We are sorry, the requested page does not exist
8 firms in Makati, 8 in Parañaque deliquents SSS contributors
The Social Security System on Friday announced that eight firms in Makati City and another eight in Parañaque City were cited as deliquents employers for failing to pay their employees' contributions. The citations came from SSS continued Run After Contribution Evaders (RACE) campaign, running against employers who failed to remit monthly contributions of their employees. The Makati-JP Rizal branch has served Notice of Violations to eight deliquents employers in Barangay Tejeros, who incurred a total of P5.25 million delinquencies consisting of P2.86 million of unpaid contributions and P2.4 million of penalties which affects the social security coverage of 105 employees. The employers include two industrial suppliers, a bakery owner, real estate agent, a private hospital, pharmacy, photograph production and a chemical distributor. Among the eight delinquent employers cited for non-remittance of monthly contributions, one of the two industrial equipment suppliers topped the contribution delinquency of P2.41 million broken down into P1.58 million unpaid workers' contributions and over P832,000 penalties for it's 46 employees from April 2022 to August 2023. In Parañaque, the SSS Bicutan-Sun Valley NCR South Division has served notice of violations to eight delinquent employers in Sun Valley and Merville where a total of P1.70 million consisting of P717,000 unpaid contributions and P983,000 in penalties were incurred by the erring employers that include a whole-saler of food and beverages, manufacturer, seller in non-specialized stores, laundry services, food services activities, retail seller of construction materials, salon owner, and manufacturer of miscellaneous articles. Their delinquency has affected 82 employees. The Run After Contribution Evades (RACE) campaign is an activity conducted by SSS to ensure that employers are complying with their obligations as stipulated in Republic Act NO. 11199 or the Social Security Act of 2018. The post 8 firms in Makati, 8 in Parañaque deliquents SSS contributors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Joey de Leon’s ‘lubid’ comment entangles ‘E.A.T’, show apologizes to MTRCB
[Trigger warning: Mention of suicide] The management of the noontime show E.A.T has apologized over main host controversial Joey De Leon’s “lubid” (rope) punchline during the show’s Gimme5 segment on 23 September. The game segment required participants to name five things in a given category. During the weekend episode, the category was things that could be worn around the neck. The participant only had necklace as an answer. But De Leon chimed in and said, “Lubid, lubid, nakakalimutan niyo. Lubid (Rope, rope, you forgot. Rope).” De Leon’s grisly remark immediately drew flak on social media, with netizens calling him out for his insensitivity and how it would’ve triggered some viewers going through difficult times. On 27 September, at the Senate finance subcommittee hearing led by Senator Jinggoy Estrada that was discussing the proposed 2024 budget of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board, MTRCB chairperson Diorella “Lala” Sotto-Antonio informed the panel that the producers had “voluntarily” submitted an apology letter to the board after the episode. Lawyer Paul Cases, the chairperson of the MTRCB adjudication board, confirmed that the producers have submitted an apology letter. “We issued a notice of appearance and they did actually apologize for the statement and they submitted a position paper as well. It is now subject to a resolution, the case is pending,” Cases said. In the letter, Jeny Ferrer. E.A.T’s head of creatives and production operations, explained what happened during the show’s now-infamous segment. De Leon’s statement, Ferre said, was conveyed “verbally in a very brief manner without further actions, elaborations or demonstrations. However, some viewers interpreted the utterance of the said object to be an insinuation of suicide, which is a very sensitive and triggering subject.” “In this regard, the whole E.A.T management is regretful and apologetic to those who were offended by the said utterance. Rest assured that we are one with MTRCB in advocating a responsible viewing experience for the public,” Ferre added. This is not the first time E.A.T. has gotten entangled in controversy since its debut in July. On 11 August, the MTRCB summoned Wally Bayola, one of the show’s hosts, for uttering profanity during the Sugod Bahay Mga Kapatid segment the previous day. Bayola immediately apologized on the day the MTRCB called out the show. The MTRCB said it is currently reviewing complaints made against the show. The post Joey de Leon’s ‘lubid’ comment entangles ‘E.A.T’, show apologizes to MTRCB appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends
Late-night talk shows, a mainstay of the US TV schedule, will be back on the air within a week, hosts said Wednesday, after leaders of the Writers Guild of America called off a paralyzing strike. The densely written shows -- fronted by Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, Seth Myers and John Oliver -- have been a glaring absence since writers downed pens in May over demands for better pay and guarantees against the threat from artificial intelligence. "Flash! Their mission complete, the founding members of Strike Force 5 will return to their network television shows this Monday 10/2, and one of them to premium cable on 10/1," the @StrikeForceFive handle wrote on social media. The name refers to a podcast the five hosts have put on while they have been off the air. The bulk of film and television production across the United States has been at a standstill since scribes walked out in early May, being joined by actors in July, all seeking a better deal and assurances their jobs won't be lost to artificial intelligence. But a breakthrough was announced Sunday between the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, the umbrella body representing studios and streamers. WGA leaders voted Tuesday to accept the deal and put it to 11,500 members for ratification next week, while calling off the strike from 12.01 am Wednesday. Details of the deal released by the WGA showed a sizable pay bump for writers, as well as a bonus structure for those working on hit shows. It also limits the role of AI-generated material -- a key sticking point for both sides, who were wary of hemming themselves in, in a rapidly-evolving landscape that is upending the world of work. Writers, who got their first glimpse of the deal on Tuesday said they were pleased with the outcome. "I'm so happy about the gains that we made," Leila Cohan, who wrote on hit series "Bridgerton," told AFP. "I'm so proud that we really went for it. Things got very challenging for many members, and we won." Actors' strike still unresolved Even with the WGA strike almost in the rear-view mirror, Hollywood will remain a long way from normal service, with actors -- represented by the SAG-AFTRA union -- still refusing to work. A resolution to that stoppage is expected to take several more weeks at minimum. Some of SAG-AFTRA's demands go further than those of the WGA. And with hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could still then take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work. The post Talk shows coming back after Hollywood writers’ strike ends appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Strike deal only first step in resolving film industry crisis
A tentative deal to end a long-running writers' strike that has paralyzed Hollywood is only a first step in resolving a film industry crisis, as an equally bitter studio stand-off with the actors' union stretches on. The Writers Guild of America, which walked out back in May over demands including better pay and safeguards against the use of artificial intelligence, finally thrashed out a deal with studios including Netflix and Disney on Sunday night. Ratification of that agreement -- first by the WGA board, then by its 11,500 members -- is widely expected to be waved through without any obstacles in the coming weeks. Picketing for writers has been suspended and the guild has indicated that it could allow members to return to work even before the final vote is counted. Late-night TV shows could return to air "within the next two to three weeks," according to Variety, citing industry insiders. But a far thornier issue is the still ongoing strike by Hollywood actors, represented by the SAG-AFTRA union, which is likely to take weeks to resolve and will prevent any return to production in the immediate future. Even after that, with hundreds of film and television shoots backed up, it could take months for Hollywood to clear the logistical logjam and get fully back to work. "There are presumably upwards of 1,500 productions that all want to start as soon as they can," said entertainment lawyer Jonathan Handel. "And so when SAG gives the word, they're all going to be competing simultaneously... it's absolute chaos. "I don't think we're going to see normalcy in the production process until sometime after January or February." 'Huge roadblock' The WGA's deal with studios achieved compromises on minimum wage increases, bonus payments for writers participating in hit shows, and guarantees that scripts using AI will not undercut human writers and their paychecks. Many of these issues overlap with the actors' demands, and SAG-AFTRA negotiators will be poring over the fine details this week, ahead of their own talks with studios. But, Handel warned, many SAG-AFTRA demands go further than those of the writers. These include steeper pay rises to counter rampant inflation, and an actual share of revenue for hit streaming shows. Studios will be wary that whatever they offer to actors is likely to be demanded by other Hollywood professions such as movie set crews and technicians, who have their own contract renewals due next year. "I think basic wages going are going to be a huge roadblock towards the SAG deal in the next few weeks, because of pattern bargaining," said Handel. SAG-AFTRA also has its own specific demands, such as restrictions on the use of remote, self-taped auditions, which became ubiquitous during the pandemic but are disliked by many actors. 'Fool's assumption' Still, Sunday's deal means SAG-AFTRA negotiators could meet with unions as soon as next week, for the first time since actors went on strike in July. "The end of the WGA strike will hasten the end of SAG-AFTRA's walkout," predicted Variety. But even "if things go smoothly -- which is a fool's assumption -- I still think it would take two to three weeks to get a SAG deal done... which takes you into October," said Handel. "Then there's the ratification process, which takes another month." That means the clock is ticking for actors to be able to promote big year-end movie releases, such as Disney's superhero sequel "The Marvels." And publicists are desperate for their stars to start campaigning for some of the industry's biggest events -- television's Emmy Awards, and the film industry's Oscars, which take place in January and March respectively. The post Strike deal only first step in resolving film industry crisis appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
The standouts at Fashion Forte XVIII
After more than two decades in the United States, the enterprising fashion designer Nardie Presa came back to the Philippines. Though he had a lucrative practice in California, home is where his heart is. But then Presa saw that budding designers were relegated to showcasing their creations at malls or clubs. He thought that a hotel was a more proper venue for rising talents to present their collections. The idea not only became a clever business venture; it also became the irrepressible Presa’s advocacy. Together with his longtime friend Audie Espino as director and the Crowne Plaza Galleria as the host, more and more design upstarts are getting their breaks at Presa’s Fashion Forte series held at least four times a year. The lineup is usually composed of neophyte talents but established designers such as Presa also participate to show the newbies how it’s done. At the 17th staging, it was barong Tagalog designer Barge Ramos who gave a master class. At Fashion Forte XVIII, Albert Andrada displayed his universally loved designs of romantic and dreamy confections. Mikaela Rose Fowler, Miss Grand Australia 2023, gushed on her Instagram: “What an honor to not only walk for Sir Albert Andrada during the latest Fashion Forte runway show. I had the privilege of closing the show as the grand finale.” Here are some of the standouts and their thoughts: [caption id="attachment_188837" align="aligncenter" width="525"] TONI Kimpo recommends using local fabrics to promote the country to the fashion world. | photograph courtesy of Bert Briones[/caption] TONI KIMPO “The title of my collection is Rise of the Phoenix. My inspirations are the mystical bird phoenix while the emotion behind my creations is the power to rise again like a phoenix. “My materials are sourced locally. I used some indigenous material like pearls and shells. I recommend using local fabrics to promote the country to the fashion world. “I said yes to Nardie and Audie because of their integrity, and the high fashion production that only Fashion Forte can make. [caption id="attachment_188833" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Albert Andrada displayed his universally loved designs of romantic and dreamy confections. | photograph courtesy of Mike Zuniga[/caption] “When I was a child, I grew up being influenced by the works of Tito Albert Andrada. His first shop was in my grandmother’s building. I studied fashion at Slim’s Fashion School and worked at the Carolina’s fabric store.” [caption id="attachment_188834" align="aligncenter" width="525"] CARL Acusa’s latest collection speaks of political movement through fashion. | photograph courtesy of Bert Briones[/caption] CARL ARCUSA “Luncheon At The Palace is a political movement through fashion. A collection that is intended to raise awareness to the historical past and to not forget the mistreatment, injustices, killings and power abuse during the… regime. “The materials I used are silk, organdy, piña cloth, tulle, red Swarovski crystals, beads and metal religious emblems. [The challenge of procuring the materials] is their availability to suppliers because some are sourced out abroad and the piña cloth’s availability to the market. ‘My recommended remedy] is fast supplier-to-market transport and communications. “[I said yes to Nardie and Audie] because they are both professional and friendly. Their taste and professionalism established a good foundation of trust to us designers. “I’m a self-taught. I was mentored by Rocky Gathercole and Olé Morabe. My inspirations are Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen, John Galliano, Joey Samson, Ivarluski Aseron and various Filipino veteran designers. My celebrity clients include Andrea Brillantes, Kim Chiu, Vice Ganda, Sanya Lopez, Lea Salonga and Miss Glenda.” JEZELLE AMORADO “My collection is entitled Imprint. As a fashion designer, one of my primary roles is to create pieces for clients that reflect their identity and persona. It is very seldom that I get to create something that would reflect who I am as an artist. Thus, the ‘Imprint’ collection was born. “For this collection. I wanted to do away with traditional floral and lace details. Instead I focused on the idea of how I can imprint my own DNA as a designer into each piece. The hand-beaded details of each piece were carefully crafted to show my personal way of sketching, yarn and beadwork to mimic my fingerprints and the waves in various colors were created to represent my sound waves when speaking. The Jezelle Hautea Amorado signature book folded details can also be seen in the collection as a representation of my unfolding fashion design story. “The emotions that I wanted the collection to evoke is a sense of identity and self-love for who I am as an artist. I wanted the audience to see who I truly was as an artist and experience the same level of love and admiration I felt when I was allowed to be myself and create what my heart wanted. “I wanted to present a collection that would let people realize and feel that it is OK to be themselves, to love who they are and to not let society dictate who they should be. Imprint is a collection that focuses on the idea of ‘self’ and that no person could ever alter who you are as a person. “I wanted people, women in particular, to have that profound sense of acceptance despite what society would expect of us in terms of how we dress, talk and present ourselves. Hopefully, ‘Imprint’ was able to do that. “The materials that were used were a mixture of silk gazaar, fine crepe, organza and tulle. The finer details were crafted using multicolored yarns, crystals and multi-cut beads. All of my materials were sourced from both local and international vendors that I have worked with in the course of my career. “The main challenge that I face when procuring fabrics was the fear that another designer would be using the same thing as me. My solution for this is that I stay away from already pre-beaded or pre-printed textiles. “Instead of purchasing such textiles I have my team of skilled beaders craft custom prints or details that would guarantee me a unique piece every single time. At times, it is an unavoidable circumstance that I would have to use pre-detailed fabrics such as lace, so to address this situation I would deconstruct the said fabric and have my team rework it by creating new textures, or beading details to give my clients that unique look. “I have a Bachelor’s degree in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde and an Associate’s degree in Fashion Design at Raffles Design Institute Singapore. I apprenticed under Albert Andrada, who is also my mentor and design influence along with Christian Dior, Coco Chanel and Iris Van Herpen.” [caption id="attachment_188836" align="aligncenter" width="525"] ‘Fashion Forte’ expresses Nardie Presa’s specialty and strength in conceptualizing clothes and designs. | PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF MIKE ZUNIGA[/caption] “To be invited back by Nardie Presa and Audie Espino was a wonderful experience and great honor. I had my first show with them back in 2020 before the pandemic and this would have given me another opportunity to work alongside two of the most-sought after personalities in the fashion industry. “Another reason for me to say yes was that Tita Nardie had informed me that this would be a wonderful opportunity for me to continue the Mentor-Protegee story that was unfolding between me and my beloved mentor and fashion father, Albert Andrada. “The period that I got the invite for Fashion Forte was when Sir Albert and I were preparing for our ‘Marry Me at Marriott’ show and it just felt like the perfect fit. Any chance I would get to work alongside Sir Albert and share the runway with him is an opportunity that I would never want to miss.” The post The standouts at Fashion Forte XVIII appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Amazon steps up AI race with $4-B Anthropic investment
Amazon said on Monday it would invest up to $4 billion in AI firm Anthropic, as the online retail giant steps into an AI race dominated by Microsoft, Google and OpenAI. The success of OpenAI's ChatGPT, a chatbot released last year that is able to generate poems, essays and other works with just a short prompt, has led to billions being invested in the field. Amazon had already announced it aimed to soup up its Alexa voice assistant with generative AI, which the firm said would allow users to have smoother conversations. San Francisco-based Anthropic is seen as a leader in the field and has its own chatbot, Claude, a competitor to ChatGPT. "We have tremendous respect for Anthropic's team and foundation models, and believe we can help improve many customer experiences, short and long-term, through our deeper collaboration," said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy. The giant firms and wealthy investors of Silicon Valley have poured money into artificial intelligence as they seek to find a killer application to justify the interest. ChatGPT's instant success threw much of the focus onto chatbots and sparked imitators and rivals, not least from Google with its Bard chatbot. Chinese titans Tencent and Baidu have also launched bots they claim can rival ChatGPT. 'Transformation' promise But Monday's deal between Anthropic and Amazon is potentially less significant in the chatbot world and more important in the race to develop chips to power AI. Anthropic agreed to use Amazon's chips to develop its next models and the two firms said they would collaborate on developing the next set of chips. All firms in the space are looking to wean themselves off the chips made by market leader NVIDIA, said Nick Patience, lead AI research analyst at S&P Global Market. "It'll be difficult for anyone to make a dent in the next 12 to 18 months," he told AFP, but tie-ups like Monday's Amazon deal could help change the picture over five years. Anthropic also agreed to use Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure -- the data centers that store and process data on a vast scale -- for "mission critical workloads". Amazon said it would take a "minority ownership position" in the AI firm, which has already raised more than $1 billion since it was set up in 2021. The statement promises that "Claude", which is the name of Anthropic's chatbot and its model, will help AWS customers "of all sizes to develop new generative AI-powered applications to transform their organisations". The deal intensifies competition between Amazon and Google, which had earlier opened its cloud services to Anthropic and invested $300 million to acquire 10 percent of the company. AI models require huge computing power so AI firms rely on data centers provided by the likes of AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure. As tech giants push their own AI ambitions, they have been increasingly looking at tie-ins with smaller AI firms -- Microsoft leading the way with a multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI. The post Amazon steps up AI race with $4-B Anthropic investment appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Firms urged expanding in India
Entrepreneurs are encouraged to expand business in India, which has rapidly grown into the second-most populous country in the world and its sixth largest economy. “In India, income distribution is evolving as affluence rises. Affluence will be much more widespread by 2025,” Bijaykumar Pandey, Marketing and International Sales Manager at Innovek Asia Co. Ltd, Thailand, said in a webinar organized by the ASEAN Access MATCH. Pandey said significant increases in the number of digitally influenced and online shoppers will result in more than tenfold growth in digitally influenced retail and online retail spending. Selling online “Selling products in online marketplaces lets you reach customers all over the country,” he said. Pandey said food and grocery will be a significant segment comprising 60 percent of the total Indian retail market in 2024. This is followed by apparel, mobile and telecom, food services, jewelry, consumer electronic, pharmacy and others, he added. “India’s smartphone market fell by 1 percent in (the) Q2 (second quarter of) 2023. However, vendors are balancing their inventory levels ahead of the upcoming festive season,” Pandey said. He also cited the increase in the production of white goods, including refrigerators, air conditioners and washing and laundry machines. Economic powerhouse Pandey further said India is an economic powerhouse with combined gross domestic product valued for top 5 ranking of the world. It also has a youthful workforce and customer base with a population approaching over 50 percent of world population and median age below 30, he said. “(India is) not a homogenous market,” he added. “(Its) intra-regional trade is expected to remain resilient.” The post Firms urged expanding in India appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Manufacturers temporarily forgo price increases — DTI
The Department of Trade and Industry has announced that several manufacturers have temporarily forgone their requests for price increases after Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual requested them to be mindful of the consumer’s plight amid the skyrocketing prices that they have to endure these days, as a result of their meeting last Thursday afternoon. On 21 September 2023, the DTI convened a meeting with manufacturers of basic necessities and prime commodities, where a total of 29 manufacturers and two associations of canned sardines, coffee, processed milk, bread, salt, detergent, candles, condiments, bottled water, canned meat, toilet soap and batteries participated in the said dialogue. According to DTI Undersecretary Communications and Legislative Affairs Kim Lokin, Secretary Pascual’s meeting with manufacturers went well, as these firms are willing to hold off on a price increase for now. “Although of course, they raised concerns that on the production level, there is indeed an increase in cost. Sec Pascual is very appreciative of the gesture,” she said. Manufacturers assured On the other hand, the Trade chief assured manufacturers that he would also consider their plight, and the need to sustain their businesses and provide jobs. Lokin said the DTI will hold another round of consultations, especially for those who have serious or urgent concerns, which will be on a case-to-case basis. Further, the DTI undersecretary stressed that this does not mean that forgoing the price increase is definite until Christmas. “For now, we can say the manufacturers are willing to hold off any increase for as long as they can. It is difficult to say when they will adjust prices because the cost of raw materials and ingredients used are also subject to market forces. Sec Pascual would have to consider all stakeholders, although of course in his mind, consumers’ needs are paramount,” Lokin stressed. Concerns During the dialogue, manufacturers expressed their concerns about various issues, including the imposition of pass-through fees; lack of local supply of raw materials; the compliance requirements of other government agencies, and other regulatory concerns. As of 19 September 2023, 14 manufacturers of 46 Stock Keeping Units covering 10 categories of BNPCs requested retail price adjustments due to the high cost of major raw materials, packaging materials, fuel costs, wages, and other costs that affect the production of essential goods. In their statement, the Philippine Association of Meat Processors Inc. said that manufacturers of Noche Buena products decided to absorb the bulk of rising costs. “In our commitment to observing the Christmas spirit and ensuring everyone can enjoy the festival season,” PAMPI said. “We are working diligently to manage rising costs. Production costs have risen by an estimated 10-15 percent, most of these products will only see a modest price increase of 0-4 percent”, PAMPI added. Meanwhile, Pascual said he is also committed to closely working with the salt and canned sardine manufacturers to address their specific concerns. The DTI secretary ensured that all concerns raised were taken into consideration and vowed to support the manufacturing sector, urging them to go into value addition. The post Manufacturers temporarily forgo price increases — DTI appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Thai PM woos U.S. tech execs
Thailand’s new prime minister has met executives of American technology and investment firms, including Tesla, Google and Microsoft, in a bid to boost the country’s flagging economy. Srettha Thavisin, a former property mogul who took office last month, met Tesla and X boss Elon Musk on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. “We had a good conversation on @Tesla , @spaceX , and @starlink technology,” Srettha posted on X early Friday. “We look forward to further discussions.” Thailand is one of Southeast Asia’s leading car producers, and is looking to transition production to electric vehicles. Traditionally much of the output has been dominated by Japanese manufacturers, but Chinese EV makers are moving in. Srettha also posted photos from meetings with Google and Microsoft executives, and the CEO of investment house BlackRock, Larry Fink. “The meeting aimed at possible investment in Thailand, in particular in support of clean energy-related enterprises’ investment expansion and production in Thailand,” Srettha wrote of his encounter with Fink. Srettha’s tech exec charm offensive comes as other countries in the region look to cash in on US investments in clean technology — and Washington’s desire to diversify away from overdependence on China for key components and resources. WITH AFP The post Thai PM woos U.S. tech execs appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
16th National Rice Technology Forum focuses on ramping up local rice production
Hundreds of participants from different parts of the country took part in the 16th National Rice Technology Forum (NRTF) which was launched on 19 September in Hagonoy and Digos City, Davao del Sur. With the theme, “Masaganang Palay at Bigas, Maunlad na Pilipinas,” the three-day event, was aimed at promoting the adoption of yield-boosting rice technologies by showcasing high-yielding and climate-resilient rice varieties, machinery, and best practices in a 131.83-hectare demonstration area. It has become a collaborative project by the national government, local government units (LGUs), local farmers, and other partners and stakeholders from the private sector, the NRTF responds with the President’s directives to boost the country’s local rice production and ensure food security through convergence and cooperation. Spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture (DA)-Davao Regional Field Office (RFO 11), DA-Agricultural Training Institute Regional Training Center (ATI-RTC 11), and the private sector-led Rice Board, the event kicked off with a field tour at the technology demonstration farms in Poblacion, Hagonoy. The techno demo farms showcased 24 hybrid rice varieties and smart technologies that have been tried and tested to be high-yielding, pest and disease-resistant, and climate-resilient contributing to higher income for farmers and high-quality and affordable rice for consumers. During the NRTF, 13 seed companies and six nutrient management firms presented their products, best practices, and technologies for proper land preparation, soil and water management, nutrient management, and pest and disease management, among others. In addition, the NRTF featured a Tekno-Tiangge, or a Technology Marketplace, and a “Tektok” or the Digital Agriculture and Farm Machinery and Equipment Demo. Officials and representatives from the Rice Board, DOST-PAGASA, and DA offices including the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program (MRIDP), Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM), National Irrigation Administration (NIA), and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) also played key roles during the event. They discussed the plans and programs to ramp up local production, El Niño action plans, hybrid and inbred rice production, balanced fertilization strategies, pest and disease management, mechanization, and digital agriculture, among others. DA-MRIDP Productivity Enhancement Focal Person, Dr. Frisco Malabanan, discussed the program goals of attaining stable rice supply, affordable rice, prosperous rice-based farming communities, and nutritious rice-secured population under the overall goal of 97.5% rice self-sufficiency by 2028. He also discussed the immediate plans of the program such as the distribution of inputs such as hybrid seeds, biofertilizers, and inorganic fertilizers, the provision of drone services, and the intensified promotion of farm clustering and consolidation. “To transform Philippine agriculture, we need to focus on markets, innovations, scale, mainstreaming, and outcomes,” Dr. Malabanan said. He also stressed the need to mainstream the transformation efforts into the country’s policies, programs, and investment plans. The NRTF will culminate on 21 September 2023 in time with the start of the harvest operations at the techno demo site that is expected to produce a minimum of seven tons per hectare. The post 16th National Rice Technology Forum focuses on ramping up local rice production appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Russia, Ukraine face off at UN court
A representative of Moscow told the International Court of Justice in The Hague on Monday that it lacks jurisdiction in ordering Russia to suspend its military offensive against Ukraine because Kyiv’s reason for it to issue the order is flawed. Gennady Kuzmin was sitting only meters from the Ukrainian delegation at the court in Peace Palace when he presented Russia’s argument and said that mere “statements” about genocide are not admissible under international law including the United Nations Genocide Convention. In March 2022, the ICJ ordered Russia to “immediately suspend” its military action as petitioned by Ukraine. The case stemmed from Kyiv’s suit disputing Russia’s accusation of bullying and genocide. Kyiv argued that Russia’s use of “genocide” as a pretext for the invasion of Ukraine went against the 1948 UN Genocide Convention. According to Russia, Ukraine’s argument falls outside the scope of the UNGC. Ukraine’s legal position is “hopelessly flawed” and “at odds with the longstanding jurisprudence” of the court, Kuzmin concluded. Ukraine will issue its response on Tuesday. More than 30 other countries — all Western allies of Ukraine — will also have the chance to make statements in support of Kyiv. The ICJ dismissed a bid by the United States to join the case. The court, created after World War II to deal with disputes between UN member states when they cannot resolve matters themselves, could take months to decide whether it has jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Ukraine said Monday its air defense systems had downed a swarm of Russian attack drones and nearly 20 cruise missiles in Russia’s latest aerial barrage overnight. “A total of 24 strike unmanned aerial vehicles were recorded around the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions. Eighteen attack drones were shot down by air defence units along the tracking route,” the Ukrainian air force said on social media, adding that: “All 17 missiles were shot down.” Russia said it repelled Ukrainian drone attacks over several parts of Crimea, outer Moscow and two border regions on Sunday. “Drones were intercepted over the western, southwestern, northwestern and eastern parts of the Crimean peninsula; Istra and Domodedovo districts of Moscow region, Belgorod and Voronezh regions,” Russia’s defense ministry said on Telegram in the round-up of Sunday’s attacks. WITH AFP The post Russia, Ukraine face off at UN court appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PEZA cheers signing of PH-FTA deal as investment approvals increase 180% in September
Pasay City – Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Director General Tereso O. Panga said on Thursday that it is optimistic to receive more investors from South Korea with the signing of the Philippines-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on the sidelines of the 43rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Summits in Jakarta, Indonesia. According to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., “The signing of the FTA is a testament to the realization of many opportunities for complementation and collaboration between the Philippines and South Korea, and an even greater milestone for our economic friendship.” Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual also noted that “for the Philippines, this FTA serves as a clear demonstration of the intent to elevate the current bilateral relations with South Korea to a stronger strategic partnership. The Philippines’ engagement with South Korea is built on trade through market access, economic cooperation, and investments through collaboration in targeted sectors such as critical minerals and supply chains.” Echoing these, Panga stated that “With South Korea’s status as the 10th largest GDP in the world and 2nd most technologically advanced nation (next to Germany), the Philippines stands to benefit from this FTA which opens more opportunities for investors, increased market access, FDI inflows, higher value-added production and export diversification combined with deeper economic cooperation and innovation partnership.” PEZA is also seeing an influx of FDIs coming from South Korea for the year. Panga said, “We are seeing an increasing trend with more South Korean investments coming in the country. Last year, we have approved a total of Php 1.019 Billion investments from South Korean projects and for our performance this year, we already generated a total of Php 1.413 Billion investments from South Korea. We are looking forward to welcoming more investments from them, especially from industries unique to the country.” As of June 2023, PEZA has a total of 246 registered projects from South Korea which generate Php 92.190 Billion investments, US$ 736.454 Million exports, and 40,688 employments. The post PEZA cheers signing of PH-FTA deal as investment approvals increase 180% in September appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Malacañang reviewing proposed rice tariff reduction
The Executive Department is currently discussing the proposal to reduce import tariffs on rice as part of a comprehensive strategy to decrease prices and mitigate a potential shortage of the staple, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Monday. This is after several farmers from different provinces protested in front of the Department of Finance (DOF) to denounce Diokno's proposal to cut import tariffs on rice and demand the removal of the Finance secretary from his post. In a Viber message to reporters, Diokno said the review is part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce prices for consumers and mitigate a potential shortage of the staple due to the impact of the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. "As discussions are underway, the DOF maintains its support for an appropriate policy response that promotes the greatest good for the greatest number of Filipinos," Diokno said. "Rest assured that the DOF, in coordination with other relevant government agencies and stakeholders, shall pursue programs and support measures to balance the interests of domestic rice farmers while keeping rice affordable for consumers — especially the poorest households," he added. In a separate statement, the National Food Authority (NFA) Council, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., set a new price range for palay buying price on Monday in response to the changing production and market conditions to improve farmers' income and ensure sufficient supply of the staple. "I called for a meeting of the NFA Council to discuss how we can adjust the purchasing price of NFA for rice, both wet and dry because we need to reevaluate the situation," Marcos said following a meeting by the NFA Council. "That's exactly what we discussed, and we decided that the buying price of NFA from now on will be 19 to 23 for dry and 16 to 19 for wet. That was the decision of the NFA Council," he added. The council came up with the new palay buying price range to provide Filipino farmers with a better income, the President said, considering today's reasonable palay production cost. "So, they will now have a profitable venture. And aside from that, we have the price cap in place to stabilize the rice prices," Marcos said. The originally proposed P20 and P25 per kilo buying prices are just too high and will spike retail prices, according to the NFA, noting that the new decided price range balances the profit of farmers and will not affect the retail prices as much. The agency said that if the new buying price of dry palay is at P23, the procurement fund needed will be P15 billion at the maximum; while if it is pegged at P25, P16 billion will be needed for palay procurement. For its part, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said it would support the NFA proposal but at a level of P23 a kilo. The agency added that at P22 or P23, farmers are satisfied with it since they are now being paid P16 to P19. DA noted that P25 is just too high. Asked by the President on the influence of NFA’s buying price as well as the public reaction, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) chief Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that at the farm gate level, NFA procurement will be concentrated in areas where there is excess supply relative to local demand. “In that case, it can help elevate farm gate price,” Balisacan said. The post Malacañang reviewing proposed rice tariff reduction appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Philex Mines to hunt for nickel
One of the country’s biggest mining firms will start digging for nickel. Philex Mining Corporation president and chief executive officer Eulalio Austin Jr. said they will add nickel to their mineral extraction of gold and copper. He said this is because of the rising demand for nickel in the world market. According to Austin, nickel is a promising market with the widening preference and production of electric cars and solar energy-dependent devices in a bid to transform to clean energy. He said this will add to their production and boost their mine life. Austin is confident that Philex can produce nickel as they have the expertise in mining other minerals like gold and copper. He said that the mining company, through the years, was employing subsidence, using bulldozers and backhoes, among others; the company can do the same in search of nickel. He revealed that they are in the stage of applying for exploration permits in the province of Zambales. Austin said they are glad that some of the officials in the municipalities, like Candelaria and Sta. Cruz, is supportive of mining. He said the area was host of a former mining company years ago. The post Philex Mines to hunt for nickel appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow
US President Joe Biden hailed closer ties with Vietnam on Sunday as the two countries struck a deal to deepen cooperation, including on semiconductors, but said he was not aiming to contain China. The "comprehensive strategic partnership" with Hanoi is part of Washington's push to bolster its network of allies around Asia and the Pacific in the face of Beijing's rising influence. Biden accused Beijing of seeking to bend the international order to its will. "One of the things that is going on now is China is beginning to change some of the rules of the game, in terms of trade and other issues," Biden said. Sometimes to Beijing's chagrin, Washington has invested heavily in building alliances as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, including the Quad security dialogue with India, Australia and Japan, and the AUKUS pact with Britain and Australia. Biden said he wanted establish clear ground rules for relations. "I don't want to contain China. I just want to make sure we have a relationship with China that is on the up and up, squared away, everybody knows what it's all about," he said. Biden flew in to Hanoi straight from a G20 summit that failed to agree to a phase-out of fossil fuels and highlighted deep divisions over the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The US president said he had met Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G20 -- a meeting the White House had not announced -- and discussed "stability". Semiconductor deal Global supply chain shocks and fears about US reliance on China for strategic resources have further driven the push to boost ties with the likes of Vietnam. The new partnership includes an agreement on semiconductors, with the United States committing to help Vietnam develop its capabilities and expand production. There is also a section on rare earth minerals, which used in the manufacture of high-tech devices such as smartphones and electric car batteries. Vietnam has the world's second-largest deposits of rare earths after China and US officials say it has a key role to play as it looks to diversify and strengthen its supply chains. Biden moved last month to restrict US investment in Chinese technology in sensitive areas including semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. "This can be the beginning of even a greater era of cooperation," Biden said as he met Nguyen Phu Trong, the head of Vietnam's ruling Communist Party and the country's paramount leader. "Vietnam and the United States are critical partners at what I would argue is a very critical time." The deal puts the United States on a par with China -- as well as Russia, India and South Korea -- at the top level of the Vietnamese hierarchy of diplomatic relations. Trong thanked Biden for his contribution to improving US-Vietnamese ties and said his country would work hard to implement the new agreement. Although it is careful to be seen as not taking sides between the United States and China, Vietnam shares US concerns about its neighbour's growing assertiveness in the contested South China Sea. However, The New York Times reported just ahead of Biden's visit that Vietnam was secretly arranging to buy arms from Russia in contravention of US sanctions. The report cited a Vietnamese finance ministry document that laid out plans to fund arms purchases from the Kremlin through a joint oil and gas project in Siberia. AFP has contacted the Vietnamese government for comment. US Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer told reporters that Washington acknowledged Vietnam's decades-long military relationship with Russia. But he said there was "increasing discomfort on the part of the Vietnamese with that relationship", and the new partnership would help Hanoi "diversify away from those partnerships" by allowing it to source from the United States and its allies. Human rights Biden said he had raised human rights in his meeting with Trong and pledged to "continue our candid dialogue in that regard". Vietnam has a dire rights record. Government critics face intimidation, harassment and imprisonment after unfair trials, and there are reports of police torture to extract confessions, Human Rights Watch says. While Biden has often criticised China's human rights record, he has largely stayed quiet on Vietnam and campaigners feared he may not raise the subject. On Monday Biden visit a Hanoi memorial to his friend John McCain, the former US senator shot down and held captive during the Vietnam War who in later years helped rebuild ties between the two countries. The post US, Vietnam agree to deepen ties as China worries grow appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
G20 members to unveil EU-MidEast-India trade plan
Major G20 partners will unveil ambitious plans Saturday to bolster trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe, a modern-day Spice Route to bind regions that account for about a third of the global economy. Washington, Saudi Arabia, the EU, the United Arab Emirates, and others will sign an agreement on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, presenting an alternative to China's wide-ranging strategic infrastructure investments. Officials told AFP the plan would include a slew of data, rail, electricity, and hydrogen pipeline projects. One proposed project would link railway and port facilities across the Middle East -- including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel -- potentially speeding trade between India and Europe by up to 40 percent. "The India – Middle East – Europe economic corridor" is "nothing less than historic" European Union leaders are expected to say when the details of the plans are unveiled later Saturday. The agreement would boost trade but is also seen as another significant step towards Arab Gulf states normalizing relations with Israel. Washington is actively prodding Riyadh -- a major oil producer and security partner -- to normalize ties with Israel after decades of conflict and closed borders. US involvement could also help mend deeply damaged ties between Riyadh and Washington, which frayed after the US-Iran nuclear deal and the 2018 murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The initiative "has enormous potential", according to Jon Finer, US deputy national security advisor. He said the public announcement would come after "months of careful diplomacy, quiet, careful diplomacy, bilaterally and in multilateral settings". The Europe-to-India project is still in the early stages, with participants studying how best to link India's vast 1.4 billion population and quick-growing economy with markets to the West. According to details seen by AFP, the India – Middle East – Europe economic corridor would also develop infrastructure to enable the production and transport of "green hydrogen". It would also strengthen telecommunications and data transfers through a new undersea cable connecting the region. Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at The Wilson Center, said the plan could be a significant response to China's much-vaunted Belt and Road Initiative. The so-called BRI has spread Chinese influence, investments, and commerce across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America. "If finalised, it would be a game changer that strengthens connectivity between India and the Middle East and would aim to counter BRI," Kugelman posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. The post G20 members to unveil EU-MidEast-India trade plan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Leaving luxury for a cause
In a world where extravagance and opulence were the norm, Vicky Wieneke chose a different path — one that led her to have a significant impact on the lives of those who were less fortunate. After enjoying three decades of success in fashion manufacturing business, Wieneke’s life took an amazing turn. This is the story of her transformation from a business mogul to a dedicated advocate for community empowerment. Wieneke, a University of the Philippines alumna, established a successful production company for well-known designers’ fashion lines. She lived in the lap of luxury, surrounded by the wealthy and the influential. Yet, despite her success, she felt that something was missing in her life, a higher purpose waiting to be fulfilled. “I would consider this a calling from our Lord because I also became very spiritual,” she said. In a recent interview with the DAILY TRIBUNE, Wieneke shared the pivotal moment that led her to redirect her life’s journey. She recounted watching the news about the hostility at the Malacañang Palace while she was abroad. Witnessing the struggles and injustices faced by her fellow countrymen deeply moved her. Instead of adding to the noise of complaints, she decided to be part of the solution. Driven by a desire to bring about positive change, Wieneke set out on a mission of community building and working with marginalized sectors. She founded Kabisig ng Kalahi in the year 2000, during the tenure of Dinky Soliman as the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. This organization would become her vehicle for making a difference in the lives of those who needed it most. One of the motivating factors behind Kabisig ng Kalahi was Wieneke’s concern for malnourished children, whom she saw as the nation’s future. “I was more concerned about the future of the malnourished children, they are the future of the country,” she highlighted. She worked with Soliman and other partners to build a complete program that placed a strong emphasis on community involvement and self-sufficiency. She envisioned an organized program with tangible results instead of giving them “limos.” This program, which spans six months and 120 days, not only addresses nutrition but also incorporates values formation. The project was promoted throughout local government units, boosting cooperation between Kabisig ng Kalahi and several LGUs. The initiative was successful because it helped communities develop better civic values and problem-solving abilities. One of the key features of Kabisig ng Kalahi’s approach is that it does not simply provide assistance, it empowers the community members to take charge of their own development. Mothers and parents actively participate in the program, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the community. Wieneke’s dedication to this cause has led to significant growth and expansion. Beyond Metro Manila, Kabisig ng Kalahi has reached places like Calabarzon, Mimaropa and even conflict-affected areas like Basilan. For its remarkable efforts to enhance human resources and community development, the organization has won various accolades and citations. Today, Wieneke’s life revolves around her mission to uplift communities and promote self-sufficiency. She has given up the flash and glamour of the fashion industry for the joy of witnessing the success and independence of those without a voice. Wieneke remains unwavering in her commitment to making a difference in the world. Her message to all is clear: “Let’s all do what we can for our country and for humanity. Good deeds are worth it.” Wieneke’s story serves as a potent reminder that true fulfillment comes from having a positive impact on other people’s lives in a time when success is frequently determined by financial prosperity. Her experience motivates all of us to answer the call to compassion and service. The post Leaving luxury for a cause appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palace says OVP P221.4-M confidential fund legal
The Office of the Executive Secretary has defended the legality of the confidential fund totaling P221.424 million that was released to the Office of the Vice President in 2022 In a statement to media on Tuesday, the OES said the fund was disbursed legally pursuant to "Special Provision No. 1 of last year’s Contingent Fund" for “maintenance operating and other expenses items.” “Under Special Provision No. 1, the President is authorized to approve releases to cover funding requirements of new or urgent activities of national government agencies, among others, that need to be implemented during the year,” it added. The OES explained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “saw the need to release the fund in support of Vice President Sara Duterte’s initiative, upon the recommendation of the Department of Budget and Management.” “Vice President Sara, who was newly elected then, needed funds for her new programs for the remaining period of 2022. The President supported this initiative and released the funds, with the favorable recommendation of the DBM,” the statement read. Of the amount, the OES said P125 million were confidential funds for "newly created satellite offices,” while P96.424 million was for financial assistance or subsidies. It also noted that there was legal basis to support the Office of the President's decision to release the P221-million lump sum to the OVP in 2022, which was charged against government contingent funds. Initially, the OVP did not have a budget for confidential expenses in the 2022 General Appropriations Act. However, the transparency report released by the Commission on Audit in 2023 showed it had acquired a P125-million allocation for confidential expenses for that year. In a recent Senate hearing, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte said the OVP had requested confidential funds from the OP as early as August 2022. However, Duterte noted that the confidential funds were granted only in December 2022. “We requested it from the Office of the President and it was granted through the Department of Budget and Management. I think the Department of Budget and Management can better answer the question of the transfer of funds from their source to the Office of the Vice President,” she said. The OVP has incorporated some P500 million in confidential funds in its proposed P2.385 billion budget for 2024. The post Palace says OVP P221.4-M confidential fund legal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Drones target Ukraine’s Odesa region ahead of grain talks
Kyiv, Ukraine (AFP) — Russia carried out a “massive” drone attack targeting Ukraine’s Odesa region, Ukrainian officials said Monday, damaging a grain export hub on the Danube river. The strikes came hours before a summit in Russia between President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who hopes to revive a grain deal Moscow exited in July aiming to safeguard Ukraine’s Black Sea exports. “Seventeen drones were shot down by our air defense forces,” regional governor Oleg Kiper wrote on Telegram, adding there were no civilian casualties. “But, unfortunately, there are also hits,” he said. “In several settlements of Izmail district, warehouses and production buildings, agricultural machinery and equipment of industrial enterprises were damaged.” The Danube river port of Izmail, which borders NATO member Romania, has become a main export route for Ukrainian products following Russia’s withdrawal from the UN-brokered grain deal. Ukraine’s military said Russia had used Iranian-made Shahed drones in the “massive” overnight attack, which “was directed at the civil infrastructure of the area of the Danube.” The strikes come a day after Ukraine fought off a barrage of Russian drones in the same region, with Russia’s army saying Sunday it had targeted fuel storage facilities in the Danube port town of Reni. Also on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he was replacing Kyiv’s defence minister Oleksiy Reznikov, calling for “new approaches” a year and a half into Russia’s invasion. Zelensky has nominated Rustem Umerov, who has been head of the State Property Fund since last year, to replace Reznikov — subject to approval by Ukraine’s parliament. Umerov, a leading member of the Crimean Tatar community, has represented his country in sensitive negotiations with Russia. Earlier on Monday, Russia said it destroyed four Ukrainian military boats carrying troops in the Black Sea. “Naval aviation aircraft of the Black Sea Fleet destroyed 4 ‘Willard Sea Force’ US-made high-speed military boats with landing groups of the Armed Forces of Ukraine,” Russia’s defense ministry said on Telegram. The post Drones target Ukraine’s Odesa region ahead of grain talks appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Crackdown set on grains cartels
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is taking a two-pronged approach to resolving the high prices of rice — which are building up the country’s grains stock and dismantling the rice cartels that dictate market prices. “The primary agenda of the government is to keep food prices low to help the less-capable members of society,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile said yesterday. He indicated that President Marcos will have a program to ensure that the country has a three-year rice stock. “This is now being studied. It was taken up during a Cabinet meeting.” Enrile said. Malacañang said the implementation of Executive Order 39, which mandates price ceilings for rice, will start on 5 September. EO 39 mandates the price per kilo of regular milled rice at P41 and well-milled rice at P45. Marcos signed the EO on Thursday based on the 31 August recommendation of the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry to impose price ceilings on rice amid the surge in the retail prices of the staple. Composite teams comprised of different government agencies, in coordination with local government units, will visit markets to monitor the prices of the two rice varieties. Focus on Metro Marcos said while EO 39 would be implemented nationwide, the government would focus its monitoring in Metro Manila, noting that the situation “is not so bad outside” the metropolis. Enrile said the recent Palace moves were meant to seek a scientific approach to the rice price dilemma. “Many think the rice problem is simple but it is a very complex issue since the prices are being dictated by syndicates and the mafia in the industry.” The rice supply, he said, is affected by hoarding, smuggling, overpricing and other factors that are manipulated by certain groups. The rice cartels and syndicates have strong connections, but the Marcos administration will confront them. The goal, according to Enrile, is “to dismantle them.” “They have allies in the Bureau of Customs and the bureaucracy, and it involves huge money,” he said. “Imagine, the population is now 120 million and every day you have to provide the rice to feed them so the volume of money that goes into grains trading is huge.” He reiterated that the lucrative industry is now “controlled by cartels, mafias and syndicates, all of them are there.” Elusive prey Enrile cited the case of Davidson Bangayan, alias David Tan, who was investigated in the Senate for rice smuggling, but no case was ever filed against him. Even former President Rodrigo Duterte, then Davao City mayor, testified against the suspected grains smuggler. To Senator Risa Hontiveros’ criticism that the price cap constitutes lazy work, Enrile said she should become president first before making disparaging comments against President Marcos. “For ordinary Filipinos, the price of rice is of utmost concern. Rice is a very important component of every economy,” he explained. “It portrays your ignorance if you’re talking about that without any qualification,” Enrile said, addressing Hontiveros’ allegation. Finite resources Farmlands, Enrile said, are finite resources and it would be hard to increase these, and “even if you reclaim land from the seas it would be near impossible to use it for agriculture.” “I don’t know if the senator has experienced planting and harvesting palay. If she can prove that she has, I would believe what she said,” he added. He said the government is also looking into options to cover the period when rice prices will be high. “While we look for a solution to the price problem, the government is also taking steps to identify substitutes or supplements for rice to cover the deficiencies between local production and demand,” he added. Enrile emphasized that high rice prices are “a supply and demand problem.” In the recently raided warehouses that held P590 million worth of mostly rice stocks, the raiding teams found empty sacks that showed the grains were from local sources, indicating an effort to deceive. “What happened there, obviously is not in the media anymore, nobody talks about it anymore,” he said. The post Crackdown set on grains cartels appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»