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Why Business Should Start Investing in the Mental Well-Being of Their Employees
The pandemic has triggered waves of anxiety, uncertainty, and financial strain, impacting the mental health of millions of employees. Poor mental health leads to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and strained work relationships. With that said, it is crucial to address employees’ mental health issues to have a thriving workspace. Encourage Open Communication and Supportive Culture […].....»»
Business blocs glad with Marcos Basilan visit
The business sector in the Bangsamoro region was elated with the destruction before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in a former Abu Sayyaf bastion in Basilan on Saturday of 550 unlicensed firearms collected in recent months to hasten economic progress in the province......»»
BARMM’s investment hubs get governance citations
Members of the Bangsamoro business sector were elated with the special awards for efficiency bestowed upon the local governments in the region's two new investment hubs on Thursday, recognizing the accomplishments as key factors that can enhance the investment potentials of both areas......»»
Creation of more Bangsamoro economic zones welcomed
Business groups and local executives support the planned setting up by the Bangsamoro government of additional economic zones in the autonomous region and in its 63 barangays in Cotabato province in Region 12......»»
Political party with economic goal expands to Tawi-Tawi
A political party founded in Lanao del Sur, also aiming to cohesively connect the agriculture sector and business organizations in the Bangsamoro region, has expanded to Tawi-Tawi to unite local farmers and fisherfolks for socio-economic ventures......»»
BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education
The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should work on increasing the number of enrollees in the basic education system. In a recent Senate hearing on the preparedness of basic education schools, Gatchalian lamented that BARMM has the lowest student participation rates nationwide. During the School Year 2020-2021, the BARMM’s participation rate in Kindergarten stood at 53 percent, notably lower than the nationwide average of 66 percent. Similarly, in elementary education, the BARMM’s regional participation rate was 69 percent as opposed to 89 percent nationwide. The region's participation rates in junior and senior high school further plummeted to 37 percent and 13 percent, respectively. In contrast, the nationwide participation rates for junior and senior high schools during SY 2020-2021 were considerably higher at 81 percent and 49 percent, respectively. Based on the average low cohort survival rate in BARMM, Gatchalian cited that for every 100 learners in the region who enter Grade 1, only 17 graduate from Grade 12. While only 51 graduate from senior high school for every 100 learners nationwide who enter Grade 1. "I believe that the first order of business in BARMM is to promote schooling and the second order is to retain learners in school,” he said, urging the officials: “Bring the kids to school and retain them.” Citing his recent discussions with BARMM governors, Gatchalian said it became apparent that many children in the region drop out of school to help out in their families' work on the farms. “They're forced to work at an early age because of poverty. But, of course, in the long run, the situation may not be conducive to their long-term well-being," said Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education. Gatchalian previously pushed for an enhanced back-to-school program to increase enrollment in the Bangsamoro region. He also sought to strengthen the implementation of the Alternative Learning System in the area “to enhance the skills and abilities of the current working population” as well as out-of-school children and youth. The post BARMM needs to increase enrollment in basic education appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM flexes autonomous powers
In a move that will enhance its status as a political and administrative entity enjoying “home rule” privilege, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will create eight barangays. These are what the Bangsamoro Organic Law referred to as “special geographical areas” that voted in a plebiscite to be part of the BARMM. The regional parliament has already passed the laws paving the way for a plebiscite for the purpose. Yes, Virginia, it has that power not granted to other local government units or LGUs. In fact, it is one of its core powers as an autonomous regional government. We welcome the move as it will cure the oddity of having LGUs belonging to the BARMM but outside its periphery. The proposed towns are inhabited by Muslim Maguindanaoans but incongruously located geographically in the adjacent province of Cotabato, a predominantly non-Muslim province. An echo from the past will help readers appreciate this narrative. These areas and most of the so-called “Empire Province of Cotabato” before they were gerrymandered were all inhabited by native Muslims who had ancestral titles over the land until they were displaced by the resettlement policy of the government. The government brought in people from Luzon and the Visayas (mostly Ilonggos) to settle, explore and partake of the natural resources of the verdant rich grounds of southwestern Mindanao. The diaspora of non-Muslim outliers was one of the triggers of the call for “Merdeka” or independence by Muslims that gave birth to the Moro National Liberation Front and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. It is relevant to cite these facts to inform one and all, especially the uninitiated, about the validity of the so-called “Moro cause” and the government’s response to vouchsafe autonomy in the form of the BARMM. The BARMM forerunner, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or ARMM, attempted to flex its autonomous power by creating, through a regional law passed by the Regional Legislative Assembly, the province of Shariff Kabunsuan carved out of Maguindanao. Unfortunately, this was struck down as illegal by the Supreme Court for being outside the ambit of the autonomous powers granted by law to the ARMM. It was a letdown to the crusaders for autonomy as a solution to the resilient “Moro problem.” This time the law is crystal clear about the power of BARMM to create and divide government units — a big leap towards genuine autonomy. Politics should not dominate the decision to create towns. The exercise of this power should be devoid of any suspicion of gerrymandering just to hand a political leader a fiefdom. I remember an anecdote about a political warlord, now deceased, who used to pacify his complaining children who had no town to reign over like their other siblings by saying that he would create a town for them as if it was his to hand over as a gift. This resulted in the proliferation of towns during the heyday of the family’s political power. The point we are trying to drive home is that the power to create LGUs should be exercised sparingly and wisely. While the law lays down criteria — like population, income, geography, etc. — there is the human factor that comes into play. This is a fact in Philippine politics. The BARMM should not yield to the bidding of party mates who are motivated by selfish interests and only want to solidify their power and perpetuate themselves in office. The present leadership of the BARMM knows this. And now that the BARMM-MILF has decided to come out of the jungle to slug it out with the dynastic politicians in democratic elections, they should temper the exercise of their power with caution and integrity. They owe it to the Moros, both living and martyred, to avoid the condescending and evil ways of traditional politicos. In the Marvel movie, Spiderman, the character Uncle Ben counseled Peter, the lead star, that “with great power comes great responsibility,” a medieval concept earlier popularized as noblesse oblige. BARMM leaders should take this principle to heart to canalize the exercise of their power. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post BARMM flexes autonomous powers appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Lawyer places Marawi bet via Café Sindaw
As Marawi City rose from the Islamic State-led 2017 siege and the pandemic, lawyer Rohairah “Kookai” Lao saw the period as an opportunity to present fresh ideas that were missing in the capital of Lanao del Sur. With a successful career as Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ’s regional prosecutor, she wanted to help stimulate the local economy by putting up a business. “I am at a point where I want to give back to my community. To do this, I need something which promotes tourism and is likewise an inspiration,” Lao said. An inveterate traveler, Lao thought of bringing the café culture into the laidback city. She saw potential along the scenic strip that led to Mindanao State University and Lake Lanao, the province’s prime tourism destination. Named Heaven Road, it opens to views of the forest-covered countryside and is blessed with a temperate climate. Bucking the urban legend that the place was a dumping ground for bodies after a rido or a skirmish, the entrepreneur took the risk. She pioneered in building Heaven Road’s first commercial establishment. Lao recalls that her savings were insufficient to finance the construction of the café. Fortunately, she gained access to lending companies. Her brother-in-law, who owned a hardware and construction company, provided the materials at cost. Café hands-on Although she worked with an architect, Lao was hands-on in the design which comprises two levels and a viewing deck. “I made sure that when the café was completed, people who know me can see my personal touch,” she says. Named Café Sindaw (meaning “hope” in Maranaw), the restaurant-cafe aspires to lighten up the lives of the people of Lanao del Sur. “It aims to encourage them to stand up after the fall. There is always some prospect for people who have faith,” says Lao. She invested in an Italian-made coffee machine that is operated by baristas who were trained by experts from Mindanao’s major cities — Davao and Cagayan de Oro. The head barista worked extensively in Saudi Arabia. The menu is an eclectic mix of coffee beverages, pizzas, beef rendang, sasati (spicy balls of smoked fish) and ramen, among others. During Ramadan, one of the private rooms is converted into a prayer room. It accepts orders for iftar-sponsored meals for a minimum of 30. Market turns discriminating Lao observes that the local market is becoming more discriminating as diners appreciate cosmopolitan cuisine and special brewed blends. The resto-café is frequently booked for meetings and birthday parties. The customers gained during the early days of Heaven Road have remained loyal to Café Sindaw despite the mushrooming of similar restaurant cafes. When Café Sindaw opened in February 2022, there was hardly any competition. Following Lao’s example, entrepreneurs have since built their own cafes along Heaven Road. It is now a tourist destination because of the comfort food and beverages and panoramic vistas. Lao observes that people tend to go into business when the economy starts to thrive. As in most ventures, there are challenges, “Opening a restaurant or café is not easy. It involves compliance to national and local regulations. These can sometimes be a burden such as payments of several fees and taxes to the business sector,” Lao said. Then there’s learning to increase operational competence, create a top-performing menu, train and retain staffers. The post Lawyer places Marawi bet via Café Sindaw appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Interest in Islamic banking is on the rise
The Philippines is seeing a surge in interest in Islamic banking with local and foreign investors looking to get involved in the growing market, a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said on Wednesday. During the local Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in Davao City, BSP Deputy Governor Francisco Dakila Jr. said the government has been developing the Islamic banking and finance ecosystem through a "whole of government approach" that includes capacity building and awareness raising. "We've had numerous briefings and informative sessions, and this has resulted in engagements with potential new players," Dakila said. "Notable of which, aside from conventional banks, we have seen interests from five foreign banks, foreign government institutions, and foreign embassies who volunteered support in tapping new Islamic banking players," he added. Dakila attributed the market interest in Islamic banking to its business models emphasizing risk-sharing, ethical, and sustainable finance. He also said that the BSP's progressive approach to improving prudential regulatory reforms has been a key factor in attracting new investors. Meanwhile, Dakila said the Monetary Board of the BSP approved the first Islamic banking unit license issued to a conventional bank, bringing the number of Islamic banking players in the Philippines to two. The first Islamic bank in the Philippines is the Al-Amanah Islamic Investment Bank of the Philippines (AAIIBP), which was established in 1973. The Islamic bank was established under Presidential Decree 264 as the Philippine Amanah Bank. The AAIIBP has branches in the provinces of Mindanao, such as in Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, South Cotabato, and Sulu. "We anticipate more applicants as we continue our initiatives to promote Islamic banking and finance," Dakila said. He also said that there are great opportunities for investments in this area, as the promotion of Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines will expand the country's financial inclusion agenda, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which is the most unbanked region in the country. Dakila also said that the government is keen on a positive outlook for Islamic banking and finance in the Philippines, as the country anticipates the issuance of the first sovereign sukuk. A sukuk is a type of Islamic bond that complies with Shariah law. The issuance of a sovereign sukuk would mark the Philippines as a player in the global Islamic finance industry and would generate more prospects and expand the country's engagement with the global Islamic financial market. The post Interest in Islamic banking is on the rise appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysian firms eye $285-M investments in Phl
On Thursday, 27 July 2023, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. together with Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Fred Pascual, attended a series of meetings with Malaysian businesses, which forms part of the President's State Visit to Malaysia. The Philippines and Malaysia have a longstanding bilateral relationship and have been trade and business partners for years. In 2022, Malaysia was the Philippines' 10th major trading partner and 11th export market. FDI net inflows from Malaysia in 2022 showed a massive increase of 505 percent as compared to the total investment value in 2021. This reflected a 17.8 percent share of the total Foreign Direct Investment inflows from ASEAN and one of the Philippines' major source of approved foreign investments in the region. During the one-on-one business meetings, five Malaysian companies signed Letters of Intent, a testament to the increasing trust and confidence of foreign companies toward the Philippines' improved business environment, which was boosted by the recent economic policy reforms of the Marcos Jr. administration. One of the five companies is Malaysian dairy company Farm Fresh Berhad, which expressed its interest to expand in the Philippines through cattle breeding intended for milk production. This investment costs $20 million and is set to commence its operations by 2028 with an estimated employment of 200 local workers. Further, the company has an ongoing construction of a 6,000 sqm dairy processing facility in Pampanga and a lease of 200 to 400 hectares of contiguous farmland intended for raising 2,000 milking cows. "We are optimistic that these signed LOIs will materialize in the coming months. It is important to understand, however, that investments are typically long-term commitments rather than immediate action. These often require careful study, planning and legal processes before they can materialize. We at the DTI remain committed to assisting them in pursuing their investment plans," said Pascual. "These investments are related to food processing, multi-service digital platforms, aviation, aviation maintenance support service, logistics, manufacturing, infrastructure, and water and wastewater treatment. We expect that these will greatly contribute to our pursuit of economic recovery and expansion in the form of 8,365 estimated jobs to be created," he added. The trade and industry chief also joined the roundtable meeting with members of the Malaysian Chamber of Commerce and the CEOs of the companies who recently signed LOIs. During the RTM, he conveyed appreciation toward Malaysian businesses for its sustained interest and confidence in the Philippines and informed them of the investment opportunities available in the Philippines for them to take advantage of. "With strong partnerships, I see many opportunities for Malaysia and the Philippines to further strengthen our ties in trade and investment. This roundtable meeting is a significant platform to guide our partnership going forward," said Pascual. Overall, the President's three-day state visit to Malaysia was able to generate a total of $285 million investment pledges from Malaysian businesses. Also present during the RTM were Philippine Ambassador to Malaysia Charles C. Jose, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Senator Mark Villar, DOE Undersecretary Felix Fuentebella, DTI Assistant Secretary Glenn Peñaranda and representatives from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The post Malaysian firms eye $285-M investments in Phl appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysia offers halal, banking help
MALAYSIA — Filipino officials will soon get a helping hand from their Malaysian counterparts in terms of running the halal industry and Islamic banking. In his statement during his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday said, “Malaysia has warmly offered its expertise to train Philippine personnel and officials to strengthen our capabilities in these increasingly important sectors.” “Cooperation in this sector would mutually benefit the growth of our respective halal ecosystems,” Marcos said. “Malaysia has warmly offered its expertise to train Philippine personnel and officials to strengthen our capabilities in these increasingly important sectors.” Halal is a dietary law derived from Islamic teachings, meaning “lawful or permitted. Of the 110 million Filipinos, Muslims in the Philippines make up about 6 percent of the population. The two leaders also agreed to enhance their trade and investment ties, with Marcos noting that Malaysia is one of the leading halal economies in the world. The Philippines and Malaysia, he said, have “longstanding relations and strong economic linkages” and “commonalities between our peoples which make our friendship easy.” Both leaders affirmed they would fortify further the bilateral ties between the two nations, geared toward the post-pandemic transformation. As he thanked the Malaysian government for its assistance in the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Marcos said it is time to examine and strengthen the relationship between both Southeast Asian countries. Plans for joint meeting He added that he and the Prime Minister agreed to convene the next Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting in the near future. “We do this so that our government agencies will have an avenue to discuss priority cooperation in detail, most especially in the areas of transnational crimes, agriculture, the halal industry, Islamic banking, education, tourism and culture, sports and the digital economy,” Marcos said. Ibrahim, for his part, welcomed Marcos to Malaysia and said the two countries have a long history of close ties. Meanwhile, Marcos and Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed hope the warm relationship enjoyed by Malaysia and the Philippines will continue to blossom for the mutual benefit of their people and nations. In his remarks during the state banquet in honor of Marcos and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, the Malaysian King said the Philippines is an essential partner to Malaysia, given the Philippines’ proximity and active involvement in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. “Bound by our shared aspirations of progress, peace, and prosperity, our two countries share many commonalities and strong people-to-people ties to this day. We have faced many common challenges, but we have also achieved much more together,” the King said. [caption id="attachment_162690" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Warm welcome President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (seated) and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos (right) are graciously received in a State Welcoming Ceremony at the Istana Negara on Wednesday. Honored by the presence of His Majesty Al-Sultan Abdullah (2nd from left), the King of Malaysia and Queen Azizah (left), the visit signifies the strengthening of diplomatic ties. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PCO[/caption] Re-strengthened ties The Philippines and Malaysia “re-strengthened” their relationship as the two Southeast Asian nations prepare for a post-pandemic recovery where they will play an important role in the region, Marcos Jr. Marcos made the statement in a meeting with Malaysia’s King Al-Sultan Abdullah and Queen Azizah, where he and First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos received a State welcome, including a 21-gun salute, on their arrival at Istana Negara, Malaysia’s National Palace. The King and Queen of Malaysia, as well as Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, welcomed the Philippine President and the First Lady. “It is time for us to really examine that relationship and re-strengthen that relationship, and that, for me, is the most important aspect of this visit that I have made to Kuala Lumpur, to Malaysia,” Marcos said in the meeting. “I believe that it is the way for us to refocus our efforts together to mutually beneficial initiatives for our two countries and to see how we can help one another as we face the post-pandemic future,” he added. The post-pandemic scenario is a very different road that the two nations face compared to what we had before the pandemic. According to Marcos, their membership in ASEAN and BIMP-EAGA continue to strengthen their relationship as they come back and start to emerge from the difficult period of the last two and a half years of the pandemic. The two countries must recreate and transform themselves to be competitive and to be part of a new world order as it is happening and changing now, he said. “We will play a huge part in that transformation. And that transformation is going to strengthen and be made more stable by this partnership that we make with each other,” Marcos asserted. “And so it becomes more and more important for me that these partnerships we will foster on a cultural level and people-to-people (diplomacy) will continue to be expanded and gain stature in the way that we promote that relationship between our two countries,” he said. This partnership is essential not only for Malaysia, the Philippines, and ASEAN but also for the rest of the world, Marcos pointed out. Whatever beginnings they have made, they all proved to be of importance to the continuing relationship between Malaysia and the Philippines, he added. The President arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon for a state visit that include meetings with the Malaysian king, government officials, as well as business leaders to strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and Malaysia. The post Malaysia offers halal, banking help appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PM Ibrahim and PBBM affirm bilateral ties between MAL and PHL
MALAYSIA - Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday affirmed to fortify further bilateral ties between the two nations, geared toward the post-pandemic transformation. In a joint press statement of the Philippine President and the Malaysian Prime Minister, Marcos said it is time to examine and strengthen the relationships between both Southeast Asian countries. Marcos explained that the Philippines and Malaysia have "longstanding relations and strong economic linkages," and "commonalities between our peoples which make our friendship easy." The Chief Executive also thanked the Malaysian government for its assistance in the development of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. He added that Malaysian authorities intend to introduce running the Halal industry and Islamic banking to Filipino counterparts. "Malaysia has warmly offered its expertise to train Philippine personnel and officials to strengthen our capabilities in these increasingly important sectors," Marcos added. He added that he and the Prime Minister had agreed to convene the next Philippines-Malaysia Joint Commission Meeting in the near future. "We do this so that our government agencies will have an avenue to discuss priority cooperation in detail, most especially in the areas of transnational crimes, agriculture, Halal industry, Islamic banking, education, tourism and culture, sports, and the digital economy," Marcos said. The two leaders also agreed to enhance their trade and investment ties, with Marcos noting that Malaysia is one of the leading halal economies in the world. "Cooperation in this sector would mutually benefit the growth of our respective halal ecosystems," Marcos said. Marcos also expressed gratitude to Malaysia for its assistance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. "Malaysia has warmly offered their expertise to train Philippine personnel and officials to strengthen our capabilities in these increasingly important sectors," Marcos said. Ibrahim, for his part, welcomed Marcos to Malaysia and said that the two countries have a long history of close ties. He noted that there has been a slight increase in trade and investment between the two countries in recent years, but that there is still significant potential for growth. "We must explore the strength of the Filipino economy and the business community in both countries," Ibrahim said. "We should jointly take measures to enhance bilateral relations and economic trade, at the same time help resuscitate our economic era," he added. Ibrahim said they had discussed the situation in Myanmar. They agreed that ASEAN should continue to strengthen the five-point consensus on Myanmar. Still, both the Southeast Asian leaders agreed that there should also be room for informal engagement with neighboring countries. The meeting concluded with the two leaders agreeing to accelerate resolving outstanding memorandums of understanding (MOUs) between Malaysia and the Philippines. They also agreed to meet again in the near future to discuss further ways to strengthen bilateral relations. The post PM Ibrahim and PBBM affirm bilateral ties between MAL and PHL appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
BARMM probes ‘threatening’ mayor
COTABATO CITY — The Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of the Interior and Local Government disclosed on Friday that it is investigating the reported threats of a town mayor against vendors that went viral on social media. MILG-BARMM Minister Naguib Sinarimbo said the viral video of Mayor Solayman Sandigan of Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao del Sur allegedly threatening alleged unlicensed vendors is something his office is “taking seriously.” “We are investigating it; we would like to know what happened in Datu Salibo,” Sinarimbo said after a video of Saligan at the town’s commercial district on Wednesday showed him warning vendors that they will be handcuffed and jailed if they don’t secure business permits. “Local government officials have regulatory powers over business operations in their respective areas. If there are penalties, it should be within the law, not above it, because it is not right,” he added. In the circulating video, Saligan was seen roaming around the market area and talking to vendors, asking them if they have business permits from the local government unit or if an existing one has been renewed. “You want to be handcuffed, you have no business permit?” the local official was overheard saying. In the mayor’s defense, Datu Salibo information officer Rico Torino clarified that the official was “simply joking” and that nobody was handcuffed or jailed. “It was his (mayor’s) way of reminding the vendors to secure permits as provided by law, and he did it in a funny way. That’s how the mayor talks to his constituents,” Torino said. Nonetheless, Sinarimbo said an investigation is underway to satisfy anyone who felt aggrieved and give the mayor a chance to air his side. The post BARMM probes ‘threatening’ mayor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12)
Unity as mere rhetoric meant to create an illusion of a unifying leader, this was how critics described and ridiculed the battle cry of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the 2022 campaign. sire to bring together several sectors of society was stamped in the way he handled the deliberations on the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law — by seeking to extend the consultation to as many of the stakeholders as possible. In a Daily Tribune report on his address before students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during a symposium entitled “In the Name of Peace,” the proposed law was presented to the youth. Marcos recalled that he visited various places in Mindanao and talked to major stakeholders like the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Moro National Liberation Front, indigenous peoples, the Sultanates, and representatives of different sectors of society. “Then I realized, I haven’t talked to the youth and the students yet. If I don’t do this it will be a major shortcoming because the youth are our country’s future and the principal beneficiary of the peace process,” Marcos said. In general, he said, BBL was part of the effort to bring peace and development to Muslim Mindanao under the context and framework of the Constitution. Marcos recognized the validity of creating autonomous regions, saying that people in certain areas of the country shared a “common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage” different from the rest of the country and that the Constitution authorized the creation of autonomous regions. Charter compliant Specifically, Marcos said the Constitution allowed for the creation of the Cordillera Autonomous Region and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, which are vested with extensive powers not otherwise enjoyed by ordinary local governments, but so far only the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao had been organized. The draft Bangsamoro Basic Law sought to abolish the ARMM and repeal the law that created it, apparently based on a statement by President Benigno Aquino III that ARRM is a “failed experiment.” “The problem was — and this was a big problem — it turned out in our hearings in the Senate that many of the provisions of the draft BBL were unconstitutional,” Marcos said. He said he sought the help of the Senate’s resident constitutional expert, the late Senator Miriam Santiago, to conduct hearings on the constitutionality of the draft BBL. Citing the Santiago report, Marcos said the BBL aimed to create a “part-sovereign” or “sub-state” called Bangsamoro with elements of a state under the Montevideo Convention, namely, a permanent population, defined territory, and capacity to enter into relations with other States. The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States is a treaty signed in Montevideo, Uruguay, on 26 December 1933, that codified the declarative theory of statehood as accepted as part of customary international law. Had Congress adopted the draft BBL based on the Palace proposal, the new law would have violated the Constitution and would have faced a challenge before the Supreme Court. Marcos said the remedy was to either amend the draft BBL to make it consistent with the Constitution or to amend the Constitution to accommodate the drastic changes the BBL sought to put in place. Shortcuts not allowed “These are the peaceful, unifying, and constitutional ways of doing it. In the name of peace, let these be done. No shortcuts. No railroading. No threats of violence. No threats of war,” Marcos stressed. “Let us do this right, as one nation united by our Constitution and under one flag,” he added. Earlier, Marcos prepared a substitute bill that addressed the constitutional issues against the BBL. He vowed the substitute bill would ensure the sovereignty and integrity of the country even as it strove to achieve lasting peace and development in Mindanao. The post Tribune, Marcos share good gov’t journey (12) appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PEZA records P80.585-B investments for 1st half of 2023
On track to achieve its investment targets for the year, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority Board has greenlighted 102 ecozone developer-locator projects with capital investment of P80.585 billion for the first semester of the year, 2.5 times bigger than the investment pledges approved for the same period last year under the Duterte administration. “We remain optimistic that we will sustain our positive growth trajectory for the second half of the year, given the notable increase in our KPIs on investments, jobs and exports from a more aggressive whole-of-government approach in investment promotion,” noted PEZA Director General Tereso O. Panga. He added, “For the first year of PFRM administration (July 2022- June 2023), PEZA has by far generated investments of P198.796 billion worth of investments from 206 projects, actual direct jobs of 1,805,770 (cumulative), and actual direct exports of $58.494 billion.” Among the 206 projects, 11 big-ticket projects with minimum P1 billion capital investment have also been approved/registered by PEZA during this time. These big-ticket projects with total capital investments of P154.966 billion came from the following sectors: ecozone development (P119.259 billion), export manufacturing (P33.946 billion), and ecozone facilities (P1.761 billion). Panga noted, “We continue to contribute to the overall positive performance of the administration and serve as a tool to constantly attract investments in the country and promote the Philippines as an investment haven in Asia.” With this, PEZA is ramping up its investment promotion and facilitation initiatives to bring in much-needed FDIs to the country. This is ahead of the anticipated influx of investors to the country as PEZA conducts follow-through on the outbound missions done by the President. “This June, PEZA welcomed several French, Czech and Dongguan delegations to the Philippines and facilitated the learning visit and study tour of the Ugandan and Papua New Guinean delegation. PEZA likewise received delegations from China, Taiwan and Japan in the first semester of the year,” stated the PEZA chief. In addition to this, PEZA is collaborating with various government agencies such Department of Trade and Industry and the Department of Labor and Employment for the promotion of industrial peace in the ecozones; and the Bureau of Corrections, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Privatization Management Office for utilization of public lands for ecozone development. “With the inclusion of the ecozone development program in the country’s medium-term plan (2023-2028), we aim to develop more ecozones in rural and new growth areas and introduce new frontiers catering to emerging and niche industries,” explained the PEZA chief. To complement this, PEZA is implementing its several automation initiatives pursuant to the call of the President to enhance the ease of doing business in the Philippines. Panga noted, “We have partnered with the DICT to fast track the implementation of our digitalization and to align with the automation efforts of the whole government. We are strengthening our one-stop-shop services to cater to our agile locators and the changing investment landscape globally.” “For our part, we shall continue to perform our mandate to contribute to the overall growth of the nation. In keeping with the EO 18 directive of the President, we will implement a whole-of-government approach as we aim promote the Philippines as the enviable investment destination in the region,” he stated. The post PEZA records P80.585-B investments for 1st half of 2023 appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Troops on high alert vs DI-Maute group
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Authorities reported on Wednesday that police and military units in Lanao del Sur continue to remain on high alert level status after the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-inspired Dawlah-Islamiya-Maute Group threatened to launch a “Marawi-like siege” in Marogong and nearby municipalities in the province. Police Regional Office for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao director P/Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza assured that the police and military security forces are doubling their efforts to prevent an attack from the ISIS-Inspired DI-Maute Group. Nobleza said the DI-Maute Group threatened on Thursday a “Marawi-like siege” in Marogong, Lanao del Sur, that led to the mass evacuation of residents of the municipality to a more safe town in the province. He added that the PRO-BAR has deployed a combat-ready platoon of policemen from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and two teams from the Lanao del Sur Provincial Mobile Force Company. The military, on the other hand, deployed soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Battalion to complement the deployment of PNP personnel in Marogong town. All adjacent municipal police stations of Marogong town were also placed on high alert and the reactionary standby forces from the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company are ready as reinforcement forces for any eventuality, Nobleza added. On Sunday, Nobleza visited Marogong and had a meeting with Marogong Mayor Nasif Maruhom, Vice Mayor Haroun Maruhom, the commander of Bravo Company of the 32nd IB, and the 24 barangay chairmen of Marogong. Local government officials and barangay officials raised serious concerns about the present security situation in their locality and cited in particular the Poblacion proper, the center of business and convergence area as the primary target of the DI-Maute Group Nobleza also reported that residents of the town who evacuated to nearby municipalities for fear of possible attack have slowly returned to their homes after the PRO-BAR, AFP, local officials and leaders undertake joint peace and security measures in the town. The PRO-BAR director reiterated that the PNP’s primary interest is to ensure the security and safety of the people of Marogong, adding that they are concerned about the security and safety of the people of the town and have deployed additional troops to oversee the peace and order in the area. The post Troops on high alert vs DI-Maute group appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Australia’s Phl stakes up
It’s due season for the Philippines, an increasingly lucrative investment destination that embodies a shift in the center of gravity in the regional economy. The country’s bullish business prospects post-pandemic are propped up by the recent increase in direct investments, which continue to inspire business confidence in the Philippines. Among the flurry of such inflows is Australian, what with the country’s AUD89.9 million (P3.32 billion) worth of official development assistance (2023 to 2024) to the Philippines. This came at the heels of a productive meeting between Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and DFA Sec. Enrique Manalo last week, a fund that will be channeled mostly to programs on inclusive economic growth, education, training and scholarships, disaster and climate resilience, and peace and stability in the Bangsamoro. Ongoing cooperation in the areas of science and innovation, people-to-people exchanges, law and justice is also uppermost, as well as defense, maritime, and counter-terrorism. Wong said Australia considers providing drones and other technology as a part of maritime cooperation package to buttress the Philippines’ position in waters adjacent to many sovereign interests. Manila and Canberra are a long-standing “important security partner” in the region according to Wong, who added that Australia also thinks trilateral partnerships with the Philippines on joint patrols in the West Philippine Sea is also possible. The fund is on top of Canberra’s AUD10.95-million (P405 million) pledge for the establishment of a new immunization information and strengthened laboratory network and surveillance systems in the Philippines for health emergencies like the recent pandemic. The Philippines had received approximately P3.1-billion ODA last year. The bulk of it was pivotal in the realization of the peace process in the Bangsamoro. The two countries are exploring investment cooperation on critical minerals and the improvement of two-way tourism. “Work and holiday visa arrangement” are also high on the negotiation table. Wong’s high-level visit to Manila earlier this month may serve as a precedent to a possible in-person meeting between President Marcos Jr. and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese come the Asean-Australia Summit in March 2024, or a bilateral visit soon. The post Australia’s Phl stakes up appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Albay, UNDP tackle disaster preparedness
The Provincial Government of Albay and the United Nations Development Programme in the Philippines recently launched a partnership to strengthen the province's disaster and climate resilience. Albay provincial governor Edcel “Grex” Lagman and UNDP Philippines deputy resident representative Edwine Carrié signed a memorandum of understanding for the Strengthening Institutions and Empowering Localities against Disasters and Climate Change Programme, which will accelerate resilience-building efforts at the local level through multi-stakeholder collaboration to unlock financing and implement risk-informed and inclusive resilience actions. Development First Counsellor Paul Harrington of the Australian Embassy and Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office head Cedric Daep witnessed the signing, along with other key province officials. Through SHIELD, the Australian Government has invested Australian $18 million to support the Philippine government in building institutional and community resilience to climate change and natural hazards, by enabling local governments to pursue and invest in resilient development. Albay, which hosts an active volcano, is in one of the most disaster-prone regions in the Philippines. The Bicol region constantly faces compounded hazards yearly because of its geographic properties and location. Chief among these hazardous risks are typhoons, which cause storm surges and extreme flooding. In addition, Albay has mountainous areas prone to landslides and surface run-off. Through the strategic partnership, the Albay provincial government hopes to enhance local governance, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen disaster resilience and rationalize land use allocation. Carrié reaffirmed UNDP's commitment to strengthen Albay's resilience against natural disasters and climate change through the program. "What SHIELD is trying to accomplish is to build more resilient communities, local and provincial governments. UNDP is pleased to continue its long-standing partnership with Albay on disaster risk reduction, climate change and sustainable development," Carrié said. The SHIELD program is being implemented by UNDP Philippines, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the consortium partners comprised of the Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society, National Resilience Council, Philippine Business for Social Progress and UN-Habitat. It will be implemented in 11 of the country's most vulnerable provinces to disaster and climate change impacts. Among the areas covered are Albay, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Cagayan, Cebu, Davao Oriental, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Pampanga, Pangasinan and Quezon. The program will also cover Metro Manila, given its vulnerability to earthquakes and its economic significance, along with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, with the increasing disaster and climate vulnerability of conflict-affected areas. The post Albay, UNDP tackle disaster preparedness appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malaysia, your good neighbor
Editor’s note: The ambassador has the refreshing modesty of Mr. Fix It, the proverbial heart of a statesman, and an outstanding track record, the last being his visionary representation of Malaysia in Italy. The newly minted head of mission shares his overtures in improving Malaysia’s kindred ties with the Philippines and communal aspirations for the region, with the same bounded optimism that inspired Kuala Lumpur’s winning deeds in the development of the Bangsamoro. While Malaysia’s foreign-policy approaches may have differed over the years due to changing domestic and external factors, the basic principles have continued since independence. Asean remains the cornerstone of Malaysia’s foreign policy; the establishment of the Asean community in 2015 has significantly elevated the country’s approach and engagement regionally. Malaysia has shared to countries like the Philippines its experience and knowledge through various foreign-policy mechanisms, including the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program, and linkages such as the Langkawi International Dialogue and bilateral humanitarian assistance. The country advocates the “Prosper thy neighbor” policy to enhance economic relations and cooperation with its adjacent countries through Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines East Asean Growth Area, Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle and other entities. The predominantly Muslim country and the Philippines have been friendly nations since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1959. Bilateral cooperation between Malaysia and the Philippines covers education; culture, arts and heritage; communication; defense; health; youth and sports; trade; agriculture; labor, and security. Malaysia’s last high-level visit was when Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim met with President Marcos in March this year. Malaysia regards the Philippines as a very important trading partner, the 15th-largest globally and 5th-largest among Asean countries, with total bilateral trade reaching almost $8 billion. Our close and long-existing relations provide a strong foundation for a more active and meaningful economic cooperation in the future that would bring tremendous benefits to our people. Two practical and viable areas that would benefit from closer cooperation are the halal industry and digital economy. In 2022, total trade between the two countries increased by 27.3 percent to $9.42 billion, compared to $7.85 billion in 2021. Malaysia’s exports to the Philippines increased by 24.6 percent to $6.41 billion. Main exports include electrical products, petroleum, palm oil and ancillary agricultural products. Malaysia remains a major global leader in the halal economy, sustaining its top position in the Global lslamic Economic Indicators for the 9th consecutive year. It has exported $13.51 billion to the world in 2022, up by 63.8 percent from the previous year. Major exports of halal products include food and beverages, ingredients, cosmetics and healthcare. Thus, with the Philippine government encouraging more halal business expansion and investment to serve 12 million Muslims, as well as non-Muslims, here, it is definitely one of the areas where Malaysians and Filipinos can collaborate. Acquiring quality education through world-class institutions is essential, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. Malaysia is home to more than 200 universities and colleges with 10 international university branch campuses. Malaysian universities are not only ranked top in Asia; it is also progressing in international world rankings, providing a conducive academic environment with affordable international exposure and global career gateways. The country also takes pride in being one of the global pioneers in Islamic banking. Leveraging on existing capacities and expertise, Malaysia is offering tertiary education in Islamic banking and finance through International Center for Education in Islamic Finance. INCEIF has been collaborating with government institutions, such as the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Program, in providing training on Islamic banking products like Islamic securities, unit trust funds, stock broking and financial derivatives. Since Philippines and Malaysia have so many common denominators, Filipinos would feel at home studying in Malaysia. In tourism, last year we saw 80,046 Filipino tourists coming to Malaysia and 46,805 Malaysians coming to the Philippines. We have high hopes that the numbers will increase this year, looking forward to working together with the Philippine government on this front. Asean remains the cornerstone of Malaysia’s foreign policy and the establishment of the Asean community in 2015 has significantly elevated the country’s approach and engagement at the regional level, the nation’s well-being founded on the strong and friendly relations with other countries and its commitment to the multilateral system. The country’s record in peacekeeping under the UN is a testimony of its dedication in carrying out the mandate of the international community in advancing global peace and security. The post Malaysia, your good neighbor appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ARMM special audit welcomed
A lawmaker from Mindanao on Friday welcomed the special audit requested by the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on some infrastructure projects of the now-defunct ARMM......»»