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Bacoor pitches reclamation as a flood control measure

THE PROPOSED 420-hectare reclamation project along CAVITEX in Bacoor City is expected to address flooding and facilitate the relocation of informal settler families, the Bacoor City government said in a statement on Monday.

The statement was issued after stakeholders attended a public hearing on the Manila-Cavite Expressway project conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Jan. 9.

The Bacoor Reclamation and Development Projects consist of islands of up 320 hectares, while the Diamond Reclamation and Development Project is a 100-hectare island executed via a public-private partnership.

The project is opposed by fishermen, who said Tuesday that the reclamation expels the area’s fishing community and harms the environment in order to make way for a business hub.

“The City hopes to integrate in these two projects a most effective approach to the long-term clean-up of Manila Bay as mandated by a SC (Supreme Court)… being the only projects along the Manila Bay that carry with them a program for relocation and resettlement of Informal Settler Families (ISFs) living along the 10 coastal barangays,” Bacoor said in its statement.

Bacoor City’s Barangay Alima will be turned into a fisherman’s village to resettle families living along Bacoor Bay.

“Masasabi natin na ito ay isa sa mga iilang reclamation projects sa Pilipinas na may in-city relocation (This is one of the few reclamation projects in the Philippines that has in-city relocation),” Bacoor Mayor Lani M. Revilla said.

A national organization of fishermen, the Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) said in a statement that its members protested the hearing and claim that many residents will be relocated to non-coastal areas such as Naic, Cavite and the Molino district of Bacoor.

Alyansa ng mga Magdaragat sa Bacoor Bay spokesperson Joel C. Falcis said that the mayor cannot “arbitrarily uproot the lives of tens of thousands of fisherfolk by relocating them to areas far from their source of livelihood.”

“Our collective and humble appeal to our Mayor is to reconsider her decision to eject us from our fishing community to pave way for private establishments that are of no benefit to her constituents,” he said.

PAMALAKAYA in an e-mail Tuesday also disputed the city government’s claim that it received “overwhelming” support from stakeholders at the hearing, saying that not everyone present was sufficiently informed beforehand.

Ms. Revilla said the project is integrated with various long-term flood mitigation projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“The Flood Risk Management Project of the DPWH will improve river channels and create diversion channels from Imus to Bacoor City which will serve as the flood discharge system of the rainwater catchment basin of Bacoor in Buhay na Tubig,” the statement said.

The channels between the island are also aligned with existing river outflows. The statement said that studies conducted by the private sector also found that the islands can serve as the city’s storm surge defenses.

The reclamation project, the city said, is also expected to create 700,000 jobs due to new investments and businesses in the residential, leisure, commercial and education and technology mixed-use zone.

“Increased revenue will also enable the city government to improve the delivery of government services, particularly through extensive use of smart technology,” Ms. Revilla said.

PAMALAKAYA last year filed a formal complaint with the DENR regarding the three ongoing reclamation activities in Cavite. — Jenina P. Ibañez

PSEi picks up on bargain hunting as trade resumes

By Denise A. Valdez, Reporter

LOCAL SHARES opened the trading week slightly higher as bargain hunters emerged upon the resumption of business operations in the country on Tuesday.

The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) picked up 16.48 points or 0.21% to close at 7,793.25 on Tuesday. The broader all shares index ended flat with a gain of 0.8 point or 0.01% to 4,605.97.

“Philippine shares were slowly bought up towards close as more investors felt assured that the damage caused by the eruption would be short term,” Regina Capital Development Corp. Head of Sales Luis A. Limlingan said in a mobile message, referring to the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

The Taal Volcano was spewing ash, steam and lava over the past days, which led to the shutdown of businesses in directly affected areas and in Metro Manila on Monday.

The country’s second most active volcano located south of Metro Manila in the province of Batangas is expected to remain active in the coming days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Tuesday.

Despite this, most private offices resumed work yesterday, and the stock market welcomed investors that were ready to cash in after the extended weekend, AAA Southeast Equities, Inc. Research Head Christopher John Mangun said.

“The increase in trading volumes and the foreign inflows helped push the market higher,” he said in an e-mail, referring to yesterday’s value turnover of P9.88 billion (from Friday’s P6.80 billion) and net foreign buying of P157.06 million, which was lower than Friday’s P465.66 million.

For Philstocks Financial, Inc. Research Associate Claire T. Alviar, the rise of the PSEi on Tuesday was driven by “last-minute bargain hunting, as well as the optimism on the US-China trade agreement.”

Other Asian markets were mixed in yesterday’s trading session. Japan’s Nikkei 225 and Topix indices increased 0.73% and 0.31%, respectively, but Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index and China’s Shanghai SE Composite index each shed 0.24% and 0.28%.

Meanwhile, at Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.29% to end at 28,907.05 while the S&P 500 gained 0.70% to 3,288.13, its highest close ever The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.04% to 9,273.93, also a record high.

Back home, gainers and losers among sectoral indices were divided three against three. Those that gained were industrials, which rose 168.6 points or 1.8% to 9,533.08; services jumped 22.43 points or 1.44% to 1,578.09; and financials climbed 9.2 points or 0.5% to 1,836.72.

Losers were mining and oil, which gave up 156.4 points or 1.93% to 7,951.24; property lost 44.87 points or 1.09% to 4,067.47; and holding firms dropped 13.98 points or 0.18% to 7,621.47.

Stocks that declined outnumbered those that advanced, 111 against 83, while 54 names ended unchanged. — with Reuters

Peso climbs on improved sentiment on US-China

THE PESO strengthened as the market reopened amid positive sentiment on the US and China’s relationship. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE PESO climbed on Tuesday amid positive market sentiment on the back of seemingly improving US-China ties ahead of the signing of the phase one trade deal.

The local unit closed at P50.581 per dollar on Tuesday, appreciating by 7.9 centavos from its P50.66-a-dollar finish on Friday.

Markets were closed on Monday following the eruption of Taal Volcano.

The peso opened Tuesday’s session at P50.40 versus the greenback. Its weakest showing was at P50.63, while its intraday best was at P50.37 to a dollar.

Dollars traded climbed to $1.408 billion on Tuesday from the $1.152 billion seen on Jan. 10.

An analyst and trader attributed the peso’s strength to positive headlines about the relationship of the world’s two biggest economies.

“The peso appreciated amid optimism ahead of the signing of first-phase US-China trade deal and after US removed China’s designation as a currency manipulator,” a trader said in an e-mail.

This also boosted Asian currencies, according to Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort.

“The peso exchange rate closed stronger today versus the dollar, among the strongest in two years, ahead of the signing of the US-China phase one trade deal and after the US lifted the designation of China as a currency manipulator,” Mr. Ricafort said on Tuesday.

For today, the trader sees the peso moving around the P50.50-P50.70 level, while Mr. Ricafort gave a forecast range of P50.30-50.60 a dollar.

The Chinese yuan firmed to its strongest level in six months on Tuesday, leading most other Asian currencies higher, as the US Treasury department removed its designation of China as a currency manipulator.

The yuan strengthened as much as 0.4% to 6.8661 per dollar and was poised for its sixth straight session of gains.

Monday’s announcement comes ahead of the signing of a Phase 1 trade deal between the United States and China due on Jan. 15, expected to ease tensions between the two countries.

“While there had been little changes to Asia economies’ participation to the US FX (foreign currency) report watchlist, this lifting of China’s currency manipulator label may see to some relief for USD/Asian declines which would be beneficial to regional markets,” said Jingyi Pan, market strategist at IG.

The US Treasury report cited continued concerns about the currency practices of nine other countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea.

The South Korean won advanced 0.2%, while the Malaysian ringgit and the Singapore dollar were little changed.

Taiwan’s dollar was up 0.2% even though the US report said the country was close to triggering thresholds to be added to the currency monitoring list.

A senior official of Taiwan’s central bank told Reuters on Tuesday that the bank has never used swaps to intervene in the currency market, after the Treasury department cited an analyst report suggesting the island was doing so.

Adding to the cheer in Asian markets, China’s trade data for December beat forecasts with exports rising for the first time since July 2019 and imports rising 16.3% from a year earlier. — LWTN with Reuters

Duterte bars PNP from ordering supplies, property

PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte said he would take away the police’s procurement powers after the agency was said to have bought overpriced speed guns.

“I removed the power of the Philippine National Police to procure equipment,” he told reporters late Monday.

The national police allegedly bought speed guns that cost almost a million pesos each. Mr. Duterte noted that a unit costs only P10,000 in his hometown of Davao City. “Nine hundred fifty thousand pesos per unit is simply abominable,” he said.

He vowed to remove the procurement power of other corrupt agencies. “It’s a warning,” the President said of his action on the Philippine National Police.

Mr. Duterte said he would transfer the procurement authority to Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año.

This wasn’t the first time the PNP faced procurement issues. In November, the agency said it had fired several majors after they were found to have extorted P5 million from one of the bidders for more than P300 million worth of body cameras.

Mr. Duterte said he was thinking of putting up a new agency that will focus on the acquisition of government supplies and property. — Gillian M. Cortez

3 Chinese, one Korean wanted for fraud to be deported — BI

THE Bureau of Immigration will deport three Chinese nationals and a South Korean who are wanted for fraud in their countries, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

The agency said the Chinese suspects had committed economic crimes and have standing arrest warrants in China.

Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the suspects had conspired to forge the seal of a hospital in China, committing fraud of more than 10 million renminbi or about $1.5 million, citing information from the Chinese embassy.

Further investigation showed that they came to the Philippines last year separately as tourists. The Chinese government has canceled their passports.

Meanwhile, the South Korean has an arrest warrant for fraud issued by authorities in Seoul. The Immigration Bureau has issued a warrant for his deportation, Mr. Morente said.

The bureau said the deportation order came after Korean authorities informed the Philippine government that he was wanted for being the mastermind of a fraudulent investment scheme in which the victims had lost more than a billion won.

“We will deport them immediately and they will be included in our blacklist to make sure that they won’t return to the Philippines,” Mr. Morente said.

They are the first batch of fugitives to be deported this year, Fugitive Search Unit chief Bobby R. Raquepo said. Last year, more than 400 foreign fugitives were arrested in the country. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Lawmaker seeks probe on Taal Volcano info campaign, emergency response

A LEGISLATOR has filed a resolution seeking to conduct an investigation into the alleged “lack of dissemination of information” on the hazards of the Taal Volcano’s eruption. Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr. of the 4th District of Cavite, one of the affected provinces, filed House Resolution 643 on Monday, which directs the appropriate House committee to probe if the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) did a “comprehensive monitoring” on the active volcano. “Although we recognize the challenges of the Phivolcs, there should still be an investigation if it has conducted comprehensive monitoring, its use and availability of monitoring equipment and if it has the technical expertise to make a timely forecast of the Taal Volcano eruption” part of the resolution states. “To be sure, due to lack of information, in the afternoon of the same day, while Taal Volcano is already manifesting increased volcanic activity, people still traveled towards it, while those who were already near Taal Volcano were shocked to see the smoke spewing from it and had to immediately flee under the dangers of ashfall,” Mr. Barzaga said. Last Sunday, Phivolcs raised the alert level on Taal Volcano from 1 to 3 earlier in the day, then to 4 by evening, the second to the highest level. Mr. Barzaga also aims to determine the necessary improvements needed in the emergency response system of government agencies such as Phivolcs, Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to reduce the risks of natural disasters. The Cavite lawmaker also wants to file appropriate charges against “unscrupulous persons” who raised the price of face masks, food and other supplies during the eruption. — Genshen L. Espedido

Virginia Farms interested in Iloilo slaughterhouse operation

CEBU-BASED Virginia Farms Inc. is interested in investing for the upgrade and operation of the Iloilo City slaughterhouse into a Double AA classification under the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). “I have had talks with the manager of Iloilo Terminal Market and NMIS. ‘Yung slaughterhouse natin, it cannot even serve outside of Iloilo City. We are willing to invest and we can improve it with our expertise,” Virginia Farms President Rolando Tambago said in a press conference last week for the launching of two branches of Pork Shop, the company’s retail arm. Mr. Tambago said the city abattoir’s existing system is “very traditional” and needs improvement, which he said could take a year to implement. He said they are looking at the possibility of renting the property under a long-term lease contract instead of a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. “Most probably PPP, but the more shortcut is the rental… we will invest and it will be managed by Virginia Farms,” he said. Iloilo Mayor Jerry P. Treñas recently announced that the city slaughterhouse is one of the projects being eyed under a PPP scheme. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Lawyer withdraws ICC filing vs Duterte

LAWYER JUDE Josue L. Sabio will withdraw the communication he filed in April 2017 before the International Criminal Court against President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Lawyer Lorenzo G. Gadon, who assisted Mr. Sabio “for moral support,” told reporters in a mobile-phone message that Mr. Sabio “did not approve what (former senator Antonio F.) Trillanes (IV) and other LP (Liberal Party) personalities have resorted to aimed at besmirching the honor of the President.” Mr. Sabio filed communication against Mr. Duterte before the ICC in April 2017. He served as the legal counsel of Edgar D. Matobato, who testified in Congress that he was part of the hit squad led by Mr. Duterte. A portion of Mr. Sabio’s letter, a copy of which was sent by Mr. Gadon, asks the ICC that the communication “be erased from the record, and that it should not be used in any way in the ongoing preliminary examination.” It also says: “I also fervently request that the legal matter pending with your office in relation to the war on drugs in the Philippines should be set aside and thrashed for being just a part of the political propaganda of Senator Trillanes, Senator de Lima, and the LP-led opposition of which I do not wish to be part of.” The Philippines withdrew from the ICC in March last year after Prosecutor Fatuo Bensouda announced in February 2018 that it will conduct preliminary examination on the alleged crimes against humanity committed by the President in connection with the war on drugs. The ICC, in a December 2018 report, said it will continue the examination of the communication they received to determine if the matter is within its jurisdiction. The international body formed under the Rome Statute tackles “serious crimes of international concern” including crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, and crimes of aggression. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

Zamboanga City mayor says initial P300M fund ready for new airport lot

AN INITIAL P300 million fund from the national government for the purchase of the land where the new Zamboanga City airport will be built is ready for release, Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar announced Tuesday. “The new airport is gaining ground, the city is awaiting downloading of P300 million first tranche for acquisition of lot,” Ms. Salazar said during her annual State of the City Address (SOCA). The site is located about 17 kilometers outside the congested city center, where the current Zamboanga International Airport is located. In Feb. 2018, during the city’s 81st charter day celebration, Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III expressed support in moving the airport “to a new, more viable location.” The new airport, estimated to have a total cost of P9.9 billion, is planned as a public-private partnership project.

UTILITIES
Meanwhile, Ms. Salazar called out the water and power utilities in her SOCA to improve service delivery as the city’s economy continues to develop and investors come in. She told electricity Crown Investment Holdings, Inc. to bring “better service and fast-track what was promised” when the city government supported the investment management contract that allowed the city to take over the operations of the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Zamcelco). For water, the mayor reiterated her statement earlier this week that she wants the Zamboanga City Water District (ZCWD) to bring better service first before pushing for its proposed water rate increase. At the same time, Ms. Salazar assured ZCWD that the city government will assist in sourcing the funding requirements for the planned network improvement and expansion. The city government is undertaking several raw water supply projects such as an impounding dam. — MSJ

Duterte scraps request for Congress special session on Middle East crisis

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has taken back his request for Congress to call for a special session to discuss the Middle East crisis in view of the de-escalating tension between the United States and Iran, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo. “With respect to the Middle East, since there has been de-escalation of the conflict there, I suppose that is the reason why the President did not pursue with his request or call Congress to special session,” he said. The President requested lawmakers to conduct the hearing earlier this month after the US killed an Iranian general and Iran responded by launching an airstrike against a US base in Iraq. He has since directed government agencies to prepare for the repatriation of Filipinos working in the Middle East.

NAVY SHIPS
On Tuesday, Mr. Duterte rallied soldiers to “safeguard the lives of the Filipinos” as he sent off two Philippine Navy ships to the Middle East. “This is a sacred mission and it is really to safeguard the lives of the Filipino people. I tasked you this duty with a prayer and with a hope that you will carry out your mission successfully and that everybody will be safe,” he said. Navy ships BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz are being deployed to the Middle East to assist in the repatriation of Filipinos. Last week, Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipinos Abdullah Mamao and Environment Secretary Roy A. Cimatu, the government’s Middle East envoys, flew to the region to lead the repatriation efforts. — Gillian M. Cortez

Battling locusts

Members of the Office of the Municipal Agriculturist (OMAg) in Alabel, capital of Sarangani, conduct chemical spraying and biological control measures on Jan. 13 in parts of the upland farms of Sitio Salimama, Datal Anggas to prevent locust infestation from spreading to other areas. The OMAg representatives also coordinated with barangay officials to brief farmers and residents on dealing with the infestation that has also affected other parts of Mindanao.

Nation at a Glance — (01/15/20)

News stories from across the nation. Visit www.bworldonline.com (section: The Nation) to read more national and regional news from the Philippines.

Nation at a Glance — (01/15/20)

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