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Duterte signs law easing entry of foreign retail enterprises in PH and more
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that would further open up the Philippine retail sector to more foreign retail businesses by lowering their required paid-up capital. Republic Act (RA) 11595, which amends RA 8762, also known as the Retail Liberalization Act of 2000, was signed by Duterte on Dec. 10, 2021, and was released to reporters on Thursday. Duterte earlier certified the bill as urgent as part of efforts to encourage the entry of more investors and further boost economic recovery amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Under the law, "a foreign retailer shall have a minimum paid-up capital of PHP25 million." The current law sets the required capital at USD2.5 million or PHP119.67 million. The law also mandates the entry of foreign retailers coming from countries that do not prohibit the entry of Filipino retailers. In the case of foreign retailers engaged in retail trade through more than one physical store, the minimum investment per store must be at least PHP10 million “provided that this requirement shall not apply to foreign investors and foreign retailers who are legitimately engaged in retail trade and were not required to comply with the minimum investment per store at the time of the effectivity of this Act.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs several laws which include easing entry of foreign retail enterprises in PHL, creating the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos and more at the Malacañan Palace recently (MNS photo) The Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority shall review the required minimum paid-up capital every three years and their recommendations should be submitted to Congress. Foreign retailers are encouraged to have a stock inventory of products that are made in the Philippines. As for penalties, violators may face
imprisonment of not less than four to six years and a fine of not less than PHP1 million but not more than PHP5 million. In the case of partnerships, associations, or corporations, the penalty shall be imposed upon its partners, president, directors, general manager, and other officers responsible for the violation. If the offender is not a citizen of the Philippines, he or she shall be
Eye on Health Meet Dr. Sara Khandan
“I am where I am today because of an ophthalmologist,” says ophthalmologist Sara Khandan, M.D. By Adam Behar NATIONAL CITY, CA -- “When I was a young child I had a lazy eye and a very smart ophthalmologist operated on my eyes,” she says. Dr. Khandan, at the time, was only five years old. “He essentially saved my vision.” And so she wanted to pay it forward, as they say. “Because of him I went on to become a surgeon,” says Dr. Khandan, now a glaucoma specialist and surgeon with American Eye Associates. A group of highly trained eye specialists and surgeons, American Eye Associates recently opened a new center in National City, on Plaza Boulevard, to go with existing locations in Chula Vista, El Cajon, and El Centro. Their top-tier specialists and surgeons provide the following services: • Cataracts treatments • Vision Correction, LASIK & PRK • Astigmatism Correction • Cornea treatments • Dry Eye • Glaucoma • Retinal Care When it comes to caring for your eyes, you want someone you can trust, the cream of the crop, right? All of the specialists affiliated with American Eye Associates graduated from elite medical schools and received training at the best institutions—and Dr. Khandan is no
exception. After obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Khandan received her medical degree at Rush University in Chicago. Afterwards, she completed her ophthalmology residency at nationally ranked Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. As if that weren’t enough, she then moved to Florida, where Dr. Khandan completed her glaucoma fellowship at the world renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. What exactly is glaucoma? It’s a condition that can damage the optic nerve and lead to a complete loss of vision. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying signals from the eye to the brain. Once damaged, the optic nerve cannot be repaired, making glaucoma “one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60,” says Dr. Khandan. “The good news is that a regular
eye exam with an ophthalmologist can lead to early detection and early treatment for glaucoma and may prevent blindness.” Dr. Khandan helps her patients manage and monitor cataracts, glaucoma, and other related eye conditions. When surgery is called for, her patients are in good hands. The highly trained doctor’s expertise includes cataract surgery, blepharoplasty, and pterygium surgery, in addition to implantation of glaucoma devices and glaucoma laser treatment. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society, Dr. Khandan participates in international conferences, including the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Khandan, who enjoys playing tennis and swimming in her free time, encourages patients of all ages to make an appointment with her. “In particular,” she says, “people who are age 60 and above and/ or those with medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, should have early exams.” Dr. Khandan is currently accepting new patients. Contact American Eye Associates at today at (619) 425-7755 to schedule a one-on-one consultation. American Eye Associates 1520 East Plaza Blvd., National City, CA 91950 619.425.7755 www.americaneyeassociates.com
deported immediately after the service of sentence. If the Filipino offender is a public officer or employee, he or she shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed, suffer dismissal and permanent disqualification from public office. RA 11595 is a consolidation of House of Representatives Bill 59 and Senate Bill 1840 passed by the House and the Senate on September 21 and 20 last year, respectively.
New law giving ‘small’ farmers cash assistance until 2024 inked Small farmers tilling two hectares and below of rice land will get an annual direct cash assistance under a new law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte signed Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11598 also known as Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act on Dec. 10, 2021. The copy of the law was released to reporters on Thursday.
In signing the law, Duterte recognized the policy of the State to address the plight of small farmers in the country. “The State recognizes the urgency of intervening for our farmers in light of the current state of declining palay prices and the crippling effects of the Coronavirus Disease-19 or Covid-19 pandemic. Towards this end, the State shall provide monetary assistance to the hardest hit segments of the country's small farmers in the form of actual giving of cash to farmers,” RA 11598 read. RA 11598 authorizes the Department of Agriculture (DA) to use the monies from the annual tariff revenues in excess of PHP10 billion on the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to directly provide cash assistance to the small farmers until 2024. The law mandates Bureau of Customs (BOC) to directly remit to the DA the said excess funds. The BOC and the DA shall, at the end of each year, submit separate reports to Congress, through the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform and the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, on the remittance of funds and the actual fund disbursement for the year. The source of funds for the annual direct cash assistance to farmers shall See DUTERTE on
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San Diegans Urged to Not Go to Emergency Departments for COVID-19 Testing By Jose Alvarez SAN DIEGO,CA -- County health officials are urging San Diegans not to go to local emergency departments for COVID-19 testing. Local hospitals are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, as well as staff shortages due to the coronavirus and are preserving their resources for patients who are seriously ill. The County recommends that people worried about COVID-19 infection and others seeking COVID-19 testing only go to a hospital to be tested if they have severe symptoms. “Do not go to an emergency department just to get tested, and only go when you have symptoms that need emergency care,” said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “If you’re experiencing no COVID-19 symptoms, have mild illness or have not been exposed to someone who tested positive, go to one of the many testing locations available in the region.” The region’s healthcare providers offer testing to members who meet each systems’ criteria. Many neighborhood pharmacies offer same day testing as do other locations on this list. The County, which has about 10 percent of the region’s testing capacity, has a network of no-cost testing public sites that are both walk-up and can take appointments. Together, all testing sites have the capacity to perform about 45,000 tests daily. Rapid antigen tests, which are available at many local pharmacies, are a good option
if a testing site is unavailable. Those who test positive on a rapid should follow the healthcare guidance and generally do not need a confirmatory PCR test unless instructed by a doctor. “Currently, there is a high demand for COVID-19 testing so we’re asking San Diegans to be patient as testing traffic can surge and sites can be very busy,” Kaiser said. Avoid Fake COVID-19 Testing Sites The County is also warning San Diegans about potential scams from “pop up” sites that are offering “free” COVID-19 testing. All legitimate COVID-19 testing sites should be able to show you their medical credentials upon request. They should also be able to tell you what laboratory test is being used, where the test is being run and how the results will be reported. A testing site could be fake if:
• They ask for social security numbers or other non-medical information • Materials do not have a logo • Site is on a sidewalk and not affiliated with a medical provider “San Diegans should be wary as some pop-up sites could be personal information scams. If you have doubts, go to a County or community pharmacy COVID-19 testing site,” Kaiser said. Also, the region has plenty of COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses, which remain the best longterm protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. There are more than 400 vaccination sites that include pharmacies, medical providers, clinics and County locations; the region has the capacity to meet demand. You can also make an appointment or find a site near you by calling (833) 422-4255 or visiting the MyTurn or coronavirussd.com websites.