Chinese state-owned power firm to invest $3-B in PH

Power Construction Corporation of China, Ltd. (PowerChina) is investing some USD3-billion or roughly PhP154 billion, China's state-owned firm told Asia Pacific reporters Friday, 21 June 2019.

Deputy General Manager Liu Xianxing of PowerChina Asia Pacific Business Development Department said the USD3-billion investments of the company in the Philippines is for the 11 projects that are under construction now.

Liu said most of the projects are in the power sector, while other projects include railway transportation, highway bridges, and marine reclamation.

He said two of the firm's largest projects in the Philippines include the Kauswagan 4x135-megawatt and the Dinginin (Mariveles) 2x6660-MW coal-fired power station projects.  The company is also putting up a ±350 kilovolt direct current power transmission converter station project for Visayas and Mindanao.

Liu Xianxing, Deputy General Manager

"The potential of market development is huge, and regional headquarters need to invest more resources and focus on their development in various ways," Liu said, pertaining to the Philippines and Asia Pacific countries like Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea.

PowerChina is operating in 31 countries in the Asia Pacific, creating more than 19,000 jobs in the region.

To date, the firm implements 125 projects in 13 Asia Pacific nations, said Liu.

PowerChina International Group, Ltd. Vice President Xu Jianglong said the company's investments in the past years are concentrated in countries participating China-led Belt and Road initiative (BRI).

"Our investments overseas are mainly concentrated in Bel and Road initiative countries.  By the end of 2018, our investments overseas exceeded RMB71-billion, which 85 percent of these investments are in the Belt and Road countries," Xu said.

"Our priority is an investment in energy and power.  Infrastructure is complementary," he added. [Kris Crismundo, PNA]

SSS to hike premium contribution to 12% in 2019

MANILA, Philippines - This year, Social Security System (SSS) members and their employers will shell out more for their contributions as the rate will increase to 12 percent, a move that the state-run pension fund's chief said would replenish the fund life by six years.

SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel F. Dooc said that the second tranche of pension hike would unlikely be implemented this year even as it will still be granted within the term of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

The amendments to the SSS's charter was signed by Duterte last February 7, 2019.

Dooc said the SSS will immediately craft the law's implementing rules and regulations (IRR), such that the provision mandating a one percentage (1%) point increase in the contribution rate every two (2) years, until it reaches fifteen percent (15%), can be implemented this year.


At present, the contribution rate stands at eleven percent (11%).

As such, this year's contribution rate hike will be followed by three more 1-percentage point increases in 2021, 2023, and 2025.

Under the SSS Rationalization Act, the Social Security Commission (SSC)--the pension fund's highest policy-making body--can implement contribution rate increases even without the President's approval, unlike the current charter wherein only the chief executive can green-light rate adjustments.

Two-thirds of the contribution rate increase will be shouldered by the employer.

With a higher contribution rate, the SSS's fund life will be extended until 2038 from 2032 at present, Dooc said.

This means that SSS members and pensioners can still enjoy their benefits for at least 20 more years from now.

To recall, the SSS's fund life was slashed by 10 years to 2032 from 2042 previously when the additional P1,000 a month were given away to pensioners starting 2017.

Dooc said the new law "will strengthen our fund life."

The SSS had initially wanted to implement a higher contribution rate right after the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act was enacted into law, as the lower income tax rates would generate more take-home pay and still provide some relief despite a rate hike.

However, despite having the power to increase the contribution rate, President Duterte did not do so.

Instead, it was the SSS that sought amendments to its charter so that the SSC can implement the contribution rate increase on its own.

For the part of the SSS, Dooc said they will not just rely on the higher contribution rate to raise revenues that will cover the pension fund's also increasing expenses.

Dooc noted that the SSS had gradually increased its revenues--sourced from members' contributions as well as investments--from P132-billion in 2015 to P144-billion in 2016, P159-billion in 2017, and P181-billion last year.

For this year, the SSS targets to collect P19-billion a month or at least P228-billion for the entire year, Dooc disclosed.

Dooc noted that revenues have grown by double-digits in recent years--10 percent in 2017 and 13.9 percent in 2018.

However, expenditures were also ballooning partly due to the pension hike implemented since 2017.

Dooc said the SSS shells out an additional P25-billion a month to 2.5 million pensioners to cover their additional P1,000 in pension benefits.

If the second tranche of another P1,000 in addtional pension will be implemented, the fund life will be cut by about six years, hence offsetting the increase from the contribution rate hike, he said.

In this regard, Dooc said it would be up to the SSC to recommend to President Duterte when will be the best time to implement the second round of pension increase with his term, as it was a campaign promise of the President.

For Dooc, the timing for the additional pension benefits should be based on "our [the SSS's] capacity to absorb the cost."

Besides the mandated increase in contribution rate, the new SSS law will also make membership compulsory among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

At present, only about 550,000 OFWs were also SSS members, and the new law could jack up membership to at least two million, Dooc said.

The amended SSS charter also mandated a one-time, big-time condonation among delinquent employers within a six-month window period, which can be availed of without penalty, Dooc added.

The SSC will also have the power to implement future condonation programs, according to Dooc.

"The new law will wipe out a significant amount of delinquent accounts," he said.

Under the SSS Rationalization Act, the Secretary of the Department of Finance will also serve as the pension fund's chair. [Ben O. de Vera, Philippine Daily Inquirer] 

Duterte to tap Catriona Gray as PH tourism ambassador - DOT

MANILA - The Department of Tourism (DOT)  will continue working with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in promoting the Philippines as President Rodrigo Duterte seeks to tap the beauty queen as the country's tourism ambassador, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said Tuesday.

"We want her to be our tourism ambassador.  According to the President he really wants to be our tourism ambassador," Romulo-Puyat told reporters when asked if the agency will ask Gray to serve the role after her reign as the Miss Universe 2018.

Romulo-Puyat said Gray herself was excited in further promoting the country's destinations.

"She wants to promote all, she was saying there's so much to offer, so much to show the world," Romulo-Puyat said.

Gray on Tuesday paid courtesy calls on Senate President Vicente Sotto III prior to her meeting with Romulo-Puyat and other ranking DOT officials in Makati City.

During her speech, Romulo-Puyat stressed that Gray has vigorously promoted the country even before she won the prestigious pageant in 2018.

The DOT has been instrumental in her introduction clip for the Miss Universe competition featuring the beauty of the world-renowned Palawan and Mindanao, among others.

"Cat has already been promoting the Philippines even before she won and thank you for that for promoting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.  You have made our country proud," she said.

"Because of you becoming Miss Universe, the Philippines...there is now awareness all over the world," she noted.

Gray, meanwhile, said promoting the Philippines is "something she is very passionate about."

"I feel like if people will see what we have to offer, the level of interest will spike.  We have so much potential to share that with the rest of the world.  I hope that in my own way of being Miss Universe 2018, I could work in promoting the Philippines," she said. [Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, PNA]

DOH to hire 26,000 nurses for plantilla positions at P33,787 monthly salary

MANILA - The Department of Health announced that they are looking at hiring as much as 26,000 nurses for plantilla position.

President Duterte signs Universal Health Care Law

MALACANANG, Metro Manila - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, February 20, 2019, signed the Universal Health Care Act (R.A. 11223) into law which will automatically enroll all Filipinos under the government's health insurance program.

Unilab & MSU-IIT ink MOU on nutraceuticals R & D

ILIGAN CITY - Southeast Asia's top pharmaceutical company, Unilab, Inc., has forged an agreement with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for joint undertakings on the research and development of nutraceuticals and dietary products.

Gov. Dimaporo to Commander Bravo: "Respect 'NO' vote"

With the results of the Feb. 6 plebiscite indicating that the six towns proposed for inclusion in the Bangsamoro region will stay with Lanao de Norte, Gov. Imelda Dimaporo has this message to a ranking leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) who had campaigned for the inclusion: "Respect the will of the people."

Military drops bombs on Abu Sayyaf lairs

Air strikes were conducted in areas surrounding Jolo, Sulu in a mission to pulverize the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), as authorities continued to determine whether Sunday's bombing of a Catholic cathedral was the handiwork of suicide bombers.

MILF & MNLF Lanao Norte: "Let Christians and Muslims vote, free of threats and intimidation"

DAVAO CITY - "Let the Christians and Muslims in Lanao del Norte vote on Bangsamoro organic law free of threats and intimidation."

Suspect in Jolo cathedral bombing killed, others escaped

ONE was killed while two others, including the alleged suspect in the Jolo cathedral bombing Sunday, escaped in a hot pursuit operation conducted by the police on Tuesday evening, 29 January, authorities said.

Army releases images of teen suspects in Jolo bombing

The Army released Monday night the images of three of the four suspects in the bombings on Sunday of the Jolo Cathedral, that left 20 people killed and at least 100 others injured, as captured by a nearby closed-circuit television camera (CCTV camera).

27 killed, 77 others hurt in Jolo cathedral blasts Sunday - PNP

After earlier reports that the number of casualties of the twin blasts that rocked the Mount Carmel Cathedral in the town of Jolo in Sulu province on Sunday morning had gone up to 27 dead and 77 wounded, the police has revised the number of those killed to at least 19 as of 2 p.m.

President Duterte to seek Misuari's help to end conflict in Mindanao

MANILA - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte considers the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman, Nur Misuari, as someone who can help in resolving the conflict in Mindanao, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in a Palace media briefing, was responding to a question if the President counts Misuari as a threat to the success of the new Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).



"Not really a threat.  He (Duterte) considers Nur Misuari as someone -- with his group -- who can help in ending the conflict in Mindanao," Panelo said.

Panelo said Misuari had told him that the MNLF leader wanted to talk with the President to share many ideas that he can contribute for the peace, prosperity, and progress in Mindanao.

"I relayed that to the President.  And so, the President is wanting or open to talking to him with respect to whatever suggestions he has in mind," Panelo said.

Asked to comment on Sulu's 'no' votes in the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) plebiscite, Panelo clarified that other leaders in Sulu prefer federalism than the BOL.

"The President will respect the sovereign will of a particular electorate.  But winning doesn't mean that they will go against the law," Panelo said.

"I talked with [Sulu governor] Abdusakur Tan and he said he is not really against Bangsamoro Organic Law.  They want, just like Nur Misuari, they want federalism better.  Oh, ibig sabihin (which means), if federalism is better, Bangsamoro Organic Law is good; kaya lang may (but there is something) better," he said.

Reports said about 163,500 voted against the BOL, while 137,630 supported the measure in Sulu during last Monday's plebiscite for the BOL ratification.

A second plebiscite is set on February 6 in six Lanao del Norte towns and in 67 villages in North Cotabato. [Earl Jed Roque, PNA]

Army troops seize Maute camp, but leader Abu Dar, men flee

GOVERNMENT troops seized a camp held by Maute-ISIS group following heavy fighting in Lanao del Sur, Friday, the military said.

Sulu province, Isabela City reject Bangsamoro Organic Law

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Cotabato City votes 'YES' to inclusion in Bangsamoro autonomous region

COTABATO CITY - At around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, chants of "Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar" reverberated in different parts in the city after it made history with majority of the votes favoring the inclusion of the area in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

NHA turns over 550 shelters to displaced families in Marawi

MARAWI CITY - The National Housing Authority (NHA) has turned over 550 units of transitory shelters at Barangay Boganga here to families who lost their homes during the five-month war between government forces and Islamic State-inspired armed groups in Marawi City in 2017.

Filipino Muslims vote in referendum to give them control over land, resources

A Muslim woman casts her ballot in a referendum at the Marawi Sagonsongan elementary school-turned polling station in Marawi, Lanao del Sur province, southern Philippines, Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Photo: Bogie Calupitan/AP.)

Nearly three million minority Muslims in southern Philippines voted on Monday in a referendum on autonomy, a move that is aimed at ending decades of deadly conflict and granting them greater control over their land and natural resources.

Phil. Coffee Board eyes 5-K hectares coffee expansion in Cavite town

AMADEO, Cavite - This town's coffee industry is expected to receive a big boost after a private sector-led group vowed to provide local coffee farmers with training and machinery to cultivate 5,000 hectares of plantation.

Malagos Chocolates gains another international recognition

DAVAO CITY - The cacao grown by Davao City-based Puentespina Farms, maker of award-winning Malagos Chocolates, has been recognized as "Heirloom Cacao" by the US-based non-profit organization Heirloom Cacao Preservation (HCP) Fund.

3 NPA rebels surrender in Iligan City hinterland

CHECKPOINT.  Members of the Iligan City Police Office and the 51st Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army,
intensify their checkpoints after the encounter between government troops and the New People's Army in
Barangay Mainit, Iligan City, Tuesday morning (January 15). (Photo by Divina Suson)

ILIGAN CITY - One active member and two NPA militias have surrendered to the military's 51st Infantry Battalion, in the hinterland barangay of Rogongon, Iligan City, Saturday.

DTI opens 'One Town, One Product' hub in Iligan City

Assistant Secretary Demphna Du-Naga (second from left), Regional Operations Group (ROG), DTI Central 
Office, leads the ceremonial lighting and unveiling of the hub, together with DTI-10 Regional Director Linda Boniao, and 
Provincial Director Ruel Paclipan, DTI-Iligan/Lanao del Norte. (Photo courtesy of PIA Iligan)

ILIGAN CITY - Paving opportunities for Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs is the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) launching of "One Town, One Product Philippines (OTOP.Ph) Hub in Iligan City to push quality products and services rooted in local culture into the market.

Dimaporo, Commander Bravo meet in MILF camp

LINAMON, Lanao del Norte (MindaNews) - "As part of our mandate to bring peace by building relationships, I am happy to announce the successful meeting between Lanao del Norte 2nd District Congressman Abdullah 'Bobby' Dimakuta Dimaporo and Hadji Abdullah G. Makapaar, alias 'Commander Bravo,' commander of the North Western Mindanao Front of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at Camp Bilal in Tamparan of Munai in Lanao del Norte on Sunday, January 13, 2019," Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process announced in a press statement Sunday night.

Maute-ISIS gunmen surrender in Lanao del Sur

LANAO DEL SUR - Another three Maute-ISIS gunmen, all of whom belonged to the terror leader Abu Dar's group, surrendered to the 82nd Infantry Battalion in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur at 12 p.m., Saturday.

Two other gunmen had earlier surrendered to the 55th Infantry Battalion in Lanao del Sur's Pagayawan town, at about 9 a.m. Friday.

'No cause for worry on Duterte's health': Malacanang

MANILA - Malacanang on Thursday reassured the public that there is no cause for worry about the well-being of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte following a survey, which showed that more Filipinos are worried about the chief executive's health.

Police to start crackdown vs. poll gun ban violators Sunday

DAVAO CITY - Police authorities will start arresting violators of the gun ban starting on Sunday, January 13, in connection with the upcoming May 2019 midterm elections.

Iligan cops hunt homicide suspect in love triangle

ILIGAN CITY - Operatives of the Iligan City Police are now conducting a pursuit operation against a suspect who stabbed a "trisikad " public tri-pedal cycle transport) driver to death.

HEAD Int'l Holdings to relocate China plant to Misamis Oriental

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The world's leading manufacturer of HEAD tennis balls, racquets and other leading international sports products, would relocate its manufacturing plant from China to Misamis Oriental starting 2019 at a cost of P2.4-billion.

Iligan City tightens security after the long weekend

ILIGAN CITY - Bus terminals here have tightened its security starting Wednesday, 3 January 2019, as commuters arrive or exit after the long vacation during the holiday season.

2 dead, 34 hurt in Cotabato City mall blast

COTABATO CITY - At least 2 people died while 34 others were injured in a blast at a department store here, as shoppers were busy preparing for new year revelries, authorities said Monday.

PRRD orders probe into Glenn Chong's aide slay

MANILA - President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered a probe on the killing of Richard 'Red' Santillan, security aide of former Biliran Representatvie Glenn Chong.