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Stricter No Smoking rules starting Monday

Roy — Sun, 29 May 2011 02:26:46 +0000

A stricter “No Smoking” policy in public places will be implemented in Metro Manila starting Monday and the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will see to it that it will be imposed.

The MMDA will be arresting smokers on and secondary roads starting Monday, especially those inside public utility jeepneys and buses. This crackdown against smoking in public places is enforced by the MMDA in partnership with health and environmental officers of Metro Manila’s 17 localities.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino invoked Section 5 of Republic Act 9211 of 2003 or An Act Regulating the Packaging, Use, Sale, Distribution and Advertisement of Tobacco Produces and For Other Purposes, and also the anti-smoking drive of the Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board in the implementation of the No Smoking policy.

Those who will be caught will be fined P500 for the first offense, or will be required to render an eight-hour community service if they cannot afford to pay the fine.

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DTI to bring SME Caravan to Antique

Roy — Sun, 15 May 2011 17:43:22 +0000

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will bring business caravan to Antique. The DTI has chosen the province to be one of the sites for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) caravan which is slated on the 26th and 27th day of this month.

The trade department is encouraging businesses falling under the category of small and medium enterprises to take part in the said business caravan as it could be of great help for them because they would gain knowledge and skills in the field of their specialization.

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector are considered by the national government as the backbone of the country’s economy. They contribute to employment and generate output for the economy. The government considers this sector as a vital link in dispensing new industries to the countryside and providing gainful employment. With this in mind, the government initiated a comprehensive and integrated strategies in sustaining the growth and development of the MSME sector, one of them is the SME Caravan.

Through the SME Caravan, the MSME’s could gain improved access to government and private sector services, particularly in areas where the provision of business services are limited. The caravan also aims to create awareness of SME’s various business development services that are available to them, both from the government and private sector.

During the business caravan, there would be resource speakers who will cover different business topics like Access to Markets, particularly Product Development and Marketing the Business, Packaging and Labeling, Product Costing and Pricing, and How to Participate in Trade Fairs.

For the finance said of business, the Access to Finance module will cover Business Plan Preparations, while the session on Productivity and Efficiency will cover topics such as Good Manufacturing Practices and Food Safety. The module on Entrepreneurship will cover Entrepreneurial Mindset and Opportunity Seeking lectures.

The seminars are free and DTI published information materials on MSMEs will be provided to each seminar participant.

Supporting the DTI in business caravan are different agencies and organizations like the Land Bank of Philippines, Development Bank of the Philippines, Provincial Government, TESDA, OPA, PPDO, DAR, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and Non-Government Organizations.

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De Lima nominated for the ombudsman post

Roy — Thu, 12 May 2011 18:32:35 +0000

Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Leila de Lima was nominated for Ombudsman before the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) by Assistant State Prosecutor Romeo Swenson because he said he beilieves that de Lima is most qualified to head the anti-graft agency. “Secretary de Lima has shown he incorruptible stand, integrity beyond reproach and character par excellence in serving the public,” Senson said.

De Lima, however, said last week that she is not interested in the ombudsman post and that she will be more fulfilled if she stays in the DOJ, adding that she will decline any nomination. She said she wanted to stay in the justice department where she feels she could e more effective.

“I’ve been here for just less than a year,” De Lima said, “I’m just starting. There are many, many more problems, challenges to face. The mandate of the DOJ is broader, so I feel I can do a lot more.” Under the JBC rules, a nomination for a vacancy will be accepted only when the nominee accepts the nomination.

The eight-man council recently officially opened the acceptance of applications and nominations for the post of the ombudsman. It gave interested parties a non-extendible period of 10 days or until May 16 to submit applications and nominations. JBC said it already received a nomination for lawyer Ernesto Francisco Jr., and former Pampanga governor Eddie Panlilio.

JBC also expected to receive a nomination for Dean Jose Manuel Diokno, son of the late senator Jose Diokno. He will be endorsed by the Free Legal Assistance Group. The council will make the official list of nominees for ombudsman public, after all nominations and applications have been received.

The Ombudsman Act (RA 677) said that the ombudsman should be “a natural citizen of the Philippines, at least 40 years old, of recognized probity and independence, member of the Philippine Bar, and must not have been a candidate for any elective national or local office.”

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DOH wants medicine, support accessible to poor women with breast cancer

Roy — Thu, 12 May 2011 14:46:32 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) and the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS) joined hands to launch a program that will allow poor women diagnosed with early stage of breast cancer to have access to medicines and other forms of support. The program hopes to increase the survival rates of breast cancer victims in the Philippines.

Department of Health Secretary Ona said that an awareness campaign should be made to make women realize that breast cancer is a curable disease when detected, treated and managed early. “Cancer is a costly disease, with the cost of medicines and treatment way out of reach for our many countrymen,” he said.

Ona added, “Women must have regular breast examination and never hesitate to go on a medical check-up especially those with lump in the breast before it is too late.”

The health secretary called on women with early stage of breast cancer to enroll in any of the four participating hospitals in Metro Manila. These are: East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC), Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMC), Philippine General Hospital (PGH), and Rizal Medical Center (RMC).

Ona explained further that through a patient navigation scheme, targeted indigent Filipino women should be provided free medicine entitlement and other forms of support. The DOH and PCS partnership will provide P50 million for a year covering 800 patients and will target an initial 1,000 breast cancer patients. He also said that the there was an estimated 12,262 new cases of breast cancer in 2010 and 4,371 died of the said ailment.

The Philippines is among the countries with high incidence of breast cancer cases. Survival rate for breast cancer in the Philippines is below 40 percent compared to the high survival rates of 80 to 98 percent in developed countries.

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Villar remains to be the richest senator

Roy — Thu, 12 May 2011 05:05:43 +0000

Senator Manuel Villar’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) reflects his assets to reach P725,221,964 while maintaining no liabilities. Compared to his filed SALN for the previous year, Villar’s asset were reduced from close to P1 billion to about P725 million in the election year of 2010. Despite the decrease in asset size, however, he remained to be the richest senator.

The senator listed about six residential lots in Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Cavite, among his properties, totaling P4.58 million, representing acquisition costs. Villar also reported investments in stocks worth P147 million and other real and personal properties totaling P572.8 million.

Villar and his wife, who filed a joint SALN, also listed stakes in M.B. Villar Co. Inc., Fine Properties, Inc., Mooncrest Property, Macys Inc., Hollinger Holdings, which were acquired from 1982 to 2010. Cynthia Villar was a former lawmaker before she was replaced by son Mark as Las Piñas representative in 2010.

Forbes Magazine listed Villar as the largest shareholder in property firms Vista Land and Lifescapes and Pollar Property Holdings in 2009. He was the country’s ninth richest man then, with net worth of $530 million, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, Senator Antonio Trillanes was the poorest senator in the list, replacing Senator Joker Arroyo. He listed his assets totaling P3.836 million. These included 120-square meter residential lot in General Trias, Cavite; a 308-square meter lot in Antipolo; and a residential condominium in Parañaque worth P3 million. Trillanes also reported P3.880 million as liabilities,

The second richest senator based on filed SALN is Ralph Recto (jointly filed with Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto) who reported assets worth P418.523 million while maintaining P32 million in liabilities. He was followed by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who has P311.5 million net worth with no liabilities.

Completing the list of the senators between Marcos and Trillanes, based on the size of the assets reflected in their SALN: Ramon Revilla Jr., P125.75 million; Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, P116.07 million; Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, P93.56 million; Sergio Osmeña, P82.3 million; Pia Cayetano, P76.775 million; Teofisto Guingona III, P73.97 million; Edgardo Angara, P70.09 million; Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, P48.96 million; Loren Legarda, P45.545 million; Juan Miguel Zubiri, P41.3 million; Franklin Drillon, P33.442 million; Panfilo Lacson, P24.729 million; Gregorio Honasan, P19.354 million; Lito Lapid, P18.9 million; Allan Peter Cayetano, P15.94 million; Francis Pangilinan, P12.43 million; Joker Arroyo, P11.05 million; and Francis Escudero, P8.032 million.

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New reimbursement payment scheme to be adopted by Philhealth

Roy — Mon, 09 May 2011 10:27:19 +0000

A new payment system that will replace the present “fee for service” scheme in reimbursing hospitals will be adopted by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (Philhealth) and hopes to implement it next month.

The Philhealth plans to adopt a new system called the “case payment” system which will have fixed rates for medical services and surgical procedures to reimburse hospitals for treatment of Philhealth members.

Senior manager of benefits and development and research department of Philhealth Dr. Israel Francis A. Pargas said the case payment system will cover both medical and surgical procedures. He said the board discussion on the new scheme is almost over.

Pargas presented a draft during the recent annual convention of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP), of the proposed amounts that can be reimbursed by hospitals on specified surgical and medical cases.

Among the fixed rates for service and procedures are: hemodialysis, P4,000; radiotherapy, P3,000; caesarian section, P15,000; Medical Care Plan (MCP), P8,000; appendectomy, P26,000; hysterectomy, P30,000; cholecystectomy, P31,000; dilation and curettage, P11,000; mastectomy, P22,000; herniorrhaphy, P21,000; and thyroidectomy, P31,000. For other diseases, reimbursement for essential hypertension case will be P9,000 and typhoid fever is P14,000.

Pargas said, “The new case rates shall be the new reimbursement for all the specified cases. It will apply to all claims by eligible Philhealth members and dependents admitted in accredited facilities.” He noted that the new scheme will moderate the financial risk to Philhealth and will provide high financial protection to beneficiaries and members and would mean less administrative cost for hospitals and Philhealth because it will not need any itemization.

According to Pargas, under the current reimbursement scheme which is the fee-for-service method, there is a high risk to payors, Philhealth and members and is also incentive for fraud. The present system also results in high administrative cost for hospitals.

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Bebeng intensified into a storm

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 12:32:56 +0000

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday that tropical depression “Bebeng” has intensified into a storm. According to PAGASA, Bebeng is threatening to hit the Bicol region.

Bebeng was spotted 220 kilometers east of Legaspi City with maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center as of 4 p.m. Saturday. PAGASA has raised public storm signal no. 2 on the following provinces: Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Northern Samar.

The following areas were placed under public storm signal no. 1: Masbate, Ticao Island, Burias Island, Camarines Norte, Quezon, Polillo Island, Aurora, Marinduque, Easter Samar, and Western Samar.

It is expected to be around 69 kilometers northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte on Sunday afternoon, and by Monday, Bebeng is expected to be 110 kilometers north of Baler, Aurora or 70 km south of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC) advised residents living near rivers and lakes in the northern part of the country to “take appropriate actions.” The NDRMC said that the 26 low-lying areas near the Bicol River Basis are likely to be affected by the slow rise in the water. Flooding may also be possible as basin rainfall will likely be moderate to heavy.

Bebeng has also caused the cancellation of at least six domestic flights in 10 provinces in Northern and Central Philippines. According to the Manila International Airport Authority media affairs division, the cancelled flights included Air Philippines’ flight to and from Catarman. Cebu Pacific also had it flights to and from Catarman cancelled.

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Smart cards issued to drivers can now be used

Roy — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:07:36 +0000

The Pantawid Pasada fuel subsidy smart cards released last May 2 to jeepney drivers have already been loaded according to the Department of Energy (DoE). The smart cards were loaded with a value of P1,050 and they can be presented at gasoline stations with signs saying “Pantawid Cards Accepted Here.” The energy department also confirmed that some of the cards were already consumed.

Unfortunately, there were reports that some gasoline stations have turned away jeepney drivers who wanted to use the fuel subsidy cards for jeepneys issued by the DoE. Some gasoline attendants would reply that none of their fuel pumps were designated for the smart cards.

Some jeepney drivers complained that the P1,050 load was not even enough to run their jeep the whole day since they would consume almost P1,500 worth of fuel in a day, while some were still appreciative of what the government was to able to give them.

Meanwhile, independent oil player Flying V have reduced its diesel price by P0.50 per liter but increased its gasoline pump price by P0.50 per liter. The adjustments took effect on 12:01 a.m. of Saturday, May 7.

The DoE also issued the requirements for those who would like to get their smart cards, which are the following: certificate of public convenience (decision/order); official receipt valid from April 2010 to March 2011 and certificate of registration; and one government-issued ID with photo.

The initial sets of smart cards issued were to jeepney operators with routes originating from Baclaran Bacood, Bacoor, Bagbaguin, Bagong Barrio, Bagong Nayon, Bagong Silang, Bagumbayan, Bagumbong, Balara, Balic-balic and Balintawak.

The energy department have scheduled release the smart cards of other routes in Metro Manila on Monday and Tuesday. For provincial jeepney drivers, DoE has tapped the regional offices of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to be the distribution channel of the Pantawid Pasada cards.

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Taiwanese businessmen plan to relocate to the Philippines

Roy — Fri, 06 May 2011 08:51:26 +0000

Taiwanese businessmen are seriously considering relocating their manufacturing facilities to the Philippines from mainland China. The Manila Economic Cultural Office (MECO) said the decision was made by the Taiwan diplomatic row with the Philippines following their frustrations from the stringent labor requirements in China.

The Taiwanese businesses are engaged in industrial plastics manufacturing with estimated investments of at least $120 million, according to MECO chairman Amadeo R. Perez Jr. He said they are considering relocating their factories from China to Subic and Clark Freeport zones for their export-oriented investments.

Perez said that four plastic products manufacturers have already visited Subic and Clark and another will be coming over to visit Batangas and Clark. One company engaged in bed frames and mattresses production is eyeing a warehouse in Clark which it can is suitable and can be converted for its business. “One project alone can command at least $20 million in investments,” Perez said. For the six projects that would translate to an estimated $120 million worth of prospective investments.

The bed frame and mattresses manufacturer is exporting its products to the EU, Asia and the US while the plastic products manufacturers are producing industrial products which are used for packaging applications and are exporting them all over the world.

Perez added that some of the Taiwanese have already gone to Vietnam and Indonesia because those countries are not very choosy due to their high unemployment rate. He said Taiwanese investors in mainland China have been turned off by policy changes in the labor sector.

MECO is implementing a major campaign to attract more Taiwanese investors into the Philippines, following the successful resolution of the bilateral issue early this year. However, Perez said the country’s only problem is the high cost of electricity, and Vietnam and Indonesia could beat the Philippines on that factor.

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New CDC head assumes post

Roy — Wed, 04 May 2011 18:39:14 +0000

Antonio B. Remollo, former mayor of Dumaguete City, is the new head of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC) replacing Benigno Ricafort, Ateneo law school dean Cesar Villanueva assumed post as CDC chairman, replacing Rizalino Navarro.

Ricafort left to Remollo’s charge a Freeport hosting some P77 billion worth of investments of foreign and domestic firms. He also reported that Clark now employs 60,000 personnel, which is a far cry from the average 24,000 Filipinos employed by the Americans before they left the former US Air Force base.

Ricafort started as CDC board member in 1993 until former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo appointed him CDC head in 2008.

Meanwhile, Remollo had been mayor of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental from 1998 to 2001. In an interview, Remollo said he would keep the current vice presidents of the CDC although they would be under probation for six months to one year. He said he would retain those proven efficient and dedicated to their work.

Remollo disclosed that he is eyeing enough area in Clark for the construction of a “new Malacañang” as well as buildings to accommodate national government offices. He did not confirmed though if it was motivated by President Aquino, although there were other sectors, both private and public, who wanted to move the country’s government seat to Clark.

One of the top priorities of Remollo, he said, would be the development of Clark as a major tourism destination. “Tourism here could be developed to the maximum also by hosting sports activities as well as promoting medical tourism. We should have a really attractive theme park here,” he said.

Remollo is eyeing particularly the 300 hectares of land by the Philippine Air Force (PAF). The area include a resort with an Olympic-sized swimming pool, an “officers’ club” building with conference rooms, a hotel, and a football field. Said facilities have been noted to be underutilized and deteriorating under the management of the air force.

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DoE starts distribution of Pantawid Pasada cards

Roy — Wed, 04 May 2011 15:30:50 +0000

Major oil player Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation is preparing 200 gasoline stations nationwide to serve as jeepney lanes for the fuel subsidy program of the government, with issuance of the fuel discount card’s under the “Pantawid Pasada” program already underway.

Pilipinas Shell vice president for communications Roberto S. Kanapi assured that the company will “continue to support the government in providing assistance to the transport sector.”

The fuel discount cards were distributed by the Department of Energy (DoE) to jeepney drivers and operators starting May 2, however, the cash loads of the fuel cards will be officially transmitted on May 6, Friday.

The DoE said that the initial P450-million subsidy allotted for the program may not be the only subsidy to be granted to the transport sector. Deliberations are ongoing for another P1.2-billion budget at the Inter-Agency Energy Contingency Committee.

The energy department hopes that, aside from being a fuel subsidy card, the cards may also be used for future purposes, including for the price discounts being offered by the oil companies. The agency also said that the cost of the production Pantawid Pasada cards, amounting to P11 million or P50 per card, were shouldered by the oil firms.

Pantawid Pasada cards issued to jeepney drivers and operators will have a load of P1,050, which may be spent one-time or applied as discount for fuel purchases. Initially distributed will be those in Metro Manila. The fuel cards of those in the provincial areas will follow immediately with the assistance of the regional networks of the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

After the jeepneys, fuel subsidy cards for tricycle drivers will be issued next, which will have a load P150. The DoE is still studying the process of distributing the Pantawid Pasada cards to tricycle drivers although it hopes to finish it within a month’s time.

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Aquino not keen on new taxes

Roy — Wed, 04 May 2011 12:25:21 +0000

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III is not keen on new taxes just to increase the income of the government, instead he said that existing tax exemptions or incentives should be reviewed. Aquino said that rationalization plan for fiscal incentives is being discussed and stressed that the government would continue on its efforts to increase revenues by improving tax collections.

“At this present time, none of my economic managers are indicating that there is such a need (for new taxes). And again, the priority still is improving the tax collection efficiency,” the president said. He also mentioned of a pending bill aiming to lift certain tax exemptions to address the need for a better system of collection and noted that some of the incentives are “outdated, not realistic,” compared to the others being given by the government.

The president said he already ordered his economic managers to study and review the fiscal rationalization plant of the government as well as tax incentives already given to multi-national companies in order to improve tax collection.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) urged the Philippine government to broaden its tax base and strengthen tax administration by overhauling its excise tax system on sin products and rationalizing its fiscal incentives to raise much needed revenue to bankroll social and infrastructure spending. The IMF said this is crucial to the Aquino administration’s commitment to trim the budget deficit to two percent of gross domestic product starting 2013 from the current level of 3.3 percent of GDP.

The IMF’s latest Public Information Notice dated March 1 reads: “Achieving the deficit targets and increasing social and infrastructure spending will require substantial revenue efforts, including broadening the tax base and strengthening tax administration.”

The executive board of the IMF recommended early actions to reform excise taxes, rationalize fiscal incentives and address gaps in the value added tax (VAT), complemented by reforms to strengthen the budgetary framework, and control of the civil service wage bill.

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Chinatrust applies for unibank license

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:30:07 +0000

The Chinatrust Commercial Bank Corp. is seeking to upgrade its current status and authority from a commercial bank to a universal bank. Chinatrust made a request to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), asking it to convert its banking license to “unibank” at the end of last year to allow it to implement globalization plans.

With a unibank license, it will be possible for the bank to have a bigger role in onshore capital market through corporate issuances underwriting and the distribution of securities to institutional investors. Aside from having an authority to operate as an investment house, unibanks are also allowed to invest in non-allied enterprises, such as infrastructure projects.

According to the BSP, Chinatrust is planning to have a more active role in debt and equity underwriting. The bank currently operates 24 branches in the Philippines and they plan to use their branch network for the distribution of securities.

A subsidiary of Taipei-based Chinatrust Commercial Bank Ltd., Chinatrust (Philippines) is targeting top-tier clients, such as conglomerates and companies into utilities and power-generation, and some middle-income industries such as the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.

The request for the banks license upgrade has been forwarded to the Monetary Board for approval as Chinatrust is qualified and meets requirement. The foreign-affiliated bank has a capital base of P5.26 billion, exceeding the minimum capital requirement. The BSP requires all unibank to have a minimum capital of P5 billion and for commercial banks, the minimum capital requirement is at least P2.5 billion.

Established in 1995, Chinatrust is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange. The BSP, before granting it a unibank license, wants the bank to offer at least 10 percent of the required minimum capital for public offer before December 31 of this year.

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Clark airport to get a boost from US lawmakers

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 04:20:52 +0000

During their visit to the Clark airport, president and CEO of Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) Victor Jose I. Luciano asked the two US senators for help in the transformation of Clark airport into an “aerotropolis” that will bring in investors from the United States.

US Senators Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, President Pro Tempore of the US Senate, and Thad Cochran of Mississippi, both members of the committee on appropriations, were at the CIAC corporate offices recently and made a quick tour at the expanded Terminal 1 of the Clark International Airport.

Luciano made a presentation to the two senators at the CIAC Boardroom where he pointed to them the development of a logistics and services hum in the Clark airport area which was patterned after the logistics hub in Dallas Forthworth, Texas where the development of two cities created an “aerotropolis.”

Luciano said, “The airport-driven economic powerhouse brought in hundreds of companies around the airport in Dallas. This is where we would like to seek the US government to help us plan to make the Clark Civil Aviation Complex an aerotropolis.” He asked the two senators to help promote Clark to American investors.

Senator Inouye said Luciano should join the APEC meeting in Hawaii this year to make a pitch for the development of Clark airport and make same kind of presentation he showed to them. This year’s annual APEC Leader’s Meeting will be held in Honolulu, Hawaii in November.

The two US Senators visited the Philippines to look into the transformation of the two former US military bases, the Clark Air Base in Pampanga and the Subic Naval Base in Olongapo, and see how they were turned into productive civilian use.

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President Aquino’s Labor Day announcements

Roy — Mon, 02 May 2011 00:28:44 +0000

A mix of wage and non-wage benefits for the country’s workforce was announced by President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III on Labor Day.

The president said over a million government workers can receive another salary increase in June, or a month earlier than schedule, due to the government’s prudent fiscal management. For the private sector, he gave instructions to the regional wage boards to hasten deliberations on proposed salary adjustments for workers in the private sector within this month.

Aquino also announced a P4.23-billion rice subsidy program and P2-billion in farms implements support for small farmers and fishermen, totaling over P6.23 billion.

He made the announcements during the breakfast dialogue with representatives of public and private labor groups and employers to mark Labor Day at the Palace. During the said breakfast meeting, the president offered a quarterly dialogues with labor groups and employers to find solutions to the concerns of the industry, as well as craft better labor policies.

Aquino stressed that his administration is working hard to address the concerns of the labor sector for higher pay and improved benefits, although he admits that these cannot be solved overnight.

As for the public employees he said, “Government workers will have a salary increase this June, and not July. We advanced the release by a month because I know this will be a big help especially as school enrolment approaches. We won’t postpone this if we can afford to give it today. That’s our promise from the start, and that will remain our policy,” he said in Filipino.

The salary increase for state workers is originally scheduled on July, it the third tranche under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) 3. Aquino said the early release of the wage increase for government workers was made possible due to government savings.

For the employees in the private sector, Aquino said the wage board in the National Capital Region is expected to make a decision on proposed wage adjustment next week, while other regional wage are expected to issue their decision this month. “We cannot promise that within the month everybody would be finished but we will be pressing them to finish within the month,” he said.

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Binay’s recommendation on Marcos’ burial at Libingan ng mga Bayani out next month

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 19:51:17 +0000

Vice President Jejomar Binay was tasked to make a decision whether or not the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos will be allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. The vice president said he hopes to submit by next month recommendation on the proposal to bury the former president at the Philippines’ national heroes’ cemetery.

Binay said he is still collating the opinions of different groups before he submits his opinion on the issue. He said the Office of the Vice-President is still waiting for the official position of the registered political parties, civic groups and people’s organizations.

“We want to take into account the views of all sectors and groups. We want to encourage people participation in decision-making,” Binay said, adding that commentaries published in newspapers have also been taken into considerations.

The vice president said that more than 3,000 Filipinos worldwide have responded to the survey conducted asking respondents their opinions about the proposal to give Marcos a hero’s burial. As of April 15, Binay said his office received 3,115 replies of which 2,139 were sent through text message and 976 were sent through email.

“We are interested in getting the people’s opinion on the issue, not to count how many agreed or disagreed. We do not tally how many voted yes or no. The survey is intended to get the people’s sentiments so we could formulate and give the best recommendation to President Aquino,” he said.

The Vice-President said he hopes to conclude the survey and submit his recommendation to President Aquino next month Some 218 congressmen have already affixed their signatures in support of the resolution, but Binay apparently now has the final say.

Those allowed to be buried at the heroes’ cemetery are the military personnel who died in the line of duty or were honorably discharged from the service, Filipino war veterans, former presidents, dignitaries, statesmen and National Artists. The remains of widows of former Philippine presidents, secretaries of national defense and Armed Forces chiefs of staff are also authorized to be interred in the same plot where their husbands are buried.

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Transport firm to pioneer electric buses in the Philippines

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 14:57:44 +0000

Local transport firm Green Frog Zero Emission Transport Corp. dared to take the huge risk in the electric vehicle industry and expressed interest to buy some 3,000 electric buses in the next seven years, with the initial 38 units coming in from China within the year.

Green Frog director Philip Apostol said the 36-passenger buses will be fielded in Makati City with an P8 fare trip. The first 10 buses arriving midyear will ply the Buendia line while the 28 units will take other routes. The buses will initially ply a route that goes along Buendia from EDSA to the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX). Eventually, they will be available to commuters with the whole of Makati.

“The plan is to implement to project within 90 days after the signing of the MOA (memorandum of agreement) with the Makati LGU. This is a PPP (Public-Private-Partnership) with Makati,” he said. Apostol admits that cost of the e-buses was high, but hopes that the government “would work” with them.

He did not disclosed the cost of the electric buses but said that normally, the bigger electric buses would cost $300,000 (P13.5 million) each. Green Frog’s buses, however, will be smaller and would cost less.

The company is seeking tax perks, among other incentives, and a pioneer status from the Board of Investments, to make the project economically viable.

Negotiations by the company with banks and government financial institutions have been started, seeking for the best financing package. It also seeks some guarantees from the Philippine Export Import Credit Agency (PhilExim) to get lower interest rates.

Apostol said the half of the revenues will be coming from advertising income to help keep fares at reasonable levels during the initial roll-out.

Another Green Frog director, Servillano Batac, said talks were also ongoing between government and financial institutions for the mechanics of a “tap-and-go” system for the electric buses. “The idea is that you will be able to use your MRT (Metro Rail Transit) cards to pay our electric buses, just like in other countries,” he said.

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Diskwento Caravan rolls out of Metro Manila

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 11:38:46 +0000

The Diskwento Caravan (Discount Caravan) will soon roll out to areas outside Metro Manila to bring cheaper goods to more Filipino consumers.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) secretary Gregory L. Domingo said, “We also want consumers in various regions to experience the reduced prices of goods sold at the caravan which Metro Manila residents were afforded.”

Domingo instructed the agency’s regional and provincial directors to coordinate with manufacturers of prime and basic commodities to sell discounted products in provinces and allow consumers in the countryside to purchase products for as low as factory prices. The Diskwento Caravan is participated by manufacturers that sell their wares ranging from generic medicines, bread, sardines, cooking oil, processed meat, fruits, vegetables, detergent bars and school supplies.

The DTI chief said consumers should take this opportunity and take advantage of the discounts, most especially to households that are in need of school supplies for the coming school opening. “Enrollment is just a few days, students and mothers can shop for notebooks, crayolas, ballpens, pencils, etc. and expect big savings on these items.”

The trade department, however, was quick to point out that they do not directly compete with local retailers since the caravans are stationed far from commercial establishments and hosted in city halls and are under the supervision of the mayor’s office.

The schedule of the Diskwento Caravans are as follows: Bukidnon – April 27-28; Antique – May 4-5; Abra – May 10-11; Oriental Mindoro – May 18-19; Pangasinan – May 24-25; Surigao del Norte –May 30-31; Zambales – June 2-3; Zamboanga del Norte – June 7-8; Cagayan – June 14-15; Northern Samar – June 17-18; Sorsogon – June 22-23; Davao Oriental – June 28-29; Negros Oriental July 5-6; Quezon – July 14-15; and Saranggani – July 26-27.

In Metro Manila, the Diskwento Caravan will be at the DTI headquarters in Buendia Ave. corner Makati Ave – May 9 -10, Mandaluyong, May 16; Manila – May 30; Pateros – May 31; Taguig – June 1; Malabon – June 3. The Diskwento Caravans will be enhanced with jobs fair to be conducted by the Labor Department and the National Wages and Productivity Commission at the same venues and schedules.

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Arroyo couple asked to appear before DOJ

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:07:44 +0000

The Department of Justice (DOJ) subpoenaed Ang Galing Pinoy Party List Rep. Juan Miguel “Mikey” Arroyo and his wife Angela ordering them to appear before the justice department to answer the charges for the P73.85-million tax evasion cased filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) April 7.

The former presidential son and his wife were ordered to appear before the DOJ at 2 p.m. on May 12 and 26. They were also told to submit their counter-affidavit and supporting documents. Arroyo is said to be in the US with his mother, former president and Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The subpoena, dated April 28, was issued by a three-member panel of prosecutors tasked to handle the preliminary investigation of the case. The panel is composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Lagrimas Agaran, Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Christina Barot, and Assistant State Prosecutor Mederlyn Presa-Mangalindan.

The BIR filed the complaint last April 7 against the Arroyo couple after gathering ample evidence. The tax agency accused the couple of wrongful declaration of taxable income and non-filing of income tax returns.

The BIR said Arroyo only paid P2.4 million, P1.7 billion and P376,000 in taxes for the year 2004, 2006 and 2007, respectively, when he and his wife bought several properties worth millions from 2004 to 2009 – including residential houses in the United States, in Lubao, Pampanga and at La Vista Subdivision in Quezon City.

BIR Commissioner Kim Henares said the agency patterned its investigation on the method used by the US authorities against gangster Al Capone and found “substantial underdeclaration of income by over 30 percent.”

Henares said, “Under the Tax Code (NIRC), underdeclaration of taxable income of more than 30 percent is considered a prima facie evidence of fraudulent return.” Arroyo also supposedly did not file income tax returns (ITRs) for the taxable year 2005, 2008 and 2009, while his wife did not file ITRs from 2003 to 2009.

If found guilty, the couple could face imprisonment of up to four years and fine of at least P30,000 for each count of underdeclaration of taxes, and imprisonment of up to 10 years and P10,000 fine for each count of non-filing of income tax return.

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DOH says dengue cases may reach 20,000

Roy — Sun, 01 May 2011 06:15:14 +0000

The Department of Health (DOH) reported that the number of dengue cases in the country is almost reaching the 20,000 mark. The report reflected in the National Epidemiology Center (NEC) shows that from January 1 to April 12, the figure reached 17,228 for individuals who have contacted dengue. Said figure is 0.33 percent than the 17,172 cases recorded during the same period in 2010.

Dr. Lyndon Lee Suy, DOH program manager for Emerging and Re-emerging Diseases, however said that the number of dengue cases by week in on the decline. “If you look at the figure, it’s going down. That can be expected because it is summer. But the total figure in general is high.”

Lee Suy said the labor department expects that the public may take advantage of the summer time to prepare for expected further increase in dengue cases during the rainy days. He said the public should start getting rid of used tires, empty cans and bottle caps that can hold water, which can become breeding sites of dengue-causing mosquitoes.

The record for this year’s death toll from dengue stands at 12 thus far. For 2010, the total casualties were 36. The highest number of dengue cases this year was from Metro Manila, with a notable increase of 124.93 percent, as it doubles last year’s figure.

Quezon City posted the highest most number of cases, among the cities within Metro Manila, with 815, followed by Manila with 635 and Caloocan City with 584. The most number of deaths from dengue was registered in Valenzuela City with eight, marking the highest in terms of death count in the region.

The highest percentage of increase was posted by Muntinlupa at 745.45 percent, with 93 cases compared to 11 in previous year. Taguig follows with 409.09 percent increase. Central Luzon and Calabarzon posted 3,250 and 3,016 cases respectively.