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Category: National

  • World Bank top exec cites PH ‘good’ vaccination program

    World Bank top exec cites PH ‘good’ vaccination program

    With the Philippines’ COVID-19 vaccination program “picking up” pace this quarter, the country is now in a “good place” compared to certain other economies in the region struggling to ramp up their capacities to inoculate their populations against the deadly virus, a World Bank (WB) official has said.

    In a recent meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Victoria Kwakwa, the WB Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, expressed the hope that the pace of the Philippines’ vaccination rollout continues to enable it to achieve its target of immunizing 100 percent of its adult population this year.

    “I think you are in a good place with your vaccination program and I hope it continues,” said Vice President Kwakwa during her virtual meeting with Secretary Dominguez.

    Vice President Kwakwa expressed concern that with the deadlier COVID-19 Delta variant spreading across the globe, other countries in Asia may experience surges as they have either been late in procuring the vaccines or are slow in vaccinating their citizens.

    Secretary Dominguez said that from a low of less than 3 million vaccine doses received by the Philippines in the first quarter of this year, this volume has since increased to some 25 million doses in the April-June period.

    He informed Vice President Kwakwa that the much bigger delivery of about 70 million vaccine doses is expected this third quarter, and over 50 million doses in the last quarter of 2021.

    All these procured vaccines are enough to inoculate more than 100 percent of the country’s population, he told the WB executive.

    Secretary Dominguez also said the Philippines has been fast and efficient in vaccinating its citizens.

    During the meeting, Vice President Kwakwa also thanked Secretary Dominguez, and other senior officials of the Department of Finance (DOF) for their strong collaboration with the WB, which has resulted in the Bank’s largest program this year for the Philippines, amounting to about US$3.1 billion.

    Secretary Dominguez, in turn, thanked Vice President Kwakwa for leading WB’s initiatives to enhance its engagement with, and strengthen its support, for the Philippines. (DOF)

  • Philippines and Vietnam reaffirm defense cooperation following 45 years of diplomatic relations

    Philippines and Vietnam reaffirm defense cooperation following 45 years of diplomatic relations

    The Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam marked their 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties on 12 July 2021. For the past 45 years, the two countries have shown notable developments of bilateral diplomatic relations through cooperation in various fields, including defense and security. Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang have exchanged congratulatory letters to commemorate the anniversary.

    The Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership, which was signed by former President Benigno Aquino III and Viet Nam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dun in November 2015, serves as a framework for the Philippines and Viet Nam to further develop confidence-building, boost friendly relations, and promote cooperation both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.

    In line with the Department’s policy thrust to prioritize defense engagements with the Philippines’ strategic partners, defense cooperation between the Philippines and Viet Nam have been developing throughout the years, particularly after the conclusion of the 2010 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Defense Cooperation.

    The Department of National Defense of the Philippines and the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam conducted the inaugural Vice Ministers’ Defense Strategic Dialogue (VMDSD) in April 2015 in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Furthermore, the Defense Cooperation Working Group (DCWG) was established to monitor and evaluate existing defense cooperation activities, as well as explore other areas of defense cooperation. Personnel interaction have also been sustained through cultural and sports activities between the Philippine Navy and Vietnam People’s Navy.

    The conclusion of the said frameworks and establishment of cooperative mechanisms are manifestations of the shared commitment between the Philippine and Vietnamese defense sectors to enhance cooperation at all levels from policy consultations between the defense establishments to practical activities between the armed forces.

    As both defense establishments continue to work together, it is expected that the conduct of strategic dialogue, high-level visits, education and training exchanges, intelligence exchange, and defense industry and logistics cooperation, among others, will increase between the Philippine and Vietnamese defense sector in the coming years. (DND)

  • DAR chief to distribute CLOAs, turnover machines in S. Leyte

    DAR chief to distribute CLOAs, turnover machines in S. Leyte

    Agrarian Reform Secretary Brother John Castriciones is expected to arrive in Eastern Visayas this week to distribute certificates of land ownership award (CLOAs) and turnover farm machineries in Southern Leyte.

    Regional Director Ismael Aya-ay of the Department of Agrarian Reform 8 (DAR-8) said, the Secretary will distribute 575 CLOAs to the same number of agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) from different parts of Southern Leyte.

    Aya-ay also disclosed that the Secretary will likewise turnover during his visit various farm machineries to selected agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) as support assistance extended by the agency under the Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Development and Sustainability Program (ARBDSP).

    Castriciones has been to the region twice already this year to distribute CLOAs and turned over packages of support services to help improve the quality of life in rural areas as envisioned by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). (Jose Alsmith L. Soria/DAR-8)

  • Cotabato State Polytechnic College now a university – CHED

    Cotabato State Polytechnic College now a university – CHED

    Cotabato will now have its own state university. This is after the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairman Popoy De Vera led the conferment of the university status of Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC) on Thursday, July 22, 2021, after it had complied with the CHED standards as required by the law.

    Republic Act No. 10585 was passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate on February 6, 2013 mandating the conversion of the CCSPC into a state university to be known as the Cotabato State University (CotSU).

    Former 1st District of Maguindanao Rep. Bai Sandra Ampatuan-Sema is the author of Republic Act 10585 also known as, “An Act Converting The Cotabato City State Polytechnic College In Cotabato City Into A State University To Be Known As The Cotabato State University And Appropriating Funds Therefor” also expressed her gratitude on the inauguration of CotSU.

    “I cannot express the happiness in my heart being a mother, being an educator, being a Bangsamoro and seeing our dreams come true. Without education, we will not be where we are now. This is the time for the Bangsamoro. Now, the Cotabato State University will be a partner of the Bangsamoro government in championing the minds of our dear students,” Ampatuan-Sema stressed.

    Minister Mohagher Mohammad Iqbal of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBHTE) of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) also attended the inauguration of CotSU.

    “Gaining the University status is not only a matter of prestige for the ones who made this possible. Rather, it is more of a dream unleashed for decades. More importantly, it opens a window of hope for the larger part of the BARMM populace in the Central Mindanao who have been deprived of higher education caused by lack of financial resources, armed conflict and other similar reasons,” Iqbal said.

    CHED and MBHTE under the leadership of De Vera and Iqbal, respectively, ensure that Bangsamoro students in CotSU are being assisted.

  • BSP orders Lyka to halt operations

    BSP orders Lyka to halt operations

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has issued an order to an Operator of Payment System (OPS) to suspend its operation as an OPS and has invited said entity to register with the BSP as provided under Republic Act No. 11127 or The National Payment Systems Act (NPSA).

    Said OPS is Lyka, a social media platform launched in the Philippines by a Hong Kong-based company, which allows its users to purchase, exchange, and use Gift cards in Electronic Mode or GEMs as payment for goods and services.

    The Monetary Board has ascertained that these activities make Lyka an OPS and is thus required to register with the BSP, which is needed before it is allowed to continue with its OPS activities.

    The operators of Lyka have already expressed their willingness to register with the BSP as an OPS.

    The BSP reminds entities operating a payment system to comply with the requirement under the NPSA and BSP Circular No. 1049 to register with the BSP.

    Circular No. 1049 provides for the Rules and Regulations on the Registration of Operators of Payment System. Registration of an OPS allows the BSP to have oversight of the payment system it operates to ensure that it functions safely, efficiently, and reliably by itself, consistent with the central bank’s objectives of consumer protection and financial stability.

    Under Circular No. 1049, OPS that are required to register, but are found to be operating without registration, shall be directed to comply with the Circular’s registration requirements. Those that fail to comply may be ordered to stop operations until immediate action is taken to register with the BSP.

    This is without prejudice to other enforcement actions that may be taken against the OPS and its directors/officer and/or employees in accordance with the BSP’s authority over payment systems under RA No. 7653, as amended (The New Central Bank Act) and the NPSA.

    The BSP also advises the public to transact only with BSP-registered OPS that are listed in the BSP’s website. An OPS may be cash-in service providers, bills payment service providers, and entities such as payment gateways, platform providers, payment facilitators and merchant acquirers that enable sellers of goods and services to accept payments, in cash or digital form.

  • PhilSys online Step 1 registration now at 4 Million successful registrants

    The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reaches another milestone as it records over 4 million registrants for its online Step 1 Registration. The PSA reports that as of 15 July 2021, a total of 4,159,269 registrants have already completed the PhilSys Step 1 Registration via https://register.philsys.gov.ph.

    PSA Undersecretary Dennis S. Mapa, Ph.D., National Statistician and Civil Registrar General, extends his gratitude to Filipinos who continue to show support and interest in this project, “The PSA expresses gratitude to all Filipinos who willingly took part to reach this milestone. With this additional achievement of the PhilSys project, we are more determined to work on improvements of the site to provide easier and safer access to the online Step 1 Registration.”

    The online registration process is the primary Step 1 Registration process for most Filipinos. PhilSys online Step 1 aims to minimize health risks by managing the number of registrants at registration centers at any given time through its scheduling of appointment function. From the house-to-house collection of demographic information, which started in October 2020 in select provinces, PSA launched the online registration site on 30 April 2021 to expand Step 1 Registration services nationwide to allow more Filipinos to complete this registration step.

    Step 1 will be followed by Step 2 Registration, which involves capturing the registrant’s biometric data and verifying their demographic information at local registration centers. Started on a gradual, small-scale basis this year, Step 2 registration centers are being established by PSA in more locations nationwide to accommodate more Filipinos. As of date, all 81 provinces and cities/municipalities in the National Capital Region have already commenced Step 2 Registration.

    The final step to PhilSys is the Step 3 Registration, which involves the issuance of the PhilSys Number (PSN) and a Philippine Identification (PhilID) card. The PSN is a randomly-generated number that will serve as a permanent identification number of a registrant. Considered as sensitive personal information, the PSN must be kept confidential and private. When transacting, registrants must use the public version of the PSN, namely the PhilSys Card Number (PCN), which is also printed in the PhilID card. PSA has partnered with the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) to ensure the efficient and safe delivery of the PhilIDs to the registrants. As of 16 July 2021, a total of 525,335 PhilID cards have been delivered to successful registrants.

    PhilSys aims to usher the nation’s transition into a digital society by providing Filipinos with a valid identification that can be verified both physically and digitally. With PhilSys, access to financial services, social protection, health, education, and other government services will be easier and more convenient. PhilSys is also envisioned to make public and private transactions safer, more seamless, and more efficient for Filipinos.

    For the latest on PhilSys, visit the official PhilSys website (www.psa.gov.ph/philsys) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PSAPhilSysOfficial/). You may also reach the PhilSys Registry Office via hotline number 1388 or e-mail at info@philsys.gov.ph. For the online Step 1 Registration, kindly go to register.philsys.gov.ph. (PSA)

  • Century Pacific’s CEO and ESG Program recognized among the best in Asia ex-China by Institutional Investor

    Century Pacific Food, Inc. (PSE: CNPF), one of the largest branded food companies in the Philippines, ranked top 3 among Asia ex-China consumer staples companies in the Institutional Investor’s (II) 2021 All-Asia Executive Team buy-side survey in Best CEO and Best ESG categories.

    II Research is a global leader in corporate and investment research, a top source of independent performance validation and qualitative market intelligence for corporates and investment professionals globally.

    II Research’s All-Asia Executive Team surveys are one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated rankings referred to by financial institutions. 2021 marked its first year of reporting Mainland China and Rest of Asia results separately. This year, 4,084 analysts participated in the survey, nominating 1,438 companies and 2,690 individuals across 18 sectors.

    “We at Century Pacific are both honored and grateful to be recognized by the investing community,” said Ted Po, CNPF’s Chief Executive Officer. “As stewards of our investors’ capital, we aim to consistently deliver positive results and conduct business sustainably and with integrity,” he continued.

    Po stood at the helm of CNPF as the Company navigated through the pandemic in 2020. Under his leadership, CNPF registered double-digit growth last year and continued on its growth streak with a strong start in the first quarter of 2021 despite a high base last year. The Company also accelerated its ESG initiatives during this time.

    Sustainability is central to CNPF’s growth strategy, with its framework anchored on Protein Delivery, People Development, and Planet Preservation. Key initiatives under these pillars include the creation of healthier, better-for-you products, natural resource management, environmental footprint reduction, and community development programs.

    In 2020, CNPF forayed into the nascent plant-based segment with the launch of unMeat, the first large-scale 100% plant-based brand in the Philippines. The Company aims to democratize plant-based food by providing consumers with a healthy, better-for-the-planet, and vegan-friendly protein source that is significantly more affordable than those offered by other international players.

    Likewise, CNPF recently completed the commissioning of a 5.2 MW solar PV plant in General Santos City. The plant can generate an annual potential energy of 7.4 million kWh, effectively offsetting 6,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year. With the addition of solar power, CNPF’s General Santos facilities are now 60% powered by clean energy sources.

    The Company is also committed to reducing its plastic footprint, marking its second year of being plastic neutral this 2021. Through a partnership with Plastic Credit Exchange (PCX), CNPF effectively offsets its plastic usage, recovering an equivalent amount of plastic waste away from leaking into nature and ensuring it is processed safely into the circular economy.

    Since 2010, CNPF has been donating food packs to vulnerable communities in the country through its flagship Kain Po Feeding Program. In 2020, the Company donated more than five million foodpacks to communities devastated by the pandemic. This year, CNPF aims to increase the coverage of Kain Po to support more communities nationwide.

    Last September 2020, the Company’s coconut subsidiary signed a partnership with Friends of Hope to donate 100,000 quality seedlings a year for the next five years to smallholder coconut farmers. In addition to expanding long-term coconut supply, planting the coconut trees will sequester greenhouse gas emissions over the next eight years. As a result, CNPF’s coconut subsidiary will be carbon-neutral by 2028.

    Po remarked, “Sustainability is critical to our business, not a nice-to-have. People need to eat, and it is our business to make sure they, their children, and their children’s children will always have nutritious food on the table.”

  • BSP supports empowerment of PWDs

    BSP supports empowerment of PWDs

    The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has highlighted the importance of empowering Persons with Disability (PWDs) through digital financial inclusion during the recent webinar1 marking the 43rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week.

    “The BSP lauds the National Council on Disability Affairs and other stakeholders for upholding the rights of the PWD sector. Rest assured the BSP is committed to continuously engage the sector and better respond to the needs of PWDs,” said BSP Governor Benjamin E. Diokno.

    “Empowering vulnerable sectors has always been an underlying objective of the BSP’s efforts. For this reason, we are stepping up our financial inclusion efforts to ensure financial services are within easy reach for all Filipinos, including PWDs,” added the Governor.

    In relation to this, the BSP has also issued a memorandum to all BSP-supervised financial institutions (BSFIs) to remind them to refrain from discriminatory practices toward Persons with Disability (PWD). This is to ensure that their rights as PWDs to participate fully in the social life and enjoyment of opportunities available to other citizens are upheld at all times.

    The memorandum sternly reminds BSFIs to adhere to laws and regulations against discriminatory practices toward PWDs, including but not limited to, non-acceptance of government-issued PWD identification cards for the opening of accounts and other financial transactions; turning away visually impaired persons from opening bank accounts; and requiring the visually impaired customers to open only joint (“and/or”) accounts.

    Apart from putting in place mobility ramps and the Braille system in bank premises and automated teller machines, BSFIs are also reminded to provide express lanes for PWDs similar to those reserved for senior citizens and pregnant women within their premises.

    To further support the welfare of PWDs, the BSP introduced enhanced tactile marks in Philippine banknotes to aid the elderly and the visually impaired in identifying denominations in July 2020.

    Furthermore, the BSP is now exploring the addition of braille functionality to Philippine banknotes, which aims to benefit as many as 2.5 million visually impaired Filipinos. (BSP)

  • DA partners with state university for upgraded PH agriculture

    DA partners with state university for upgraded PH agriculture

    Agriculture Secretary William Dar led the groundbreaking ceremony of the P10 million (M) swine multiplier farm to rise at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU) in Bacnotan, La Union on July 22, 2021.

    The multiplier farm will serve as a learning center for the university students and provide extension support services and enhance policy advocacies aimed at producing and providing quality hogs for the province and nearby areas.

    Seeing the need for a modernized center to cater to the needs of DMMMSU students and local hog raisers in the North, Secretary Dar, in his message, committed an additional P10M funding to be sourced from the savings of the Department of Agriculture-Regional Field Office (DA-RFO) 1.

    “I believe that the engine of growth for agricultural development are technology and innovation. Through these, we can achieve increased yield and better income of our farmers,” he said.

    Aside from the multiplier farm, DA also awarded DMMMSU a farm-to-market road (FMR) project worth P37.5M, a road development project leading to the multiplier farm at P8M, a demonstration farm and training center worth P4.875M, and various farm machineries and equipment valued at P3M.

    “The DA cannot work on its own, and so I urge the academe to be one of our partners for the steady growth of the agri-fishery sector and attain a sustainable and resilient Philippine agriculture for the future generations,” he stressed.

    On top of the P63M worth of projects turned over to the state university, Sec. Dar committed another P25M in funds for a proposed FMR project.

    “We will continue to extend support and maintain a strong collaboration with DMMMSU so together we can push for a higher level of learning and produce a roster of innovative and productive graduates,” the agri chief said.

    The Secretary added that it is important for the state universities to have areas and centers where the students can put into practice what they learned from the books.

    “Mas kailangan ng experience ng estudyante at trainees to enable them to produce quality and sustainable food supply. You need to have actual projects in order to learn,” he concluded. (ARodriguez, DA-AFID)

  • PH imposes travel restrictions on Malaysia and Thailand

    President Rodrigo Roa Duterte approved the travel restrictions for all travelers coming from Malaysia and Thailand or those with travel history to Malaysia and Thailand within the last fourteen (14) days preceding arrival in the Philippines.
    Beginning 12:01AM of July 25, 2021 until 11:59PM of July 31, 2021, such travelers shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines.
    Passengers already in transit from the abovementioned countries, and all those who have been to the same within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines, who arrive before 12:01AM of July 25, 2021, may still be allowed to enter the country but will be required to undergo a full 14 day facility quarantine, notwithstanding a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) result.
    These travel restrictions, however, are subject to the same exceptions on repatriation and special commercial flights for Filipinos, but they have to follow the prescribed testing and quarantine protocols.
    This action is undertaken to prevent the further spread and community transmission of COVID-19 variants in the Philippines. (OPS-PCOO)