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Humor and charm

Little Town Hero
Nintendo Switch

CONSIDERING how hardly any news about Little Town Hero hit gaming circles from inception to release, pundits wouldn’t have been wrong to buttress its status as a “Little Known Title” when it finally made its way to the Nintendo eShop last week. It was announced with no fanfare and scant information in August last year. Even then, the public knew, well, little apart from its genre (role-playing game), working title (Town), and synopsis (a young lead defending a — what else? — town from monsters). And, after that, virtually nothing was heard of it until the week before its Oct. 16 launch.

To be sure, not all releases for the Switch are given the red-carpet treatment. If anything, the opposite has become the norm; few out of the sheer number of intellectual properties being developed for the hybrid console at any given time get their turn in the spotlight. Nonetheless, the relative dearth of information about Little Town Hero is nothing short of remarkable; after all, no less than Game Freak — responsible for the videogame arm of Pokémon, the biggest media franchise in the world — steered it to fruition. Little wonder, then, that gamers all but became prospectors, with material on the title, among them an official video showing the first 20 minutes of gameplay close to release date, treated as rare finds.

No doubt, the radio silence was deliberate. In controlling the flow of information, Game Freak succeeded in whetting the appetite of gamers all the more. And, in retrospect, it was right to do so. Little Town Hero manages to live up to expectations and serves as ample proof of the viability of the developer’s Gear Project initiative, which encourages programmers to break from its flagship Pokémon series and work on innovative concepts as a means to “recharge” their creative juices. Put succinctly, the developer’s first RPG outside the Pokémon series since Bushi Seiryūden: Futari no Yūsha for the Super Famicom in 1997 works because of a unique willingness — a preferential option, even — to be different.

Little Town Hero’s initial impression screams typical. It presents the lead character within a simple storyline: Axe is inquisitive and full of youthful vigor, bent on seeing the world that lies beyond his town. Unfortunately, the castle he aims to serve likewise prevents him — and all other subjects — from leaving, keeping them in as a way to keep monsters out. As the latter somehow penetrate the boundaries, anyway, he moves to take the invaders on with help from his friends, among them sidekick Nelz, old reliable Pasmina, and “rival” Matock, training from castle guard Angard (a clear allusion to the fencing term), and a red stone that gives him the power to do so.

As linear as Little Town Hero’s narrative progression may be, the gameplay is far from rote. As with most other RPGs, exploration of the overworld and interaction with non-playable characters are crucial to advancement. And unlike most other RPGs, leveling up and grinding, not to mention collecting currency and equipment, are deemed unnecessary. No random battles occur; nor do they need to be sought for the buildup of talents. Even as a skill tree is used, climbing it becomes inevitable via combat triggered by specific events.

Considering the direction of longtime Pokémon series programmer Masao Taya, Little Town Hero’s singularly spectacular turn-based battle system should come as no surprise. And yet it does manage to call attention as the game’s foundation, and not merely because of its unorthodox mechanics that, for lack of a better description, represent an amalgamation of, say, Mario Party and Slay the Spire. Thought bubbles that frame ideas (labeled “Izzits”) from which actions (“Dazzits”) are concretized and consolidated through the dispensation of ability points (three to start and increasing by one every three turns to a maximum of six). The results are then pitted against those of the enemies, with the turn ending after the hands are exhausted. Movement along the combat board is then possible, after which another turn commences. And so on and so forth until victory is crafted or defeat is suffered, whatever the case may be.

For all the seeming complexities, Little Town Hero’s gameplay is thankfully intuitive. Battles can last long, but wind up being appropriately rewarding, never mind the hand — no pun intended — that randomness plays in outcomes. Buffs and boosts can be triggered by well-thought-out action sequences and character placements, and a fair share of strategizing is required to take advantage of enemy weaknesses. Which, as an aside, provide the bases for side quests en route; townsfolk with whom relationships were hitherto made and fortified actually get to help from the sidelines during combat.

For the most part, Little Town Hero looks and sounds great; as is representative of Game Freak’s intellectual properties, it boasts of colorful cel-shaded visuals and vibrant music (influenced by the direction of Undertale’s Toby Fox and Pokémon’s Hitomi Sato). Animations are likewise beautifully rendered, although their frequency can stifle pace and, apparently, put a crimp on hardware resources; transitions occasionally lead to graphical slowdowns, especially with the Switch undocked. Parenthetically, the Animal Crossing-type synthesized tones emitted during conversations can take some getting used to.

In the final analysis, Little Town Hero provides value well beyond its $24.99 price tag. It certainly lives up to its name; designed as a deck builder in RPG clothing, it figures to keep gamers immersed for a good 15 hours or so. Oozing with humor and charm, it both provides substance to Game Freak’s Gear Project enterprise and makes the wait for the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield next month all the more worthwhile.

THE GOOD:

• Complex, but not complicated, combat system

• Outstanding audio-visual presentation

• Offers good value for money

THE BAD:

• Battles can take a while

• Forced animations wear out their welcome

• Occasional graphical lags

RATING: 8.5/10

POSTSCRIPT: Don’t be fooled by the name. FUZE4 may carry the title of an adrenaline-pumping racer or futuristic action romp, but it’s neither. In fact, it isn’t even a game. Rather, it’s a tool for coding games, and, as described in Nintendo’s official site, “designed and developed by a team of experienced gamers, programmers, artists, and educators. The end result is a language ideally suited to coding games and apps for absolute beginners and seasoned programmers alike.” In other words, it’s not out to provide quick fixes for those unable to stop fidgeting in their seats for long periods at a time.

FUZE4 isn’t cheap. At $39.99, it comes off as a Nintendo eShop offering that requires careful consideration prior to purchase. For those serious in their intent to learn — or further expand their knowledge — about the intricacies of game programming, however, it promptly exposes itself as a decided bargain; on tap are a thousand dollars’ worth of assets that can be used to create two- and three-dimensional models for gaming content across a variety of genres. The interface is both intuitive and well-designed, with support for Joy-Con, touchscreen, and even keyboard inputs. And, most importantly, it features tons of support for newbies; tutorials and on-the-fly references replete with explanations and examples are easily accessible.

Needless to say, there’s a learning curve even for the resolute and well-prepared. On the other hand, FUZE4 does an excellent job of starting slow, and then of escalating the transfer of knowledge, and always at the users’ pace. Actions and accompanying texts of code are first shown, followed by the requirement of simple commands to get objects to move on the screen, and then of inputting changes to existing programming to see their effects.

Make no mistake. FUZE4 can, and likely will, be daunting. There can be no sugar-coating the effort needed to progress. That said, the possibilities are endless. The extent of the imagination is the only limit, and, in this regard, the key is not to see the absorption of information as a means to an end, but also as an end in and of itself. (8.5/10)

As a turn-based role-playing game with a grandiose storyline, Battle Chasers: Nightwar appears more fit for consoles or personal computer systems. All the same, Handy Games succeeds in porting the iteration of noted artist Joe Madureira’s fantasy comic-book series over to iOS devices without hardly any noticeable compromises. It certainly starts off big, with an engrossing cinematic setting up the premise. Principal protagonist Gully and airship mates Garrison, Calibretto, Red Monika, and Knowlan find themselves stranded in a mysterious island after being shot down by unknown forces. A wealth of mana in the area subjects them to hordes of enemies, and their efforts to stay alive while finding out the reasons for their predicament form the crux of the narrative.

Controls and feedback are slick and fast on both mobile phone and tablet. Battle Chasers: Nightwar requires movement over a significant area, and screen taps along the overworld and inside dungeons are nothing if not responsive. Random encounters during exploration phases or specific quests abound, and difficulty spikes can be jarring. Thusly, grinding becomes a must in order for the characters to level up their skills and abilities. And while only three at a time can participate in combat, all will have to be in the rota to keep the party balanced. Battle gauges fill up to unlock on demand individual and group attacks that magnify their power.

On the whole, Battle Chasers: Nightwar packs a wallop, featuring an art style that stays true to its source material, a soundtrack that succeeds in setting the proper moods, and tons of action within a compelling plot that ties everything together. And it’s technically efficient as well; graphical options abound, allowing gamers to go for high-resolution settings under optimal conditions or select lower ones to prolong battery life. In any case, they can save their progress, quit the game at any time, and pick up from where they left off whenever they want. In short, it’s perfect for gaming on the go. At $9.99, it comes highly recommended. (8/10)

THE LAST WORD: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is coming to the Switch. Recently rated for the platform by the Entertainment Software Rating Board, the first-person shooter has gamers assuming the role of gunslinger Silas Greaves and using any and all sorts of weapons to upend enemies. Shootouts are highlighted by realistic gunfire, cries of pain, slow-motion effects, and large splashes of blood. Developer Techland, which acquired the rights to the Call of Juarez series last year, is gearing up for a big reveal later this week.

Google, IdeaSpace partner to boost Philippine start-ups

TECH GIANT Google is partnering with IdeaSpace, the largest and longest-running early-stage start-up accelerator in the Philippines, to help tech entrepreneurs and improve the country’s startup ecosystem.

Google said in a statement on Monday that through its Google Developers Launchpad, which operates a global acceleration program for startups, it will be working with IdeaSpace “to top accelerators around the world to leverage their best practices and resources.”

The partnership will allow IdeaSpace to access Google’s global network, insights from the company’s Silicon Valley-based startup programs, and relevant studies.

“Google believes in empowering startup communities around the world, and helping them leverage each other for insights and resource sharing. We are thrilled to partner with IdeaSpace to support more startups and fuel the local ecosystem’s growth over the long term,” Google Philippines market lead Samuel Jeanblanc was quoted as saying in the statement.

For his part, IdeaSpace President Butch Meily said: “We’re excited to be a Powered by Launchpad partner for the Philippines, because it represents an influx of talent, knowledge, experience, and resources into the Philippine start-up ecosystem.”

“As our start-ups grow in number and mature, we need to ensure that we have the resources necessary to support their growth and development. We look forward to working with Google and our fellow Powered by Launchpad accelerators across Asia and around the world,” he added.

Google said further that through this partnership, IdeaSpace and its startup portfolio will join a growing network of “thriving independent accelerators across Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia.”

Last July, President Rodrigo R. Duterte signed Republic Act No. 11337, or the Innovative Startup Act, that provides tax breaks and removes barriers to the founding of start-up companies.

The law qualifies for incentives “any person or registered entity in the Philippines which aims to develop an innovative product, process, or business model.”

The incentives include full or partial subsidies for business registration, application, and permit processing costs, among others. — Arjay L. Balinbin

Arthaland Century Pacific Tower certified as world’s 1st Zero Carbon building

Arthaland Century Pacific Tower received the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies certification as the world’s 1st Zero Carbon building. — COMPANY HANDOUT

By Adrian Paul B. Conoza
Special Features Writer

ARTHALAND Century Pacific Tower (ACPT), Arthaland Corp.’s flagship office development, received the Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) certification for being the world’s first Zero Carbon building, making it the first and only triple-certified green building to date.

Prior to this award, ACPT was awarded with the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating from the US Green Building Council and the Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) 5-star rating from the Philippine Green Building Council.

EDGE is a building certification system innovated by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, in an effort to meet the need for a measurable solution to provide the financial case for green buildings. According to the IFC, a project is EDGE certified when it reaches “20% less energy use, 20% less water use, and 20% less embodies energy in materials compared to a base case building.” Moreover, the EDGE Zero Carbon certification recognizes a building with at least 40% energy savings and 100% renewables on-site or off-site.

In a statement, Arthaland said the premium office tower in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig is projected to achieve 45% in energy savings, 64% in water savings, and 34% in embodies energy in materials, exceeding the standards set by EDGE.

Furthermore, according to Arthaland, the 30-storey office tower uses 100% hydroelectric energy supplied by the Pantabangan-Masiway Hydroelectric Plant of First Gen Corporation. ACPT’s energy-saving features include higher thermal performance glass, reflective paint on the roof, efficient lighting fixtures with occupancy and daylight sensors, an energy recovery system, and a Variable Refrigerant Volume (VRV) Cooling System.

In terms of materials, ACPT used aluminium window frames, in-situ reinforced concrete slabs for the roof and floor slabs, medium weight hollow concrete blocks for the internal walls, curtain walling for external walls, and stone tiles and finished concrete floor for the flooring — all of which “have less embodied energy.”

In addition, Arthaland Chief Sustainability Officer Edgar V. Sabidong said that all the wood used in the project is certified by the Forest Steward Council.

“Usually, we cut down trees just so we can create the type of paneling that we have. A green building is very responsible. It wants nothing but a certified [type] of wood,” he explained during a tour of the building for the media.

Water-efficient water closets, faucets, and urinals are installed in the building. In place as well are water management systems such as a gray water recycling system for the collection, treatment, and reuse of water for irrigation and toilet flushing; a condensate water recovery system; and a rainwater harvesting system.

For Arthaland Vice Chairman and President Jaime C. Gonzalez, the EDGE certification places Arthaland and the Philippines in the global stage of taking the initiative to address climate change, which he finds as one of the most difficult challenges in the world.

During a press conference, Mr. Gonzalez said the award speaks much of what a developer like Arthaland can do regardless of its humble stature and the country’s developing state. “We’ve taken the initiative, as not [among] the largest real estate companies in a developing country, to tell everyone in the world that each one of us has got something to contribute if we will address [climate change],” Mr. Gonzalez said.

Meanwhile, Arthaland Executive Vice President and Treasurer Leonardo Arthur T. Po said ACPT is of particular importance to Arthaland for achieving several feats. “Not only are we engaging in a profitable endeavor by being able to charge some of the highest commercial office rates in Metro Manila, but we’re also making the working experience of people in the building better by the features that we’ve placed,” Mr. Po explained.

IFC Country Manager for the Philippines Yuan Xu, who officially turned over the certification in a ceremony on Oct. 9, noted in a statement that the EDGE certification is an “exceptional achievement for Arthaland Corporation as it continues to show the way in developing a sustainable and green model for future office developments in the country and globally.”

The next step for ACPT, according to Mr. Po, is to “look towards providing excellent service to the people that are working in the building.”

ACPT was also awarded Best Office Development in the Philippines during the recent Philippine Property Awards, and is competing for the Best Office Development in Asia and Best Green Development in Asia at the Asia Property Awards next month.

Aside from ACPT, Arthaland’s other office projects include Cebu Exchange in Cebu City and Savya Financial Center in ARCA South, Taguig, both of which will be completed by 2021.

Arthaland is also the developer of residential project Arya Residences in BGC and mixed-use development Sevina Park in Biñan, Laguna.

How PSEi member stocks performed — October 21, 2019

Here’s a quick glance at how PSEi stocks fared on Monday, October 21, 2019.

 

Lee Dong Wook woos tourists to Korea

LEE DONG WOOK requesting the jampacked crowd at the LoveKOrea Culture and Travel Fiesta event to hush and listen to the Q&A.

By Cecille Santillan-Visto

KOREAN actor Lee Dong Wook is no stranger to the Philippines. He first came to Manila 13 years ago to promote his blockbuster K-drama, My Girl, which he top-billed with another celebrity, Lee Da Hae. During his first visit, he even guested in the noontime show, Wowowee, and gamely accepted a lei from the gyrating Luningning and held the hands of Mariel Rodriguez during an interview.

His visit to Manila early this month was a bit more sober but no less exciting, with his fans trooping to the SM Megamall Fashion Hall to see the Goblin star. The event, dubbed as LoveKOrea Culture and Travel Fiesta, was among the major activities for the year of the Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relations of Philippines and Korea.

“It has been 13 years since my last trip to Manila and I honestly wondered, ‘Will they still remember be?’ I am so happy that all of you came to welcome me,” he said through host-interpreter, Sam Oh.

“I am so happy to be celebrating with you 70 years of friendship between Korea and the Philippines and honored to be part of an event like this. I hope this will be a meaningful time for everyone,” he added.

The 37-year-old, who is also the official tourism ambassador of Korea’s Gangwon Province,  together actress Sue Ramirez, who is the appointed Korea tourism ambassador in the Philippines, encouraged Filipino tourists to visit some of the scenic spots in the Land of the Morning Calm.

He acknowledged that many Filipino visitors are more familiar with the famous destinations in Korea. However, when asked for recommendations, he suggested travelers feast on the local delicacies when in Korea.

“The Philippines is a tropical country and warm all year round. Now is a good time to visit Korea as it is fall and you can experience autumn. Later, it will get cold and there will be snow. That will also be a great experience so it’s really a good time to plan your trip to Korea,” said Mr. Lee.

Due to the popularity of Goblin, in which he co-stars with Gong Yoo of Train to Busan fame, fans have made pilgrimages to some of the drama’s shooting locations. He added that he welcomes the “positive effect” that the blockbuster hit has on Korean tourism. However, he highly recommended a trip to Gongju, a city in South Chungcheong province, which is a heritage city rich where one can immerse in Korean culture.

Aside from wooing Hallyu enthusiasts to consider Korea as their next vacation spot, Mr. Lee — who is also known for his roles in Scent of a Woman, a romantic tearjerker, Hotel King, romcom Wild Romance, and the movie, Heartbreak Library — also took the opportunity to interact with his followers by holding a press conference cum fan meeting.

Sporting long and deliberately unkempt hair for his current drama, Strangers From Hell, Mr. Lee entertained questions from both media and his supporters.

As one of the prime movers of Korean dramas worldwide, Mr. Lee said the secret why audiences worldwide continue to be enamored by K-soap operas is that the dramas “don’t stagnate.” The constant innovation has kept viewers interested and glued to their televisions, if not their mobile devices.

While already in his late 30s, he is also well-liked by young groups of K-pop fans since he was designated as the emcee of the talent survival show, Produce X 101. As host, he was given the opportunity to mentor young artists. The actor-model, who celebrates his 20th year in the Korean entertainment industry this year, said he is grateful for the chance to guide budding K-pop idols.

“Trust in your abilities as this will pull you through some of the toughest times and it’s also important to always practice,” he advised, adding that his staying power can be largely attributed to his ability to challenge himself over the years to do what may seem like difficult tasks.

He shared that there are many roles that he has not yet been able to play but he looks forward to taking on more diverse characters in future projects.

“There is much work to do but I want the fans to know that I still want to keep doing this job,” Mr. Lee said.

Lee Dong Wook is an actor who has sustained his drawing power since his first drama in 1999. He has come a long way since and is now an in-demand actor, model, and host. Audiences also look forward to his guesting in variety shows given his wit, humor and substance.

During his recent Manila visit, fans professed their love for Korean travel and culture, and the promoters have to thank Lee Dong Wook for his wonderful wooing.

How much in revenues did Metro Manila LGUs collect in 2018?

How much in revenues did Metro Manila LGUs collect in 2018?

Powerpuff Girl

By Carmen Aquino Sarmiento

Movie Review
Babae at Baril
written and directed by Rae Red

THE NOIRISH mood for Rae Red’s Babae at Baril (Woman and Gun) is set with Radioactive Sago’s Lourd De Veyra channeling a Beat poet in an artsy 1950s dive, as he nihilistically intones:

Alak, sugal, kape, babae… araw-gabi, tumodo kami (Booze, gambling, coffee, women… day and night, without any let-up — it’s not as catchy in translation).” For the film’s first half, the soundtrack cooperates, heavy on the moaning saxes, squealing trombones and throbbing percussion.

The nameless Babae (Janine Gutierrez) stands for Every Woman, voiceless and put-upon. She meekly undergoes the various daily indignities that millions of Metro Manila’s minimum wage endo’s must endure: the lengthy queues to get a seat on a jeepney; the intrusive body searches by the company security guard. Her overbearing manager (Gie Onida) humiliates her repeatedly as he calls her out for her creased uniform and snagged stockings, implying that these may cause her to lose her job any day now. Her poor toes, abraded by the cheap, too-tight shoes she must wear while on-duty, never heal. Ms. Gutierrez is believable, with a touching vulnerability which should make us more patient with the “little people” who wait on us.

Every evening, Babae gets catcalled by the drunks she must walk by as she makes her way home. The slum landlord (Raffy Tejada) is a sleazy voyeur who spies on her roommate making out with her thug of a boyfriend. He threatens to throw Babae out on the street if she cannot pay her rent in full. The director Red sympathetically shows painful details in the hard-scrabble life of the working poor. Babae buys her sanitary pads tingi (by the piece). A good chunk of her small wages goes to supporting her demanding mother, who wants her to stay, homesick and lonely as she is, and keep working in the city where the money is better, while she makes lovey-dovey in the province.

Things come to a head when Babae picks up a loaded .22 in the trash. Power comes from the barrel of a gun. With an incongruous red sticker heart on its stock, the gun seems meant for the sweet-natured Babae. The director brings up the reality of male oppression even within the same oppressed laborer’s class. Babae’s co-worker (Felix Roco) makes friendly overtures, offering her a new pair of better-quality stockings. He clarifies that even though she has a choice between two pairs, he can only afford one. He insists that she try them on before him as he towers intimidatingly over her. She acquiesces which he takes as her consent to rape. Afterwards, he threatens her should she report him to the authorities. There is no solidarity in their common suffering.

Then follows an escalating series of events where, armed with the seemingly heaven-sent gun, Babae confronts her oppressors. One hopes for another satisfying rape-revenge film in the venerable tradition of the master Lino Broka (Angela Markado, 1980 and Babangon Ako at Dudurugin Kita, 1989) although the busted National Artist for Film Carlos Caparas who spawned the Massacre Movie genre might more popularly come to mind: (Vizconde Massacre: God Help Us, 1993; The Maggie Dela Riva Story: Why Me? 1994, and most recently Jacqueline Comes Home: the Chiong Story, 2018). Unfortunately, just as Babae is standing over her rapist, the director takes us into a long-winded back story of how the Baril, which is the second half of the title, came into her possession. If there were a case for cineaste’s blue balls, this is it.

The gun’s origin story goes as far back as Marcos Martial Law to the paltik-maker (underground gun crafters) then to its first owners: crooked cops-for-hire (Archie Adamos and Alan Paule). The gun passes on to Paule’s son, a second-generation policeman (J.C. Santos) who uses it as he goes after small fry in the Presidential War on Drugs: i.e., a lowly balut vendor (Elijah Canlas). His pleas to spare his life as he has exams the next day, evoke the Kian delos Santos murder. Balut Boy ends up with the policeman’s gun which he passes on to his friend, Steph, a newbie holdaper (Sky Teotico). On his first gig, Steph manages to shoot — and kill — in the darkness and from several yards away, the old woman (Ruby Ruiz) whose house he has broken into. Frightened, he runs off and dumps the gun (miraculously still fully loaded) in the trash for Babae to serendipitously find.

After that long history lesson, we are back to Babae, literally standing over her rapist who is too frozen by fear to move, with the gun pointing directly at him. From that distance of just a few feet, she fires all her bullets at him, on a downward trajectory yet — and misses! He comes to his senses and escapes unscathed. What are we supposed to make of that? A burglar handling a gun for the first time, hits his target in the dark with deadly accuracy, while a righteous woman misses on several tries at close range. One of the QCinema juror opined that perhaps Babae had a change of heart. He thought that was well and good, in keeping with the ideal of the soft, virtuous, ever compliant and forgiving woman. In this age of #MeToo and #BabaeAko, it is psychologically unsatisfying. There is a reason for the popularity of the rape-revenge genre.

But the puzzling change in the soundtrack from those boozey jazz riffs to the folk quartet Asin’s preachy “Magnanakaw,” when the film shifted to the baril’s backstory, should have tipped us off to the film’s dubious intent. The song’s lyrics definitely do not apply to the film’s protagonist though:

Tingnan mo ang iyong sarili, suriin mo ang iyong ginagawa

Ikaw ba’y isang magnanakaw at taong mapagsamantala

Hindi nagpapapawis, hindi lumuluha

Ginagamit ang galing sa hindi tamang gawa.”

(Look at yourself and what you do —

Are you another thief and user?

Never sweating or shedding a tear,

Using your talents only for ill.)

The implicit message seems to be that women do not know how to handle power, especially when it comes from the barrel of a gun. So after all those great expectations and opportunities, the bad guys (all male) get away, and she is left empty and defenseless.

Farm lobby threatens lawsuits to force rice duties

AN agribusiness association said it will sue to force the government to impose safeguard duties against imported rice, contending that the safeguard duty investigation process was improperly terminated.

In a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc. (PCAFI) said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) and the government’s economic team are “illegally” failing to protect farmers from foreign competition, and rejected as misleading their justification for not imposing additional duties to keep inflation in check.

“This is a diversionary tactic to protect those who benefited from this law which are importers. The ones favored by this law are not consumers… not farmers, but importers. They’re trying to divert us from the fact that so far the importers are the beneficiaries of the law,” PCAFI Director Elias Jose M. Inciong said.

“The government really looks down on farmers. It is in bad faith to even argue that safeguards are inflationary. They’re in bad faith for refusing to implement the law,” he added.

Section 7 of Republic Act (RA) No. 8800 or the Safeguard Measures Act authorizes government officials to make an initial determination that increased imports have caused harm to domestic industry. Any finding of unfair foreign competition must be issued within 30 days from receipt of the petition or a motu proprio initiation of the preliminary safeguard investigation.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations of RA 11203, or the Rice Tariffication Law allows the imposition of a special safeguard duty to protect domestic farmers.

PCAFI President Danilo V. Fausto said the P3-billion cash assistance to farmers, which the DA and he government’s economic team resorted to after terminating its safeguard duty investigation, is in itself a violation of the law.

“Farmers don’t plant to save the agriculture industry. They plant to sustain their livelihood, to have income. The government should now see farmers not as welfare beneficiaries, but as a business sector that needs to profit,” he said.

In response to the government’s position that it is looking after the interests of consumers, Mr. Fausto said: “Farmers are also consumers… farmers don’t have the money to buy (if they are made to accept low prices for their crops).”

Asked to comment, Agriculture Secretary William D. Dar told reporters, “There is no violation. That is their own thinking only.”

“Of course they will always have their own position, but government has to see the broader sense of things,” adding that safeguard duties can still be resorted to in the future, “at the right time.” — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Sept. self-rated poverty falls; 2019 averages lower vs 2018

FAMILIES rating themselves poor were estimated at 42.3% of the total in September, inching down from the 45% in March but higher than the record-low 38% in June, the Social Weather Stations (SWS) polling organization said.

SWS said in a statement Monday that the families who responded that they were “mahirap” or poor in its self-rated poverty survey were equivalent to about 10.3 million families.

SWS said the non-commissioned survey puts the 2019 average so far is significantly lower compared to 2018 levels. “The resulting 42% three-quarter average proportion of Self-Rated Poor families for 2019 is 6 points below the 48% four-quarter average for 2018.”

The survey was conducted on 1,800 adults across the country.

SWS also reported that the self-rated poverty (SRP) threshold for September, or the minimum income needed for families to survive is P10,000, lower than the P15,000 SRP threshold in June.

About 29% of families or an estimated 7.1 million families consider themselves “Food Poor,” down from 35% in June and just above the record low 27% in March.

“The resulting 30% three-quarter average proportion of Self-Rated Food Poor families for 2019 is 3 points below the 33% four-quarter average for 2018,” SWS said.

The Self-Rated Food Poverty (SRFP) threshold is P5,000. This is lower than the P6,000 recorded in June 2019. — Gillian M. Cortez

National ID issuance to begin in April, Bangko Sentral says

ISSUANCE of the national ID will start in April, providing free access to a universally-recognized government identification card that is expected to make opening bank accounts easier and increase financial inclusion, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin E. Diokno said.

Production of the national ID, formally known as the Philippine Identification System (PhilSys) program, is to be subsidized by the BSP, which hopes it will help reduce the numbers of the unbanked population, estimated by the World Bank at nearly 65% of the working-age population in 2018.

Mr. Diokno first disclosed the launch plans on Oct. 17 in a speech during the World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington DC.

“The card issuance will start in April 2020,” he said. “The journey for a national ID for the Philippines started 30 years ago. But it failed to pass one Congress after another. Finally, the Philippine ID System Act was passed last year,” he said.

The national ID is authorized by Republic Act. No. 11055 or the Philippine Identification System Act, which establishes a unified identification system for both Filipinos and resident aliens.

In a memorandum of agreement signed by the BSP with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Oct. 7, the central bank agreed to produce 116 million blank cards over three years.

“We will print the ID at less than $1 per piece — 60 cents to be exact. We will provide the needed equipment and space for the embedding of personal information onto the blank cards, which will be done by the PSA,” Mr. Diokno said during a round table discussion on “Championing and Accelerating Good Digital ID for all.”

PSA Undersecretary Claire Dennis S. Mapa told reporters during the MoA signing that the formal rollout of the ID registration will have an issuance target of 14-15 million IDs in 2020, 50 million in 2021, and the remainder by 2022. Pilot testing started in September, and revealed that on average registration time might take less than the 15 minutes assumed during planning.

Mr. Diokno said during the MoA signing that the ID will be issued free of charge.

Banks are currently governed by Know-Your-Customer (KYC) rules which require two government IDs to open a bank account.

Many government IDs are issued for a fee, including passports, which require payment of at least P950 for non-rush processing. Securing government IDs are done for a fee. Among the costliest is a passport which can go from P950 for a regular processing.

The BSP’s own estimate of the unbanked population is 52.8 million adults as of 2017. — Luz Wendy T. Noble

Dominguez warns next crisis could wipe out inclusiveness gains

FINANCE Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III said the global economic slowdown has the potential to undermine any gains made by poor countries to make their economies more inclusive.

Speaking in Washington, DC last week at the 102nd meeting of the ministers and governors of the Intergovernmental Group of 24 (G-24), Mr. Dominguez said: “If present trends continue, all the work we have put in preparing our economies for competitive trade, improving our domestic efficiency, and maintaining the highest standards for fiscal discipline will fail to ensure inclusive growth.”

A copy of his speech was released to reporters yesterday.

He expressed ”deep concern” that “47% of low-income developing countries are (in a state of) debt distress,” adding that developing aid across the globe likewise declined by 2.7% last year with official development assistance (ODA) to least-developed countries falling by 3%.

“With ODA making up two thirds of external financing for countries who are most in need, we express our unease with how relevant states and institutions are responding to the impending global economic crises,” he said.

“International cooperation is a means toward shared prosperity, not the subjugation of vulnerable economies,” he added.

He said the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should be innovative in helping emerging countries mitigate such risks.

“We call on the World Bank and the IMF to adopt bold, out-of-the box solutions in support of their efforts toward a ‘new multilateralism’ to effectively assist emerging economies in mitigating the impact of a changing global economic landscape fraught with trade tensions, protectionism and other factors that imperil global growth,” he said.

He said that the “traditional tools” that the countries continue to use are “insufficient, especially in dealing with disruptions to business models brought about by technology, trade wars, and changes in the supply chain models.”

“They should also closely collaborate with regional multilateral institutions as they have a more intimate understanding and appreciation of the socio-cultural and economic contexts of the member countries in the region and hence, their development needs,” he said. — Beatrice M. Laforga

Tree plantations, laws promoting FDI seen needed for wood industry

THE Philippines could be a leading supplier of wood if the industry were opened up to investment in tree farming as an alternative to cutting down standing forests, the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) said.

“One million hectares can produce something like 300 million cubic meters of wood, so we can be a global superpower in wood. But we have to get our act together,” PWPA Chairman Charlie H. Liu told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of the two-day Philippine Wood Expo 2019 in Pasay City.

He cited a report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, which projects global wood consumption growth of 2% a year over the next 10 years, with demand expected to hit 1.1 trillion cubic meters by 2030 from the current 900 million cubic meters.

He said the Philippines has nine million hectares of forest land, with the potential to generate P1 to P1.5 trillion worth of forest products and more than 200,000 jobs.

“We can take advantage of it, not just for domestic consumption, but for export. Look at Vietnam, it exported $5 billion in 2014, and this year they will be a $10-billion exporter of wood furniture. In the next five years they will become a $20-billion wood exporter,” he said.

He said that the government should work with the private sector to come up with laws that would attract investment in wood-related businesses.

“Work with the private sector and come up with relevant laws that would make it very attractive for investors to come in, invest into tree farming, and then protect their investment because it’s a 10-year commitment. Administrations change every six years, and you’ll never know what is going to happen. You need the law by your side,” Mr. Liu said.

He said that PWPA has been pushing the government to permit sustainable tree farming, which could generate P1 trillion annually.

“What we want to look into is sustainable tree farming, which is plantation forestry. This is where we can plant (trees) like cacao, rice, corn, and then make money out of it,” he said.

“If we plant one million hectares through sustainable tree farming, it can be a sustainable P1-trillion industry every year, or $20 billion every year,” he said.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, in August the Philippines exported forest products account for only $39.885 million of the $6.25 billion in total exports.

“In Asia, more and more people are getting wealthier, and they are consuming more wood products, and for us, nasa atin yan (it is our choice) to take advantage of it or not,” he said. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang