Philippine Morning News For March 13

Philippines morning news roundup by AEC News Today, your one stop for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.

Gov’t seeking $150M from AIIB for Metro Manila flood control project
The Philippine government has officially proposed for cofinancing of China-based Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) a $500-million flood control project in Metro Manila.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

PH, China to sign over $8B project financing deals
The Philippine government is firming up the list of projects to be financed by China ahead of signing an economic cooperation agreement between this week, according to documents from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
— The Manila Times

Export growth target to be revised upward
The government and the private sector will revisit the country’s export growth target following the strong outcome of merchandise exports in January.
— Phil Star

PH secures economic priorities in ASEAN
The Philippines successfully advocated its trade priorities in ASEAN as the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) Retreat and Related Meetings ended on March 10.
– Eagle News Service

Philippine salary increases slow down but bonuses slightly up
Employee salaries in the Philippines’ private sector increased only by 5% year-on-year, on average, according to a report released by Willis Towers Watson.
— Enterprise Innovation

Manila eyes ‘golden age of infrastructure’
Desperately needed airports and trains are part of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s envisioned “golden age of infrastructure,” but graft, red tape and other perennial problems threaten the $170-billion plan.
— Arab News

Taxing JICA-funded projects
For many years now, the Government of Japan has been one of the largest providers of bilateral assistance to the Philippines. The Philippines undertakes several projects funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) loans or grant aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
— Business World Online

PHL takes over chairmanship of APEC disaster risk finance group
The Philippines has accepted the chairmanship of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)’s technical working group (TWG) in charge of crafting financial protection strategies that will strengthen the resilience and quick-response measures of governments to disasters.
— Canadian Inquirer

China: Philippines can’t claim Benham Rise
The Philippines cannot claim Benham Rise as its own territory despite it being part of the country’s 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone, Beijing said.
— Phil Star

Donald Trump Has Call Centers in the Philippines Worried
Outsourcing companies in the Philippines, whose clients are mainly U.S. companies, are worried that Donald Trump’s plan to bring jobs back to America won’t end at just manufacturing but extend into services.
— Bloomberg

Philippine armed group sets free child soldiers
Hundreds of child soldiers have been released by the Philippines’ main separatist armed group here at Camp Nusa, continuing its commitment to end the recruitment and use of children within its ranks.
— Aljazeera

First credit card facility for Philippine corn farmers launched
To address the lack of capital sources with reasonable interest rates for farmers, Monsanto and Metrobank launched Dekalb Mlite, the first credit card facility for corn farmers in the country.
— Sun Star

‘Don’t scare me on human rights’
President Duterte is unfazed by moves to hale him before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
— Phil Star

Philippine-Australia ties: Challenges and opportunities
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop is set to visit the country this week. The occasion is expected to bring to fore the challenges and opportunities that inform the long-standing relationship between the two countries. Trade, investment, and security are just some of the issues that will be raised, underscored by a shared interest in regional prosperity.
— The Standard

Philippines Commissions New Japan Coast Guard Vessel
This week, the Philippines commissioned the third of ten coast guard vessels it is received from Japan to help boost its maritime and law enforcement capabilities.
— The Diplomat

EU threatens to review Philippine access to GSP
A senior official of the European Union warned on Friday that the 28-nation block could review trade agreements with the Philippines if the death penalty bill becomes law and if summary killings continue unabated, The Manila Times Online reported on Saturday.
— Thai PBS

Philippines needs more telco players: DICT Secretary
The Philippines needs more telecommunications players that would deliver improve service, coverage, and pricing to the people.
— Mis-Asia

Malaysia to send new peacekeepers to Mindanao
Malaysia will replace on Tuesday its peacekeeping contingent in Mindanao with a new batch for a 12-month mission in conflict flashpoint areas.
— Phil Star

Philippines, Rebels to Restart Peace Talks, Cease-fire
The Philippine government and communist rebels have agreed to resume peace talks and restore separate cease-fires after an escalation of deadly clashes, officials said Sunday.
— VOA

Feature photo: Bernard Spragg

Philippines morning news roundup is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Philippines Morning News For March 13 added by Leakhena Khat on March 13, 2017
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.