Day: April 13, 2024

MANILA: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday (PH time) pushed for a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and the United States to achieve economic transformation and open more job opportunities.

There is a demand from both the US and the Philippines’ private sector for engagement in a bilateral free trade agreement, Marcos said in his keynote speech during the Philippine-US Business Forum in Washington, D.C.

‘The benefits for concluding an FTA, together with critical minerals agreement between both our countries, will be transformative and will create new jobs, strengthen supply chains, establish new businesses, and upskill our workforce,’ Marcos said.

Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez on Thursday said the Philippines is eyeing an FTA with the US on cyberspace and digital technology, part of the two nations’ renewed interest to further enhance trade and economic cooperation.

Marcos also urged the US Congress to expedite the revival of the Generalized Sy
stem of Preferences (GSP), one of the oldest US trade preferences programs.

‘We appeal to the US Congress to fast-track the reauthorization of the US GSP program which has benefited beneficiary countries such as the Philippines,’ he said, as he touted that the Philippines is a ‘major market for US products.’

The GSP Program, established in 1974, has granted duty-free treatment to exports of certain products by developing nations into the US. The products range from electronics and agricultural products.

The program expired in December 2020 despite legislative efforts to extend it.

Robust economy

Marcos trumpeted the Philippines’ strong post-pandemic economic recovery, being one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia.

‘On the economy, I would like to share with you that for 2023, the Philippines achieved a 5.6 percent annual growth in GDP (gross domestic product) which outpaced other high-growth economies such as China, Vietnam, and Malaysia,’ he said.

‘Despite the recovery time needed to accelerate b
usinesses coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were able to either exceed or match the economic projections of multilateral organizations, such as the IMF (International Monetary Fund), the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office, and the World Bank,’ he added.

Marcos said the Philippines also saw a 28-percent surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) net inflows, reaching USD1 billion in November 2023 from USD820 million of net inflows recorded for the same month in 2022.

He noted that the Department of Trade and Industry-Board of Investments approved PHP1.26 trillion in investment projects in 2023, higher by 73 percent compared to the PHP729 billion registered in 2022.

Marcos also stressed that the US was Philippines’ fourth largest source of FDIs and third top trading partner in 2023.

‘Over the years, the Philippines has acknowledged the significant contribution of the United States to our economic agenda,’ he said. ‘This affirmation underscores the deepening ties between the United States and the Phil
ippines as we are both committed to advancing our mutual goal of economic progress.’

Also in 2023, Marcos pointed out that semiconductors and integrated circuits were the Philippines’ biggest exports to the US, amounting to USD3.1 billion, or 23.3 percent of its total exports to the North American country.

“We are seeing expansions by US companies in the Philippines in this sector. So, with the assistance from the US government, through the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund managed by the US State Department, we can achieve our goal of producing 128,000 semiconductor engineers and technicians by 2028 as demanded by the industry,’ Marcos said.

‘So, with this collaboration, the Philippines will be able to support the US semiconductor industry not only in assembly, testing, and packaging but also in other segments of the supply chain such as in microchip design and in research and development.’

Marcos assured US investors of breakthrough policy reforms in the Philippines to attract more f
oreign participation in the businesses in the country.

During the US’ first Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines in March, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo announced the American companies’ planned investment in the amount of at least USD1 billion in projects that will create educational and career opportunities for Filipinos.

Source: Philippines News Agency

ANKARA: World oil production rose by more than 0.4 percent, or around 410,000 barrels per day (bpd), to nearly 102.35 million bpd in March, with a recovery in the US production, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest report on Friday.

According to the energy agency’s Oil Market Report for March, crude oil production by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) increased by approximately 110,000 bpd in March to 27.05 million bpd.

The group’s total oil production reached approximately 32.51 million bpd over the same period.

Daily oil production in non-OPEC countries rose by 410,000 bpd in March to an estimated 69.84 million bpd as production recovered from steep North American weather-related losses in January.

‘The United States and Canada accounted for 200,000 bpd of the monthly gains, while output in China and Norway rose by 60,000 bpd and 40,000 bpd, respectively,’ the report said.

According to the report, world oil demand growth continues to lose momentum with the f
irst quarter of 2024 growth of 1.6 million bpd, 120,000 bpd below the previous forecast due to exceptionally weak OECD deliveries.

‘With the post-COVID rebound now largely complete, and vehicle efficiencies and an expanding EV fleet acting as further drags on oil demand, growth in 2024 and 2025 slows to 1.2 million bpd and 1.1 million bpd, respectively,’ the IEA said.

The agency predicts that this year’s global oil demand will be 103.17 million bpd, up almost 1.21 million bpd from the previous year.

Demand is expected to increase by 1.14 million bpd to 104.31 million bpd next year.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The modified work schedule from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for officials and employees in local government units (LGUs) is consistent with the Policy on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) for agencies and government workers nationwide.

CSC Chairperson Karlo Nograles said in a statement Saturday that the resolution of the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Metro Manila Council (MMC) to adopt the flexible schedule for LGUs is a temporary solution to traffic congestion.

‘The CSC’s policy on FWA has influenced at least 499 agencies to adopt internal guidelines by end of December 2023, but we need more agencies to follow suit, especially in Metro Manila,’ Nograles said. ‘This new development from the MMDA, with the support of the MMC and local officials, is crucial in improving the welfare of civil servants in LGUs, especially those who do not own cars and commute to work every day.’

The CSC’s latest Inventory of Government Human Resources showed that the Nat
ional Capital Region has the largest number of government workers in the country, with 440,009 (22.30 percent) of career and non-career personnel.

‘The prevailing traffic conditions in the metro not only hinder their mobility but also impact their productivity, particularly for those who commute daily,’ he said. ‘By adopting the FWA, we can enhance their efficiency and safeguard their health, safety and welfare.’

He reminded government agencies and LGUs that their chosen FWAs must be implemented “without compromising the continuous delivery of public service, especially for offices with frontline services.”

‘We are open to recommendations from government agencies and other stakeholders as we craft people-centric solutions, especially those that will address transport problems, but what remains paramount is ensuring uninterrupted delivery of services to the citizenry,’ Nograles said.

The CSC adopted Memorandum Circular No. 6, s. 2022, or the Policies on FWAs in the Government on June 2, 2022 to institution
alize “relevant work arrangements and practices” brought about by the changing needs and conditions of the workforce.

Under the circular, government agencies have the option to implement any of the FWAs to facilitate support mechanisms for government officials and employees: flexiplace, work shifting, compressed workweek and skeleton workforce.

Flexiplace is an output-oriented work arrangement that allows government officials or employees to work at a location outside their office for a temporary period, subject to approval from the head of the office/agency.

This arrangement includes working from home, satellite offices, or other predetermined fixed locations.

Work shifting, on the other hand, is a work arrangement for offices or agencies mandated by law to operate continuously for 24 hours every day, or those required to adhere to workplace health and safety protocols.

Agencies may establish flexible working hours for its officials and employees from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily while ensuring compliance wit
h the mandatory 40-hour workweek.

The compressed workweek condenses the standard 40-hour workweek spread across five days into four days or fewer, depending on feasibility for government officials or employees.

Skeleton workforce pertains to a work setup where a minimal number of officials or employees are required to report to office and provide service during periods when full staffing is not feasible.

The CSC said agencies also have the flexibility to combine any of the above-mentioned FWAs as deemed appropriate or necessary according to the agency’s mandate and functions.

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: Malacañang on Saturday said it followed due process when it ordered the 60-day preventive suspension of Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib.

The Office of the President (OP) made a thorough assessment of the administrative complaint filed by Board Member (BM) Orly Amit against Jubahib, according to a statement by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who signed the suspension order on April 8.

Bersamin said Jubahib was ordered suspended ‘to prevent any undue interference in the conduct of the investigation.’

Amit filed the complaint against Jubahib on Nov. 24, 2022 for grave abuse of authority and oppression in connection with last year’s barangay (village) elections.

‘The OP found that the complaint sufficiently alleged grave abuse of authority and oppression on the part of Gov. Jubahib in connection with the recall of BM Amit’s service vehicle without legal basis,’ he said.

‘Secondly, the preventive suspension of Gov. Jubahib was ordered only after the issues were joined in accordance with Sec
tion 63 (a) of Republic Act No. 7160 (Local Government Code) and Sections 1 and 4, Rule 6 of Administrative Order No. 23 series of 1992 (rules and procedures on the investigation of administrative disciplinary cases),’ Bersamin added.

Bersamin said the OP ‘remains committed to ensuring transparency and fairness in all administrative proceeding.’

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday served the suspension order, but Jubahib refused to heed the directive, which he dismissed as ‘harassment, injustice and power tripping.’

DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said the order followed the lodging of an administrative complaint filed by ‘various parties’ against Jubahib for ‘alleged misuse of authority, potential oppression, and the utilization of government funds to advance the interests of a private company.’

Source: Philippines News Agency

MANILA: The University of the Philippines finally barged into the win column after prevailing over Adamson University, 19-25, 25-23, 25-23, 28-26, in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila on Saturday.

Jaivee Malabanan had 14 attacks, two blocks, and one ace as the Fighting Maroons snapped an 11-game skid this season.

‘Sobrang saya, kasi para sa amin, lahat ng oras namin ikino-commit namin sa training. Masaya na makita yung fruit ng paghihirap namin (We’re so happy because we commit all our time to training. We’re glad to see the fruit of our hard work),” said Malabanan, who also had 19 excellent receptions and nine digs.

Angelo Lagando and Louis Gamban chipped in 13 points each while Daniel Nicolas had five attacks, four aces, and three blocks. Clarence Santiago made 26 excellent sets to go with seven points.

Vip Isada, who returned as head coach after leaving in Season 75 (2012-13), was elated.

“It was very good for us. It was our first win and I think the
introduction of a new system and culture to the team were the ones that brought us to where we are now,” he said.

Back-to-back blocks by Leo Coguimbal and Jude Aguilar on Gamban gave Adamson a 26-25 lead in the fourth set.

Nicolas and Brian Chavez scored in the succeeding plays for UP, and the match ended after Adamson’s Dan Gutierrez made an error.

Marc Paulino finished with 20 points, 17 on attacks, for the Soaring Falcons, who took their third consecutive loss for a 4-7 record.

Francis Casas contributed 18 points, while Coguimbal and Aguilar added 12 and 11 points, respectively.

Source: Philippines News Agency

LAOAG CITY: Fully grown marijuana plants with a total estimated value of PHP7.5 million were destroyed in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur over the weekend.

Joel Plaza, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 1 (Ilocos) Director, said 37,700 marijuana plants were uprooted from seven plantation sites on Friday and Saturday.

The first five plantation sites, with a total land area of 4,200 square meters in Sitio Tangilig and worth about PHP5.3 million, were discovered on Friday.

Two more plantations were discovered on Saturday, valued at PHP2.2 million, Plaza said.

Officers of PDEA Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur, Regional Mobile Force Battalion and police stations in the towns of Sugpon, Cervantes, Suyo, Sigay, Lidlidda, Tagudin, San Emilio, Nagbukel, Galimuyod, Salcedo, and Gregorio del Pilar conducted the operations.

‘Law enforcement agencies stand united, determined, and vigilant in safeguarding our communities against the menace of narcotics,’ Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, chief of the police regional office, said.

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ource: Philippines News Agency