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Solon pushes farmers’ protection
To protect the country’s farmers from usurious lenders, marked by excessive loan interest rates and unauthorized lending practices, Davao City First Congressional District Representative Paolo Duterte has filed a bill intended for the institutionalization of the accepted interest rates on the loans of farmers and providing sanctions for those who will violate the measure. “It is disheartening that regardless of the invaluable contribution of the farmers to the country’s food security, they remain to be living below the poverty line,” Duterte said. The lawmaker added that the lack of access to formal credit facilities and excessive interest rates charged by predatory and opportunistic lenders remain as one of the primordial issues faced by the agricultural sector. House Bill 9094 or the Anti-Usury Against Farmers Act of 2023 aims to safeguard farmers not to become victims of usurious lenders and to their unauthorized lending practices. Duterte stressed that several factors have forced the poor farmers to the brink of debt, which include natural calamities, worsening climate change, fluctuating economic forces and unforeseen global pandemic that resulted in the ballooning prices of farming capital and the exposure of agricultural lands to dilapidation. “As a result, the country’s farmers are faced with unabated losses and financial burden which results in their increased financial vulnerability. It left them with no other choice but to obtain more and more credit from loan sharks in order to secure short term relief with the hopes of mitigating their losses from the effects of devastating calamities, disrupted economies, and exorbitant farming capital,” said Duterte. He also cited reports from the Philippine Institute of Development Studies showing that despite the availability of government-directed credit programs and the significant amount of government funds spent for its implementation, farmers or the intended target beneficiaries still do not have access to credit and are still dependent on informal lenders who charge unreasonable interest rates due to lack of collateral to secure loans and lack of awareness or familiarity with the processes and requirements needed. Under the proposed measure, interest on loans to farmers whose landholding does not exceed seven hectares, whether with collateral or without, shall not exceed an effective interest rate of six per cent per annum. The same rate will likewise apply to forbearance of any money, good or credit, and in judgments. Any figure above this shall be considered usurious and illegal. Violators would be fined or penalized with imprisonment. The post Solon pushes farmers’ protection appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Davao de Oro flood victims receive aid from Bong Go
Senator Christopher “Bong” Go’s team extended assistance to residents recovering from recent flooding in Pantukan, Davao de Oro on Wednesday, 30 August. In a video message, Go acknowledged local officials, including Governor Dodot Gonzaga, Vice Governor Tyron Uy, and Mayor Leonel Ceniza, for their prompt response to the needs of the affected families. Go's team distributed masks, shirts, and vitamins to 649 flood victims present at Barangay Napnapan covered court. They also gave away shoes, mobile phones, watches, and balls for basketball and volleyball. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended financial assistance through the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation program. Congressman Ruwel Gonzaga, Board Member Ruwina Gonzaga, and former governor Arturo Uy were present during the event. “Alam ko pong mahirap ang panahon ngayon pero magtiwala lang ho kayo sa gobyerno. Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng lakas sa amin upang makapagserbisyo pa po sa abot ng aming makakaya para malampasan natin ang krisis at sana po’y makabalik na tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” said Go. Go also stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive and coordinated disaster management approach. He highlighted the importance of Senate Bill No. 188, which proposes the establishment of the Department of Disaster Resilience (DDR). SBN 188 aims to consolidate all disaster-related agencies and functions into a single entity to streamline efforts and enhance disaster response efficiency. By elevating DDR to a Cabinet secretary-level department, the government can better allocate resources, develop improved disaster risk reduction strategies, and promptly aid affected communities, especially those from vulnerable sectors, cited Go. “Dapat na may nakatutok talaga na may awtoridad at malinaw na mandato. Hindi na puwedeng laging task force na lang dahil temporary lang ito at nawawala ang continuity kapag nagpalit na ng administrasyon. Mahirap din kung mananatiling coordinating council lang ang mamamahala sa ganitong sitwasyon dahil sa kakulangan ng kapangyarihan nito,” Go earlier explained. “Dapat ay departamento sana na may Cabinet-level na kalihim na in-charge para may kapangyarihan at kakayahang i-mobilize ang buong gobyerno kapag kinakailangan. Magkakaroon siya ng personalidad na diretsong isasangguni sa ibang departamento ang pangangailangan ng mga taong apektado ng krisis,” he added. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health and Demography, Go took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of prioritizing health for the residents. He encouraged them to avail of medical assistance through the Malasakit Centers, conveniently located at Davao de Oro Provincial Hospital branches in Laak, Montevista, Maragusan, and Pantukan, as well as the Davao Regional Medical Center in nearby Tagum City. Initiated by Go in 2018, the Malasakit Centers serve as one-stop shops, bringing together multiple government agencies such as DSWD, Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, to ensure medical assistance programs are accessible by indigent Filipinos. Go is the principal author and sponsor of Republic Act No. 11463, commonly known as the Malasakit Centers Act of 2019. The program has demonstrated its effectiveness nationwide, benefiting over seven million Filipinos, as reported by DOH. Go also highlighted the role of Super Health Centers in making quality healthcare services accessible to all Filipinos, especially those living in remote and underserved areas. Go also stressed that no Filipino should be left behind when it comes to receiving proper medical attention and treatment. In 2022, the Super Health Centers in Davao de Oro commenced construction in Montevista, Nabunturan, and Mawab. This year, there will be two centers in the town, and one each in Monkayo and Compostela. “Ang kagandahan nito early detection at magagamit ito sa pagkokonsulta and it will help decongest the hospital dahil pwede na pong gamutin dito. At ilalagay po ito sa mga strategic areas. Ilalagay nila sa isang barangay kung saan po’y makaka-access ‘yung mga kababayan natin, hindi na nila kailangan pang magbiyahe pa sa Poblacion, hindi na nila kailangang magbiyahe pa sa provincial hospital. Pwede na pong gamutin dito, early detection mas maganda po ‘yon para hindi na lumala ang sakit ng mga pasyente,” Go said. He also underscored the importance of bringing specialized medical services closer to communities by establishing dedicated specialty centers in regional hospitals under the DOH. Go is the principal sponsor and one of the authors of RA 11959 or the Regional Specialty Centers Act. The newly enacted law includes provisions for the establishment of specialty centers within existing government-controlled corporations or specialty hospitals. It also outlines the specific service capabilities that DOH will implement in regional hospitals. Go, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Finance, has actively supported various infrastructure projects in Davao de Oro. His contributions include the construction of a multipurpose building in Compostela; construction of the Monkayo, Compostela Valley-Veruela Road; and improvement of the public market in Monkayo. Other major initiatives he supported include the construction of the Nabunturan-Maco and Nabunturan-Laak roads; the installation of street lights in Nabunturan; the rehabilitation of the local roads and bridges in New Bataan; and the concreting of the local access road in Pantukan. The post Davao de Oro flood victims receive aid from Bong Go appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
OTOP bill seen helping MSMEs, local products
Senator Mark Villar on Tuesday thanked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signing the One Town, One Product, or OTOP, bill which will greatly help the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Sector or MSMEs in the country. Villar said the newly enacted OTOP law will also boost the promotion of local products. Marcos signed the OTOP bill on 24 August which authorizes the Department of Trade and Industry to establish the OTOP Philippines Trustmark, an assurance that the products under the program represent the country’s best merchandise. Villar said the OTOP Philippines Trustmark signifies business and products are “excellent in terms of quality, design, value and marketability.” The law covers all the OTOP Philippines programs including local delicacies, agricultural-based products, artisanal crafts, and skills-based services that can only be found in the country. Bill seeks rural upliftment Villar underscored that the OTOP law is also envisioned to assist rural communities in growing the local economy and promote the convergence of initiatives from local government units, national government agencies, and the private sector in developing and promoting Philippine products. Under the newly enacted law, the regional and provincial offices of the DTI shall, in cooperation with the concerned LGUs, determine the beneficiaries of the OTOP Program based on the qualifications and standards in place. Beneficiaries will be provided a comprehensive package of assistance covering areas of product development, product design, packaging and labeling assistance, technology updating, and product enhancement. On the other hand, the DTI and the Department of Science and Technology will be in charge of providing capacity building through training opportunities, standards and market compliance, market access, and product promotion. Villar said all LGUs must establish their own local OTOP Hub in any location that has high foot traffic of consumers, preferably in the city or municipal hall. The post OTOP bill seen helping MSMEs, local products appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Pork’s different strokes
Efforts have begun in the House of Representatives to raise the Motor Vehicle Road Users Charge or the Road Users Tax after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. identified the levy as a main source of precious funds. The eagerness of the members of the House to comply with the proposal to hike the tax makes people wary. Proceeds from the tax are the favorite source of legislative pork. Albay Rep. Joey Salceda’s bill indicates the MVUC which ranges from P120 to P4,000 will be raised to between P2,080 and P10,400 for cars, depending on their gross weight. Under the proposal, the MVUC will be increased by a fixed rate yearly until 2025, and by 5 percent from 2026 onwards. Salceda is looking at collecting P151 billion more in revenue from 2024 to 2027 through the higher MVUC. The higher collections should be earmarked for road improvements which is under the Department of Public Works and Highways after President Rodrigo Duterte signed a law abolishing the graft-tainted Road Board. The disposition of the MVUC sparked the feud between House members and the Department of Budget and Management during the initial years of the Duterte term after then Budget Secretary Ben Diokno refused to release the MUVC proceeds until the Road Board was dissolved. Moreover, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III exploited the RUT funds using them as leverage to get House members to impeach former Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez and to obtain the legislators’ approval for his political agenda, such as a measure seeking to postpone the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao election to allow Noynoy to place his appointees in the Muslim region. The Road Board had an unusual collection setup that practically freed its state audit, making it a perfect “cash cow” as termed by some senators. Gutierrez was impeached overwhelmingly in the House after Noynoy first dangled the pork barrel, saying through his House allies that those who would vote against the impeachment would not receive their pork barrel while those who signed the measure would get a P20-million bonus taken from the Road Board.Later, Gutierrez, knowing that she was in a losing situation, resigned from her post despite her having a guaranteed term. She was replaced by Noynoy’s favorite associate justice, Conchita Carpio-Morales, who carried out the yellow brand of selective justice. Gutierrez had displeased Noynoy when she dismissed the case against former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in connection with the P729-million fertilizer fund scam. Former Chief Justice Renato Corona Jr. was also ousted through impeachment and the leverage used, in turn, were the DAP funds. It was ironic that Noynoy’s allies vowed to abolish the Road Board, which under the law that created it, had full discretion on its use. Its disposition was beyond the scope of the Commission on Audit since the RUT was not part of the budget. Former Sen. Franklin Drilon, for instance, said the body would be abolished by the Senate despite the House allies of former President Arroyo’s withdrawal and eventual rescinding of the bill that sought to terminate the anomalous 2001 creation. Congressmen turned the RUT proceeds into a source of fast money through collusion with Road Board officials. Since the DPWH is now the custodian of the funds, attention must also be directed at the agency in the proper disposition of the MUVC proceeds. Increasing the audit-free funds plus the recently discovered P215 billion in insertions in the budget through the generic flood mitigation projects exposed maneuvers to pilfer public funds. The post Pork’s different strokes appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Recently enacted OTOP bill to aid MSMEs, boosts Phl products
The One Town, One Product bill will greatly help the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Sector or MSMEs in the country. “Gusto po natin ipaalam sa ating mga kababayan lalo na sa mga local MSMEs and consumers na batas na po ang One Town, One Product,” said Senator Mark Villar. The newly enactyed OTOP law will also boost the promotion of Philippine local products. Marcos signed the OTOP bill into law on 24 August which authorizes the Department of Trade and Industry to establish the OTOP Philippines Trustmark, an assurance that the products under the program represent the country's best merchandise. The OTOP Philippines Trustmark shall signify that the business and products have been marked as “excellent in terms of quality, design, value, and marketability," Villar said. The law covers all the OTOP Philippines programs including local delicacies, agricultural-based products, artisanal crafts, and skills-based services that can only be found in the country. Villar underscored that the OTOP law is also envisioned to assist rural communities in growing the local economy and promote the convergence of initiatives from local government units, national government agencies, and the private sector in developing and promoting Philippine products. Under the newly enacted law, the regional and provincial offices of the DTI shall, in cooperation with the concerned LGUs, determine the beneficiaries of the OTOP Program based on the qualifications and standards in place. Beneficiaries will be provided a comprehensive package of assistance covering areas of product development, product design, packaging and labeling assistance, technology updating, and product enhancement. On the other hand, the DTI and the Department of Science and Technology will be in charge of providing capacity building through training opportunities, Standards and Market Compliance, Market Access, and Product Promotion. The law also creates the OTOP Philippines Hubs, which will be strategically located in ports of entry such as airports, seaports, bus terminals, high-traffic retail outlets like malls, tourist destinations, and other consumer-frequented locations. LGUs must establish their own local OTOP Hub in any location that has high foot traffic of consumers, preferably in the city or municipal hall. The post Recently enacted OTOP bill to aid MSMEs, boosts Phl products appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Victory for ordinary consumers
The Energy Regulatory Commission, on 8 August 2023, made the correct decision in suspending Resolution No. 07, S. 2011, which unfairly allowed the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, or NGCP, to pass on its three-percent franchise tax to energy consumers. The suspension order was triggered by the Senate Energy Committee hearing in July where Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairman, moved to raise a review of the franchise tax of NGCP amid delays in the completion of 37 transmission projects. He pointed out the NGCP projects were delayed by 820 days or 2 years and 3 months. Adding insult to injury, Senator Tulfo said, the NGCP has been passing on its franchise tax to consumers since 2011. “Perhaps it’s time for ERC to revisit its Resolution No. 7, series of 2011. And since we’re at it, maybe it’s about time to revisit the franchise tax of NGCP and impose a regular income tax on them instead,” declared the good senator. Senator Win Gatchalian, vice chairman of the committee, said the ERC should not allow NGCP to pass on its franchise tax to consumers because there is a 2002 Supreme Court ruling that the income tax, which is not an operating expense, cannot be passed on by a utility to its consumers. In the case of NGCP, the franchise tax is not an operating expense. Moreover, the franchise tax, according to the NGCP franchise, is in lieu of income tax. As such, NGCP should not be allowed to pass on its franchise tax to consumers. You see, the government in granting NGCP a franchise to operate the power transmission system in the country, exempted the company from all kinds of taxes, including the 30 percent corporate income tax, except for a 3 percent franchise tax based on its annual gross receipts. However, in 2011, the ERC granted the NGCP’s application to allow the franchise tax to be part of the transmission costs included in the electricity bills of consumers. In RP vs Meralco (G.R. No 141314, 15 November 2002), the Supreme Court ruled that a public utility cannot charge its income tax to consumers by including it in its operating expenses that form part of the electricity bill since no benefit is derived from it by the consumers. The Supreme Court said that to charge consumers for expenses incurred by a public utility that is not related to the service or benefit derived by the consumers is unjustified and inequitable. Quoting from the case of Smyth v. Ames, 169 U.S. 466, 545 (1898), the Supreme Court declared: “[T]he public cannot properly be subjected to unreasonable rates in order simply that stockholders may earn dividends… If a corporation cannot maintain such a [facility] and earn dividends for stockholders, it is a misfortune for it and them which the Constitution does not require to be remedied by imposing unjust burdens on the public.” This 2002 ruling was recently reiterated in the May 2023 Supreme Court decision barring Maynilad and Manila Water from passing on to consumers their corporate income taxes as operating expenses. In a 102-page decision penned by Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC ruled that in operating the waterworks and sewerage system, Maynilad and Manila Water are public utilities that are expressly prohibited from passing on to consumers their corporate income taxes as operating expenses. Indeed, the act of NGCP of passing on its franchise tax to consumers is simply repulsive when the corporation has been given all the special privileges to operate the monopoly business of transmitting electricity and is exempted from all other taxes. The franchise tax is the single obligation imposed on NGCP, yet its handful of billionaire owners deigned to pass it on to the ordinary consumers, who do not enjoy the same privilege of tax exemption of the wealthy corporation. Passing on the NGCP’s franchise tax obligation to the consumers only furthers an economic system that makes the poor poorer and the rich richer. The post Victory for ordinary consumers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MORE Power announces 8th monthly rate drop amid NGCP charge increase
MORE Power continues to work towards consumer relief as it announces yet another significant reduction in the effective total residential electricity rate for August 2023. This marks the eighth time this year that MORE Power has succeeded in lowering the cost burden on its valued customers, despite the increased power delivery and ancillary service charges imposed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines. "We are pleased to announce that electricity rates in Iloilo City have decreased for the eighth consecutive month this year. Our commitment to providing affordable electricity remains steadfast. Despite challenges, we persist in delivering tangible benefits to our customers. This achievement stands as a testament to the dedication and patience of our Energy Sourcing team, as they consistently seek cost-efficient power generation supply, incorporate renewable energy and leverage favorable market conditions," said Roel Z. Castro, president and chief executive officer of MORE Power. MORE Power has achieved an effective residential electricity rate of P10.9840/kWh for August billing, lower by P0.4333/kWh compared to the previous month's rate of P11.4173/kWh. The increased delivery and ancillary service charge of P0.0659/kWh was counterbalanced by a substantial reduction in the generation charge by P0.3939/kWh. This feat was primarily attributed to a reduction in fuel costs associated with purchased electricity, particularly from power suppliers such as KEPCO SPC, constituting a 19.06 percent share in energy procurement, and Sem Calaca Power with a 30.90 percent share. Continuing its trajectory of efficiency, MORE Power has further decreased the System Loss charge by P0.0237/kWh, attributing it to a reduction in actual system loss. The current 12-month average system loss as of July 2023 remains at 5.85 percent. In alignment with the company's dynamic strategy, lifeline subsidies have undergone adjustment due to the automatic exclusion of residents in subdivisions, condominiums, and villages. Furthering this fiscal prudence, the Universal Charge for Missionary Electrification has been reduced following the successful culmination of the 12-month NPC true-up adjustment, which was entirely billed in the preceding month. The collective impact of these strategic measures has inevitably led to a concurrent decrease in VAT and other taxes, providing consumers with relief from financial strain. The results of these changes will be reflected in the billing statements of consumers, effective from 18 August to 14 September 2023. MORE Power kindly reminds valued consumers of the importance of timely bill payment. Consistent on-time payment for 36 months qualifies customers for a refund of their bill deposits paid to MORE Power. MORE Power has already started refunding bill deposits since May 2023 for those eligible customers. The post MORE Power announces 8th monthly rate drop amid NGCP charge increase appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
MORE brings lifeline rollout to each home
MORE Electric and Power Corp., Iloilo City’s exclusive electricity provider owned by the group of businessman Enrique K. Razon Jr., complements the national government’s efforts to enlist more lifeline power customers by mobilizing an on-site registration drive. MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, in a statement on Monday, said that the company wants to directly communicate with customers to ensure that those qualified can avail of the program. “In addition to accepting applications in our office, we also deploy personnel to barangays for on-site registration,” Castro said. As of 2 August, MORE Power has already received 1,519 lifeline applications from 42 barangays. In response to the clamor, the company holds a five-day onsite application, from 7 to 11 August, across 10 different locations. Due to low application turnout, the full rollout of the subsidy application has been extended by the Department of Energy until September. “There are 4.2 million household beneficiaries of 4Ps, and the registration for lifeline subsidy remains very low. Only those who register will continue to receive a reduction in their electricity bills beginning August 2023,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla earlier said. “If they do not avail of the program through Meralco, they will have to shell out more or less P250, an amount which could otherwise be spent for their other needs such as food,” Lotilla explained. A lifeline rate is a subsidized rate given to low-income users consuming electricity below 100 kilowatt-hours who cannot afford to pay their bills at full cost. The scale of rate reduction varies depending on the prevailing rates of the DUs. For instance, lifeline end-users in the Meralco franchise area with zero to 20 kilowatt-hours monthly consumption will be granted a 100 percent discount on the generation charges, except for the fixed metering charge of P5. Typically, they only pay P20 for their electric bills. Other marginalized end-user applicants who are not 4Ps beneficiaries but belong to a household of at least five members with a combined monthly income of P12,030 must submit to their DUs a certification by their local Social Welfare Development Office issued within six months before application. The monthly income threshold may change and vary for each DU franchise area as may be determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority. In another related development, MORE Power has implemented its third installment of Bill Deposit Refund to 28 eligible consumers amounting to P173,000 — in compliance with the provision of the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. Consumers who have consistently paid their electric bill for 36 months are qualified for bill deposit refunds. MORE Power targets to complete a refund of P5 million to customers by the end of the year. The post MORE brings lifeline rollout to each home appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Sign up for subsidy, Iloilo low-income power users urged
MORE Electric and Power Corp., Iloilo City’s exclusive electricity provider owned by the group of businessman Enrique K. Razon, Jr., is mobilizing an onsite registration drive to enlist more lifeline power customers in the subsidy program offered by the Department of Energy. A lifeline rate is a subsidized rate given to low-income users consuming electricity below 100 kilowatt-hours who cannot afford to pay their bills at full cost. MORE Power President and CEO Roel Castro, in a statement on Monday, said that the company wants to directly communicate with customers to ensure that those qualified can avail of the program. “In addition to accepting applications in our office, we also deploy personnel to barangays for on-site registration,” Castro said. As of 2 August, MORE Power has already received 1,519 lifeline applications from 42 barangays. The company is holding a five-day onsite application drive from 7 to 11 August across 10 different locations. Due to low application turnout, the full rollout of the subsidy application has been extended by the Department of Energy until September. “There are 4.2 million household beneficiaries of 4Ps, and the registration for lifeline subsidy remains very low. Only those who register will continue to receive a reduction in their electricity bills beginning August 2023,” Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla earlier said. “If they do not avail of the program through Meralco, they will have to shell out more or less P250, an amount which could otherwise be spent for their other needs such as food,” Lotilla explained. The scale of rate reduction varies depending on the prevailing rates of the DUs. For instance, lifeline end-users in the Meralco franchise area with zero to 20 kilowatt-hours monthly consumption will be granted a 100-percent discount on the generation charges, except for the fixed metering charge of P5. Typically, they only pay P20 for their electric bills. Other marginalized end-user applicants who are not 4Ps beneficiaries but belong to a household of at least five members with a combined monthly income of P12,030 must submit to their DUs a certification by their local Social Welfare Development Office issued within six months before application. The monthly income threshold may change and vary for each DU franchise area as may be determined by the Philippine Statistics Authority. In another related development, MORE Power has implemented its third installment of Bill Deposit Refund to 28 eligible consumers amounting to P173,000 — in compliance with the provision of the Magna Carta for Residential Electricity Consumers. Consumers who have consistently paid their electric bill for 36 months are qualified for bill deposit refunds. MORE Power targets to complete a refund of P5 million to customers by the end of the year. The post Sign up for subsidy, Iloilo low-income power users urged appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
After 4Ps, gov’t offers power subsidy
Malacañang said on Sunday that the government will start a program to help eligible low-income households pay their energy bills in full. In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said that qualified low-income households that cannot pay their electricity bills will be able to get a subsidy rate starting in September under the “Lifeline Rate” program. The PCO said that some families already benefiting from the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or who live below the poverty line set by the Philippine Statistics Program may qualify for electricity aid. The rebate amount will depend on the rates set by power companies like Meralco or the Manila Electric Company, which holds the electricity distribution franchise in Metro Manila and some nearby areas. “In the Meralco franchise area, lifeline end-users with zero to 20 kilowatt-hours of monthly consumption will be granted a 100-percent discount on the generation charges, including system loss, transmission, and distribution components of their bill, except for the fixed metering charge of P5, which means more or less only P20 from their electric bills will be paid,” PCO said. “If they do not avail themselves of the Lifeline Rate through Meralco, they will have to shell out more or less P250,” it explained. The PCO said a qualified household, including those benefiting from the 4Ps, can only get a lifeline rate for one service from a distribution utility or electric cooperative. The 4Ps program, also known as Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program, is a conditional cash transfer program that provides cash grants to poor families, a program derided for allegedly encouraging mendicancy. Eligible families could apply until the launch date. To do so, they have to fill out a Lifeline Rate Application Form and bring it, along with their most recent electric bill and a legal government-issued ID with their name and address, to the DU or EC. At the time of their application, customers living below the poverty line must have received certification from the local Social Welfare and Development Office within the last six months. Customers who secured lifeline rates and used between 21 and 50 kWh will pay P300, against P550 without subsidy. Customers who use between 51 and 70 kWh will pay about P522.90 versus the full rate of P763.37. Those who use between 71 and 100 kWh will pay the subsidized P904.21 as against the normal rate of P1,099.10. The post After 4Ps, gov’t offers power subsidy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Microsoft, Google beat earnings expectations amid AI frenzy
Tech titans Google and Microsoft announced better-than-expected earnings on Tuesday as the frenzy over artificial intelligence stokes investor excitement and breathes new life into the sector. The release of ChatGPT last year landed as technology giants were embarking on major layoffs and cost-cutting plans, with share prices hammered after flying high during the coronavirus pandemic. For the second consecutive quarter, Microsoft has more than reversed the trend, seeing profits and sales soaring to the highest levels ever for the 48-year-old company co-founded by Bill Gates. An earnings statement reported that net profit for Microsoft was $20.1 billion in the April to June period, up 20 percent year-on-year and above expectations. The company posted $56.2 billion in sales, which also beat expectations, though the growth slowed from the previous quarter. And even though its share price slipped in after-hours trading, the Windows-maker remains the world's second most valuable company after Apple, with a market capitalization of $2.6 trillion. Once again, business in the latest quarter was driven by the cloud, which relies heavily on artificial intelligence and accounts for more than half of the company's sales. Cloud sales grew by 21 percent year-on-year. Microsoft shares lifted off last week when the company said it would charge $30 extra per user to turbocharge its Microsoft 365 product -- which includes Word, Excel and Teams -- with AI powers. "Every customer I speak with is asking not only how, but how fast they can apply next generation AI to address the biggest opportunities and challenges they face and to do so safely and responsibly," said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Google parent Alphabet on Tuesday also reported profits that beat market forecasts as digital advertising revenue revived and its cloud business grew. The search engine giant reported net income of $18.7 billion on revenue of $74.6 billion in the recently ended quarter. "There's exciting momentum across our products and the company, which drove strong results this quarter," Alphabet chief executive Sundar Pichai said in an earnings release. Alphabet shares jumped more than six percent to $129.57 in after-market trades following the results. Microsoft saw its share price slip more than three percent to $337.99 as earnings showed it will take a bit of time and investment to fulfill its AI visions. "I think people got overly excited by AI, but now the reality is that it is not going to be instant," said independent analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group. "We are talking a few years before the full benefit starts to materialize." Brin is back While the latest talk has surrounded AI, what matters most for Google earnings currently is digital advertising -- where it gets the bulk of its revenue. The company said that advertising revenue hit $58.1 billion, which outshined analysts' expectations of $57.45 billion. Google is also a player in the cloud computing industry, where revenue came in at $8 billion, compared with $6.3 billion the unit took in during the same period a year earlier. "Our continued leadership in AI and our excellence in engineering and innovation are driving the next evolution of Search, and improving all our services," Pichai said. Google has played a close second to the partnership between Microsoft and OpenAI in rolling out its AI products following the release of ChatGPT. The company has largely been seen as playing catch up with Microsoft, with questions over whether the mighty Google search engine will withstand developments in AI. Microsoft was quick to beef up its Bing search engine with AI powers, but Google's search has yet to see a real threat to its dominance -- which remains about 90 percent of the market worldwide. Google, though not as dramatically as Microsoft, has seen its share price rise steeply in 2023 as investors expect AI to generate new revenue and open new markets. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google co-founder Sergey Brin is back at the company headquarters in California helping teams develop even more AI products. He and co-founder Larry Page stepped down from active roles at Google in 2019 when Pichai was chosen to replace them as chief executive. The post Microsoft, Google beat earnings expectations amid AI frenzy appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Israel parliament clips Supreme Court powers
Israel’s parliament defied a tense session, pressure from thousands of demonstrators and boycott by opposition lawmakers to pass a controversial bill limiting the powers of the Supreme Court on Monday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition allies approved the bill with 64 votes in the 120-seat chamber. The vote took place hours after Netanyahu, 73, returned to the Knesset only a day after undergoing surgery to have a pacemaker fitted. The premier justified the decision to press ahead with the vote as a “necessary democratic step.” “We passed the amendment on reasonableness so that the elected government can carry out policy in line with the decision of the majority of the citizens of the country,” he said in a televised address. Critics charge that the judicial revamp limiting the powers of the High Court in striking down government decisions which the judges deem “unreasonable,” could open the way to more authoritarian government by removing checks and balances on the Israeli executive. Netanyahu’s coalition government, which includes far-right and ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties, argues that the proposed changes are needed to ensure a better balance of power. Division among Israelis remain as the Histadrut trade union confederation threatened a nationwide strike in response to the passage of the bill, urging the government to resume negotiations with the opposition. “Any unilateral progress of the reform will have serious consequences,” Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David warned in a statement. A walkout staged by Histadrut in March within hours prompted Netanyahu to halt the legislative process, paving the way for cross-party talks which ultimately collapsed. Rallies continued into the evening on Monday in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, the country’s commercial hub, while demonstrators blocked roads. Police used water cannon and mounted officers were deployed against the crowds. with AFP The post Israel parliament clips Supreme Court powers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Marcos seeks Congress support on 12 key bills
In his second State of the Nation Address delivered at the House of Representatives on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. sought Congress' support to pass 12 pieces of legislation that would influence the economy, agriculture, fisheries, local government as well as transparency in government. He asked for support from the members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass and amend the excise tax on single-use plastics, VAT on digital services, rationalization of mining fiscal regime, motor vehicle user’s charge/road user’s tax, and military and uniformed personnel pension that all fall under the country’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework. Congress, Marcos said, should also amend the Fisheries Code (RA 8550), the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act (10845) and the Cooperative Code (RA 9520) to combat the woes that hound the agriculture sector and direct affects the Filipino consumers. “Our Fisheries Code must be revised to incorporate and strengthen science-based analysis and determination of fishing areas. This approach will protect both the interests of our fisherfolk and our fisheries and aquatic resources,” Marcos said. “To this end, we will seek the support of Congress to amend the Code to guarantee the sustainable development of our fisheries sector in harmony with environmental balance,” he added. The Chief Executive also vowed to intensify efforts to prevent agricultural smuggling and hoarding, which he said continue to hurt Filipinos’ pockets. During the last quarter of 2022, prices of agricultural products, particularly onion, soared to as high as P500 to P700 per kilo. This prompted the House to to start a probe in January and to expedite the passage of a bill that would amend the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act. Meanwhile, the legislature must also enact a New Government Procurement Law and New Government Auditing Code, “ to make government procurement and auditing more attuned to these changing times,” Marcos said. “We will give effect to the mandate of the Constitution and the Local Government Code, as clarified by the Supreme Court, very soon. Almost all the required Devolution Transition Plans of the LGUs are done. To fully prepare them for optimal devolution, the necessary technical and financial assistance is being extended to our local governments,” he added. The other priority bills he laid out during his speech were on anti-financial accounts scamming, the Tatak-Pinoy (Proudly Filipino) law, The Blue Economy law, ease of paying taxes, LGU income classification and The Philippine Immigration Act. The post Marcos seeks Congress support on 12 key bills appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC
The Armed Forces of the Philippines will make sure that the Reserve Officers' Training Corps will be implemented accordingly and professionally by well-trained military handlers, especially should it becomes mandatory, newly-designated AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., said Friday. In a chance interview with reporters, Brawner cited the cases of hazing and physical and verbal abuse as well as other malpractices related to the ROTC in the past; hence, the AFP is preparing for proper and relevant conduct of the program in the future. “We are going to do away with that, by making sure that we have a professional core of soldiers and officers who will take care, take charge and manage the new program of the ROTC so ‘yun yung gusto nating gawin (that’s what we wanted to do), that is why right now, we are already training our core of professionals, officers, enlisted personnel who will handle the ROTC,” he said. “Ayaw na natin maulit ‘yung nangyari noong nakaraang programa ng ROTC (We don’t want the old practices to happen again in the ROTC program).” While the AFP is still waiting for the legislation of the ROTC bill, Brawner said there are ongoing preparations already in place. “The way that I understand it, it will not be the Department of National Defense who will be the lead agency rather it will be DepEd. So but the implementation will be done by the Department of National Defense, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines. So on our part, we are now preparing,” he noted. ‘ “Looking at the past experience that we have in ROTC, there are abuses in the past.” Expressing his full support for the revival of mandatory ROTC, Brawner said it will prepare every Filipino youth not only to become soldiers “but to become good citizens” that are ready to fight “any challenge or any threat —whether it is man-made or natural calamities.” ROTC in the Philippines is currently being taken optional by tertiary students, through the NSTP STP Act of 2001, following the death of the University of Santo Tomas sophomore cadet Mark Welson Chua, who had exposed corruption in the university’s ROTC program. The bill seeking mandatory ROTC is currently being discussed in the Senate plenary. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. as well as vice-president and Education Secretary, Sara Duterte, earlier backed the revival of the program, making it mandatory for all Filipino students. The post AFP assures only well-trained professionals to handle mandatory ROTC appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Go pushes mandatory nationwide evac centers anew
Amid the ongoing restiveness of the Mayon volcano in Albay province, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go on Monday renewed his call for the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers nationwide so that people will be better served during disasters or when emergencies occur. The senator lamented the lack of adequate facilities available in times of crisis such as during the onslaught of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even fire incidents, which “really affects the social welfare” of the affected families. Hence, Go stressed that the passage of Senate Bill 193, mandating the establishment of evacuation centers throughout the country, must be very crucial in the country’s disaster response efforts. If passed into law, the lawmaker said that there is no need for the local government units to convert basketball courts and public gymnasiums, or even repurpose schools into makeshift evacuation centers during calamities. Under SB 193, the construction of evacuation centers will be overseen by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The DPWH will be in charge of constructing the evacuation centers based on standards, issuances, and guidelines set by the DPWH. The DENR, on the other hand, will determine the location of each evacuation center, in close coordination with the LGUs concerned. The post Go pushes mandatory nationwide evac centers anew appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Bong Go urges anew for legislation of mandatory evac centers nationwide
Amid the ongoing restiveness of the Mayon volcano in Albay province, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Monday renewed his call for the establishment of mandatory evacuation centers nationwide so that people will be better served during disasters or when emergencies occur. Go lamented the lack of adequate facilities available in times of crisis such as during the onslaught of typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and even fire incidents, which "really affects the social welfare" of the affected families. Hence, Go stressed that the passage of Senate Bill 193, mandating the establishment of evacuation centers throughout the country, must be very crucial in the country's disaster response efforts. If passed into law, Go said there’s no need for the local government units to convert basketball courts and public gymnasiums, or even repurpose schools into makeshift evacuation centers during calamities. Under SB 193, the construction of evacuation centers will be overseen by the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The DPWH will be in charge of constructing the evacuation centers based on standards, issuances, and guidelines set by the DPWH. DENR, on the other hand, will determine the location of each evacuation center, in close coordination with the LGUs concerned. “These centers should not only offer adequate space but also prioritize hygiene and sanitation to prevent the spread of diseases and ensure the well-being of evacuees,” Go said. The minimum requirements for every evacuation center are also specified in the bill, including amenities and recreation areas. Each center should accommodate a large number of evacuees. Go also reiterated his call for the passage of SB 188, which will establish the Department of Disaster Resilience, aimed at centralizing efforts, streamlining coordination, as well as to ensure a rapid and effective response to emergencies. If enacted, the new department shall concentrate on three key results areas such as disaster risk reduction, disaster preparedness as well as response, recovery, and rebuilding efforts. Office of Civil Defense Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno previously said that they are supporting Go's proposed measure as he pointed out the importance of improving the country’s disaster and humanitarian response operations. The post Bong Go urges anew for legislation of mandatory evac centers nationwide appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Meralco rates up anew in June
Customers of the Manila Electric Company, or Meralco, the country’s largest power distributor, should brace for about a 42-centavo increase in their power bills this June. The company announced Thursday that the overall rate for a typical household increased this month to P11.91 per kilowatt-hour, or kWh from May’s P11.49 per kWh. For residential customers consuming 200 kWh, the adjustment is equivalent to an increase of around P84 in their total electricity bill. Meralco attributed the rate increase to the completion of the last distribution-related refund in May, which was equivalent to P0.86 per kWh for residential customers. “These refunds benefited Meralco’s customers over the past two years as these helped temper increases in electricity bills at a time of financial distress and uncertainty for many,” Meralco Head of Regulatory Management Office Atty. Jose Ronald V. Valles said. From March 2021 until May, Meralco implemented four Distribution Rate True-Up adjustments totaling P48.3 billion which translated to about P1.80 per kWh refund for residential customers. According to Meralco, the rate increase would have been higher if not for the generation charge, which went down by P0.41 per kWh from P7.66 per kWh in May to P7.25 per kWh this month due to lower costs from its Power Supply Agreements and Independent Power Producers. Charges from PSAs and IPPs decreased by P0.58 and P0.58 per kWh, respectively, mainly due to improved average plant dispatch and lower coal prices. The share of the PSAs and IPPs in Meralco’s energy requirements during the period went up to 50 percent and 38 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the spot market energy share was lower at 12 percent. The post Meralco rates up anew in June appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
House approves measures on salt industry, immigration reform
The proposed Philippine Salt Industry Act and the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act, which were among the 42 priority measures of the Marcos administration awaiting the House of Representatives' final approval, finally hurdled the plenary's floor on Monday. With 287 affirmative votes, House Bill 8278, or the bill seeking to revive the country's salt industry, was passed on third and final reading. HB 8203, a measure that would allow the BI to actively pursue modernization while also seeking to professionalize its workforce, also got the blessing of the House. The House-approved bills brought to 33 the approved priority legislation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council. The Marcos administration initially had only 31 bills on its legislative agenda top list, which the LEDAC later adopted. The lower chamber, however, indicated earlier this month that it would add 11 more bills, increasing the total number of the administration's priority legislation to 42. HB 8278 classifies salt, whether unprocessed or processed, as a basic agricultural product, with all of the legal and regulatory ramifications that classification entails. The bill intends to form a Philippine Salt Industry Development Council to ensure the roadmap's uniform and integrated implementation and to advance the modernization and industrialization of the country's salt sector. It will also create a development roadmap that includes a short-term, medium-term and long-term development plan, as well as particular and priority programs and initiatives that will support and align with the roadmap. The council will establish new small-scale artisanal salt farms through the DA-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. Under HB 8203, no person shall be appointed to the position of immigration officer unless such person meets the qualification standards set by the BI and approved by the Civil Service Commission. The BI is part of the Department of Justice and is in charge of enforcing local immigration, citizenship and alien admission and registration rules. The measure will require the agency to maintain an Immigration Trust Fund of no more than P1.2 billion from its yearly income derived from fees, fines and penalties, which will be utilized to fund information technology projects and other modernization programs. The ITF will be governed by the board in compliance with existing government auditing standards and regulations, according to the House-approved measure. It will be split into the following components: 50 percent for modernizing the tools, workplaces and offices used by bureau employees, including capital expenditures for the construction of new structures and field offices; 30 percent for paying employee benefits; and 20 percent for furthering the professionalization of bureau employees, including training, seminars and other career advancement programs. The bills were both in accordance with the President's economic agenda. The post House approves measures on salt industry, immigration reform appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
How much do Pinoys tip in restaurants?
Americans emerged as the biggest tippers in restaurants, according to a recent tweet by World of Statistics which didn’t even mention the Philippines – for a reason that is quite understandable. While the United States topped the list with an average of 20 percent gratuity for restaurant staff, many Asian nations were listed as not even “bad tippers,” but “also non-tippers.” China, Japan, Singapore, and Korea – the richest countries in the continent – appeared to have no tipping standard just like the Philippines. Strangely, they were joined by other wealthy countries like Australia and Denmark. “Tipping in restaurants in the Philippines is not expected, but it is fairly common. Some upscale restaurants in the bigger cities will usually have a service charge, which is pretty much the tip included in the bill. When there is a service fee on the bill, you don’t have to tip your servers anything,” said an article in expertworldtravel.com. It added that Filipinos would usually give 10 percent tip in restaurants when there’s no service charge on the bill. Canada took the No. 2 spot with 15-20 percent, followed by Norway (10-20 percent), Mexico (15 percent), Argentina, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates (10-15 percent). Israel gives 12 percent tips, while Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Egypt, Kenya, Sweden, South Africa, Turkey, Uruguay, United Kingdom, and Ukraine would leave 10 percent of the total restaurant bill, according to the list. The post How much do Pinoys tip in restaurants? appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Acuzar: House all-out behind 4PH housing
Housing czar Jose Rizalino Acuzar has assured the public that the House of Representatives intends to bankroll the Marcos administration’s campaign to wipe out the country’s 6.5 million housing backlog. Secretary Acuzar, who heads the Department of Human Settlement and Urban Development, revealed that Speaker Martin Romualdez guaranteed his support for the government’s “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino program” or 4PH. Acuzar guested in this week’s Straight Talk, Daily Tribune’s digital show, where he laid down the government’s socialized housing program being implemented by DHSUD. “Speaker Romualdez is very supportive of providing interest subsidies. He said he will even file a bill to make 4PH sustainable,” he said. The House gets the first crack at combing through the projects under the Executive Department’s National Expenditures Program, thus it is considered to hold the “power of the purse.” “We are also in constant communication with the Department of Budget and Management for them to release the budget, so that next year, we will have the allocation for the interest subsidy,” he said. Last April, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that a total of 30,000 units would be built in six sites in Bulacan, namely in San Jose Del Monte City and the municipalities of San Rafael and Pulilan. A total of 1,890 residential vertical housing units to be named Aria Estate Housing Development will be built on a 4.5-hectare land at Heroesville in Barangay Gaya-Gaya, city of San Jose Del Monte. The project will be comprised of nine residential towers and eight-story buildings with commercial areas on the ground floor. Acuzar said all edifices and houses that will be built will be resilient against earthquakes and other natural calamities. He said local government units will play a role in ensuring the units constructed are of high quality in terms of materials used and workmanship. “They (the LGU) are the ones who will make sure that all buildings are strong. The DHSUD cannot check all those construction permits. From there, these LGUs can check if the construction of the buildings is sub-standard or not,” Acuzar said. He also urged the private sector to help the government realize the dream to provide decent homes to underprivileged families. On bringing back war-torn Marawi City to its feet, Acuzar said reconstruction works there are nearly done. He said all sectors of the government were tapped in rebuilding Marawi. “Roads will be handled by the Department of Public Works and Highways, schools are for the Department of Education, and the resident’s health problems, they’re for the Department of Health to handle it. It’s a multi-agency approach,” he added. All concerns about issues on salaries of the Task Force Bangon Marawi had been addressed and resolved, he averred. This March, Task Force Bangon Marawi officer-in-charge and DHSUD assistant secretary Melissa Aradanas said many projects have been achieved and are now enjoyed by the residents. The post Acuzar: House all-out behind 4PH housing appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»