Philippines Morning News For February 12, 2019

Philippines in fourth straight month of weaker long-term investment inflows
Long term equity capital entering the Philippines from overseas slowed for the fourth straight month in a row in November 2018 — a trend reversal that ended the record high investment levels being reported earlier last year, data from the central bank showed.
— Inquirer.net

U.S. commits $300M intel support to PH
The United States government has promised to provide the Philippines $300 million to beef up the country’s intelligence gathering capabilities, Malacañang said on Monday.
— CNN Philippines

Approved investments hit P97.9 billion in January 2019
Investments approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) jumped by 91% to P97.9 billion in January 2019 from P51.3 billion in the same month last year, boosted by investments in the energy sector.
— Rappler

Election risks reigniting Philippines inflation
What might Milton Friedman make of the Philippines today?
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

DOH: Over 4K measles cases, 70 deaths in Philippines
In just more than a month, over 4,000 people have contracted measles with 70 people reported deaths because of the disease, the Department of Health (DOH) said Monday.
— Inquirer.net

Peso rediscount loans hit P14.46B in Jan – BSP
Borrowings by banks under the peso rediscount facility of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) totaled P14.46 billion in January, data released by the central bank showed on Monday.
— The Manila Times

Philippines’ talent edge slips in index
THE PHILIPPINES led lower-middle-income economies in a 2019 talent competitiveness survey, in which the country nevertheless posted a lower score and rank compared to the previous year.
— BusinessWorld Online

D.O.T. retains foreign visitors goal but likely to adjust local tourism figures amid upswing
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is retaining its foreign tourist targets, after all.
— Business Mirror

Budget qualifier scraps funding for Chinese video
Congress has qualified through a provision that the unprogrammed funds in the P3.7-trillion General Appropriations Bill (GAB) for 2019 will not be used for Chinese and other foreign-funded projects that lack feasibility studies or have been unilaterally approved by the executive branch.
— The Philippine Star

The Philippines gets P23.8 million US grant for broadband project
The US government has given a P23.8-million grant to the Philippines to assist the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) in designing the P72-billion national broadband network (NBN) the government wants to build to provide internet connectivity even in the country’s far-flung areas.
— The Philippine Star

ADB ‘repackages’ $500-million Metro transport development plan
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is preparing new rail-based projects for Metro Manila, as well as bridges, among others, to address congestion in the megacity.
— Business Mirror

BOC, BIR streamline rules to cut red tape, decongest ports
THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) has issued Customs Memorandum Circular (CMC) 34-2019 in line with streamlining the procedures for the issuance of the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s (BIR) Authority to Release Imported Goods (Atrig).
— Business Mirror

Gov’t seals first ‘hybrid’ PPP airport project: O&M concession for Clark
The Duterte administration sealed the long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) concession for the Clark International Airport, the first airport project under the government’s “hybrid” public-private partnership (PPP) scheme.
— Manila Bulletin

ECC delay stalls P12.2-billion Kaliwa Dam project
The construction of the long overdue P12.2-billion Kaliwa Dam may suffer further delays as its application for environmental compliance certificate remains hanging.
— The Philippine Star

Duterte agrees: PH should be called ‘Republic of Maharlika’
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, February 11, said he was amenable to the proposal to rename the Philippines to “Maharlika.”
— Sun Star

Measles outbreak: 70 dead
The number of dengue cases is rising even as the government scrambles to deal with a measles outbreak with 70 confirmed deaths, a Health official said Monday.
— Manilastandard.net

P68-million estafa suit filed vs domestic Okada contractor
FINMAT International Resources Inc., one of the major contractors of Okada Philippines, faces a lawsuit after construction supplier Golden Mile Enterprises (GME) filed a case before a Regional Trial Court in Pasig City for nonfulfillment of its obligations.
— Business Mirror

US, Japan commit support for PHL’s fight vs terrorism
THE UNITED STATES has committed over P300 million in “intelligence support” to the Philippines, Malacañang announced on Monday.
— BusinessWorld Online

LGUs urged to develop MICE market for tourism
The country’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition (MICE) sector should be developed at the local level for the sector to thrive across the Philippines.
— The Philippine Star

Siam Cement eyes 10% revenue hike in 2019 from PHL government’s booming infrastructure program
THAILAND-based Siam Cement Group (SCG) is banking on the government’s infrastructure program to boost its revenue by 10 percent this year from sales on construction materials.
— Business Mirror

DoH flags vaccine hesitancy as measles cases rise
THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Monday reported an estimated threefold rise in measles cases nationwide, with the death toll now at 70.
— BusinessWorld Online

Palace stresses Duterte will not allow use of any gov’t fund in poll campaign
Malacañang on Monday reiterated President Rodrigo Duterte’s stand that no government fund shall be used in support of or against any candidate running in the 2019 midterm elections.
— CNN Philippines

SoCot allots initial P11-M for crisis intervention program
The provincial government has allocated an initial PHP11 million for the implementation this year of its expanded social services assistance program for poor or indigent residents.
— Philippine News Agency

DOF to sell government stake in NLEX operator
The national government will sell its stake in Pangilinan-led Tollways Management Corp. (TMC), the Privatization and Management Office (PMO) announced yesterday.
— Manila Bulletin

Get children immunized—Unicef
A United Nations agency has expressed alarm over the measles outbreak across the Philippines.
— Manilastandard.net

Duterte reminds gov’t agencies on timely completion of infra projects
President Rodrigo Duterte has reminded government agencies to ensure the timely completion of vital infrastructure projects in the country.
— Inquirer.net

McDonald’s Philippines hiring nearly 20,000 new employees in 2019
Coming from a year of bullish growth and expansion, Golden Arches Development Corporation (McDonald’s Philippines) continues to open its doors for young Filipinos to join the company with “Go Hire Day.”
— Rappler

Philippines, US launch new maritime training facility in Bulacan
The Philippines and United States on Monday launched a new maritime training facility in Balagtas, Bulacan.
— Inquirer.net

Hundreds hired, 2K ex-Hanjin workers apply for BBB jobs
Thousands of applicants got the opportunity to seek their next career, while hundreds were hired on the spot during the second “Build, Build, Build = Jobs, Jobs, Jobs” Caravan held at the Subic Gymnasium, Subic Bay Freeport Zone over the weekend.
— Philippine News Agency

DOH deploys teams to contain measles outbreak in E. Visayas
The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas reported on Monday that it has already deployed health teams in some areas to help control the spread of measles as the number of cases is expected to rise in the next few weeks.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte to Bangsamoro people: Bury your guns, join peace efforts
With the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) now ratified and the Bangsamoro interim government about to be formed, President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to rebels in the region to “bury” their guns and join efforts for peace.
— Rappler

Bloomberry gets P40-b loan to build casino in Quezon City
Bloomberry Resorts Corp. said Monday two units obtained a P40-billion loan to fund a casino project at Vertis North Complex in Quezon City.
— Manilastandard.net

Palace welcomes Japan’s offer to help PH in fighting terrorism
The Philippine government has welcomed Japan’s offer to help the country fight terrorism following the twin explosions in Jolo, Sulu last month.
— Manila Bulletin

Traffic-weary urban dwellers fuel Honestbee growth in Philippines
Traffic jams and ubiquitous smartphones helped food and grocery delivery platform honestbee grow by “triple digits,” its Philippine head said Monday.
— ABS-CBN News (video)

PAL is official carrier for 2019 SEA Games
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will be the official carrier for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, spokesperson Cielo Villaluna disclosed on Monday.
— PTV News

Good news: Cops, soldiers, Coast Guard men get 20 pct discount on all public buses
Uniformed personnel can avail of a 20-percent discount on all public utility buses starting Monday, Feb.11, the Department of Transportation said.
— ABS-CBN News

Cut in bank reserves seen this year
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to reduce the amount of cash banks are required to keep in reserve this year in order to ease the tight liquidity being experienced by the local economy, according to economists of one of the country’s largest financial institution.
— Inquirer.net

Cotabato mayor wants SC to nullify BOL vote
THE legal team of Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani Sayadi is studying all options in preparation for the filing of a petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the just concluded plebiscites in Mindanao null and void.
— The Manila Times

Amid measles outbreak, DOH says dengue cases also up
From January 1 to 26 this year, the reported cases of dengue reached 12,431 cases. There were only 11,865 dengue cases for the same period in 2018.
— GMA News

SC ready for ‘tele-hearing’ of cases
The Supreme Court will soon implement the new rule allowing high-risk detainees, including arrested terrorists, to stand trial in courts from their detention facilities without the need to go to the courtrooms.
— Manilastandard.net

SM Prime nets P32.2-B in 2018
SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), one of the largest integrated property developers in Southeast Asia, booked a 17-percent increase in profit last year, driven largely by the strong performance of its shopping malls and residential businesses.
— Philippine News Agency

The ANC Brief: Circus coming to town
The election circus is coming to town. The campaign for the May midterm elections has started. These are the stories ANC will be covering today:
— ABS-CBN News

Philippine bill that will assist startups nears approval
A bill that seeks to support innovative startups in the Philippines is now awaiting the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte for it to become a law following its ratification by the Senate last week.
— KrASIA

A Major Philippine Bank Just Launched Crypto ATMs and it May Fuel Massive Bitcoin Adoption
According to local publications, Union Bank of the Philippines, one of the largest commercial banks in the Philippines, has launched the country’s first crypto ATM.
— CCN

Oversupply brings down prices of eggplant, onions
Around 300 kilos of eggplants from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija are rotting away as market prices fell on Monday due to oversupply of vegetables.
— GMA News

Brgy. Bantayan implements zero waste management
In line with the decentralization of Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, Barangay Bantayan in Dumaguete City took the challenge to go zero waste.
— Philippine Information Agency

Benguet PVET sets provincewide anti-rabies vaccination
LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Feb. 11 (PIA) – – Rabies is described as a hundred percent fatal but 100 percent preventable.
— Philippine Information Agency

Arevalo denies alleged AFP-MILF conspiracy to ensure BOL win in plebiscite
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo denied on Monday allegations that the military conspired with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to ensure the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) win in the plebiscite.
— GMA News

Echiverri scores another victory at Sandiganbayan
Former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri has secured another dismissal of his graft case at the Sandiganbayan over the alleged anomalous implementation of infrastructure projects worth P979 million.
— GMA News

Gov’t regulator gives policyholders time to study health plans before buying
The Insurance Commission (IC) has ordered all insurers in the country to give customers five to 15 days as “free-look period” for health insurance products.
— Inquirer.net

Duterte on high fuel prices: Nothing I can do ‘even if you hang me’
President Rodrigo Duterte admitted Monday that he could not do anything about high fuel prices “even if you hang me.”
–Inquirer.net

ONE Championship: MMA stars campaign to end schools bullying
Bullying has yet again become a hot topic in the Philippines when a viral video on social media, involving a martial arts practitioner made the headlines a few months ago.
— Tempo

Duterte to visit Sagay for land reform program
President Rodrigo Duterte said on Monday he will visit Sagay City in Negros Occidental next week to distribute lands there, months after the fatal shooting of nine sugar farmers that remains unresolved to this day.
— GMA news

D0LE: Kasambahay wage under review
The kasambahays or household service workers rendering services in the cities and in all first class municipalities in Central Visayas are to be paid not less than P3,000 monthly, the existing wage rate pursuant to Wage Order No. ROVII-D.W. 01, which is now under review by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB-7).
— Philippine Information Agency

Duterte calls out Sison for trying to justify imposition of “revolutionary taxes”
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, Feb. 11, lashed out at Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison after he rejected the chief executive’s condition for Communists to stop imposing “revolutionary taxes” for peace talks to resume.
— Eagle News

Stop the blame game, focus on controlling measles outbreak –Red Cross official
Instead of engaging in the blame game, an official of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) called for objectivity and focus on the solution in controlling the measles outbreak.
— GMA News

MRT cop doused with ‘taho’ gets medal
The Philippine National Police on Monday lauded an officer who was drenched with a cup of taho by a Chinese woman at the MRT-3.
— ABS-CBN News

Volunteers participate in clean up drive along Bued River
More than 500 volunteers participated in the massive cleanup drive along the stretch of the Bued River on Friday (Feb.8).
— Philippine Information Agency

DOLE-X launches tree growing project in Camiguin
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)-10-Camiguin Provincial Field Office (CamPFO), in partnership with the Federation of the DOLE Integrated Livelihood and Emergency Employment Program (DILEEP) beneficiaries in Camiguin (FED-Cam) and the Department of …
— Philippine Information Agency

Feature photo End Rabies Now

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World Radio Day February 13.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Philippines morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Philippines news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Philippines morning news for February 12 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on February 12, 2019
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.