| Regional Affairs
Japan: The Philippines' New Best Friend? The Diplomat 17th Jun 2015
The Unite States has long stood as the backbone of the Philippines’ national security. During its 333 years of colonial rule, Spain had limited impact on the modernization of the Southeast Asian nation’s institutions, but things changed with the advent of full-scale American colonial rule in the early 20th century. Though the Philippines gained formal independence toward the end of World War II, it effectively outsourced its external security obligations to its former (and most benign) colonial master. Thanks to a series of landmark agreements, namely the Military Assistance Pact (1947), the Military Bases Agreement (1947), and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) of 1951,Washington became the de facto guarantor of (the nominally-sovereign) Philippine national security.
Philippines to present case against China's claim over South China Sea at UN court The Straits Times 15th Jun 2015
The Philippines will argue its case against China's claim over most of the disputed South China Sea at The Hague next month, the foreign department said on Monday. The Netherlands-based United Nations court is scheduled to conduct a hearing from July 7 on a case lodged by the Philippines in 2013 that China has spurned, foreign department spokesman Charles Jose said. "Right now we are preparing for the oral arguments in The Hague on July 7 to 13. Our team from Manila and from the United States will be flying there," Mr Jose told reporters in the Philippine capital. Philippine officials and diplomats, assisted by US lawyers, will represent the country in the proceedings, Mr Jose said.
National Affairs
Senate ratifies anti-trust measure The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
The Senate has ratified the reconciled version of the Philippine Competition Act, the bill that seeks to uphold free and fair competition among industries and promote consumer welfare, Sen. Cynthia A. Villar disclosed yesterday. Villar, who worked for a consensus on the House of Representatives and Senate versions of the proposed anti-trust bill, introduced amendments to the bill so that it will not have a chilling effect on the business sector. “We are confident that this bill will be able to plug the holes present in existing laws and will provide a comprehensive policy to adequately and effectively prevent anti-competitive structures and practices,” Villar said.
WB, IMF back revamp of Phl budget system The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
he two biggest multilateral development organizations in the world are supporting the Philippine government’s push to revamp its budget system aimed at arresting slow public spending and eradicating bottlenecks in disbursements. The World Bank said the Philippines should push through with the revamp of the entire government budget system. “The old system has a lot of trouble dealing with that. That system has to be revamped,” World Bank lead economist Rogier van den Brink said in a briefing on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting in Bagac, Bataan.
Next showing in US, UK: Philippine PPP projects roadshow abs-cbnews.com 15th Jun 2015
Government is set to present infrastructure projects in the United Kingdom and United States in a bid to bring in potential investors to participate in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. PPP director Eleazar Ricote said the Philippine delegation will meet with potential investors in Washington D.C., New York City, San Francisco, and London from June 17 to 29. “The goal is to take advantage of the current keen interest of American firms to invest in the Philippines, highlight the economic gains and opportunities in infrastructure and other growth sectors,” Ricote said. “In London, we aim to promote PPP infrastructure investments in the Philippines to an audience of high level and senior representatives from UK companies. It also aims to highlight the country’s economic growth and increasing competitiveness not only in ASEAN but in Asia,” he added. The roadshow in the UK will be held from June 17 to 19, while the US leg is scheduled on June 24 in Washington D.C., June 26 in New York City, and in San Francisco on June 29.
APEC
Cebu Action Plan gets support from APEC senior officials Rappler 13th Jun 2015
Senior finance officials of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) on Friday, June 12, closed meetings with the Philippines getting firmer support for the Cebu Action Plan (CAP) aimed at strengthening finances of economies. Finance Undersecretary Gil Beltran said in a statement that his office is “encouraged by the support” of the member economies for the proposed Cebu Action Plan. The action plan is a 4-pillar move to make economies more transparent, resilient and integrated. It is expected to boost infrastructure financing, too. “Each of the 4 pillars of the Cebu Action Plan is firmly aligned with the challenges and opportunities of the common future we face. I thank each delegation for their hard work and resolute commitment in refining a CAP that will ensure shared prosperity across the Asia Pacific,” Beltran said.
Customs
Decline in PH smuggling rate seen Philippine Daily Inquirer 17th Jun 2015
For the first time since 2005, the smuggling rate is expected to have gone down to about 30-31 percent last year, as both the government and the private sector continued to implement tighter measures to curb smuggling, the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) said Tuesday. This smuggling rate was approximated by calculating the underreporting rate or the difference between the value reported by exporting countries to the Philippines, and the value recorded by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). A smaller smuggling rate or underreporting rate meant that a country is able to narrow the difference between the reported values, indicating improvements in efforts to curb smuggling. Speaking at the press briefing Tuesday, FPI member Ernesto M. Ordoñez expressed confidence that the 2014 smuggling rate, which will be released in September this year, will mark a reversal of the increasing smuggling trend in the country today.
Customs revenue collections up 2.6 percent from January to April period Business Mirror 17th Jun 2015
The Bureau of Customs (BOC) posted an increase of 2.6 percent, or P3.118 billion, in total collections from January to April this year. BOC data showed that it collected P120.384 billion in the first four months of the year compared to the P117.266 billion it collected from the same period last year. Likewise, collections from non-oil was up by 5 percent year-on-year from P21.623 billion in April 2014 to P22.699 billion in April 2015. The growth contributed to both volume and value of imports by 12 percent and 2.6 percent, respectively.
FPI backs former BOC chief’s proposal for reforms at Customs The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
The head of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) supports the suggestions of former Customs Commissioner Titus B. Villanueva to implement the modified selectivity system (SS) and the modified pre-shipment inspection of imports from the port of origin to reduce to the minimum graft and corruption of the Bureau of Customs (BOC). Jesus L. Aranza, FPI chairman, laments the unabated corruption and rampant technical smuggling going on in Customs and agrees with former Villanueva that the solution is to minimize human intervention in the agency. Villanueva, a veteran of 41 years in Customs met with Aranza in an advocacy forum conducted by the Penpower for Democracy and Good Governance (PDGG).
Defense & Security
MILF: No 2nd phase of arms, forces decommissioning if BBL is not approved Philippine Daily Inquirer 17th Jun 2015
Soon after the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) handed over 75 weapons to the government on Tuesday, MILF chief Murad Ebrahim said any further surrender by the Front of its firearms would not continue without a Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) taking effect. “The second phase will be tied up to the BBL because that’s what is in the (peace) agreement,” Murad told reporters after the ceremonial decommissioning of 75 MILF firearms and the decision of 145 MILF combatants to return to normal life. MILF chief negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said in a separate interview that the ceremonial decommissioning of the weapons was an “obligation” on the part of the MILF. “It’s in the signed document—that the MILF has to undertake the decommissioning process. That day has come,” Iqbal said.
Philippines Rebels Begin Laying Down Arms Voice of America 16th Jun 2015
Muslim rebels in the Philippines have started the process of laying down their arms as part of a one-year-old peace pact that is currently hitting snags in the country’s legislature. A reading from the Quran greeted the 145 fighters who filed into a muggy gymnasium and sat at a row of computer terminals manned by government workers. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front’s (MILF) rebels were here to officially start the integration into society of more than 10,000 of their ranks. Jacob Palao, 66, was one of the first in line. During 41 years of fighting he became a deputy commander in the operations section of the Front’s armed forces.
Resolution on US-PHL defense deal Business World 11th Jun 2015
MORE THAN a dozen senators will sign a resolution that will emphasize that the power to enter into treaties or international agreements such as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) does not rest solely on the President but is shared with the Senate. The resolution, to be authored by the Senate committee on foreign affairs chair Miriam Defensor-Santiago, will be signed by 12 other senators.
Economics
European businesses work out their issues in dealing with LGUs Business World 15th Jun 2015
The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) has started talks with mayors and governors in a bid to address investor issues with local governments. Through a series of dialogues with heads of local government units (LGUs), the business group said it plans to instill a “collaborative mode of solving problems” for industry concerns that emerge on the town, city, and provincial level. “It is time for the business sector to partner with LGUs. We realized that the business sector share common goals with the LGUs,” ECCP President Michael K. Raeuber said in a statement yesterday.
PH faces economic headwinds, gov’t warned Philippine Daily Inquirer 17th Jun 2015
Slowing remittances and weakness in the country’s manufacturing sector may be early signs of a cycle that may lead to the further moderation of economic growth later this year, bank analysts said this week. This heightens the need for the government to pick up the slack and get out of its spending rut to provide stimulus to the economy by rolling out projects at a faster pace. “Execution of the fiscal program is quite critical. A poor report would raise concerns about the economy’s growth prospects,” Joey Cuyegkeng, economist at ING Bank’s Manila office, said in a note this week. Government spending data is set to be released this week. ING said weak spending in April might mean a continued deceleration in economic growth.
S&P warns gov’t on underspending Business World 16th Jun 2015
Standard and Poor's (S&P) has warned it could cut its growth forecast for the Philippine economy for this year should the government fail to ease bottlenecks that have repeatedly hindered its spending.
Lower inflation expected The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
Analysts surveyed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas forecast a lower average for inflation this year but still within the target range for the period. The central bank said its survey of private economists in April revealed a mean inflation forecast of 2.6 percent this year. This figure shows a further easing from the 2.7 percent result of the March survey and also the 2.8 percent recorded during a February poll. According to the BSP, the latest inflation forecast remain at 3.3 percent for 2016 and 2017. All estimates remain within the two to four percent target range for inflation this year until 2017.
More foreign brands coming to Philippines ABS-CBN News 15th Jun 2015
Specialty retailer SSI Group Inc. will continue to bring in new foreign brands to the Philippines as it expands its retail portfolio, its president, Anton Huang, said on Monday. SSI has introduced more than 100 international brands to the Philippine market, including Hermès, Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Salvatore Ferragamo, Lacoste, Michael Kors, and Kate Spade. It is also the specialty store retailer behind Zara, Marks and Spencer, Gap, Old Navy, Bershka, Aeropostale, Samsonite, Nine West, Payless Shoe Source, Beauty Bar, Pottery Barn and TWG. In the first quarter of 2015, SSI added seven new brands to its portfolio, namely Amazonas, Charming Charlie, Jelly Bunny, Kurt Geiger, Lipault, Max & Co, and Radley.
Philippine economy to remain strong amid global economic slowdown–World Bank Business Mirror 15th Jun 2015
The World Bank Group is forecasting strong growth for the Philippines in 2015 and in the next couple of years, even as it warns of serious challenges ahead for developing economies and downgrades the outlook for the global economy. In its flagship report “Global Economic Prospects” (GEP) released on June 10, the financial institution predicts Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 6.5 percent this year and the next, and to expand 6.3 percent in 2017. This despite the World Bank Group’s downward revision of global growth rate to 2.8 percent in 2015, slightly lower than anticipated in January.
Foreign capital exodus soared 18 times in May Business Mirror 11th Jun 2015
The exodus of foreign capital—considered only a trickle in March and April this year—ramped up more than 18 times in May to $569.3 million, latest data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show. From only $21.6 million in March to $31.1 million the following April, the net outward flow of foreign capital, also known as “hot” or speculative funds, accelerated to $569.3 million, as temperatures begin to climb in May. The exodus was a turnaround from year-ago inflows of $545 million, and one more manifestation of the mind-set among foreign fund managers already looking forward to when the US Federal Reserve (the Fed) finally begins tightening the monetary levers, as the world’s largest economy begins to normalize.
Exports down, manufacturing weakens Philippine Daily Inquirer 11th Jun 2015
The value of Philippine-made goods shipped overseas last April fell by 4.1 percent year-on-year as demand in major markets remained fragile. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) also reported that factory output growth, as measured by the volume of production index or VoPI, slowed to 1.4 percent at the start of the second quarter, from a robust 10.8 percent a year ago. It was also slower than March’s 16.1-percent expansion. The $4.376 billion in export sales posted last April were lower than the $4.563 billion recorded in the same month last year, bringing total exports during the first four months of 2015 to $18.623 billion. It was 1.2-percent lower than the $18.840 billion seen at the end of April 2014, preliminary PSA data showed. (See related story on Page B4)
Energy
Mackay Green Energy to develop 32 MW biomass projects in Mindanao InterAksyon 15th Jun 2015
Mackay Green Energy Inc. chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) James Mackay said the company will develop 32 megawatts (MWs) of biomass projects in Mindanao. ”We’ll build three projects in Mindanao, two 10 MW and one 12 MW,” Mackay told reporters. Both Bukidnon-based Kalilangan Biomass Energy Corp. and Don Carlos Biomass Energy Corp. will serve as the vehicles for the two 10-MW projects, while Misamis Oriental Biomass Energy Corp. would develop the 12-MW project. Mackay Green Energy Inc. will have an 80 percent stake from the companies, while the local electric cooperative will get 20 percent.
Citicore to finish 3 big solar plants Manila Standard Today 15th Jun 2015
Citicore Solar Philippines Power Project Holdings said Monday it will complete 210 megawatts of solar power projects by December. Citicore Solar is a joint venture between Citicore Power, a sister company of Megawide Construction Corp. and Solar Philippines. Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste told reporters one of the projects under construction was the 60-MW solar plant in Batangas province. “It’s under construction already. Civil works has begun. Target completion is down December. That should put it safely on schedule to make it into the 500 MW feed-in-tariff allocation,” Leviste said at the sidelines of the Asia Clean Energy Forum.
DOE plans hybrid power supply for off-grid areas InterAksyon 15th Jun 2015
The Department of Energy (DOE) is studying a hybrid program for the National Power Corporation-Small Power Utilities Group (Napocor-SPUG), according to Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla. “The marching order for SPUG areas is to go hybrid – it will be solar,” Petilla told reporters Petilla noted the potential solar farm will complement the diesel power plants, since it can sustain power supply at about 30 percent of its rated capacity. He has ordered Napocor to seek a method in balancing the generation costs from the two power plants, adding that diesel could amount to P13 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) at a power production of 30 percent. This could go down to P10 per kWh for a 100-kWh production.
23 new power plants to go online by 2020 The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
The Philippines will have 23 new coal-fired power plants by 2020, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said. Among the new coal plants that are expected to come online in the next five years are Aboitiz company Therma South Inc.’s 300 megawatt plant in Davao City (2016); The 400-MW expansion of Team Energy’s Pagbilao coal fired power plant in Quezon (2017); the 600-MW Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. plant in Subic, Zambales (2018); San Miguel Corp. Global’s 300-MW plant in Davao (2017) and a 600-MW plant in Bataan (2016). Two power plants will come from Meralco Power Gen. These are the 1,200-MW Atimonan and the 500-MW San Buenaventura coal-fired power plants in Quezon, both slated for 2018.
DOE to put off sale of hydropower plants The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
The Department of Energy (DOE) wants to put off the privatization of the 150-megawatt Casecnan and 728-MW Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan (CBK) hydropower plants and pass this on to the next administration. Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla said the privatization of the CBK supply contract may not happen during the Aquino administration. “I still feel that Kalayaan (CBK) should not be privatized,” he said, adding that it’s the only power asset left which the government can use to defend rates in the industry in times of uncertainty or power shortage.
Natural gas pipeline, bus PPP OK’d Business World 15th Jun 2015
Two major infrastructure projects cumulatively worth some P16.93 billion have taken a step closer to final approval, state economic officials said yesterday, as the Aquino administration moves to award more ventures under its flagship public-private partnership (PPP) program before it ends its term on June 30 next year.
Financial Services
PSE to launch new trading system The Philippine Star 13th Jun 2015
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) has received the go-signal from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to start with the use of its new trading system. The PSE will launch PSEtrade XTS on June 22 following its receipt of the SEC’s approval of the trading system’s rollout. “The PSE has been working closely with the SEC on the implementation of the new system to ensure their requirements from a regulatory standpoint are addressed. We shall continuously provide the SEC with updates and information they need as we launch PSEtrade XTS to ensure its successful implementation,” PSE president and CEO Hans B. Sicat said.
BSP plots new methods to enhance open market operations The Philippine Star 12th Jun 2015
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas will soon implement new methods to enhance its open market operations, its top official said. BSP Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said this “major reform” intended to improve efficiency in the conduct of monetary policy is also meant to further develop the domestic money market. “We are developing new approaches to enhance open market operations and start to move away from a high reserve requirement regime in the context of establishing an interest rate corridor system,” Tetangco said. “The objective is to achieve greater efficiency in the conduct of monetary policy but it should also pave the way for the full development of the domestic money market that is the anchor of real price discovery and better liquidity management for the broader market,” he explained.
Phl banking system ‘stable’ – S&P The Philippine Star 12th Jun 2015
Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services has classified the Philippine banking system as ‘stable.’ “We classify the banking sector of Philippines in Group ‘7’ under our Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA) criteria. Other countries in the group include Indonesia, Portugal, Iceland, and Ireland,” it said in a report released yesterday. S&P said the credit quality of the Philippine banking system is improving but faces several risks. “We feel poor transparency, weak corporate governance, and inefficient legal infrastructure may limit any material reduction in credit risk. In addition, credit risk in the system may increase if acceleration in property prices or credit growth is prolonged,” S&P said.
Phl urged to lift bank secrecy law The Philippine Star 11th Jun 2015
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is urging the Philippines to lift its bank secrecy law to strengthen the country’s tax system and fight tax evasion while meeting global standards in tracking tax fraud. The Philippines needs to put in place a legal mechanism by lifting the bank secrecy law that will allow the exchange of information necessary in transparency, OECD Center for Tax Policy and Administration head of global relations Richard Parry said in a briefing during the two-day Workshop on Fiscal Management through Transparency and Reforms in Bagac, Bataan. “It is possible to do it. The political will is needed for the Philippines to meet international standards in that area,” he said. The bank secrecy law is a special legislation that requires banks and financial institutions to protect and keep confidential customer information from third parties even if these are government or tax authorities, unless the client relieves the bank of its duty.
SEC approves rollout of Philippine bourse's new trading platform InterAksyon 11th Jun 2015
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cleared the rollout of the local bourse’s new trading platform. In a statement, the Philippine Stock Exchange Inc. (PSE) its PSEtrade XTS will be launched on June 22 following receipt of the SEC approval. “The PSE has been working closely with the SEC on the implementation of the new system to ensure that their requirements from a regulatory standpoint are addressed. We shall continuously provide the SEC with updates and information they need as we launch PSEtrade XTS to ensure its successful implementation,” PSE president Hans B. Sicat said. The launch comes nearly a year after the PSE announced that it would adopt NASDAQ’s X-stream Trading technology to power the local bourse’s new trading engine.
Food & Agriculture
BIR clarifies definition of raw cane sugar PhilStar 15th Jun 2015
The tax bureau has agreed to widen the definition of raw cane sugar that shall be exempt from the advance collection of value-added tax (VAT), the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) said. SRA Administrator Ma. Regina Martin said the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) had amended its previous revenue regulation to exempt from VAT collection raw cane sugar with the following specifications: color is greater than 800 international color units (ICU), sucrose content by weight and dry state corresponding to a polarimeter reading of less than 99.5 degrees.
Health & Life Sciences
Pharmaceutical industry assures drug availability vs MERS-CoV Sun.Star 15th Jun 2015
Drug companies assured the government on Monday that they are prepared to provide enough supply of medicines in the event that the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) re-emerges in the country. In a statement, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Association of the Philippines (PHAP) executive director Teodoro Padilla said pharmaceutical companies are prepared to provide assistance to the government since MERS-CoV treatment mainly requires supportive measures.
Champions for Health Governance ABS-CBN 15th Jun 2015
After six months of conducting the search for Local Government Units with outstanding health programs, the Merck Sharpe and Dome (MSD), Kaya Natin Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Jesse Robredo Foundation, together with the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Interior and Local Government, held the awarding ceremonies for the 2nd Champions for Health Governance Awards at C3 Events Place, Greenhills, San Juan.
Give to sick to solve gov’t underspending – Recto Rappler 13th Jun 2015
Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said that rechanneling the unutilized parts of the national budget to health projects and programs can be an effective cure to the government’s underspending problem. “If money is not optimized in projects which are slow-moving, then shift it to the sick who need money for fast-acting [cures],” Recto said in a statement. Recto said the money can also be used to augment the purchase of medicines and hospital equipment. “For example, in public hospitals, there’s a shortage of chemotherapy drugs, dialysis machines. In wards, the buy-your-own-dextrose rule prevails.”
Multistakeholder collaboration sought to give sustainable aid to cancer patients The Inquirer 13th Jun 2015
Cancer treatment puts a heavy financial burden on patients and their families. To help address this problem, research-based Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis launched the Glivec international patient assistance program (Gipap) in the Philippines in 2003. Gipap is one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching cancer patient access programs ever implemented on a global scale, and is the first global direct-to-patient access program. Through Gipap, Novartis provides poor patients with free treatment for several forms of cancer.
DOH exec cautions PHL: Polio could make a comeback GMA News 12th Jun 2015
Although the Philippines has been declared polio-free in 2000, the risk of the disease re-emerging in the country remains, an official of the Department of Health said Friday. "The risk of polio importation remains. That means there is a risk of emergence of the wild polio virus and vaccine-derived polio virus (VDPV)," Dr. Eric Tayag, Director IV of the Bureau of Local Health Systems Development of the DOH told Southeast Asian journalists at a workshop here.
ICT
House moves to assure ICT bill becomes law Business World 15th Jun 2015
A bill seeking to establish a government office that will focus on improving interconnectivity in the Philippines could be enacted into law under the current Congress as the leader of the House of Representatives voiced his support for the measure that has been pushed by the business community and approved in the Senate.
PLDT eyes 2nd cable link, to invest $100m Manila Standard Today 14th Jun 2015
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. plans to invest up to $100 million to build a second international cable landing to the US to support the rising demand for high-speed broadband. “We are still in the planning stage for our second international cable landing to the US. The investment could range between $50 million and $100 million,” PLDT International Network vice president Gene Sanchez said. “We are targeting to sign the memorandum of understanding within the year. It’s going to be a consortium of telecom companies,” he added. Sanchez said the company was looking at Daet in Camarines Norte or Batangas as landing station in the Philippines.
Infrastructure
Government slates P141.5-B PPP projects for approval The Philippine Star 15th Jun 2015
Four Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects worth P141.52 billion are tabled for approval at the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) committee level meeting today. The projects will be tackled by the joint NEDA Investment Coordination Council Technical Board and Cabinet Committee (ICC-TB and CC) in a meeting today, PPP Center deputy executive director Eleazar Ricote said in an interview last week on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting in Bagac, Bataan. Three projects are under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), namely the P6.28-billion C-5 Modern Bus Transit System Project, the P50.15-billion Ortigas-Taytay LRT Line 4 Project and the P74.56-billion Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Development Project.
Gov’t pursuing Mega Manila subway line along EDSA Rappler 15th Jun 2015
The study on the proposed mass transit subway that would help decongest EDSA is seen to be completed this year, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said. DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said on Monday, June 15 that the Mega Manila Subway line would be an alternative means of transportation along the main thoroughfare in the National Capital Region (NCR). The Mega Manila subway project is included in “The Roadmap for Transport Infrastructure Development for Metro Manila and Its Surrounding Areas” conducted by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) with the help of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Mindanao rail transit study to start in July The Philippine Star 14th Jun 2015
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) will start the feasibility study process for the long-proposed railway transit project in Mindanao in July. In a bid document posted on its website this week, NEDA has set a pre-proposal conference on June 22 to clarify and address the shortlisted consultants’ questions on the technical and financial components of The Mindanao Railway project. It has also asked eligible bidders to submit their proposals to the Bids and Awards Committee for Consulting Services on July 10. Omer Tiblani of the agency’s bids and awards secretariat earlier said eight firms had expressed interest in doing the study for the railway Project.
Aquino rolls up sleeves to tackle infra spending Philippine Daily Inquirer 11th Jun 2015
President Benigno Aquino III has taken a more hands-on role in tackling his administration’s chronic underspending, setting up a string of weekly meetings to iron out kinks that continue to hobble the rollout of government projects. Malacañang has also authorized the creation of special supervisory bodies, which will answer to senior economic managers, to ensure that key departments will not squander their big budgets for this year. This comes amid bureaucratic bottlenecks that continue to stunt the country’s economic growth which, in the first quarter, fell short of the official target. “We’ve been given homework to do so we can put together a roadmap to mitigate the problem of underspending,” Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Secretary Florencio Abad told reporters Wednesday.
Philippines kicks off international roadshows for infrastructure projects Philippine Star 16th Jun 2015
The Philippines is kicking off a series of international road shows in the United Kingdom and in major cities in the US later this month in a bid to attract foreign companies to invest in infrastructure projects under the Aquino administration’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) program. The government has slated investment road shows in the UK on June 17 to 19, in Washington on June 24, in New York City on June 26 and in San Francisco on June 29, PPP Center deputy executive director Eleazar Ricote said in an interview last week. “These are the ones in the pipeline so far,” he said. The road show in UK was organized by the Philippine embassy in London and by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) where several PPP infrastructure investments will be presented to high-level and senior representatives from British firms.
Manufacturing
Trade to define car incentives Manila Standard Today 14th Jun 2015
The Trade Department will set up a benchmark on the volume of vehicles that will get incentives under the recently-approved EO 182, or the Comprehensive Automotive Resurgence Strategy program. Trade Undersecretary Adrian Cristobal Jr. said the government was initially envisioning a “one model, one company” guide in the granting of fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to deserving car manufacturers. “We’ve seen strong interest from car manufacturers. We are looking at a production variable incentive for those companies that will participate or qualify for the program,” he said over the weekend. He noted that the production variable would begin once the first vehicle model of a car company failed to meet the target volume in the sixth or the last effective year of the program.
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