Marcos boosts PH culture; vows aid to Filipino artists

Published February 23, 2023, 8:37 AM

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reiterated his continuous commitment to promoting Philippine culture and preserving and protecting the country’s cultural heritage.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos said this at the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Ani ng Dangal (Harvest of Honors) awarding ceremony in Malacañang on Wednesday, Feb. 22.

In his speech, the President told the artists that the government was there to support them. 

“Makaaasa kayo na kaisa ninyo ang pamahalaan at administrasyong ito sa pagsusulong at pagpapayaman ng ating sining at kultura (Rest assured that the government is one with you in promoting and enriching our culture and arts),” he said.

“Nagtitiwala ako na kung pauunlarin natin ang industriyang ito, higit tayong makatutulong sa paglago ng ating ekonomiya, at maiangat ang Pilipino saan mang dako ng daigdig (I believe that if we can grow the industry, we can help grow our economy and lift Filipinos wherever they are),” he added.

Marcos called on NCCA to support Filipino artists who significantly contribute to developing and promoting Philippine culture and the arts.

He likewise urged Filipino artists to show the country’s culture and identity and feature the Philippines’ rich artistry and cultural heritage.

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“Hiling ko na lalong magtulak ito sa inyo na ipagpatuloy ang inyong mga nasimulan upang mapangalagaan ang kultura at pagkakakilanlan ng ating sining at bayan (I wish that this recognition will push you to continue what you started to porotect our culture, arts, and the country),” Marcos said.

“Sa inyong patuloy na paglikha at pagsulong ng ating orihinal na mga katha, pinapa-unlad ninyo ang ating industriya ng sining at pinakikilala ang ating lahi sa buong mundo (With your continued creation of original crafts, you enrich the arts industry and introduce our race to the world),” he added.

Ani ng Dangal honors natural-born Filipino artists or groups who have received international awards and accolades in nine categories — Architecture, Cinema, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Literary Arts, Music, Visual Arts, Folk Arts, and Broadcast Arts — over the past year.

The awardees under Architecture and Allied Arts were: The Penthouse (Best Residential Interior Apartment); The Galleon Residences Showroom (Best Residential Show Home); Equilateral House (Winner for Innovative Architecture); Batangas Forest City (Best of the Best for Innovative Architecture.

For Cinema, the awardees were Jeric Gonzales (Best Actor); Dolly De Leon (Best Supporting Performer); ‘Di N’yo Ba Naririnig (Golden Kinabalu Award for Best Documentary): The Flight of Banog (Golden Kinabalu Award for Best Indigenous Language Film); Geraldo B. Jumawan (Best Actor); Black Rainbow (Best Short Film); Joaquin Ditan Domagoso (Best Actor); The HeadHunter’s Daughter (Grand Jury Prize); It’s Raining Frogs Outside (International Award); Days of the New (International Competition Grand Prix); Leonor Will Never Die (World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award).

For Dance, the awardees were Billy Crawford, ELECTRO GROOVERS, Halili-Cruz School of Ballet, and Bayanihan. 

Meanwhile, the list of awardees under the Music category includes Ryle Custodio, Darwin J. Lomentigar, Rafael Adobas Bayog, Ily Matthew Maniano, Theodore Julius Chua Tan, Adrik Cristobal, Jeanne Rafaella Marquez, Far Eastern University Chorale, Michael Valenciano, and Danikka Dy.

Albert Reyes, Mariah Zamora, and Froiland Rivera received honors for Visual Arts, while A Thousand Cuts, a film by Ramona Diaz, was honored as the Outstanding Social Issue Documentary.

Marcos vows to protect environment, enforce mining law

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said that his administration would do a “meticulous balancing” to protect the environment and enforce the country’s law on responsible mining.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

Marcos said this in response to a question about his policy on protecting the environment in the Cordillera, especially regarding mining. 

According to the President, protecting the environment has always been essential to his administration’s policies.

“In terms of protecting the environment, it’s very clear what the position of this government has always been… It has been an important part of all our policies,” he said.

“We are environmentally conscious, moving the economy towards green technologies, moving our production of power towards renewables,” he added.

President Marcos noted that mineral exploration and extraction are essential to his administration’s economic plan.

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However, he said the government wants to avoid unfortunate incidents like what happened in the past few years.

“So it is really a question of enforcing the law in terms of responsible mining, and that is what we will continue to do,” Marcos said.

“We will always make sure that the mining companies who come in, once they are finished mining, that they leave the site in the same condition as it was when they found it,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the country can now monetize its forest cover— giving it a peso or dollar value and taking advantage of being more active in promoting, monitoring, regulating, and encouraging the care of its forests.

“All our forest cover is important and must remain — that is giving the Philippines, we fall into the category of a carbon sink country because of our forest cover, and so that is a very valuable asset for the Philippines,” he said.

PBBM pushes rice yield increase thru hybrid seeds

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

Malacañang said that the Department of Agriculture (DA) has started developing a “strategy plan” to promote planting hybrid seeds on 1.5 million hectares of rice land during the dry season.

FARMERS in Western Visayas are set to receive in-bred rice seeds for wet season planting. (DA-6)

The Palace said this in a statement on Friday, Feb. 17, after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. approved the adoption of hybrid rice varieties that will help local farmers enhance their crop production. 

In its statement, Malacañang, citing Agriculture Assistant Secretary for Operations Arnel De Mesa, said Marcos has ordered to ensure that rice farmers have enough support.

The DA will also launch a financial and credit program to persuade farmers to shift to hybrid rice.

“Sapat na suporta kagaya ng patubig, fertilizer at iba pang ayuda katulad ng (Enough support like water, fertilizer, and other help like) Rice Farmers Financial Assistance,” Mesa said.

“Ang mga ito ay nararapat na maibigay sa tamang panahon (These assistance should be provided to them at the right time),” he added.

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According to Malacañang, the President, also the DA Secretary, is optimistic that the country will attain its rice self-sufficiency target within two years using hybrid seeds.

The DA is looking at expanding production in Regions 6, 8, 12, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). The Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central Luzon regions have already adopted the hybrid rice technology.

Apart from expanding financial support to local farmers through the loan financing program, President Marcos committed to bringing the best farming practices used by Central Luzon farmers to the rest of the country.

Based on a joint study by the DA and local government units (LGUs), the hybrid system has produced a 41-percent higher yield than conventional inbred seeds for the past two years.

In 2023, the DA earmarked P30 billion in funds under the National Rice Program to provide hybrid and inbred or certified seeds, production-related and post-harvest machinery, small-scale irrigation, and extension and training activities.

This is on top of the P10B-Rice Enhancement Competitiveness Fund sourced from the excess tariff collected under the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), which aims to improve farmers’ competitiveness.

New Palace Communications officials take oath

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

As part of the office’s reorganization, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has led the oath-taking of seven new officials of the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking ceremony of the new Presidential Communications Office (PCO) officials in Malacañang, Feb. 16, 2023. (Malacañang photo)

Taking oath before the President in Malacañang on Thursday, Feb. 16, are: 

• Honey Rose Mercado, Undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs
• Franz Gerard Imperial – Undersecretary for Broadcast Production
• Gerald Baria – Undersecretary for Content Production
• Patricia Anne Magistrado – Assistant Secretary for External Affairs
• Ma. Rhona Ysabel Daoang – Director for Traditional Media
• Marvin Antonio – Director for Digital Media
• Lois Erika Mendoza – Director for Content

The recent appointments filled all five undersecretary posts of the revamped PCO.

President Marcos reorganized the PCO through Executive Order No. 16, trimming the number of undersecretaries from seven to five.

Amid the reorganization, Emerald Ridao was retained as Undersecretary for Digital Media Services. At the same time, Cherbett Karen Maralit was also retained as Undersecretary for Operations, Administration, and Finance, based on the PCO website.

The positions of undersecretaries for media accreditation and relations; print media services and related GOCCs; special concerns; broadcast media services and related GOCCs and attached agencies; and operations, plans, and policies were effectively dissolved. 

The EO stated that there would be 14 assistant secretaries, one of them “directly reporting” to PCO Secretary Cheloy Garafil.

Mercado, who was recently named undersecretary for Traditional Media and External Affairs, would be assisted by five assistant secretaries in charge of print, radio, television, external affairs, and media accreditation and relations. Mercado was Presidential Management Staff (PMS) undersecretary at the start of the Marcos administration.

Based on the EO, the restructured PCO would work closely with Director Paul Soriano, the Presidential Adviser for Creative Communications on communications and information dissemination.

Director Paul Soriano was named Marcos’ creative communications adviser in October. Soriano, a nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, helped in the Marcos presidential campaign.

PSAC bats for ‘e-Travel’ app for inbound travelers

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

Malacañang said that the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) was working on a mobile application called “e-Travel,” which would integrate all of the information on immigration, customs, health, and quarantine of travelers entering the Philippines.

OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Ali Vicoy/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with the PSAC on Jan. 26, wherein they presented their “Quick Wins” recommendations to boost the country’s tourism industry. 

In a statement, Garafil said the application aims to allow groups or families to input data easier. The database also includes tourist destinations, transport, hotel information, and traffic condition.

Tourists can complete the form through the app before boarding or while onboard the plane if they have an internet connection.

The “e-Travel” mobile application could be deployed by February.

Meanwhile, President Marcos highlighted the importance of digitalization, which, he said, could allow tourists to fill out forms quickly while traveling.

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He added that digitalization would enable authorities to ensure security at the borders.

The Quick Wins proposals aim to further boost the country’s tourism industry by improving airport infrastructure and operations, managing the national brand and image, and promoting tourism investments.

The recommendations include the following:

• The implementation of the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024
• The rollout of e-visa by 2023, prioritizing China and India
• The removal of the One Health Pass, or requiring only one form for health, immigration, and customs
• The revocation of outdated advisories and loud-speaker announcements in the country’s airports
• The automatic inclusion of travel tax in all airline tickets

Data showed that 2.65 million visitors entered the Philippines from February to December 2022. This figure comprised 2.02 million foreign tourists and 628,445 Filipinos overseas.

The PSAC, led by Sabin Aboitiz, President/CEO at Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., is composed of business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President in achieving the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism.

Marcos OKs VAT refund program for foreign tourists

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has approved the recommendation to implement the Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for foreign tourists by 2024 to boost tourist arrivals in the country.

TOURISTS enjoy the sunset at world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province. (Tara Yap)

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said this after Marcos met with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector Group, which presented its “Quick Wins” recommendations to the Chief Executive on Jan. 26. 

In a statement, Garafil said President Marcos would issue an executive order to implement the tax refund program, which is also being carried out in other countries.

The Quick Wins proposals aim to boost the country’s tourism industry by improving airport infrastructure and operations, managing the national brand and image, and promoting tourism investments.

Aside from the VAT Refund Program for foreign tourists, other PSAC Quick Wins recommendations approved by the President include the rollout of e-visa by 2023, prioritizing China and India; and the removal of One Health Pass (OHP) or requirement of one form only for health, immigration, and customs.

The PSAC comprises business leaders and industry experts providing technical advice to the President in achieving the government’s economic objectives in six key sectors — agriculture, digital infrastructure, healthcare, infrastructure, jobs generation, and tourism. 

Sabin Aboitiz, President/CEO at Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., serves as the PSAC lead convener.

The Philippines recorded 2.65 million visitors from February to December 2022, over 2 million of which were foreign tourists.

This figure is higher than the 2021 tourist arrivals of 163,879 but still significantly lower than the pre-pandemic level of 8.26 million.

This year, the Department of Tourism (DOT) targets to welcome 4.8 million visitors, which could generate P2.5

PBBM highlights PH economy’s strengths at WEF country dialogue

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos

DAVOS, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. highlighted before his fellow world leaders the state of the Philippine economy and the opportunities awaiting investors.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

In his remarks during Tuesday’s 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) Country Strategy Dialogue, the President said many opportunities are waiting to be unlocked, telling investors about the initiatives being undertaken to ensure the Philippines’ continued recovery that has made it more conducive for business. 

In particular, he cited an International Monetary Fund (IMF) projection for the 2023 global economic growth, which will only be at 2.7 percent, slower than the 3.2 percent posted last year. This figure is a significant decrease from the 6.0 percent recorded in 2021.

“But for the Philippines, we project our economy to grow by around 7.0 percent in 2023,” he noted.

“Our strong macroeconomic fundamentals, fiscal discipline, structural reforms, and liberalization of key sectors instituted over the years have enabled us to withstand the negative shocks caused by the pandemic and succeeding economic downturns and map a route toward a strong recovery,” he said.

President Marcos called on all governments to unwind trade restrictions and reinforce the commitment to the World Trade Organization (WTO) reform. 

“We have seen inflation accelerating globally in recent months… We are mindful that while protectionist policies may be appealing, even necessary in the short term, there will ultimately be no long-term winners,” he said.

“Countries also need to ensure that sufficient welfare measures are in place to cushion the impact of elevated inflationary pressures, especially towards the most affected and vulnerable sectors,” he added.

Geopolitical risks

In addressing current geopolitical risks, President Marcos reiterated the country’s support for the timely and effective delivery of practical, workable outcomes and encouraged economies to leave no stone unturned in finding common ground in these critical global issues.

He said the Philippines continues to focus on sustaining recovery by promoting a local environment that will nurture businesses to help them maximize their competitiveness and facilitate their entry into the global market.

The President likewise stressed the importance of economic and technical cooperation to assist the development of smaller economies and enable their participation, especially of small businesses and economic segments with untapped potential in the global economy.

Digitalization

To address the current energy and food crises, President Marcos said the country’s development plan puts together measures to hasten economic and social recovery toward inclusive and resilient development, underscoring the need for heightened collaboration to realize economic and social transformation.

“The government also recognizes the importance of digitalization as a key driver for long-term economic growth and as a tool for economic transformation,” Marcos said, promising to empower and enable micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to participate in the digital economy.

“We have begun large-scale deployment of digital connectivity across the Philippines to ensure universal connectivity, particularly in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he pointed out.

Social vulnerabilities

Emphasizing the need to address current social vulnerabilities, Marcos underscored the importance of education, skills development, and lifelong learning to enhance the employability of workers.

He said government interventions and public-private partnerships (PPPs) must be strengthened to improve access to employment opportunities. He added that health systems and social protection must also be enhanced to decrease and mitigate present and future risks.

Present during the country dialogue were House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.

Joo-Ok Lee, the head of the Regional Agenda – Asia-Pacific, and member of the Executive Committee at the World Economic Forum, acted as moderator.

7 PH biz tycoons in Davos to support PBBM

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

ZURICH, Switzerland — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s participation in the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) has gotten the backing of seven of the country’s most prominent businessmen, Malacañang said.

Aboitiz President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz speaks at the luncheon with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos and other Filipino business leaders in Davos, Switzerland. Marcos is in Switzerland for the 2023 World Economic Forum. (Malacañang photo)

In a statement, Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil said the following business tycoons joined the President and his official delegation in Davos: 

• Sabin Aboitiz (Aboitiz)
• Kevin Andrew Tan (Alliance Global)
• Jaime Zobel de Ayala (Ayala Group)
• Lance Gokongwei (JG Summit Holdings)
• Ramon Ang (San Miguel Corp.)
• Teresita Sy-Coson (SM Investments)
• Enrique Razon (International Container Terminal)

President Marcos and his official delegation, composed of government officials and business leaders, arrived in Switzerland on Sunday afternoon (Sunday evening Philippine time).

The WEF is hosting a Country Strategy Dialogue for the Philippines. Marcos said this is going to be an opportunity to promote the country as a leader, driver of growth, and gateway to the Asia-Pacific region.

“One that is open for business – ever ready to complement regional and global expansion plans of both foreign and Philippine-based enterprises anchored on the competent and well-educated Filipino workers, the managers and professionals,” the President pointed out.

In an interview with the media en route to Switzerland, President Marcos said he was looking forward to “expanding and expounding” the significant strides his administration achieved in the WEF’s question-and-answer event. 

The President said he was also looking forward to the “pull-aside” or “pull-away” meetings on the sidelines of the WEF annual meeting.

President Marcos was invited by Prof. Klaus Schwab, the founder and Chair Emeritus of the WEF, at the sidelines of both the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Phnom Penh and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Bangkok in November last year.

Marcos is only ASEAN leader to attend WEF in Davos

by Argyll Cyrus Geducos, MB

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. will be the only leader from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) who will attend the 2023 World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, next week, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (Malacañang photo)

DFA Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta said this ahead of the President’s trip to Switzerland from Jan. 15 to 20, 2023. 

In a pre-departure briefing in Malacañang, Sorreta said Marcos is also one of the two leaders from Asia to attend the forum, noting this would be an excellent opportunity to tell world leaders how ASEAN can play a role in the global economy.

“The President will be the only leader from ASEAN to be in Davos, and he will be only one of two leaders from Asia,” he said on Thursday, Jan. 12.

“He would be in a wonderful position to represent not only our country but how our own region, ASEAN and the East Asia Region, can be the engine of growth for the world economy,” he added.

The theme for this year’s WEF is “The Cooperation in a Fragmented World.” According to Sorreta, President Marcos wants to present Asia as an essential factor in “bringing together the fragmented parts of the world.”

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“What we present to a fragmented world, because of our great economic potential, is a promise of progress and prosperity,” he said.

“If the causes of the fragmentation can be addressed, we can promise that once peace is achieved, there will be progress and prosperity. So that is what we offer the world as an incentive for the causes of fragmentation– meaning, without me getting into specifics, conflicts to be resolved,” he added.

What to discuss?

According to Palace Press Briefer Daphne Oseña-Paez, the WEF will allow the Philippines to explore new investment, trade, and infrastructure systems amid the economic downturn.

She said the WEF is also an opportunity for President Marcos to push the country’s priorities on food and energy, security, digitalization, climate action, attracting investments and promoting beneficial trade, addressing inequality, and providing accessible social services. 

The forum is likewise a chance for the Philippines to partner with other countries, businesses, civil society, and other stakeholders and to collaborate with the WEF on their initiatives.

Aside from the WEF, Marcos will also meet with business leaders and the members of the Filipino community. However, due to the tight schedule, he may not have a bilateral meeting with any world leader.

The World Economic Forum is the premier forum for world and business leaders to get together, interact, and come up with ideas and plans to address challenges and opportunities facing the global economy.