PHILIPPINES READIES FOR RCEP PARTICIPATION, EYES EXPORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN LAUNCH: DTI

The Philippines is preparing for its entry to the Regional Economic Cooperation Partnership (RCEP) in June, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said on Monday.

"We’re making sure that the Philippines will be ready now that we are going to be part of RCEP effective 2nd of June... What DTI is going to do is to make sure that we make our businesses and the public aware of the potential gains from RCEP," he said.

In line with the RCEP participation, the government is also eyeing the launch of its Export Development Plan 2023 to 2024 in the same month, Pascual said.

Pascual said the government would also launch a forum on international trade, which he said is expected to be held annually.

When asked how RCEP would help Filipinos, Pascual said "one of the concrete benefits coming out of this trading blocks is the improved traction of the country for investments... Foreign investment means new factories, new operations, that means jobs."

The Senate earlier ratified the country's participation in the RCEP, a free trade agreement among the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

RCEP removes up to 90 percent of tariffs in the trading block within 20 years, which Pascual said could boost the country's foreign direct investments, due to foreign firms that would like to gain access to RCEP member countries.

AFP: PH COULD EXPAND EDCA

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Sunday that the country’s Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the United States could be further expanded to cover more military bases to improve the country’s defenses.

In an interview on radio dzBB, AFP spokesperson Col. Medel Aguilarsaid more EDCA sites, to be built up with US funding and which would be accessible to American troops and equipment, would provide the Philippine military with the capability to provide “360-degree protection.”

PBBM LAUDS PINOY MUSIC ON VLOG

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminisced about the past with music as he envisions Filipino talents for music and arts on his latest Youtube vlog.

The President answered various questions posted by some people on social media regarding the recent event of President Marcos for the troops of the AFP at the Palace grounds.

President Marcos said that Filipino artists do deserve the spotlight because of music which is one of the cornerstones of the culture in the Philippines.

Mr. Marcos answered questions about whether he will bring back the old program of his Father, the late President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos Sr. which was the “Concert at the Park.”

“It’s a successful and brilliant project really, that is why if this became trending and many were interested to watch, maybe we’ll bring it back at the Luneta,” President Marcos said.

The vlog also showed the captured moments of the President and theFirst Lady on their 30th wedding anniversary wherein President Marcos asked the First Lady to remarry him.

The vlog ended with a short message from the President calling the Filipinos to sing together towards a brighter future and tomorrow.

PHILIPPINES JUMPS TO 43RD SPOT IN WORLD BANK'S LOGISTICS PERFORMANCE INDEX

The Philippines jumped to the 43rd spot in the latest World Bank 2023 Logistics Performance Index released over the weekend.

The Philippines got a score of 3.3 and was tied with 7 other economies including Vietnam, according to the report that ranks countries based on ease of establishing reliable supply chain connections, quality of logistic services, infrastructure and border controls.

The report said digitalization enabled emerging economies to cut port delays by 17 percent.

Singapore topped the list with a 4.3 percent score, followed by Finland, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands rounding up the top 5.

The US has a score of 3.8 and China with 3.7, the report said.

GLOBE EXPLAINS EMERGENCY BROADCAST FOR SIM REGISTRATION

MANILA — Globe Telecom on Monday said it made use of the emergency cell broadcast (ECB) system to urge users to register their SIM cards, a few days before the April 26 deadline.

Globe said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council gave no objections to the use of the ECB. A law on free mobile disaster alerts allows the NDRRMC and other government agencies to use the telco network system to blast warnings during disasters and emergencies.

Globe said it utilized the system to "urgently advise" customers to avoid deactivation of their SIM. Deactivation will mean disruption in crucial SMS-linked services such as financial transactions, healthcare, learning, livelihood, transport and deliveries, among others, it said.

"We are at a critical time as the deadline draws near, and we want to ensure that our customers are compliant with the law to avoid SIM deactivation. This way, they will continue to enjoy our call, text and data services for their day-to-day needs," said Globe Group President and CEO Ernest Cu.

As of April 22, Globe has registered over 35.8 million SIMs out of its total 86.7 million customer base.

With the ECBs, daily registrations increased to 800,000 from 400,000, Globe said. Over the weekend, daily registrations hit over 1 million, it added.

Globe, as well as DITO Telecommunity and Smart Communications, have been urging the government to extend the April 26 deadline to allow consumers to obtain valid IDs.

Telcos have said the lack of IDs as well as digital literacy are among the roadblocks that are slowing down the turnout.

Regulators, meanwhile, have not extended the SIM registration deadline yet.

MGA TINDERO NG SIM CARD, NANININGIL NANG DAGDAG P20-P50 PARA SA REGISTRATION

MAYNILA -- Dalawang araw na lang at deadline na ng SIM card registration kaya naman marami ang humahabol para makapagparehistro ng kanilang mga SIM.

Sa Baclaran, tinutulungan ng mga SIM card seller ang kanilang customer na mag register pero naniningil sila ng karagdagang bayad lalo na kung de-keypad na cellphone ang kanilang gamit.

Ayon sa mga nagbebenta ng SIM, kumakain ng malaking internet data ang SIM card registration. Kung mahina ang inyong internet, magre-refresh ang website at kinakailangan muling mag fill-up ng form.

Kaya naman may dagdag singil sila na P20 hanggang P50, depende na rin sa kayang ibigay ng customer, dahil wala naman silang WiFi at tanging ang data nila ang ginagamit.

Sa kabila nito, mabenta pa rin ang kanilang mga SIM card.

Umaasa naman ang ilang users na ma-extend ang SIM card registration.

Base sa datos, hindi pa umaabot sa 60 porsyento ng SIM users ang nakapagparehistro sa mga telecommunications company.

Kaya paalala ng Department of Information and Communications Technoligy (DICT), magparehistro na ng inyong SIM para maiwasan na ma-deactivate ang inyong numbers.

MARCOS MEETS WITH DEGAMO WIDOW, SENATE WITNESSES IN NEGROS OR. KILLINGS

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo and other Negros Oriental residents who gave their testimonies during a Senate investigation on the incidents of violence in the province last week.

Marcos, together with Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Cheloy Garafil and Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo Jr., met with Degamo at the Malacañang Palace Thursday evening.

In her Facebook post, Degamo thanked Marcos Jr. for meeting with them at the last minute.

She also noted that Marcos Jr. himself was reportedly monitoring the marathon hearings held by the Senate Commitee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs led by panel chairman Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa.

"It's good to know that our President is truly concerned with our welfare," Degamo said in her post.

Aside from Degamo, other witnesses in the Senate hearing who met with the President include the family members of former Pamplona vice mayor Kent Divinagracia and local radio broadcaster Edmund Sestoso, who were assassinated in 2020 and 2018, respectively.

DOH CLARIFIES COVID ALERT LV. 2 IN 26 AREAS

The Department of Health on Sunday clarified the 26 provinces and cities under COVID-19 Alert Level 2 were not escalated from Alert Level 1.

Instead, the DOH noted these areas have maintained their Alert Level 2 status since June 2022.

Furthermore, the Health department stressed that no province or city has been escalated to Alert Level 2 from Alert Level 1 since January 2023.

While the Alert Level 2 areas have reached low risk classifications for cases and utilization rates, the DOH said these have vaccination rates lower than 70 percent of the target total and population and/or 70% of the total A2 population (senior citizens).

“Meeting these targets will allow these areas to be de-escalated to Alert Level 1,” the DOH said.

MASKING IN RAIL SYSTEMS MANDATORY, SAYS DOTR

MANILA — The public is advised to wear face masks in trains and railway facilities at all times as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has reimposed the safety protocol amid the rise in COVID-19 cases nationwide.

DOTr Assistant Secretary for rails Jorjette Aquino said passengers are required to wear face masks inside trains of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 (LRT-1 and LRT-2) and the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

In her statement over the weekend, Aquino cited how “medical professionals in the railways sector stressed that the risk of COVID-19 transmission remains present in our trains as they are enclosed spaces.”

Masking will also be required inside stations of the MRT-3, LRT-1 and LRT-2. It will be optional at the PNR stations since these are open areas, Aquino said.

Security personnel of the train lines should ensure that the masking policy will be “strictly enforced,” she said.

The DOTr has reimposed the safety protocol even as the national government policy already allows the optional use of face masks whether indoors or outdoors.

MARCOS APPOINTS ACORDA AS NEW PNP CHIEF

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has appointed MGen. Benjamin Acorda as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Acorda will replace outgoing PNP chief PGen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr, who is set to retire on Monday at the age of 56.

Azurin headed the country's 220,000-strong police force for 9 months, which had been marred by an alleged cover-up of a P6.7-billion drug bust in Manila last October.

In his speech, Acorda said the PNP would be transparent and serve with dignity and professionalism under his watch.

He said the police would be relentless in its anti-criminality campaign through "sincere police presence."

NWRB TO PRIORITIZE DOMESTIC WATER SUPPLY IF…

MANILA — National Water Resources Board executive director Sevillo David Jr. said that the NWRB will be forced to prioritize the water allocation for domestic supply once the level of Angat Dam reaches 180 meters.

During a forum over the weekend, David underscored the need to conserve water amid the announcement from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) that it may increase the El Niño alert status in May.

“If there is El Niño, we expect below normal rainfall. That is why we really need to prepare now that the situation is still normal,” he said.

As of 6 a.m. yesterday, the water level at Angat Dam had dropped further to 196.32 meters, 0.20 less compared to its measure of 196.52 on Saturday.

“Once Angat Dam reaches its minimum operating level of 180 meters, we prioritize the domestic supply,” David said.

IMPORT TARIFF REMOVAL ON ALL ELECTRIC VEHICLES GAINS DTI BACKING

MANILA – Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Alfredo Pascual said that the agency supports temporary removal of import tariffs for electric vehicles (EVs) for a period of five years.

In a statement, Pascual said that the agency initially proposed the tariff removal on EVs regardless of origin to help drive down the prices and entice Filipinos to shift to EVs.

"DTI proposed the temporary removal of tariff on EVs for a period of five years...[the agency] believes that the measure will help develop the local EV market and encourage consumers to consider shifting to EVs for a cleaner and greener transportation option," Pascual said in a statement.

"The temporary elimination of tariffs is seen to drive down the purchase of EVs, thereby generating increased demand and encouraging investments in EV charging stations," he added.

However, DTI’s proposal was met with opposition.

According to Pascual, the Electric Vehicles Association of the Philippines (EVAP) and the Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association (MDPPA) requested for the exclusion of e-motorcycles during the Tariff Commission's public hearing last May 12.

Several stakeholders of the e-motorcycle and vehicle market saw this move as “unjustified” as motorcycles hold the majority among motorists in the country with around 2.27 new registrations, according to Statista.com.

The Philippine government in January released Executive Order No. 12 series of 2023, which modifies the tariff rates for certain EVs and its components to 0%, with the exclusion of e-motorcycles, which are still subject to 30% tariff rate.

An increasing clamor for inclusivity in the coverage of EO12 has since followed its issuance.

Think-tank Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit believes that EO 12 should be revised to include e-motorcycles in the tax break as it is 'discriminatory' and rich-favored.

On February 21, 2024, EO12 shall be subject to review by the National Economic and Development Authority wherein recommendations for possible amendment shall be submitted for approval of the President.

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BI WARNS OF ‘LOVE SCAMMERS’

MANILA — “Love scammers” are back, and this time they are forging the signature of Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to dupe foreigners of money, the BI said yesterday.

In a statement, Tansingco said the BI received a report about an Australian who was asking assistance as his Filipina friend, “Victoria,” was allegedly detained at the Clark International Airport before her supposed departure for Australia.

The swindler, claiming to have been detained for smuggling 18 kilos of alluvial gold bars, sent the Australian a photo of a fake letter allegedly signed by Tansingco.

The BI said the letter stated that Victoria was being held for lacking documents to travel with gold bars and she needed to pay $4,000 for an ownership certificate for the gold bars.

“It’s the same story over and over again for these scammers, but this time they are targeting foreign nationals using Filipinos,” Tansingco said.

‘OIL SPILL FORCED KIDS TO STOP SCHOOLING’

MANILA — A majority of children from families displaced by the oil spill from the sunken motor tanker Princess Empress were forced to stop schooling due to lack of income, an environmental group said yesterday.

The oil continues to spread almost two months since the Empress sank on Feb. 28, according to Gerry Arances, executive director of the Center for Energy, Ecology and Development.

“Aside from damage amounting to billions of pesos and loss of income, the oil spill’s largest impact is the loss of livelihood for small fishers,” Arances said, noting that 80 percent of the affected residents in Oriental Mindoro are fisherfolks.

“A significant number of affected residents are fisherfolks numbering more than 20,000. The distribution of food packs and cash-for-work is not enough to sustain the needs of the families. Many parents have complained that their children have stopped going to school because they can no longer support their studies. Many of them are in college and this is a sad reality,” Arances said.

The leak from the oil tanker persists and threatens the Verde Island Passage (VIP), which is home to vast marine species including sea turtles and sharks.

5.6 QUAKE JOLTS ISABELA

MANILA — A magnitude-5.6 earthquake jolted the province of Isabela yesterday afternoon, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs said the quake, whose epicenter was located 18 kilometers east of Maconacon town, occurred at 5:19 p.m.

Instrumental Intensities 5 and 4 were recorded in Peñablanca and Gonzaga in Cagayan, respectively.

State seismologists said Instrumental Intensity 3 was recorded in Ilagan, Isabela.

Phivolcs said the quake was not expected to cause damage to property, but it could generate aftershocks.

LTO: NEW 200-CC MOTORCYCLE REGISTRATIONS VALID FOR 3 YEARS

MANILA — Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Jay Art Tugade has extended the validity of the registration of new motorcycles with an engine displacement of 200 cubic centimeters and below to three years.

In a statement issued yesterday, Tugade said he issued Memorandum Circular No. JMT-2023-2395, amending the guidelines under Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code, and Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

Under current procedures, only motorcycles with an engine displacement of 201cc and above are qualified for a three-year validity of their initial registration with the LTO. Registrations of motorcycles with smaller engines are valid for a year.

“It is hereby directed that initial registration of brand new motorcycles with engine displacement of 200cc and below shall be valid for three years,” Tugade said in his memorandum circular.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

JOSHUA GARCIA, JODI STA. MARIA UNDERWENT SENSUALITY WORKSHOP BEFORE VIRAL KISSING SCENE

MANILA — Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria reacted on her upcoming series "Unbreak My Heart's" viral trailer.

In the trailer, fans of the actress were shocked when they saw Jodi having a kissing scene with Kapamilya actor Joshua Garcia.

In an interview with the media after her launch as the new brand ambassador of Chowking, Jodi said that her fans were really shocked to see the scene.

“Nagulat 'yung mga tao. Unexpected na gagawin nila pareho. Siyempre parang 20 years 'yung age gap namin ni Joshua. Na-surprise talaga sila,” Jodi said.

Jodi was all praises to Joshua in their upcoming series to be shown in GMA-7.

“Ibibigay niya kung ano 'yung hinihingi sa kaniya,” she said.

Jodi revealed that she and Joshua underwent a sensuality workshop before shooting the scene in Switzerland.

“Importante na hindi kayo lalabas du'n sa napag-usapan... kasi when you do scenes like that, kailangan 'yung trust meron kayo sa isa't isa,” she said.

Chowking recently welcomed Jodi Sta. Maria and her son, Thirdy, as the newest endorsers of the Mas Pinasarap na Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat. The mother and son duo were unveiled alongside the launch of the brand’s newest TVC in a press event held in Marco Polo Ortigas Manila.

The new and improved Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat still features an unbreakable combo of six Chowking favorites: Chinese Style Fried Chicken Chicken, Egg Fried Rice, Buchi, Siomai, Chicharap, and Pancit Canton. But to up their flavor profiles, the fast casual chain introduced their new and improved Chinese Style Fried Chicken and Pancit Canton.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

Most men would rather deny a hard truth than face it. - George R. R. Martin