Tariff cut effect: Rice prices to go down further if peso gets stronger

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Jun 7, 2024 05:20 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) can help maximize the expected reduction on retail prices of rice by keeping the peso at "reasonable levels" against the United States (US) dollar.

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House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN) 

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) can help maximize the expected reduction on retail prices of rice by keeping the peso at "reasonable levels" against the United States (US) dollar. 

This was the takeaway from the House Speaker Martin Romualdez-led press conference Thursday, June 6 wherein the effect of the Palace-ordered tariff reduction on rice imports was discussed. 

During the presser, Committee on Agriculture and Food Chairman Quezon 1st district Rep. Wilfrido Mark Enverga shared that as per the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), retail prices of rice--the country’s staple food--was "going to be less by P5 to P6 per kilo". 

Such will be the price drop on the heels of President Marcos' decision to slash imported rice duties from the current 35 percent to 15 percent. 

But Deputy Majority Leader for Communications ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who was also at the presser, quickly noted that foreign exchange can have a huge impact on local rice prices. 

"That’s depending on the, that P5 to P6 [reduction] is at the current exchange rate po iyon at P58 po yung kwan. So if the dollar goes down then mas mataas pa doon (the reduction on retail prices will be higher), so depending on the dictate of the exchange rate," he said. 

Agreeing with Tulfo's statement, Romualdez says there's already coordination going on between the House and BSP for the sake of consumers. 

"Kausap din natin yung our friends at the BSP sa Monetary Board (We're also talking to our friends at the BSP, in the Monetary Board), it is also their role to make sure that the foreign exchange is also kept at reasonable levels," the Speaker said. 

The foreign exchange rate grabbed headlines recently after the peso went above P58 against the US dollar. Marcos announced the tariff cut a few days after. 

"So the BSP has from time and time again very quietly but steadily has always been there at the forefront to safeguard any abrupt or any changes sa forex to absorb the shocks...we’re all trying to coordinate so we can afford again the consumers, quality affordable rice always. Yan ang goal (That's the goal)," noted Romualdez. 

The House leader further said: "So everyone involved we’re talking to and making sure that coordinated po tayo kasi the (making sure that we are coordinated because the) President has already given his mandate and that is his desire because that is the best for the people. So we’re all on board, we’re all on board."

Regular milled rice currently hovers at P50 per kilo. 

The presser was held following a meeting between the ranking solons and officials from the Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Bureau of Customs (BOC), and other stakeholders, including those from the private sector.
 

PBBM's compassion for senior citizens on full display with new law, says Tulfo

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

  

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AT A GLANCE

• President Marcos' signing into law Monday, Feb. 26 of the Expanded Centenarians Act places on full display his compassion toward elderly Filipinos, says House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo. 

ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook, MANILA BULLETIN) President Marcos' signing into law Monday, Feb. 26 of the Expanded Centenarians Act places on full display his compassion toward elderly Filipinos. 

Thus, said House Deputy Majority Leader ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Erwin Tulfo, who was one of the many celebrators following the enactment of Republic Act (RA) No.11982. 

Under the new law, senior citizens will soon be getting a P10,000 cash gift upon reaching the age of 80 and every five years thereafter (85, 90), until the age of 95. 

Upon reaching 100 years old, the beneficiary will still receive the P100,000 bonanza that's in the original language of the bill. 

“This goes to show na talagang may malasakit ang ating pamahalaan sa mga kababayan nating senior citizens. Maraming salamat po sa ating Pangulo sa pagbibigay importansiya sa mga matatanda nating kababayan,” Tulfo said in a statement. 

(Our government truly has compassion for our senior citizens. Thank you to our President in giving importance to our elderly citizens.) 

Tulfo, along with his fellow ACT-CIS Party-list nominees Reps. Jocelyn Tulfo and Edvic Yap, were co-authors of the newly-signed RA No.11982. 

This new law for seniors expands the coverage of RA No.10868 or the Centenarians Act of 2016, which entitles Filipinos aged 100 years old to a cash gift of P100,000. 

The law has been pursued by ACT-CIS solons since the precvous 18th Congress in a bid to give additional benefits for senior citizens. RA No.11982 also creates an Elderly Data Management System to identify seniors eligible to avail of the benefits of the law.

Davao flood victims get timely help from Pulong

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Nov 10, 2023 08:53 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• The office of Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte has been able to assist over a hundred families in the city that were affected by flash floods earlier this week. 

(Unsplash) 

 

The office of Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte has been able to assist over a hundred families in the city that were affected by flash floods earlier this week. 

Duterte, better known as "Pulong" to his constituents, oversaw the distribution of food packs and plus other forms of assistance to the affected residents. 

The second-termer's assistance and outreach program is dubbed the “Pulong Pulong ni Pulong”. The latest beneficiaries happened to be families that were displaced due to flash floods triggered by heavy rains that began late Wednesday and continued until Thursday morning (Nov. 8 to 9). 

“'Action always beats intention' is what the members of the Pulong Pulong ni Pulong always keep in mind. We acted quickly to assist as many Dabawenyos as we can. While the flooding has subsided, we are continuously reaching out to the displaced families,” Duterte said. 

According to reports, the heavy downpour which caused  the flooding affected at least six barangays. These were Matina, Bago Gallera, Tugbok District, Talomo Proper, Matina Aplaya, and Maa. 

Many residents had to climb on rooftops as floods quickly inundated their homes. 

Pulong, a former House deputy speaker, is the son of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Pag-asa, Kalayaan Island Group could become PH's own 'Maldives', says Romualdez

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Oct 6, 2023 05:36 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• House Speaker Martin Romualdez believes that with the right funding and intervention, Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could be turned into the country’s own "Maldives".

• Maldives is a famous tourist destination thanks to its stunning beach resorts.

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Soneva Jani, Noonu Atoll, Maldives. (Unsplash) 

House Speaker Martin Romualdez believes that with the right funding and intervention, Pag-asa Island and the rest of the Kalayaan Island Group in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) could be developed into a "Maldives"-style tourist destination. 

Romualdez had this to say in a press conference Thursday night, Oct. 5 at the Manila Golf and Country Club in Makati City. That same morning, the Speaker led a small group of congressmen to Pag-asa. 

"The beauty of the area is astounding. If you just go and visit there, you'll see how beautiful the place is, so there are many potentials," he said.

Romualdez said that he was reminded of the world-famous tourist destination of Maldives during his short time visiting the remote Palawan island. 

"This I will tell you as we were flying over the Kalayan Island Groups, it's as if we were flying over the Maldives. 

“So we’re looking at hindi lang to support, hindi lang 'yung budget ng DND, hindi lang DOTr baka pwede rin yung DOT, kasi napakaganda dito baka pwede itong maging tourist destination," Romualdez said. 

(So we’re looking at not just support, not just the budget of the Department of National Defense, not just the Department of Transportation, but probably also the Department of Tourism, because it was so beautiful there maybe it could be turned into a tourist destination.) 

"There are other islands that we would like to develop…parang sa Maldives, so pwede sigurong maging Philippine Maldives… So we shall invite everyone to come and visit," the Leyte 1st district representative noted. 

(We'll copy Maldives, this can become the Maldives of the Philippines.) 

"But we shall develop the facilities here, the airport, the seaport and the other facilities within the Kalayaan Island Group,” Romualdez said.

Maldives is famous for its stunning beach resorts.

Cong Duterte's bill says input from poor Pinoys crucial in attaining their development

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Aug 18, 2023 09:43 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Poverty-stricken communities in the country should have input on how the government should pursue their development, says House Bill (HB) No.500 filed by Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte.

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Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN) 

 

 

Poverty-stricken communities in the country should have input on how the government pursues their development. 

This was the wisdom behind House Bill (HB) No.500, which was principally filed by Davao City 1st district Rep. Paolo Duterte at the beginning of the current 19th Congress. 

Duterte said this globally recognized strategy, called  the Community-Driven Development (CDD) approach, should be institutionalized and provided sufficient funding to ensure that underserved and remote communities are able to decide which programs and projects should be implemented to suit their needs.  

“Poor and farflung communities should get a say on what should be done to alleviate poverty in their areas since they know what’s happening on the ground and what problems need urgent action. This is the true spirit of inclusive growth,” Duterte said.  

“Allowing them to identify, plan, budget and implement small development projects will not only give them a sense of empowerment, but would also ensure that they maintain and sustain these projects well. Since they are involved in all the aspects of the project implementation, they would make sure that their hard work would not go to waste,”  he added.  

Such projects, among others, are the construction of water systems, schools, street lighting, community health centers and farm-to-market roads. 

The institutionalization of the CDD strategy is provided for under HB No. 500, which the Davao solon and former deputy speaker filed with Benguet lone district Rep. Eric Yap, and ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Edvic Yap.  

The bill is derived from the Kapit-Bisig Laban sa Kahirapan--Comprehensive and Integrated Delivery of Social Services (KALAHI-CIDSS) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), which has pioneered and sustained this World Bank-assisted initiative in selected poor municipalities in the country.  

"With local government units (LGUs) expected to receive over P827 billion in 2024 as their National Tax Allotment or their share in the collection of national taxes, many cities and municipalities can well allocate a portion of this windfall to help fund CDD projects in their localities, especially  once the bill becomes a law,” Duterte said.  

Duterte said that to institutionalize the CDD strategy, the bill mandates that not only the DSWD, but other national government agencies and the local government units (LGUs) adopt this approach in their community-based programs.   

Accredited civil society organizations and academic institutions are also encouraged to participate in facilitating technology transfers, and assisting communities in securing collaboration or funding from other institutions.  

The amount needed to implement the measure shall be charged to the annual appropriations of the DSWD.  To help sustain the CDD projects, the bill provides for the establishment of an endowment fund consisting of voluntary contributions, donations, grants, or loans from domestic and foreign sources, government subsidies and other income. 

Romualdez instills to foreign diplomats: 'PH a friend to all, enemy to none'

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

  

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AT A GLANCE

• House Speaker Martin Romualdez highlights the Marcos administration’s foreign policy of the Philippines being "a friend to all and enemy to none" during a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)-organized briefing with foreign diplomats at Diamond Hotel in Manila. 

Speaker Martin Romualdez (for left) delivers his keynote address in front of foreign diplomats during the briefing on immunities and privileges on July 20, 2023 at Diamond Hotel in Manila. The event was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 

With members of the diplomat corp as his audience, House Speaker Martin Romualdez trumpeted the Marcos administration’s foreign policy of the Philippines being "a friend to all and enemy to none".

Romualdez attended on Thursday, July 20 a briefing on diplomatic immunities and privileges at the Diamond Hotel in Manila. The event was organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

In his remarks, Romualdez said the briefing was aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s foreign relations mantra: “The Philippines is a friend to all and enemy to none.”

The Speaker, leader of the House of Representatives, said the immunities and privileges the government grants diplomats assigned to the country are clear expressions of friendship the Philippines extends to other nations.

“They provide you with the necessary access and facilitation that you need to carry out your duties as envoys. More importantly, these also express, in a way, our appreciation of your countries’ grant of the same privileges and immunities to our own diplomats who are stationed abroad, pursuant to the principle of reciprocity in international relations,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Romualdez told the foreign diplomats that Philippine Congress (the House and the Senate) is looking forward to possible collaboration with other parliaments on matters of mutual interest.

“I would like to emphasize that we are very interested in establishing relations with our counterparts in other countries, through Parliamentary Friendship Associations and similar initiatives. I hope those of you whose countries do not yet have such initiatives will consider making a recommendation to your legislators,” he said.

He said his office and the DFA “will be more than happy to work with you in this area".

Romualdez commended the DFA for holding the briefing and thanked Secretary Enrique Manalo for inviting him to address it.

“The world does not stand still. Bilateral relations evolve as they must, necessitating that immunities and privileges be periodically reviewed and updated to make sure that they are reflective of the current environment, and continue to serve the best interests of all parties involved,” he said.

All 3 living ex-presidents to attend SONA 2023

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Jul 20, 2023 10:09 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Former presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte have all confirmed their attendance to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.

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From left to right: Former presidents Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo, and Rodrigo Duterte (Wikipedia, Rep. Arroyo's office, Malacañang photo)

All three living past presidents of the Philippines have confirmed their attendance to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.

This, after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told House reporters Wednesday, July 19 that former president Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos' direct predecessor, has confirmed his attendance.

Velasco said in a previous interview Monday, July 17 that former presidents Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo would also attend the big event.

Arroyo is currently Pampanga's 2nd district representative. She is also a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, the site of the SONA.

Past presidents are treated as VIPs or very important persons during the SONA.

Two past Philippine presidents have recently passed away. These are Fidel V. Ramos, who died on July 31, 2022 at the age of 94; and Benigno S. Aquino III, who died on June 24, 2021.

Duterte, father of incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte, is 78; Arroyo, a former House Speaker, is 76; and Estrada, a former Manila mayor, is 86. 

All three living past presidents of the Philippines have confirmed their attendance to President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 24.

This, after House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told House reporters Wednesday, July 19 that former president Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos' direct predecessor, has confirmed his attendance.

Velasco said in a previous interview Monday, July 17 that former presidents Joseph "Erap" Estrada and Gloria Macapaga-Arroyo would also attend the big event.

Arroyo is currently Pampanga's 2nd district representative. She is also a deputy speaker in the House of Representatives, the site of the SONA.

Past presidents are treated as VIPs or very important persons during the SONA.

Two past Philippine presidents have recently passed away. These are Fidel V. Ramos, who died on July 31, 2022 at the age of 94; and Benigno S. Aquino III, who died on June 24, 2021.

Duterte, father of incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte, is 78; Arroyo, a former House Speaker, is 76; and Estrada, a former Manila mayor, is 86.

Villafuerte issues appeal to Senate as PH marks 'Day of the Filipino seafarer'

BY ELLSON QUISMORIO

Jun 25, 2023 11:03 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Amid the celebration of the "Day of the Filipino Seafarer,” Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, has once again urged the Senate to pass its counterpart measure to the House-House-approved Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Bill.

• The House of Representatives had already passed on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No.7325, or the proposed “Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Act".

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Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte (Facebook)

Amid the celebration of the "Day of the Filipino Seafarer,” Camarines Sur 2nd district Rep. LRay Villafuerte, has once again urged the Senate to pass its counterpart measure to the House-House-approved Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Bill.

“This is the least that we lawmakers can do for our sailors who are among our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) whose combined remittances have helped prop up our  economy even during times of crises,” said Villafuerte.

Villafuerte, majority leader of the powerful Commission on Appointments (CA), noted that Proclamation No. 183 of 2011 declared June 25 of every year as the Day of the Filipino Seafarer, in recognition of local sailors’ invaluable contribution to national growth and development.

The veteran solon also made the appeal amid the expected hiring of more Filipino seafarers following the recent move by the European Commission (EC) to extend its recognition of seafarers' certificates issued in the Philippines.

“Our senators need to act on the pending Senate version of the approved Magna Carta in the House guaranteeing better labor protection for our sailors from the time of their training and recruitment up to their retirement from their jobs,” Villafuerte said.

The House of Representatives had already passed on third and final reading House Bill (HB) No.7325, or the proposed “Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers Act".

The bill seeks to bestow sufficient powers upon the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and other agencies concerned to better protect some 700,000 Filipino seafarers, whether in foreign-flagged ships or Philippine-registered vessels operating internationally, from the time of their training up to their retirement

“It is only fitting that the 19th Congress write new legislation, in addition to our existing labor laws, in order for us to adhere to internationally recognized instruments such as those from the ILO (International Labor Organization) and IMO (International Maritime Organization," Villafuerte said.

“Unlike other OFWs, overseas-based Filipino seafarers face unique challenges attached to their movement from international waters to different ports of call in various countries. Thus, the laws protecting them can be vague and elusive, making them highly vulnerable to illegal recruitment and other forms of work-related abuses,” he further said.