. He added that only around 27% of cinemas in these areas resumed operations.

“There are around 500 plus cinemas in MGCQ areas. In the end, they have the option not to open the 500 plus. Only 148 opened among cinemas in MGCQ,” he said in a mix of Filipino and English. — Gillian M. Cortez

Pension agencies ordered to stop personal appearance requirement

February 19, 2021 | 7:01 pm

THE national task force handling the coronavirus response has directed pension agencies to come up with new procedures that will no longer require pensioners to make an annual physical appearance to continue receiving their benefits.

In its Resolution No. 100 dated February 18, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said, “pension issuing agencies and their servicing banks, quasi-banks, and other financial institutions are mandated to adopt alternative modes of validation for senior citizen pensioners in lieu of personal appearances or submission of documents that require personal appearances before a notary public.”

The agencies are also tasked to hold public consultations before adopting the new measures.

“At present, senior citizens make personal appearances or submit documents that require personal appearances before a notary public in order to have continuous access to their pensions,” said Palace Spokesperson Harry L. Roque in a statement on Friday.

Those who are at least 60 years old are considered senior citizens in the Philippines and is generally the starting pension age.

Under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions issued by the government, those 65 years old and above are prohibited from leaving their homes unless for emergency or humanitarian reasons. — Gillian M. Cortez

Resumption of concerts, other live events still under review

February 19, 2021 | 6:58 pm

THE easing of rules on live events such as concerts is under consideration, according to Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez.

“We do not immediately allow events especially that will threaten physical distancing like live events with singing where health experts say this imposes risk due to the droplets. Unless there is a device or mechanism in the future if it’s in an enclosed space, it could be considered,” Mr. Lopez, speaking in Filipino, said in a briefing on Friday.

The government has already relaxed restrictions on mass gatherings in areas under the least quarantine level.

Among the activities allowed, with certain guidelines on the venue’s capacity, are religious ceremonies and social gatherings.

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) are also allowed at accredited establishments of the Department of Tourism. — Gillian M. Cortez

Peralta reveals plan after retirement, but not reason for leaving Supreme Court post early

February 19, 2021 | 6:54 pm

SUPREME Court Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta is going back to teaching after his retirement next month, which he described as a profession that “holds a special place in my heart.”

“I am planning to return to the teaching profession… The value of education has always been inculcated in me,” Mr. Peralta said in his acceptance speech during his conferment for the Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa degree from the Tarlac State University on Friday.

The chief justice was a professor and a Bar reviewer before he was appointed to the Supreme Cour top post t in October 2019.

His optional retirement, a year earlier than the mandatory age, was approved on January 5 and will take effect on March 27 this year.

“I will retire without regrets, knowing that I did all that I could for the law, for the courts, and for the nation,” Mr. Peralta said.

Mr. Peralta, however, said he is not yet prepared to reveal the reason for his early retirement.

He also said he believes the five most senior justices are all qualified for the chief justice position, and hopes that “whoever will replace me will continue with the programs that I have started and introduce other innovation(s) so that there will be better access to the courts.”

Applications for the Chief Justice position are open until February 26, 2021. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

SC waiting for justices’ explanation before releasing official ruling on Marcos protest dismissal

February 19, 2021 | 6:52 pm

THE official document on the dismissal of the electoral protest of defeated vice presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. will be released after the Supreme Court justices have submitted their formal explanations on their vote, the country’s top magistrate said on Friday.

“Those who voted with the result should explain their vote because that (is) the rules,” Chief Justice Diosdado M. Peralta said in an interview.

The 15-member high court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, dismissed the lawsuit unanimously for lack of merit.

The decision was announced Tuesday.

“Out of the 15 members of the tribunal who were present in today’s meeting, seven members fully concurred in the dismissal, while eight concurred in the result,” court spokesman Brian Keith F. Hosaka said in an e-mailed statement.

The explanation in writing of the eight justices who concurred in the result is required before the court releases the formal document on its decision on the protest.

It usually takes more than a week before the judges submit their formal explanations on their vote, Mr. Peralta explained.

Mr. Marcos, son of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos, filed the protest in June 2016 after narrowly losing to Vice-President Maria Leonor G. Robredo in that year’s May elections.

He claimed widespread fraud.

Mr. Peralta said Mr. Marcos has the legal option to file a motion for reconsideration. — Bianca Angelica D. Añago

BSP raises P90 billion from 28-day bills

February 19, 2021 | 6:44 pm

THE BANGKO SENTRAL ng Pilipinas (BSP) made a full award of the short-term securities it offered on Friday amid robust liquidity.

The BSP borrowed P90 billion as planned via the 28-day bills as the offer was almost twice oversubscribed, with tenders reaching P154.9 billion.

The awarded volume on Friday was lower than the P99 billion accepted in the previous offer on Monday. However, that auction was undersubscribed, as the bids worth P99 billion fell short of the P100 billion on the auction block.

Accepted yields for the BSP bills auctioned off on Friday ranged from 1.62% to 1.725%, a narrower band compared to the 1.603% to 2% range seen earlier this week.

This brought the average rate of the bills to 1.6683%, up 2.81 basis points (bps)from the 1.6402% seen on Monday.

“The auction results continue to show that, with the ongoing offering of retail Treasury bonds (RTB) by the Bureau of the Treasury, there is a general search for yields among market participants. Nevertheless, liquidity in the financial system remains ample,” said BSP Deputy Governor Francisco G. Dakila, Jr. in a statement on Friday.

“Looking ahead, the BSP’s monetary operations will remain guided by the latest liquidity condition and market developments,” Mr. Dakila said.

The higher yield was mainly due to the climb in global oil prices and the weakening of peso against the greenback, Michael L. Ricafort, chief economist at Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), said via Viber.

“Ongoing RTB offering could have also siphoned off some of the excess liquidity from the financial system,” Mr. Ricafort added.

The government is currently selling three-year RTBs at a coupon of 2.375%. During the rate-setting auction on Feb. 9, the Bureau of the Treasury raised an initial P221.218 billion, above the programmed P30 billion, as bids stood at P284.183 billion.

The offering is set to run until March 4, unless ended earlier. — B.M. Laforga