Tuesday, April 23, 2024

Category: News

MinDA, DTI-10 update stakeholders on EU GsP+, free trade agreements

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)–As part of the continuing efforts to better prepare and strengthen industries and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to thrive and compete internationally, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-10 conducted a forum on European Union’s (EU) Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) and other free trade agreements

DTI Misamis Oriental Provincial Director Almer Masillones said the forum aimed to bring together industries and MSMEs in Northern Mindanao to have an equal understanding of the export opportunities of the region’s products and the trading performance of Mindanao in the European market.

During the forum, the participants received updates on the Philippine Export Development Plan 2023-2028 and opportunities under free trade agreements (FTAs).

“Kani usab ang amoang way sa pag engage sa atoang private sector nga maka access pa sila ug wide incentives in their engagements sa ilang business outside,” said Director Olie Dagala of MinDA.

[This is also our way of engaging our private sector so they can access vast incentives in their business engagements outside.]

The highlight was the presentation on the status of the EU-GSP+, a special incentive arrangement that allows the country to export more than 6,200 products to any EU member country tariff-free.

The country’s exports grew from €5.7 billion in 2014 to €10.4 billion in 2022 through this preferential tariff scheme.

Among the country’s top GSP+ exports are crude coconut oil and skipjack tuna, while the top GSP+ export destinations were Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, and Spain.

“Indeed, the GSP+ paved the way for the exporters to increase their market access and sales opportunities to the EU market, which is one of the largest markets in the world, improving their competitiveness and allowing them to sell more products and contribute to the Philippines’ economic growth leading to more jobs creation,” added Masillones.

However, this scheme is set to expire by the end of this year.

The DTI provincial director stated that the forum also serves as a platform for consulting with stakeholders to formulate the country’s position regarding the expiration of its GSP+ access and any proposed extension.

To date, MinDA and DTI have already conducted forums for other stakeholders in key cities of Mindanao island, particularly General Santos and Zamboanga.

Meanwhile, DTI, through its Export Management Bureau, continues to assist industries and MSMEs in their exporting needs.

“We have a frontline service, yung [the] Export Assistance and Business Matching Division. We guide yung mga [our] exporters natin ano yung mga [what are the] steps and ano yung mga [what are the] requirements needed for each of the markets. We have a lot of market officers who can provide market requirements that can guide our exporters. We also have product officers who can guide them from the domestic up to the export market. In terms sa mga [of the] certification, we have export enablers that we can refer to our exporters. We try to connect everyone para easy and okay yung exporting journey nila [so that their exporting journey is easy and okay],” said the bureau’s Chief Trade Industry Specialist, Rudolph Jay Velasco. (APB/PIA-10)

4 Mindanao bishops to Marcos Jr.: void FTAA of Tampakan project

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Four Catholic bishops in Mindanao have asked President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to void the Financial and Technical Assistance Agreement (FTAA) granted to Sagittarius Mines, Inc., developer of the controversial Tampakan project, the largest untapped copper-gold minefield in Southeast Asia

Set to expire on March 21, 2020, the 25-year FTAA awarded to the Tampakan project had been extended for 12 years—or until March 21, 2032—in an order issued June 8, 2016.

MindaNews reported about this development in January 2020.

FTAA No. 002-95-XI was originally granted to Australian Firm Western Mining Corp. (WMC) on March 22, 1995. SMI acquired the FTAA from WMC in 2001 with the approval of Environment Secretary Heherson Alvarez.

The FTAA is subject to renewal for another 25 years, but long before its expiry, SMI sought and was granted a 12-year extension of the original FTAA, citing “force majeure,” a copy of the order obtained by MindaNews then showed.

Leo Jasareno, then national director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), an agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), approved the extension on June 8, 2016, “by authority of the secretary.” The environment secretary at the time was Ramon Paje.

A copy of the bishops’ petition to declare illegal SMI’s FTAA extension was filed with Malacañang on Wednesday. It was signed by Bishop Cerilo Casicas, Diocese of Marbel; Archbishop Angelito Lampon, Archdiocese of Cotabato; Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, Diocese of Kidapawan; and Bishop Guillermo Afable, Diocese of Digos.

The prelates represent the communities that will be affected by the Tampakan project, which the company earlier estimated to cost an investment of at least $5.9 billion.

Their petition was subsequently submitted to the DENR, headed by Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga.

Together with their legal counsels from the Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC), the church leaders argued that the extension of the FTAA by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in 2020 was unconstitutional.

“We respectfully reiterate our demand to cancel the illegal extension of FTAA – 002 in favor of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. We respectfully believe that the extension of the FTAA (is) beyond the powers of the MGB, and the same must be declared void, especially as the mining operations will impact critical environmental areas,” Casicas said in a statement.

Atty. Rolly Peoro, Direct Legal Services Coordinator of LRC, said the Tampakan FTAA “has definitively lapsed, and SMI should have thus undergone consultations, environmental impact assessment, and other regulatory compliances for renewal.”

 

“These safeguards are there to ensure that the utilization of our natural resources is held accountable to the highest office and therefore highest regulatory scrutiny,” Peoro said.

The petitioners elaborated that SMI’s claim of force majeure as the basis for requiring extension was unfounded.

The acts cited as constituting force majeure, such as legal and tenurial conflicts, the open pit mine ban, and civil disturbances, among others, are all forms of assertions of rights that can be duly exercised vis-a-vis the course of the project, the petition said.

Addressing Marcos, Casicas said, “This constitutional power was exclusively lodged to your office, as the President, being the father of the nation, is entrusted to represent the best interests of the Filipino people. May your guidance and leadership of our country be blessed upon by our shared faith to protect the environment.”

MindaNews sought an SMI official for comments but have yet to respond as of posting.

On its website, SMI reposted a BusinessWorld report that it targets to go full-swing operations in 2026. Several other national media outlets came out with a similar report.

In an SMI study, the mining company noted that the most viable method to extract the shallow mineral deposits is through open-pit mining, which has been banned by the South Cotabato provincial government since 2010.

SMI revealed that the Tampakan project has the potential to yield an average of 375,000 metric tons of copper and 360,000 ounces of gold per annum in the expected 17-year life of the mine.

Once developed, it has the potential to be a key driver of national and regional growth as well as socio-economic development for its host communities, the firm said on its website.

In a mining forum at the Notre Dame of Marbel University in Koronadal City in September 2019, Casicas urged the national government to refrain from renewing the FTAA of SMI for another 25 years.

In that forum, Casicas pledged to sustain the opposition spearheaded by his predecessor, the late Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, against SMI.

Casicas deplored the Tampakan project, a venture which, according to him, “even God will not approve,” considering its impact on the environment, Indigenous Peoples, and other residents who will be affected.

Vowing to sustain the local Catholic church’s resistance against open-pit mining, Casicas stressed: “God created humans to protect the environment.” (Bong S. Sarmiento/MindaNews)

Leptospirosis cases up 40% in Northern Mindanao

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The Department of Health-Region 10 urged the public to remain vigilant as the number of leptospirosis cases in the Northern Mindanao region has significantly increased this year

According to the DOH-10 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, 97 cases have been recorded in the region as of October 7, 40.58 percent higher than last year.

Misamis Occidental has the highest number of cases, with 41, followed by Cagayan de Oro City (27), Bukidnon (14), Misamis Oriental (13), and Iligan City and Camiguin with one case each. Lanao del Norte has no reported so far.

Emman Valentin, health program officer of the DOH-10 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance and Disaster Response Unit, said one of the factors in the rise of cases was the series of flooding, such as in Misamis Occidental, where a huge increase from only three cases in the same period last year was recorded.

The much-relaxed Covid-19 restrictions this year, Valentin said, may also have contributed to the increase in cases compared to last year when people stayed in their homes.

“So now, in 2023, although the Covid has not been lifted, we are more relaxed. So, the movement of the people has now been going out,” Valentin said on Friday, October 13.

Leptospirosis is an infection caused by the Leptospira genus of bacteria and can be transmitted through the urine of infected animals, such as mice, rats, pigs, dogs, horses, and cattle.

It can also be contracted by humans wading in floodwater tainted with animal urine. If there are cuts or abrasions, this disease may enter the body through damaged skin, as well as through the eyes, nose, or mouth.

An infected person may experience fever, chills, headache, muscle pain (myalgia), skin rashes, diarrhea, redness of the eyes (conjunctival suffusion), and jaundice or yellowish discoloration of the skin.

Valentin said every province, city, and municipality has a surveillance officer who has been conducting information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns against leptospirosis. They were instructed to advise people who have been exposed to floodwater to take prophylaxis, which can be had for free from the local government units.

The public has been reminded to maintain the cleanliness of their surroundings and avoid wading and swimming in floodwater to keep away from the disease. Going to the nearest health center or consulting a physician has been advised, especially for individuals with suspected leptospirosis.

“Untreated leptospirosis may lead to severe complications that can cause liver or kidney failure, jaundice, damage to other major organs, or even death,” DOH-10 OIC Director Dr. Ellenietta Gamolo said.

According to the DOH, keeping the environment clean, disposing of garbage properly to avoid rat infestations, and using pest control measures are some of the best practices to prevent leptospirosis.

Health authorities advised the public always to wear boots when crossing floodwaters and wash their feet after wading in the flood. Open wounds also need to be covered by plasters and keep their eyes, ears, and mouth from floodwater to avoid bacterial infection. (Manila Bulletin)

DA grants certificate of accreditation to 5 NorMin’s FCAs

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 (DA-RFO 10), helmed by Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado, grants the certificate of accreditation to five Farmers’ Cooperatives, Associations (FCAs) across Northern Mindanao during the opening of the World Food Day celebration cum Young Farmers Challenge awarding on October 16

The FCAs granted with accreditation are Bliss Lingion Multi-Purpose Cooperative and Mantibugao Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Farmers’ Cooperative of Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Kabangasan Mapua Dahilig Agrarian Reform Community Cooperative of Balingoan, Misamis Oriental; Canitoan Multi-Purpose Cooperative of CdeO City; and Miarayon Highland Farmers’ Association of Talakag, Bukidnon.

Per DA Administrative Circular No. 3, Series of 2022, FCAs have complied and passed the requirements set forth by the agri department as beneficiary or implementing Civil Society Organizations (CSO) for the further development of the agri-fishery sector.

During the course of the evaluation, the validation team considered an applicant’s presence in its stated address and area of operation; with identified membership and leadership and organizational structure; in good standing with all government agencies from which they have received public funds with emphasis on not incurring default or delay in the liquidation of such; and they must have proven track record of performance and good standing in undertaking civil society works, among others.

“It is important to recognize these organizations to encourage people’s participation in agricultural development and for them to be given priority in receiving interventions from DA,” DA-10 Regional Technical Committee Chairperson for Accreditation of CSOs and Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga further said. (DA RFO-10)

DA-10 holds Early Procurement Activity; sets direction for CY 2024 PPAs

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DALWANGAN, MALAYBALAY CITY, BUKIDNON – Setting the direction for the implementation of CY 2024 programs, projects, and activities (PPAs), the Department of Agriculture – Regional Field Office 10 holds an Early Procurement Activity (EPA) at the Northern Mindanao Agricultural Crops and Livestock Research Complex (NMACLRC) on October 9-13 here

DA-10 Regional Executive Director Carlene C. Collado emphasized that the activity will beef up the agency’s implementation of PPAs from the previous year.

“We need to review the interventions programmed for next year to have a smooth implementation that will help the department’s performance in terms of execution of projects, financial obligation, and disbursement,” the director said.

He also instructed the attendees to finalize the specifications of different projects, beneficiaries, and locations to jumpstart the procurement process within October, this month.

“This will ensure early deliveries of interventions, which is timely for the planting season that will contribute to increasing of yield and income of the farmers,” RED Collado added.

Citing that Region 10 has a total budget allocation of Php3,678,000,000.00 based on the approved 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) across all programs and special projects, DA-10 Regional Technical Director for Operations Carlota S. Madriaga reminded the focal persons to review all the specifications of the pipelined projects thoroughly and to fast track the preparation of its enabling documents prior the procurement activities.

Highlighted during the activity are the presentation of the CY 2024 budget of the banner programs and specially funded projects intended for goods and infrastructure under the Rice, Corn, Livestock, and High-Value Crops Development programs.

Attendees include the focal persons of the different DA banner programs and special projects and the chiefs of the different divisions of DA-NorMin. (DA RFO-10)

Valencia celebrates 2023 Cooperative Month

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The City Government of Valencia, through the City Cooperative Office and the City of Valencia Cooperative Development Council (CVCDC), joyfully celebrated the 2023 Cooperative Month on October 12, 2023, at the City Hall Covered Court

The event featured a variety of free wellness services and contests, participated by members from various cooperatives in the city.

Mary Grace Vapor, Cooperative Development Specialist II of the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) Region 10, graced the event as the keynote speaker. She delved into this year’s theme, “Cooperatives: Pioneering the Path to Recovery Amidst Modern Challenges of Climate Change and Food Security,” shedding light on the pivotal role played by cooperatives in addressing urgent global issues and promoting community development.

City Mayor Azucena Huervas also conveyed her message of support through Jun Hermosura, Executive Assistant IV—additionally, Edgar Noveno, Chairman of CVCDC, Engr. Marlino Guerrero, OIC of the City Cooperative Office, and Mark Niel Ga, CDA-CDS II, extended their support during the program. (LGU Valencia)

Comelec division disqualifies Brgy chairman bet in Bukidnon

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The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified a candidate for barangay chairman in Don Carlos, Bukidnon, in the upcoming village polls due to a previous conviction in an administrative case

Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said Ireneo Polinar Lapis, who is running for barangay chairman of Barangay Pualas, was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman on March 28, 2005, on the ground of dishonesty and pursuant to Section 52(a) and Section 58(a) of the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 19, series of 1999, or the Uniform Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service.

Under Section 40(b) of the Local Government Code of 1991, removal from office due to an administrative case is one of the grounds for disqualification from running for any elective local position.

“[F]or being removed from public office as a result of the Ombudsman’s finding that [Lapis] is guilty in the administrative case against him, [Lapis] is disqualified from running for any elective public office,” the Comelec body’s decision stated.

Apart from Lapis, the Comelec Second Division recently disqualified a candidate for barangay chairman of Barangay Cabas-an in Aroroy, Masbate, also due to a previous conviction, and two candidates for Sangguniang Kabataan chairman. (GMA Integrated News)

Mindanao cassava growers given direct market

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The Department of Agriculture (DA) has provided cassava and corn growers in Mindanao with a direct market for their produce by linking them to the San Miguel Foods Inc. (SMFI)-Visayas

The DA-Northern Mindanao (DA-10) said on Monday, October 9, that the established connection will benefit cassava and corn-producing farmers’ cooperatives, associations (FCAs) from Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon and Cagayan de Oro.

The SMFI-Visayas team led by Eduardo Co said that their company is looking to tap FCAs in Region 10 “to augment the volume of their existing shipments and also maximize their operations from Cagayan de Oro City to Cebu City.”

Co added that they also plan to join in the agriculture department’s bid to help increase the farmers’ income, boost the quality of their lives, and, at the same time, learn about the challenges they have encountered on the ground.

The DA said that the endeavor between SMFI and Mindanao farmers will not just provide an additional market for their harvests but will also ensure that it will be bought at reasonable prices.

Carlene Collado, DA-10 regional executive director, said that the FCAs should consider tapping the said company to cut the trading layers when marketing their corn and cassava harvest.

He gave assurances that the agency will continue to provide the needed support for the FCAs, such as the provision of seeds, fertilizers, farm tractors, postharvest facilities, and capitalization, among others, to empower their groups and enable them to forge a long-term business partnership with SMFI-Visayas.

Northern Mindanao was the top producer of cassava in the second quarter of 2023, supplying 279.29 thousand metric tons (MT), or 39.3 percent, of the total production, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.

From April to June 2023, cassava production was estimated at 709.91 thousand MT, which indicated a growth of 1.6 percent from the 698.63 thousand MT output in the same quarter of 2022.

Other regions that produced a higher volume of the said crop during the quarter were the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, with 218.99 thousand metric tons, or 30.8 percent, and Cagayan Valley with 47.50 thousand MT, or 6.7 percent of the total.

The area harvested for cassava from January to June 2023 reached 109.62 thousand hectares, an increase of 0.8 percent from 108.80 thousand hectares in the same period of 2022. (Janine Alexis Miguel/The Manila Times)

24 NorMin LGUs sign with DOST for disaster preparedness modernization

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Twenty-four local government units (LGUs) in Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) simultaneously signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) Friday with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) for modernized projects on disaster preparations

The MOA signing formed part of the culmination activities for the Mindanao leg of the Oct. 4-6 “Handa Pilipinas” Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Exposition 2023 held in this city.

It provides LGUs access to disaster risk reduction technologies and innovations developed by Filipino inventors and researchers.

Meanwhile, the DOST will provide technical assistance in creating and executing disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) initiatives.

During her speech, Director Romela Ratilla of DOST-10 said the signing is just the start of many future engagements as the agency aims to partner with more LGUs to promote science, technology, and innovation as tools against disasters.

“Let us persistently work to make the Philippines more innovative, safe, (disaster) resilient, and prepared for future uncertainties,” she said.

The agency also pledged to provide capacity building, training, and technical support to LGUs for disaster preparedness and mitigation. This includes early warning systems and hazard assessment platforms with various programs and applications developed by scholars and inventors.

The Handa Pilipinas is a nationwide event led by the DOST. Its DRRM technology exposition here is the first in Mindanao. (Nef Luczon/PNA)

New NorMin police chief to focus on community engagement

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CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Police Brig. Gen. Ricardo Layug Jr., the new Police Regional Office-10 (Northern Mindanao) chief, wants to focus on community engagement to improve police service and their campaign against criminality

He bared his plans in his inaugural speech during the turnover of command ceremony between him and the outgoing director Police Brig. Gen. Lawrence Coop at the PRO-10 headquarters in Camp Alagar, Barangay Lapasan, this city, on Tuesday, October 10.

Layug urged the police to continue building collaboration and dialogues with different stakeholders, emphasizing that the Philippine National Police (PNP) should not undermine the community’s contribution, especially in its fight against illegal drugs.

“Let us take time to step and set down with the people for us to listen to what they can share and what we can do together,” Layug said.

Community engagement is one of the five focused agendas of PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., along with personnel morale and welfare, integrity enhancement, information and communications technology development, and honest law enforcement operations.

Police officers and personnel were also reminded of the basics of public service – good manners and proper performance of duty with utmost respect and discipline – as Layug wanted all complainants and respondents who visit every police station in the region to smile because of exemplary police service.

Layug was appointed on October 2 by Acorda, who also served as Northern Mindanao police chief. PRO-10 covers the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Camiguin, and the two highly urbanized cities of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan.

Prior to his appointment, Layug, a licensed civil engineer, served as the chief of the PNP Engineering Service. He was a former chief of the PNP-Aviation Security Unit in the National Capital Region during the height of the bullet-planting controversy at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Layug is a member of the PNP Academy Tagapaglunsad Class of 1993.

Coop, on the other hand, asked the Northern Mindanao police to offer Layug the same support, loyalty, and dedication they showed during his leadership.

“I have full faith that the legacy of professionalism, commitment, and dedication we have built together will endure under the leadership of my successor, Police Brig. Gen. Ricardo Gonzales Layug Jr.,” Coop, who will retire on October 29, said in his message.

Under Coop who had served since August 2022, 8,305 crime incidents were recorded in the region, down 7.22 percent or 695 incidents compared to the previous year. The PRO-10 also had 96 drug-cleared barangays in the region, bringing the total to 1,462.

Coop cited a recent survey conducted by the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines and the Mindanao Development Authority, showing that 91 percent of respondents trust the police, 92 percent respect, 89 percent feel safe, and 93 percent are satisfied.

When asked if there is a reshuffling of police officers after his assumption, Layug said he did not bring any police officer with him, saying that there are always excellent policemen wherever he goes.

After the turnover of the command ceremony, Layug conducted a command conference together with all city and provincial police directors in the region, who shared their briefing presentations to enable him to have a “bird’s eye view” of the peculiarities of their areas. (Franck Dick Rosete/Manila Bulletin)