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DoE eyes OSW, taps USAID
Due to the lack of financial allocation, the Department of Energy or DoE is turning to the United States Agency for International Development or USAID to bankroll the inclusion of offshore wind or OSW and floating solar energy, among other new technologies, into the country’s competitive renewable energy zones or CREZ. In a recent interview with reporters, Assistant Secretary Mylene C. Capongcol said these new power technologies should be included in the CREZ so that its integration into the grid will be efficient. “The first stage of CREZ, that finished does not include offshore wind and floating solar and other bodies of water. So the second stage, hopefully, will be supported by a USAID grant because we don’t have the budget here,” Capongcol said. “We will talk officially with USAID but we have sent our official request so we will just have a meeting about what is the scope of work and the timeline,” she added. OSW potential high Based on the Philippines OSW Roadmap launched in 2022, the country has about 178 gigawatts or GW of OSW potential. To date, the DoE has awarded a total of 79 OSW Contracts with a total potential capacity of 61.931 GW, spread mainly North of Luzon, West of Metro Manila, North and South of Mindoro, Panay and Guimaras Strait. Meanwhile, in terms of floating solar energy ventures, one of the latest developments was the Laguna Lake Development Authority’s move to offer 2,000 hectares of the Laguna de Bay for floating solar projects. Of these, 800 hectares were taken by ACEN Corp. Half, or 1,000 hectares were leased by renewable energy firm SunAsia Energy, which aims to develop a 1300-MW facility for $1.2 billion. The remaining 200 hectares, on the other hand, were allocated to Singapore-based firm Vena Energy. Capongcol reiterated that the CREZ project will significantly complement the government’s drive to augment the country’s supply of clean energy. By proactively focusing transmission expansion to these resource areas, clean energy generation development obstacles such as transmission access, energy curtailment, land permitting, and regulatory barriers will be resolved. Thus, reducing the risk for private players who will invest in the sector. Relatedly, the DoE official bared that the 2023-2050 Philippine Energy Plan or PEP will also highlight the adoption of modern technologies, smart grid systems, and demand-side management to bring down overall energy consumption and cut down greenhouse gas emissions. The government set the target of a 35 percent share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix by 2035 and increased it further to 50 percent by 2040. However, it is still notable that despite an aggressive stance on clean energy utilization, the Philippines continues to heavily rely on coal. Coal, which is cheaper than other forms of power but more detrimental to the environment, is still the highest contributor to the power generation mix at nearly 60 percent. Renewable energy only takes a little over 20 percent of the mix. The post DoE eyes OSW, taps USAID appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Despite House vow, VP Sara’s confidential funds still ‘intact’
The confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education totaling P650 million have yet to be transferred to security and intel agencies. Lawmaker Johnny Pimentel of Surigao on Thursday disclosed in an interview that the multi-million CF initially allocated to the OVP and DepEd remains within the purview of Vice President Sara Duterte, who governs the two agencies. Duterte sought P2.395 billion for OVP and P758.6 billion for DepEd in the proposed 2024 budget, including P500 million and P150 million in confidential funds, respectively. "At the moment [the OVP's and DepEd's CF is] not yet [transferred] because of time constraints. The budget was passed last night. The confidential funds allocated in each agency [are] still intact," he said. "However, there will be a small committee of four that will tackle the proposed amendment. It could be done there, or it could be done during the bicameral conference," he said. Pimentel was one of the party leaders in the House who decided to realign Duterte's P650 million to agencies involved in security and intelligence, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, National Security Council, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources amid China's persistent assertiveness in the West Philippine Sea. The most recent was the installment of a floating barrier in Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough shoal off the coast of Zambales by the Chinese Coast Guard. The Senate leadership, according to Pimentel, concurs with the House's proposal and has expressed willingness to reallocate such funds to other agencies that most need them. "If you recall, Senate President Migz Zubiri also issued a statement that they will follow suit or follow the direction of the proposal of the lower house to reallocate the confidential intelligence funds," Pimentel said. "So, this will be up for discussions during the bicameral conference meeting or probably during the deliberations in the Senate," he added. The House leadership said it will reallocate Duterte's P650 million confidential funds following a consensus by the chamber's party leaders to augment funds for security and intel agencies to better safeguard Philippine territorial waters and guarantee Filipino fishermen rights and access to their traditional fishing grounds. House committee on appropriations chairperson Elizaldy Co confirmed on Wednesday that the lower chamber agreed to eliminate the confidential and intelligence of several agencies and that the OVP and DepEd were the first to be identified to received the budget cuts. "The country's safety and security are of paramount importance. To protect our territorial integrity from external threats, Congress is giving top priority to agencies directly in charge [of] protecting the country's safety and securing its borders," he stressed. "As discussed, we will realign the confidential funds of various civilian agencies. Now is the time to give our intelligence community the means to perform their duties, especially in these pressing times when we’re facing serious concerns in the West Philippine Sea," Co explained. Marathon deliberations in the proposed P5.768 trillion budget for 2024 have led to intense debates in the House, particularly on the grant of multi-million confidential funds to numerous civilian agencies, including the OVP and DepEd, that have nothing to do with surveillance. Last week's deliberations revealed that Duterte's office spent P125 million in confidential funds in 2022 in merely 11 days— not 19 days-- as initially claimed by some opposition lawmakers. The P125 million CF was part of the P221.42 million contingent fund of the OP transferred to the OVP in 2022, with the opposition claiming it was unconstitutional since there was no line item in the OVP's 2022 budget on confidential funds in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. The post Despite House vow, VP Sara’s confidential funds still ‘intact’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway
Perjury charges are now being prepared against the two environmentalists who recanted their “handwritten affidavit” stating they have “voluntarily surrendered” to the military and declared that soldiers abducted them after they went missing. During the deliberation of the Senate Committee on Finance on 2024 proposed P229.9-billion budget of the Department of National Defense and its attached agencies, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asked on the case update of Jhed Tamano and Jonila Castro who earlier retracted what they said in their affidavit. “May case preparation ngayon, inter-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges sa kanila. Nire-review lang ang mga sworn statements ng mga testigo (There is a case preparation now, multi-agency case preparation for the filing of perjury charges against them. The sworn statements of the witnesses are being reviewed),” Teodoro told Dela Rosa. In a previous press conference organized by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict, Tamano and Castor denied that they surrendered to the Philippine Army’s 70th Infantry Battalion. Philippine Army chief LtGen. Roy Galido earlier admitted that the two young activists had tricked the military, contrary to their earlier statements sworn before the Public Attorney's Office. "We felt betrayed that's why we will file the necessary case, to use our laws, just like when you are also betrayed when your clients are betrayed, they file a case against you, so we just have to follow the rule of law in our country," Galido said. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa urged the DND to push through with the filing of perjury charges against Tamano and Castro. "We should do that. I am encouraging you. Grabe 'yung maka-kaliwa, grabe maka-jump sa bandwagon nung epekto na 'yun. Talagang all-out sila. Dapat tayo rin, sumagot din tayo. Parang lumalabas na para bang inaamin na lang natin na totoo ang sinasabi nila (The leftists are really jumping on the bandwagon following their retraction. They are really all-out. We must answer that. It seems like we are just admitting that what they are saying is true),” said Dela Rosa. The senator said the security forces should be aggressive in their actions against propaganda of the communist-leaning parties. Teodoro noted that the intelligence information on the two activists is liable. “Your honor, talagang sigurado po ako sa ebidensya dito (I’m really sure about the evidences),” said Teodoro, noting that the recantation of the two activists is just part of the dramas being perpetrated by the left-leaning organizations. ‘Lesson learned: Be wary’ Dela Rosa also warned the Armed Forces of the Philippines chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. to be wary of entertaining communist surrenderers. “Lessons learned, General Brawner. Ingat kayo kasi pwede kayong saksakin sa likuran niyan (Just be careful because they can stab your back),” he said. "Masyado tayong mabait, masyado na tayong gentleman. Masyado tayong mapagbigay to the point na 'yun pala, nilalason na pala tayo sa sarili nating tubig (We are too kind, we are too gentlemanly. We are too generous to the point that we are being poisoned in our own waters),” Dela Rosa added. On the other hand, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri emphasized the need to provide sufficient funds for the NTF-ELCAC, to augment the military’s efforts on its Balik-Loob program. “We should help in their budget, we should continue providing funds for NTF-ELCAC, especially in barangay projects because that’s what winning hearts and minds. It has been very successful in Bukidnon and any other provinces,” he said. Dela Rosa supported Zubiri’s suggestion. However, the funds of the anti-insurgency task force are being lodged in the expenditure program of the National Security Council. The post Perjury raps vs 2 activists underway appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon pushes more ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ subsidies
A lawmaker is urging the national government to fully support President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s flagship Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program and lower the monthly amortization for the underprivileged Filipinos. ACT Partylist Representative France Castro — during the plenary deliberations on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development on Thursday — stressed her stance on making public housing accessible and affordable, especially for the underprivileged. She added that an increase in government subsidy to augment beneficiary amortization for housing units is key to achieve this. In response, DHSUD, through its budget sponsor Ako Bicol Partylist Raul Angelo Bongalon, agreed on the manifestation, saying that the goal of the 4PH Program is to address affordability of decent housing for the Filipino people. Bongalon then pleaded for the full support of the Congress to augment the housing and urban development sector’s budget with an additional P13.86 billion. “The country’s ability to address the housing problem and attain its goal is limited by the budget allocated for the housing agencies… Business as usual will not address this housing requirement,” Bongalon said. The DHSUD has initially proposed P116 billion for the fiscal year 2024 but the National Expenditure Program only reflected P5.4 billion for the entire sector. “The Department is once again seeking our support in giving them the appropriate budget. The additional budget will ensure that DHSUD will be able to carry out its mandate of providing decent and affordable shelter to all,” Bongalon said. The post Solon pushes more ‘Pambansang Pabahay’ subsidies appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Up to 2M reservists eyed once ROTC becomes mandatory
There could be about two million reservists who will be able to augment the reserve force of the Armed Forces of the Philippines every year if the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps becomes mandatory again. This was bared by Major General Joel Alejandro Nacnac, Deputy Chief of Staff for Reservists and Retiree Affairs of the AFP, over the weekend during the opening of the National Reservists Week. “Every year, if ROTC becomes mandatory, we expect an additional two million students from all of the universities,” Nacnac told the reporters in an interview. He said projected servicemen from ROTC will be classified as a “standby reserve”—which is mobilized only in times of national emergency or war. The AFP reserve force is currently at 1.2 million as of June 2023, which is composed of over 71,000 “ready reservists,” more than 15,000 affiliated units from other organizations and institutions, and 1.1 million standby reservists—with most of them from the Philippine Army. The ready reservists are called at “any time to add to the regular forces.” The National Reservist Week is the AFP’s annual activity of the “purposely to widen the Reserve Force manpower build-up and for the existing reservists to be accounted.” The event also provides reservists an update on the current AFP policies and directives with regard to the Reserve Force Development Programs as well as establish a robust operational Reserve force by way of checking their individual readiness in order to provide support to the Regular Force to fulfill its mandate. The bill requiring ROTC for students enrolled in at least two years of an undergraduate degree is pending in the Senate plenary. On the other hand, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa the government may allot P4.2 billion for free uniforms yearly if the proposed mandatory ROTC program becomes law. “If it will materialize, every year we’re going to budget P4.2B for uniforms alone for cadets,” he said in a recent hearing on the budget of the Department of Science and Technology and its attached agencies. Dela Rosa also made a recommendation that ROTC uniforms should be locally sourced. The Philippine Textile Research Institute welcomed the senator’s suggestion. The post Up to 2M reservists eyed once ROTC becomes mandatory appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
CHR asks Senate to augment P1 million confidential funds
The Commission on Human Rights yesterday asked the Senate to augment its P1 million budget for confidential funds to help the commission in its investigation on state-sanctioned abuses......»»
DSWD can give small rice retailers up to P15K financial aid amid ceiling order
The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday said they are ready to provide cash assistance to small rice retailers who may incur losses due to the Malacanang-mandated price ceiling on rice which became effective yesterday 5 September. DSWD Secretary Gatchalian said he was directed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to use the department’s Sustainable Livelihood Program to help small rice retailers recover their would-be losses from the temporary price cap. "We discussed with the President that we will use the DSWD's Sustainable Livelihood Program once again so that our small retailers affected by this temporary price cap on rice can be assisted," Gatchalian said. Under Executive Order No. 39 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on 31 August, the mandated price ceiling for regular milled rice is P41 per kilo while the mandated price cap for well-milled rice is P45 per kilo. The DSWD chief said the SLP currently has a P5.5 billion budget which can be immediately used to help cushion the impact of the price cap on rice particularly among small rice retailers who have a very small inventory. The SLP is a capacity-building program that provides start-up capital for those who wish to start a small business, capital build for cases similar to the effects of the EO 39 to small businesses, and employment grants. Gatchalian said the Department is just waiting for the list of qualified small rice retailers, which will be provided by the Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Agriculture. “Hopefully, by next week, we can conduct a payout for the sustainable livelihood grant to our affected rice retailers," Gatchalian said. To date, the DTI and the DA are currently coming up with a list of affected rice traders and rice retailers who will receive the government’s assistance. Gatchalian pointed out that the DSWD is ready to begin the nationwide payout to the qualified recipients of financial aid amounting to a maximum of Php15,000. “Bagamat kino-compute pa ng DTI at DA ang dapat matanggap ng bawat tatamaang rice retailers, ang maximum na ibinibigay ng programang SLP ay P15,000. One time big time,” the DSWD chief pointed out. Last Monday, the DSWD chief said he had a meeting with Speaker Martin Romualdez who vowed to raise P2 billion to help augment the SLP budget for the benefit of more small rice traders and retailers. “I told Speaker Romualdez that the SLP’s P5.5 billion is enough to help the distressed small rice retailers. But I also welcome the additional budget as this would mean more Filipinos will be given assistance under the SLP,” Gatchalian said. The post DSWD can give small rice retailers up to P15K financial aid amid ceiling order appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has been spending a whopping P26.7 billion annually for “unauthorized” excess positions in the organization, covering ranks from Lieutenant Generals and below, according to a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) document, In a letter dated 12 October 2022 addressed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr., Mary Anne Z. Dela Vega, Director of the Budget Department’s Budget and Management Bureau, submitted a matrix of PNP rank distribution approved by the DBM covering the 226,410 members of the police force. The DBM-approved rank distribution did not match the actual strength and distribution of ranks implemented by the PNP leadership, contrary to existing laws and regulations. The following excess positions were noted in the following ranks: Lieutenant General, 5; Major General, 6; Brigadier General, 24; Colonel, 232; Lieutenant Colonel, 910; Major, 1,410; Captain, 1,835; Staff Sergeant, 31,729; and Corporal, 30,052. The total excess positions stand at 66,203 with a combined annual base pay of P26.707 billion. DILG sources said these excess positions, which go beyond the DBM-authorized number of personnel, are considered “illegal." On the other hand, DBM and DILG data showed that there are 77,190 unfilled positions in the PNP hierarchy, with the rank of Patrolman/Patrolwoman suffering the biggest discrepancy with 66,958 unfilled posts. The DBM-authorized positions for Patrolman stands at 129,926 but the actual strength per PNP record as of 30 June 2023 stood at only 62,968. These unfilled positions have a combined budget of P23.838 billion that was not spent on the recruitment of more Patrolmen and women. “This explains why we severely lack police visibility in our communities. And this has an adverse effect on the overall campaign to preserve peace and order and protect the people from crimes,” said a DILG insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Other PNP ranks that remain unfilled include Lieutenant, 1,066; Executive Master Sergeant, 2,382; Chief Master Sergeant, 3,878; Senior Master Sergeant, 463; and Master Sergeant, 2,443. For star rank positions, the DBM allows only three for Lieutenant Generals but there are presently eight officials having that rank. For Major General, the DBM allows only 11 but 17 are now occupying the position while for Brig. General, only 86 are allowed but 110 were appointed to the rank. For non-star ranks, there are only 624 colonels allowed by the DBM but the PNP has 856. The DBM authorized 2,000 for Lt. Cols. but the actual number of officers with that rank stands at 2,910. “… we wish to reiterate that any changes in the PNP’s organizational structure should be supported by a study and recommendation of NAPOLCOM (National Police Commission), to include its impact on the hierarchy and leadership structure of the organization, and subsequently, the same shall be subject to the President’s approval,” the DBM letter said. Napolcom Commissioner Alberto Bernardo, who is also Vice Chairperson of the body, was furnished a copy of the said letter but could not be reached for comment. An earlier letter to the DILG dated 19 July 2018 and signed by then Secretary Benjamin Diokno warned that except for such offices created by the Constitution, the creation of public offices is primarily a legislative function. Therefore, these excess positions in the PNP not otherwise authorized by the DBM are contrary to law and may only be considered ad hoc or temporary positions. Likewise, the realignment of PNP funds to these excess positions was a power reserved only to the President and the use of savings to augment items in the general appropriations law for the executive branch is his sole prerogative and not any police official in the case of the PNP. Executive Order No. 292 or the Administrative Code of 1987, specifically states that; “the General Appropriations Act shall not contain any itemization of personal services, which shall be prepared by the Secretary after enactment of the (GAA), for consideration and approval of the President.” The twin acts of creating excess positions and using realigned savings to fund these posts by the PNP leadership are prohibited by law. “While the Napolcom is duty-bound to advise the president on all matters relating to police functions and administration, it cannot recommend to the President the promotion of Third Level PNP officers to excess and prohibited positions,” the DILG source further explained. The post DBM flags PNP’s P27-B ‘overdraft’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Iwahig kicks off mechanized planting
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — More than 490 prisoners at the Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in this city headed to the farm fields early Saturday morning to plant vegetables and rice. Penal farm superintendent Chief Insp. Gary Garcia and corrections officers escorted inmates from the medium and low-security facilities to prepare the seeds and cultivate a 62-hectare tract of land. Levi Evangelista, spokesperson for Iwahig, said two hectares will be allocated for growing vegetables, while the remaining 60 hectares will be used for rice planting to ensure food sufficiency for persons deprived of liberty. During a visit to Daily Tribune, Bureau of Corrections chief Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said arable land in various penal colonies in the country would be devoted to agriculture to augment the P70-a-day food budget allocated for each detainee. Evangelista said the undertaking is the realization of BuCor’s signing of an agreement with the justice and agriculture departments, and the private sector. He added that the PDLs would be taught how to use farm equipment to expedite the planting process. Evangelista pointed out that the initial allotment of 62 hectares represents just the initial phase of the broader 501-hectare expanse designated for cultivating rice and vegetables. The post Iwahig kicks off mechanized planting appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco bumps up RE source shift
The Manila Electric Company or Meralco has secured 1,880 megawatts or MW of renewable energy capacity — surpassing its initial target of 1,500 MW under the Renewable Portfolio Standards or RPS policy. The company reiterated over the weekend that increasing a portion of its supply portfolio from renewable energy is an integral part of its long-term sustainability strategy. “We will continue to elevate and evolve our sustainability initiatives as we implement our long-term sustainability strategy that involves the adoption of next-generation clean technologies and deep decarbonization efforts as we aspire to be coal-free by 2050,” Meralco first vice president and chief sustainability officer Raymond Ravelo said. Through Meralco’s strategic sourcing initiatives, renewable energy is expected to account for 22 percent of the distribution utility’s supply portfolio by 2030, and 18 percent of Meralco’s retail electricity supplier, MPower, by 2025. This will eventually allow the company to reduce its total carbon emissions by 15 percent vis-à-vis its projected baseline 2030 emissions, in line with its energy transition commitment. 35 percent RE by 2030 Under the RPS Policy, electricity suppliers are mandated to source a portion of their requirements from RE given the government’s goal to increase the share of clean energy in the country’s energy mix to 35 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by 2040. Currently, the RPS requirement is set at +2.52 percent per annum. Amid an aggressive sustainability drive, Meralco PowerGen Corp. or MGen, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. or Meralco, recently announced that it earmarked P18 billion to accelerate its renewable energy expansion. The investment will bankroll the development of over 2 gigawatts or GW of gross RE capacity from solar and wind power — targeted to be delivered by the end of the decade or by 2030. The allotted budget will also help MGen and its renewable energy unit MGen Renewable Energy or MGreen augment its RE capacity to 1,500 MW as it will fund investments in larger green energy projects, including those with battery energy storage systems. The post Meralco bumps up RE source shift appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Consumers’ group urges gov’t to buy from farmers
Consumer group Bantay Bigas called on the Marcos Administration to purchase farmers' crops this season to lower the prices of basic commodities. In a radio interview over Radyo 630, Cathy Estavillo, Bantay Bigas spokesperson, said if the government can buy at least “20 to 25 percent” of the fresh harvests of Filipino farmers, it may bring down prices of rice which is now reaching P60 per kilo. The Department of Agriculture earlier said that harvest season would start mid-September to November, and must be taken advantage of by the government. “Walang ibang dapat gawin ang gobyerno kundi mag-subsidize sa presyo ng bigas… ‘Yung mga fresh na inaani ng ating mga magsasaka, bilhin na niya ‘yan, (There's no other way but the goverment to subsidize the price of rice. The goverment should buy the fresh harvest of our farmers)," Estavillo suggested. “I-imbak niya at i-pagiling niya ‘yun at ibenta sa ating mga consumers through subsidized rice… para maging affordable ang presyo ng bigas sa palengke, (Store and milled this rice, then sell as subsidize rice, to become more affordable for ordinary Filipinos at the local market),” she added. Estavillo said subsidies to farmers should be the “immediate” solution of the government for now, aside from tasking farmers to continue planting rice to augment the production losses in previous typhoons. President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Estavillo added, as an agriculture secretary should also give “at least P50,000” to farmers whose crops were 100 percent destroyed by previous storms. “Ibasura na niya ang mga polisiya na nagpapahintulot ng pagbaha ng imported na bigas. Talagang pagdating sa pagkain, lalong-lalo na sa bigas, dapat hindi ipaubaya ng gobyerno sa mga private sector ‘yung kalakalan ng bigas at palay (Put aside the policy that flooded the market with imported rice. When we speak of food, rice is number one, the goverment should not allow the private sector to handle the trade of this commodity” she said. Agriculture Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla, during a budget hearing at the House of Representatives, explained that the spike in local prices is influenced by global prices and high input costs plus the lowering buffer stock. She said the country is approaching lean months as it has just entered the harvesting period, which will enter its peak sometime in October and the middle of November. On the other hand, Agriculture Undersecretary Leocadio Sebastian said that the price of rice will not go down to as low as P20 even under the best-case scenario. “Not P20 (per kilo) but at least we can maintain a lower price that is affordable. I think our objective should be affordability for our population,” Sebastian said, stressing that lowering the price to P20 per kilo would be “difficult.” Sebastian however explained that the price of rice will only stabilize at P45 and P46 a kilo during the harvest period. The post Consumers’ group urges gov’t to buy from farmers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go eyes higher health budget for 2024
Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, during an ambush interview on 22 August, after aiding poor residents and fire victims in Navotas City, expressed his commitment to push for an increased budget for health in 2024. In the interview, Go emphasized the importance of the DOH budget, stating, "Of course, napaka-importante po ng budget para sa ating Department of Health. As your chairman po ng Committee on Health sa Senado, siguraduhin po natin na marestore po ang budget at madagdagan pa.” Go cited that the proposed P10-billion reduction in the Department of Health’s 2024 budget has alarmed many, especially considering ongoing efforts toward pandemic recovery and the need for a more resilient healthcare system. “The more we should invest sa ating healthcare system. Hindi natin akalain na tamaan tayo ng pandemya. Mas mabuti nang handa tayo sa anumang pandemyang darating sa buhay natin,” said Go. Go also highlighted the government's obligations, especially towards healthcare workers, and recalled the efforts made last year to increase the DOH budget from P296 billion to P316 billion. He mentioned various initiatives, including the additional budget for Cancer Assistance Fund for cancer treatment assistance, regulation of health facilities and services, budget for Health Facilities Enhancement Program (HFEP), medical assistance for indigent patients, and health emergency allowance. The senator's foresight was evident when he recalled the near reduction of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine budget in 2019, a crucial office that conducts tests for COVID-19. "Kutob ko lang po noon, muntik na nilang bawasan sa proposal ng Department of Health budget, binawasan ang RITM. Sino bang mag-aakala na ang RITM ang pinaka-importanteng opisina noong pandemya?,” he recalled. Go’s intuition then as sponsor of the health budget led to the restoration and augmentation of the budget for RITM during the deliberations for the 2020 national budget just in time before the pandemic hit the country. "Dagdagan natin ang budget sa health. Unahin natin ang kalusugan ng bawat Pilipino. Ang kalusugan ay katumbas ng buhay ng bawat Pilipino,” he stressed. Other senators also expressed the need for adequate funding for the healthcare system, especially in treating non-communicable chronic diseases and implementing the Universal Healthcare Law. Senator Sonny Angara, chairperson of the Senate Finance Committee, expressed confidence that the health department’s budget would be increased, highlighting that legislators historically augment medical assistance for indigents. Senators Francis Tolentino, JV Ejercito, Bong Revilla, Aquilino Pimentel III, and Grace Poe also called for careful scrutiny of the DOH budget, emphasizing the need to address the sector's needs better, with no wastage and leakages, especially in the purchase of vaccines and other medical supplies. Go’s advocacy of bringing public health services closer to poor Filipinos align with President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s priority of bringing specialized medical services closer to other parts of the country. Go has successfully sponsored and is one of the authors of the Regional Specialty Centers bill in the Senate, taking a step towards a healthier and more resilient Philippines. The post Bong Go eyes higher health budget for 2024 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco infusing P18B for RE bid
Amid an aggressive sustainability drive, Meralco PowerGen Corp. or MGen, the power generation arm of Manila Electric Co. or Meralco, has earmarked P18 billion to accelerate its renewable energy or RE expansion. The company disclosed over the weekend that the investment will bankroll the development of over 2 gigawatts or GW of gross RE capacity from solar and wind power — targeted to be delivered by the end of the decade or by 2030. The allotted budget will also help MGen and its renewable energy unit MGen Renewable Energy or MGreen augment its RE capacity to 1,500 MW as it will fund investments in larger green energy projects, including those with battery energy storage systems. MGen started its journey towards a balanced, low-carbon energy mix through the opening of BulacanSol’s 55 MWac solar plant located in San Miguel, Bulacan in 2021. MGreen currently has an RE portfolio that also includes the 68MWac solar farm in Currimao, Ilocos Norte with Vena Energy’s Pasuquin Energy Holdings Inc. and the PH Renewables Inc.’s or PHRI 75 MWac solar farm in Baras, Rizal with Mitsui & Co.’s Mit-Renewables Power Corp. PHRI recently completed the commissioning tests for Phase 1 of its project involving 67.5 MWac which is scheduled for commercial operations by mid-August 2023. Phase 2 of the project is targeted to be operational by mid-2024. MGen president and CEO Jaime T. Azurin said the company is currently assessing other possible RE developments that it could take on in the future. It is aligned with One Meralco’s target to reduce its direct emissions by 20 percent through 2030 as it drives to be coal-free before 2050. Collaboration continues “We will continue to work with the energy industry, government, and other pertinent stakeholders to help further accelerate the country’s energy transition as we aggressively pursue more renewable energy projects,” Azurin said. This is in line with Meralco’s long-term sustainability strategy to embark on a just, affordable, and orderly transition to clean energy,” he added. These include the two solar projects: the 49MWac solar plant in Cordon, Isabela; and the 18.75 MWac solar plant in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija — both of which are among the winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s second round of Green Energy Auction Program. Based on the targets set by the DoE, the share of renewable energy in the country’s energy mix should increase to 35 percent by 2035 and 50 percent by 2040. However, it is still notable that despite an aggressive stance on clean energy use, the Philippines still relies heavily on coal. Coal, which is cheaper compared to other forms of power but more detrimental to the environment, is still the highest contributor to the power generation mix at nearly 60 percent. Renewable energy only takes a little over 20 percent of the mix as of last year. The post Meralco infusing P18B for RE bid appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero seeks P100-M budget allocation for Ayungin buildup
Senator Francis Escudero said he will propose the allocation of at least P100 million in the 2024 national budget to fund the construction of permanent structures over the Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea "to strengthen the country's presence in the contested maritime territory.” "I will propose the allocation of a minimum of P100 million to fund the construction of a pier and lodging structures for our soldiers assigned in the area, and for our fishermen who might seek temporary refuge in times of bad weather," Escudero said. The senator said the structures could serve as permanent lodging for military personnel stationed at the old BRP Sierra Madre, a warship intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost. He added that the Ayungin facilities could be used as temporary shelter for foreign fishermen “who will be caught in bad weather” in the waters. “It will welcome fishermen in distress with warm accommodations and not with a blast of the water cannon. It is there to help and not to harass,” he added. The BRP Sierra Madre is currently the center of the latest tensions due to the blocking and water canon firing of China’s vessels to the Philippine ships. Escudero pressed the need to hasten the building of the structures in the Ayungin Shoal saying "Sierra Madre's greatest enemy is nature, and it will soon be lost to the sea. Kinakalawang na (Being rusted). Our soldiers should not die from tetanus.” "It's being beached there was supposed to be an ad hoc measure. After almost one-quarter it is time for a permanent solution," he said, suggesting that parts of the structure can be prefabricated on land and be brought there “so there will be no China style of fortification in which the environment is permanently damaged.” Meanwhile, Escudero noted that his proposal “is not designed to anger China or bring us closer to the brink of war.” “This is just to give the president flexibility to act as the chief architect of our foreign policy as he deems fit. Otherwise, we will have to wait another year if he decides to do so sometime next year without any budget cover," he said. In a separate interview, Escudero also expressed willingness to help the Philippine Coast Guard to augment its intelligence fund allocation in the 2024 national budget so it can help them effectively perform their duties in protecting and defending the country's territorial waters. “I will look into the fact if we can augment--not from the Capital Outlays, Personnel Services or from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses—but from the intelligence and confidential budget already proposed by the DBM,” he said. The post Escudero seeks P100-M budget allocation for Ayungin buildup appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Escudero seeks higher intel fund for Phl Coast Guard
Senator Francis Escudero on Wednesday said expressed his willingness to assist the Philippine Coast Guard in pushing the increase in its intelligence fund allocation in the proposed 2024 national budget so it can "better perform its mandate to defend the country’s territorial waters." In a television interview, Escudero lamented that the agency’s P10-million intelligence fund has not been increased since 2009. Hence, he vowed to help PCG in pushing for higher intelligence funds. “I will look into the fact if we can augment—not from the Capital Outlays, Personnel Services or from the Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses—but from the intelligence and confidential budget already proposed by the DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” Escudero said. Under the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for next year, the DBM has projected a P4.3-billion worth of confidential and intelligence funds or CIFs. Escudero said it is a matter of carving out from the current budget proposal of the Executive department—in order to sustain other items, especially the appropriations meant to ensure the delivery of basic social services to the Filipinos. “Para within the same amount na lang ang pag-uusapan natin. Huwag tayo magbawas ng tulay at mga school buildings. Huwag magbawas ng hospital o magbawas ng social services para dagdagan ang intelligence fund ng Coast Guard. Dapat manggaling din 'yan sa intelligence and confidential funds na prino-propose ng Executive Branch,” he stressed. With this, even if Congress fails to allocate additional intelligence funds for the PCG, Escudero said the “President can actually augment it after the budget is passed.” PCG spokesperson on the West Philippine Sea, Jay Tarriela, cited the need for the country’s coast guard to get sufficient intelligence funds amid the current security situation in the WPS. "With what is happening right now in the West Philippine Sea, with the magnitude of the function of the Coast Guard, not to mention maritime safety and maritime environmental protection, it is important for the Philippine Coast Guard to receive a larger intelligence fund to support our operations," Tarriela said. Meantime, Escudero also clarified that his proposal to allocate at least P100-million to fund the construction of permanent structures in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea "would not be on top of the proposed budget for next year." “This is not on top of the budget; we will just carve out from the existing proposed budget an amount to do this,” he said. Escudero likewise thanked Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and other colleagues in the Senate who welcomed his proposal and expressed support for it during the budget deliberation. “I will put it in the budget as a cover. Sen Jinggoy (Estrada) said it might not be enough and I said ‘I would have been happy with the P100-million but if you want to increase it, you have my blessing’,” he added. The post Escudero seeks higher intel fund for Phl Coast Guard appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
New record high: Phl debt at P14.15T in June
The Philippine national government's debt stock reached another record high of P14.15 trillion in June as new domestic borrowings exceeded payments made, the Bureau of Treasury said on Tuesday. Data from the state treasury bureau showed that the country's debt portfolio increased by P51.31 billion or 0.4 percent compared to the previous month, primarily due to the net issuance of domestic securities. Of the total debt stock, 31.4 percent was sourced externally, while 68.6 percent were domestic borrowings. The BTr said the country's domestic debt reached P9.70 trillion, P114.32 billion or 1.2 percent higher than the end-May 2023 level. For the month, domestic debt growth amounted to P114.32 billion due to the net issuance of government bonds driven by the NG's financing requirements. Year-to-date, domestic debt has an increment of P494.44 billion or 5.4 percent The national government's external debt amounted to P4.45 trillion, P63.01 billion or 1.4 percent lower than the previous month. "The reduction in foreign debt was driven by the impact of currency adjustments affecting both USD (US Dollar)- and third-currency equivalents leading to a decrease in the peso value of the debt, amounting to P69.98 billion and P8.28 billion, respectively," the BTr said, adding that these offsets the availing of foreign loans worth P15.25 billion. NG's external debt likewise increased by P234.55 billion or 5.6 percent from the end-December 2022 level. Total NG guaranteed obligations decreased by P9.98 billion or 2.6 percent month-on-month to P369.73 billion as of June 2023. For the month, the decline in guaranteed debt was attributed to the net repayment of both domestic and external guarantees amounting to P4.36 billion and P0.89 billion, respectively. "This was further trimmed because of the effect of currency adjustments on both USD- and third- currency-denominated guarantees amounting to P2.78 billion and P1.95 billion, respectively," BTr said. From the end-December 2022 level, NG guaranteed debt has decreased by P29.32 billion or 7.3 percent. In an emailed commentary, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said the latest net borrowings of the national government may reflect the need to finance the still relatively wider budget deficits in recent months partly due to the lower individual tax rates for most income brackets since the start of 2023. "New official development assistance and other multilateral funding, especially for the country's various infrastructure projects, would also add to the country's outstanding national government debt in the coming months," Ricafort said. China Banking Corp. chief economist Domini Velasquez echoed Ricafort's comment in another Viber message, saying that the government had to incur debt in a high-interest rate environment in the first six months of the year to finance government projects and programs and augment budget deficits. "On a positive note, we think market interest rates are already on a downtrend as domestic inflation moves down and major central banks near the end of their tightening cycles. This will help dampen debt growth," Velasquez said. The post New record high: Phl debt at P14.15T in June appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (13)
As the son of one of the most identifiable political figures in the country, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. must have a sense of destiny during his six-year watch as the nation’s leader. As a senator, he had a clear vision of how the agriculture sector should be handled and what help farmers needed from the government. In the first quarter of 2016, after Mindanao was hit by a drought, Marcos as reported by Daily Tribune was among the first to protest the violent dispersal of farmers camped out in Kidapawan City to bring to the public their sad plight. Marcos condemned the violent dispersal of the drought-hit farmers who barricaded a highway, saying the use of bullets was “completely unnecessary.” “I deplore the use of bullets to answer the legitimate demands of farmers and their families in North Cotabato. They are hungry and they are just asking for food so they can feed their families. The violent dispersal was completely unnecessary,” he said. The police, he said, should have instead negotiated with the protesters. The frantic farmers and their families complaining of hunger had set up barricades on the Davao-Cotabato Highway in Kidapawan City. They were seeking the release of the province’s calamity fund and rice supplies, as well as other government support. The then-vice presidential candidate said that had the government acted more decisively and earnestly in solving the problems of the farmers affected by El Niño, the Kidapawan City incident would not have happened. He added that the tragedy that befell the drought-hit farmers in North Cotabato should have served as a lesson to the government to give priority to the agricultural sector. In hindsight, the tragedy may have had a big impact on the President’s decision today to keep running the Department of Agriculture, even though he has been getting a lot of criticism for not giving up the job. “Well, that is a very big tragedy. I believe there should be many who should be held to account since instead of helping those suffering from the natural calamity, they were assaulted which is a huge mistake,” he said then of the Kidapawan incident. Marcos had been repeatedly calling for swift and immediate government action in the areas affected by the drought, especially in Mindanao particularly by giving them financial and technical support. He then called for a thorough investigation to shed light on the reason for the severe response to their grievances with bullets. “They were not asking for money, only food to live, but they were shot. How did that happen?” Marcos asked in the vernacular. At least one person was killed and eight others, all identified as farmers, were shot and wounded during the dispersal by the Kidapawan City police force. In response, Marcos called on the Department of Agriculture to speed up programs to help farmers in drought-hit areas. He understood then that farmers resorted to protests to demand the distribution of rice which he said was a “manifestation that the government has not done enough to address their condition.” “It was an act of desperation and I cannot blame them. They have been hungry for months, their crops are gone, damaged by El Niño. This should be a wake-up call to our government, our DA officials especially to double their efforts to help them,” he said. Marcos then said that the DA should account for the P2.1-billion earmarked to assist farmers affected by the drought caused by El Niño and to spur agricultural production in the first quarter of 2016. “The question now is, how is the DA spending the P2.1-billion budget set up to help our drought-affected farmers? The DA should explain so that the government can fine-tune the programs and, if needed, allocate more funds to augment it,” he pointed out. The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (13) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Stoning MIF tree
Now that the signing of the Maharlika Investment Fund is a certainty, the flak it has been receiving has increased, much of it totally absurd. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. vows to sign the MIF bill as soon as he gets hold of it. The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is now connecting the push to tax junk food and hike the levy on sweetened drinks to the setting up of the fund. According to the schemers, the new sources of revenue are necessary to cover the amounts that would be taken from government financial institutions and the budget to come up with the P125-billion seed money for the MIF. The levy on sugar-sweetened beverages has been a part of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law that was successfully implemented in the previous administration. The junk food tax, meanwhile, had long been proposed, way before the MIF bill was drafted. Besides, the infusions from the government financial institutions will come from their investible funds that are used to generate income. The combination of the soft drinks and junk food taxes is expected to raise an additional P76 billion that would go to fund government health programs. The MIF is meant to augment the revenues of the government and not to draw from them as the incessant detractors claim. It is an alternative to the usual tax collections and borrowings as a source of funds for social programs and infrastructure buildup. According to Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, some 194 flagship projects have been lined up in the six-year term of President Marcos which are estimated to cost a total of P9 trillion. Diokno said another source of government funding is necessary as the price for the country’s graduation to an upper middle-income economy within the next two years. By that time, the country will no longer be entitled to official development assistance for infrastructure. Diokno has high hopes for the MIF, pointing out that sub-funds such as infrastructure and green funds could be created under it to further generate capital. The MIF will be used to manage government financial assets. This will be an important feature for it to become a reliable source of funds, thus relieving the government of the constant need to borrow to cover budget deficits. Congress approved the MIF bill last 31 May, creating the country’s first sovereign fund. Aside from foreign institutions, the MIF can go into ventures with local conglomerates, economic managers said. Economic managers said the MIF will be very transparent as the Maharlika Investment Corp. will be tasked to craft investment and risk management strategies where the public could see the possible returns of the projects. All the projects will go through a procurement process and the only exemption will be on the technical aspect or the soliciting of technical advice. Simply put, the MIF will create wealth instead of dissipating it, contrary to the false impression its critics want to project. The post Stoning MIF tree appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Compensating Marawi siege victims
The program to compensate victims of the Marawi siege will sink or swim on funding. Politico-sociocultural and human factors, including administrative hurdles, aside, the key to its success hinges on the sincerity of the government in providing the needed funds. Of course, the integrity of the distribution through the mechanism laid down by the Marawi Compensation Board or MCB also counts. It will take a lot of lobbying and follow-up to shepherd the program. And for this purpose, the civil society groups that had been galvanizing attention to the acute needs of the evacuees will have to reboot their campaign (Are they represented in the MCB? The Compensation Law speaks of their possible membership). MCB needs their “noise” to prevent the program from being relegated to the backburner with serious calamities happening elsewhere that also need funding. It takes a lot of networking and constant reminders to national policymakers about the need for funds. Remember, nothing is specific about how much the government has earmarked to implement the Compensation Law. Everything remains hazy and iffy. What we have learned is that in the 2023 Government Appropriation Act, about P1 billion has been set aside to initialize the program. That was not even specifically appropriated for the Marawi victims but lumped into the appropriation for assistance to disaster-stricken areas. That amount is a ridiculous crumb that is not even enough for the administrative needs of MCB. How can we augment or supplement any annual government appropriation for the Marawi victims? The Bangsamoro Autonomous Government comes to mind. The BARMM Organic Law provides a budget for this contingency. Thus, under Article XIV, Section 2 of RA 11054, the “Special Development Fund — The National Government shall provide a special development fund to the Bangsamoro Government for the rebuilding, rehabilitation, and development of its conflict-affected communities. The amount equivalent to Fifty billion pesos at Five billion pesos per year, for a period of 10 years from the ratification of this Organic Law, shall be allocated for this purpose. The utilization of the fund shall be in accordance with the Bangsamoro Development Plan to be adopted by the Bangsamoro Government.” That’s it. The provision describes to a tee the aid for the rehabilitation of “conflict-affected” Marawi. What we are trying to drive home is that, even if the national government becomes remiss in funding the program, our fallback will be tapping the resources of BARMM. The regional government has so many funds that it can spend legally on the rehabilitation program. We are told that BARMM has already started implementing its assistance to the war victims. Truckloads of building materials were unloaded at the center of the most affected area, Banggolo, for everyone to see. Choosing construction materials instead of cash, as a form of assistance, is a sound idea. Unfortunately, we were told that many victims were not given a heads-up and failed to avail of it. There was a deficit of communication. Victims demand transparency in the distribution to protect the integrity of the process. Apropos of this, there are pedestrian suggestions that come to mind. A strict monitoring of the use of these materials should be conducted by BARMM to ensure that they will not fall into the hands of pseudo-claimants. The local government units, especially the barangay chiefs who know the residents, should be given a role. Care should also be exercised to prevent the materials from being brought to places outside of the most affected priority areas. Personal, social, and consanguineal biases should never play a role in processing claims. The “palakasan” system will defeat the purpose. These are the evils that should be avoided lest they bring to naught the noble purpose of the law. Responsibility should also be defined clearly by identifying the agency and the officials tasked with distributing the largesse. Transparency by publishing the process of distribution, the criteria, and whatever documents are needed to substantiate the claim for assistance must be observed. BARMM should formulate its own Implementing Rules and Regulations to shut off any doubt about the integrity of the distribution. It is a relief that BARMM has initiated the process. Bravo! We hope it will accelerate the distribution in the meantime that the MCB is getting its act together for the huge task ahead. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Compensating Marawi siege victims appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DBM allocates P1.4B for youth jobs generation
The Department of Budget and Management on Monday said it has allocated P1.401 billion to the Department of Labor and Employment which will help provide jobs to the Filipino youth. These include the Government Internship Program, Special Program for Employment of Students and Job Search Assistance. Under the 2023 national budget, DoLE’s Government Internship Program has been allotted P708 million. The program consists of three to six-month internship opportunities for high school, technical-vocational, and college graduates who want to work in the government. It targets some 12,000 beneficiaries. “In our goal of attaining progress and prosperity, we believe that having a healthy, productive, and equipped workforce will play a great role,” DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said. “That’s why President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed us to give prime importance to investing in our labor workforce, especially the youth,” Pangandaman added. To further prepare the beneficiaries as they enter the labor force, DoLE’s Employment Facilitation Program had been given a budget of P769 million. The amount includes P585 million for the Special Program for Employment of Students. This is DoLE’s youth employment-bridging program that provides temporary employment to poor but deserving students, out-of-school youth, and dependents of displaced or would-be displaced workers during summer and Christmas vacation, or any time of the year, to augment the family’s income, and help ensure that beneficiaries can pursue their education. Meanwhile, the agency’s Job Search Assistance program has an allotment of P108 million. For 2023, DOLE has a total budget of P26.89 billion to increase employment opportunities and better equip the country’s labor force. The post DBM allocates P1.4B for youth jobs generation appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»