BusinessMirror August 22, 2024 by BusinessMirror

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Pinoys expect their

e TransUnion survey results also showed nearly half of households have already cut back on their discretionary spending such as dining out, travel and entertainment in the second quarter. In the second quarter, household ﬁ nal consumption expenditure grew 4.6 percent, the same rate posted in the ﬁ rst quarter. Outside of the pandemic, the rate is the slowest growth in household spending in 14 years.

“Although more Filipinos enjoyed increased household incomes in Q2 [second quarter] 2024 and expect this trend to persist in the next 12 months, the adjustments

@adapelonia

THE Philippines’s meat imports are expected to increase next year on the back of population growth and a positive economic outlook, according to an international report.

“FAS Manila forecasts 2025 beef imports to increase to 226,000 metric tons [MT] carcass weight equivalent [CWE],” the United States Department of AgricultureForeign Agricultural Service in Manila (USDA-FAS Manila) said in its latest report.

“Continued greater-than-sixpercent economic growth and forecasted population increases support strong consumer purchasing power which will push beef imports higher in 2025,” it added. e report noted that the increase in beef imports next year would be spurred by the recent downward trend in the export prices of the country’s major export suppliers, speciﬁcally Australia and Brazil, and expanded market access provided to Brazil through Department Order (DO) 3. e USDA-FAS Manila also pro-

THE Philippines has maintained its net creditor position in the International Monetary Fund (IMF), according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). Given this, the Monetary Board approved the country’s continued participation, through the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), in the Financial Transactions Plan (FTP) of the IMF from August 2024 to January 2025.

e BSP said this is a testament to the country’s strong external position as evidenced by its ample gross international reserves. “ is puts the Philippines in a favorable position to remain as a Fund ﬁ nancial partner, which is an indication of the country’s

commitment to contribute to the global ﬁ nancial safety nets and support the resolution of possible crises,” BSP said.

BSP explained that the FTP is a currency exchange arrangement between the IMF and eligible members to facilitate the IMF’s lending operations with other member countries.

e central bank said the IMF pays interest, called remuneration, to the FTP participants like the Philippines.

When selecting members for inclusion in the FTP, BSP said the IMF considers the strength of the member’s balance of payments and reserve position, and stabil-

THE national government disbursed P720.5 billion for infrastructure in the ﬁ rst half of 2024, accounting for 5.7 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Latest data from the DBM showed infrastructure disbursements rose by 18.4 percent or P111.9 billion from January to June 2024 from the P608.6 billion recorded in the same period in 2023.

Spending for infrastructure exceeded the 5.6-percent share of GDP full-year target of the government for this year and 5.3-percent outturn for the ﬁ rst semester of

last year.

Overall infrastructure disbursements also account for the infrastructure components of transfers to LGUs as well as subsidy and equity to government-owned and -controlled corporations.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman said in a news forum on Wednesday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has implemented most of its projects as early as January 2024.

Pangandaman said the DBM already provided allotments to DPWH at the beginning of this year, which allowed the DPWH to undergo early procurement.

For June 2024 alone, infrastructure and other capital outlays

Imports... NBI pins hopes on Interpol

jected pork imports next year to reach 510,000 MT CWE, up over 6 percent from last year.

“Continued animal disease challenges combined with strong economic growth and forecast population increases will push imports upward,” the report read.

It added that DO 3, which expanded the access of Brazilian exporters to ship pork to the Philippines, also supports the forecast increase in pork imports in 2025.

However, the report reduced the country’s pork imports forecast this year to 480,000 MT CWE following the issuance of Executive Order (EO) 62 which extended the tari reductions for pork until 2028.

“[The EO 62] provides meat importers more certainty and they will no longer need to bring in imports in quarter 4 of each year in anticipation of the tari s not being extended,” it read, adding that it anticipates lower imports during the second half of 2024.

Meanwhile, the USDA-FAS Manila said that while domestic pork production is forecast to rebound to 1.06 million metric tons (MMT) CWE, production levels will remain below pre-African swine fever (ASF) levels through 2025.

“FAS Manila expects improving disease conditions in the second half of 2025, but the country continues to contend with ASF outbreaks in all three regions of the country,” it read. The report noted that this was limiting herd rebuilding and future pork production in the remainder of 2024 and early 2025.

The USDA-FAS Manila forecasts 2025 beef and carabeef production at 184,000 MT CWE, up less than 1 percent compared to 2024.

“In recent years production has stagnated as inventories remain constrained due to limited land suitable for raising cattle and high feed prices,” the report read.

“Increased imports of cattle genetics and live animals have resulted in the sector keeping pace with current beef and carabeef production but is not resulting in a meaningful increase in herd numbers or overall meat production.”

NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation

(NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said on Wednesday the International Police (Interpol) has yet to respond to its request to include dismissed mayor Alice Guo in its blue notice.

In an interview at the Department of Justice (DOJ), Santiago said the NBI would continue to coordinate with the Interpol in determining the whereabouts of Guo, who reportedly left the country last month following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the Senate for her refusal to attend its hearing on the illegal activities of a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) in her town and the fi ling of a criminal complaint qualified hu-

okay of blue notice request Loans...

they made to household budgets suggest a cautious approach to ﬁnancial management,” said Weihan Sun, Principal of Research and Consulting for Asia Paciﬁc at TransUnion.

“ is seemingly contradicting sentiment suggests a vigilant yet hopeful outlook as Filipinos continue to acclimate to economic challenges, navigating between

man traﬃcking before the Department of Justice (DOJ) against her.

“We are continuously talking and coordinating [with the Interpol] but we have yet to receive a response,” Santiago said. Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing police in member countries to share critical crimerelated information.

A blue notice is issued in order to “collect additional information

necessary expenditures and ﬁ nancial prudence,” Sun said.

e data showed 44 percent of survey respondents expressed fear in being unable to pay their bills and loans in full. e data also showed 52 percent expect an increase in bills and loans in the next three months.

is was despite 42 percent of respondents reporting an increase in income and 78 percent of them also expecting an income hike in the next 12 months.

For now, the data showed 47 percent of respondents said they

about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.”

Santiango said a red notice can only be requested and issued by the Interpol once there is already a case ﬁ led against the subject person before the court.

On the other hand, Santiago said the NBI is continuously investigating Guo’s alleged departure from the country. e oﬃcial said the NBI is still not discounting the possibility that she is still in the country. “Our investigation is still undergoing. Our agents are continuously working to conﬁ rm the news [that Guo had left the country],” Santiago said.

Lawyer Elmer Galicia earlier claimed that he saw Guo last August 14 when he notarized the counteraffidavit she submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking the dismissal of the qualified human trafficking complaint.

Galicia’s claim, however, contradicted the Bureau of Immigration’s

have cut back on their discretionary spending such as those for dining out, travel, and entertainment.

e data also showed 24 percent of respondents canceled or reduced digital services, and 21 percent canceled subscriptions and memberships.

e share of those who reduced digital services was the same as in the ﬁ rst quarter, while those who canceled their subscriptions increased by 3 percentage points.

TransUnion said the concern over fi nancial stability was also reflected in a 4-percentage-point drop of respondents feeling optimistic about their household finances—or to 80 percent in the next 12 months.

“Pessimism [8 percent] and neutrality [12 percent] edged up. e biggest concerns affecting household fi nances are infl ation, job security and interest rates,” TransUnion said. “ ese concerns significantly influenced household spending.”

Credit

THE TransUnion survey also included data on access to credit which showed that only 38 percent of respondents believe they have suﬃcient access to credit and lending products.

is was despite 63 percent of respondents saying that credit and lending products are “extremely or very important” in attaining their ﬁ nancial goals.

Younger professionals, those belonging to Gen Z, have the lowest conﬁdence in obtaining approval for credit or lending products. Millennials, meanwhile, are at the other end of the spectrum, saying

statement that Guo illegally left the country as early as July without passing through the required checks of immigration authorities in the country.

e BI based its statement on intelligence information relayed by its counterparts abroad that Guo left for Malaysia then ﬂew to Singapore. Guo managed to elude immigration authorities despite her name being listed in the DOJissued immigration lookout bulletin order (ILBO).

An ILBO is diﬀerent from a court-issued hold departure order (HDO) since the former only directs the BI to be on the lookout and alert authorities should the subject try to leave the country.

e BI said it has presence at all regular international ports of entry and exit like international airports and seaports. On the other hand, informal exit points are managed and monitored by other aviation or maritime agencies.

their have more conﬁdence in obtaining loans. is was amid the rise in fraudulent schemes. While 30 percent of respondents are not aware if they were targeted by any fraud schemes, 60 percent said they were targeted but did not fall victim to the schemes.

e data also showed 10 percent of respondents admitted to being targeted and becoming victims, which was higher than the 9 percent recorded in the previous year.

Among the fraudulent schemes, phishing remained the most common. ese schemes include fraudulent emails, websites, social posts, and QR codes meant to steal data.

TransUnion also noted an increase to 44 percent in smishing activities, which include the sending of fraudulent text messages meant to trick people into revealing data.

“With a slight increase in successful attempts to defraud consumers, robust consumer education eﬀorts on fraud prevention must continue to further build consumer awareness,” Sun said.

“Consumers are also encouraged to take more protective measures in closely monitoring their credit and ﬁ nances to secure against the growing threats not only in the Philippines but across the world,” he added.

TransUnion’s Consumer Pulse Study surveyed 944 adult Filipino consumers between May 1 and 10 this year. is is a quarterly survey that examines shifting consumer attitudes and behaviors based on the dynamics of income, debt, and identity theft.

ity of the exchange and fi nancial markets. e adequacy of a country’s international reserve assets are also considered to ensure that a participating country fulfi lls its obligations during the specified FTP period.

e Philippines ﬁ rst participated in the FTP in August 2010 in line with the Special Authority granted by the Philippine President to the BSP.

Earlier, BSP said gold prices boosted the country’s Gross International Reserves (GIR) in the period ending July 2024. Central bank data showed the country’s GIR reached $105.65 billion, higher than the $105.19 billion posted in the end-June 2024 period. e data also showed the GIR in end-July 2024 was higher than the $99.951 billion posted in the same period last year.

e level of GIR as of a particular period is considered adequate, BSP said, if it provides at least 100-percent cover for the payment of the country’s foreign liabilities, public and private, falling due within the immediate 12-month period.

Cai U. Ordinario

building facilities,” said Zubiri. e lawmaker emphasized that these foreign defense manufacturers are not looking at the Philippines to only sell to the country’s navy, the army and the air force, “ ey want to set up shop that’s why we had to come up with the hearing yesterday on Spedeza.” (See related story: www.businessmirror. com.ph/2024/08/20/special-defenseecozone-bill-fast-tracked-in-senate/) “ ey want to set up shop in the Philippines for export to RCEP countries, that’s speciﬁcally mentioned; because of our inclusion in the RCEP they want now to build defense materials in the Philippines and sell to the Asean countries and also to countries like Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and even China,” the lawmaker said.

He added that the sugar groups would be registered as the Mindanao Federation of Sugarcane Planters Inc. which would comprise over 50 percent of sugar producers in Mindanao, expecting more as “Lanao and Davao will also a liate with us.” Zubiri said Mindanao sugar farmers currently contribute about 17 percent of total sugar production but with the plan to expand, “we will be contributing more since Mindanao is the only area left where sugar plantation can still expand.” For his part, Azcona said the agency would improve its presence in Mindanao and look into establishing an SRA satellite o ce in Bukidnon to bring the agency’s services closer to the farmers.

“With this development, we will make sure that our Mindanao farmers are better equipped and services are delivered timely,” Azcona said, adding that he would personally look into the possibility of setting up a Mindanao Research Center to handle high-yielding

lands,” he said. EO 75 authorized DAR to acquire idle government-owned lands, which can be used for agriculture. They were recently able to secure such lands from the Pangasinan State University and the Northern Mindanao State University. Estrella said the land will be then given away to quali ed bene ciaries through their Modern Agrarian Reform Community Organized Settlement (Marcos) program. Under Marcos, the acquired land will be given to three priority sectors, namely, retired police or soldiers; rebel returnees; and graduates of 4 year agricultural courses. Each interested bene ciary must register with the DAR’s regional o ces before they are given 3 hectares of land for agricultural use.

jumped to P139.7 billion. This is higher by 17 percent or P20.3 billion from the P119.4 billion posted in the same month in 2023. The DBM attributed the increase in the disbursements made by the DPWH for completed road, bridge and multipurpose building projects, prior years’ right-of-way claims and progress billings for other road infrastructure projects funded under the Unprogrammed Appropriations.

The implementation of capital outlay projects of the Department of National Defense (DND) under its Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program (RAFPMP) also ramped up the state’s infrastructure spending. Projects under the PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (Pamana) Program of the O ce of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, such as road networks, ood control and water supply systems were also funded by the government. Justice halls were also constructed, repaired and rehabilitated under the Justice System Infrastructure Program of the Department of Justice (DOJ). “Government spending on goods and services as well as capital expenditures, helped buoy economic performance amid relatively weaker household consumption spending and moderately high in ation and interest rate environment,” the DBM said.

The Philippine economy grew by 6.3 percent in the second quarter of 2024, up from 5.8-percent GDP growth in the rst quarter of 2024 and 4.3 percent in the second quarter of 2023. Public construction rose by 21.8 percent year-on-year, a rebound from the 0.8 percent recorded in the same period in 2023. This accounts for 2.0 pp of the GDP print in the second quarter of 2024. Moving forward, the DBM said infrastructure spending and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) continue to drive disbursements for the remaining months of 2024. Infrastructure spending will constitute payments/progress billings from ongoing construction works/projects, such as those started or accelerated during the summer season. MOOE, meanwhile, will comprise the requirements of various education and agriculture sector-related programs.

Marcos on Guo’s escape: Heads will roll

By Samuel P. Medenilla @sam_medenilla

‘HEADS will roll.”

An angry President Marcos said this as he vowed to go after officials who are responsible for allowing dismissed Bamban, Tarlac, mayor Alice Guo to flee the country amid her pending cases for her alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo).

In a statement posted in his social media page, the chief executive linked Guo’s departure to “corruption that undermined the justice system.”

“We will expose the culprits who have betrayed the people’s trust and aided in her flight,” Marcos said.

“Let me be clear: Heads will roll,” he added.

Marcos said there is an ongoing investigation to determine who will be held accountable for

Guo’s escape.

“There is no room in this government for anyone who places personal interest above serving the Filipino people with honor, integrity and justice,” Marcos said.

Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin said the President wants the completion of the investigation into Guo’s escape “as soon as possible.”

Government officials were left scrambling to determine how Guo was able to fly out of the country after it was revealed by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) that the sacked mayor is in Indonesia nearly a month after her departure from the Philippines.

The National Police said Guo was allowed to leave the country since only a immigration lookout order (Ilbo) was issued against her instead of a court-issued hold departure order.

On Tuesday, Malacañang issued a memorandum, which directed

concerned government agencies to cancel the Philippine passport of Guo, which she used to first travel to Malaysia and then on to Singapore and Indonesia.

In the course of the Senate investigation on criminal activities linked to the Pogos, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed that Guo was a Chinese national, who entered the country as 13-year-old named Guo Hua Ping.

Guo however was able to secure a Philippine birth certificate in Tarlac.

She has a pending arrest warrant from the Senate due to her refusal to attend its hearings.

In addition, she is facing ongoing cases at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on her Pogo involvement and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for her material misrepresentation in her Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

Padilla wants probe on rape, sexual assault in CPP-NPA

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

FROM inquiring into how well companies are enforcing policies nd the law against sexual harassment, Sen. Robinhood C. Padilla is moving to a different kind of workplace: He wants a Senate inquiry into the extent of rape and sexual assault within the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

In filing Senate Resolution 1162, Padilla sought to update the Revised Penal Code as well as Republic Act 8353, the Anti-Rape Law of 1997—while discouraging youths from joining armed rebel groups.

Public information aids people in making healthier and more enhanced decisions,” he said.

“Conducting an information campaign about the realities inside organizations like the CPP-NPA can play an important role in discouraging students and the youth from joining rebel groups.”

“Fostering an informed citizenry also contrib -

utes to the protection of human rights and social justice,” he added.

In his resolution, Padilla cited hearings by the Committee on National Defense, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation in 2020 where a former chairman of Anakbayan Central Luzon—Lady Desiree Miranda—alleged she was raped by her commander in 2016, molested by her squad leader in 2017, and sexually assaulted by a comrade in 2018. Miranda also alleged that “other female NPA fighters also experienced similar abuses within the NPA.”

Another former rebel, “Ka Shane,” accused her former NPA commander and platoon leader of raping her when she was 15 and a combatant. She filed a case against her former squad leader and the platoon vice commander who she said abused her in 2016 when she was with the Caraballo Guerrilla Front in Nueva Ecija. Another former cadre, Arian Jane Ramos, said she personally met with women who became victims of sexual abuse by male comrades and commanders.

DepEd: New Marcos order boosts teachers’ health, well-being

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco @claudethmc3

THE Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday said that public school teachers’ health and well-being received a needed boost when President Marcos signed and executive order that mandated the grant of a P7,000 medical allowance for government employees beginning fiscal year 2025.

This adjustment represents an increase of 1,300 percent from the P500 medical allowance granted in 2020, which was primarily intended to cover the cost of eligible diagnostic tests, as outlined in Department Order 28, s. 2020, DepEd said in a statement.

DepEd said that the government will provide an annual medical allowance of up to P7,000 to eligible government civilian personnel, including public school teachers. This allowance is intended

to subsidize the cost of health maintenance organization (HMO)-type benefits.

“If we pool that together, we can secure comprehensive insurance coverage for our teachers,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated.

In addition to the medical allowance, public school teachers also received a P5,000 tax-free teaching allowance for the School Year 2024-2025 under the Kabalikat sa Pagtuturo Act or Republic Act 11997, co-authored by Angara during his tenure in the Senate. This allowance will increase to P10,000 starting School Year 2025-2026. The Department also reminded its teaching and non-teaching personnel that they are eligible to file claims under the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS)-issued Personal Accident Insurance (GPAI) policy.

This policy provides coverage for accidental death or dismemberment up to P100,000 and medical reimbursement up to P30,000 for injuries.

Marcos orders DOH, other agencies to prevent spread of monkeypox

PRESIDENT Marcos has ordered concerned government agencies to remain vigilant against the spread of mpox or monkeypox infection.

The chief executive issued the order during his meeting with Health Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa on Tuesday.

“Continue surveillance especially in areas and people most vulnerable to the disease,” Marcos told Herbosa during the meeting. Herbosa allayed the concerns of the President and said that there is no need to declare a public health emergency on mpox owing to the low number of local cases, fatalities and mode of transmission.

He said DOH is ready to treat and manage those who will be infected with the monkeypox virus.

Mpox is transmitted through intimate or skin to skin physical contact with someone who is infected or with contaminated materials.

Its common symptoms are skin lesions, which can last two to four weeks accompanied by fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes.

DOH reported on Monday the country’s 10th mpox case, a 33-year old male Filipino with no travel history outside the country.

All of those reported infected individuals have already recovered from the disease.

Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency with the spread of the new and more deadly strain of the disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo last week. Samuel P. Medenilla

The National Police said it will use diplomatic channels in an attempt to bring Guo back to the country so she can face the cases against her.

Authorities trying to bring home Guo

IN a television interview with PTV, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Spokesman Winston John Casio said the agency is now considering the possible extradition of Guo.

“But the extradition process can only be triggered...if the country where she is at has an extradition treaty with the Philippines,” Casio explained.

Guo’s last known destination after she left the country surreptitiously, is Batam, Indonesia, Casio said.

In its website, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Indonesia is among the 14 countries, which have an extradition treaty with

the Philippines.

Casio said they expect Guo’s movement will be restricted after Malacañang ordered the cancellation of her Philippine passport last Tuesday.

The passport cancellation, he explained, will also trigger the blue and red notice of the International Criminal Organization (Interpol).

“So if the passport is cancelled, the primary requirement of travel, which will be the passport, would be lost to them. If that happens, it will trigger what we call blue notice and red notice of the Interpol that will allow the law enforcement agencies in that location to arrest them and transfer them to the Philippines,” he said.

Interpol notices are international requests for cooperation or alerts allowing member countries to share critical crime-related information.

The blue notice is for the collection of additional information about a person in relation to a criminal investigation, while a red notice is for the location and arrest of wanted persons. In a related development, Casio said they already started their probe on which government agencies should be held accountable for Guo’s escape.

He noted while Guo has no court-issued hold departure order, she was included in the immigration lookout bulletin order. The lack of any bulletin on her departure, Casio said, may indicate Guo did not pass through the airports or seaports.

“In the next few days we’d have to come up with a definite and a concrete answer as to how she was able to get out of the country. Otherwise, we’d be the laughing stock of our Asean [Association of Southeast Asian Nation] neighbors,” he said.

Thursday, August 22, 2024

DTI sets 5 intl trade events to boost PHL halal exports

FBy Andrea San Juan @andreasanjuan

IVE international trade events are lined up in Abu Dhabi, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Thailand for Philippine halal exporters as they aim to expand their outbound shipments this year, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Halal Industry Development said.

Aleem Siddiqui M. Guiapal, program manager of the DTI-Philippine Halal Industry Development, said for this year Philippine halal exporters will flock to Malaysia in September for the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas), Saudi Arabia in October, Istanbul, Turkey, in November, Abu Dhabi in November and the Thailand Halal Assembly in December.

Asked which halal products are expected to be sold in these international halal trade shows, Guiapal told the BusinessMirror in a Viber message “Coffee, cacao, chocolate, fresh fruits, snacks, herbal drinks. We can give them the list of the exhibitors with their products.”

Meanwhile, Guiapal said the Philippines will also host the First Philippine Halal Expo from November 14 to 16 and the 7th Philippine National Halal Conference from November 12 to 13.

The Trade official said that the Philippines will join for the first time the (Abu Dhabi International Food Exhibition) Adife.

“This is DTI’s commitment to UAE embassy invitiation. This is part of the goodwill gesture of the Philippines to the United Arab Emirates as we negotiate for the [Comprehensive Economic Partnerhsip Agreement] Cepa,” added Guiapal.

According to the DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations, the Philippines recently hosted the second round of negotiations for the Cepa with the UAE in Manila from July 8 to 10.

The Philippines’ foreign trade relations arm said negotiators reviewed the CEPA texts in almost all chapters.

“Negotiations on market access commenced during this round,” the DTIBITR said in a post.

The substantial conclusion of the negotiations remains to be targeted towards end of the year, the country’s

NatGas bill gets Senate committee okay

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

THE Senate Committee on Energy has formally endorsed the passage of a bill supporting the full development of the natural gas industry.

In a sponsorship speech, Sen. Pilar Juliana “Pia” Cayetano urged fellow senators to act swiftly on Senate Bill 2793, or the proposed Philippine Natural Gas Development Act, which also mandates the priority dispatch

of the country’s indigenous natural gas to attain energy security.

The bill seeks to revitalize indigenous gas-exploration and develop natural gas infrastructure, Cayetano said.

She added that “this bill provides for the prioritization of indigenous gas over other imported liquefied natural gas [LNG] and other conventional fuels in terms of use and the production of power.”

“With Filipino gas, we will not be heavily dependent on foreign suppliers, who may

foreign trade relations arm said.

The Cepa, once concluded, will be the Philippines’ first free trade agreement within the Middle East and with a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member state, DTI-BITR also noted.

According to Guiapal, the DTI’s Philippine Halal Industry Development has so far generated P32 million in sales this year, of which P26 million were booked at the International Food Expo (IFEX) Philippines held last May while the remaining value or P6 million were generated from trade fairs held within Quezon City.

The P32 million came from sales of halal products such as herbal drinks, coconut related products, food snacks, coffee, and bakery ingredients.

In 2023, the Philippine halal industry generated $50.6 million in export sales at the Gulfood, which is touted as one of the world’s largest food and beverage exhibitions, held in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.

The Philippines’ hybrid participation at the Gulfood was led by the Center of International Trade Missions and Expositions (CITEM) together with 18 small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

suddenly pull out of the Philippines to sell their gas to richer buyers elsewhere. Filipino gas will give us a significant measure of energy security and sovereignty underpinning our economic development,” she said.

Besides Cayetano, 16 other senators backed the enactment of SB 2793, namely: Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada, Majority Leader Francis Tolentino, Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Sens. Grace Poe, Mark Villar, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Cynthia Villar, Christopher Go, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Raffy Tulfo,

with halal certification and high-value and innovative products.

Challenges in PHL halal industry

WITH these developments in the halal industry, Guiapal underscored the need to increase the numbers above halal output by increasing halal domestic consumption and export.

“This is best done when we make halal certification accessible,” he also told this paper.

“Recognition of the [Halal Certification Bodies] HCBs by the Philippine Halal Export and Promotion Board will address building the Halal integrity of the Philippines, but this doesn’t rest here we also need to bring awareness to businesses, [micro,small and medium enterprises] MSMEs, entrepreneurs that halal certification is a market niche,” Guiapal noted.

He added that the Philippine Halal Export and Promotions Board signed a Board Resolution to recognized HCBs who are recognized abroad. He emphasized, “This allows and support the Philippine halal industry to address ease of doing business.”

At the First Brunei, Indonesia,

Robinhood Padilla, Alan Peter Cayetano, Ramon Revilla Jr. and Manuel Lapid. Cayetano told her colleagues that the proposed law would also boost investor confidence in the Philippine economy as it would signal government commitment to industries that require heavy investments, like natural gas.

The bill would provide a market for indigenous gas by giving priority to its procurement and use for power generation, a policy already enshrined in the Electric Power Industry Reform Act (Epira) and successive issuances from Epira’s chief implementing agency, the Department of Energy (DOE).

Malaysia and Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga) Trade, Investment and Halal Industry Conference on Tuesday organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), PCCI President Enunina Mangio told reporters, “So our ultimate goal, really, that’s why we’re collaborating with our BIMP-Eaga members, is for our certifying body to be recognized by the other countries, and I think it is more like collaborating and working together with the DTI.”

The head of one of the major business groups in the Philippines said: “Because right now, they’re not being recognized. Whatever they certify in the Philippines, our foreign members do not accept it like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, they don’t recognize the certifying body.”

This issue was among the challenges cited in the Philippine Industry Development Strategic Plan 20232028. Under the item with the title “Restrictive regulation,” the Plan said, “The Philippines has a lower halal output for domestic consumption and exports compared to other non-Islamic economies because of

This would assure investors of a market for the production of more wells, as the senator noted that the Philippines ranks lowest compared with other Southeast Asian countries in terms of natural gas discoveries.

“Malampaya was supposed to be the first of many producing gas fields in the Philippines but it turned out to be the only one. It has grown old, and may become depleted as early as 2027. This poses a dilemma. To support the DOE’s long-term energy plan, the country needs more Malampayas: We barely have one left,” Cayetano said.

Malampaya is providing stable-cost

unresolved legal setbacks and longstanding stand-off between halal accreditation bodies (HABs) and halal certification bodies (HCBs). Currently, the Plan noted, only Philippine products certified by Philippineaccredited halal certifying bodies are allowed for export.

To solve this issue, the Plan said there is a need to recognize foreignaccredited Philippine HCBs to further drive the growth of Phillippine halal exports.

“Establish a mechanism for recognition of accredited HCBs. By virtue of Mutual Recognition Agreements [MRA], foreign HCBs accredited and/ or recognized by the destination market can be recognized,” the 6-year Plan noted, adding that this would result in increased number of Philippine halal exports, increased visibility of Philippine products in foreign markets, business growth, jobs creation and investment generation. According to the Plan, the Philippine halal industry is eyeing to attract P230 billion in halal-related investments, generate 120,000 jobs and double halal output.

gas to power much of Luzon’s energy requirements for more than 20 years. It is the country’s first and only natural gas field, which was discovered back in 1989. Cayetano, reiterating DOE policy, also pointed out that natural gas would serve as a transition fuel during the Philippines’ shift to full renewable energy use.

“While the renewable energy industry is developing, natural gas can help decrease our dependence on imported coal and oil,” Cayetano said in her speech. She added that natural gas as baseload source is less harmful to the environment and less volatile to international conflicts.

House OKs tax exemption for athletes’ rewards, perks

WITH an overwhelming 203 votes, the House of Representatives on Wednesday approved on third and final reading a measure exempting Filipino athletes and their coaches from the payment of taxes on the incentives, rewards, bonuses, and other forms of emoluments they have received.

House Bill (HB) No. 10723 not only exempts rewards awarded by brands and companies following an athlete’s victory but also donations used for the preparation of national athletes one year before the tournament.

Once signed and enacted into law by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., the proposed piece of legislation would amend the National Athletes and

Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act (Republic Act 10699).

The bill exempts from national or local taxes, fees and charges “all incentives, rewards, bonuses and other forms of emoluments, as well as donations, gifts, endowments and contributions, whether from public or private persons or entities, received by national athletes who compete or win in international sports competi -

tions” including those received by their coaches.

Likewise, donations, incentives, and rewards given to the athletes and coaches prior to the competition and exclusively used to fund training and competitionrelated expenses “shall be considered as allowable deductions from gross income for purposes of computing the taxable income of the donor.”

Donors may avail themselves of the tax exemption within one year before the competition entered into by the concerned athlete and coach and within three months after the international tournament.

The required period to avail of the tax exemptions does not apply to donations, rewards, and contributions coursed through the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Paralympic Committee.

Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez welcomed the passage of the measure, noting that it is among various initiatives in Congress to enhance benefits to Filipino athletes who brought pride

3,000 schools affected by Taal’s vog turn to remote learning

By Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco

A@claudethmc3

LMOST 3,000 schools in areas affected by Taal volcano’s vog have opted to turn to remote learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday. The DepEd said that a total of 3,586,353 learners from Region 4-A, National Capital Region

(NCR), and Region 4-B were affected by Taal volcano’s sudden emission of volcanic sulfur dioxide gas on August 19 and have opted to conduct alternative delivery mode (ADM) of learning.

Data provided by DepEd showed that 2,850,095 learners in Region 4-A were affected on August 19; in NCR there were 730,336 learners, and 5, 922 learners in Region 4-B.

DepEd said that the 2,685

schools in Region 4-A, as of August 21, have yet to return to face-to-face classes.

In NCR, all the 254 affected schools resumed their classes on August 20.

In Region 4-B, 28 schools resumed their classes on August 21.

On Monday, DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara authorized affected schools in Region 4-A and NCR

and honor to the country.

Earlier, Speaker Romualdez said the House is also contemplating the grant of lifetime monthly pension to Filipino athletes who would win medals in the Olympics, starting when they reach the age of 40.

“The honor our Olympians Carlos Yulo and Hidilyn Diaz gave our country is immeasurable and priceless, but we can acknowledge their hard work and triumph by way of benefits from the government,” he said.

Rep. Gus Tambunting (Parañaque, 2nd District), chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Franchises and one of the authors of HB 10723, hopes that tax-free donations and gifts would encourage more Filipino athletes to excel in their chosen sports.

“It is clear that Filipino athletes are world-class, and our performance in international competitions affirms this. That is why now more than ever, it is imperative that Congress does its part in pro-actively supporting our athletes that will help them attain their full potential,” he said.

to suspend in-person classes in the absence of an official announcement from the local government units.

“To ensure learning continuity in affected areas, DepEd instructs schools to employ alternative delivery modalities such as modular or online learning,” Angara said in his order, adding that the decision to lift the suspension “will depend on whether it is safe for learners and teachers to return to their respective schools.”

Angara said the DepEd’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Services has also “activated the Rapid Assessment of Damages Report for the said hazard.”

DMW sets up evacuation center for Lebanon OFWs

By Samuel P. Medenilla

T@sam_medenilla

HE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has established an evacuation center in Lebanon in preparation for bringing home around 1,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from the war-torn West Asian country.

In an interview with the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), DMW Secretary Hans J. Cacdac explained the shelter will be available for OFWs, who will be pulled out from conflict-hit areas in Lebanon.

“We also have a shelter prepared

already because the strategy is in-country evacuation prior to eventual repatriation,” Cacdac said.

As of last Monday, he said around 1,000 OFWs have already to be repatriated. Of the said OFWs, he said 45 are expected to arrive this week.

“We continue to monitor the situation. There are crisis plans that are in place and ready to be implemented should the situation worsen. But for now, the call is for our workers to come home,” Cacdac said.

He reiterated that each of the repatriates from Lebanon will receive P150,000 financial as -

sistance from the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) together with other services such as skill training, medical checkups, psycho social counselling and business training.

As of last Wednesday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has placed Lebanon under crisis Alert Level 3 or the Voluntary Repatriation phase.

Under Alert Level 3, OFWs are urged to voluntarily avail of repatriation from the government.

A deployment ban is also in place in the affected country.

DFA imposed the said restriction as the Israeli military

continued to attack Hezbollah forces in Lebanon.

“The conflict, right now, we know is that of the southern border. Northern Israel and southern Lebanon, no Filipinos are there—they’ve been evacuated. However, there are still some southern cities with some Filipinos there so we’re in direct contact with them,” Cacdac said.

DMW said there are 11,360 OFWs in Lebanon, most of them in the central part of Beirut.

Since it initiated repatriation efforts in Lebanon last October, it reported 356 OFWs were brought home.

DOH cites increase in HEA claims after series of hearings

THE number of Health Emergency Allowance (HEA) claims significantly increased as a result of the series of hearings led by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, it was learned at a public hearing on Tuesday conducted by the Senate Committee on Health.

The hearings have provided a crucial platform for healthcare workers to voice their concerns, leading to a noticeable uptick in the submission of appeals for unpaid allowances. In response, a healthcare workers’ group thanked Go, acknowledging his persistent efforts to address their long-standing issues.

During the hearing, Go expressed deep concern over the persistent delays in the release of HEA payments. He stressed

that despite multiple hearings and promises from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), many healthcare workers are still waiting for their allowances.

“Their target is by October. And my concern is that until now, many are still clamoring… they keep raising HEA,” he said, emphasizing the need to ensure all qualified healthcare workers receive the HEA due to them for services rendered during the pandemic.

While acknowledging the progress made as DBM and DOH continue to reconcile records and expedite release of HEA, Go also recognized that much work remains to be done, particularly in addressing the appeals of other

healthcare workers who claim to have yet to receive their emergency allowances.

Go then opened the floor to Ronald Ignacio, spokesperson for the United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines, asking him to share other ongoing concerns of healthcare workers.

Ignacio acknowledged that the hearings have indeed made a difference, particularly in the processing of HEA claims. “Now, we noted the Health Emergency Allowance has been moving, especially for those among our members in United Private Hospital Unions of the Philippines.”

He shared that some hospitals have recently received 19 months’ worth of HEA, although the payments have not yet been fully disbursed to the healthcare workers’

“We hope to further encourage various sectors to support our athletes by exempting donations, endowments, or contributions directly and exclusively for state youth and sports development programs and competitions from taxes,” he said.

Rep. Midy Cua (Quirino, Lone District), sponsor of the measure, is optimistic about the bill’s impact on the country’s sports development.

“We believe that the best way forward is to incentivize preparation. Champions are not made overnight. Thus, in addition to our previous proposal, we have included the exemption from tax of donations for the entire training of our athletes, provided that such donations are made through the POC, PSC, and PPC,” she said.

Co-authors of the measure in -

clude Reps. Joey Salceda, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Alfred Delos Santos, Luis Raymound Villafuerte, Crispin Diego Remulla, Midy Cua, Milagros Aquino-Magsaysay, Emigdio Tanjuatco III, Nelson Dayanghirang, Maria Rachel Arenas, Alfelito Bascug, Sergio Dagooc, Anna Victoria Veloso-Tuazon, Jocelyn Limkaichong, Ray Reyes, Rufus Rodriguez, Joseph Gilber Violago, Ruth Mariano-Hernandez, Shernee Tan-Tambut, Mario Vittorio Mariño, Kristine SingsonMeehan, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Gerardo Espina, Jr., JosephLara, Ambrosio Cruz, Jr., Marlyn Alonte, Ramon Nolasco,Jr., Fernando Cabredo, Salvador Pleyto, Josefina Tallado, Jonathan Keith Flores, Francisco Jose Matugas II, and Lani Mercado-Revilla.

accounts.

However, Ignacio also highlighted that many hospitals are still waiting for their HEA payments, with some still facing substantial delays. He expressed concerns about the situation in non-unionized hospitals, where healthcare workers lack the venue to air concerns or worse, penalized for inquiring about their emergency allowances.

In response to the points raised by Ignacio, Go reiterated his commitment to listen to their concerns and continue appealing to executive agencies until all qualified healthcare workers receive what they are rightfully owed. He asked the DOH to open their doors to appeals and also reach out to other health workers who have no platform to air their concerns.

Brief

10. CHEN, JIANDONG Project Coordinator

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11. HONG, ZHAODI Project Coordinator