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House seeks PhilHealth probe

MINORITY congressmen have sought an investigation of alleged corruption at the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

The House of Representatives should scrutinize the national budget for health, the biggest chunk of which goes to PhilHealth, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos T. Zarate, the deputy minority leader, told reporters yesterday.

Private service provider WellMed Dialysis & Laboratory Center Corp. allegedly had fraudulent medical claims from PhilHealth for deceased patients as well as patients who did not receive their full weekly treatments.

A former WellMed employee said the company had managed to exploit the claims because PhilHealth had relied on the service provider’s reports.

Meanwhile, Marikina Rep. Stella A. Quimbo said Congress should consider “giving competition” to PhilHealth by choosing another health insurance provider.

The representative said that Congress should consider allowing other insurance providers to compete for the service.

Congress should choose a health insurance provider that can do PhilHealth’s job “if within one year, reforms are not implemented and performance does not improve,” she said.

Ms. Quimbo said PhilHealth’s blunder would hinder the goals of universal health care. The implementing rules for universal health care should address issues of fraud, she added.

Meanwhile, Magsasaka Partylist Rep. Argel Cabatbat claimed some investigators of the alleged fraud at PhilHealth were being harassed.

The Senate has expressed an interest to probe Health Secretary Francisco H. Duque III for alleged conflict of interest involving a family company. Mr. Duque is also an ex-officio officer of PhilHealth.

In a complaint filed before the Office of the Ombudsman last June, the complainants alleged that PhilHealth’s had rented a private office in Dagupan City for half-a-million pesos a month.

The complaint-affidavit claimed the Health secretary was a stockholder of the company. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Chinese ships should keep transponders on, says Carpio

FOREIGN ships passing through Philippine territory should keep their transponders on so authorities can identify them, a Supreme Court magistrate said after reports that Chinese vessels have sneaked into Philippine seas.

“They should not be passing secretly because if you turn off your automatic identification system (AIS), that means you don’t want to be seen,” Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio told reporters yesterday. “I think it’s very stealthy if you do that.”

The AIS is a tracking system that uses transponders on ships and is used by vessel traffic services.

The magistrate said he agrees with Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, who said ships that pass through the country’s territorial seas should not turn off their transponders.

“So if you turn it off, you are not acting innocently,” Mr. Carpio said.

While transponders are not required, the country should notify foreigners and announce a policy requiring the same, he added.

Mr. Lorenzana on Tuesday said he told Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua not to turn off their AIS following reports last month of a Chinese aircraft carrier passing through Sibutu Strait without notifying authorities.

China has been building artificial islands in the disputed Spratlys and setting up installations that include runways. It claims sovereignty over more than 80 percent of the South China Sea based on its so-called nine-dash line drawn on a 1940s map.

Mr. Duterte has sought closer investment and trade ties with Beijing, including over resources in the disputed sea, since he assumed office in 2016.

His predecessor, Benigno S. Aquino III, sued China before an international arbitration tribunal over its territorial claims, and won. He also strengthened Philippine alliance with the US to try to check China’s expansion in the main waterway.

Aside from China and the Philippines, other claimants to the main waterway are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. — VMMV

Itbayat infrastructure damage at P293M — DPWH; DoTr lines up port improvements

INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE cost from the July 27 earthquakes in Itbayat, Batanes is so far estimated at P292.85 million, according to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

This assessment covers 978 houses, public building, roads, and slope protection structures.

The Department of Transportation (DoTr), meanwhile, has vowed to fast-track the repair, expansion, and development of both air and sea ports in Batanes.

Following an inspection last Monday, Transport Secretary Arthur P. Tugade assured local officials that port repairs will commence immediately.

In the meantime, the Philippine Coast Guard has been directed to deploy rubber boats to Itbayat, Basco, and Sabang islands.

“We immediately conducted steps to secure ease of movement of goods and people so that the recovery of the province will also come in swiftly,” Mr. Tugade said in a statement.

DoTr said among the work identified is the ongoing runway extension project at the Itbayat Airport will be reconsidered for up to 1,500 meters to improve viability for commercial, security and disaster relief operations.

The Basco Airport will also be studied for runway extension.

For sea transport, a new location will be surveyed for the Port of Mauyen, which has been made more difficult to access due to landslides triggered by the earthquakes.

The Valanga Port, the only seaport that links Basco and Itbayat, will be expanded to include a back-up area, berthing facility, and a passenger shed.

Meanwhile, China has donated P10 million to the earthquake victims.

“The Chinese government expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to those affected families and decided to donate 10 million pesos to aid the victims and support the Philippine government in its efforts to rebuild Batanes and help local residents return to normal life,” the Chinese Embassy to the Philippines said in a statement on Wednesday.

The tremors left nine dead and 64 others injured. It has also displaced some 805 out of 911 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) reported as of July 31. — with Charmaine A. Tadalan

Dagupan forms flood commission with private-public sector members

DAGUPAN CITY has formed the Flood Mitigation Commission, tapping private sector engineers, architects, and environmental planners who will work with local and national government counterparts in drawing up immediate and long-term solutions to the flooding problem. Mayor Brian C. Lim, in a press briefing on July 30, announced the commission’s private sector members, namely: Engineers Joseph Lo of the business sector, and Liberato Aficial and Arnold Palmero of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers; and Architects Maximo Tan and Zosimo Ganaden of the United Architects of the Philippines. The city government will be represented by Nancy Nazareno of the City Engineer’s Office, James Louell Fernandez and Jose Jesus Torio of the City Planning and Development Office, City Legal Officer Terence Marata, and lawyer Michael Camilo Datario, city government consultant. Mr. Lim will chair the commission while Mr. Lo will be vice-chair. “The commission is primarily tasked to create a master plan for the City of Dagupan in coordination with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and other government agencies on how to resolve our flooding both in the short and the long term,” Mr. Lim said in a statement from the City Information Office. In the executive order creating the commission, Mr. Lim cited that flooding in most parts of the city — which were caused by irregular land conversions, extreme weather events, and piecemeal infrastructure projects and urban planning — has been a “great threat” to the city’s development. He also said that in a flood mapping survey conducted by the University of the Philippines in 2017, three fourths of the city’s 48-square-kilometer land area experienced flood levels of at least 40 centimeters, with other areas twice to thrice as much. “The same study shows that aggravating the flooding, which the city is currently experiencing, will persist if no immediate and comprehensive interventions are undertaken,” Mr. Lim said.

Former military general appointed to MWSS board

PRESIDENT RODRIGO R. Duterte has appointed Emmanuel B. Salamat, a former commander of the Northern Luzon Command (NolCom), as member of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) board of trustees, Malacañang announced on Wednesday. The Palace said Mr. Duterte signed the appointment paper of Mr. Salamat on July 29. In its official website, the Armed Forces of the Philippines describes Mr. Salamat as “one of the finest among contemporary generals of the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC).” A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Sandiwa Class of 1985, Mr. Salamat “reached the pinnacle of his career in the PMC when he was installed as the Commandant of the Corps — a position most coveted by every Marine Officer.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

Transport groups oppose P2P buses between airport and Megaworld transport hub

SEVERAL TRANSPORT groups have questioned the operations of premium point-to-point (P2P) buses in Iloilo, particularly those plying the route between the Megaworld Transport Hub in Iloilo City to the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town. The New Iloilo Airport Transport Association and Association (NIATA) and the Association of Taxi Operators in Panay (ATOP) submitted a position letter to the Sangguniang Panlungsod last July 17 expressing opposition to the provisional authority granted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to Southwest Travel and Tours. “Our associations are strongly opposing the grant of the provisional authority to Southwest Transport as it violates several existing ordinances,” the position letter said. The transport associations also lamented that they were never notified nor informed about the provisional authority. The Western Visayas Transport Coalition also submitted an opposition letter to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas on July 31. Iloilo City Councilor Rommel D. Duron, chairman of the committee on transportation, said they will review the ordinance granted to Megaworld’s transport hub and review if there is a need to regulate the P2P’s scheduled trips.—Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

Prison-made bags, paintings and other goods will be at SM bazaar this weekend

HANDICRAFTS SUCH as bags and coin banks as well as paintings made by inmates — or persons deprived of liberty (PDL), for the more appropriate term — will be displayed and up for sale during a three-day bazaar at the SM City Davao on Aug. 2 to 4. Jail Inspector Helen Rose C. Saragena said the goods are from the 11 jail facilities of the Bureau of Jail Management Penology (BJMP) in the Davao Region. “We conceptualized programs and livelihood opportunities in preparation for their integration in society by equipping them with new sources of income,” she said during the Kapihan sa Davao forum earlier this week. The BJMP has partnered with the regional offices of the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Education, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for the training and starter kits. Among the courses offered by TESDA are bookkeeping, touch therapy, bread making, and carpentry. Ms. Saragena also encouraged the public to visit their facilities, where they have more products that they can’t bring to a bazaar. “Like the poultry products,” she said, “Kung bibisita kayo sa jail, madi-discover ninyo na maraming talented na (if you come visit the jail, you will discover that we have many talented) PDLs.” — Maya M. Padillo

Nationwide round-up

Malacañang not dismissing suggestion to return Dengvaxia vaccine to the market

MALACAÑANG ON Wednesday said it is open to the suggestion of former Health secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette L. Garin to make the controversial Dengvaxia vaccines available to the public to help curb the increasing dengue cases nationwide. “We are always open to anything that will benefit the Filipino people. We are not closed to any suggestion,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a media interview at the Palace on Wednesday when sought for comment. He added that there is still a need to conduct an “extensive” investigation on the alleged Dengvaxia vaccine-related deaths. “We need to investigate exactly the situation involving Dengvaxia,” he said. Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, during a visit to Iloilo last week, told the local media that the Department of Health (DoH) is not considering just yet a possible revival of the controversial Dengvaxia vaccination program. “We need to study the recommendation… because there is no specific test that would exactly prove that a person has been infected by dengue,” he said. He emphasized that risks should be balanced with many other factors, noting that those who can benefit from the Dengvaxia vaccine are only those with prior exposure to the dengue virus. Mr. Duque explained that the available dengue test “cross-reacts” with other viruses like Chikungunya and Zika virus. “Remember the test cross reacts with other viruses, so it could be Chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis, it could be Zika virus, and I heard it cross reacts with measles virus. So having said that, if it is positive, you are not sure if it’s positive of dengue virus,” he said. The DoH’s Dengvaxia vaccination program has been cancelled and the vaccine banned in the Philippine market since last year following allegations of related deaths among children who received the vaccine. — Arjay L. Balinbin

TESDA-certified service providers can now be hired online

GRADUATES OF trainings certified by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) can now be hired through the website www.911tesda.ph, which was formally launched Tuesday. Among the services available are basic housekeeping and cleaning; carpentry; and massage therapy. In a statement on Wednesday, TESDA said its National Institute for Technical Education and Skills Development “developed 911TESDA as a free web-based linking program that aims to provide employment opportunities for certified graduates of technical vocational education and training (TVET), and deliver skill-service needs of individuals, households and enterprises.” TESDA said their partner digital service platforms anticipate demand for service providers this year to be as high as 11,425. As of July 26, more than 2,000 national certificate holders have already registered in the system. The 911TESDA services are initially available in the following areas: Metro Manila, Bulacan, Palayan City in Nueva Ecija, Batangas, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna. By next month, TESDA plans to expand these services to the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, and Davao. — Gillian M. Cortez

Leonen to propose computerized Bar exams, other reforms

ASSOCIATE JUSTICE Marvic F. Leonen said he intends to propose reforms in the Bar examinations in 2020, including the possibility of conducting computerized testing, which would allow for more than one venue. He also plans to propose a simple “pass or fail system” in viewing the exam results. Mr. Leonen, chairperson for the 2020 Bar examinations, also wants to have all Bar question and suggested answers submitted in the past 40 years be uploaded in the Supreme Court website. “We want the bar to simply be a qualifying exam. It is not an exam to find out the most brilliant of lawyers, it is only an exam to add into our ranks the lawyers that deserve to practice,” he said during the Legal Education Board Summit held in Manila. The annual Bar examinations, conducted through hand-writing, are held in four Sundays of November at the University of Santo Tomas. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas

DILG reports 86 cities now have smoke-free ordinances


THE DEPARTMENT of Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that 86 cities in the country have already passed smoke-free ordinances since the President issued Executive Order No. 26 two years ago. “Smoke-free means 100% free from tobacco smoke, where it cannot be seen, smelled, sensed or measured,” DILG Undersecretary Jonathan E. Malaya said in a statement on Wednesday. There are 145 cities in the country, according to Philippine Statistics Authority data. DILG also reported that 48 cities have designated smoking areas in their respective localities while 65 cities have created smoke-free task forces that ensure compliance to smoke-free policies. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras

Nation at a Glance — (08/01/19)

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 — (08/01/19)

Meet the ten female founders competing at She Loves Tech

Ten startups have been selected for the Philippine leg of She Loves Tech 2019 Global Startup Competition to be held on August 3, 2019 at QBO Innovation Hub.

On the heels of a successful premiere run, She Loves Tech, a global platform committed to building an ecosystem that promotes technology for and by women, partners once again with QBO Innovation Hub, the country’s first public-private initiative for startups, for this year’s local round of the world’s largest women and technology-focused competition.

Last year, QBO brought She Loves Tech to the Philippines for the first time with the support of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

This year, with the continued support of DOST and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), women-founded startups will be given another shot at an international win.

With the Philippine leg being only one of over 20 international rounds, the competition aims to spotlight women entrepreneurs and startups dedicated to improving the lives of women globally.

“She Loves Tech has been a key element to QBO’s Startup Pinay initiative, which aims to narrow the gender gap within the startup community,” said Katrina Chan, Director of QBO Innovation Hub.

Less than a fifth of tech startup founders in the Philippines are women according to reports published by Startup Genome and PwC. QBO’s Startup Pinay program has worked to raise awareness about this gender disparity as well as encourage more women to participate in tech startups. The program has also empowered Filipina startup founders and female-centric startups by providing them with chances to take part in international exposure opportunities and specialised bootcamps.

“The new and increasing number of female founders that joined this year’s applicant pool is a welcome development,” Chan said. “This year’s lineup is quite interesting, with a mix of more experienced startups competing against exciting newcomers in the Philippine finals.”

These are the ten women-led startups competing this year:

1Export

1Export was founded by Mel Nava and is a one-stop, end-to-end exporting platform helping MSMEs and farming communities. They carry out this service by matching suppliers with traditional wholesalers and retailers abroad through data analytics, and processing export-compliant documents and labels.

Antipara Exploration Inc

Antipara Exploration is an underwater 3D geospatial mapping and analytics company. Founded by Cherry Murillon-Cubacub, Laurice Dagum, Engr. Francis Corpuz, and Engr. Aaron Hilomen. it uses its own built underwater towed platform with camera and sonar system to provide maps and relevant information for marine management.

Container Living PH

Container Living provides a sustainable and modular-construction approach to modern building practices by using decommissioned shipping containers that are disaster-resilient and highly customisable. It was founded by Mac Evangelista, Engr. Aly Reyes, Mitch Menez, and John Aguilar.

Enabling Technologies

Founded by Liz Dy-Olaso, Vanessa Garcia, and Alec Sentones, Enabling Technologies specialises in assistive solutions such as devices like Vybii, which enables people with disabilities to become independent.

FHMoms

FHMoms provides a platform which helps women find online jobs. Founded by Maria Korina Bertulfo, Lyra Jewel Decena, Rose Anne Fermocil, and Elisa Javier, their app narrows down employment options based on the results of their skill-career matching quiz, and links users to online courses that will equip them with the knowledge and professional skills for their chosen online career path.

Goally

Founded by Gladis Morales and Rachel Jaro, Goally helps employees achieve their financial goals by providing an online dream planner, investment marketplace, and salary deduction facility.

Payo

Co-founded by Liron Gross, Payo is a gateway that manages and simplifies cash on delivery (COD) transaction for online sellers. We provide a full-suite of technological solutions including fraud detection, data analysis and courier optimisation, aimed to empower the merchants with abilities to seize control of the COD process, reduce cancellations and increase revenues.

SmartBride

Founded by Queency Kay Koh and Ira Manalastas, SmartBride is a virtual wedding planner powered by Artificial Intelligence. Their service automatically recommends free customisable wedding packages based on user’s preferences such as budget, location and target wedding date.

StyleGenie

StyleGenie is an online personalised styling service, with over 100 Fashion Brands and 30,000 users on their platform. Founded by Abbie Victorino, Minrie Macapugay, Steph Oller, and Rhij Sarenas, stylists outfits based on customers’ Style Profiles and provide door-to-door delivery of the corresponding StyleBoxes.

Vesl Pte Ltd

Founded by Maureen Nova Ledesma, Jessica Manipon, and Yroen Guaya Melgar, Vesl is a financial technology company innovating the trade finance sector by providing a platform that connects trade lenders and businesses to per invoice trade credit insurers, among other specialised insurance products.

The winner from the Philippine round will win a trip to Beijing, China where they will participate in a week-long bootcamp, and gain numerous networking and immersion opportunities with China’s leading tech players in the days leading up to the finals. At Global Finals, to be held during the International Conference on September 14, the winner will be given a pitching spot, competing
against finalists from around the world, for a chance to win an equity-free cash prize of $15,000 from Teja Ventures, a VC fund with a gender lens and She Loves Tech’s official venture partner.

You can register to watch She Loves Tech Philippines 2019 here.

Meralco Power up forum

Some 92 participants from 74 companies attended the latest Meralco Power Up Forum to discuss the intricacies of the new Energy Efficiency and Conservation Law last June 28, 2019. Pictured above, from left to right are Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance (PE2) President Alexander Ablaza; MSERV VP and Head, Commercial Services Philip Roxas; San Beda University VP Fr. Red Nilo; LANDEV President Mario Paguio; and Meralco VP and Head, Corporate Business Group Ma. Cecilia M. Domingo. The interactive Meralco Power Up Forums are designed to address Meralco’s enterprise customers’ distinctive energy requirements, and have been a key source on the latest developments in the country’s evolving power sector and a well spring of information on the utility’s cutting-edge, end-to-end energy solutions. Signed on April 12 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the law known as Republic Act 11285 effectively institutionalizes energy efficiency and conservation, further granting incentives to businesses that put into practice energy efficiency and conservation projects.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PHL returns to ‘samurai’ bond market

THE PHILIPPINES has launched an offer of yen-denominated “samurai” bonds from which it plans to raise about $750 million, National Treasurer Rosalia V. De Leon told reporters on Tuesday.

Sale of the new debt papers — with tenors of three, five, seven and 10 years — is meant for “diversification” of the country’s credit sources, Ms. De Leon said.

“Official marketing starts today, so we still have to see in terms of the whole results of the first day marketing,” Ms. De Leon told reporters following the Bureau of the Treasury’s (BTr) bond auction yesterday.

“Baka within the week, we’ll already price. Hopefully, depending on the results,” she added.

“We are still looking at up to $750 million, and if there would still be some room to adjust, then we can go as high as $1 billion,” the national treasurer said, while noting that “for now, we are just looking at $750 million.”

DEMAND HIGH
She said that the government “added the seven-year tenor” since, “based on the soft sounding, there seems to be interest on that pocket…”

“One of the factors that keep… ROPs (Republic of the Philippines bonds) very tight is because of… scarcity value,” she said, explaining: “We don’t really offer as much in the market given that we have a menu of options, not only coming from the international debt market but also we have [other] funding sources and access to multilateral institutions and even bilaterals.”

The Treasury tapped Mizuho Bank Ltd., The Daiwa Bank Ltd., Nomura, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and the Mitsubishi UFJ Group to serve as the transaction’s bookrunners.

In August 2018, the Philippines sold $1.39 billion (¥154.2 billion) worth of “samurai” debt papers in three-, five- and 10-year tenors, fetching 0.38%, 0.54% and 0.99% coupons, respectively.

The Philippines, one of Asia’s most active sovereign bond issuers, plans to borrow P1.189 trillion this year. Documents from the latest Development Budget Coordination Committee meeting show that 73% of total borrowings will be sourced domestically while the balance will be from foreign creditors.

This will be used to fund a budget deficit programmed at P624.4 billion, equivalent to 3.2% of gross domestic product, and support increased government spending programmed at P3.774 trillion.

The government returned to offshore market twice in May, raising €750 million ($842.33 million) in eight-year global bonds, as well as 2.5 billion renminbi ($363.3 million) in three-year “panda” bonds.

In January, the Philippines also sold $1.5 billion in 10-year offshore dollar bonds.

Ms. De Leon said the Treasury plans to issue the samurai bonds before Aug. 8, ahead of the Aug. 13-15 Obon Festival which in Japan is a holiday.

“Actually that’s out target. We have to avoid what we call Obon” since offices are closed in those three days, according to Ms. De Leon. — Karl Angelo N. Vidal

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