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Halting Mackerel, Galunggong Importation

Rose de la Cruz
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Halting Mackerel, Galunggong Importation

TO PREVENT DESTABILIZING the local fish market through misuse of import permits, the Department of Agriculture halted the importation of mackerel and galunggong through Memorandum Order No. 35, which rescinded an earlier memo allowing the entry of 25,000 metric tons of these species, the DA press release said.

The agriculture department also temporarily suspended the issuance of any sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances because of reports of import permit misuse.

Even while on two-week health leave for the United States, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the immediate stop in SPSIC issuances for horse mackerel, including Atlantic and Japanese jack mackerel, Indian mackerel, wahoo and both torpedo and hardtail scad (galunggong).


MISDECLARED

The suspension follows allegations that some importers misdeclared or diverted shipments of fishery products, undermining the DA’s objectives of stabilizing supply and keeping fish prices affordable, while also disrupting legitimate trade channels.

These fish species are household staples for many Filipino families due to their affordability and versatility in local cuisine.

Laurel said the importation of these essential commodities must be transparent and fair—not only to safeguard consumer access, but also to protect the livelihoods of local fishers and traders from the adverse effects of illicit trade.

BBM’S COMMITMENT

The DA action reinforces the commitment of President Marcos Jr. to uphold food safety, market fairness, and sustainable livelihoods in the fishery and aquaculture sectors. It also aims to insulate domestic producers from disruptive activities that distort market dynamics.

He clarified that the order is not an import ban, but a temporary measure to ensure full compliance with regulations and alignment with national interest.

The DA order will be lifted based on the result of a thorough investigation and review of current importation protocols.

EXCLUDING SALMON 

Laurel issued memorandum order no. 37 on July 8, halting the inclusion of mackerel, horse mackerel, and torpedo scad—also known as hardtail scad—from the list of species eligible for import.

The suspension comes after the DA allowed imports of those species through a certificate of necessity to import (CNI) under memorandum order No. 35 dated July 3. That order listed several types of mackerel, including Indian, Spanish, and Indo-Pacific variants.

A day earlier, on July 2, Tiu Laurel issued memorandum order no. 33, which included salmon among the fish allowed for import. Salmon was excluded from the final July 3 directive.

Tiu Laurel did not give specific reasons for the reversal but cited “reports of misdeclaration and diversion of fish and fishery/aquatic products.”

He said the DA was conducting a “thorough review and investigation,” without providing details on the scope or timeline of the probe.

MARKET STABILITY

The DA had earlier said the imports were aimed at addressing potential shortfalls in fish supply and ensuring market stability.

Fish imports in the Philippines are typically regulated to balance food security with the protection of local fisheries, particularly during closed fishing seasons.

#DA

#mackerelandgalunggong

#smuggling

#misuseofimportpermits

#householditems

#ThePhInsider

‘Sardinas’ Directive Is Not The Answer

Rose de la Cruz
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‘Sardinas’ Directive Is Not The Answer

A NEW DIRECTIVE of the Department of Transportation and Land Transportation Office to apprehend all public utility vehicles (PUVs) like UV Express, buses and modern jeepneys that exceed seating capacities of their vehicles or sitting passengers like “packed sardines” and fine them over P5,000 if they board more than 32 passengers in their units is one crazy idea that would penalize not just the drivers but also the commuters, who have been suffering the grueling lack of public transport for decades.

A column by Andrew Pearlman, a development consultant who has worked with INGOs, the UK government, the British Council, and the UN and is a permanent resident of the Philippines based in Metro Manila since 2016, in Rappler said the directive “completely ignores the issue of supply. 

“Why do commuters cram into the one, solitary, jeepney they can find? It is not because they have some sort of armpit fetish, or a desire to contract COVID; it is because they need to get to the office, or to get home, and who knows when the next jeepney might come? Telling PUV drivers that they may be apprehended or be fined P5,000 if they board more than 32 persons (which they have done) is just not helpful,” he was quoted.


STOP THE GIMMICKS

Pearlman, an active member of the Move As One Coalition, asked the LTO-DoTr to “stop the gimmicks, the ‘sardinas’ rules,” blaming the jeepney drivers and commuters but to analyze why this practice persists.

The LTO must realize that the issue is not greedy jeepney drivers or “undisciplined” Filipinos but is a classic supply-and-demand issue, citing the current stormy weather when public transport systems are hindered by traffic jams and floods forcing the commuter to hail any ride just to get home or to the office quickly, regardless if he risks his/her life.

“If the LTO is to be believed, his example Kiko’s story,  is the fault of the jeepney driver who lets their vehicles fill up irresponsibly, or Filipinos who crowd on without a care in the world for their fellow commuters,” he narrated.

A SYSTEMIC ISSUE

Pearlman chided the LTO that the problem is more about lack of (transport) supply  and not overcrowding or the driver’s greed for bigger income. There are simply not enough buses or jeepneys to meet the demand. It is a systemic issue.

Pearlson’s prescription: “If you want to end the “sardinas” issue, you need to improve supply. That requires investment in bus and jeepney services. 

“Cities must be free to provide regular, frequent, reliable bus services that link business and transport hubs. This is not one bus every 30 minutes that departs once full; this is one bus every five minutes (or less) that runs to timetable, taking you from near your work to a hub. In Kiko’s case, from his work to the MRT.”

TIMED BUS MOVEMENT

Originally from London, he shared that “the secret to the public transport network is not the overground and underground rail — although this moves millions every day — it is the buses that are timetabled, frequent and go everywhere.”

Cities here must be free to institute the same, yet there are Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board restrictions on municipal governments doing just that. Some, like Quezon City, are trying, but it is a constant battle to work around rules put in place to disempower local government units, he said.

Some of the public transport works in the pipeline will help: the Metro Manila Subway, MRT7, the North-South Commuter Railway, restarting the cancelled Makati Subway. But there will still be a need for more buses and final-mile transportation services to get commuters home, on time and dry, he stressed.

“It is hard work, but it is possible to do it in Manila. Other cities in our region, such as Bangkok, have done it. So, this is a plea: Stop the gimmicks, the “sardinas” rules, blaming the jeepney drivers and commuters. Start investing in municipal bus services, increasing jeepney franchises, and living the supposed commitment to public transport first,” Pearlson explained.


THE RICH USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Gustavo Petro, the president of Colombia and former mayor of Bogota, is credited with saying: “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s where the rich use public transportation.” 

And why do they use it? Because it is cheap, clean, frequent, and reliable.

No more gimmicks. If it can be done elsewhere, it can be done here. Well, here’s hoping anyway, his column concluded.

China Can Gain Ground in Southeast Asia In Official Assistance

Marcus Aquino
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China Can Gain Ground in Southeast Asia In Official Assistance

“China’s relative importance as a development actor in the region will rise as Western development support recedes,” the Sydney-based Lowy Institute said.

CHINA HAS THE chance to expand its influence over Southeast Asia as the United States and the West reduce official development assistance (ODA) to the region, according to a study from an Australian think tank.

“Declining Western aid risks ceding a greater role to China, though other Asian donors will also gain in importance,” the Sydney-based Lowy Institute said.

This, as total ODA to Southeast Asia from the west grew “modestly” to $29 billion in 2023, the report said. ODA refers to grants and low-interest rate loans with relaxed concessions.

Also, US President Donald Trump has ordered holding about $60 billion in development assistance, while several European countries and the European Union said that $17.2 billion in aid reductions will be made from 2025 and 2029.

The study projects that ODA to Southeast Asia will fall by more than $2 billion by 2026. “These cuts will hit Southeast Asia hard.”

“Poorer countries and social sector priorities such as health, education, and civil society support that rely on bilateral aid funding are likely to lose out the most,” it added.

The Philippines can also be considered fortunate, as the study cited the case of poorer nations like East Timor, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

CHINA’S RISE

As the US and the West reduce their ODA to Southeast Asia, other countries in Asia such as China, Japan and South Korea are stepping up their assistance to the region.

“The centre of gravity in Southeast Asia’s development finance landscape looks set to drift East, notably to Beijing but also Tokyo and Seoul,” the study said.

However, it pointed out that with the region now having weakened trade ties with the US, Southeast Asian countries is seen having less leverage to negotiate in getting favorable terms or concessions with China in seeking ODA.

“China’s relative importance as a development actor in the region will rise as Western development support recedes,” it said.

China’s ODA to Southeast Asia notably increased by $1.6 billion to $4.9 billion in 2023, with Indonesia and Malaysia benefitting to fund big infrastructure projects. The mainland’s infrastructure commitments to the region also went up by 400 percent to almost $10 billion, with the revival of a deep seaport project in Myanmar fueling that surge.

However, the West’s support had faltered in the region, the study pointed out.

“Similarly, Western promises to support the region’s clean energy transition have yet to translate into more projects on the ground — of global concern given coal-dependent Southeast Asia is a major source of rapidly growing carbon emissions,” it added.

Gloria Papin Stages One-Of-A-Kind Praise And Worship Concert

Boy Villasanta
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Gloria Papin Stages One-Of-A-Kind Praise And Worship Concert

ALTHOUGH THE MOOD and beat of “The Blessing” concert at the Novadeci Convention Center in Novaliches in Quezon City Saturday night was inspirational bordering on religious music with a choreography of back-up dancers and singers dressed in Christian music ministry garbs. Some of them wearing an arm-extended kaftans they swayed sideways like flowing rainbow-colored waves, its main artist Gloria Papin was able to achieve a cool praise and gospel music.

All throughout her performance, Gloria was like floating in the air as if a cherub in pastel or pure white sequined-wardrobe sparkling in her space.

Her soft, tender yet engaging voice was a magnet to attract a crowd of this one-of-kind concert.

In essence, Gloria practices what she acts and preaches on and off-cam–calmness and tranquility.

‘Like a fellowship night in the middle of the plummeting tropical depression Crising, the musical party was indeed a postscript of its utilitarian Noah’s ark in the flooded emotions inside the hall–unity in spiritual purpose.’

FUNDAMENTALIST VISION
Meanwhile, the surreal effects of the stage design, completely minimalistic except for a square board at the center of the proscenium bedecked with flowers of all shapes and colors, was unleashed by diverse graphics of the LED screen as backdrop which blew bolstered images of cascading petals, flipping and tumbling galaxies or simply e-geometric lines and cubes etc., the highlight of these electronic devices was an image of Jesus Christ on the cross while Papin was doing a duet of David Foster’ “The Prayer” with a certain Pastor Armand.

“The Blessing” has achieved its purpose of a fundamentalist vision riding high in sectarian music catering to the mass appeal of its watchers and listeners.

Like a fellowship night in the middle of the plummeting tropical depression Crising, the musical party was indeed a postscript of its utilitarian Noah’s ark in the flooded emotions inside the hall–unity in spiritual purpose.

IMELDA PAPIN, ET AL
Papin’s guest performers, naturally, toed the line of the concept and temperament of the whole gig but their musical contributions were relatable to the audience like Asia’s Sentimental Songstress Imelda Papin who belted out an emotional piece about adoration to the Sacred Being, Maffi Papin Carrion who sang a devotional song with a hip.

Garry Cruz and Borj Papin were the symbols of the Filipino males in their vivacious yet tempered numbers.

Lastly, the trio of Glo, Baba Papin and Aileen Grace Papin of the mid-of-the-road ditty, “When You Believe” was indeed nice and soothing.

Crising Rescuers On The Move

Danny Querubin
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Crising Rescuers On The Move

TAGUIG CITY RESCUE Team saves a farmer who suffered a heart attack while harvesting ‘kangkong’ vegetable at the Laguna de Bay in Taguig City C-6 area this weekend. The rescuers brought the unidentified man to the nearest hospital. This is just one of the activities members of the Taguig Disaster and Management Team did at the height of Tropical Cyclone Crising.

Are We Raising Unethical Generations?

Rose de la Cruz
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Are We Raising Unethical Generations?

REMOVING ETHICS FROM the general education curriculum (GEC) in college is tantamount to raising future workers and leaders who are unethical or those who can’t distinguish right from wrong, good from bad.

It is foolish, if not evil, for some Department of Education officials to consider removing ethics from the required GEcourses in college just to shorten the time spent learning things that may apply in a child’s life– sooner or later. Expediency takes no precedence over morality or ethics.

“Ethics is the philosophical discipline that examines what is morally good and bad,  what is right and wrong. It encompasses fundamental issues of practical decision-making and includes various branches such as normative ethics, that establishes general principles of conduct, and applied ethics to address specific ethical dilemmas.

“Ethics also involves standards that guide behavior, such as honesty and compassion, and is concerned with the rights and responsibilities of individuals.”

‘[E]quating Ethics to GMRC is a categorical mistake … students, “as future leaders and citizens, need a well-rounded education and substantial preparation for their roles within local and global communities.” ‘

ALREADY COVERED
It is not surprising that sometime in May, 20 faculty members of the Jesuit-run Ateneo de Manila University Department of Philosophy issued a statement about the recently- proposed removal of ethics from the college curriculum, saying, Ethics Still Matters.

The DepEd proposal was laid bare on May 28 by Assistant Secretary Janir Datukan, in a proposal to the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture that ethics, along with some other General Education (GE) courses, could be removed from the college curriculum. 

Proponents believe the content and skills taught in these subjects are already covered in other courses in the Basic Education Curriculum (BEC).

This proposal, which DepEd is submitting to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), will shorten college education by one semester to ease the financial burden on families and to promote more focused learning by reducing the number of courses.

WHAT ETHICS BRINGS
“But various professional organizations—most notably the Union of Societies and Associations of Philosophy in the Philippines (USAPP)—and philosophy departments across the country, have voiced strong opposition,” the Ateneo statement said.

“These groups argue that the proposal reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the distinctive skills that ethics develops and warn of the long-term harm that removing such a course may bring to students and society as a whole,” it continued.

“Philosophy, both as a discipline and a way of thinking, trains individuals to inquire into the deeper causes and conditions that shape our world. It opens the path to asking if the world functions in a way that best serves our development and flourishing as individuals, which enables us to further discern what our role might be in shaping the world—not merely as it is, but as it could be,” it said. 

“Today, our people face the compounded crises of poverty, climate change, and an economic system that often denies them not only meaningful work but even their most basic needs, while algorithm-driven platforms increasingly shape opinions and decisions, deepening societal divisions in ways we have never seen before,” it said.

IT IS A NECESSITY
“If we are to pursue genuine development—where dignity, equity, and sustainability replace exploitation and poverty—we must cultivate a generation capable of ethical and philosophical reflection. We should not treat ethics as a luxury or sacrifice it for employability. It is a necessity in a world increasingly defined by complexity, uncertainty, and moral ambiguity,” the statement emphasized.

The faculty members called on DepEd and CHED “to approach the proposal with greater discernment and a more profound understanding of the kinds of thinking and skills necessary to build a sustainable future—one in which human well-being is measured not only by economic output but by the flourishing of persons and communities.”

“The revised GE curriculum has yet to undergo a thorough assessment of its effectiveness. How can we proceed with further revisions without a thorough evaluation? We urge CHED to proceed only based on expert knowledge and genuine consultation,” it said. The group commended the philosophical community in the Philippines for its swift and thoughtful response to this issue. 

“We also call on our broader community to remain vigilant and to demand that policymaking in education be grounded in meaningful dialogue, transparent consultation, and rigorous study. As a department, we express our readiness to contribute to these efforts and welcome opportunities to collaborate with CHED, DepEd, and other stakeholders in strengthening ethics education in the Philippines,” it said.

DON’T OVERSIMPLIFY
In a world that is changing fast, caution is important not to oversimplify what education should do.  “Rather than removing ethics—and with it, the opportunity to cultivate discernment, moral imagination, and critical thinking—we should strengthen it. If we want to prepare young Filipinos not only to respond to the challenges of the future but also to take part in shaping them, ethics must remain a vital part of their formation,” it said.

Similarly, the UP Diliman Department of Philosophy strongly opposed removing Ethics from GEC said it recognizes the financial pressure on students but a 3-unit Ethics course is less than 3 percent of typical degree program– a modest investment for lifelong critical thinking skills.

The UP Philo Department also recalled DepEd’s earlier move to demote the “Introduction to the Philosophy of the Human Person” from the core curriculum of the strengthened Senior High School program.
UP-Diliman said the challenges in Philippine education go beyond literacy, numeracy and reading comprehension. They extend to “weak critical thinking, shallow civic engagement, and limited moral discernment,” which are areas that Ethics directly addresses.

A CATEGORICAL MISTAKE
It highlighted the importance of Ethics in offering a rare institutional space for sustained moral reasoning, where students learn to question assumptions, confront ethical dilemmas, assess competing values and apply normative principles to complex real-world issues.

Removing Ethics from the curriculum would limit education to mere job training, akin to robots, “abandoning our responsibility to develop thoughtful citizens. It also said equating Ethics to GMRC is a categorical mistake.

UP Diliman stated that students, “as future leaders and citizens, need a well-rounded education and substantial preparation for their roles within local and global communities.”

First Responders

Danny Querubin
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First Responders

AS THE COUNTRY marks a decade since the launching of the Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation-Ready Philippines Campaign (CPR-Ready PH), the Philippine Heart Association (PHA) called on the national and local governments to implement the CPR Act or Republic Act 10871 that mandates all public and private schools to incorporate aged-appropriate basic life support training in the high school curriculum. This is for all Filipinos to equip themselves with lifesaving skills and become first responders in emergencies. In photo are High School Students from Nangka in Marikina City undergoing CPR training. The PHA observes National CPR Day every July 17, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration in March 2024, institutionalizing the date as an annual nationwide observance. CPR Act lapsed into law in 2016.

Echo Wealth AI Gives Filipinos Hope: Freedom From Indebtedness

Tracy Cabrera
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Echo Wealth AI Gives Filipinos Hope: Freedom From Indebtedness

REELECTED SENATOR PAOLO Benigno ‘Bam’ Aquino IV has launched a new investment platform called Echo Wealth AI, which is designed to give every Filipino access to real financial opportunity and freedom from the bondage of debt. 

Widely recognized for his work in youth entrepreneurship and digital policy, Aquino now brings his mission to the fintech space—helping Filipinos create passive income without relying on traditional employment.

‘This platform simplifies the process and opens the door for anyone … to start earning confidently. We believe this will help families afford better education, healthcare and housing, while giving them control over their future.’

POWERFUL COLLABORATION
In a media interview, he broke down how the platform works and why it’s already gaining traction nationwide as proven in the participation of several companies that developed of the investment platform. 

“Echo Wealth AI was built through a powerful collaboration. Our policy network led the design logic and accessibility protocols, ensuring that the platform is practical, inclusive and aligned with the needs of everyday Filipinos,” he pointed out.  

“GCash contributed the user-focused digital infrastructure. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) provided regulatory stability while Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) handled secure banking integrations.

“Finally, Semirara Mining and Power Corporation backed the initiative with a focus on sustainability and real-sector anchoring. Together, these four institutions created a financial tool built for trust, growth and national relevance,” he cited to add. 

DEMOCRATIZE WEALTH-BUILDING
Aquino, who is also known as a champion of inclusive innovation in the country, asserted that the main goal of Echo Wealth AI is to democratize wealth-building and ensure that every Filipino has a fair shot at financial growth. 

“This platform simplifies the process and opens the door for anyone—even those without prior experience—to start earning confidently. We believe this will help families afford better education, healthcare and housing, while giving them control over their future,” he concluded. 

Netizens Voice Anger On 20% Tax On Interest

Marcus Aquino
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Netizens Voice Anger On 20% Tax On Interest

THERE IS A GROWING discontent over the 20-percent tax on the interest on bank deposits with a maturity of more than three years.

And no less than Finance Secretary Ralph Recto is being blamed.

However, the Department of Finance (DOF) is quick to defend the move, saying the move was meant to level the playing field. 

Prof. Emmanuel Leyco, an economist, said in a radio interview said it is the middle class that will be the middle class that will be hit by the 20-percent tax on interest income.

“Kasi po kapag mayaman ka, milyun-milyon ang iyong puhunan o milyun milyon ang inyong wealth, hindi po sa savings ilalagay ‘yan [kundi] nakalagay po sa mga [investment] instrument (The rich, they have millions in funds or millions in wealth, so they don’t put their money on savings but invest their funds), he said.

“Ang tatamaan po talaga rito (ay) yung mga maliliit na nag-impok. Mga middle income (earner) (The ones who will be hurt here are the small savers, the middle-income earners),” Leyco added.

There are also posts over Facebook slamming the move.

“If you have big amount of money in the bank, please withdraw and keep at home. Twenty percent. Naku po, Mr. Recto, ginawa mo noon sa value added tax, sobra pahirap lalona sa ko mahihirap (Mr. Recto, you imposed the value added tax before, and this is too much for people like me who is poor),” said Joselito Favillaran Latube 

“Whatt? 20 percent tax na naman, si Recto na naman ? Kya wag kyo boboto sa mayaman kasi di nila alam paano naramdaman ng nasa ilalim ng masa (Twenty percent tax again? So, don’t vote for the rich as they are not aware of the how those who are the bottom of society feels),” said Malou Parco.

“Ang tatamaan po talaga rito (ay) yung mga maliliit na nag-impok. Mga middle income (earner) (The ones who will be hurt here are the small savers, the middle-income earners),” Prof. Emmanuel Leyco, an economist, said.

DOF DEFENDS MOVE

The 20-percent income tax on bank accounts with a maturity of more than three years is stipulated under the Capital Markets Efficiency Promotion Act (CMEPA), which the DOF claims does not impose a new tax but standardizes the tax rate on interest income to correct an unfair system that favored the wealthy.

“More specifically, the deposits that benefited from favorable rates are those with a maturity period of more than five years, which are tax exempt, while deposits that mature in 4 to 5 years and 3 to 4 years are subject to just 5-percent and 12-percent tax, respectively,” the DOF said.

This will be effective starting July 1 this year.

The DOF also asserted that CMEPA empowers ordinary Filipinos to invest and diversify their sources of income by reducing the stock transaction tax (STT) rate from 0.6 percent to 0.1 percent, reducing the documentary stamp taxes (DST) on original issuance of shares from 1 percent to 0.75 percent, and removing the DST on collective investment schemes.

On The Parents Welfare Act, Filial Duty Or Forced Devotion?

Cheryl Luis True
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On The Parents Welfare Act, Filial Duty Or Forced Devotion?

SO YOU’RE A parent who’s been through the sleepless nights, the scraped knees, and the graduation speeches. You’ve given everything. And now, there’s a bill that says your children must take care of you—or face jail time.

At first glance, Sen. Ping Lacson’s “Parents Welfare Act” sounds like a noble move. But when you really think about it… love under threat? That hits differently.

You understand the fear behind the bill. No one wants to end up alone or forgotten. And yes, some parents are being left to fend for themselves. But should care come with a court order?

‘At the end of the day, you want your children to care for you out of love—not out of fear of prison. And they want to be there for you—but not while drowning themselves.’

UTANG NA LOOB
Now flip the script.

Your teen sees the news and blurts, “Wait—so loving you is now a legal obligation?” They’re confused. Maybe even a little scared. Because they know it’s already tough—tuition, rent, groceries. And now the law says if they fail to send support, they could be fined or jailed?

Online, netizens aren’t exactly cheering. Some say it turns utang na loob into a government-enforced invoice. Others argue it ignores reality: in most Filipino homes, it’s the youngest breadwinner who carries the weight. One comment hits hard: “This doesn’t enforce love—it formalizes exploitation.”

Even worse, what if the parent was abusive? Sure, the bill says there’s room for exemptions, but people online doubt if that’ll be applied fairly, especially for poor families.

ELDERCARE PROGRAM
Meanwhile, the bill promises old-age homes—50 beds per province. A good gesture, but clearly not enough. And while mediation is included before legal action, the threat of jail still hangs.

So here’s the heart of the matter:

  • Yes, our elders deserve dignity.
  • Yes, families should care for their own.       
  • But no, forcing love under law, without safety nets, may cause more harm than help.

Instead of punishment, how about real eldercare programs? Boost government pensions. Provide emotional support. Build community facilities. Make it easier—not harder—for children to do the right thing.

At the end of the day, you want your children to care for you out of love—not out of fear of prison. And they want to be there for you—but not while drowning themselves.

Filial duty isn’t supposed to feel like a sentence. It’s supposed to feel like home.

#parentswelfaract

#filialduty#eldercare

#dignityforelders

#ThePhInsider

Govt. Told Not To Sell Out Farmers In US Negotiations

Rose de la Cruz
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Govt. Told Not To Sell Out Farmers In US Negotiations

AS THE GOVERNMENT is preparing its position for the negotiations with the United States on tariff and trade, local farmers shared their unease and asked the negotiators– who they earlier decried for not consulting them– to not sell them out in exchange for any trade deals.

The Federation of Free Farmers (FFF) has warned the government against sacrificing the country’s agricultural sector in ongoing trade talks with the United States, following Washington’s recent decision to impose a 20% tariff increase on certain Philippine exports, reported Bilyonaryo.

“We are worried that our agri-fisheries sector may (again) be used as a bargaining chip to convince the U.S. to reduce its tariffs,” said FFF national manager Raul Montemayor.

“This is not only unfair, but could be devastating to the country’s farmers and agricultural sector,” Montemayor declared.

PHL EXPORTS TO THE US

The FFF pointed out that Philippine agricultural exports to the U.S. make up only a third of what the country imports in return. From a purely agricultural standpoint, the Philippines runs a nearly $12 billion trade deficit with the U.S, he said.

Yet overall, the U.S. remains at a $5 billion trade deficit with the Philippines, largely due to strong electronics shipments such as integrated circuits and machine parts.

“Clearly, our agriculture sector cannot be blamed for the US trade deficit and should not be made to pay for it,” Montemayor emphasized.

RESIST MAKING EARLY CONCESSIONS

FFF urged Malacañang to resist the temptation of making early concessions, warning that once granted, these trade-offs would be difficult to undo even if the U.S. eventually lifts its retaliatory tariffs.

Unlike electronics exports, which depend heavily on imported components and basic assembly, agricultural products are produced locally and generate more value-added for the economy. They also contribute higher net export earnings, the group said.

“Even if the U.S. removes the reciprocal tariffs, we will still be at a disadvantage because other countries are more efficient and can supply cheaper and better quality goods than us,” Montemayor said.

Instead of chasing short-term trade wins, the government should focus on strengthening local farm productivity and improving global competitiveness, the FFF added.

“It is very possible that the US will ask for more market access and lower tariffs for its agricultural exports to the Philippines, particularly meats, grains and dairy products,” said Montemayor.

The Philippine negotiating team, led by Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick Go, left this week for the United States to negotiate a more favorable tariff deal with Washington.

The government earlier expressed its concerns over the 20-percent import duty on Philippine goods, which US President Donald Trump communicated to President Marcos in a letter dated July 9, noted Inquirer.

2ND LOWEST IMPORT DUTY

Although the import duty is the second lowest in the region, next to Singapore at 10 percent, it is higher than the 17 percent announced during the so-called “Liberation Day” in April.

The United States is the country’s leading export destination in 2024, accounting for $12.14 billion or 16.6 percent of the $73.27 billion in export sales, based on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority.

The FFF said it would be difficult to reverse any concessions offered prematurely in case the US government withdraws the reciprocal tariffs imposed on trading partners.

“Even if the US removes the reciprocal tariffs, we will still be at a disadvantage because other countries are more efficient and can supply cheaper and better quality goods than us,” Montemayor added.

#USnegotiations

#Phlteam

#importduties

#FFF

#shorttermwins

#tradeimbalance

Halting Mackerel, Galunggong Importation

Rose de la Cruz
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Halting Mackerel, Galunggong Importation

TO PREVENT DESTABILIZING the local fish market through misuse of import permits, the Department of Agriculture halted the importation of mackerel and galunggong through Memorandum Order No. 35, which rescinded an earlier memo allowing the entry of 25,000 metric tons of these species, the DA press release said.

The agriculture department also temporarily suspended the issuance of any sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances because of reports of import permit misuse.

Even while on two-week health leave for the United States, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. ordered the immediate stop in SPSIC issuances for horse mackerel, including Atlantic and Japanese jack mackerel, Indian mackerel, wahoo and both torpedo and hardtail scad (galunggong).

MISDECLARED
The suspension follows allegations that some importers misdeclared or diverted shipments of fishery products, undermining the DA’s objectives of stabilizing supply and keeping fish prices affordable, while also disrupting legitimate trade channels.

These fish species are household staples for many Filipino families due to their affordability and versatility in local cuisine.

Laurel said the importation of these essential commodities must be transparent and fair—not only to safeguard consumer access, but also to protect the livelihoods of local fishers and traders from the adverse effects of illicit trade.

BBM’S COMMITMENT
The DA action reinforces the commitment of President Marcos Jr. to uphold food safety, market fairness, and sustainable livelihoods in the fishery and aquaculture sectors. It also aims to insulate domestic producers from disruptive activities that distort market dynamics.

He clarified that the order is not an import ban, but a temporary measure to ensure full compliance with regulations and alignment with national interest.

The DA order will be lifted based on the result of a thorough investigation and review of current importation protocols.

EXCLUDING SALMON
Laurel issued memorandum order no. 37 on July 8, halting the inclusion of mackerel, horse mackerel, and torpedo scad—also known as hardtail scad—from the list of species eligible for import.

The suspension comes after the DA allowed imports of those species through a certificate of necessity to import (CNI) under memorandum order No. 35 dated July 3. That order listed several types of mackerel, including Indian, Spanish, and Indo-Pacific variants.

A day earlier, on July 2, Tiu Laurel issued memorandum order no. 33, which included salmon among the fish allowed for import. Salmon was excluded from the final July 3 directive.

Tiu Laurel did not give specific reasons for the reversal but cited “reports of misdeclaration and diversion of fish and fishery/aquatic products.”

He said the DA was conducting a “thorough review and investigation,” without providing details on the scope or timeline of the probe.

MARKET STABILITY
The DA had earlier said the imports were aimed at addressing potential shortfalls in fish supply and ensuring market stability.

Fish imports in the Philippines are typically regulated to balance food security with the protection of local fisheries, particularly during closed fishing seasons.

#DA

#mackerelandgalunggong

#smuggling

#misuseofimportpermits

#householditems

Finally, Recto Gives A Realistic Growth Forecast

Rose de la Cruz
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0
Finally, Recto Gives A Realistic Growth Forecast

FOR SEVERAL TIMES, I called attention to the economists in both government and private sector about giving rosy forecasts about the economy, despite the harsh realities besetting the globe these days.

Finally, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto forecast the economic growth to be below 6 percent this year– despite the good performance in the second quarter, because of the uncertainty over the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.

“I think the second quarter, for sure will be better than the first but full year expansion is likely to be below 6% amid uncertainty over US tariffs,” Recto told reporters on Wednesday.

Recto said this second-quarter forecast depends on government spending and household consumption, which accounts for over 70% of the economy.

In the first quarter, gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 5.4%, weaker than expected and slower than the 5.9% expansion in the same quarter last year.

For the full year, GDP may grow by around 5.7% to 5.8%, he said.

“Realistically, probably 5.7%, 5.8% for the year. But there’s still a possibility, (but) it depends because there’s a lot of uncertainty — uncertainty with trade policy. There’s no final [tariff rate] yet,” Recto said.

ECO MANAGERS REDUCE GROWTH TARGETS

Economic managers last month lowered the full-year growth target to 5.5%-6.5% from 6%-8% previously, “reflecting a more measured and resilient outlook amid global headwinds.”

Last week, US President Donald J. Trump announced a 20% tariff on most Philippine goods sent to the US, higher than the 17% previously announced in April, Business World recalled.

Philippine trade negotiators are in Washington this week to secure a deal with the US.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to meet with Mr. Trump during his official visit to Washington from July 20 to 22.

Budget Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman told Business World she remains confident in meeting the GDP growth target this year on the back of strong domestic demand.

“Our growth momentum is expected to be driven primarily by strong domestic demand, specifically, robust household spending and accelerated government investments in social services and critical infrastructure,” Pangandaman, chair of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, said.

She also noted the resilient labor market and easing inflation will support growth momentum.

Inflation averaged 1.8% in the first six months of the year.

“In addition, lower inflation creates room for the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to ease monetary policy, which would help sustain consumption and domestic activity, reinforcing our growth trajectory,” Pangandaman added.

BSP RATE CUTS

The BSP delivered a second straight 25-basis-point (bp) cut at its June 19 meeting, bringing its policy rate to 5.25%.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. intoned that they could deliver two more cuts this year.

Similarly, DoF Undersecretary and Chief Economist Domini S. Velasquez said it may be difficult for GDP to grow more than 6% this year amid an expected global slowdown due to US tariffs.

She said the US tariffs have slowed international trade and “dragged down all the growth prospects of all the countries, including the Philippines.”

“We do think that the potential of the Philippines is at the minimum 6% growth. But of course, it’s quite difficult, especially now with some of the challenges that we’re seeing,” she told reporters late Tuesday.

INCREASINGLY CHALLENGING

Union Bank of the Philippines, Inc. Chief Economist Ruben Carlo O. Asuncion said it is becoming increasingly challenging for the government to reach 6% growth this year.

“Hitting the 6% midpoint will depend on how strongly domestic demand can offset external risks,” he shared with Business World.

“Domestic demand is expected to remain resilient but cautious in the near term… Growth will be driven by everyday retail channels, but broader consumption recovery may hinge on stronger job creation and improved purchasing power,” he added.

Velasquez said the US tax on remittances would likely impact 12.8% of the Philippines’ total annual remittances.

“In our estimate, when we used the survey of overseas Filipinos, 12.8% say they’re receiving remittances from North and South America,” she said.

US President Donald J. Trump on July 4 signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which overhauls tax rates and spending. It imposes a 1% excise tax on cash-based remittances from the US to recipients abroad. The tax will be implemented starting Jan. 1, 2026.

The tax, Velasquez said, would impact around $1.9 billion in remittances from the US in 2026.

“For example, we estimate $36.5 billion in remittances by 2026, and $1.9 billion will be affected and will be taxed 1%,” she added.

In the first five months of the year, cash remittances grew by 3% to $13.77 billion from $13.37 billion in the comparable year-ago period.

The United States was the top source of remittances in the five-month period, accounting for 40.2% of the total.

#DoF

#morerealisticgrowthtargets

#economicuncertainties

#Trumptariffs

#taxonremittances

Fake Plates

Danny Querubin
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0
Fake Plates

TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY VINCE Dizon, with Undersecretary Ramon Reyes (right) and Assistant Secretary Greg Pua, Land Transportation Office chief, hold fake plates for vehicles seized from four distributors and manufacturers. With their names with held until further investigation, the four were cornered in San Ildefonso, Bulacan. The press conference was held at the main LTO office in Quezon City.

Imported, P20-Kg Rice Push Palay Prices Down

Rose de la Cruz
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0
Imported, P20-Kg Rice Push Palay Prices Down

CURRENT STOCKS OF imported rice and the adoption of P20/kg rice in the market have contributed to declining farmgate prices of palay, which the Federation of Free Farmers said fell 31.8 percent in June, or just when harvest was almost complete in most parts of the country.

Local harvest had to compete with arriving imported rice, which were landed here at P26.34 per kg. in June, versus its level the year before at P41.09/kg. in addition to current stocks of imported rice.

Another factor is the government’s selling price of P20/kg of rice, which though intended for the sector that could least afford the staple at very high retail prices, also dampened local farmgate prices for palay.

“This confirms what many farmers from various parts of the country have been complaining about,” Federation of Free Farmers Cooperatives, Inc. National Manager Raul Q. Montemayor told Business World.

“Normally, palay prices go up after the harvest and into the May-June planting season,” he said, “but this time, prices have been going down,” he added.

‘Local harvest had to compete with arriving imported rice, which were landed here at P26.34 per kg. in June, versus its level the year before at P41.09/kg. in addition to current stocks of imported rice.’

EX-PIER COSTS
Montemayor also noted that rice imports that are already in the country are cheap, with 5 percent broken-grain rice averaging P29.50 per kilo in June — compared to P40.67/kg in June 2024 — ex-pier and with tariffs already paid.

Ex-pier costs include the purchase cost from the source country FOB (or free-on-board), plus freight, insurance, and tariffs.  

The landed price of imported rice at 25 percent broken averaged P26.34 per kilo in June, against P41.09 a year earlier.

He also said the P20/kg rice program has led traders to hedge and buy palay from farmers at low prices “in case they have to compete with this cheap rice.”

N.F.A. BILL IN CONGRESS
The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing Congress to pass a bill seeking stricter oversight of rice imports and restoration of the National Food Authority’s (NFA) regulatory powers.

The farmgate price of palay fell 31.8 percent year on year (YOY) in June to an average of P16.99 per kilo. Month on month, the average palay farmgate price fell 4.3 percent compared to May.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel, Jr. had debunked claims that the P20/kg rice program caused the declining palay prices saying “simply not true,” but that it had helped decongest NFA warehouses and has allowed the government “to buy more palay from farmers.”

“On the contrary, we need to accelerate the expansion of the subsidized rice program,” he said.

“Every bag of rice sold at P20 frees up space for two sacks of palay, which we can purchase at better prices than what private traders offer,” he added.

But Montemayor belittled NFA’s contribution as minimal “due to congestion of its warehouses and strict standards (clean and dry) when buying palay from farmers.”

BLAME TRADERS
“Even without these constraints, its funds can absorb only 5 percent at most of the harvest volume,” he added.

“The government has passed the blame to palay traders and has asked farmers to report to them traders who are ‘nambabarat,’ (forcing them to accept low prices),” he said.

“But it is very possible that the drop in palay prices is due to its own rice subsidy programs, its unlimited import policy, and its failure to support palay prices through the NFA,” he added.

Currently, the NFA buys palay at a minimum of P17 per kilo for fresh grade and up to P24 per kilo for dry.

“To support this effort, the agency is acquiring more trucks, upgrading its warehouses, and requesting a larger procurement budget,” Laurel said.

OVERUSED BUDGET
As of June 30, the NFA procured 149 percent of its first half target, approaching capacity “in response to the clamor from farmers for the agency to buy more palay,” he added.

The DA urged Congress to pass the proposed Rice Act before the first harvest of 2026. It is currently conducting “on-the-ground consultations” with farmers and lawmakers in preparation for congressional deliberations.

It said it is backing a provision that would give the NFA “some control” over rice imports.

It’s “critical gap that leaves the DA with limited ability to manage domestic supply,” Laurel said.

R.T.L AT FAULT
The 2019 Rice Tariffication Law granted unlimited rice importation by the private sector– but required them to pay tariffs (which ironically the government itself reduced from 35 to 15 percent)– and removed from NFA the power to import rice and sell directly to consumers. 

The law was amended last year to increase the allocation for the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to P30 billion from P10 billion, paid out of rice tariff collections.

#FFF

#DA

#riceimports

#tariffs

#P20/kgriceprogram

#RiceTarifficationLaw

#ThePhInsider

Wanted: Heroes Among Us

Luchie Aclan Arguelles
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Wanted: Heroes Among Us

FILIPINOS FORMING PART of the so-called Generation Z may have very limited ideas on one of the most prominent whistleblowers in the history of corruption in the Philippines.

Some of them don’t even know who Jun Lozada (Rodolfo Noel Imperial Lozada Jr.) is, or why news organizations came up with the news about his release from detention at the National Penitentiary.

For one, Jun was set free at a time when the country is hounded with one scandal after another, mostly coming from whistleblowers like him.

But unlike the self-professed whistleblowers in recent years, he stood by what he believed was right even if it meant his incarceration for a case that has nothing to do with his revelation that saw the fall of the very person who appointed him to a government post in 2004.

Moving forward, Jun became an insider to one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in Philippine history — the National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China’s ZTE Corporation. The project, valued at $329.5 million, was intended to create a telecommunications network linking government offices nationwide.

The contract was grossly overpriced to accommodate massive kickbacks for the so-called “powers that may be” including the then First Couple.

Jun’s testimony, which made popular the term “moderate the greed,”  proved to be fatal as then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was forced to cancel the deal. In short, he prevented what could have been the biggest corruption during that time.

Jun Lozada, however, paid dearly for his courage. He was slapped with a long list of fabricated charges, including perjury and graft. Jun was convicted of a minor graft case, and spent almost three years at the New Bilibid Prison.

But not even his jail time made him recant. He was the same whistleblower that shook the most powerful couple in the country.

At a time when corruption in the Philippines is at its worst, the country needs whistleblowers who would stand for what is right. We need modern-day versions of Jun Lozada.

His story is beyond one man’s courage. It’s a struggle for accountability and transparency in government.

Unfair!

Fernan Angeles
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0
Unfair!

AMID AN IMBALANCE in minimum wage rate and plummeting price of basic commodities, a family of five could hardly make both ends meet even if both (husband and wife) are working.

Taking the case of 50-year old Mang Jose of Taytay, Rizal, his meager salary is not even enough to pay for their monthly rent, and bills corresponding their electricity and water consumption. His wife, Aling Azon, who is much younger than him, helps raise money through online selling of “ukay-ukay.”

Mang Jose and wife have three kids — the eldest is a grade two student in a nearby public school, the second child is enrolled in a barangay-based child development center (commonly referred to as barangay daycare center) while the youngest is turning one this August.

DIFFERING WAGE RATES
As of July 2025, the minimum wage in the Philippines varies by region and industry, reflecting the country’s diverse economic conditions. 

In the National Capital Region (NCR), the daily minimum wage for non-agricultural workers is ₱695 in Metro Manila. This rate was established by a recent wage order which granted a ₱50 increase benefiting approximately four million workers.

In contrast, other regions have different minimum wage rates. For instance, in the Caraga Region, the minimum wage is ₱415 per day. 

The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) decides on the amount of increase based on the prevailing cost of living and economic conditions across the country’s 16 regions.

For Mang Jose who lives in a town adjacent to the NCR, he only gets to receive ₱450 per day.

‘Minimum wages in the country have long failed to provide for an adequate living wage for laborers … due to the fact that the criteria in determining minimum wages … are patently erroneous, biased, and ultimately unconstitutional.’

LEGISLATED WAGE HIKE
After two years of lobbying efforts, labor groups suffered another setback as the 19th Congress failed to push forward what would have been the first across-the-board legislated wage hike for minimum wage earners since 1989.

According to IBON Foundation, the 19th Congress passing a legislated minimum wage hike between ₱100 and 200 – from the bill just passed by the House of Representatives (HOR) and its counterpart passed by the Senate last year, respectively – are important first steps towards a family living wage (FLW) nationwide. 

Minimum wage earners will feel immediate benefits and should be able to look forward to an FLW that actually raises their families’ standard of living to a decent level.

However, the legislated wage hike bill languished as the 19th Congress adjourned sine die on June 11, leading the labor sector’s fate to the 20th Congress. 

NO NEED FOR WAGE BOARD
Several labor organizations have previously called for the abolition of regional wage boards which they aptly referred to as a deterring factor in promoting equal protection of workers.

Citing Republic Act 6727 ( Wage Rationalization Act), militant labor leaders hinted at the urgent need to seriously consider ending what they described as “disparate absurdity” depriving fair working conditions to minimum wage workers outside Metro Manila.

Metro Manila workers have the highest minimum wage rate in the country. 

Previously, labor groups asked the Supreme Court to stop the National Wage and Productivity Commission (NWPC) and the RTWPB from issuing any more regional wage orders.

LIVING WAGE, PLEASE
To begin with, they said, the minimum wages set by NWPC and RTWPB have not met the living wage estimated by  a number of think tanks. 

“Minimum wages in the country have long failed to provide for an adequate living wage for laborers. This is due to the fact that the criteria in determining minimum wages, as defined by RA 6727, are patently erroneous, biased, and ultimately unconstitutional,” reads part of the petition.

These criteria include demand for living wages, wage adjustment against the consumer price index, fair return for investors, and the employers’ capacity to pay.

The petitioners argued that the Constitution and international conventions do not say that fair return of capital by the employers is a requisite for paying a living wage.

REFILING A DEAD BILL
A week after 20th Congress commenced its tour, a legislator refiled a measure in the Senate mandating a P100 daily minimum wage increase for all private sector minimum wage earners, regardless of employment status or sector.

The proposed legislation builds on a similar bill he co-authored in the previous Congress.

Citing the need to uplift the welfare of Filipino workers amid persistent economic hardship, Go reminded fellow legislators on the constitutional duty of the State to protect labor and ensure humane and dignified working conditions.

“The 1987 Philippine Constitution declares that the State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas, organized and unorganized… They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions of work, and a living wage,” Go said in a statement. 

“This constitutional provision clearly mandates the State to ensure that workers are afforded a living wage — one that is not only sufficient for subsistence, but also consistent with human dignity and decency,” he quipped.

Toothless Office Grows Fangs

Rose de la Cruz
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0
Toothless Office Grows Fangs

WITHOUT A DOUBT, it takes a lawyer with customs background to make things move quicker at the Department of Agriculture Inspectorate and Enforcement office, created in 2022 but which remained toothless until now.

Since the recent appointment of lawyer and former Bureau of Customs (BOC) official, Assistant Secretary Ramon Cuyco, at the DA-IE Office, the agency has seized 75 containers of misdeclared and highly dutiable imports since the implementation last June 5 of the Soft Touch Enforcement Protocols, which uses lawfare as its main weapon, posted Cuyco at his Facebook account.

In fact, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. is beaming proudly over such a feat, which he credited to the close collaboration between DA-IE, Bureau of Customs and the DA bureaus. Since June 5, the DA-IE has issued 14 ALERT Requests (AR) to various ports. ALERT is acronym for Advice for Law Enforcement and Regulatory Tracking. 

The DA-IE is headed by Undersecretary Carlos Carag.

‘Under the law, smuggling or hoarding of agricultural commodities is treated as economic sabotage if the value of the goods exceeds P10 million.’

ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOLS
The ARs basically invoke the prior inspection and examination (PIE) by DA rule pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Food Safety Act of 2013 (RA10611), and alert Customs authorities to hold and desist from clearing alerted agricultural and fishery (A/F) goods until they have been subjected to the PIE Rule by the One DA Border Control Team (1DABCT) together with the DA-IE Monitors, he explained.

Under the Food Safety Act of 2013, a special law covering agricultural and fishery commodities, the PIE is directed to be conducted before the tariff assessment by the Bureau of Customs (BOC). The PIE is the onset of the soft touch enforcement protocols (STEP) of the DA.

The STEP, unlike the Hard Action and Reaction Display (HARD) Protocol, does not need police actions like raiding warehouses and cold storage facilities.

STEP simply demands submission of import documents from the importers and their brokers. 

MISDECLARED
The 75 containers were declared as processed goods like egg noodles, crab sticks and non dairy products, purposely to evade the quizzical prowling of the port-based operatives of the DA-IE.

However, these contraband turned out to be misdeclared as they were found to be mackerels, onions, and other highly dutiable and strictly regulated agri-fishery commodities.

Under the new law, the TRAs of the DA are empowered to declare misclassification and misdeclaration as may be found in violation of their import clearances. Most of these 75 containers did not even have import permits.

Many more spare magazines are included in the DA-IE AGRIForcement kit, among them is bringing to the attention of the Office of the President uncooperative government agencies and their officials.

MINIMIZING SMUGGLING
There is hope that smuggling could be minimized, if not eradicated, using the strategies of DA-IE, said Cuyco. “Perhaps, we can even look forward to some big fish to be apprehended, charged and penalized (hopefully with jail term) to serve as a deterrent to the rampant smuggling, price manipulation, hoarding and cartelized operations of unscrupulous importers, dealers and traders who do not only disadvantage the farmers but also the consumers with their malpractices.”

The smuggled items worth P34 million were seized at the Port of Manila, which could trigger a case for Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act, the DA press release said. 

Upon inspection the three seized containers had 74 metric tons of fresh red onions worth P10.3 million, one yellow onion worth P3.82 million and the two containers had frozen mackerel worth P13 million and P20 million. “We intend to use the full force of the Anti-Agricultural Economic Sabotage Act against these companies, including those who may have hired them to ship these onions and fish,” Laurel said.

ECONOMIC SABOTAGE
Under the law, smuggling or hoarding of agricultural commodities is treated as economic sabotage if the value of the goods exceeds P10 million.

Customs Assistant Commissioner Vincent Philip Maronilla said that smugglers use a “scheme” where they would declare items as processed food under the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) jurisdiction.

“What they do is add a layer, thinking that our risk management system will just tag them for normal examination and the content underneath won’t be inspected,” Maronilla said.

What Cinematography Are You Talking About?

Boy Villasanta
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0
What Cinematography Are You Talking About?

WHEN WATCHING A movie, yes, we tend to be fascinated by the breathtaking scenery of verdant hills or a luscious orchard or a graceful dance, otherwise, rarely are we awed by not so beautiful images and imagery being projected on the screen.
Especially horror films with scary contents like zombies or gore and blood or disgusting scenes of filth and dirt, we tend to keep our eyes shut.
We almost forget that line and color, depth of field, perspective and symmetry, light and shadow etc. are essentials in each scene of any genre no matter how ugly.

BEAUTY AND UGLINESS
In the school of naturalism as a cinematic trend, though, there is beauty in ugliness.
These and many more are elements (for there are still other factors including mise-en-scenes) of cinematography.
In the local entertainment industry, however, cinematography isn’t always informed to the audience or to the reading and watching public unlike news if not hot gossips and rumors on stars being churned out daily.
In the recent past, however, I was lucky enough to have been introduced, if only through an heir of the late award-winning cinematographer Ricardo Marcelino.

FILMMAKERS
Thus, this little story.
After an out-of-town fellowship as part of our recent UST Arts and Letters ’75 golden jubilee celebration at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, I was speaking to my fellow Lit major in college, Nette Marcelino nee Mercurio, for a post-reunion talk.
On our way back to the hotel, Nette informed me that her husband, Ding Marcelino, belongs to the family of filmmakers, her late grandfather-in-law Ricardo Marcelino was the award-winning cinematographer Ricardo Marcelino.
Nette brought down to the hotel coffee shop (where we had a postscript) a huge family tree of the Marcelinos, many of them artists.
As a matter of fact, Ding is a visual artist.

(From left, second row) Nenita Mercurio Marcelino and Ding Marcelino with their grandkids. Photo Credit: Nette Marcelino Facebook

ARTISTIC PURSUITS
Now based in the US, Nette and Ding share artistic pursuits on the side—she as a literature buff and he as a painter.
Ding told me that her grandfather Ricardo, nicknamed Andoy, would tap him to play minor roles in movies mostly done in the 1960s and 1970s by Premiere Productions which had its studio in Caloocan City.
“Natatandaan ko, nakaganap na ako bilang batang Cesar Ramirez yata “yon, hindi ko na matandaan (I remember, I was able to play, I think young boy Cesar Ramirez, I cannot recall anymore),” recollected Ding.
“Malapit sa Premiere Productions ang bahay namin noon at lagi akong nanonood ng shooting ng lolo ko na (Our house was near the studio and I always watched shoots of my grandfather) cameraman,” he added.

CINEMATOGRAPHER
No, his granddad wasn’t only a cameraman.
He was a cinematographer, the one who conceptualized and shot the scenes, according to the directorial instructions and vision of the director, considered as the captain of the whole film project.
A cinematographer must have aesthetics of his own complementary to the director.
No wonder Ricardo or Mang (a term of endearment to an elderly man) Andoy was a gifted artist who had an eye for beauty as complemented by his director, one of them the now National Artist for Film Gerardo de Leon, also known as Gerry de Leon, also a physician. 
Even as an independent cinematographer (known these days as Director of Photography or DoP), the patriarch Marcelino was a creative photographer.

FAMAS AWARDEE
Mang Andoy won his first Famas Award—when the plum was still highly coveted—for Best Cinematography in “Huwag Mo Akong Limutin,” a film starred in by Cesar Ramirez, Cynthia Zamora, Aura Aurea and Arsenia Francisco in 1960 directed by de Leon.
Earlier, Mang Andoy, won his first Best Cinematography award in Famas in 1954 for “Habang Buhay,” a film that topbilled Jose Padilla, Jr. with Nena Cardenas and Carol Varga directed by Teodorico Santos for Manuel Vistan Productions.

REIMAGING 4Ps

Tracy Cabrera
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0
REIMAGING 4Ps

CATARMAN, NORTHERN SAMAR — Over the years, there have been many discussions over the viability of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) which has been at the forefront of the national government’s initiatives since it’s inception as a priority project to reduce poverty through investments in health and education. 

Discussions on the matter have highlighted the need to complement financial assistance with pathways to long-term self-sufficiency and House Bill 604, recently filed by Northern Samar’s District II Rep. Edwin Marino Ongchuan, responds to this call through a timely and transformative proposal that places livelihood and skills development at the very core of social protection.

Ongchuan noted that at the focal point of this proposed amendment to Republic Act 11310, or the act institutionalizing 4Ps, is the belief that government support must not end with cash but must evolve into capability.

‘(A) beneficiary, who once relied solely on monthly cash grants, would now be able to manage a productive fish cage or cultivate organic vegetables for sale in the local market.’

NOT A DOLEOUT
The lawmaker explained that under the proposed bill, 4Ps beneficiaries will be required to complete at least two accredited livelihood or skills training programs.

Thus, with the new direction, the program will be credited into one that empowers families to become active contributors to the economy and not just recipients of doleouts candy-coated as government assistance.

The shift, Ongchuan pointed out, “is particularly relevant in his province where there is rich agriculture and aquaculture. “In many rural communities, families have access to land and waterways yet lack the technical knowledge, tools, or market access to turn them into sustainable livelihoods.”

LONG-TERM PROMISE
To expound clearly, he described how a beneficiary, who once relied solely on monthly cash grants, would now be able to manage a productive fish cage or cultivate organic vegetables for sale in the local market.

And according to Ongchuan, this is not just a vision but rather a long-term promise of progress committed to the marginalized sectors of our society. 

“This is the promise of HB 604. Through partnerships with agencies such as TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority), DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), Department of Agriculture (DA), DoST (Department of Science and Technology) and even LGUs (local government units), the bill ensures that 4Ps families are connected to real, practical and sustainable income-generating activities,” he cited. 

Ongchuan said that in recent years, Northern Samar has been gaining momentum in promoting micro-enterprises and community cooperatives in agriculture, fishery, and ecotourism industries through various provincial programs.

ACTIVE PARTNERSHIP
In conclusion, the congressman asserted that his proposed bill will not take away support but instead transform it by keeping the core purpose of 4Ps intact, which is to help families in need while reframing the relationship between the state and its citizens from passive dependence to active partnership.
 
“It tells every parent and youth in the program: you are capable and we will help you realize it,” he stressed to conclude.

#NorthernSamar

#4Ps#Partnership

#RepEdwinOngchuan

#ThePhInsider

 

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