‘SMUGGLED ONIONS FLOODING MINDANAO’

MANILA, Philippines —  A farmers’ group has confirmed the entry of alleged smuggled onions in Mindanao.

Luchie Ceña, manager of the Valiant Cooperative,  reiterated a statement made by Jayson Cainglet, executive director ofthe Samahang Industriya ng Agrikultura, that illegally imported onions being sold online have contributed to the decline of the farmgate price of the local bulbs.

“Smuggled onions continue to proliferate. Traders said that large onions from Holland are sold in Cagayan de Oro,” Ceña said.

Earlier, Cainglet told The STAR that illegally sourced onions are sold for as low as P25 per kilo on Facebook.

Ceña said that onion farmers are reeling from the slump in the farmgate prices of the local bulbs.

“The farmgate price (of local onions) is at P26 or P27 per kilo. Farmers can only sell at P30 if these are of good quality that can be kept in cold storage,” Ceña said.

She said a farmer spends at least P300,000 per hectare for planting and harvesting white onions, and from P250,000 to P280,000 for red onions.

“We expect the onion harvest to increase this year as more farmers planted the bulb,” Ceña added.

She said farmers obtain loans from banks and other financing firms to be able to plant onions.

MAHARLIKA FUND EYES JV FOR RURAL TELCO TOWERS

MANILA, Philippines — The Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC) is in the process of tapping foreign partners for a joint venture in building telecommunication towers in rural areas in a bid to address the digital gap.

On the sidelines of the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines membership meeting on Wednesday, MIC president and CEO Rafael Consing Jr. said one of the projects that the sovereign wealth fund intends to do is to roll out digital infrastructure through telco towers in rural areas.

“We will create a joint venture and roll out the towers and the telco companies will be our clients,” Consing told reporters.

“We will bring in foreign investors and work with them,” he said.

Consing refused to name the potential investors, but said that talks are ongoing right now.

The project, however, will likely be in the pipeline of investments for next year.

“Studies are being done and we need a bit of time to undertake those studies,” Consing said.

“Today, incumbent telco companies won’t do it on their own because it’s going to be their capex (capital expenditures). So here, it will be our capex,” he said.

Further, the MIC chief noted that building telco towers would help several areas including agriculture and education.

“It will also help the rural entrepreneurs to open up new markets, hopefully nationally and internationally. It can also open up the potential for telehealthcare,” he said.

President Marcos signed in July last year an executive order that reduced the number of permits required to construct telco infrastructure.

This effectively minimized the procedures that industry players have to undergo in pursuing their expansion plans, thereby expediting digital development.

PLDT, ABS-CBN TERMINATE SKY CABLE SALE

MANILA, Philippines — Sky Cable Corp., a subsidiary of ABS-CBN, will no longer be sold to the Manny V. Pangilinan-led PLDT Inc., both companies announced on Thursday.

In separate statements, ABS-CBN and PLDT said that they mutually agreed to abort the agreement worth P6.75 billion which was approved by the Philippine Competition Commission in January this year.

"PLDT Inc. and ABS-CBN Corp. have mutually decided not to proceed with the sale of Sky Cable to PLDT under the sale and purchase agreement signed by and among the parties in March 2023," PLDT's disclosure, dated Feb. 21, 2024, released on Thursday, read.

With the sale of Sky Cable being terminated, the broadband and cable television firm announced that it would continue its operations, as it was set to originally sign off on February 26.

"Sky Cable is pleased to announce that its cable TV service is here to stay, assuring its subscribers that they can maintain their subscriptions," the firm said.

"Meanwhile, Sky's internet broadband service, SKYFiber remains unaffected," it added.

P3 BILLION SOLAR POWER PLANT TO RISE IN NEGROS OCCIDENTAL

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines —  Eight years after a 25-megawatt solar power plant became operational in Silay City, Negros Occidental, a similar project worth P3 billion will be established in the same city.

Like the first solar power plant in Barangay Rizal, the second project with a 69-megawatt capacity is owned by the Citicore Renewable Energy Corp.

CREC chairman Edgar Saavedra and chief operating officer Oliver Tan on Tuesday led the groundbreaking for the new power plant that will rise in Barangay E. Lopez.

The event was witnessed by Silay Mayor Joedith Gallego and board member Manuel Frederick Ko, chairman of the provincial council’s committee on energy.

The completion of the Citicore Solar Negros Occidental 2 project by yearend or early next year will give the province a combined solar power generation capacity of 94 megawatts.

Tan said the project would employ 500 to 700 workers in the area.

The power plant will be equipped with a battery storage system to maintain supply of electricity not only during the day, but also during night time.

The plant is capable of supplying power to 70,000 households.

DENR TO ESTABLISH MARINE RESEARCH HUB IN STA. ANA, CAGAYAN

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Thursday it will set up a marine research station in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, the northeasternmost tip of Luzon

Sta. Ana town is one of six sites chosen by the DENR for its marine research hub project, which aims to boost ocean science and resource management strategies in the country.

“Sta Ana, Cagayan will be the northernmost site to serve as sentinel covering the Northern Philippine Sea marine biogeographic region,” DENR Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga said.

Sta. Ana is home to the Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, which covers 1,008 hectares of coral reefs, 472 hectares of seagrasses and 102 hectares of mangroves.

Citing research by the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UPMSI), Loyzaga highlighted the resilience of corals in the northern Philippines to climate change.

“This project is so important that is why we are working with the UPMSI to create further studies in collaboration with the community, and we would like this to be a center of education so that we know why we need to protect the area,” she said.

In October 2023, Loyzaga said they discussed a partnership with the agency’s Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) and the UPMSI on the establishment of a DENR marine research station on Pag-Asa Island in Kalayaan town, Palawan.

COMELEC: 2 TECH FIRMS INELIGIBLE TO SUPPLY INTERNET VOTING

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to hold another public bidding for internet voting as the only two bidders were both declared ineligible.

Comelec-Special Bids and Awards Committee (SBAC) yesterday issued ineligibility notices to We Are I.T. Philippines Inc. and Indra Soluciones Technologias de La Information.

“We will set another pre-bid conference and immediately after that within the regulamentary period, we can set the next bidding. We expect that mid-March,” Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiango said.

He expressed belief that technology providers are capable of complying with the requirements.

According to Laudiango, several other companies purchased bidding documents, but later informed the Comelec that they would be unable to participate in the bidding process due to difficulty securing required certifications.

Upon preliminary examination of the bids submitted, SBAC said, the two companies were found to have failed to meet the criteria set by the commission.

SBAC said Indra was found non-compliant on Net Financial Contracting Capacity due to an unsigned certificate and current assets and liabilities.

Indra also failed to submit credentials of its third-party certifiers and the certification of the final version of the system.

We Are I.T., on the other hand, was found non-compliant on its statement of single largest completed contract and also unable to submit documentary proof that it legally owns an online voting system.

I.T. was also unable to submit proof of compliance to the technical specifications for the printer, particularly on auto-volt switching.

SBAC previously extended the deadline for the submission of bids for the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) to give more time for prospective bidders to prepare the numerous requirements.

The Comelec has a budget of P465.8 million for the OVCS to be used in next year’s overseas voting.

KUWAITI COURT UPHOLDS CONVICTION OF OFW’S KILLER

MANILA, Philippines — The Kuwaiti appellate court has affirmed the conviction of the 17-year-old killer of Filipino domestic helper Jullebee Ranara, according to the Department of Migrant Workers.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac reported that the family of Ranara has been informed of the latest court ruling.

“The Appeal Court fully adopted the guilty verdict and sentenced the accused to one-year imprisonment for driving without a license and 15 years for murder,” Cacdac disclosed last night.

Cacdac ordered the Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait to work tor the filing of civil damages against the father of the convicted perpetrator.

Ranara was killed and her burned remains found in the desert. Her murder prompted the Philippine government to suspend the deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait.

SMALL, MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES CAN ABSORB P100 WAGE HIKE: LAWMAKER

Small and medium-sized enterprises can absorb a P100 legislated wage hike after Congress lowered corporate income taxes, a senator said Thursday.

The Senate on Monday passed on third reading Senate Bill No. 2534, which seeks a P100 daily minimum wage increase for employees and workers in the private sector.

Twenty senators voted in favor, with zero negative vote and no abstentions.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he voted in favor of the bill since the living wage is already at P1,100.

"Kaya ako bumuto in favor, binabaan ito. Ang original proposal is P150 na medyo mabigat sa small and medium enterprises. Ang living wage ngayon ay P 1,100. Ang ating minimum wage naglalaro sa P500 to P610 so kalahati lang kaya marami sa ating pamilya hirap," he said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

He added: "Tiningnan din ng Senado ang kita ng SME kasama na ang malalaking enterprises pero dahil bumaba nga 'yung corporate income tax sa CREATE Law…from 30% to 20% kaya lumaki 'yung kanilang kita. Pumapalo ng around 12% yung kanilang gross profit dahil sa pagbaba ng income tax kaya sa aming computation dahil P100 lang ang idagdag, marami sa ating small and medium enterprises ay kaya nilang mag-absorb itong ganitong pagtaas ng (sahod)."

Gatchalian said the wage hike takes priority over charter change since it affects minimum wage earners.

"Talagang malapit ito sa sikmura ng taumbayan kaya ito ang inuna ng Senado para maramdaman agad ng ating kababayan," he said.

The lawmaker said he is also open to study a proposal for a staggered wage hike but noted there is no provision for such in the Senate version of the bill.

"Sa Senate version walang ganung probisyon, pero magba-bicam pa 'yan at pwedeng pag-usapan doon na gawin na lang staggered," he said.

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15 DEAD, 2 INJURED IN VEHICLE MISHAP IN NEGROS ORIENTAL

MANILA -- Fifteen individuals died in a vehicular mishap along the National Highway of Barangay Bulwang in Mabinay town, Negros Oriental.

The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office confirmed the development, Wednesday.

NOPPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Stephen Polinar said that three others are also injured.

Based on their initial investigation, the truck was empty but was carrying passengers and was on its way to Bayawan City.

They were allegedly going to buy live hogs in the town and they came from La Libertad.

However, upon reaching the place of the incident, the truck overshot the highway and fell into the ravine.

The 14 individuals died on the spot while the three others were rushed to the nearest medical facility for treatment.

However, Police Maj. Nelson Lamoco, acting chief of Mabinay Police Station, said one of the injured died around 6:45 p.m.

Polinar added the driver survived the incident. They are now conducting a deeper probe on what transpired.

“His statement is that the truck lost its brakes,” said Polinar.

He is now under police custody and will face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and damage to property.

Lamoco said the incident happened in an accident-prone area.

ANOTHER ‘VIRAL’ SPORTS CAR SURRENDERED TO BOC

MANILA, Philippines — A second luxury sports car, a blue Bugatti Chiron worth P165 million, suspected of being smuggled into the country, was surrendered to the Bureau of Customs (BOC) by its owner Thu Trang Nguyen. This follows the surrender of a red Bugatti Chiron earlier. BOC Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio praised the quick action, with the surrender happening less than three weeks after appeals were made to the public for information. Despite surrendering, the owner will still face charges under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.

Authorities intensified the search for the blue Bugatti after the red one was surrendered on Feb. 9. The two vehicles were not registered with the Land Transportation Office’s Land Transportation Management System, and video clips of them racing went viral on social media. The LTO has allowed the parallel operation of the old IT system, enabling vehicle registration and driver's license issuance outside the LTMS.

BAI HOLDS 400 GAMEFOWLS AT NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Animal Industry prevented the release of at least 400 fighting roosters from the United States at the Ninoy Aquino international Airport (NAIA) as the consignee and breeders accused the BAI of harassment.

In a report of GMA Integrated News yesterday, consignee Juan Bacar Jr. said that the animals have complete papers.

“Somebody from the inside called me and informed me that my papers were missing. I called up my shipper and inquired about it and said the papers were inside a sealed envelope. I showed that my papers were complete, the same that I submitted five days prior to the shipment of the gamefowls,” he said.

Bacar noted that the fighting roosters have import and export clearance, veterinary certificate, blood test results and certificate of quarantine.

At least 40 breeders went to NAIA amid the decision of BAI not to release the gamefowls.

A breeder said that at least 40 fighting roosters cost him P2 million while another one said the four gamefowls amounted to P200,000.

Newly appointed BAI officer-in-charge Enrico Miguel Capulong said it was part of the protocol of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

In a signed memorandum, the BAI promised Bacar that the DA would indemnify the breeder for roosters that die while in its custody.

The gamefowls were placed in a cargo and warehousing firm at NAIA while awaiting Capulong’s go-signal to release the roosters.

LGUS, AGENCIES URGED TO USE GEOHAZARD MAPS

MANILA, Philippines —  Former environment secretary Lito Atienza has urged concerned agencies and local government units to use geohazard maps prepared by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to mitigate impacts of natural disasters on human life.

Atienza, former representative of the Buhay party-list, made the appeal following a landslide in Davao de Oro that killed scores of people.

“Events like this could have been prevented if concerned government agencies had been properly using geohazard maps that the DENR developed and distributed to identify landslide and flood-prone areas,” Atienza said.

He said he pushed for the speedy completion of geohazard maps when he was DENR chief in 2007.

He said that from 2007 until his term in the DENR ended in 2009, he had ordered the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to identify areas vulnerable to natural calamities.

“The maps were distributed to local government units and other agencies for land use planning, relocation, disaster mitigation and relief operations,” he said.

3 WOUNDED IN MAGUINDANAO GRENADE ATTACK

COTABATO CITY, Philippines — Two soldiers and a militiaman were wounded when a suspected terrorist hurled a grenade at a military detachment in Shariff Kabunsuan, Maguindanao del Sur on Monday night.

S/Sgt. Jester Arsulo and Sgt. Bryan Baylon, both of the Army’s 33rd Infantry Battalion, and Nur Akmad of the CAFGU Active Auxiliary were taken to a hospital for treatment of shrapnel wounds.

Maj. Saber Balogan, civil-military operations officer of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade, said the suspect was believed to be a member of terrorist group Dawlah Islamiya.

ENTERTAINMENT & LIFESTYLE

'REWIND' TO STREAM ON NETFLIX IN MARCH

MANILA -- The country's highest grossing film "Rewind," staring celebrity couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, is coming to Netflix.

The couple's successful comeback movie will be available on Netflix beginning March 25.

Directed by Mae Cruz Alviar, the Star Cinema film was shown in cinemas nationwide as an official entry to the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

"Rewind" revolves around John (Dingdong), who looks to make up for lost time after an accident cost his wife's life.

Desperate to have his wife Mary (Marian) back into his life and to mend his relationship with their son Austin (Jordan Lim), he receives unexpected help from Lods, played by Pepe Herrera — giving him a chance to start anew and amend his wrongdoings to his family. But along with this opportunity, a costly consequence awaits.

Also part of "Rewind" are Sue Ramirez, Joross Gamboa, Lito Pimentel, Ina Feleo, Ariel Ureta, Pamu Pomerada, Mary Joy Apostol, Via Antonio, Chamyto Aguedan, and Coney Reyes.

Last month, Star Cinema announced that "Rewind" is the first Philippine movie to earn P900 million in the box office.

Just last Monday, the Senate adopted a resolution to celebrate the success of "Rewind" in the box office.

SPORTS

EJ OBIENA BAGS FIRST WIN OF 2024 SEASON

Pole vaulter EJ Obiena posted his first win of the indoor season, winning gold at the Memorial Josip Gašparac in Osijek, Crotia.

He cleared 5.83m on his first attempt to set a new meeting record and gain the first win of his 2024 season. In 2nd place is Pedro Buaró of Portugal who jumped 5.73m.

EJ will bring home a total cash prize of 1500 Euros for his win and the new record.

He also attempted to jump 5.93m, but did not clear on all 3 attempts.

In his instagram post, he mentioned that his next tournament will be the ISTAF Indoor in Berlin, Germany on February 23.

EJ has already qualified for the Paris Olympics so these tournaments will serve as his preparation for the big day.

INDICATORS

FOREX $1 = P 55.94

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough. - Rabindranath Tagore