The pests that are toxic politics and rice tariffication
Duterte back in 2019 promised us of cheaper rice with his Rice Tariffication Law. The Marcos-Duterte Uni-Team in 2022 promised to lower the price of rice to P20 per kilo. These promises clearly remained as promises......»»
Use of WTE for power generation faces opposition
International groups have warned against the use of waste-to-energy for power generation, claiming that the technology is more expensive and likely to produce pollutants that are more toxic......»»
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......»»
Supporting health care providers through Lawson Health Research Institute
Improving health outcomes for people at risk of substance-related harms and overdose March 25, 2024 | London, Ontario | Health Canada Canada is facing an unrelenting and tragic toxic illegal drug and overdose crisis. No community has been left untouched. The impacts are seen and felt among our friends, family and neighbours. That's why the Government of Canada is leveraging all the tools a.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
No rice subsidies, cash assistance for El Niño-stricken local food producers – KMP
By ZYSA MEI ELLORAN Bulatlat.com MANILA – The farmers are hungry. This is the sentiment of Filipino farmers as they continue to call for government support having suffered the worst impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, resulting in heavy losses in their livelihood. “Farmers need an urgent and concrete response from the government. Farmers need… The post No rice subsidies, cash assistance for El Niño-stricken local food producers – KMP appeared first on Bulatlat......»»
Potemkin
The Department of Agriculture announced that suggested retail prices on rice will be issued next week. At first blush, this seems to be another dubious “solution” to spiking rice prices from the same minds that brought us price caps last year......»»
Raymond-Mikel tandem in 2025: Possible, says Mike Rama
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has expressed his confidence in Vice Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia, saying that he could become a good mayor in the future. Mike also conveyed to Garcia that his family is never selfish when it comes to politics. “Raymond will become mayor, I’ telling you… I told.....»»
‘Palay, rice prices to decline as harvest season peaks’
Palay and rice prices are expected to continue going down with the peak harvest season, according to farmers’ group Federation of Free Farmers......»»
What happens when AI reaps what it sows?
Artificial intelligence tools are trained on internet data, which is also a toxic pit of disinformation and hate speech. How can people make sure AI tools do not put out the same? Experts weigh in......»»
DAR turns Samar rice farmers’ dream into reality
Barobaybay Farmers Association (BFA) is an organization of 62 rice farmers, 55 of them are agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs), in remote Barangay Barobaybay of Calbiga, Samar who had long been wanting to own farm machineries to make farming easy for them......»»
Davao City’s past, present personalities, celebrities
DAVAO City is not just popular for its cultural diversity and bustling economic industries, but also for its people who made a huge contribution that shaped the contemporary landscape of the Philippine culture, media, and even politics......»»
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......»»
Three economic scenarios
Summer’s just around the corner and it’s increasingly becoming scorchingly hot as if we’re all burning with high fever; but this sweltering heat is nothing compared to tensions in politics that we’ve been seeing over the past several months......»»
Marcos to consider giving rice instead of cash to 4Ps beneficiaries – DA exec
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will seriously consider a suggestion to provide rice, rather than cash, to recipients of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Department of Agriculture (DA) Usec. Roger Navarro revealed this in a press conference that followed a meeting between agriculture officials and the President in Malacañang on Tuesday. “It.....»»
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......»»
NFA ordered to submit documents on P93 million rice sale
Ombudsman Samuel Martires on Thursday went to the National Food Authority main office in Quezon City to personally serve a subpoena that would compel the agency to submit several documents in connection with the alleged anomalous sale of P93.75 million worth of NFA rice to two traders......»»
Inseparable twins
Politics can impact business in a number of ways, and significantly at that......»»
Warning Out on Cancer-Causing Cadmium in Lucky Charm Bracelets
Quezon City. The toxics watchdog group EcoWaste Coalition is warning luck seekers from buying charm bracelets adorned with metal components containing extremely high concentrations of cadmium, a chemical that is linked to various types of cancer. The group, which has been campaigning against toxic metals like cadmium, lead, mercury and other chemicals of concern, made […].....»»
Philippines rice sufficiency in 2028 dubious – group
The National Irrigation Administration projection that the Philippines can achieve rice sufficiency in 2028 is dubious, according to farmers’ group Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura......»»