PNP disaster teams ready for 'Henry'

By Francis Earl Cueto  and Arlie O. Calalo

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said that its disaster response units to Northern Luzon regions are ready to be dispatched as Super Typhoon "Henry" had been spotted closest to Luzon at past midnight on Thursday.

PNP Chief, Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., said police disaster response units, personnel and equipment were immediately deployed to Ilocos and Cagayan Valley and some parts of Cordillera.

At the same time, government resources have been prepositioned near designated evacuation centers for possible relief operations in areas threatened by Henry.

At the national headquarters, the PNP high command activated the NHQ Disaster Incident Management Task Group (DIMTG), an updated and enhanced plan of action by the PNP on disaster preparedness and response management in support of other concerned agencies.

The Chief PNP said the DIMTG supports the government's disaster risk reduction and management efforts in accordance with the PNP Critical Incident Management Operational Procedures (CIMOP).

Earlier on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said "Henry" has slightly increased its strength while moving to Batanes while Tropical Depression "Gardo" has weakened into a low pressure area (LPA).

Weather specialist Raymond Ordinario said in a press briefing that Henry moved south-southwestward northeast of Batanes at 25 kilometers per hour (kph).

Estimated some 430kms east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, the super typhoon has maximum sustained winds of 195kph near the center and gustiness of up to 240kph, Ordinario said.

"Due to the forecast expansion in the extent of tropical cyclone winds associated with Henry, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals may be hoisted for localities in extreme Northern Luzon within the day," the Pagasa forecaster had said.

"By Friday afternoon, Henry may begin tracking slowly northwestward before eventually accelerating northward by Saturday and it may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) either on Saturday evening or Sunday morning," Ordinario said.

Meanwhile, the LPA was located at 760kms east-northeast of Itbayat, Batanes while moving westward at 35kph.

"The remnant low is unlikely to directly affect the weather condition as well as the sea conditions over the coastal waters of the country," Ordinario said.

Super typhoon weakens a bit as it nears Batanes

Pagasa said the trough of the super typhoon enhanced by the southwest monsoon or "habagat" is affecting Metro Manila, Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Also affected are Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Batanes, Cagayan, Zambales and Bataan where cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms can be experienced.

"Flash floods or landslides are possible in these areas due to moderate to at times heavy rains," Pagasa said.

POINTS TO PONDER

Sometimes we all could use a little extra pick-me-up. Saying that life can be challenging would be an understatement. But it’s important to remember that life has its ups and downs and we need to keep pushing forward. Much like our “life is short” quotes, strength quotes, uplifting quotes, graduation quotes, and quotes about change, these life-changing quotes will inspire you to see things from a new perspective. And that may just be the nudge you need to make it through.

Let's  think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply. Sometimes we feel our life is turning miserably. Our negativism doesn't allow us to keep our eyes, ears - and, most important! - our minds, hearts

and souls opened. We reach our breaking point.

This breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. It is when we reach our breaking point, that we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers; "What happens to you or with you when you

reach your breaking point?" Do you face it or do you run away?' I'll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it - you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) - it breaks you!

Everyday - a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually, who do we like to cover a newborn day already with a grey veil?

Each day has a new face, but sometimes we don't have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights.

Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly

enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness.

If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.

By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage our everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.

Blue eyed or very philosophical but so very true: If the world is to be brought to order, my nation must be first changed. 

The nation is to be changed, my home town is to be reordered and must first be set right, my dear brothers and sisters. And, one step further: If my family is to be regenerated, I MYSELF MUST FIRST BE!

And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love - it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog's tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, is that it can unite those who are not "made for one and another', people. who, if not out down by fate in the same household or community, would have nothing to do with one and another.

Life for me has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don't have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better.

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” said Toni Morrison, author. .

Special General Assembly at San Antonio Housing Homeowners Association held

 

To streamline the functions and responsibilities of the San Antonio Housing Village community officers, the National Housing Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), and the Housing and Homesite Division (HHD) of PLGU-DdO, conducted a special general assembly and election of officers for San Antonio’s Housing Association on August 31, 2022.

San Antonio Village I is located at Brgy. Maparat in Compostela with a total of two thousand five hundred (2,500) settlers according to HDD, thus the need to concretely systematize community leaders for the improvement of the village. Executive Assistant for Communications and Public Relation Edward B. Macapili represented Governor Dorothy Montejo-Gonzaga during the conduct of the event. He conveyed that the provincial government will do its function to settle existing conflicts in the housing settlement in accordance with due process of the law.

On the same day, the body conducted an election for the Committee on Elections of the village. The Elecom committee is in charge of electing the grievance committee, which will oversee housing and facility issues. Further, the NHA and DHSUD conducted an orientation on R.A. 9904, also known as the Magna Carta for Home-owners and Home-owners Association. 

The success of the general assembly is a first step towards resolving concerns and conflicts in the housing settlement. This will incorporate basic government services, sustainable livelihood programs, and strengthen the maintenance of the village regulations and other necessary undertakings. Present during the event were Compostela Mayor Levi Ebdao, HDD Head Sue Getrude Generale, personnel from the DHSUD and NHA Region  XI, and Brgy. Officials of Brgy. Maparat.

The special general assembly will also be conducted on the remaining housing settlements in the province in the coming weeks. (JA, PAO-IPRD DdO, photo by J. Cadiz)

What faith and obedience can enable us

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT gospel episode where Christ asked Peter to put out into deep water and lower his nets for a catch shows us that when we would simply have faith in God, we can do wonders in our spiritual life and apostolate despite the great odds that we may have to contend with. (cfr. Lk 5,1-11)

At first, Peter was doubtful if what Christ told him was worth following. “Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,” he said. but to his credit, he immediately corrected himself. “But at your command I will lower the nets.”

The story is very moving indeed, and the good news is that it can happen to any of us as long as we have faith and trust in God. And because of that faith and trust, we can just obey God’s will and ways even if humanly speaking they may appear to us as an impossibility.

We need to learn to trust God, and in his word and in his ways, no matter how unreasonable, impractical or impossible. For this, we have to go beyond our own understanding and estimation of things, and open our mind and heart to the light of our faith and love for God and for others.

While it’s true that we have to use all our human faculties in dealing with our earthly affairs and concerns, that is, our intelligence and will, our sciences and arts, our common sense and cultural and social wisdom, we should not forget that all these would have no real value unless they are engaged with our faith in God.

God knows everything. He is omnipotent. He actually intervenes in our lives in the most intimate way since he is the one who ultimately supports our existence and who governs it wisely with his providence.

We have to realize that God continues to work and to govern over all his creation, and as his image and likeness, as his children, we are meant to cooperate in carrying God’s work and governance here on earth. Seen in this way, any work we do, as long as it is honest and good work, is actually first of all God’s work before it is ours. We should be excited to carry out that work with him!

We should just develop the sense of feeling at home with the fact that our life and all the challenges and trials we are going to face in it will always demand from us things beyond our powers and resources. And that’s simply because we are meant to go to God for all our needs, without neglecting any effort we can give along the way.

With God, we have everything. As St. Teresa de Avila would put it, “Solo Dios basta!” What we lack in our humanity, we can always make up by relying always and completely on God. 

But, alas, this can happen only when we have faith, for faith is our best resource. As St. John puts it in his first letter, “This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith.” (Jn 5,4) Without faith, we are left with a big problem right from the start.

Thus, before all this exciting drama and adventure of life, our attitude should be that of being sporty and game, based on our faith in God and trust in his all-powerful and merciful providence. This attitude is actually what is presumed every time we enter into some form of commitment, whether to a vocation or marriage or work, etc.

Europe recession can affect PH markets

Facilities to receive and distribute natural gas are pictured on the grounds of gas transport and pipeline network operator Gascade in Lubmin, northeastern Germany, close to the border with Poland, on August 30, 2022. AFP Photo

By Ed Paolo Salting, Manila Times

EUROPEAN Union recession fears will definitely have an impact on the Philippines as a whole and the local markets, according to expert analysts.

The EU is also battling inflation as the eurozone's four largest economies — Germany, France, Italy and Spain — have had their growth forecasts for 2023 downgraded by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

The United Kingdom is also struggling with inflation, which is above 10 percent for the first time in 40 years as households struggle with rising energy bills as an offshoot of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

What has the most impact on the EU economies is the Russia-Ukraine conflict, given its dependence on Russian crude and liquefied natural gas (LNG), which has been the subject of sanctions by both the US and EU member countries, who are also part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance.

The recent heat wave has also had an impact on agriculture, which was also affected by the conflict, given the inability of Ukraine to ship out grain exports from the Black Sea ports, which Russia has effectively blockaded.

Analysts at the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) of the economist group also said the inflationary pressure could go on for some time as countries in the bloc are looking for alternative sources of energy to curb their dependence on Russian LNG and crude oil, which will take some time to achieve.

"In the near term, we expect a recession in Europe in the last quarter of 2022-2023 as a result of energy shortages and sustained elevated inflation," the EIU said. "The winter of 2023-2024 will also be challenging, so we also expect high inflation and sluggish growth until at least 2024."

Higher interest rates are also imminent as the Federal Reserve in the US also declared a continued hawkish stance for interest rates on Aug. 27, 2022 until it wrestles inflation to the ground. The euro has lost parity to the US dollar as a result, and the European Central Bank has had to raise interest rates for the first time in 11 years. This will be tricky as there are a number of countries which are also in fiscal crisis, having wracked up additional debt at the height of the pandemic. A single rate hike is not possible for all EU member countries given the varying states of their respective economies.

Philstocks Financial Inc. senior research analyst Japhet Tantiangco and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort said that a decline in the EU's economy has sparked concerns of a ripple effect across the globe, including the Philippines, in terms of exports and imports, investments and remittances.

'Storm clouds' loom over economy

"Based on the latest data, in the first half of 2022, the European Union accounted for 11.6 percent of the Philippines' total exports and 6.5 percent of the Philippines' total imports, and generated 11.7 percent of OFWs' (overseas Filipino workers) cash remittances total which was sent to the country," Tantiangco explained. "In terms of direct investments, the whole bloc delivered 6.9 percent of the total equity investments to the Philippines in the first 5 months of 2022."

Regina Capital Development Corp. Managing Director Luis Limlingan added that the Philippines is not an isolated case, as all economies that are dependent on the importation of commodities for their energy requirements will be affected as the EU will all try to look for other crude sources while transitioning to alternative energy sources.

He also said that there could be an opportunity here as well as there is potential for the country to export to Europe what they could be lacking from the supply disruptions from Russia.

Tantiangco also pointed out that based on economic data, Europe still plays an important part in the Philippines' foreign transactions as a decline in their economy is expected to have negative effects on the local economy, which may also weigh on market sentiment for Philippine companies with European operations such as Emperador and Monde Nissin.

ABS-CBN, TV5 call off investment deal

By Aric John Sy Cua

RIVAL networks ABS-CBN and TV5 have called off their investment deal, amid a hearing at the House of Representatives on their "merger."

Disclosures reveal that Sky Cable and Cignal, rivaling cable companies, have also terminated their deal.

"In disclosures to both the Philippine Stock Exchange and the Securities Exchange Commission today, Sky Vision Corporation ("Sky Vision"), ABS-CBN Corporation, Lopez, Inc., and Cignal Cable Corporation ("Cignal Cable"), announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Sale and Purchase Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of 38.88 percent equity interest in Sky Cable Corporation and the Debt Instruments Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed subscription by Cignal Cable to an Exchangeable Debt Instrument to be issued by Sky Vision and the proposed acquisition by Cignal Cable of a Convertible Note issued by Sky Cable," a statement posted by ABS-CBN on social media said.

ABS-CBN said that the termination was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement.

In addition, another disclosure read that the two networks have "mutually agreed to terminate" their August 10 investment agreement.

"In a separate disclosure, TV5 Network, Inc. ("TV5") and ABS-CBN Corporation ("ABS-CBN") also announced that they have mutually agreed to terminate the Investment Agreement dated August 10 2022 covering the proposed acquisition by ABS-CBN of 34.99 percent equity interest in TV5 and the Convertible Note Agreement dated August 10, 2022 covering the proposed subscription by ABS-CBN to a Convertible Note to be issued by TV5," according to the network.

"The termination was also formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement. The Parties confirmed that they have not implemented any of the transactions covered by the Investment Agreement and the Convertible Note Agreement."

TV5 has been broadcasting some ABS-CBN shows after the network's franchise was not renewed in 2020, which led to the deal between the two networks but Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta was not in favor and called for a hearing in the House of Representatives on the matter.

No Learners Left Behind

 

No learners left behind: Nueva Vizcaya teacher sold seedlings to support her students’ load allowance

by Vina Medenilla, Manila Bulletin

Besides Covid-19, the country has also been dealing with an education crisis. The pandemic has forced schools to close down and students to learn from home. 

The government implemented distance or blended learning to help halt the spread of the virus and ensure educational continuity during the pandemic. This transition, however, leaves some students behind, especially those in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA). 

Distance learning demands space, equipment, internet connection, and other resources, which makes it more difficult for many students, educators, and families to have access to education.

Jennylin B. Carreon, 39, a faculty member of Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU) – Bambang Campus, has seen firsthand how Covid-19 has affected not only the health industry but also the education sector.

Jennylin Carreon uses her teaching profession as a platform to inspire students and youth to grow their own food. Amid the pandemic, she helped her students overcome the challenges of remote teaching and learning.

“Though it was a modular approach, the students still need to communicate with their professors through group chats, SMS, private message, teleconferencing, video, and phone calls.”

She continues, “With the classes that I handled during the semester, many of my students complained about slow internet connection and allowance to buy cellphone load.”

Some of Carreon’s students have jobs to make ends meet, and the remote learning setup has placed more pressure on them. Between 60 and 70 percent of the university’s student body are Indigenous People (IPs). Most of them reside in areas that have very limited to no access to the internet.

Carreon would hear stories that her students have to climb a mountain or a hill and walk for an hour or two just to catch a signal. “With these predicaments, I pondered on how to help my students,” she said.  

This professor, who enjoys gardening, started a campaign “seedlings for a cause,” which means that each seedling purchased from her garden enables a student to have money for mobile data.

She began selling seedlings of herbs, ornamentals, fruit trees, and other edible crops in October 2020 and has generated more than P10,000 from donations and seedling sales.

In the Instagram post she used to announce the fundraising initiative, she revealed that 94 out of 118 of her students (or 79.7%) rely on their phones for remote learning. “All proceeds will become a circulating fund for their [cellphone] load. Mechanics will be based on a raffle draw per week. Everything will be [transparently] accounted for.”

This fundraising campaign has also motivated others to pitch in. Carreon shared, “One co-teacher sponsored cellphone load for 10 students, one former college classmate sponsored one student for his cellphone load for the whole month, a former student sponsored cellphone load worth P1,000 and a neighbor who has a cellphone load business volunteered the loading of their cellphones without charge.”

All the proceeds were used to fund the mobile load of her students throughout the semester. Every week, a P50 cellphone load was given away to at least five students from all of her six classes.

Letzten Tage des Tankrabatts: Spritpreise werden wieder deutlich ansteigen

Ende des Tankrabatts: Ab Donnerstag gibt es keine Senkung der Energiesteuer auf Kraftstoffe in Deutschland mehr.

Berlin - Mit dem Ende der auch Tankrabatt genannten Entlastungsmaßnahme müssen sich Autofahrer auf deutlich steigende Spritpreise einstellen. Rechnerisch sind 35 Cent für Benzin und 17 Cent für Diesel möglich - um diese Summen wurde die Steuerlast zuvor gesenkt. Die Regelung galt seit 1. Juni gemeinsam mit dem 9-Euro-Ticket, um Verbraucher angesichts hoher Energiepreise zu entlasten.

Allerdings bedeutet das Ende des Rabatts nicht, dass die Preise Punkt Mitternacht um diese Summe in die Höhe schnellen. So rechnet der ADAC etwa, dass Tankstellenbetreiber zuvor zum günstigen Steuersatz eingekaufte Treibstoffmengen weiter günstiger abgeben. Nach Angaben verschiedener Unternehmensverbände handelt es sich dabei aber um vergleichsweise kleine Mengen. Der Bundesverband freier Tankstellen (BFT) rechnet deshalb mit einem deutlichen Preisaufschlag schon in den frühen Morgenstunden. (dpa) 

Julia Barretto is sizzling hot in Vivamax's latest drama-romance

By Tessa Mauricio-Arriola, Manila Times

Because she was only 10 years old when she set her dainty little feet on the rough yet sparkling road of show business, many still think of Julia Barretto as the pretty little girl who stole the screen from the alien "Kokey" in a 2017 ABS-CBN prime-time hit. She has since had a string of blockbuster movies that proved her acting mettle via stories of young love and family dramas. Nevertheless, it's still difficult for those who've seen her blossom into the compelling actress and outspoken woman she is today to believe that Julia is indeed 25 and way past 

Babies will always be babies to those who nurture and adore them, no matter how old they grow. And, in the same way, I guess beloved child stars will always be part of the baby generation Filipino families hold close to their hearts.

It wouldn't be far-fetched to think that Julia may be aware of this common quirk in many elders. So much so that it might even explain why Julia has sent Instagram into a frenzy these last few weeks, posting sexy swimsuit photos of herself from beach getaways that have gone viral, viral, viral.

It could well be Julia's way of preparing the public for the opening of her latest movie, "Expensive Candy," where she plays the role of a sex worker. For definitely, one look at the outcome of her stripper-clad photoshoot for the Vivamax movie will jolt sentimental folks to the reality that the pretty little niece of Gretchen and Claudine Barretto and promising daughter of actress-politician Marjorie is little no more.

Julia remains as pretty and promising as ever in her continued rise to the top of her game. She is also very determined too to keep growing in her craft. Practically giving her everything to the biz for the last 15 years, Julia certainly deserves to spread her wings wherever she decides. That is, even if it means surprisingly all and sundry by bearing skin and lots of it to effectively bring a character to life.

Steamy from the get-go, Expensive Candy is not at all about the raunchiness which many Vivamax titles have come to be known for.

According to the story's brainchild, blockbuster movie writer and director Jason Paul Laxamana, Expensive Candy is essentially a love story he can earnestly add to his acclaimed filmography. Direk JP, as everyone calls him, is the genius behind Viva's mega hits, "100 Tula Para Kay Stella," "The Day After Valentine's," and "Just a Stranger," to name a few.

In other words, substance can be expected of this daring movie, along with intense emotions as expertly delivered by Julia and her top-notch leading man.

Renato "Toto" Camaya (Carlo Aquino) is a high school teacher who falls in love at first sight with Candy after a night of paying to be with her.

Something about Candy leaves a mark in Toto's heart that he can't forget about. In trying to win her love, Toto spends time with Candy as much as possible, even if he has to pay for her time.

A humble man with a simple life, Toto's only dream is to be with Candy, and he is willing to do anything and give up everything for her. Sadly for the lovestruck teacher, Candy has different plans and definitely no intentions of having a stable relationship. Candy tells Toto she wants to make it big by doing something she's good at — getting attractive rich men to be with her, have them pay her loads of money, and live the luxurious life she has always desired.

Blushing ever so slightly as the bold and compelling trailer of Expensive Candy was shown at a digital media conference, Julia could not escape the question why she accepted such a daring role.

For the longest time, she would essay the role of a privileged and spoiled lady whose good heart prevails at the movie's end.

"Never akong makaka-no kay direk JP kahit ano pa yung ibigay niya o ipagawa sa akin," Julia, who had worked with direk JP in her fateful movie with boyfriend Gerald Anderson, "Between Maybes."

Besides her trust in the director, Julia added she was also drawn to the role because, "Number one, the story is really nice.

"Nung nabasa ko yung script, I immediately knew I wanted to do it, and I feel like I'm already at a point in my life where it's okay to get out of my comfort zone. So, yeah, I'm very excited to do this."

Laughingly she revealed that her mom Marjorie gave her the green light to crossover from her trademark roles into the daring world of Candy, knowing there is no turning back.

"Before doing the film, one Sunday lunch with the family, I told them about what was pitched to me. After a couple of months, noong dumating na sa akin 'yung script, pinabasa ko po 'yun ng buo sa mommy ko," Julia said.

"She really loves 'Between Maybes,' she loves direk JP, so she gave me the green light. Hindi lang management [Viva] ang nagbibigay ng green light, pati si Miss Marj nagbibigay din.

"My whole family is very supportive of it, and they really love direk JP, even Caloy, so they are very excited for this film."

Without a doubt, Candy is her most challenging role to date, evident from her preparations before filming began.

Besides taking sensual dance lessons, she found the most help by immersing herself in a real-life red light district.

"Unforgettable yung night namin ni direk sa Angeles City. We were able to visit what they also call the 'walking street' kung saan mismo kami nag-shoot."

To be able to talk to a sex worker, Julia narrated, "Tineybol ko siya. Naka-disguise po kasi kami nung una. Hindi po sure kung akala niya isa pa akong babae na interesado sa kanya at hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin ko sa kanya. Until later on, I had to introduce myself and kinailangan kong sabihin yung intention ko of being there. And nakasama rin namin siya sa shooting but I want to protect her identity so..." she trailed off.

"Tapos, naghanap po kami ng puwedeng reference ko for Candy, na ngayon, naging kaibigan ko rin. Marami pa sila and I did get a few tips and tricks and a little bit of their dance moves. The girls there are amazing."

Beyond prepping her to become Candy, Julia said that the immersion became all the more meaningful to her because of the new-found respect she has for sex workers.

"In understanding them, I understood Candy all the more. This movie really challenged me physically, mentally and emotionally. And I realized, si Candy kasi hindi naman siya about pagpapaseksi lang."

Expensive Candy also stars Denise Esteban, Quinn Carrillo, AJ Muhlach, Ivan Padilla, Bob Jbeili, Andre Yllana, Aica Veloso, Ashley Diaz, Aivy Rodriguez, Aurora Sevilla, Marissa Sanchez, Marnie Lapus, Jobelyn Manuel, Keagan De Jesus, Francis Maguindayao, Migo Valid, R-Ji, Mo, Valfer and Tomas.

Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana for Vivamax, the movie will also be shown nationwide in cinemas beginning September 14.

PH not producing enough salt – DA

WITH OR WITHOUT SALT A local salt maker continues to produce salt in some salt beds in Barangay Sta. Isabel, Kawit, Cavite on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022. The Department of Trade and Industry said there is enough supply of salt in the country. PHOTO BY DENNIS ABRINA

By Bella Cariaso, Manila Times

AN OFFICIAL of the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Tuesday admitted that the country is not producing enough salt, resulting in the importation of at least 93 percent of its requirement.

During the hearing of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, DA Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said the country outsources most of the salt supply in the local market.

"As far as local production is concerned, admittedly we are not producing enough. The DTI is looking at the supply situation from a different perspective that they factored in importation, that is why they say we have enough but as far as DA is concerned, we must improve our production for us to meet our demand requirements," Evangelista said.

She added that salt makers stopped their operation when their business was affected by various issues, including the lower price of salt.

"We are looking into the production and yield of salt. This will also help our fisherfolks. This can also be another revenue for them. The BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) has a program to help our fisherfolk. I also requested a roadmap for our salt industry," Evangelista said.

"Aside from identifying areas for production, there will always be a need as far as technology is concerned for our marginalized fisherfolks and for them to improve their production level," she added.

Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food Inc. President Danilo Fausto earlier said local salt producers were adversely affected by the Republic Act 8172 or the "Act for Salt Iodization Nationwide" (ASIN).

Fausto said that the Department of Trade and Industry failed to comply with ASIN which mandates the agency to assist and support local salt manufacturers in upgrading their production technologies by helping them obtain soft loans and financial assistance for the procurement of iodization machines.

Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo said he filed House Bill 1976 to revive the local salt industry.

PH imports 93% salt needs – Agri group

"We need to ensure comprehensive measures to uplift and revive the salt industry. Otherwise, we will see a completely dead salt industry," Salo said.

The country's yearly salt requirement is pegged at 600,000 metric tons.

In 2021, the country imported 647,000 metric tons of salt — 72 percent from Australia and 18.7 percent from China.