Philippines Morning News For May 29, 2019

Gov’t maps out financial strategy vs global shocks
An inter-agency council has prepared a roadmap that would allow the Philippines to survive external shocks brought about by the possible global growth slowdown.
— The Philippine Star

PH improves 4 notches in competitiveness report
The Philippines ranked 46th out of 63 countries in the 2019 World Competitiveness Yearbook (WCY), a four-place improvement from last year’s 50th. The country partially recovered this year after a nine-place drop in 2018.
— Manila Bulletin

‘Red tape a bane’ 1 year after EODB law’s OK
ONE year after President Duterte signed the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) law, the government still has a lot of work to do to cut red tape in the bureaucracy and make transactions easier, according to business executives.
— Business Mirror

Mid-term election results unlikely to impact Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-China policy: analysts
While the outcome of the May 13 mid-term elections was a huge boost for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s domestic agenda, it might not entail significant changes to his pro-China policies, say analysts.
— Spratly Islands

Sale of P704.8-M Hawaii Collection seized from Marcoses awaiting Duterte’s nod
The disposal of the P704.8-million jewelry collection seized from now-Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos only awaits the approval of President Rodrigo Duterte before it is sold via public auction, the Commission on Audit has said in its 2018 audit report on the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).
— GMA News

Marawi resident sues NHA, HUDCC chiefs at Ombudsman over ‘anomalous’ demolition project
A resident of Marawi City on Tuesday sued top officials of the National Housing Authority (NHA) and the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) at the Office of the Ombudsman over the alleged anomalous demolition of destroyed structures in the war-torn city.
— GMA News

DepEd allots P35M for repair of quake-damaged schools
The Department of Education (DepEd) has allotted Php35 million for the repair of damaged school buildings in San Julian town, Easter Samar.
— Philippine Information Agency

President Duterte and his delegation, including 16 cabinet members, leave for Tokyo, Japan
President Rodrigo Duterte, together with 16 members of his cabinet, left for Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday, May 28, to attend an international conference and to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.
— Eagle News

Expected infrastructure spending pickup next semester to fuel growth
THE PHILIPPINE ECONOMY can expect to benefit from revived infrastructure spending in the latter half of this year after a four-month delay in enactment of the P3.662-trillion national budget weighed on “fiscal impulse” this semester, S&P Global Ratings said in a report e-mailed to journalists on Tuesday that tagged the impact of Sino-US trade tensions and potential price pressures from a prolonged El Niño episode and oil prices as key risks to the country’s growth prospects.
— BusinessWorld Online

Japan backs PH security needs in South China Sea
Japan has assured the Philippines that it will support its security needs in the South China Sea, Ambassador to Japan Jose Laurel V said Tuesday.
— Spratly Islands

Foreign currency denominated govt bonds as securities deposit by a PH branch
One of the securities mandated to be deposited by a Philippine Branch with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may be in the form of US Dollar (USD)-denominated bonds to be issued by the Philippine government.
— The Manila Times

Opposition mars P36B hydropower project
A $700-million China-backed hydropower plant project in Bukidnon has been shelved due to the resistance of indigenous peoples (IPs) in the area.
— Malaya

‘Severe malnutrition threat to economy’
The single biggest threat to business in the country is the severe malnutrition afflicting one third of children five years old and below that results in stunted growth and brain development, a leading economist said on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times

House panel OKs bill institutionalizing NEDA as independent economic agency
The House Committee on Appropriations has approved an unnumbered substitute bill seeking to institutionalize the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) as concerns raised by the Department of Finance, Department of Budget and Management and the Civil Service Commission were also settled during the meeting.
— Business Mirror

PH pangolin trade can make Palawan a ‘lost frontier’
Often called the “last ecological frontier” because of its rich biodiversity, Palawan province may soon become a “lost frontier,” if threats to the Philippine pangolin remain unabated.
— Inquirer.net

Wawa water project seen to ease water supply woes by 2021
The water crisis which recently plagued Metro Manila and neighboring provinces could be a thing of the past two years from now after the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System approved the Wawa Bulk Water Supply Project which will start commercial operations by 2021.
— Inquirer.net

‘Govt catch-up plan to boost growth’
EASING monetary policy and a catch-up spending plan would help the government achieve its economic growth target of 6 to 7 percent this year, a Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC) economist said on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times

W. Visayas cops arrest 889 drug suspects in five months
The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) has arrested a total of 889 drug personalities from January to May 20 this year.
— Philippine News Agency

Golden Triangle, source of PH shabu-PDEA
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency XI warns that the Asian Drug-Triad dubbed as the “Golden Triangle,” is now a source of shabu in the Philippines.
— Philippine Information Agency

FDA orders recall of pork goods from countries with African swine fever
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ordered the recall of pork products imported from countries hit by African swine fever (ASF), following a request from the Department of Agriculture (DA).
— Rappler

Alvarez alleges vote-buying in speakership race
Reelected Davao del Norte 1st District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez claimed that two of his fellow contenders for the top post at the House of Representatives have supposedly thrown cash at lawmakers in a bid to secure votes.
— CNN Philippines

Former anti-poverty chief blames Pagcor, military for ₱49M idle funds
The former head of the government’s anti-poverty agency on Tuesday faulted the gaming regulator for stopping the use of over ₱49 million in special funds meant for the poor.
— CNN Philippines

DTI introduces strategies for green economic development
In order to enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Southern Leyte, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently conducted a Greening Business Operations Training and Action Planning.
— Philippine Information Agency

Canada’s trash is ready to go, to leave the country by May 30, says DFA
Canada’s trash is “ready to go” and would be leaving the country by May 30, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.
— Eagle News

‘Amungan’ fest draws 144 job fair applicants
A two-day job fair here has generated at least 144 applicants for local and overseas employments.
— Philippine Information Agency

Employers close ranks versus total abolition of legitimate job contracting
Employers yesterday close ranks to come up with a more balanced policies on security of tenure of employees as they expressed apprehension over the passage of Senate Bill No. 1826 also known as the Security of Tenure or Anti-Endo Bill, which they said will abolish even legitimate job contracting in the country.
— Manila Bulletin

Paraguay floodwaters force thousands to evacuate homes
Like 70,000 people living close to the broken banks of the Paraguay River, where the water level has risen seven meters (23 feet) in some places, Graciela Acosta has had to pack up her belongings and evacuate.
— Eagle News

Lowering age of criminal liability, mandatory ROTC to put children in further danger –child rights alliance
An alliance of child rights advocates slammed on Tuesday the progressing bills on the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR) and mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program in senior high school, saying they would only put children in further danger.
— GMA News

Transfer of NegOcc provincial offices to temporary sites ongoing
The provincial government of Negros Occidental continues to facilitate the transfer of its 17 offices occupying the Provincial Administration Center (PAC) to identified temporary sites.
— Philippine News Agency

NegOcc labor groups eye wage hike petition in June
Labor groups in Negros Occidental are planning to file a formal petition for a minimum wage increase in Western Visayas in June, a month before the expiration of Wage Order No. 24 in July.
— Philippine News Agency

Holding ex-Ombudsman Morales in HK an act of ‘strong-arming’ by China — UP law alumni group
The University of the Philippines Law Alumni Association on Monday expressed serious concern on former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales being held at the Hong Kong airport last week.
— GMA News

Senate ratifies service charge bill
The Senate ratified on Tuesday the bill that would allow hotel, restaurant and other workers to receive 100 percent of the service charges collected from customers.
— Inquirer.net

Ordinance orders creation of dengue task force in barangays
Barangays are now mandated to establish dengue task forces following the passage of an ordinance calling for its creation down to villages during Tuesday’s regular session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) in this city.
— Philippine News Agency

Duterte renews Ramon Tulfo’s appointment as special envoy to China, names new National Statistician
President Rodrigo Duterte has renewed the appointment of Ramon Tulfo as special envoy to China, months after local labor groups demanded him to resign after saying that Filipino construction workers were lazy and slow compared to Chinese laborers.
— GMA News

UPDATE: 15 injured in Manila road mishap
AT least 15 persons, including a pregnant woman, were injured after a collision between a 14-wheeler container truck and a jeepney in Intramuros, Manila on Tuesday afternoon, police said.
— The Manila Times

Cebu gov’t, private entities mark start of National Flag Days
Government offices and private establishments in Cebu started Tuesday the 15-day National Flag Days with the simultaneous raising of the Philippine flag and singing of the national anthem.
— Philippine News Agency

Anti-‘endo’ bill up for Duterte’s signature after House adopts Senate version
THE ban against contractualization will soon become law once President Rodrigo Duterte affixes his signature to the Senate bill, which the House of Representatives formally adopted on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times

DND chief Lorenzana admits Marawi rehab, repair yet to start two years after siege
The reconstruction and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City have yet to start two years since it was attacked by Maute group terrorists because the area remains uncleared of unexploded bombs dropped by the military to rid the area of terrorists, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said Tuesday.
— GMA News

School Buildings Will No Longer Function As Evacuation Sites
The normally followed procedure of going to nearby schools during times of disaster will now be prohibited, according to Dep Ed chief.
— Philippine News

Preps for Southern Leyte’s 59th Founding Anniversary begin
As the 59th Founding Anniversary of the province of Southern Leyte is nearing, representatives from national line agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units (LGUs), and other concerned entities hold a convergence meeting at the Provincial Capitol in this city on May 23.
— Philippine Information Agency

MMDA to inspect schools for cigarettes, tobacco products
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will inspect the selling and promoting of cigarettes and other tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, within the 100-meter perimeter of public and private schools.
— Philippine News Agency

Groups urge firms to take better care of workers’ health
Labor groups urged employers on Tuesday to see past their profit margins and look after the well-being of their workers, especially now that the World Health Organization (WHO) had already considered burnout due to work as a legitimate medical condition.
— Inquirer.net

ING Philippines breaks new ground with its all-digital savings product
ING, which has been operating in the Philippines for nearly 30 years now, has forayed into retail banking with the launch of its pathbreaking savings product designed with digital savvy Filipino consumers in mind.
— BusinessWorld Online

Feature photo Tobacco Control

This week’s Philippines morning news feature photo acknowledges World No Tobacco Day, May 31.

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 May 29 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 29, 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.