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BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Ilocos distributed 100,000 tilapia fry to fisherfolk across the region during the 70th Fishery Industry Forum held Wednesday (Sept. 16) at the Dingras Civic Center in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

The distribution was part of the forum’s efforts to boost fish production and provide fisherfolk with support to improve their livelihoods.

The forum, themed ‘Masaganang Pangisdaan, Tungo sa Maunlad na Ekonomiya,’ brought together fisherfolk, fishery stakeholders, aquapreneurs and representatives from various local governments.

Henry Canlas Jr., BFAR Ilocos OIC-chief of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, led the forum in partnership with Dingras Mayor Joemelle Ernesti Saguid-Go Sy.

Discussions covered market linkages, access to credit institutions, aquaculture farm registration, new technologies and innovations, and regulatory standards in the fisheries sector.

A one-stop shop was also held, featuring services and information from Kadiwa, the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Technology.

The activity aimed to strengthen sustainable fisheries production by expanding access to opportunities, government services, technology, knowledge and other support for fisherfolk and aquapreneurs

PSEi rebounds on bargain hunting but stays below 6,000

Philippine stocks bounced back on Thursday as investors hunted for bargains following two straight sessions of losses, although the benchmark index remained below the 6,000 level.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) climbed 0.70 percent, or 41.70 points, to close at 5,958.64.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research manager Japhet Tantiangco said investors picked up battered shares after the market’s two-day decline.

Despite the rebound, the PSEi failed to reclaim the 6,000 mark, reflecting lingering caution in the market.

Luis Limlingan, head of sales at Regina Capital Developer Corp., said investors took advantage of lower valuations after the recent decline.

‘However, sentiment remained measured amid ongoing market uncertainties partnered with the Fed rate hike, limiting the market rebound,’ Limlingan said.

Trading activity, however, was strong. Net value turnover reached P23.14 billion, well above the year-to-date average of P6.27 billion.

Conglomerates led the sectoral indices, gaining 1.45 percent.

Banks, meanwhile, were the weakest performers after shedding 0.82 percent.

Semirara Mining and Power Corp. emerged as the day’s top index gainer, surging 20.06 percent to P20.05.

On the other hand, GT Capital Holdings Inc. was the worst-performing index stock, falling 4.12 percent to P414.20

Analysts said Thursday recovery came after two consecutive days of decline, but the benchmark remained below the psychologically important 6,000 level.

Doi Inthanon eyes listing

Thailand is seeking Asean Heritage Park status for Chiang Mai’s Doi Inthanon National Park, with an expert assessment beginning on Wednesday.

Government spokeswoman Lalida Persvivatana said the proposal, approved by the National Committee on Conservation and Utilisation of Biodiversity in May, aims to strengthen conservation, biodiversity protection and eco-tourism while supporting local economies.

Experts from the Asean Centre for Biodiversity will assess the park from Sept 16-18 before the proposal proceeds to the Asean Heritage Parks committee and relevant regional environmental bodies.

She said Doi Inthanon covers about 296,922 rai across four Chiang Mai districts, with natural forest accounting for 89.5% of its area. It is an important headwater source for the Ping River and part of the Chao Phraya River basin.

The park contains at least 1,271 plant species and 393 wildlife species, including rare and endangered species such as the serow and white-handed gibbon. It also has 21 newly recorded lichen species, while 40.48% of the area lies within a strictly protected Class 1 watershed.

The park includes Thailand’s highest peak, at 2,565 metres above sea level, and produces more than 540 million cubic metres of water annually, serving more than 74 communities.

Thailand has 10 Asean Heritage Parks. If approved, Doi Inthanon would boost regional cooperation on biodiversity, conservation and research.

Meat traders buck plan to raise pork jowl tariffs

Philippine meat importers are pushing back against the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) bid to reclassify frozen pork jowls as swine meat, a move that would raise the tariff on the imported cut to up to 40 percent.

In a June petition to the Tariff Commission, the DA noted that retailers and food service businesses are increasingly using pork jowls, known for sisig, as regular pork cuts in the local market.

Imports have averaged about 130,000 metric tons annually over the past three years, making pork jowls among the country’s most heavily imported swine products, according to the agriculture department.

It sought to reclassify standalone pork jowls under AHTN Chapter 0203, which covers swine meat, from Chapter 0206, which covers edible offal.

The request included creating a separate tariff line to better track the imports of the cut.

Under its proposal, pork jowls would initially retain the 25-percent tariff imposed on swine meat through 2028 under Executive Order No. 62, before the rate rises to 40 percent thereafter. Offals, by comparison, face only a 5-percent tariff.

The Meat Importers and Traders Association (Mita) argues that the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) case relies on a ‘flawed premise,’ stating that the way people consume pork jowls should not determine their tariff classification.

‘Merely because an offal product is edible, high-value, or versatile in culinary applications does not legally transform it into primary meat under Chapter 0203,’ Mita president emeritus Jesus Cham said in a Sept. 15 letter to Tariff Commission chair Marilou Mendoza.

The group maintained that jowls are anatomically part of a swine’s head and should therefore remain classified as edible offal, citing World Customs Organization rules and practices in major trading partners such as Canada and the United States.

MITA warned that reclassification could ‘needlessly inflate raw material costs’ for local food processors, restaurants and consumers that rely on imported offal.

It also argued that changing the tariff classification could complicate free trade agreement concessions and force renegotiation of tariff schedules with trading partners.

Still, the group did not oppose the DA’s proposal to create a separate national tariff line for pork jowls to improve import monitoring.

MITA said such a tariff line should remain under Chapter 0206 as edible offal, keeping its duty rates tied to offal products.

The Tariff Commission will hold a public hearing on the DA petition on Sept. 21.

NBTC chair sees ‘hidden hand’ in ouster effort

National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) chairman Dr Sarana Boonbaichaiyapruck has questioned whether a “hidden hand” is behind efforts to remove him from office.

The regulator’s board meeting on Wednesday again failed to reach a quorum, the 11th time since late July, leaving a long list of agenda items unconsidered.

Pol Gen Nathathorn Prousoontorn and Torpong Selanon could not attend the meeting as they were on official duty, while Somphop Purivigraipong submitted written notice of his absence.

The other commissioners, AM Thanapant Raicharoen, Pirongrong Ramasoota and Suphat Suphachalasai, sent written notification that they could not join the meeting.

The regular group of NBTC commissioners has declined to attend the board meetings since July, citing Dr Sarana’s disqualification as chairman.

The NBTC selection committee ruled in late July that Dr Sarana lacked the qualifications to hold the office after failing to resign from posts prohibited by NBTC law before being appointed as a commissioner.

Dr Sarana challenged the ruling with the Central Administrative Court, which initially dismissed the case. He appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court, which overruled the lower court’s decision.

Dr Sarana said the boardroom deadlock must not be allowed to paralyse the regulator.

He insisted he was required to continue calling meetings under the law and that failure to do so could potentially constitute a dereliction of duty.

Dr Sarana urged the commissioners to return to the meetings and find a way forward.

The outstanding agenda items include the future of the digital TV broadcasting industry, satellite services and telecom infrastructure.

Dr Sarana also questioned who might benefit if he is removed from the post and why there appears to be urgency to remove him. However, he declined to identify any individual or organisation as being behind such an effort.

Dr Sarana has served as an NBTC commissioner for 4.5 years and has roughly 1.5 years remaining in his term.

He questioned whether his continued presence at the regulator could obstruct the interests of any particular party as Thailand’s broadcasting and telecom sectors enter a period of major transformation.

“If I remain in the position, who would I obstruct? What role should the NBTC play?” asked Dr Sarana, while also questioning why other commissioners cannot attend board meetings to perform their duties.

There are several tasks that need to be addressed during the remainder of his term, he noted.

Dr Sarana said he has discussed with his lawyers a possible legal request for interim relief against the NBTC selection committee’s verdict.

Why Cone sat out China game

It seemed strange that Gilas head coach Tim Cone didn’t call the shots against China at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games last Monday. Instead, assistant coach Richard del Rosario was at the helm. Not that Cone shirked away from the responsibility. He faced the music in the end and felt the pain of the 105-61 loss like everyone else on the embattled brigade.

‘We were running a system that we believed fit the team but one in which I personally didn’t fully understand all the nuances of,’ said Cone. ‘I knew the optics wouldn’t look great for me but we, as a staff, felt it was better if I gave up the lead. If you remember, I wasn’t with the team at the start because of the FIBA window. I joined them only in Korea. Coach Richard validated that decision against Kazakhstan when the team responded and played great. I coached the loss against Bahrain but honestly, as it turned out, it really didn’t matter who coached against China. We were overmatched. That was plain to see.’

Leading Gilas to Nagoya was a decision that Cone made while sacrificing family time. His son Kevin got married in the US during the Asian Games group stage. And after Gilas was eliminated, Cone didn’t rush out to visit the newly-married couple. ‘PBA is right around the corner and Ginebra is already practicing so no time to visit,’ said Cone. The Governors’ Cup will resume on Oct. 7 and Ginebra will mark its return against Rain or Shine at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Oct. 9. Whether or not Justin Brownlee will play for Ginebra is uncertain. ‘Not sure about Justin,’ noted Cone. ‘He may be mulling retirement. Our import status is still a question mark.’

Del Rosario, who also assists Cone with Ginebra, said the pain of losing when representing the country hits differently because aside from the sting of defeat, knowing that you let your countrymen down makes it worse. ‘We just didn’t have the size to match up with China and the Bahrain imports,’ he said. ‘Maybe, in the next few days, all of the problems we encountered leading to Nagoya will be addressed.’

Even the journey to the Asian Games from Korea where Gilas played two tune-up games was compromised. Del Rosario, assistant coach Josh Reyes and team official Yvette Ruiz were stranded in Korea without Asian Games IDs, which serve as visas, while the rest of the team flew out. Assistant coach Patrick Partosa had to fly from Nagoya back to Korea to personally hand their IDs. While the team settled in early on the Nagoya trip, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial volunteered to do the players laundry. Then, Calvin Oftana joined the team as a late entry days before the first game.

Singapore’s Changi Airports International interested in Georgia’s planned Vaziani airport

Singapore-based Changi Airports International (CAI) has expressed interest in operating and investing in Georgia’s planned new international airport in Vaziani, following meetings between the company’s management and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili.

Kvrivishvili said CAI has formally confirmed its interest in both operating the airport and investing in the country’s largest infrastructure project.

The new airport is planned at the site of the former Vaziani military airfield, around 20-25 kilometers from Tbilisi. According to the government’s plans, the airport will have the capacity to handle up to 20 million passengers a year and is expected to reach full operation by the end of 2031.

The estimated cost of the project is around $1.3 billion.

Changi Airports International, part of Singapore’s Changi Airport Group, specializes in airport investment, management and consulting. The company operates and advises on airport and aviation hub projects in several countries.

It should be noted that the Vaziani airport does not yet exist and remains a planned project. Kobakhidze first announced plans to build a new international airport there on April 8, 2024.

Israel and Morocco move to upgrade diplomatic and commercial ties

Israel and Morocco have agreed to take further steps to upgrade their diplomatic relationship, including elevating their diplomatic missions to full embassies and appointing ambassadors, following a trilateral summit with the United States in New York.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz took part in the meeting, which focused on strengthening Israel-Morocco relations and expanding commercial ties.

The three countries reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral relations between Israel and Morocco, with the planned elevation of diplomatic missions to full embassies representing a significant institutional step in the relationship. The two sides also agreed to appoint ambassadors.

The move builds on the restoration of formal Israel-Morocco relations in 2020 under the US-brokered Abraham Accords. The latest agreement seeks to move the relationship towards a more developed diplomatic and economic framework.

Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions. Israel and Morocco agreed to complete agreements on investment protection and the prevention of double taxation by the end of 2026. The measures are intended to facilitate reciprocal investment and support closer business and commercial links between the two countries.

The countries are also expected to expand direct air links. Moroccan airlines are expected to begin operating direct flights to Israel in the coming weeks, while the two governments have discussed further high-level reciprocal visits.

The New York meeting comes as the Abraham Accords approach their sixth anniversary, with the United States continuing to support the expansion of ties established through the 2020 normalisation agreements.

Sa’ar said the declaration agreed at the summit sets out practical measures for upgrading Israel-Morocco relations and stressed the historical links between the Moroccan and Jewish peoples.

The planned embassy upgrade would give the relationship a more conventional diplomatic structure, while the proposed investment and tax agreements could provide a framework for expanding economic activity.

For Washington, the trilateral meeting also provides a platform for reinforcing one of the regional relationships created by the Abraham Accords, while Israel and Morocco seek to broaden cooperation beyond political contacts into investment, business, tourism and transport.

The latest measures therefore represent a further institutionalisation of the Israel-Morocco relationship, combining diplomatic upgrades with steps aimed at making bilateral economic ties more practical and sustained.

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

The Department of Energy (DOE) targets installing 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points before 2028, a DOE official told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday.

The agency’s goal is in line with its commitment to expand and promote the adoption of EVs in the Philippines, reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and lessen its dependence on fossil fuels amid rising gas prices.

‘We have 1,926 electric vehicle charging points as of today, and the target is 7,000 before 2028. We’re almost 25% of the way there,’ DOE Energy Utilization Management Bureau Director Patrick Aquino said.

To boost the establishment of EV charging stations, the DOE will soon require EV charging points in parking lots of residential buildings and along major roads, thereby incentivizing the use of EVs or hybrid EVs.

According to Aquino, the DOE will soon issue a joint memorandum circular with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Anti-Red Tape Authority, and the Department of Public Works and Highways on the ‘streamlined permitting and operation of the electric vehicle charging stations.’

Energy Secretary Sharon Garin also shared that the agency is entering into agreements with local government units to roll out charging stations.

‘We’re just pushing the major thoroughfares [to install charging stations] so [drivers] won’t fear going to Baguio or going to Batangas, but I think it will be organically the private stakeholders who will put it up,’ Garin said

Forest land to be reclaimed

Chiang Mai: Authorities are preparing to reclaim more than 7,000 rai of forest land in Chai Prakan district after identifying eight cases of encroachment for commercial farming, with demolition of structures and restoration work scheduled to begin next month.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin said on Tuesday he had instructed assistant minister Pol Maj Gen Nuntachat Supamongkol to oversee efforts to address encroachment in Chai Prakan forest plantation, where large areas have been cleared for commercial agriculture.

The Chiang Mai-based Forest Resource Management Office 1 has issued eight orders under Section 25 of the National Reserved Forest Act requiring the removal of structures and measures to mitigate environmental impacts. The cases cover a combined 7,028 rai of land.

The orders are being served on those occupying the land, with the 15-day compliance period due to expire on Sept 30. Authorities will then issue enforcement notices and set Oct 9 as the demolition date before returning the land to the Royal Forest Department (RFD) for restoration.

The action follows an Aug 19 inspection prompted by complaints over forest clearing, road construction and preparations to grow ginger. The RFD has designated Chai Prakan as a model for tackling commercial groups exploiting forest resources.