Tesda plans TVET innovation center in Clark Freeport Zone

and taxes and duties.

By Patrick V. Miguel

in Cagayan de Oro City and from friends in Davao City.

“And this is true for all flights to and from Mindanao,” Rodriguez said.

Earlier, the CAB issued an advisory informing airlines and passengers that the fuel surcharge rate would go up starting September 1 due to higher fuel prices.

Depending on the distance, the CAB said the increased surcharge would range from P185 to P665 per ticket for domestic flights, and from P610.37 to P4,538.40 for international travel.

The agency stressed that the collection of the higher charge would be optional on the part of airlines.

Rodriguez noted the hike in fees comes at a time when the travel and tourism industry is just starting to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Higher plane fares will dampen both domestic and international travel. I appeal to the carriers to defer the higher surcharge to encourage more tourists,” he said.

The lawmaker also noted that airlines are now reporting net profits in the billions due to post-pandemic travel and tourism.

“They can afford to forego the increased surcharge, which is just a small fraction of their ticket price,” Rodriguez said.

By Butch Fernandez @butchfBM

APART from ensuring sufficient power supply, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian is pushing for the development of more renewable energy (RE) projects in the country to help bring down power costs.

Citing data from the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), Gatchalian said RE plants “provide the cheapest generation cost” when compared to coal-fired and gas-fired power plants. Moreover, he zeroed on the data for the month of July that showed coal plants had the highest generation cost at an average P8.0978 per kilowatt hour (kWh) while gas-fired power plants had an average generation cost of P5.6636 per kWh and RE power plants had an average generation cost of only P4.7052 per kWh.

The same data also showed that RE plants a courtesy visit to the president of the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) Director-General Suharto T. Mangudadatu announced plans to build a regional technical vocational education and training (TVET) innovation center (RTIC) inside the Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga.

FOLLOWING

A statement issued by the Tesda read that the center is expected to modernize the TVET system in the country “so that it can respond effectively to an increasingly globalized, technology-driven and knowledge-driven market.”

The center is also expected to improve the quality of skilling programs and upgrade training facilities. The center is set to cater courses in robotics, mechatronics and “smart” health care.

“Having the RTIC inside the Clark Economic Zone will locate it strategically to serve the medium-term and future skills demands of commercial, manufacturing, and trading establishments of the CFZ, of the region, and of the country, as a whole,” Mangudadatu was quoted in the statement as saying.

The Tesda official added that the construction of innovation centers nationwide is aligned with the agency’s strategy for “global competitiveness and workforce-readiness, and social equity for workforce inclusion and poverty reduction.”

“The implementation of innovations in TVET must be dynamic, encompassing and inclusive of the education and training, experimentation in research and development, and entrepreneurship education,” he said.

The innovation center will be built through funding from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the multilateral lender’s “Supporting Innovation in the Philippine Technical and Vocational Education and Training System” ( SIP-TVETS ) project.

A document from the ADB said the SIP-TVETS project will help the Tesda to “undertake institutional reforms, build project management capacity, and forge stronger engagement between public TVET institutes and industry in areas of enterprise-based training and applied research and development so that the employability of Filipino youth and workers is enhanced.”

“The project will also contribute toward the government’s National Employment Recovery Strategy [NERS] to help the economy bounce back from the adverse effects of the coronavirus disease,” it added.

According to a document from the ADB, the Sip-Tvets project cost estimate is $117.3 million.

“The expenditure items will cover civil works in 17 RTICs, goods, consulting services, capacity building, recurrent costs, contingencies, and financing charges during implementation,” the document read.

It added that the ADB will cover $100 million or 85.2 percent of total project cost from its ordinary capital resources.

“The loan will have a 29-year term including a grace period of eight years, straight-line method with an annual interest rate determined in accordance with ADB’s rate for ‘flexible loan product,’ a commitment charge of 0.15 percent per year, and such other

only contributed 7.69 percent of the total power purchased by Meralco last month.

“The data clearly shows that the development of renewable energy would provide the most benefit for our consumers as it entails the lowest generation cost,” Gatchalian said.

Earlier, the solon filed Senate Bill (SB) 157 or the proposed “Energy Transition Act,” which provides for the creation of an “energy transition plan” to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and remove the country’s dependence on imported fuel.

However, Gatchalian noted that the energy transition would require diversification of current energy sources.

Moreover, the senator also filed SB 485, or “An Act Enhancing the Implementation of the Net-Metering Program, Amending for the purpose Republic Act 9513, or the Renewable Energy Act Of 2008.” terms and conditions set forth in the loan agreement,” the ADB added. “Based on the straight-line method, the average maturity is 18.75 years. The applicable maturity premium is 0.20 percent payable to ADB.”

The document read that the government will fund $17.3 million or 14.8 percent of total project costs, to cover for loan interest and charges of $4.63 million, and $12.70 million for training, recurrent costs, contingencies,

“Tesda’s in-kind contribution is estimated at $0.5 million in the form of office space, Tesda-counterpart staff time, and use of vehicles,” the ADB document added.

As filed, the Gatchalian bill embodied the proposed law aiming to “foster increased investments in the renewable energy sector, seeks to remove the 100-kilowatt (kW) ceiling on generation facilities that can participate in the net metering program.

It adds that authorized under existing laws, net metering allows participants with their own facilities feed power back into the grid and have their contribution to the common pool of power deducted from their consumption.

At the same time, Gatchalian also voiced hopes that investors would take advantage of a recent circular issued by the Department of Energy that removes limitations on foreign ownership of RE projects. The circular effectively allows foreign nationals and foreign-owned entities to explore, develop and use RE resources such as solar, wind, biomass, ocean and tidal energy.

Sen. Go pitches responsible marketing for growth, public trust in real estate

IN a gathering of real estate professionals and industry experts, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” T. Go stressed the shared responsibility of both government and the private sector in promoting responsible and sustainable best practices.

The event, with a theme

“Responsible Real Estate Marketing: Accurate Representation for Sustainable Public Trust” was held at the Grand Regal Hotel in Davao City on Friday, August 18. It underscored the pivotal role of the real estate sector in the country’s economy while emphasizing ethical practices and accurate representation to build public trust.

“I am truly honored to stand before you today at this important event focusing on responsible real estate marketing, and accurate representation for sustainable public trust. It is a pleasure to see many dedicated and passionate individuals gathered here, all of whom play a vital role in shaping the future of the real estate industry in the Philippines,” said Go.

The senator highlighted the symbiotic relationship between responsible real estate marketing and sustainable economic growth.

With his understanding of the industry, the senator explained how the real estate sector could serve as a catalyst for economic development, job creation, and overall national progress.

Trust between consumers and real estate developers, he stressed, is paramount for a thriving industry: “The objective of this event is clear – to create a platform for the exchange of experiences, the sharing of insights, and the elevation of industry standards. We believe that by coming together we can collectively enhance the way we operate, ensuring that our practices are always in line with the highest standard of professionalism, ethics, and transparency.”

The lawmaker also shared some of his efforts as a legislator, housing advocate, and member of the Senate Committee on Urban Planning, Housing, and Resettlement.

Go earlier filed Senate Bill (SB) 192 and SB 426, which proposed the “Rental Housing Subsidy Program” and the “National Housing Development, Production and Financing Program,” respectively. These bills are part of his efforts to ensure that the homeless have access to safe and affordable shelters.

SB 192 is designed to provide sustainable and habitable housing to Filipinos impacted by disasters and other crises. The bill also calls for the development of a housing and social protection program that will give disaster victims better and more affordable access to the formal housing market through rental subsidies provided by the government.

Go also advocates for SB 426, which seeks to enhance housing production by fostering partnerships among stakeholders to address the social housing needs of Filipino families.

The bill aims to generate and mobilize funds to establish a sustainable, accessible, and affordable housing financing system for the country’s informal settlers. In addition, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development and its attached key shelter agencies shall strengthen the implementation of the crucial elements of the NHDPF program.

Go also filed SB 2108 or the “Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program” (4PH), which focuses on the holistic development of sustainable communities. SB 2108 institutionalizes the 4PH, a flagship housing initiative initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

Under the program, the 4PH aims to build six million units by the end of Marcos’s term. Being the lead agency of the program, DHSUD has previously issued Department Circular 2023-004, granting authority to the agency’s partner local government units to execute and implement measures to bridge their respective housing gaps under the 4PH.

“These measures are aligned with our initiative to provide adequate and affordable housing to several families who lacked decent housing. am truly excited about the discussions that will take place today. The insights you gain here will undoubtedly contribute to the growth of your individual careers as well as the overall advancement of the real estate sales landscape in our nation through shared knowledge and collective delegation, we can foster an environment where responsible real estate marketing becomes synonymous with sustainable public trust,” Go said.