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Philippines suspends over 130 officials over rice sale scandal
MANILA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the preventive suspension of the National Food Authority (NFA) head and 138 other officials and employees for their alleged involvement in a sale of rice buffer stock, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said Monday. Laurel said the order started Monday while an investigation is underway to see if the accusations are true......»»
Ombudsman suspends NFA execs amid cheap rice sale probe
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Laurel said that the Department of Agriculture has implemented the Ombudsman's preventive suspension order for the officials allegedly involved in the “improper” sale of rice buffer stocks......»»
Unmask NFA exec blocking documents – Laurel
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is trying to unmask the official of the National Food Authority (NFA) who was allegedly blocking the release of documents to the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
Rot and rats at the NFA
“The Secretary wants that the NFA will be back to normal operation as soon as possible,” De Mesa stressed......»»
DA chief orders transfer of suspended NFA supervisors’ authority
The transfer of authority of suspended warehouse supervisors of the National Food Authority has been ordered by Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. yesterday as NFA facilities remain closed amid the suspension order of the Office of the Ombudsman......»»
Delivery drivers urge Mayor Baste for business permit exemption
Title: Delivery Drivers Seek Exemption from Business Permit Requirement A group of delivery drivers in Davao is urging Mayor Sebastian Duterte to exempt them from the mandatory business permits. The drivers, including those from various delivery apps such as Grab and FoodPanda, are concerned about the financial burden imposed by the business permits, which range from P2,000 to P6,000. They argue that this requirement is unique to Davao City among all cities and provinces in the Philippines. Grab rider Rolando Atico emphasized the need for solidarity among all delivery drivers, regardless of the app they work for. He urged fellow drivers to support each other, as the financial impact may extend beyond just Grab and FoodPanda. Atico also requested Mayor Duterte to reconsider the requirement and reinstate the previous occupational permit, which only cost P125. The group is facing a 30-day deadline to obtain the business permits, and they are citing financial constraints as a reason for their request for an extension. Failure to comply could result in their removal from the delivery platforms, jeopardizing their livelihoods. Additionally, they are advocating for changes to Davao City's Revenue Code, proposing a model similar to Cebu City, where only an occupational permit is required. The drivers are also calling for an inquiry into the lack of transparency and unilateral actions of food delivery companies, particularly concerning rider capitalization and financial concerns. They believe that a thorough investigation will help ensure fairness and equity in their financial obligations and working relationship with the delivery companies. Maribel Paguican, the Business Bureau officer-in-charge, stated that non-certified delivery riders categorized as service contractors must obtain a business permit. She mentioned two permits for occupational and business activities, with a discounted structure for delivery riders. However, concerns have been raised about increased taxes, potentially ranging from P3,000 to P6,000, along with an additional tax on top of the declared income of P1,400. The delivery drivers' plea for exemption from the business permit requirement reflects their concerns about the financial impact and the potential threat to their livelihoods. Their call for solidarity and support from fellow drivers highlights the urgency of the situation. This story sheds light on the challenges faced by delivery drivers in Davao and the implications of the business permit requirement on their financial well-being. It also underscores their efforts to seek fairness and equity in their working relationship with the authorities and delivery companies......»»
Meat imports up 3 percent in Q1
The country’s meat imports grew by three percent to over 270,000 metric tons in the first quarter on the back of higher pork purchases, latest government data showed......»»
DA backs early rice tariff collection certification
The Department of Agriculture is supporting the proposed earlier certification of tariffs collected from rice imports to fast-track the rollout of programs aimed at aiding farmers such as cash assistance......»»
CA ruling stops imports of Bt talong, golden rice
The importation of regulated genetically modified organisms (GMO) except for Bt talong and golden rice would continue as they are not covered by the recent decision of the Court of Appeals, according to the Department of Agriculture......»»
Rice inventory drops to 17-month low
The country’s rice stocks in February fell to their lowest level in more than a year despite higher imports recorded at the start of the year......»»
Rice tariff collections hit P30 billion in 2023
Tariff collections from 3.6 million metric tons of rice imports likely reached a record P30 billion in 2023 on the back of a weaker peso and higher global grain prices......»»
Ex-DA chief: Rice imports down 75 percent in January
Former agriculture secretary Leonardo Montemayor revealed over the weekend a 75 percent drop in the arrival of imported rice this month after the Bureau of Plant Industry reported that at least 56,090 metric tons of the outsourced grains were already delivered to the country as of Jan. 11......»»
Rice imports reach 56,090 metric tons in January
At least 56,090 metric tons (MT) of imported rice have arrived in the country as of Jan. 11, the Bureau of Plant Industry reported......»»
DepEd to push for additional benefits for teachers
he Department of Education will push for “additional benefits” for teachers before Congress, amid a pending bill filed by the Makabayan bloc seeking to increase teachers’ monthly salary to P50,000......»»
ADB OKs $400,000 assistance to Philippines for offshore wind projects
The Asian Development Bank is extending $400,000 to the Philippines to support the development of offshore wind ports in the country......»»
DBM releases P3.7 billion education assistance for college scholars
The Department of Budget and Management has released P3.74 billion for an education scholarship program that will benefit nearly 250,000 Filipino learners......»»
Salt imports decline as local output improves
The country’s salt imports decreased to 84 percent of total requirements last year from 90 percent in 2022 as local production improved, a ranking official of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources said......»»
‘Imports, SRA made future worse for RHI unit’
Sugar and ethanol producer Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI) took a major hit as increased imports and an alleged instruction from the government to stop refining led to the closure of its wholly owned subsidiary......»»
‘Pork prices to go up as DA limits imports’
Limiting imports under lower tariff rate could drive pork prices higher as micro, small and medium enterprises would lose access to “cheaper” imported stocks, meat importers warned yesterday......»»
Fertilizer imports hit 3-year high in 2023
Fertilizer imports last year expanded by almost a fifth to a three-year high of over 2.5 million metric tons as global prices of the farm input declined at a double-digit pace......»»